There are places in Sicily where you will understand why people come back. Zingaro Nature Reserve is one of them. But to understand why this place is so important, we need to go back a few decades.
The whole story began in the 1980s, when a road was being built through this coastline. Stamping machines broke through the first tunnel (that’s the one at the southern entrance you go through) – and then came a wave of protests. The Sicilians stood up, or rather completely barricaded the construction, for the road not to be built here. They won. Instead of asphalt, Sicily’s first nature reserve was created, declared in 1981.
The tunnel is now swallowing groups of tourists instead of cars. And the entire 7 km of coastline remains as it was. No roads. No cars. No pizza stands.
🎒 Backpack of information for those who don’t have time
- 7 km of coastline accessible only on foot – no roads, no cars, no snack bars
- Admission: 5 € per person for both entrances
- Two entrances: Scopello (south) and San Vito Lo Capo (north)
- The most beautiful bays: the Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo and the Cala Berretta
- Bring: min. 1-2 litres of water (no refreshments in the reservation), sturdy shoes, water shoes
- Best season: April-June and September-October
What is Zingaro and where is it located
Riserva Naturale orientata dello Zingaro stretches along 7 km of wild coastline in north-western Sicily between the village of Scopello and the resort of San Vito Lo Capo. The total area of the reserve is approximately 1 600 hectares, with the highest point reaching 914 metres (Monte Speziale).
The reserve protects one of the last unspoilt stretches of Mediterranean coastline with limestone cliffs, bays with clear water and rich Mediterranean vegetation. Oh, and about 7 beautiful lagoons to swim in!
How to get to Zingara
Zingaro does not (logically) have road access from the sea. You have to start on foot from one of the two entrances – and that is exactly the intention.
Driving is the most convenient option. We did it by parking the car at the south entrance, walking to the other end and back the same way. But there is a roundabout option, more on that later.
Both entrances have free parking.
- South entrance (Scopello): approx. 30 minutes from Trapani, 1.5 hours from Palermo
- North entrance (San Vito Lo Capo): parking 2 km from the village
By bus – From Castellammare del Golfo, Russo Autoservizi buses run to Scopello about 4 times a day. From Trapani or Palermo you can get to Castellammare by Segesta bus or Trenitalia train.
Best strategy: park at one entrance, walk the entire reservation and return by taxi or arrange for a car transfer. Or plan to walk the whole route there and back as a day trip.
When to go to Zingara
April and May are the absolute ideal. In March, when we went, it was also cool. It was 17°, it was windy, but it was beautiful. The vegetation was lush green, the bays semi-empty, temperatures around 20 degrees. The sea is cooler, but the bays are swimmable.
June is an acceptable compromise – the sea is warming up, tourists are increasing, but it is still bearable.
July and August – total heat that will either exhaust you (that’s the better case) or the sun will bake you (that’s the worse case). Come when the park opens or you will suffer. And don’t forget plenty of water.
September and October are the second best window. The sea is beautifully warm, the tourists are significantly less, the landscape is golden. October is quieter, but from November onwards the winds start to get stronger and last throughout the winter.
Winter – the reservation is open, the sea is cold, the bays are empty. An interesting option for lovers of silence and nature.
Take into account that in winter and late spring the terrain in the park can be muddy in places, so dirty shoes mode is on.
Opening hours in Zingaro Nature Reserve
The reservation has different opening times depending on the season. Off season is open from 8:00 – 16:00. In high season it is open from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm.
All information can be found on their official website.
Trails in Zingaro Nature Reverce
Coastal path – main route
Length: 7 km one way (14 km round trip)
Difficulty: Easy – rocky surface, steeper sections in places
Time:1.5 hours one way, up to 4 hours round trip
This is probably the most popular – it runs the full length of the reserve along the coast and connects the two entrances. Along the way we passed all seven coves, museums and the remains of the old community of Borgo Cusenza, where 14 families of farmers and fishermen lived until 1930. Unfortunately I didn’t get to swim because the sea was pretty rough and it was also pretty windy (it was almost April).
The surface consists of rocky paths with the characteristic orange dust. Sturdy footwear is a must. There are no refreshment facilities on the reserve – take enough water and food for the day.
Circular route
Length: approx. 14 km by circuit
Difficulty: medium
It runs first along the coast and then at Cala Dell’Uzzo it goes uphill. Don’t forget to stop at the Grotta Dell’Uzzo, a natural monstrous cave formation. Next, cross Pizzo Del Corvo to get back to the start of the southern entrance.
The route is mainly for those who do not want to go back the same way. On the other hand, if you take the same way back, you will see those beautiful views of the island outcrop that you had behind you before.
Map of routes
Download a map of the routes including descriptions(see file)
Bays of Zingaro – beach guide
All bays in Zingar are pebbly or rocky – there are no sandy beaches. But the water is so clear that the pebbles make up for it.
Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo – the most beautiful bay of Zingara
The most beautiful and popular bay of the reserve is located about 1 km from the northern entrance at San Vito Lo Capo. Large bay with clear turquoise water, limestone cliffs, small natural history museum within easy reach.
Cala Berretta
One of the most dramatic coves of the entire route, about halfway along the coastal path. Limestone rocks fall directly into the sea, the water an intense turquoise. Great for snorkeling and for those who want to jump off the rocks. That was exactly my goal, but the waves were so big they would have slaughtered me against the rocks, which Zdenicka wasn’t about to let happen.
Cala dell’Uzzo
Just behind Tonnarella dell’Uzzo – a little smaller, a little quieter.
Cala della Disa, Cala del Varo, Cala della Capreria
Smaller bays in the southern part of the reserve. Closest to Scopello.
Cala Marinella
A cove somewhere in the middle of the road. Excellent for refreshment especially in summer.
Scopello – village at the southern entrance
Scopello is a small village at the southern entrance and worth a stop in itself.
The most impressive is the historic tonnara – an old tuna processing factory standing right on the coast under a cliff with a medieval tower. It ceased operations in 1984. Today, however, you can enjoy a guided tour there. Again, however, you won’t see much in the off-season because the factory is closed until 1 January. 4. I think.
The reason everyone goes to Scopello is just a few metres away. The dramatic sharp cliffs jutting out of the sea in front of the factory are truly iconic. They can be viewed from the factory, but if it’s closed don’t despair, there is a viewpoint (I’ve marked it on our bulging map).
Otherwise Scopello is defacto two streets, an old baglio (mansion) and a couple of local businesses. The best thing to do is just drive through and spend the night in Castellmare del Golfo or somewhere by the sea.
More practical tips
- Water: Minimum one litre per person. One litre per liter (per liter).
- Food: No restaurants or stalls on the reservation. Pack a snack and lunch for the day.
- Footwear: sturdy hiking shoes or at least sturdy trail sneakers, water shoes or sandals for curves.
- Boat trip: An alternative to hiking. From Castellammare del Golfo or San Vita Lo Capo there are organised boat trips along the Zingara coast. An organised catamaran trip costs about €60/day including food and drink – Sicilian style, singing, wine, coves from the sea. Private boat hire is cheaper but without a guide. I would recommend booking the trip in advance.
- Fire 2025: In 2012 and 2025 a fire engulfed the reserve. It destroyed over 80% of the reserve. Nature has gradually recovered, but in places you can still see how devastating the fire was. Not to worry, the reserve was 25 at the time of our visit. 3. 2026 open.
Where to stay in the surroundings
Scopello – closest to the southern entrance, an authentic Sicilian village.
San Vito Lo Capo – the most beautiful beach of northwest Sicily right at the northern entrance. A lively resort with excellent infrastructure. But in the summer there will be a lot of people. Castellammare del Golfo – a larger town 10km from the southern entrance with a wider choice of accommodation. But also very beautiful.
