Selinunte: Ancient Temples and Stunning Beaches on Sicily’s South Coast august 12, 2024 – Posted in: Italy, Travel – Tags: Archaeology, Attractions, Food, Holiday, Italy, Restaurants, Selinunte, Sicily, Travel, Vacation

Selinunte and Marinella di Selinunte

Europe’s largest archaeological park, Selinunte, is located right next to the small seaside town of Marinella di Selinunte. Like Agrigento, the temple park is a must-visit if you’re traveling to southern Sicily, and Marinella is a charming stop along the southern coast. It has the same vibe as an English seaside town, with plenty of small bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the sunset.

Here are our top tips for visiting the Selinunte temple park!

What Can You See in the Selinunte Temple Park?

The Selinunte temple park is a grand sight, both because of its size – being Europe’s largest archaeological park – and due to the beautiful temples. Having seen many archaeological sites, Selinunte stands out with its coastal location, offering something truly special.

No matter where you were coming from, whether from land to the north or from the sea to the south, the magnificent temples were visible, dominating the landscape. Selinunte was founded in 628 BC as the westernmost of the Greek colonies by people from Megara Hyblaea, which was located near Syracuse on the east coast. However, the Selinuntians were constantly at war with the people of Segesta, as their territories bordered each other. We have previously visited Segesta, and you can read about it here: A Day Trip To Segesta, Italy – Tips For Bus, Attractions and What To Pack.

At the same time, Selinunte was also at war with the Carthaginians, who captured the city in 409 BC. The new inhabitants remained in Selinunte until 205 BC, when the Romans expelled them from Sicily during the First Punic War. Much of the city was destroyed, but many of the ruins you see today were also caused by a later earthquake.

Planning Your Visit to Selinunte

As mentioned, Selinunte is a large and impressive area. If you’re not an archaeology enthusiast like us and just want a grand experience on your vacation, you can comfortably visit the temples at the entrance and the Acropolis. However, if you want to see it all, there are about 10 km of trails to explore all the distant parts of the temple park. If walking is difficult for you, there is an option to rent a golf cart for transportation around the site.

The temple park is also a fantastic starting point for a lovely hike, with well-maintained trails. However, there are loose stones everywhere, so wear sturdy shoes – preferably hiking boots or sneakers with a solid sole. Also, consider bringing swimwear to end your park visit with a refreshing swim.

Feel free to arrive when the temple park opens, as there can be long wait times at the entrance in the morning. Before you enter the park, grab a slice of pizza from the small bakery, Il Forno Bertolino. The supermarket right by the park entrance has a wide selection of beverages, so be sure to pack plenty! However, there is also a small café at the Acropolis within the park.

Check ticket prices and opening hours on the official website: Selinunte Archaeological Park

Read the comprehensive guide to Selinunte before your visit: Selinunte – Wikipedia (English)

When to Visit Selinunte?

We visited in early October 2022 and enjoyed a couple of wonderful days with daytime temperatures of 27°C and no rain. However, there had been a heavy rainstorm a few days before our arrival, causing the park to close for a day. Therefore, be sure to check the park’s website for updates before you go.

It was clear that we visited at the end of the season, as many things were starting to shut down. It was evident that the town typically welcomes many visitors during the high summer season, as evidenced by the numerous bars and restaurants.

If, like us, you plan to hike for many hours in the park, we highly recommend visiting outside the peak season. It was warm, but fortunately not too hot.

How to Get to Selinunte

If you’re traveling by car, simply turn off at Castelvetrano and head towards the coast. We arrived by train and bus, which is also straightforward. From Trapani, board the train heading to Castelvetrano. It stops at several places, including Marsala. You can purchase tickets at the station or through the app Omio, where you can also check departure times.

From Castelvetrano station, a bus runs to Selinunte a few times a day. Check the timetable in the image below, but note that it may have changed since October 2022. You can find the current schedule online here.

Sights in Selinunte

Aside from the temple park, there aren’t many other attractions in Selinunte. However, the small seaside town of Marinella di Selinunte offers beautiful beaches and a nature reserve, Riserva Naturale Orientata Foce del Fiume Belice. You can also spend some time enjoying gelato at the lovely harbor and simply taking in the views.

Great Restaurants in Selinunte

During our two-night stay in Selinunte, we dined at the excellent seafood restaurant Boomerang on our first evening. The concept is simple: there’s a fixed menu featuring only fish and squid. Without fully knowing what we were agreeing to, we sat down. We were asked if we wanted wine and water, and we agreed, not knowing if they were included in the price.

Then the dishes started arriving. First, we had a fried fish that was new to us, followed by a grilled fish we had never seen before. The third dish was the most delicious grilled mackerel, perfectly firm and flavorful. The fourth course was calamari, with two types of squid. The sides included lemon wedges and a salad with romaine and radicchio, dressed with a rich balsamic vinegar. Simple yet incredibly flavorful.

Afterward, we were served dessert: cannoli. And coffee. We were also offered Limoncello, but we declined as there was simply no more room in our stomachs. We were curious about the cost of this lavish meal, and when the bill arrived, we were pleasantly surprised. It was only 30 euros per person for this extravagant meal. Highly recommended!

The next evening, we decided to follow our host’s recommendations and went to Casa Mia. They were supposed to have a variety of dishes on the menu, including fish, pizza, and pasta. However, on this Tuesday, everything was closed except for a few small bars. Perhaps there was a local football match – we’re not sure.

Instead, we ended up at the food truck Nini Panino, which we had seen the day before. Locals were flocking to it to buy bread with panelle (chickpea fritters), tuna with mozzarella and pancetta, and the always popular kebab. It turned out to be a great – and cheap – meal!

Shopping in Marinella di Selinunte

Marinella di Selinunte is a small town with not many shops. Besides the bakery and supermarket, there are a few souvenir shops at the entrance to the temple park.

However, just outside Castelvetrano and on the way to Selinunte, there is a large shopping area. There’s even a McDonald’s.

Find a Great Hotel in Selinunte

We stayed at Il Tempio di Hera, a Bed & Breakfast located across from the entrance to the temple park and near the bus stop. Compared to the hotels we usually write about, it was a bit old-fashioned, but it was quite good for the price. For 70€ per night, you get a clean and tidy double room and a good breakfast buffet. This included freshly baked pastries, Castelvetrano black bread, homemade yogurt, delicious croissants, fresh fruit, and good coffee.

Although it’s listed as a B&B, it’s more like a motel. Many guests arrive by car, and there is plenty of parking space in front. However, you don’t need to drive to the beach or restaurants, as it’s only about a 10-minute walk. Our host took the time to welcome us and tell us about the small town and the temple park. We also got recommendations for the two restaurants from him.

Read more about the B&B here: Il Tempio di Hera

See other lovely hotels in Selinunte by clicking here or search for beautiful hotels in Sicily yourself:

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