A Family-Run Sicilian Watchtower Guesthouse Offers a Secluded Stay on the Alcamo Coast

On a remote stretch of northwest Sicily's Alcamo coastline, an early 20th-century tuna fishery has been transformed into a guesthouse. The building, known as Tonnara Foderà di Magazzinazzi, was built in 1913 and once served as headquarters for a prominent Sicilian family's tuna industry, which thrived until the 1960s. Today, six generations later, the family still owns it and has carefully renovated it into a rental property.

The structure features a watchtower rising from its center, with golden stone walls and blue shutters that contrast with the terra-cotta roof. It is split into four apartments, which can be booked separately or together. The owners, a husband-and-wife team, stress that this is not a hotel—there is no daily housekeeping, breakfast, or reception. Guests are instead invited to treat it as a private residence, sharing common spaces like the dining room, lounge, and kitchen.

The writer stayed first in the watchtower, noting the windy atmosphere and a vaulted ceiling with red Murano glass, but also pointed out that the bathroom is on the floor below and somewhat outdated. They then moved to a first-floor mini-apartment, which they preferred for its ease, two large bedrooms, checkerboard flooring, and a bathroom with red marble tiling and a tub.

Nearby attractions include Castellammare del Golfo, a short drive away with restaurants and bars, and Tonnara di Scopello, another historic tuna fishery turned museum and protected cove. The hilltop town of Erice offers a medieval fortress and cliffside castle, though the writer advises bringing a jacket due to strong winds. Palermo's city center is about half an hour away by car.

The writer also noted that a family-run pizzeria is next door, and they recommend grabbing takeaway pizza and sitting on the sand to watch the sky change color. The property is accessed via a 35-minute drive from Palermo airport, and a rental car is essential given the secluded location.