Mazara del Vallo holidays

Holidays to Mazara Del Vallo sum up what Sicily’s all about – think ancient ruins, a maze-like old town and pretty beaches.

A historic fishing town

You’ll find Mazara Del Vallo on Sicily’s northwestern coast, within daytripping distance of the capital, Palermo. It takes its name from the nearby Mazaro River, and is home to one of Italy’s main fishing ports. The city’s been occupied by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans over the years, so it’s got a mish-mash of architectural styles and several chapters of history to discover.

African influence

Mazara Del Vallo’s proximity to Tunisia helped shape its history, and the African influence here is as strong today as it was when Arabs first arrived in the year 827. The city’s historic centre is actually an Arab quarter called the Casbah. Stepping inside this neighbourhood feels like crossing the border into North Africa – the streets are a labyrinth of narrow passageways, and a bunch of the houses are decorated with blue and white tiles.

Old town sights

The city’s old town’s crammed full of historic sites. If you want to explore, Republic Square, with its Baroque cathedral and handful of museums, makes a great starting point. Elsewhere, there’s a bustling fishing port and the ruins of an ancient castle to check out. The latter was built by the Normans, and now only the front door remains.

Best for beaches

Balmy beaches are another thing this city has plenty of. Head northwest along the coast from the city centre, and you’ll soon arrive at a huge sweep of sand spanning around three kilometres. It’s dotted with beach clubs, each kitted out with a bar, loungers and colourful parasols. If you prefer a more secluded sunbathing spot, go a little further to Spiaggia di Capo Feto, where the sand’s backed by nothing but grassy dunes.

Popular hotels in Mazara del Vallo

Facts about Mazara del Vallo

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
Italian
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
2 to 3 hours from Gatwick

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