PORTICELLO
Just a 20-minute drive from the exciting and vibrant city of Palermo , Porticello offers authentic Sicilian life and relaxation! Two beautiful bays are within walking distance, uncrowded even in midsummer, and there's plenty to see nearby: the magnificent villas of Bagheria , the ancient archaeological site of Solunto with views over the entire bay. And, of course, you can enjoy the finest Sicilian food , including traditional pizza and pasta dishes and 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 cove and a five-minute walk further on, you're not strictly speaking in Porticello, but in Sant'Elia, the second district of Santa Flavia. The sandy beach with its striking detached white house is a great photo opportunity, as well as a popular spot for a dip in the sea in warm weather and a snack at the bar. In the somewhat hidden Caletta, with its turquoise waters, young people gather in the summer and jump from the rocky outcrops into the refreshing sea.
From Sant'Elia, you can take a beautiful walk to the abandoned Capo Zafferano lighthouse, where you can enjoy swimming along the way and a wonderful view towards Porticello on the way back.
An absolute highlight of Porticello is the historical archaeological site of Solunto, from which you can admire Porticello from above.
Porticello is home to several good restaurants, both simple and more exclusive. In addition to typical Italian dishes like pizza, there are wonderful regional dishes 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 evening because the sun stays there the longest. Bagheria is a bit more lively, with good shopping opportunities. Besides its notoriety for its mafia past, the town of Bagheria is known for its magnificent villas, most notably Villa Pallagonia.