Mazara del Vallo: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening

Overlooking the Mediterranean, just 200km from the Tunisian coast, Mazara del Vallo is a city of just over 50,000 inhabitants, part of the municipal consortium of Trapani. The proximity to Tunisia has determined over the centuries a strong influence that can be guessed only by observing the well-preserved urban layout: Mazara del Vallo, in fact, is famous for the narrow streets of the center , typically associated with those of the Islamic medinas. In addition to this, the city also has a large number of monumental churches built in the eleventh century and an enviable historic center , in the past enclosed within ancient Norman walls.
If you intend to make an on the road itinerary in Sicily or if you want to stop in Mazara del Vallo for a few days exploring its surroundings, in this article you will find lots of useful information for your trip, starting with what to see in Mazara del Vallo in a weekend , where to eat and what to do after dinner.

What to see in Mazara del Vallo

1 – Church of San Francesco
Photo by Marco Antonio Lo Buono. The Church of San Francesco is the most famous (and the most visited) among the churches and historic buildings of the town of Mazara del Vallo. It is a Catholic church with a very troubled history: built on top of another pre-existing church dedicated to San Biagio, the building that is today attributed to the Church of San Francesco was initially of an Arab-Norman architectural style with three naves and thirteen altars (twelve side, plus the principal). Towards the end of 1600, however, the then bishop of the diocese Francesco M. Grifeo decided to radically change the original structure: from Arab-Norman it became a typical example of Baroque architecture with a single nave with very high ceilings characterized by a barrel vault. Reopened to the faithful in 1703, the building was closed after the terrible earthquake of Belice in ’68, and then reopened again once the restoration work was completed.

• How to get there: the church is located in Piazza San Francesco, on the edge of the medina of Mazara del Vallo, therefore not far from the historic center. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

2 – Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior
If it is true that the Church of San Francesco is the most beautiful religious building in the city (called by some, the most baroque church in Sicily), it is however the Cathedral of the Most Holy Saviorto be of greater importance. Also rebuilt on the rubble of an ancient Saracen basilica, the Cathedral was completed in its entirety only towards the end of the 17th century, at the behest of the First Count of Sicily, Roger I, who had commissioned its reconstruction. Inside, the Cathedral has three naves with round arched columns, while the domes are covered with colored majolica. What most amazes visitors, however, is the fresco in the central dome depicting the Last Judgment, probably attested to the Spanish Rosary from Cefalù.

• How to get there: the Cathedral is easily reachable on foot, as it is located in Piazza della Repubblica. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible (Mass hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 or 18:00, Sun and holidays 9:00, 10:15, 11:30, 18:30)
• Ticket cost: Free

3 – Teatro Garibaldi
Photo by Matthias SuBen. The Garibaldi Theater is one of the most important historical theaters in Sicily, protagonist of one of the most troubled periods in Italian history: after the revolutionary uprisings of 1848, and the consequent passage of power from the hands of the Bourbons to those of a city committee, the idea is to equip the city of Mazara with a new theatrical-cultural center that would become a place for recreation and meeting for the community. Thus Teatro Garibaldi was built within three months with the funds once destined to the maintenance of the city port and was inaugurated in January 1949 with the nickname of Teatro del Popolo.

• How to get there: the theater is located in via Garibaldi, a few minutes away from the Cathedral. Get directions
• Hours: the theater is open to visitors from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:30 to 18:00
• Ticket cost: Free

4 – Museum of the Dancing Satyr
The Museum of the Dancing Satyr is a small museum set up inside the deconsecrated Church of Sant’Egidio in the center of Mazara and dedicated to the emblem of Mediterranean culture: the most precious treasure of the museum, in fact, is the bronze statue depicting a Dancing Satyr and found at sea in 1998. It is assumed that this statue was part of a cargo of a ship later wrecked between Sicily and Cape Bon, probably dating back to a period of strong emigration and antiquarian trade outside the Italian borders. In addition to the Satyr, however, the Museum also collects other historical artifactsalways found in the Strait of Sicily, including amphorae, cauldrons, two cannons and even a bronze elephant’s foot from the late Punic period.

• How to get there: also reachable on foot, it is located in Piazza Plebiscito and is well signposted. Get directions
• Hours: the museum is open every day from 9:00 to 19:45
• Ticket cost: the full ticket costs € 9.00, the reduced one € 4.50. (The ticket is cumulative and also includes a visit to the A.Pepoli Museum in Trapani)

5 – Kasbah
Photo by Marco Antonio Lo Buono. Thanks to a recent redevelopment work, the Kasbah of Mazara del Vallo (that is the labyrinthine set of alleys that characterize the oldest part of the urban fabric of the city) is a magical place where it seems to be suddenly catapulted into Morocco or somewhere another Arab country. The narrow, narrow streets are filled with colorful paintings left by local artists; the walls of the houses, on the other hand, are decorated with colorful ceramics and majolica that create an amazing visual effect. If you are in the city, or if you pass by chance in these parts, a walk in the Kasbah is an essential activity.

• How to get there: the Kasbah area is located exactly in the historic center, of which it is the nerve center. For obvious reasons it is only accessible on foot. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

6 – Arco Normanno
Photo by Marco Antonio Lo Buono. In addition to the Kasbah, the other most representative symbol of Mazara’s past is the Norman Arch . Located in front of Piazza Mokarta, this arch once served as the main entrance to the castle of Ruggero I d’Altavilla, which the First Count of Sicily had built following the liberation from the Arab domination in 1072. However, today no one remains of the castle. trace, since it was demolished to make room for a public garden, that of the current Villa Jolanda. The Norman Arch is therefore the only remaining testimony of the ancient fortress, moreover from its surroundings you can admire a spectacular view of the sea .

• How to get there: the Norman Arch is located near Mokarta Square, a 6-minute walk from the Kasbah area. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

7 – Church of San Nicolo Regale
Photo by dapal. Still speaking of Normans, the Church of San Nicolo Regale in Mazara del Vallo is a typical example of Arab-Norman architecture applied to a religious building. Located along the left bank of the Mazaro, this church was built in 1124 (therefore, in the middle of the Norman era) and has a square plan with three apses and a dome. With the passage of time, however, the Church of San Nicolo was modified and adapted to the different styles of the various eras: this is why during the visit you will easily notice architectural elements closer to the Baroque than Norman style (this although in recent years we have tried to bring to light the splendor of the original structure).

• How to get there: the church is located on the Lungomare, for this reason (and for the cubic shape) it is easy to find. Get directions
• Hours: for the moment, due to some restoration work, the church is not open to the public. However, the mark that the Arabs left on the city of Mazara del Vallo can already be felt only from the outside, also through this “unusual” building that is easily recognizable in the urban fabric.

8 – Lungomare, Porto and Lido Malibu
Photo by Marco Antonio Lo Buono. Now let’s talk about nature: sun, sea and relaxation that are certainly not lacking in Mazara, on the contrary! If you find yourself wandering around the city and a beautiful sunny day comes out, we strongly recommend you take a walk along the promenade, obviously starting from the characteristic port. Consider spending a few hours on the beach to relax and enjoy the clear water. Pushing you to Lido Malibu : this stretch of beach is quite close to the city center and is characterized by a shallow seabed which makes it a small corner of paradise ideal for families with children.

• How to get there: Lido Malibu is located on the Lungomare di Mazara del Vallo, 10 minutes by car and 35 minutes on foot from the center. Get directions
• Hours: from 8:00 to 19:00
• Ticket cost: umbrella + sunbed from € 20.00 to € 30.00 per day (rates depend on the season)

9 – Capo Feto Reserve
Photo by sicilian_dunes. Still on the subject of natural paradises, we present the Capo Feto Reserve : it is nothing less than a nature reserve whose importance was recognized by the Ministry of the Environment in 2011 and which today hosts a very rich ecosystem of flora and fauna.. The marshy area, thanks to the humid climate and the proximity of some waterways, has in fact become the ideal habitat for a large variety of marine species (such as red mullet, murmurs and red scorpionfish) and birds aquatic plants, as well as plants suitable for sandy soils (such as sea rush and common reed). If you love to surround yourself with nature and if you want to discover a more unusual part of Mazara del Vallo, a visit to this reserve is a must! Inside there is also the homonymous beach of Capo Feto.

• How to get there: the reserve is a few kilometers from Mazara, however the directions to reach it are not the best: with your car, pass the town of Tonnarella di Mazara del Vallo and then take via Mafalda di Savoia. After about a kilometer, you will find the entrance to the reserve: however, it will be necessary to leave the car at the parking lot outside the reserve, to continue west on foot. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

10 – Roccazzo archaeological site
Photo by dapal. Near the hamlet of Borgata Costiera, the archaeological site of Roccazzo is a real open-air treasure, covering an area of ​​20 hectares. It is a settlement dating back to the Copper Age, characterized by the presence of many rock tombs (about a hundred) and by the foundation trenches in which once there were large huts in the shape of a rectangular boat. Thanks to some excavations, carried out in recent years (2008), several relevant historical finds have also been discovered in Roccazzo , including numerous partly intact ceramics . To discover an unusual aspect of Mazara del Vallo, this archaeological site is definitely ideal!

• How to get there: to get there, just take the Regional Road 17 following for Fondacazzo, Santa Teresa and finally Roccazzo.
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

11 – Tonnarella Beach
We conclude with one of the most beautiful beaches in Mazara del Vallo, one of those beaches that, once seen, you will never want to leave: the wonderful sandy beach of Tonnarella . With its turquoise sea and very fine sand bottom, this stretch offers both free beaches and shores, and is a much loved meeting point for both visiting tourists and locals. In addition, the nearby parking is free and the access to the beach is very convenient (for those traveling with children this is a factor that should not be underestimated!).

• How to get there: A few kilometers from the center, you can reach the beach in less than ten minutes by car. Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: Free

One day itinerary in Mazara del Vallo
Photo by Marco Antonio Lo Buono. Mazara del Vallo is not a very big town, however there is certainly no shortage of things to see: this is why we have created a possible one-day itinerary that you can follow to see the main attractions of the city.
Our path of discovery of Mazara starts from the historic center, but before setting off we stop for breakfast at Cafe Garibaldi (via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 4), a family-run bar / restaurant where you really feel at home. . Refreshed well, we leave for the Cathedral of the Holy Savior, the most important church in the city. This cult building hides real treasures inside, so plan a visit of at least an hour to observe everything without haste. From the Cathedral, we recommend that you then move to the very interesting Museum of the Dancing Satyr and, subsequently, to the Garibaldi Theater , once the heart of the theatrical culture of this part of Sicily.
Near the theater, there is a nice little place, suitable for a quick but tasty lunch: we are talking about the Alla Kasbah restaurant, specializing in Mediterranean cuisine prepared with super local ingredients. After lunch, if it’s a beautiful day and you want to relax and bask in the sun, you can think of reaching the beach on the city waterfront. Alternatively, you can instead continue the tour of the city, visiting from the outside the Church of San Nicolo Regale (one of the most curious buildings in Mazara del Vallo!), But also the famous Kasbah and its intricate labyrinth of alleys. Finally, move to the Church of San Francesco , a masterpiece of Baroque art.
To end this day in the best possible way, stop for dinner at the Antico Borgo Marinaro , tasting excellent fish dishes overlooking the Mazaro river.

One day itinerary at a glance

1. Cathedral of the Holy Savior – always accessible – ticket price: free
2. Museum of the Dancing Satyr – opening hours: every day, from 9:00 to 19:40 – ticket price: full € 9.00 reduced € 4.50
3. Garibaldi Theater – opening hours: from 9:00 to 13:00, from 15.30 to 20.00 – ticket price: free
4. Lunch at the Kasbah
5. Church of San Nicolo Regale – opening hours: the church can only be visited from the outside
6. Kasbah – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
7. Church of San Francesco – opening hours: always accessible – ticket price: free
8. Dinner at the Antico Borgo Marinaro

Where to eat in Mazara del Vallo

1. Alla Kasbah : restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine prepared with 0 km ingredients. Average price per person: € 25.00 Address and contacts: Via Itria, 10 (Get directions) / tel +39 0923 906126
2. Trattoria Da Giacomo : cozy restaurant specializing in traditional fish dishes. Average price per person: € 15.00 Address and contacts: via Salemi, 23 / A (Get directions) / tel: +39 0923 933874
3. La Bettola Restaurant: restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine with many options including gluten-free.
   Average price per person: € 25.00
   Address and contacts: via Franco Maccagnone, 32 (Get directions) / tel: +39 339 285 8541
4. Mareaviva : restaurant specializing in dishes based on local molluscs, crustaceans and oysters. Always fresh fish!
   Average price per person: € 20.00
   Address and contacts: state road 115 km50.80 (Get directions) / tel: +39 348 240 4176
5. Antico Borgo Marinaro : excellent fish restaurant, built where once there was a fish market Average price per person: € 20.00 Address and contacts: Lungomazzaro Ducezio, 42 (Get directions) / tel: +39 0923 931618

What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
Mazara del Vallo is not a particularly large town, yet certainly there is no shortage of offers for post dinner! Especially in the neighborhoods near the center, there are many pubs and clubs where you can have fun in the company of friends, perhaps in front of a mug of beer or a properly made cocktail. Below, we suggest three addresses not to be missed if you intend to spend the evening in the city, hunting for some nightlife.

• VintRo : vintage and retro place, bar but also pub passes from breakfasts to cocktails / Address: Via S. Giuseppe, 1 / a (Get directions) / Facebook page
• Cult Wine Bar : a place with a very wide range of drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, which often hosts cultural, musical and artistic meetings / Address: Via S. Giuseppe, 11 (Get directions) / Facebook page
• Alkimia Lounge Bar : a place with Tunisian-inspired furnishings, specializing in traditional and non-traditional cocktails / Address: piazza Plebiscito (Get directions) / Facebook page
• Sunset Club Sicily : a place specializing in aperitifs, with a wide choice of cocktails and a breathtaking view / Address: Lungomare Capo Granitola (Get directions) / Facebook page
• Batita : cult club of the place, for those who love to dance until late at night / Address: Sr 18, 15 (Get directions) / Facebook page

Plan your stay in Mazara del Vallo: info and useful tips

• How to get there: it is 42 minutes from Trapani Airport and about 1 hour from Palermo Airport. There are no direct buses that connect the two airports to Mazara, it is necessary to rely on private transfers or go first to Marsala or Palermo and from there move towards Mazara. From Marsala by Ast bus (30 minutes, prices from € 4.00), from Palermo by bus Autoservizi Salemi (2 hours, prices from € 10.00)
• How to get around : we do not recommend the car, the streets in the center are very narrow and the main attractions are in the historic center. Better to walk
• Where to park : if you have a car, an excellent solution is the multi-storey car park in via Tenente Gaspare Romano, very close to the historic center. It is paid (1 hour = € 1.00; 2 hours = € 1.50; 3 hours = € 3.00, etc.) – Get directions
• Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 30.00 per room – see the offers
• What to see in the surrounding area : Marsala (22km), Favignana (38km; it is necessary to take the ferry from Marsala which costs € 12.00 per person), Selinunte (36km), Erice (62km), Sciacca (56km)