Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro — Attraction in San Vito Lo Capo

If you have a wasp allergy DO NOT VISIT!

Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro is a breathtaking natural oasis on the northwestern coast of Sicily. This protected reserve offers a unique blend of rugged coastal beauty, diverse flora and fauna, and crystal-clear waters that beckon you to explore. Pros: • Stunning Scenery: The reserve boasts dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and pristine beaches, creating a picturesque landscape that's perfect for hiking, swimming, and photography. • Diverse Hiking Trails: With a network of well-maintained trails, the reserve offers options for all levels of hikers, from leisurely strolls to challenging climbs. • Crystal-Clear Waters: The turquoise waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving, revealing a vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life. • Rich Biodiversity: The reserve is home to a variety of plant and animal species, making it a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. • Educational Experience: The visitor center provides informative displays and guided tours that offer insights into the reserve's unique ecosystem and cultural heritage. Cons: • Limited Facilities: The reserve has basic facilities, including restrooms and picnic areas, but there are no restaurants or shops within the protected area. • Crowds: During peak season, especially in July and August, the reserve can get quite crowded, particularly on the popular beaches. • Accessibility: Some of the trails can be challenging, and certain beaches are only accessible by boat or require a steep hike down the cliffs. Overall: Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and anyone seeking a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its stunning scenery, diverse hiking trails, and pristine waters make it an ideal place to reconnect with nature and experience the beauty of Sicily's...

The Riserva dello Zingaro is situated within the Province of Trapani (Sicily) and, belonging to the Comune of San Vito, it consists of a magical stretch of coastline interspersed with spectacular beaches.

There are two entrances which can be reached by road, each with a car park. The northern entrance is convenient to drive to from San Vito Lo Capo while the southern entrance can be reached along the road from the seaside town of Castellammare.

It seems impossible that there still exist a place such as this. A long line of peaked walls, harsh headlands, magnificent in let, deep indentations, underwater grottoes and tunnels, low reefs, narrow valleys, fantastic pebbly sandy beaches that reflect in the incontaminated sea of costantly changing colours; once blue now azure, tourquoise, light blue, further out, the deep blue sky. It is always limpid, always calm. This is the sea of Zingaro, a few kilometres of unique coastal landascape, splendid and prodigal with continual surprises

The Zingaro Reserve has a large variety and abundance of rare and endemic plants, as well as a rich fauna. The highly varied ecological niches give a great diversity which is not easily found in others parts of the island. In the Zingaro Reserve at least 39 species of birds nest and mate, mainly birds of prey, including the peregrine falcon, the common kestrel and the common buzzard. The area has also a rich archaeological past; for example the spectacular Grotta dell'Uzzo, it was one of the first prehistoric settlements in Sicily. The reserve has a complex network of paths, shelters, water taps, picnic areas, museums, carpark, and other amenities; there are no roads and it can only be...

I am a tourist, so I am part of the problem. But I did not enjoy so much my hike along the coastline because of perpetual motor sounds from the many boats that hop from Cala to Cala along the coast. They also tend to blast loud music when they hang out by the beaches, which, I find, defeats the purpose of a natural reserve and spoil somewhat the whole experience. Not sure I would do it again, at least not during the summer time.

That being said, the coastline is quite spectacular and the beaches we stopped by were cute, with clear and refreshing waters.

Hikers be aware that if your are like us, walking under the summer scorching sun, there is no shade along the track and no share on the beaches. Bring a lot of water and then bring some more. Umbrellas are forbidden in the park and on the beaches. Bring some water shoes and wear sneakers and a hat and ear plugs ;). With those, you will enjoy a beautiful summer...