PORTICELLO
Just a 20-minute drive from the exciting and vibrant city of Palermo , Porticello offers authentic Sicilian life and relaxation! Two beautiful, uncrowded coves are within walking distance, even in the height of summer, and there's plenty to see nearby: the opulent villas of Bagheria , the ancient archaeological site of Solunto with its panoramic views of the bay. And of course, you can enjoy the finest Sicilian cuisine , including traditional pizzas and pasta dishes, as well as freshly caught fish.
Gentlemen playing cards, fishermen mending their nets, semi-transparent curtains that allow little glimpse into the homes of the locals, laundry blowing in the wind, cats stretching in the sun - even if you have to look around some corners, you will find many wonderful photo opportunities when wandering through the fishing village, and the relaxed life of the village community immediately transfers to your mood.
Life for the fishermen must be very hard, as they set out in their boats at night, whatever the weather, to catch fish, which they then sell in the market until the early hours of the morning. Incidentally, Porticello's harbor is the second largest in Sicily!
The small natural bay of Santa Nicolicchia was Porticello's first fishing port. For the festival of the patron saint of fishermen in October, an image of the Madonna is placed in the harbor basin, just as legend has it that she appeared to the fishermen there centuries ago from the water. The bay offers picturesque views, swimming opportunities, the small cocktail bar "Baia" and the pizzeria "La Punta" in summer, as well as a renowned fish restaurant, and is just steps from Porticello's main square.
A short distance further along the bay and a five-minute walk, you're technically no longer in Porticello, but in Sant'Elia, the second district belonging to Santa Flavia. The sandy beach with its striking, freestanding white house is a popular spot for photos and a favorite place to swim in the sea and enjoy a snack at the bar when the weather is warm. In the slightly hidden Caletta, with its turquoise waters, young people gather in the summer and jump from the rocky ledges into the refreshing sea.
From Sant'Elia, there is a beautiful walk to the abandoned Faro Capo Zafferano lighthouse , where you can enjoy swimming opportunities along the way and a wonderful view towards Porticello on the way back.
An absolute highlight of Porticello is the historic excavation site Solunto, from which you can admire Porticello from above.
In Porticello you can find several good, simple as well as more upscale restaurants . Besides typical Italian dishes like pizza, there are wonderful regional specialties and, of course, many dishes featuring fresh fish and seafood.
By car, you can quickly reach the village of Aspra , where we traditionally enjoy a sundowner in the evenings, as it enjoys the longest sunshine. Bagheria is a bit more lively, offering good shopping opportunities. Besides its sad notoriety for its Mafia past, the town of Bagheria is known for its magnificent villas, most notably Villa Pallagonia. Even—or perhaps especially— in winter, Porticello is a wonderful place to escape the gray weather of Central Europe.