Discovering Custonaci, from the village to the sea

Another unique aspect of Custonaci is its balance between the sacred and the profane: whilst, on the one hand, the town is known as ‘Civitas Mariae’ due to the presence of the important Sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Custonaci (1500); on the other, the discovery in 2016 of an Islamic granary and two astronomical monuments nicknamed the ‘Horse of the Sun’ and the ‘Gate of the Sun’, both on Mount Sparagio, immerses the area in the fascinating world of Eastern wisdom. The sanctuary houses a 15th-century painting depicting the Virgin breastfeeding, an object of devotion for the people of Custonaci and Erice, alongside another emblematic image: a tempera on wood dated 1541, from the workshop of Crescenzio (school of Antonello da Messina), depicting a Madonna and Child who miraculously survived a storm at sea along with the vessel carrying her, landing in the Gulf of Cornino.

In Custonaci, nature lovers can explore everything from the Mediterranean vegetation of the ‘Monte Cofano’ Nature Reserve – which encompasses the Monte Cofano Tonnara Tower – to the enchanting beaches of the ‘Riviera dei Marmi’, at the eastern end of the Gulf of Bonagia, a unique location between Trapani and Macari. Its landscapes and activities linked to Mediterranean fishing place Custonaci within the ‘REIMAR Coastal Villages’ network, with significant historical and cultural importance (also linked to the folkloric re-enactment of the ‘Sbarco della Madonna di Custonaci’), as well as amongst the Italian municipalities awarded the legendary ‘Five Sails’ by Legambiente (2026), making it a clean seaside resort with a wealth of facilities for families.

Last but not least, Custonaci’s traditional cuisine invites visitors to sample the local delicacies. One dish in particular? The Spincia, one of Sicily’s oldest recipes, which consists of a fried ring-shaped pastry made from a dough of flour, milk and potatoes, served with honey or ricotta. The Spincia Festival in Custonaci (or “Spincia Fest”) is held every year in September and is certainly one of the “good reasons” to visit the town.