One Week in West Sicily for Foodies & Beach Lovers

For beach lovers, you can’t miss the beautiful coastal town of Cefalù. This picturesque fishing village is an easy visit from Palermo, especially if you’re not planning on renting a car. Enjoy the beach, and get a bit of a sweat on hiking La Rocca for sweeping views over the coast.

The island of Favignana (and if time permits, neighboring Levanzo) is a must visit if you’re traveling to Sicily between May and early October. The island is home to just about 4,500 year-round residents, but the island swells to 40,000 or so in the summer months, and for good reason. The island is home to some of the best-rated beaches in the world and a burgeoning restaurant and wine bar scene. If you want to enjoy summer amongst locals, this is the island for you.

San Vito Lo Capo is home to one of the longest white sand beaches in Sicily, and a can’t-miss destination for those coming to the island in search of true R&R. San Vito Lo Capo is a popular summer destination for Sicilians and Italians, and, like Favignana, its year round population of 4,600 swells to tens of thousands in the summer months. Don’t let that deter you, as there are ample spots for chair rentals, or places to simply set up a towel and enjoy. Make sure to explore the towns in the evening, where every single night you can hear live music and join in on local summer traditions!

Castellammare del Golfo is often overlooked by its neighboring town Scopello (ever popular on social media these days), but Castellammare is not to be missed if you enjoy quieter beaches, delicious food and car-free accessibility.

For a break from the sun and sea, spend a few nights in Sicily’s capital city, Palermo. Palermo is a vibrant city influenced by centuries of Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman and Italian rule. This is a city with something for everyone, and especially something for the food lovers. Spend your time sightseeing and enjoying street foods including arancini (fried rice balls, typically with a ragu filling), sfincione (Sicilian pizza) and pane con la milza (spleen sandwiches), and of course, no trip to Sicily is complete without one or two (dozen) cannoli!

La Brace - A local favorite in Cefalù, but be sure to snag a reservation! They book up quickly.

CornerLab Porto Salvo - New age aperitivo spot in the heart of Cefalù. Great for a cocktail or glass of wine before dinner

Stravecchio - Sicilian wine bar with small bites. Everything they sell is produced in Sicily and is delicious. A great spot to taste Sicilian wines, meats and cheeses. Bonus points for an incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Trattoria da Papù - On an island off of an island (Favignana), you can expect the seafood to be quite fresh, but there’s no better place to test that out than Trattoria da Papù. The menu changes based on what’s in season, but everything is locally caught and you’ll find a number of Sicilian specialties.

Pasticceria 2000 - Tucked away a few streets back from the main town of Castellammare del Golfo sits Pasticceria 2000, an old-school institution serving up some of the best cannolis on the island. Staff are extremely kind, and will help build you a box of some of the best pastries you’ve ever tasted.

L’Antico Granaio - If you’re a pistachio lover, then do not miss the pistachio pesto at L’Antico Granaio in Castellammare del Golfo. If you’re visiting in the summer months, be sure to book your table in advance.

Ballarò Market - if you’re looking for street food in Palermo, look no further than the bustling Ballarò market, home to dozens of stalls and vendors serving up traditional Sicilian food every morning and afternoon (be sure to visit during the day, as the market stalls start to close up around 3 to 4 pm).

Ke Palle - Home to the best arancini in the city, Ke Palle is a can’t-miss, no-frills arancini shop on the main street, Via Maqueda in Palermo. Try out a classic ragu filling, or opt for one of their unique specialties such as curry chicken, barbecue pork or a sweet pistachio arancini!