Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello: Is It A Tourist Trap?

In recent years, Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello, in Sicily, has become a tourist hotspot, thanks to social media. The image of the picture-postcard Sicilian coastal setting went viral and continues to do the rounds.

A striking red-coloured seaside building is surrounded by mindblowing sea stacks and the translucent turquoise water of Spiaggia dei Faraglioni, which is now one of the most popular beaches to visit in Scopello.

Undoubtedly, it’s a beautiful place with an interesting history. But, after visiting, the question remains – is Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello a tourist trap?

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello in Sicily. By doing so, we’ll let you decide whether it’s worth a visit or to avoid it like the plague! Of course, we’ll also throw in our two cents.

What Is Tonnara di Scopello?

Tonnara di Scopello is a restored 13th century tuna fishing complex and seaside village. Of course, when it comes to buildings that have made Tonnara di Scopello more well-known, it’s the pretty red-coloured house that sits perfectly on the shores of Spiaggia dei Faraglioni.

At the medieval-walled tuna fishing estate, you’ll also find boathouses where equipment was kept. You’ll also find the angler’s houses.

Indeed, Tonnara di Scopello was once home to a thriving tuna-fishing community. But, it was last used for tuna fishing in 1984. Now, the complex is privately owned.

On the one hand, privatisation has meant the restoration and refurbishment of the site. This means you can visit, learn about the place’s history, and experience its beauty without the walls falling down.

On the other hand, it’s become a money-making venture. On-site, you’ll find a hotel, which also acts as a wedding venue. There is also a museum on-site.

Check out our guides about Scala dei Turchi, Alcantara Gorges and Favignana

What Is Faraglioni di Scopello?

Faraglioni di Scopello are the incredible sea stacks located within the bay where Tonnara di Scopello is located. The spectacular rock formations are an integral component of the amazing natural scenery surrounding Tonnara di Scopello.

Certainly, some (if not most) people are drawn to the site not because of the history of the tuna-fishing complex, but because of the natural beauty of the area, including the magnificent Faraglioni di Scopello.

So, exactly where are Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello located in Sicily?

Where Is Faraglioni di Scopello?

As their names suggest, Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello are located in Scopello in the northwest of Sicily. To help you get your bearings, feel free to click the image below to open an interactive map (Google Maps) showing the exact location of Tonnara di Scopello.

How to Visit Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello

Now you know a little more about Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello, let’s look at information about visiting this tourist attraction. Let’s start with the costs associated with visiting.

Entrance Fees

The admission fee for Tonnara di Scopello is continuously increasing. So, the price at the time of writing may be different when you visit. If that’s the case, please let us know in the comments section.

The entrance fee varies by season and by age.

• Low season (1 April–31 May and 14 September–31 December): €15/person (+65yo €10/person)
• High season (1 June–13 September): €25/person (+65yo €15/person)
• 0-7 year olds: free

Paying the admission fee will give you access to some areas of Tonnara di Scopello, including a guided tour of the museum and common areas, and a sunbed on Spiaggia dei Faraglioni – the private on-site beach.

Much of Tonnara di Scopello is cordoned off, so you won’t be able to explore the site freely. In reality, areas that you can independently explore are fairly limited to Spiaggia dei Faraglioni. Most of the common areas of Tonnara di Scopello can only be accessed by doing a guided tour, which tends to run hourly.

By doing a guided tour, you’ll learn about the place’s history and the fishing practices used on site. We’ve heard mixed reviews about the guided tours. It’d make sense to try and do the guided tour, as it’s included in the entrance fee. But, we’ve also heard the tour can be rushed.

How to Book Tickets

You can buy tickets online on their website, so you can skip the queue at the entry.

Bear in mind, online tickets can only be purchased up to 24 hours before your visit (you cannot buy online tickets on the same day you visit). Online tickets are released 15 days in advance.

With that said, we highly recommend buying tickets well in advance, especially in summer, to secure your spot and skip the line.

That’s to say, you don’t need to buy an online ticket to visit. But, you’ll have to queue. And, in summer, that might mean a considerably long queue, which might even mean missing out altogether!

Indeed, in the height of the peak season in summer, Tonnara di Scopello can get absolutely rammed. So, we’ve heard that many people wanting to do the guided tour of the museum and common areas, don’t end up doing it as the queue is too long.

Opening Hours

The opening hours vary by season.

• Low season (1 April–31 May and 14 September–31 December): 10:30am–5:30pm
• High season (1 June–13 September): 10:30am–7:30pm

Opening times seem to continuously change. Sometimes, the site closes early at 3:30pm. That’s why it’s best to check the official website before visiting for the latest information about opening hours. Because there are long queues to enter, we recommend arriving about 30 minutes before opening time.

Spiaggia dei Faraglioni

Also known as Tonnara di Scopello Beach, Spiaggia dei Faraglioni is the private beach on site. Indeed, many people aren’t interested in the museum or guided tour and just want to visit Spiaggia dei Faraglioni.

Because of the mesmerising Faraglioni di Scopello and majestic Tonnara di Scopello vibes, Spiaggia dei Faraglioni has become one of the most popular beaches in Scopello.

As mentioned, with the price of entry, you’ll get a sunbed on the shores of Spiaggia dei Faraglioni for the day. Although, it’s worth noting that Spiaggia dei Faraglioni does get very crowded in the peak season. After all, Spiaggia dei Faraglioni is only a very small bay area.

So, don’t expect much in the way of space. Perhaps, visiting outside of peak season is a way of getting around this problem. But often, Tonnara di Scopello closes for maintenance in the off-season.

The Secret Lookout

Now you know everything about visiting Tonnara di Scopello. For those who can’t justify the price, there is another way to enjoy Tonnara di Scopello, Faraglioni di Scopello and Spiaggia dei Faraglioni, without paying anything.

Simply, visit the viewpoint, or secret lookout, located in the area just south of the site. By doing so, you’ll get to enjoy a marvellous view without paying a penny.

For your convenience, here is a map showing you exactly where the viewpoint of Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello is located.

How to Get to Tonnara di Scopello

The easiest way to get to Tonnara di Scopello is to drive there yourself. Regarding parking, you have two options. There is parking on-site, which costs €20. But, the parking area is tiny, with only enough space for a dozen cars or so.

Additionally, you’ll need to negotiate a short, narrow and winding road to reach the unpaved parking area. The best parking option is found at this nearby, unofficial, large car park. Parking costs €2/hour.

Certainly, if you just want to visit the secret lookout, you can simply park there, cross the road and follow a short dirt trail to the viewpoint. It’s literally just a couple of minutes’ walk.

Don’t be put off by the bad reviews on Google Maps regarding this car park. People are getting confused and think this car park is the official on-site parking, which is €20 (a rip-off!).

Car Hire

If you don’t have your own set of wheels, we recommend hiring a car. Personally, Beck and I picked up our car hire from Catania International Airport. For an automatic car, we only paid around €7 ($7USD) per day!

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Public Transport

All year round, Autoservizi Russo S.R.L. (The Russo Company) runs a bus service between Castellammare del Golfo and Scopello. From the bus stop at Piazza della Repubblica in Castellamare del Golfo, the bus takes approx. 20–25 minutes and costs around €2.70 per person one-way.

The bus will alight in Scopello near Scopello Borgo Storico. From there, it’s as simple as walking around 1km to reach Tonnara di Scopello.

There are usually three to four departures a day from Castellammare del Golfo to Scopello, starting from roughly 7:30am. Similarly, there are three to four departures from Scopello to Castellammare del Golfo, with the last service running around 6:40pm.

For more information regarding departure times, frequency and pricing as well as booking tickets in advance, click here.

Boat Tours

Another way to visit the area is by doing a boat tour. By doing a boat tour, you won’t actually visit the site of Tonnara di Scopello. Instead, the boat tour will stop near Faraglioni di Scopello in the waters of Spiaggia dei Faraglioni, facing opposite the historic seaside village of Tonnara.

That way, you can enjoy views of the site from the sea and enjoy a swim near Faraglioni di Scopello.

These boat tours tend to depart from Palermo, San Vito lo Capo and Castellammare del Golfo.

Tonnara di Scopello Hotel Rooms

Also known as Hotel Tonnara di Scopello and the Tonnara di Scopello Apartments, the property offers on-site accommodation. Tonnara di Scopello accommodation comprises 14 unique apartments.

Each apartment has its own name and varies slightly in size, number of bedrooms, amenities and facilities. But, most apartments have a private bathroom, kitchenette and fridge.

As expected, staying there is a highly luxurious option and certainly well beyond a budget or mid-range accommodation. But, certainly, spending the night there, without the crowds, would be the ultimate way to experience Tonnara di Scopello. For information about booking, please click here.

FYI – Tonnara di Scopello is also a wedding venue, with its apartments seeing many wedding guests.

Guests-Only Private Beach at Tonnara di Scopello

By staying at Tonnara di Scopello, you’ll have access to areas of the site that the general public doesn’t have access to. This includes access to a guest-only section of Spiaggia dei Faraglioni!

Certainly, this would have to be one of the most exclusive beaches in Scopello, let alone all of Sicily.

FAQs

Let’s look at some common FAQs, including what this guide is all about – is Tonnara di Scopello worth visiting, or is it a tourist trap?

Is Tonnara di Scopello Worth Visiting?

This comes down to personal preference. Generally speaking, Beck and I don’t like visiting overcrowded places and places where people are merely visiting for the ‘gram.

That’s why we don’t think it’s worth paying to enter Tonnara di Scopello. Besides, there are many other beaches in Scopello, and in Sicily as a whole, which are just as beautiful and far less crowded.

Of course, there’s no doubting the beauty of Tonnara di Scopello and Faragliono di Scopello. So, perhaps it’s worth visiting the viewpoint and leaving it at that.

Otherwise, doing a boat tour isn’t a bad shout. That way, you’ll avoid paying any entrance fee or queuing at Tonnara di Scopello. You’ll simply enjoy the views of it from the sea, while having time to swim in Spiaggia dei Faraglioni near the epic Faraglioni di Scopello.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

Most people will visit Tonnara di Scopello and Sicily, for that matter, during the peak summer season. But, that’s when the site can be very crowded.

Unfortunately, as mentioned, Tonnara di Scopello is often closed for maintenance and refurbishment during the off-season. Perhaps timing a visit just outside the peak season in April, May, September, or October will ensure fewer crowds and a greater chance that the site is open.

Are There Any Rules For Visiting?

To protect the site, several rules are in place. No pets are allowed. You’re not allowed to bring deck chairs, umbrellas, inflatables or any water sport equipment. You also can’t bring your own food or drink (an on-site bar is available).

There is a whole list of rules listed on the booking page (see screenshot below). The rules above are certainly the main ones.

Where to Stay in Scopello

If staying at Tonnara di Scopello is beyond your budget but you’d like to stay in the area, hotels in Scopello might be a better option.

To keep things simple, we’ve handpicked the best budget, mid-range and luxurious options in Scopello.

• Budget – Residence Guidaloca: this apartment hotel is one of the best budget stays in the area. Residence Guidaloca has fantastic facilities and amenities, all for a very affordable price.
• Mid-range – Tenute Plaia Agriturismo: featuring a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool and a bar, Tenute Plaia Agriturismo is a popular accommodation option in Scopello.
• Luxury – Hotel Baglio Di Scopello: this is one of the most highly-rated accommodation options in Scopello. Indeed, it’d be hard to find a better stay in Scopello than at Hotel Baglio Di Scopello.

Best Things to Do Near Tonnara di Scopello and Faraglioni di Scopello

Whether you visit Tonnara di Scopello or not, it’s worth knowing there are other awesome places nearby. So, even if you decide not to visit this attraction, it’s still worth visiting Scopello and the surrounding areas of Sicily.

With this in mind, let’s look at the best things to do near Tonnara di Scopello.

Scopello Village

The small village of Scopello is worth seeing in its own right. In Scopello, you’ll find a beautiful town square with a lovely stone fountain and centuries-old eucalyptus trees.

There are nice restaurants and gelaterias to enjoy, whilst you’ll have a lovely view of Torre Bennistra (Bennistra Tower).

Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare del Golfo is the nearest large town to Tonnara di Scopello. The name translates in English to ‘Sea Fortress on the Gulf’, owing to the impressive medieval fortress in the harbour.

Certainly, the harbour is worth visiting, or, at least, worth enjoying from this viewpoint, called Belvedere Castellammare del Golfo.

Dotted along the coastline around Castellammare del Golfo, you’ll find sublime stretches of the coast. In particular, Spiaggia Plaja is a popular beach to visit.

Other Scopello Beaches

There’s nothing quite like having a dip in the Scopello sea at one of its nice beaches. If Spiaggia dei Faraglioni sounds a bit crowded for your liking, then you may want to explore other beaches in Scopello.

Spiaggia di Guidaloca (Guidaloca Beach) is the most popular beach in Scopello. The pebble beach sees many visitors during summer. You’ve also got Cala Mazzo di Sciacca, which is another great beach to visit in Scopello. Otherwise, there are some other smaller lesser-known beaches in Scopello.

Zingaro Nature Reserve (Riserva dello Zingaro)

Tonnara di Scopello is just a stone’s throw away from the sensational Zingaro Nature Reserve. Personally, Beck and I think the Zingaro Nature Reserve is the best nature reserve in Sicily. Because of the nature reserve’s remoteness, the spectacular beaches aren’t as quick or easy to reach as those in Scopello.

Each beach in Zingaro Nature Reserve requires some effort to reach, which makes them far less crowded.

By doing Sentiero Costiero, which is one of the best coastal walks in Sicily, you can visit every beach in the Zingaro Nature Reserve.

Read more: Zingaro Nature Reserve – The Ultimate Hiking and Beaches Guide

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