Hike to the Gate of the Sun and Horse of the Sun

While most of the Monte Cofano Reserve is accessible only on foot, guided horseback excursions are available in the surrounding Custonaci area. Rides follow trails through olive groves, Mediterranean scrub, and scenic coastal paths just outside the reserve boundaries. Tours are suitable for all ages and skill levels. Organised by local outfitter Cofano Trekking.

One of the most important places of worship in western Sicily, this sanctuary stands at the heart of Custonaci and is central to its spiritual and cultural identity. According to tradition, the icon of the Madonna arrived by sea in the 15th century, leading locals to build a church in her honour. The present building, dating to the 15th–16th centuries, features late Gothic and Renaissance elements, with a rose window, polychrome marble altar, and frescoes by Domenico La Bruna. Outside, a mosaic-paved forecourt offers a scenic entrance. The Madonna is venerated as the patron saint of Custonaci and the surrounding countryside, and her feast is celebrated with a major procession each August.

Located within the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Custonaci, this small but rich museum offers insight into centuries of Marian devotion. Opened in 2005, it houses a collection of paintings, ex-votos, liturgical items, and devotional objects. Highlights include a 16th-century bas-relief of the Madonna and Child, a faithful copy of the original Madonna of Custonaci painting, the ornate 1831 processional platform (Vara), and the unique Macchinetta crafted by Sicilian migrants in America. Temporary exhibits complement the permanent collection.

A scenic natural park on a rocky outcrop with sweeping views of the Gulf of Bonagia, Mount Cofano, and Mount Erice. The park links Custonaci’s historic centre with the village of Scurati and the Grotta Mangiapane. It features Mediterranean vegetation including dwarf palms, agaves, and carob trees, as well as a rich variety of native flora restored through local reforestation efforts. Historically, the path through the park served as a pilgrimage route to the Chapel of the Crucifix near Monte Cofano.

Discovered in 1982 and excavated since 2012, this is the oldest known Islamic granary in Italy. Dating from the 10th–11th centuries during Arab rule in Sicily, the structure was carved into limestone and designed as a fortified communal storehouse. Known as an Aghadir, it features multiple storage chambers and defensive walls. Located on a scenic promontory, it offers a rare look into medieval Islamic rural infrastructure in the western Mediterranean.

One of the largest prehistoric caves in western Sicily, Grotta Mangiapane was inhabited from the Upper Paleolithic through the 20th century. It later became a rural hamlet, with houses, animal shelters, and workshops built inside and around the cave. Today, it serves as an open-air museum and hosts cultural events, including a renowned living Nativity scene in December.