She’s partly right, it’s just more about the wider city area. However, the visit to Trapani itself is actually worth it too. Let’s take a look at 11 places to see in Trapani and where to go next!
It’s not a bombastic city like Palermo or elegant like Taormina. It’s a harbour place with a salt wind, the smell of fresh fish and the natural comfort of the Sicilian west. The way we perceived it – it’s the best starting point for the most beautiful parts of northwest Sicily.
🎒 Backpack of information for those who don’t have time
- A must-stop when visiting Trapani are the salt pans at sunset – the most photogenic spot in the entire northwest
- The city itself has one main street that you can walk through in half a day
- A must have trip is to Erice – the medieval city in the clouds above Trapani
- Another top excursion is to the Egadi Islands by ferry in 25 minutes from the port
- 1 day is enough for Trapani itself, but the surrounding area can take up to 5 days
- Trapani Airport is 15 km from the centre, about 2 hours by car from Palermo
How to get to Trapani
By air – Trapani-Birgi Airport is 15 km from the centre. Ryanair flies here from Vienna and other European airports. There used to be flights from Prague as well, but these services have been cancelled. At the same time, there is a seasonal connection from Vienna. The AST bus runs to the centre for about €5.
By car from Palermo, it takes approximately 2 hours to get here by motorway. The motorways in northern Sicily are well located.
By bus from Palermo – The Segesta bus goes directly to Trapani, a journey of about 2 hours.
Where to stay in Trapani
If you live in the city centre, you won’t go wrong. It’s all around the main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele. But I have a fancy tip for you for absolutely ridiculous money that we discovered on our last visit.
Historical centre – best for walkers, lively evening atmosphere. You are in the heart of Trapani. If you are only spending one night in Trapani, I would recommend Appartamenti Rosa Dei Venti where we slept.
By the harbour – convenient for a morning departure to the Aegadian Islands and this is where our hidden tip is located. A room right on the harbour in the Prospettive sul Mediterranero Charme B&B.
Beach area (San Giuliano) – quieter, suitable for families.
Things to see in Trapani
Corso Vittorio Emanuele – Baroque Corso
The main street of the historic centre is a classic Italian corset – baroque palaces on both sides, cafes, shops, locals strolling in the early evening. Check out Palazzo Cavaretta with its two clock faces and Palazzo Riccio with its beautiful arcaded courtyard.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele is at its best in the late afternoon, when the city wakes up to life after the siesta. The locals are coming out of their homes, bars are opening and the streets have that Italian atmosphere that makes Sicily a must-visit.
Salt pans (salinas) and windmills
One of the other places to see in Trapani. The Salinas are located south of the city about 5-20 kilometers. I’ll explain the variance right away. There is not one salt pan, but several. The road from Trapani southwards to Marsala is called Via del Sale – i.e. the salt road. Along it are salt pans(saline) with windmills where salt is extracted by evaporating sea water. It’s a spectacular experience, especially in the right light and absolutely magical.
If you only want to see the sunset over the basins, just go to the Saline di Trapani e Paceco. There’s only one crumbling mill, but there are flamingos too!
I’d recommend that, too. Head out about an hour before sunset. The light refracts on the water surface of the salt pans, the whole landscape turns orange and pink. It’s one of the most photogenic moments in all of Sicily.
If your goal is to visit the mill, walking along the narrow paths between the fields, you must go to Saline dello Stagnone. Unfortunately, there are no flamingos here. Here’s what I immediately noted about the place: The best preserved Salina – it’s still being mined! Until 12h, you can walk along the paths of the individual fields. After that, for only 8€, entrance to the museum (video, exhibition and visit to the repaired mill). Or you can book extra tours on seisaline.it (walk through the salt fields, be a salt maker for a day, salt tasting, etc.).
Salt Museum – Museo del Sale
The Salt Museum in Nubia (5 km from Trapani) is housed in a reconstructed saltworks and explains the whole process of sea salt production, from medieval methods to today’s production. Small but well done. Entrance fee approx. 2,50 €.
The salt of Trapani is considered the best in Italy – thanks to its high magnesium and potassium content and the specific climate of the coast. Buy it as a souvenir – we bought a kilowatt of it right on the plain and then scattered it in small bags at home. It was easier to transport to Bohemia.
Erice – medieval city in the clouds
Erice is a historic town on the top of Monte Erice just above Trapani. It’s one of the best preserved medieval towns in Sicily – stone streets, the Norman castle of Castello di Venere, views of the sea and, on a clear day, the Egadi Islands. And now it comes, the journey from zero to 750m above sea level can be done in three ways.
- The cable car from Trapani leaves every 30-60 minutes, the journey takes 10 minutes. A return ticket costs €15, one-way €9. I was a bit put off by the visuals of the cable car, which has seen better days.
- Another option is to walk under the cable car. The hike took about 75 minutes. We parked here and then pedaled up. The views were very nice and you enjoy them more. On the other hand, in the summer, if you go up later in the morning, it will be hell.
- You can also drive – the serpentines take about 20 minutes. However, you will pay for parking at the top. If you are short on time, it is probably the ideal choice.
Our readers already know which one we chose. I mean, I picked her, and Zdenya just had to go.
Erice has a reputation for always being in the clouds – literally. Fog and low clouds are common here even in summer. Locals proudly describe this effect as a “mysterious atmosphere”. Tourists are a little disappointed with the view here and there. But even without a view, a walk through the medieval streets is extraordinary.
Santuario dell’Annunziata + Museo Pepoli
The pilgrimage church of Santuario dell’Annunziata in the modern part of Trapani is one of the most important churches in the region. The façade dates back to the 14th century, and the interior houses magnificent chapels – especially the Cappella della Madonna with its medieval statue of the Madonna.
The adjacent Museo Regionale Pepoli is housed in a former Carmelite monastery and contains collections from different historical periods – archaeological finds, medieval art and regional ethnography. Valuable, but for non-historians, a quick tour will suffice.
Misteri – Easter parade (seasonal)
If you are in Trapani on Good Friday, you will experience one of the most important and authentic traditional processions in all of Italy. Twenty wooden statues depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ – the so-called Misteri. It is carried in procession through the streets by the veiled citizens of the city. The procession lasts over 20 hours and is definitely one of the top things to see in Trapani.
The mysteries are housed in the Chiesa del Purgatorio – check them out in the off-season.
Tip: We’ve honestly recorded all the places we saw in Sicily on our map, which you can download for the price of a coffee on your phone and keep with you at all times without having to look for anything! What I want.
Excursions from Trapani
Aegadian Islands – 25 minutes by ferry
From the Trapani port, a ferry or hydrofoil goes to Egadi Islands – Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo. Favignana is the closest and most visited – the bays of Cala Azzurra and Cala Rossa are among the most beautiful in all of Sicily. Levanzo is quiet and romantic. Marettimo is the wildest and most remote.
Hydrofoil from Trapani to Favignana takes 25 minutes, ferry ~45 minutes. Price round trip approx. 10-15 € per person.
Segesta – a Greek temple in the middle of nowhere
Segesta is an archaeological site 35 km from Trapani, where one of the best preserved Greek temples in the world stands. The unfinished 5th-century BC Doric temple stands completely alone in the middle of the Sicilian hills – no surrounding buildings, no context. Just the temple and the landscape.
A little higher is the amphitheatre with a view of the whole area. Entrance fee approx. 6 €. From Trapani ~35 minutes by car or bus.
San Vito Lo Capo – the most beautiful beach in the Northwest
San Vito Lo Capo is a little further away – 55 km from Trapani. But it offers 3 km of white sand with turquoise water – the most beautiful sandy beach in all of Sicily. Ideal to spend a whole day here or at least stop here for a few hours when travelling by car. In September there is an international couscous festival. This is also what makes the town famous. It will come as no surprise that the local speciality is couscous with seafood.
Just beware, because what has the most beautiful sign, inevitably means that there will be a head on the head in the season.
Marsala – wine and ancient battle
Marsala is 30 km from Trapani on Via del Sale. It is a wine town – Marsala DOC is a famous fortified wine whose producers will be happy to show you around the cellars. Well, actually, don’t expect cellars directly, because Marsala dessert wine ages a little differently. Originally in oak barrels that have been stored for decades in a building above ground that is not machine cooled in any way.
It was here that we learned about the magical story of the Florio family. Oh, how I fell in love with the story. It has it all (poverty, fame, fortune, pride and the ultimate downfall). Be sure to visit Cantine Florio and take the hour or so tour with tasting.
Tours are in both English and Italian and don’t worry, you’ll understand just fine.
The city of Marsala includes a museum of a Punic ship from the 3rd century BC. Unfortunately, don’t expect beaches here, you’ll have to go outside the city to find them.
If you spend the night here, I recommend a night in the Fiore di Marte apartment. Very nice people!
Zingaro Nature Reserve
The Zingaro Nature Reserve is 45 km from Trapani and access to the coves is only on foot along the coastal path – no roads, no cars. Seven coves with clear water and absolute nature. Entrance fee to the reserve 5 €.
Zingaro has a beautiful story. From the original plan of destruction to the foundation to the numerous fires back to pristine beauty. Maybe that’s why it’s so memorable.
Where and what to eat in Trapani
It’s definitely good to focus on the places to see in Trapani, but I wouldn’t forget the local cuisine. Authentic Sicilian gastronomy, which I’m still thinking about.
Trapani, along with San Vito Lo Capo, is the centre of Sicilian couscous – an Arab heritage that has been most strongly preserved here. The seafood couscous(cuscus di pesce) is a local speciality that you won’t get anywhere else in Sicily.
Also look out for Busiate alla Trapanese, a pasta dish with tomato, walnut and garlic pesto. Just Italy, but in a different way.
Look for a trattorian by the harbour with fresh seafood – tuna and swordfish are exceptional in season (spring-summer). Like honestly, we used to buy swordfish about 3 days in a row then make it at home in a pan with pasta. I can never get it at home here for that price.
