Aspra, Porticello & Santa Flavia
Offering an unfiltered insight into everyday Sicilian life with the natural beauty of a stunning coastline, this trio of lovely towns are miles from the tourist trail but offer amazing value-for-money as a reward for your research.
The Undiscovered Gem of the North Coast
The charming little fishing village of Porticello is actually a district, or frazione, of the small town of Santa Flavia, twenty minutes east of the outskirts of Palermo on the peninsula that leads to the dramatic peaks of Capo Zafferano and the Monte Catalfano nature reserve. Aspra is actually found on the opposite side of the headland, beyond the bigger city of Bagheria. We group them together because they share a feeling, and the kind of accommodation you find in each of the three is fairly similar.
The market is a rich one for holiday apartments that are a true immersion in everyday Sicilian culture, in smaller buildings and on quieter streets than the ones you’d find in Palermo. If you are looking for a bit more outdoor space, the villas along the Mongerbino coast to the north of Aspra, or the holiday homes further east around Campofelice will root your stay in the beauty of the island’s nature, but people-watchers and real Sicily enthusiasts will adore these welcoming communities. Land use is infinitely less intensive than in the metropolis along the coast, allowing many more of our properties here to offer roof terraces and courtyards. You’ll be sharing communal entrances with a tiny fraction of the people you would in Palermo, too, giving everything a friendlier and more personal feel.
Wherever you are in the area you won’t be far from a train station that will get you to Palermo’s Centrale transport hub in twenty minutes. This makes these towns a great base for exploring the island while escaping the intensity of the city. On a more local level, these are extremely walkable villages, with small beaches, seafood-filled promenades and sociable piazzas never far away. Nothing around here feels urban or congested, even though Palermo is just along the coast and the airport is less than an hour away.
There’s plenty to fill a day here without ever picking up a car key. Monte Catalfano, the rocky headland that gives the peninsula its shape, has waymarked trails leading past the ruins of an ancient Phoenician settlement to views over both gulfs, and the clear waters below its slopes, especially around the old watchtower at Solanto, are some of the best diving and snorkelling on this stretch of coast. Porticello’s revamped seafront, with its new promenade and harbourside bars, is made for an evening stroll or a slow aperitivo, while Santa Flavia’s grander villas and gardens, some open to the public, are worth a wander in their own right. Add in flat coastal roads for jogging or cycling and a string of small beaches for lazy afternoons, and there’s no shortage of ways to fill your vacation.
The Perfect
Destination for…
Travellers who are comfortable with Italy and want to see beneath the surface. You can have a great holiday in these towns on your own, in a couple or as a family, and it is much lighter on the budget than other local alternatives. This is not the kind of region where everything is geared to tourism, however, If you’re prepared to try out a few words of Italian you’ll find that very much appreciated and a willingness to jump in and embrace the local traditions is the key to getting the most out of Aspra, Porticello and Santa Flavia. They’re amazing spots for lovers of sailing and diving, and remain vibrant even through the winter, making them a lovely option for long-term stays. The good public transport links mean that you could even work or study in Palermo while returning home to the cosier confines of Santa Flavia every evening.
Investment Advice
The Solemar Group’s buy-to-let specialist Fabian Gruessener shares his insights for prospective buyers in the area
“These three towns are the most affordable entry point into our portfolio, and also the one that’s closest to our own heart – we have our own office right in the centre of Porticello. We don’t think it’s a hollow boast to say that we know the area better than anyone else, and we’re always happy to show a prospective buyer around before they commit.
Finding a home in the heart of the towns themselves, rather than out along the coast, opens you up to a bigger pool of guests, since many visitors here prefer to get around by train and bus. It’s an everyday kind of place, so a touch of glamour goes a long way. Investing a bit more on your interiors than the competition, or better still a proper terrace with an outdoor kitchen or even a hot tub will set you apart.”
