Balestrate - Balestrate

Balestrate is a city of Sicily. Located in the center of the Gulf of Castellammare and is equidistant (about 50 km) from Palermo and from Trapani.

To know

Balestrate it was built in the seventeenth century around the trap of the Fardella family. Call at the start Sicciara, which means place where cuttlefish were fished, siccia, in Sicilian. In 1820 with the royal decree of King Ferdinand I of Bourbon on 29 March, this seaside village took the current name of Balestrate. The name derives from an anecdote: it was 1307 and King Frederick II of Aragon, who fell in love with the beauties of the sea and beaches, reserved the sovereignty of those places for a width as wide as a crossbow shot.

How to orient yourself

The geographical configuration of Balestrate gives its territory a strategic position: it rises in the center of the Gulf of Castellammare, between the provinces of Palermo and Trapani. It is a few kilometers from places of strong tourist attraction such as Palermo, Monreale, Segesta, Erice, Mozia, the Zingaro Nature Reserve, Oasi Capo Rama. To the west of the town a wide beach with promenade, with stretches of free beach, but also bathing establishments that offer every comfort. To the east of Balestrate the coast consists of a wide beach of fine sand and here too free beach and establishments Particularly interesting is the site of community interest, a wood that represents the only equipped area where it is also possible to take healthy and relaxing walks immersed in nature.

How to get

By plane

• 38.186613.10521 Palermo-Punta Raisi Airport (Falcone and Borsellino Airport) (42 km from Balestrate, you can reach it with the A29 towards Palermo), ☎ 39 0917020273. The airport is connected to Balestrate by train or shuttle bus (to Alcamo). It is possible to take advantage of the http://www.rome2rio.com/it/s/Aaeroporto-Palermo-PMO/Balestrate-Italia train that goes from Punta Raisi to Balestrate railway station. If you reach the airport by car, the parking is subject to charges. Punta Raisi airport operates national and international flights, and various connections low cost. Numerous periodic tourist flights in summer e charter. 
• 37.913512.4922 Trapani-Birgi Airport (Vincenzo Florio Airport), contrada Birgi, Trapani (60 km from balestrate, using the A29 motorway towards Trapani), ☎ 39 0923 610111, @[email protected]. Shuttle bus service operated by Terravision is Salemi for Trapani and Palermo. From and to Trapani Birgi there are national and European flights, both scheduled and low cost. Seasonal tourist flights in the summer. 

There are also taxi and shuttle bus services from the airports of Palermo and Trapani to the city of Alcamo (for information: Gabellone Viaggi e turismo, Viale Italia, 31, tel. 39 0924 505955).

By car

Balestrate can be easily reached from Palermo, which is about 40 km away, or from Trapani, about 60 km away, via the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo motorway. For more information: Autostrade Italiane - Automap.it (http://www.automap.it/autostrade/)

On boat

• Great Fast Ships, ☎ 39 010 2094591. 08:00-21:00. Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Genoa, Tunis. 
• Tirrenia line, ☎ 39 0923 545433. Cagliari-Trapani. 
• Grimaldi Line, ☎ 39 0923 542470. Tunis-Trapani. 
• Ustica Lines Line, ☎ 39 0923 873813. Livorno-Trapani. 
• Siremar, ☎ 39 0923 24968. Egadi Islands and Pantelleria. 
• Ferries of the Islands, via Ammiraglio Staiti, 23, ☎ 39 0923 22467. 
• Ustica Lines, ☎ 39 0923 873813. Hydrofoil to Egadi Islands, Pantelleria, Ustica and Naples. 

On the train

It can be reached by rail (station in the village), taking a train on the Palermo-Trapani line.

By bus

There are several bus lines from Palermo, Alcamo or Castellammare del Golfo.

• Atlassib Italy, via Mazzini, 22 Alcamo, ☎ 39 0924 508758. services from Alcamo 
• AST (Sicilian Transport Company), via Virgilio, 20 Trapani, ☎ 39 0923 21021, fax: 39 0923 872939. For Trapani 
• Autoservizi Russo, Corso Garibaldi 210 Castellammare del Golfo, ☎ 39 0924 31364, fax: 39 0924 34157, @[email protected]. For Palermo, Trapani, Castellammare del Golfo, San Vito lo Capo. 
• Segesta bus lines (Palermo - Trapani), Via Libertà, 171 (Palermo), ☎ 39 0923 2006, 39 091 304106, 39 091 342055, @[email protected]. 
• Segesta bus lines (Rome - Trapani), Via Libertà, 171 (Palermo), ☎ 39 091 300556, 39 091 304106, @[email protected]. 

How to get around

The conformation of Balestrate allows you to move easily on foot; as the streets are quite wide it is easy to find a parking space in the center for your car.

By taxi

• Nstonline Taxi & Transfer Via Segesta 5, Tel 39 333 8429777

By car

• Parking: Balestrate Station - Via Stazione

What see

• 38.01482412.9825631 Calatubo Castle (about 5 km away).  
• 38.049913.00552 Church of S. Anna (the matrix), Piazza Rettore Evola, 56, ☎ 39 091 8786135. 
• St. Peter's Church. 
• Ethno-anthropological museum, via Madonna del Ponte 2. open from June to September. 
• Remains of the old village, Tuna Fardella. 
• 38.03950213.0347493 Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ponte, contrada Madonna del Ponte (SP 63, in front of the A29 junction of Balestrate).  

Events and parties

• Carnival. Dance of the shepherds and parade of allegorical floats. The most ancient tradition, closely linked to the carnival, is “Il Ballo dei Pastori” or “Masked Contradanza”. 
• St. Joseph. March 19. Preparation of the altars in honor of the saint with a visit to the altars. 
• Easter. The Passion of Christ with living characters in period costume. 
• Feast of the Madonna del Ponte. First Sunday after Easter. In addition to the inhabitants of Balestrate, also those of the neighboring municipalities participate in the festival. 
• Flavors of Siccia… ra in Balestrate. April 24. Sagra della cuttlefish, an entire food and wine village with tastings of cuttlefish-based dishes. 
• Saint Peter. June 29. Fishermen's festival with traditional aerial sea games on the beach. The fish festival is organized in the evening. Characteristic is the procession of the saint that takes place at sea, with the statue on board a fishing boat. 
• Summer in Balestrate. Music, exhibitions, theater, shows in the square, festivals and sporting events that involve residents and tourists in August. 
• Feast of the Patroness Maria Addolorata. September 15. With the procession through the streets of the town and the Holy Mass at the chapel located at the west side of the town. 
• Immaculate Conception. December 8. 

What to do

• Shooting, Contrada Bosco Falconeria S.S 113 Km 316 Partinico, ☎ 39 339 6578779. 

Beach life

• Lido Copacabana, Lungomare "F. D'Anna" West beach. Lido or equipped beach. 
• Lido Ipanema, Lungomare "F. D'Anna" West beach. Lido or equipped beach. 
• Lido Lagoa, Lungomare "F. D'Anna" West beach. Lido or equipped beach. 
• Lido Le Blond, Lungomare "F. D'Anna" West beach. 
• Lido Le Grotte, Lungomare "F. D'Anna" West beach. Lido or equipped beach. 
• Lido Lo Squalo Beach, Contrada Foce East Beach. Lido or equipped beach. 
• Lido Oricao, Lungomare "F. D'Anna" West beach. Lido or equipped beach. 

Shopping

• Don Rizzo Bank (Cooperative Credit of Western Sicily), Via Roma, 90. 
• Unicredit SpA, Piazza Rettore Evola, 1. 
• Tropicana Tobacco Bar, Contrada Forgitella West Beach. 
• Seafood from Giovanni, Via Madonna del Ponte Ovest, ☎ 39 091 8786605. 
• The Pearl, Via P. Gesugrande, 40, ☎ 39 091 878 7592. Seafood. 
• Flavors of the Sea, Via Madonna del Ponte, ☎ 39 091 8786158. Seafood. 

How to have fun

Night clubs

• 38.050213.0051 Bacchus's Pub (Nichida Service), Piazza Rettore Evola, ☎ 39 091 8987955. Pub. 
• Black & White, Via Repubblica. Pub. 
• Blanko PUB, Piazza Rettore Evola, ☎ 39 091 8787601. 
• The Piazzetta, Via Della Repubblica, 74, ☎ 39 091 8787830. Pub. 
• Why Not?, Via Della Repubblica, 90, ☎ 39 388 751 9148. Pub. 

Where to eat

Moderate prices

• Beautiful square, Piazza Rettore Evola. Spaghetteria. 
• Carpe Diem, Via Madonna del Ponte, 76. Fry shop. 
• 38.046213.00561 Cavallino Bianco, Contrada Piano Tresca, ☎ 39 091 898 7272. Pizzeria. 
• Dèjà Vu, Via P. Gesugrande, 32, ☎ 39 03807934429. 06: 30-22: 30 closed on Thursday. Pizzeria Cafeteria. 
• El Tiburo'n, Via G. Garibaldi at the corner of Via Repubblica. Takeaway pizzeria and pizza. 
• La Capannuccia, Lungomare "Felice D'Anna" West beach. Pizzeria. 
• The shark, Contrada Foce East Beach, ☎ 39 091 8786382. Pizzeria. 
• Blue Wave, Contrada Foce East Beach, ☎ 39 091 8786595. Pizzeria. 
• Paramaribo, Via Libertà, 28, ☎ 39 334 3478101. Takeaway pizzeria and pizza. 
• Little Palermo, Via P. Gesugrande, 22, ☎ 39 091 8787271. Fry shop. 
• Pizza in the square, Piazza Rettore Evola, ☎ 39 091 8787601. Takeaway pizzeria and pizza. 
• Golden sand, Contrada Forgitella West Beach, ☎ 39 091 8987319. Pizzeria. 
• Taxi Pizza, Via Madonna del Ponte, 36, ☎ 39 091 8786535. Takeaway pizzeria and pizza. 

Average prices

• From Giovanni seafood, Via Madonna Del Ponte, 100 (Balestrate entrance on the Trapani side), ☎ 39 091 878 6605. € 35. Fresh fish cooked well, albeit in a simple way; good service and excellent value for money. 
• 38.049113.00042 The Crossbow, Via Madonna del Ponte, ☎ 39 388 863 1351. Restaurant with a splendid panoramic view of the sea. A menu with a wide choice, based on meat and fish; the restaurant also has products for celiacs. There is also a pizzeria with a wood oven. There is also an outdoor room, partly outdoors. 
• 38.0513.002963 The Good Fork, Via Madonna del Ponte, 76, ☎ 39 393 979 2343. A genuine and welcoming local cuisine. Very fresh and well cooked fish. 
• La Sicciara, Via Madonna del Ponte, ☎ 39 091 878 7099. Restaurant Pizzeria. 
• Overseas, Via Madonna del Ponte, 105, ☎ 39 339 169 3858. Restaurant. 
• Wind rose, Via Madonna del Ponte, ☎ 39 091 8987497. Restaurant Pizzeria. 
• Trattoria dalla Nonna, Via Madonna del Ponte, 82, ☎ 39 091 8786574. Restaurant Pizzeria. 

Where stay

Moderate prices

• House on the Sea, Via della Repubblica, 13, ☎ 39 328 944 9872. Bed and Breakfast 
• Residence Valentina, Contrada Giardini, ☎ 39 091 987142, fax: 39 091 415216, @[email protected]. 95 € for 4 people, 2 bedrooms. Each newly furnished apartment with independent entrance includes a living area, satellite TV, free WiFi, a kitchenette and a bathroom with shower. There is also a garden, an outdoor swimming pool and barbecue facilities on the property. Offering free parking, it is less than 500 meters from shops, supermarkets and restaurants. 
• Manostalla Farm (Villa Chiarelli), Contrada Manostalla, ☎ 39 091 8787033, @[email protected]. 70€. The farm is an ancient beam from the early nineteenth century, then owned by the Jesuits and used as a place of prayer. It is located in one of the most characteristic landscapes of rural Sicily and not far from the castle of Calatubo. The restaurant service offers its own typical products such as: oil, milk, cheese, ricotta, vegetables and sheep and beef of its own production, with which old traditional recipes are prepared. 
• Residence "Eloisa", Via Madonna del Ponte 96, ☎ 39 091 87 86979, 39 331 108 4572. 45€. The Residence is located about 800 meters from the beach and offers apartments with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, TV, kitchenette, bathroom with shower and hairdryer. From the balcony you can admire the seascape. In front of the Residence there is the bus stop with connections to Palermo and San Vito Lo Capo. 
• Residence Villaggio Petruso, Contrada Sicciarotta, ☎ 39 091 8787572, 39 091 842 0462, fax: 39 091 8787572, @[email protected]. 45/60€. Residence Villaggio Petruso features a sun terrace and an outdoor swimming pool with panoramic views of the Gulf of Castellammare.You can enjoy free Wi-Fi in all public areas and the outdoor swimming pool. You can also play darts, table tennis and billiards.All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV, fridge, kitchenette and private bathroom. 

Average prices

• Baglio Carta, Contrada Bosco Falconeria S.P. 17, ☎ 39 091 8789279, 39 339 4062869, @[email protected]. 80€. 
• 38.0510513.0061621 Ruffino house, Via Madonna del Ponte, 49 (near via Crispi), ☎ 39 091 8787114, 39 342 1507679, 39 380 1399314, @[email protected]. 60/90€. Check in: 14:00-24:00, check-out: 08:00-11:00. The Ruffino bed and breakfast is located in the nineteenth-century Palazzo Ruffino. The rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV and private bathrooms. It offers free Wi-Fi and free parking.The typical Sicilian breakfast includes sweet and savory food. 
• Costa Azul, Contrada Forgia East Beach, ☎ 39 091 8786994, 39 3466557372, @[email protected]. 84€. The Costa Azul Hotel is located 150 meters from the beach and 1.5 km from Balestrate; it has rooms with air conditioning, veranda and TV. Those overlooking the sea or the swimming pool, have satellite TV, minibar and private bathroom with hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. Bar, reading room or sun terrace, swimming pool with hydromassage area. 
• Hotel del Golfo, Via Madonna del Ponte, 109A, ☎ 39 091 8786328. 

High prices

• 38.052413.00362 Marina Holiday Hotel, Via del Mare, ☎ 39 091 878 6401, @[email protected]. 105€. Spread over 3 groups of buildings in the tourist port of Balestrate, the hotel offers a wellness center (with hot tub and sauna), a sea-view terrace and free WiFi.The elegant rooms are air conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV. private bathroom with hairdryer and some with Jacuzzi.At the restaurant you can taste Mediterranean cuisine. There is also a well-equipped conference center available. 
• 37.996313.02683 Il Baglio Della Luna Relais, Contrada Bosco Falconeria SS 113 km 318,200, Partinico, PA, ☎ 39 0918789106, 39 3450736557. 84€. Check in: 16:00 to 20:00, check-out: 09:30 to 11:00. Located in the middle of a garden, the Baglio is located in a restored fortress. Very quiet, as it is off the beaten track and only about 7 km from the sea. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building for free, as is parking. All rooms (elegantly furnished, one different from the others) include: private bathroom, air conditioning, TV. minibar. hairdryer. Breakfast is included, Pets not allowed. 

Safety

• Carabinieri (station command), Via Madonna del Ponte-Est, 76, ☎ 39 091 8786141. 
• Carabinieri (railway station), Via Libertà 15, ☎ 39 091 8787500, fax: 39 091 8787500. 
• 38.0508313.005773 D'Arrigo Antonina Pharmacy, Via Madonna del Ponte, 44, ☎ 39 091 8786121. 
• Pharmacy Zangara Gaspare, Via Madonna del Ponte, 10. 
• Emergency medical Service, Via Giliberti, 42, ☎ 39 091 8786790. 
• Municipal police, Via Mattarella, 10, ☎ 39 091 898 0059. 

How to keep in touch

Post office

• 38.051913.00674 Poste Italiane Spa, Via S. Giovanni Bosco, 27, ☎ 39 091 898 7381, fax: 39 091 8787378. Mon-Fri 08: 30-13: 30, Sat 08: 30-12: 30. 

Internet

• 38.049713.00125 Blue Sky, Via Madonna del Ponte, 84, ☎ 39 091 878 6170, @[email protected]. Restaurants and mobile catering businesses, internet cafes. 
• Simsalabim, Via Madonna del ponte 45, ☎ 39 091 878 6781. Tourist assistance, info point, internet point, transfers from the airport of Palermo/ Birgi, tour of the Sicily, car rental, bicycle rental, boat tours, holiday homes, hotel reservations, restaurant reservations. 

Keep informed

For all tourist information contact:

• Municipality of Balestrate, Via Roma, 14, ☎ 39 091 8787620. 
• Pro Loco, Via S. Francesco d'Assisi 40, ☎ 39 091 8987533, 39 091 8987355. 08:00-14:00. 

Around

• Partinico
• Alcamo
• Alcamo Marina
• Castellammare del Golfo
• Segesta
• Scopello (Castellammare del Golfo)
• Monreale
• Palermo

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Balestrate
• Commons contains images or other files on Balestrate

Usable : the article respects the characteristics of a draft but in addition it contains enough information to allow a short visit to the city. Use i correctly listing (the right type in the right sections).