Villa Tonnara

Villa Tonnara is without question one of the most architecturally extraordinary private residences in Sicily. The estate was originally built in the 17th century as a tonnara — a tuna fishing installation — and occupies a unique position on the Zingaro coastline, one of Sicily's most protected and dramatic stretches of Mediterranean shoreline.

The conversion, undertaken by an award-winning Palermitan architect over seven years, transformed the industrial fishing structures into six extraordinary bedroom suites, each with its own architectural character. The central tower — formerly used for tuna watch — now serves as a dramatic triple-height living room with views across the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Egadi Islands. Original stone walls, metal industrial fittings and a palette of raw materials create an interior of extraordinary atmosphere.

Direct sea access via a private staircase cut into the rock leads to a natural swimming platform. The 1.1 hectare grounds include a freshwater pool, a terraced garden with local Mediterranean planting, and a restored boat house currently used as a guesthouse.