San Vito lo Capo at a glance
San Vito lo Capo is a seaside village at the northwest tip of Sicily, at the end of the road from Trapani. Its beach is the main draw, and the Zingaro Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro) starts a short drive away. Zingaro protects a stretch of rocky coast with small coves that you reach on foot.
Most visitors combine the two: a beach day and a walk in the reserve. Parking, sunbed rules and beach facilities vary by season, so ask your accommodation for the current arrangements. This is an independent guide, not the official tourism site.
Zingaro Nature Reserve: entry in 2026
The reserve reopened after the fire of July 2025, and the operator now reports that all trails are open.
Ticket
Adults pay €5. Children under 8 and people with disabilities and their companion enter free. Students and some other groups pay a reduced fare.
Payment
Electronic payment only. The reserve does not take cash, so bring a card.
Hours
In winter the reserve opens daily from 8:00 to 16:00. Check the summer hours before you go.
What to wear
Hiking shoes. The reserve advises against flip-flops.
San Vito lo Capo and Zingaro tours
Boat trips along the Zingaro coast, snorkelling stops and tours from San Vito lo Capo and Scopello, with live prices and availability.
Two entrances and the coastal path
The reserve has an entrance at each end. A coastal path links them past the Galleria, Punta Capreria, Cala del Varo, Contrada Marinella and the Torre dell'Uzzo.
South entrance (near Scopello). It is about 1 km from the Borgo Scopello, where you park and walk down to Cala Mazzo di Sciacca. From Palermo take the A29 to the Castellammare del Golfo exit, then the SS 187 towards Trapani and follow the signs for Scopello and Guidaloca.
North entrance (San Vito side). It is reached from San Vito lo Capo via Villaggio Calampiso. Press reports gave the north entrance as reopened from 9 May 2026.
Press reports mention a 3.9 km coastal path to the north and a loop of about 10 km, plus a visitor centre and small museums on nature topics.
Boats and swimming along the coast
The sea side of the reserve has its own rules from the Trapani harbour authority. Motorboats may not come within 100 m of the coast, except authorised excursion boats outside the bathing zones and beyond 50 m. Anchoring within 50 m needs a permit. In the bathing season several bays are closed to all motorised boats: Tonnarella dell'Uzzo, Torre dell'Uzzo, Cala Marinella, Cala Berretta, Cala della Disa, Cala del Varo and Cala Capreria. Rowing boats and sailing boats without a motor may enter.
If you book a boat trip, the operator handles these limits. If you rent a boat yourself, ask at the rental for the current map of closed bays.
Planning a day at Zingaro and the beach
In winter the gates close at 16:00, so start early and allow time to walk back. Bring a card, water and proper shoes. The reserve is popular: in September 2026 it sold 43,430 tickets, worth €206,556, so expect company on the coastal path in the warm months.
A simple plan is the reserve in the morning and the beach in San Vito lo Capo in the afternoon. If you arrive from the south, Scopello is the village next to the south entrance. For a night near the water, see our guide to where to stay.
Getting to San Vito lo Capo
By car the village is 37 km (about 54 minutes) from Trapani and 108 km (about 2 h 02) from Palermo. The nearest station for the reserve is Castellammare del Golfo. On the Trenitalia timetable for 21 October 2026, Palermo Centrale to Castellammare del Golfo costs €7.90 and takes 1 h 41 to 1 h 59 with a change, with departures at 10:12, 14:12, 17:12 and 20:12. Plan the last stretch to Scopello or San Vito by taxi or a pre-arranged lift. For flights, see the airports guide.
When to go. At Trapani Airport the average high is 30.3 °C in July, 31.1 °C in August and 24.3 °C in October (1991 to 2020). Model data put the sea along the Trapani and Egadi coast at about 26 °C in July and 27 °C in August, and 23.5 °C in October. Our weather guide compares the months.
San Vito lo Capo: frequently asked questions
How much does the Zingaro reserve cost?
Adults pay €5 in 2026. Children under 8 and people with disabilities and their companion enter free.
Can I pay cash at Zingaro?
No. The reserve accepts electronic payment only.
When does the reserve open?
In winter it opens daily from 8:00 to 16:00. Check the summer hours before you go.
Which entrance should I use?
The south entrance near Scopello suits you if you come from Palermo and the A29. The north entrance is the one on the San Vito side. A coastal path links the two.
Can I stay overnight in the reserve?
Not at present. The bivouac huts are suspended for now.
Is the reserve open after the 2025 fire?
Yes. It reopened after the fire of July 2025, and the operator reports that all trails are accessible.