The nature reserve was founded in 1981 and is the first protected area in Sicily. 

It is located between the towns of Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo and there are two entrances to enter the reserve. 

• North entrance 12 km from San Vito Lo Capo and the 
• South entrance, 1 km from Scopello (I would definitely recommend it). 

It is essential to bring enough drinking water and snacks with you, because once inside there is no more drinking water for the entire route (7 km). 

There is a small snack bar at the entrance, but it can sometimes happen that it is not open. 

The entrance fee is €5 per person and you will receive a map with the various paths and sights of the “Zingaro”, such as the bays and museums along the way. 

Please be sure to wear sturdy shoes as the path is quite rocky. Flip-flops would be absolutely not recommended. 

Of course, depending on the season, don’t forget your bathing suit, because the hike can be easily combined with a few stays at the beach. 

Beautiful turquoise and transparent water invite you to swim. 

The reserve offers seven bays and the difficult part will probably be walking up the steep slope again after swimming to continue the path after swimming. 

One bay is more beautiful than the other and you shouldn’t miss it.

If you don’t want to walk the route, you can also view it from a different perspective and take a boat ride. 

I have already linked the contact for the boat rental above. Boat rental contact: https://www.levantetour.it

Der Beitrag Hiking and swimming in Balestrate and the surrounding area erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

You can find the baby store behind the church in Balestrate (casa del bimbo, Via Roma 98). 

We also provide a cot and a high chair in our holiday apartment free of charge. 

Der Beitrag Baby store in Balestrate erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

The place actually has everything on offer in terms of shops your heart desires.

It is important to know that not all of the shops can be found on the promenade, but there are also many small shops hidden in the side streets. 

Der Beitrag Shopping in Balestrate erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

This means that this beach fulfils the requirements for children, such as the depth of the water on the shore. You can walk quite far into the sea without fear of suddenly stepping into the depths. This is also a great sandy beach with very fine sand.

In summer, there are also plenty of attractions for children, such as a bouncy castle on the water, boat hire, play and gymnastics equipment.

Der Beitrag The beach at Balestrate erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

Guided boat tours

If you have no experience in boating or simply want to enjoy the guidance of an expert, guided boat tours are the perfect choice. Take a picturesque coastal tour and discover hidden bays, breathtaking cliffs and enchanting beaches. An experienced guide will give you interesting information about the surroundings and lead you to the best places for snorkelling and swimming. Don’t forget to take your camera with you to capture the spectacular views.

Boat hire for self-drivers

If you would like to be your own captain, you can hire a boat in Balestrate and explore the Mediterranean at your own pace. Enjoy the freedom to head for secluded bays and relax on beautiful beaches. You don’t need a boating licence for small motorboats in Sicily.

Whether you opt for a guided boat tour or hire your own boat, Balestrate offers you the opportunity to explore the Mediterranean in a very special way. Enjoy the freedom and beauty of the sea as you swim, snorkel and relax in hidden places. Your boat tour in Balestrate will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience that you will remember for a long time to come

A few more tips for your boat trip:

• Plan your route in advance and make sure you have enough time for all the activities you want to do.
• Pack sunscreen, sun hats, swimwear and towels to protect yourself from the sun and enjoy swimming.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks to keep you fuelled during the trip.
• Pay attention to the weather conditions
• Respect the environment and keep the waters clean by disposing of your rubbish properly.

Tour and hire provider

Guided boat tours and boat hire can be found directly at the harbour in Balestrate. We recommend the provider Levante Tour. Click on this link to find out more about what they offer: To the Levante Tour website

Der Beitrag Boat tour and boat hire in Balestrate erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

Sun protection

Protection from the intense sun is essential if you want to enjoy your holiday in Balestrate. Choose a high-quality sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF30 and above) to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Don’t forget to pack an after-sun lotion to soothe and moisturise your skin after sunbathing. Due to the year-round intense sunlight in Sicily, we recommend using sun protection from March to November.

Insect protection

The warm summer evenings in Balestrate can be disturbed by annoying mosquitoes. Pack an insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Choose a product with a long-lasting effect and a pleasant fragrance to enjoy your evenings outdoors undisturbed

Insect screens are fitted to the windows in our holiday flat.

Der Beitrag Care products and cosmetics erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

Museo Regionale di Palermo

Just a short drive from Balestrate is the Museo Regionale di Palermo, one of the most important museums in Sicily. It houses an extensive collection of works of art, archaeological finds and historical artefacts. Immerse yourself in the diverse history of Sicily, from the ancient Greeks to the Renaissance.

Museo Whitaker

The Museo Whitaker in Motya is a jewel for history buffs. The island of Motya, located near Balestrate, was once a Phoenician colony. The museum displays an impressive collection of Phoenician artefacts and offers insights into the maritime history of the region.

Museo delle Saline

If you would like to learn more about traditional salt production, visit the Museo delle Saline in Trapani. The museum takes you through the history of salt production in the region and shows you the old salt works and the methods that have been used for centuries.

Museo del Carretto Siciliano

Immerse yourself in the folklore and traditions of Sicily at the Museo del Carretto Siciliano in Terrasini. Here you can admire ornately decorated Sicilian carts, which symbolise rural life on the island. Find out more about the significance of these fascinating works of art and their role in Sicilian culture.

Der Beitrag Free museums in Sicily erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

We always recommend booking a hire car in Germany via Check24 car hire comparison and looking for the best deals.

If you only want to hire a car or scooter for a day or two, we always recommend hiring one locally in Balestrate. They are usually not as expensive as in the big city of Palermo.

If you are interested, you can simply contact the agency that also looks after our holiday flat and guest services at any time. They will get the best price for you. Provided you are guests in our holiday flat.
IDEA CASE http://www.ideacaseimmobiliare.it/italian/contact-us/
You can also find the contact details in our guest folder in the holiday flat or in the online guest folder, which is sent to you when you book.

Der Beitrag Car hire in Balestrate erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

Here are some tips to help you avoid spending more money than necessary:

Eating and drinking in bars:

There is a difference in cost if you eat a coffee or sandwich at a table or at the counter. You can recognise this by whether the tables are served by a waiter or not.

This is where the topic of “Coperto” comes into play, i.e. the amount of usually 2 euros per person when you sit down at a table and are served.

So if you just want to have a crossiant and a coffee in the morning and simply eat it standing up at the counter, you save yourself the 2 euros you would otherwise have to pay at the table.

But if there is no waiter in sight, you can sit down at the table and have breakfast as normal.

Der Beitrag Save money on your holiday in Sicily erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

However, it never gets really cold in Palermo. Even in January, the thermometer rarely drops below 10 degrees. From April onwards, it gets pleasantly warm and the likelihood of being able to swim on the beach is relatively high.

The most expensive time to travel is around July and August, when the whole of Italy is on summer holidays and everyone is away.

Der Beitrag The best time to travel to Sicily erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.