Minerva

Mondello, Sicily

41 Photos

The art collector's house

10 Guests

5 Bedrooms

5 Bathrooms

Cocooned in its flourishing, manicured gardens, Minerva is a stylish, contemporary design villa located in Mondello's most exclusive residential area. Although you might find it difficult to leave the luxurious confines of your home away from home, you are ideally placed for discovering the best that west Sicily has to offer.

Speak to our experts

For expert advice on this villa, things to do in the area, or to discuss how we can make your stay truly bespoke, call our Villa Specialists today. We are open every day of the week, weekends included.

Keyholder highlights

  • IncludedSleek contemporary interior design
  • IncludedHeatable pool, manicured gardens
  • IncludedClose to Mondello’s beach and restaurants

Gallery

The elegant pool and green gardens.

The refreshing waters of the pool.

The comfortably furnished outdoor living area.

The shaded al fresco dining area.

The gardens and pool with Montepellegrino in the background.

Take a proper look

View all photos

View Minerva on Map

The Area

Minerva is located in Mondello's premier residential area, just 2km from the town's delightful white sandy beach and a selection of restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-starred Bye Bye Blues. The main square of Mondello, where the little harbour and most of the restaurants are situated is a five-minute drive.

Anyone staying at Minerva should certainly spend some time discovering the architectural, historical and gastronomic wonders of Palermo, which is a 15-minute drive or an easy bus ride away. Palermo is also an excellent day out for those who love to shop. Monreale, with its splendid Norman cathedral, sits above Palermo and is not to be missed.

A few minutes' drive from Minerva will also take you to the A29 motorway, making day trips to western Sicily really easy. The Greek archaeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte are just 45mins and 1h20 drive away respectively, while a similar amount of driving time will get you to Erice, Trapani and Marsala.

Heading east, round Palermo's ring road and along the A19 is equally rewarding: the archaeological site of Solunto, the mediaeval seafront town of Cefalu and the Madonie Mountains are all highly recommended.

Palermo airport:

25km-16miles-25mins

Trapani airport:

111km-69miles-1hr20

Catania airport:

220km-miles-2hr45

Comiso airport:

300km-185miles-3hr20

Nearest supermarket:

5mins drive

Nearest sandy beach:

in Mondello, a 15-minute drive or a 50-minute walk

Nearest restaurants:

Michelin-starred Bye Bye Blues is a 25-minute walk away (approx. 2km) and several other restaurants are a 10-minute drive or a 45-minute walk away in Mondello

Palermo centre:

12km-8miles-25mins

Segesta archaeological site:

64km-40miles-50mins

Selinunte archaeological site:

112km-70miles-1hr20

Solunto archaeological site:

40km-25miles-55mins

Trapani:

100km-63miles-1hr10

Erice:

110km-69miles-1hr30

Marsala:

120km-75miles-1hr30

Local Experiences

Private boat charters in West Sicily

Private boat charters in West Sicily

Transparent waters lap dramatic, time-scarred sea stacks and weather-beaten cliffs, home to tumbling prickly pear trees and 16th and 17th-century watch towers. The old tonnara (a tuna fishing hub) is set evocatively between the cliffs, and a little time spent snorkelling here will be time well spent indeed. Then it’s off again, sweeping through the limpid waters of Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, whose towering mountains rise majestically from the sea. Idyllic pebbly coves break up the sheer rocky masses, and before you know it you’ll be rounding the headland and sailing west to Sicily’s most northwesterly town, the fishing village and seaside resort of San Vito Lo Capo, renowned for its golden sands, electric blue waters, and delicious fish couscous.

Discover
Private guided tours in West Sicily

Private guided tours in West Sicily

From first glance, it would seem that the Saracen and Norman rulers of Sicily could have had very little in common. The former had arrived from North Africa and were part of the Golden Age of Arab civilisation that had made such huge strides in the fields of mathematics, economics, agriculture, science, poetry, and architecture. The latter were an offshoot of the Vikings from the frozen north of Europe, adventurers and hardened warriors.When the Normans ousted the Saracen forces in 1090, however, there was no obliteration of all things Arabic. Indeed, the men from the north were hugely impressed by what they found, and rather than destroying Arabic culture, they embraced it. Many institutions were retained, Islam was tolerated, and Saracen landowners were allowed to keep their estates. North African habits were adopted by many Normans as they acclimatised to life in the middle of the Mediterranean. Souks prospered, cool Arabic courtyards were de rigueur, and many Normans, including some of the sovereigns themselves, lived more like Emirs than knights. Where the fusion of cultures really stood out, however, was in the architecture.

Discover
Guided tours in North Sicily

Guided tours in North Sicily

Sicily's historical legacy is as varied and immense as any in the Mediterranean. Elymian, Greek, Phoenician and Roman archaeological sites dot the island, and age-old cities, towns and villages testify to the comings-and-goings of innumerable invaders, each of whom left their own indelible artistic and architectural treasures...Thanks to this incredible variety, however, Sicily's history can be a little confusing! That's why we recommend you hire the services of one of our guides if you're planning on visiting one or more of the island's numerous historical sites.

Discover
Culinary experiences in West Sicily

Culinary experiences in West Sicily

The west of Sicily is a great destination for food lovers. Inland, the scenery is dominated by vast expanses of vineyards and olive groves, and some of Sicily's best wines – for example those of the Alcamo, Trapani, Erice and Marsala areas - and olive oils are produced in this corner of the island. Restaurant menus offer a fabulous array of fresh fish and seafood dishes. Fish cous cous is one of the signature dishes, a tradition that is celebrated every September at San Vito’s international Cous Cous Fest. Other stand-out specialities include busiate al pesto trapanese - a homemade pasta served with a pesto of tomatoes, garlic, almonds and basil - and spaghetti alla bottarga - salt-cured tuna fish roe grated on steaming pasta.

Discover

From the Guest Book

Read the thoughtful reviews that travellers have left after their time with us.

An illustration of a guest book

Beautiful villa!

Anonymous November 2023

Luxurious, glorious, supported.

Anonymous October 2023

Minerva is an exceptional villa; well maintained and good location.

AC, United Kingdom September 2022

5 out of 5 for Minerva.

Mrs Nina Hammond, United Kingdom August 2022

Minerva is a very nice villa.

DB, Ireland April 2022

All great at Minerva.

Dr Vanessa Elliott, United Kingdom April 2022

Villas in Sicily