The path that leads to the sea
6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
San Marco occupies an enviable panoramic position above a long sandy beach. Its clean lines, contemporary light-filled interiors and alluring al fresco areas make it a highly attractive proposition for an unforgettable family holiday.
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
- Superb sea views
- Easy walk to a sandy beach and a café-restaurant
- Panoramic infinity plunge pool
Gallery
Ariel views of San Marco
A great spot for relaxing and enjoying the view!
San Marco bathed in a soft evening light.
Fabulous views over Sicily's south coast.
Blue is the colour...
Approaching San Marco through its olive grove grounds.
Sciacca, Sicily
San Marco
Available exclusively through The Thinking Traveller
Dates
Guests
Bedrooms
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The Area
San Marco is situated just a few kilometres west of Sciacca, a working fishing town with a well-preserved and fascinating historic centre and some excellent shops and restaurants. Sciacca was founded by the Greeks in the fifth century BC, when the residents of Selinunte made use of its hot thermal springs as a spa. There are several thermal spa complexes in and around the town where visitors can bathe in the hot sulphurous waters.
San Marco is ideally placed for visiting the fascinating Greek archaeological sites of Selinunte (to the west) and The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento (to the east).
The coast around Sciacca is sprinkled with excellent sandy beaches and those around Porto Palo-Menfi (just to the west) have received 13 consecutive "Bandiere Blu", attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence. Driving west past Sciacca, one soon comes to the long sandy nature reserve beaches of Torre Salsa and Eraclea Minoa and the stunning white marl cliffs and beach of the Scala dei Turchi.
If you're looking to explore some of Sicily's historic towns and cities, Palermo, Trapani, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo and Erice are between 1 hour and 1.5 hours' drive away.
Cycling in the Sciacca-Menfi area is a very pleasurable pastime, thanks both the quiet back roads and a purpose-built cycle track along the old railway line between Sciacca, Menfi and Porto Palo.
Palermo airport:
125km-78miles1hr30Trapani airport:
125km-78miles-1hr30Catania airport:
225km-140miles-2hr50Comiso airport:
185km-115miles-2hr50Nearest beach:
5-10mins walk below the house; in the summer months, there are a couple of beach bars below the house serving refreshments and light lunches and dinners. Please note that this path is steep on the way back.Nearest shops and restaurants in Sciacca:
8km-5miles-15minsSelinunte:
42km-26miles-45minsAgrigento:
70km-45miles-1hr10Mazara del Vallo:
62km-40miles-55minsMarsala:
80km-50miles-1hr20Erice:
126km-78miles-1hr40Trapani:
120km-75miles-1hr30Palermo:
100km-63miles-1hr30Local Experiences
Culinary experiences in Western Sicily
Every civilisation that dominated Sicily was inspired by the produce this fertile land offers. In western Sicily it was the Arabs, French and Spanish who shaped the roots of the local culinary tradition, that went on to develop throughout the centuries into the unique, rich and eclectic specialities we find there today.
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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.
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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.
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Private Guided Tours in Southwest Sicily
Our private guides are tried and tested experts in their field, with many holding PhDs in their particular specialism. Book a tour or two with them and you'll come away with fascinating insights into your destination's towns, archaeological sites, food, wine, landscapes and geology.
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Beach clubs in Southwest Sicily
The southern coast of Sicily is a broken line of sandy beaches and cliffs, dotted with the remains of Greek colonies such as Selinunte and Agrigento, and the odd modern metropolis. In the southwest are the seaside towns of Porto Palo di Menfi and Sciacca, with its large fishing fleet, the coastal nature reserves of Foce del Belice, Foce del Platani and Torre Salsa, all with gorgeous unspoilt beaches, and the historic site of Eraclea Minoa, which boasts a long expanse of sand flanked by fragrant pine woods. Also along this section of coast are the bright white chalk cliffs and bathing area of the Scala dei Turchi.
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Wine tastings in Southwest Sicily
The triangle of Menfi, Marsala and Sciacca is one of the oldest outpost for wine production in Sicily thanks to the versatile and mite climate created by the sea breeze coming from the coast. Some of the most important Sicilian indigenous grapes, such as Grillo and Inzolia were born here and throughout the centuries have been wisely combined to produce among the most popular wines of the region. If you want to start exploring Sicilian wine you should probably start here, and we would be pleased to help.
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Bike rental
Menfi, that haven of vineyard-carpeted hills sloping down to crystalline-sea-lapped sandy beaches, has redefined the term “riding the rails”. Where a narrow gauge freight railway once ran, connecting Sciacca, Menfi and Porto Palo, there are now 20km of cycle paths, allowing locals and visitors alike to pedal (or run) through the area’s gorgeous landscapes without worrying about traffic. It’s an ideal way to discover the area and you can even stop off for a swim in the waters of the Mediterranean to cool off.
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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.
DiscoverFrom the Guest Book
Read the thoughtful reviews that travellers have left after their time with us.
San Marco is in a fabulous location and is well equipped. We had a wonderful family holiday in an amazing villa in an interesting part of Sicily.
GM July 2024
San Marco was everything the site promised.
SV, Switzerland August 2022
San Marco was great.
PM, United States of America August 2022
We loved San Marco, it was perfect! The property was beautiful and the ocean views throughout the house were just perfect! Would definitely stay in San Marco Villa again!
MB, United States of America July 2022
Everything was perfect at San Marco and the cook provided an amazing dinner for us.
Mrs Cecilia Bishop, United Kingdom September 2021
San Marco is a modern villa, well-presented and with sea views from every room. The beautiful sandy beach is only 5 min walk and the sea is wonderful. I had to work on a couple of days so really appreciated the 1st class wifi and AC. Will definitely come back.
CG, United Kingdom August 2021
