Balestrate

Balestrate is a municipality of 6,500 people (2015) in Palermo Province, Sicily. Balestrate's population swells up to almost 30,000 during the summer season with vacationing Europeans and Italians from the colder climates seeking the warm water and sun. It is in the middle of the gulf of Castellammare, at about 50 km both from Palermo and Trapani.

Understand
Balestrate originated in the 17th century around the tonnara of the Fardella's family. At first it was called Sicciara, that is the place where they fished cuttlefish (siccia in Sicilian). On March 29th 1820, thanks to the decree of King Ferdinand I of Bourbon, this maritime village took the name of Balestrate. The name is derived from an anecdote: in 1307 King Frederick II of Aragon, fell in love with the beauties of its sea and beaches and reserved the sovranity of those places for a width as large as a pulling from a crossbow.

By plane
There are also taxi and shuttle bus services from Palermo and Trapani airports as far as Alcamo (for information phone: Gabellone Viaggi e turismo, Viale Italia, 31, phone: +39 0924 505955).

By car
You can easily reach Balestrate from Palermo, at about 40 km, or from Trapani, at about 60 km, through the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo. For further information see the link: Autostrade Italiane - Automap.it (http://www.automap.it/autostrade/)

By train
You can go to Balestrate by catching a train on the line Palermo-Trapani (the railway station is in the town centre).

By bus
There are different bus services from Palermo, Alcamo or Castellammare del Golfo.

Get around
Balestrate has a strategic position: in fact it is in the middle of the Gulf of Castellammare and between the provinces of Palermo and Trapani. It is few kilometres from places of great touristic appeal like Palermo, Monreale, Segesta, Erice, Mozia, riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, Oasi Capo Rama. West of the town there is a large beach with a promenade, with strips of free beach, but also bathing establishments with every comfort. East of Balestrate the coastline is made up of a large beach with fine sand, and again free beach and bathing establishments. There is a quite appealing Site of Community Importance, a wood which represents the only equipped area, where you can have healthy and relaxing walks being plungled  into nature.

Go next

 * Partinico
 * Alcamo
 * Alcamo Marina
 * Castellammare del Golfo
 * Segesta
 * Scopello
 * Monreale
 * Palermo