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A Budget Guide to Kitesurfing Holidays in Sicily lo Stagnone

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One of the most common questions I get from people planning a trip to Lo Stagnone is: “How much does a week in Sicily really cost?”.

And as usual – the answer is: it depends. Some people arrive with a backpack, sleep in an apartment shared with friends, and spend most of their time on the water. Others choose comfortable apartments with a pool, daily dinners in restaurants, and a rented car for the entire stay. The good news is that western Sicily is still one of those places where you can spend a great vacation without spending a fortune.

Flights to Sicily lo Stagnone

Most often, our guests fly into Palermo or Trapani. Connections change from season to season, but with early booking, round-trip tickets can be found for as low as approximately 300–800 PLN. During the summer season, prices can be higher, so it is worth planning your trip in advance. If you can travel in May, June, September, or October, you will often find much better prices than in July and August.

Accommodation in Lo Stagnone

It is accommodation that most often influences the final budget of the trip. A room in a shared apartment can be found from about 50 euros per night. A private apartment for two people usually costs from 70 to 150 euros per night, depending on the standard, date, and location. If you are traveling in a group, the accommodation costs can be really attractive after being divided among several people.

Car rental

Is a car necessary? No. Does it make life easier? Definitely yes. Renting a car outside of peak season often costs from 40 to 50 euros per day. Thanks to this, you can easily visit Marsala, Trapani, Erice, or lesser-known corners of western Sicily. If you plan to stay only at the lagoon, an airport transfer might be a sufficient solution.

Food and restaurants

This is one of my favorite topics. Contrary to what many people think before they arrive, food in Sicily does not have to be expensive:

  • Morning coffee: approx. 1–1.5 euros.
  • Large arancino: approx. 1,5–3 euros.
  • Pizza in a restaurant: between 8 and 15 euros.
  • Dinner with wine for two people: often totals 40–60 euros.

Kitesurfing course

For many people, the main reason for coming to Lo Stagnone is kitesurfing. The cost of a course depends on the number of hours, the type of training, and the season. The greatest advantage of this place is the conditions for learning. The shallow lagoon allows you to use every hour of training effectively, and the regular wind means you rarely have to wait long for the right conditions.

Example budget for a one-week stay

Expense item Budget variant (1 pers.) Variant for a couple
Flight (round trip) approx. 500 PLN approx. 1000 – 1600 PLN (for 2 pers.)
Accommodation (7 nights) approx. 300 – 400 € approx. 500 – 1000 € (private apartment)
Food approx. 20 – 30 € / day approx. 50 – 80 € / day
Local transport approx. 50 – 150 € (transfers/local) approx. 300 – 400 € (car rental)

With a shared apartment and a rented car, the costs often turn out to be more favorable than a vacation in many popular resorts. Additionally, you get something that is hard to find in hotel resorts – authentic Sicily, local food, beautiful landscapes, and the atmosphere of a place people return to for years.

Is Lo Stagnone expensive?

In my opinion, no. This is one of those places where you can adjust your trip to your own financial means. Regardless of whether you are looking for a budget adventure or a comfortable vacation, you will find a solution for yourself here. And the greatest value is often not found on the price list. It is the sunsets over the lagoon, the first meters covered on a kitesurf board, and evenings spent with people who came here for the exact same thing – to slow down for a moment.

In the next post, I will tell you why Lo Stagnone is becoming an increasingly popular direction for a family vacation.

Ciao, it’s Marti 👋

Trapani or Palermo? How to Get to Lo Stagnone Sicily for Your Kitesurfing Holidays

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If you are planning your first trip to Lo Stagnone, after a few minutes of searching for flights, the first question probably pops up: fly to Trapani or Palermo?

Don’t worry. Both options are great, and getting to the lagoon is much easier than you might think.

Over the last few years, I’ve observed hundreds of people arriving in Sicily for the first time. Most of them were stressed about the logistics before leaving, but after arrival, it turned out everything was really easy to organize. Here are a few practical tips.

Trapani Airport – closest to the lagoon

If you find a convenient connection to Trapani, it will probably be the best choice. The airport is about a 15-minute drive from Lo Stagnone. After leaving the terminal, you can be at the spot before you even start missing your airplane seat.

Lo Stagnone

Palermo Airport – more possibilities

Most tourists fly into Palermo. There are more flight connections, and prices can be attractive. The distance to Lo Stagnone is about 70-90 km, and the drive takes around 1.5 hours. In Sicily, that’s not much, and the road leads through beautiful hills, which makes the journey part of the adventure.

Why is it worth renting a car?

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and hides corners you won’t find in brochures. By having a car, you can:

  • Go for a brilliant dinner in Marsala,
  • Visit medieval Erice on top of the mountain,
  • Find a wild, hidden beach just for yourself,
  • Visit a local vineyard,
  • Go on a day trip to Palermo.
Car in Sicily

Driving in Sicily

Do Italians drive dynamically? Yes. Is there anything to be afraid of? No. After a dozen minutes, most people get used to the driving style. The roads in this part of the island are in good condition, and getting around is intuitive.

Is it worth coming without a car?

Of course. If your main goal is kitesurfing, you will manage in Lo Stagnone without a car. The base offers:

  • Kitesurfing schools at your fingertips,
  • Atmospheric restaurants,
  • Comfortable apartments near the water,
  • Grocery stores within walking distance.

Summary

Getting to Lo Stagnone is simpler than you might think. Trapani means a shorter transfer, Palermo means greater availability, and a car means full freedom. Regardless of your choice, a lagoon awaits you on-site that, for many people, becomes a second home.

Ciao, it’s Marti 👋

What to Pack for Your Lo Stagnone Sicily Kitesurfing holidays

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What to pack for a trip to Lo Stagnone? A list of things most people forget

Tickets bought? Accommodation booked? Forecast checked for the thirtieth time? Great. There is one more stage that can ruin the beginning of your vacation – packing.

Over the years, I’ve seen it all. People who arrived without a charger, without documents for the car rental, without sunscreen, and even without a swimsuit.

That’s why I’ve prepared a list of things that are truly useful during a trip to Lo Stagnone.

Documents and payments

Let’s start with the basics. Before you leave, check:

  • your ID card or passport,
  • driving license (if you plan to rent a car),
  • payment card,
  • booking confirmations,
  • travel insurance.

It sounds trivial, but these are exactly the things that most often get left on the kitchen table.

High-SPF sunscreen

If there is one thing I recommend to everyone without exception, it is a good sunscreen. The Sicilian sun can be much stronger than it seems on the first day. Especially when you spend a few hours on the water. Many guests realize this, unfortunately, a bit too late.

Sunglasses

Not just any kind. Preferably ones that really protect your eyes. The combination of sun and light reflecting off the water makes sunglasses an essential piece of daily equipment.

A cap or hat

It sounds inconspicuous, but it makes a huge difference while sightseeing or waiting for the wind. Especially in July and August.

A sweatshirt for the evenings

This is one of the things people forget most often. During the day, the temperature can exceed 30 degrees, but in the evening – especially in May, June, or October – a light sweatshirt or thin jacket comes in handy. Especially if you are planning dinner by the water.

Water shoes

Are they mandatory? No. Are they useful? Definitely. Some parts of the lagoon have harder ground or seashells, which is why many people simply feel more comfortable in them.

A charging adapter?

Fortunately, no. Italy uses the same plug standards as Poland, so you don’t need to take any adapters. That’s one less thing to pack.

Powerbank

It sounds like a gadget, but it often turns out to be very practical. Photos, videos, wind forecasts, maps, and messengers drain the phone battery quickly. Especially during all-day trips.

Cash

Although most places accept payment cards, there are still small shops, local bars, or family restaurants where cash is welcome. You don’t have to take large amounts, but a few euros in your wallet often come in handy.

What to pack for kitesurfing?

If you have your own equipment, the list will obviously be longer. If you are planning training or rentals on-site, all you need is:

  • swimsuit,
  • towel,
  • lycra or UV shirt,
  • sunglasses,
  • sunscreen.

You will find the rest on-site without any problems.

What is not worth taking?

After years of working in Lo Stagnone, I’ve noticed one interesting thing. People always pack too much. Really. Most clothes come back home unused. Life in Sicily is simple. During the day, swimsuits, shorts, and flip-flops rule. In the evening, something light and comfortable is enough. You don’t need a suitcase full of things “just in case”.

The most important thing to pack

Finally, I left something that you won’t find on any list. Leave some room for spontaneity.

The best memories from Sicily very rarely come from a meticulously planned schedule. It’s usually an accidentally discovered restaurant, a sunset watched with newly met people, or a spontaneous trip to a place that wasn’t in the plans. It’s worth leaving some space for things like that, too.

Ciao, it’s Marti 👋

10 places you must see while staying in Lo Stagnone

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Lo Stagnone is above all about legendary kitesurfing conditions, but if you stay here for even a few days, you will quickly discover that the surrounding area has much more to offer than just flat water and steady wind.

This is one of those unique regions of Sicily where, within just an hour’s drive, you will find completely different worlds – from towns steeped in history to wild, rugged landscapes and places that look literally out of this world.

Here are 10 places that are truly worth adding to your list and visiting on non-windy days (or between sessions!).

1. Lo Stagnone Salt Pans

We start with the place closest to us. The salt pans are one of the most iconic and photogenic landscapes in western Sicily. White mountains of salt, historic windmills, and shallow pools create an incredible sight that changes dramatically depending on the time of day and the light. They are best visited in the late afternoon – sunsets here, with the water’s surface shimmering in pink and orange, are breathtaking.


Saliny Lo Stagnone

2. Mozia Island

Located in the heart of the lagoon, the island of Mozia is a place that perfectly combines ancient history with untouched nature. You can easily reach it in a few minutes by a small, local boat and spend time on a leisurely walk along paths where time stopped many centuries ago. It is undoubtedly one of the most unique and peaceful places in the immediate vicinity of the spot.


Wyspa Mozia

3. Marsala

A charming port city that gives its name to the world-famous fortified wine. Marsala is a fantastic blend of authentic Sicilian life, historical architecture, and the relaxed, daily rhythm of Southern Italy. It is an absolutely perfect destination for a morning Italian coffee, an evening dinner in a side-street trattoria, or simply a lazy walk without any concrete plan.

4. Erice

Perched high on a steep hill, the medieval town of Erice looks like a living postcard taken from bygone times. Narrow stone streets, monumental castles, breathtaking views over the entire coast, and a noticeably cooler climate make it an ideal escape from the summer heat and the typical beach life below.


Erice

5. Trapani

A dynamic port city with a beautiful, long promenade and an extremely atmospheric, well-kept old town. Trapani is an excellent choice for an evening out, an outstanding fruit granita, a seafood dinner, or a walk along the defensive walls right by the sea.


Trapani

6. Favignana (Aegadian Islands)

A true island pearl, which you can easily reach by a fast ferry from the port of Trapani. Incredibly turquoise, crystal-clear water, picturesque rocky coves, and bicycles instead of cars create a unique, idyllic, and very peaceful atmosphere.

Favignana 2

7. San Vito Lo Capo

If you are longing for a sandy, soft shore, this is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in all of Sicily. A wide stretch of light sand at the foot of a monumental rock and intensely turquoise water make this place look much more Caribbean than European on a sunny day.

San Vito Lo Capo

8. Zingaro Nature Reserve

The first nature reserve in Sicily offers spectacular trekking trails stretching along the rugged coastline. The paths lead through high cliffs and fragrant Mediterranean scrub, descending to wild, hidden coves with perfect water for snorkeling.

9. Palermo

The bustling capital of Sicily is a completely different, fascinating world. Controlled noise, incredible energy, legendary street markets (street food!), and an architectural mix of cultures make this a city that simply must be experienced with all your senses.

10. Monte Cofano

A lonely, massive mountain rising directly from the sea, wild coastal paths, and a complete lack of commercial crowds make it a place where you can really take a deep breath and feel the raw, natural beauty of the Sicilian countryside.

Summary: The magic of Sicily lies in its diversity

Lo Stagnone is undoubtedly a brilliant base and a paradise for every kitesurfer, but the true, full magic of this region begins when you decide to venture a little further. Each of these 10 places shows a completely different, fascinating side of the island.

Ciao, Marti here 👋