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.

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.

Snacks, antipasti and small appetisers are usually also served or ordered.

Many restaurants in Balestrate (Palermo) are only open during meal times and take a lunch break in between.

So you can eat lunch until around 2.30pm, after which many are closed until at least 7pm.

The same applies to supermarkets, by the way.

Many guests always ask me what else there is besides pizza, spaghetti and lasagne. Sicily has so much more to offer in terms of food. The food here is like a new attitude to life.

Pasta con le sarde
Fettuccine (pasta) with fried sardines, fennel, sultanas and saffron. Originally from Arabia, it has conquered Sicily.

Polpo bollito
A cooked squid that is cut into small pieces. It is always served with lemon and parsley. It is on almost every menu in Palermo’s restaurants.
My restaurant tip in Balestrate for fish in general is definitely “Giovanni Frutti die Mare”.

Anelletti al forno
This is a pasta bake (ring-shaped pasta) with minced meat sauce, peas, mozzarella, boiled eggs and aubergines.
My restaurant tip in Balestrate is ,,Buttitta della carne“.

Cannoli siciliani 
If you are travelling to Sicily, you must not leave the island without trying the traditional cannoli first. They can be found in almost all bars and restaurants.
This is a deep-fried dough roll with a creamy ricotta filling, chocolate chips and candied fruit. There are now also other varieties with pistachios, for example.
My restaurant tip in Balestrate is “Euro Bar Paradise”.

Pani ca meusa
Beef spleen burger! Sounds disgusting, but tastes delicious and can be found on every street corner in Palermo. Pani ca meusa is served with salt, lemon and, if you like, cheese. Bite into it and enjoy!
My restaurant tip in Balestrate is ,,I sapori del Golfo“.

Arancini
These are deep-fried rice balls that are filled in different ways.
e.g. minced meat sauce and mozzarella or mozzarella with spinach or ham mozzarella. The selection in some shops is really large.
The best in Balestrate can be found at ,,Euro Bar Paradise“.

Der Beitrag Specialities of Sicily erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.

Balestrate was founded almost 350 years ago.

There used to be a tuna fishing facility here

Today, Balestrate attracts many tourists all year round, including many Germans.

The 19th century parish church is definitely a sight to see in Balestrate.

The church also has a war memorial.

If you are interested in Italian cemeteries, you can visit one in Balestrate.

The “Cimitero di Balestrate” is open from the morning until 1 pm. The graves look different to those in Germany. Monumental tombs, sliding graves, columbaria and row graves are typical.

Der Beitrag Interesting facts about Balestrate erschien zuerst auf Ferienwohnung auf Sizilien - CASA ALBA SUL MARE.