Towns and cities in Sicily
Mondello Travel Guide
Mondello is a stunning seaside village that has transformed from a marshland to one of Sicily's most beautiful beach destinations. Known for its fine white sands, electric blue waters, and Liberty Style villas, Mondello offers a picturesque setting for your next Sicilian getaway. Whether you're soaking up the sun on its shores or exploring the elegant architectural heritage, Mondello promises a perfect blend of relaxation and cultural discovery.
Mondello Travel Guide
About the area
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Just an hour's drive east of Palermo, Mondello's allure goes beyond its scenic beaches; the area is steeped in history, dating back to its days as an Arab outpost known as Marsâ ‘at Tin (Port of Mud). Today, Mondello is celebrated for its Liberty Style architecture, vibrant summer atmosphere, and the renowned Stabilimento Balneare, an Art Nouveau gem that exemplifies the area's aristocratic past. The village's transformation is most evident in its bustling piazza, charming old fishing harbour, and the grand promenade lined with towering palm trees. Our villas in Mondello provide the perfect base from which to explore the area’s natural beauty and historical sites.
Mondello Travel Guide
Things to do in Mondello
- Enjoy the beautiful beaches: Mondello’s beach attracts all-comers, from locals to tourists worldwide. While the beach does get busy in July and August, there are several well-organised lidos where one may escape the crowds. The fine sand and the gently shelving, shallow, placid waters are ideal for young children and toddlers. A morning on the beach, followed by a stroll along the lungomare down to the main piazza and a seafront lunch in the sun, is a great way of spending time. The variety of eateries is extensive and includes street food sellers (panelle, arancini and pizzette), excellent gelaterie, seafood trattoria and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
- Discover the Liberty Style villas: Take a walking tour to admire the unique collection of early 20th-century Liberty Style villas that dot the landscape. Palermo’s aristocratic families began buying up lots and commissioning the city’s best architects (including Ernesto Basile) to build them magnificent Liberty Style summer villas. This concentration of Art Nouveau architecture is the unique, defining feature of Mondello.
- Visit the Stabilimento Balneare: Accessed by a wooden, pier-like bridge, the Stabilimento Balneare is a yellow and white ode to the Liberty Style, a richly decorated but functional homage to an architectural movement that had taken Palermo by storm. The sea-facing terrace, today mainly given over to a restaurant, offers unrivalled views of the bay of Mondello, from Montepellegrino in the south all the way round to Monte Gallo in the north.
- Engage in water sports: Mondello is also a sporty place. Its nautical clubs have produced World and Olympic Champions in sailing and windsurfing, and there are plenty of water sports opportunities for mere amateurs too, including kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding, sailing and windsurfing. Local sports enthusiasts and those training for a triathlon enjoy nothing more than a pre-breakfast cycle up and down Montepellegrino (from where the views of Mondello are unbeatable) followed by a swim across the bay.
- Explore Capo Gallo Nature Reserve: On the north side of Mondello, meanwhile, is the mountainous nature reserve of Capo Gallo, whose vertical cliffs plunge precipitously into the sea. It's a lovely spot for kayaking or for a coastal walk followed by a dip off the rocks.
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