10 things to do and see in Trapani and its surroundings in 1, 2, and 3 days

Trapani is often just a stopover for those who have chosen a vacation in the Egadi Islands or in the western part of Sicily, especially [San Vito Lo Capo](Booking.com).

In reality, Trapani is a little gem that deserves more than a quick visit. What we propose is an itinerary that requires 3 days, but for those short on time, it can also be completed in 1 or 2 days.

The historical center is a marvel: small, tidy, it launches into the sea which is the highlight of the landscape. Here, ancient buildings narrate the cultural and economic richness of Trapani, including the must-see Senate Palace with the Clock Tower.

Along the way, you will encounter dozens of churches: right beside the palace is the Cathedral, featuring a wonderful Crucifixion by Van Dyck. A small museum, the Pepoli Museum, allows visitors in a few hours to admire a Titian and the Treasure of the Madonna of Trapani, a symbol of centuries-old devotion.

But it is not just Trapani as a city that deserves a visit: across the way, less than an hour by boat, there are the Egadi Islands and their unspoiled nature. A few minutes by car, instead, is one of Italy's most famous seaside destinations: San Vito Lo Capo, with its crowd of vacationers.

In just a few minutes by cable car, you can reach Erice, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy; a few minutes by car, you can find Custonaci with its sanctuary and the Mangiapane Cave. Finally, don't miss a visit to the temples of the two archaeological areas of Segesta and Selinunte, testimonies of the history and grandeur of Sicily.

On this page, we recommend the 10 things to do and see absolutely in Trapani during a weekend or a vacation.

If you are looking for a hotel in Trapani, we recommend choosing from those offered by Booking.com. There are about 800 hotels with prices, photos, and reviews from those who have stayed before you. Go to Booking.com.

Seen from above, the historical center of Trapani resembles a crescent moon suspended between two seas. According to legend, Trapani was actually born from a sickle that fell from the hands of Ceres. Along this strip of land that juts into the Sicilian sea, buildings, churches, and sea views unfold.

Perhaps the best way to visit the oldest part of the historic center is to start from the point that juts out into the sea: here stands the Torre di Ligny, built in 1671 to defend the city. This is where the Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian seas meet. The tower now houses the Civic Anthropological Museum with finds from the Punic and Roman periods.

Don't miss a climb to the terrace with a view of the infinite. 100 meters back is the small Church of San Liberale, beloved by fishermen. From there, you can walk along the cliff to admire the Villino Nasi, built in the early 1900s by the Trapanese minister Nasi.

Returning towards the center, we recommend taking Via delle Mura di Tramontana, a spectacular promenade that leads to Piazza del Mercato del Pesce with a statue of Venus emerging from the sea in the center.

Along the route, you will encounter dozens of churches which we dedicate point 2 of the guide. Not-to-be-missed prestigious buildings include Palazzo Milo, the Complex of the Annunziata with the attached Pepoli Museum, and Palazzo della Giudecca.

The main street of the old center is Via Vittorio Emanuele, a long pedestrian street leading to the most beautiful monument of the historic center: the Senate Palace, now the seat of the Municipality. This palace, a baroque marvel, has three tiers adorned with statues of the Madonna of Trapani, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Albert of Trapani.

Above the statues are two characteristic boxes with the clock and the date indicator with the city coat of arms in the center. To the left of the palace is the Clock Tower integrated into the Porta Oscura, one of the defensive gates that have protected Trapani for millennia. The clock, alongside the one in Prague, is one of the most beautiful and oldest in Europe.

Trapani is also known as the city of the "hundred churches", most of which are concentrated in the historical center. Let's start with the main monument: the Cathedral located right next to the Senate Palace.

The Cathedral of Trapani, dedicated to Saint Lawrence, dates back to around 1600: it houses a wonderful Crucifixion by the Flemish painter Van Dyck and a Dead Christ made from local stone. If the Cathedral is the most important religious site, the locals love the smaller and more discreet Church of Purgatory more because it holds the Mysteries of Trapani.

These are 20 statues from the 1700s that parade every year during the Good Friday procession.

The church features a façade adorned with 12 statues. Another church beloved by the people of Trapani (somewhat outside the historical center) is the Sanctuary of Maria SS. di Trapani, which preserves the statue of the Madonna of Trapani that, according to legend, arrived in the city in 1188 from Cyprus after the Muslim invasion of the island.

In reality, it is a work attributed to Andrea Pisano and his workshop. A fine Catalan door provides access to the Church of Santa Maria del Gesù, which houses a Madonna and Child by Andrea della Robbia and a Madonna dei Greci by Giambellino.

In the Chapel of the Most Holy Crucifix, the Christ at Calvary is preserved, a protagonist in the Good Friday "Scinnuta", the descent from the Cross. This evocative rite is performed with the lights off, with natural light filtering from the portal and through the stained glass windows.

The "Scinnuta" begins the Mysteries at the Church of Purgatory. Beautiful is the little square that hosts the Church of Sant'Agostino (now an auditorium) with the Fountain of Neptune, the protector of Trapani in pagan times. Finally, the Church of San Pietro, the first Christian church built in Trapani, with an organ from 1842 famous worldwide.

Right next to the Church of the Santissima Annunziata is the former Carmelite Convent, which now houses the Pepoli Museum, the most important museum in Trapani and province.

The museum is worth a visit just for the beauty of the building housing it, especially the magnificent staircase decorated with colored marbles that leads to the collections. The path is divided into several collections: Renaissance Sculpture, Paintings and Applied Arts, Archaeology, Corals, Goldsmithing, Ceramics, along with a small section dedicated to Remembrance of the Risorgimento. In the sculpture section, there are mainly religious works by the sculptor Antonello Gagini.

In the coral section, there is a stunning collection of objects created by Trapanese coral artisans: religious items, everyday use objects as well as jewelry.

In the jewelry section, the Treasure of the Madonna of Trapani stands out, a collection of all the precious objects donated to the Madonna by Popes, clergy, nobles, and the people over the centuries.

In the paintings section, two works stand out: the Polyptych depicting the Madonna on a throne with the Child who crowns Saint Catherine among angels and saints, and Saint Francis with the stigmata by Titian.

There are also several works by the most representative artist of 18th-century Trapani: Domenico La Bruna. In the section dedicated to the Risorgimento, there is the large and macabre Bourbon guillotine and the flag of the steamship Il Lombardo on which Giuseppe Garibaldi embarked in May 1860 during the Expedition of the Thousand.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for the Pepoli Museum

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 AM to 6 PM (last entry at 5 PM) Sunday and holidays, from 9 AM to 1 PM (last entry at 12 PM)

Ticket Price: 6 € Book your ticket here: http://laculturariparte.youline.cloud/

If you have ever seen a photo of Trapani, it probably depicted a windmill at sunset in the setting of the Salt Pans. Indeed, this is the landscape that greets those visiting the Salt Pans of Trapani.

The best way to discover them is through a boat tour organized by local guides. The Salt Pans that stretch from Trapani to Marsala are a park of about 1000 hectares occupied by several still-active private saltworks.

The birth of this activity that would make Trapani rich and famous worldwide is credited to the Phoenicians, then to the Normans and Frederick II of Swabia who made them a state monopoly.

Continuing through the centuries, it has reached us with a processing method that has remained unchanged: a hard job done under the blazing sun relying solely on the strength of the workers' arms.

The scenic windmills assist in the work of moving the waters and milling the collected salt. In the salt pans, it is easy to spot the avocet, the symbol of the park, as well as the stunning flamingos, herons, and other bird species. Incorporated within the salt pans is the Salt Museum,

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for the Salt Pans of Trapani

**Opening Hours: **Every day: 9:30 AM - 7 PM

Ticket Price: the price of guided tours depends on the organizers.

From Trapani, the cable car leads to Erice (if you don't suffer from vertigo!) one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. According to legend, it was founded by Aeneas to welcome the remains of his father Anchises, who died right in these places.

Immediately after entering the village through Porta Trapani, on the left is the Madric Church, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary: it is the most important religious monument in Erice.

Built during the time of Constantine (4th century BC), it aimed to divert the people from the cult of Venus Erycina, which had its center in the castle still visited today.

Remodeled several times over the centuries, it now has a Gothic-style exterior from the 1300s and an interior in various styles, especially Renaissance.

The external bell tower (which can be visited), from which one has a wonderful panorama over the rooftops of the village, was actually an old lookout tower built at the end of 200 by Frederick III of Aragon. Standing 28 meters tall, one reaches the top by climbing 108 steps.

Along the steep ascent of the village, you will encounter shops and restaurants, until you reach Piazza Garibaldi, or Municipio square.

From here, every path leads to the Venus Castle, a building constructed on the site of an ancient rite dedicated first to the Phoenician goddess Astarte, then to Aphrodite and finally to Roman Venus. Walking along the circular walls of the village, one admires a splendid panorama of the Egadi Islands: looking down, one can spot the charming Pepoli Castle, built in 1870, which now houses a multimedia museum dedicated to Erice "City of Peace".

20 minutes by car from Erice is another village worth a visit: the village of Custonaci, famous for its Madonna of Custonaci housed in the beautiful church of the town. After passing the singular courtyard paved with river pebbles, one enters a Latin cross church where polychrome marbles and Gothic arches triumph.

The main subject of the sanctuary is the Madonna, painted by a student of Antonello da Messina. The image of the Holy Mary of Custonaci has attracted millions of pilgrims for centuries.

In Custonaci, there is also the Mangiapane Cave, a long gallery carved into the rock, inhabited since Paleolithic times. In this cave, until the 1950s, lived the Mangiapane family (from whom the name comes), who transformed it into a small village, of which the houses are still visible.

The people of Trapani are quite fortunate: they can take a ferry and reach [Favignana](Booking.com), Marettimo, and Levanzo, to the islet of Formica or the rock Maraone. in the Egadi archipelago. Dreamlike places that many people around the world long to visit. Let's start with Favignana, the most famous: mentioning the beaches and coves where one can dive into the blue doesn't suffice, because they are countless. Let's just remember that Cala Rossa is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Don't miss a visit to the facilities of the ex-flower beds Florio (10-23, ticket 6€), which have made history in Mediterranean fishing. Still linked to the historic family is Villa Florio, now owned by the Municipality and a point of tourist information.

Levanzo is the smallest of the Egadi: 5 square kilometers of pure beauty, without paved roads and with unspoiled nature. A small harbor, few houses, and plenty of relaxation: but there are things to see, like the wonderful Cave of the Genoese, with graffiti from about 10,000 years ago.

Open 9-13.30 (12 €), it can be reached by a one-hour walk or a sea excursion or off-road (30€ including ticket). Lovers of archaeological diving cannot miss the Roman wreck with amphoras between Cala Minnola and Punta Altarella.

Marettimo is the farthest from the Trapani coast. Completely wild, with very few inhabitants and no beaches, it attracts mainly experienced divers due to the presence of about 400 caves, including the famous Toro and Camel caves.

Formica is just a small rock that was home to the second tuna fishery of the Egadi: it takes its name from a species of ant that lives here. Today it has no residents and hosts a community for recovering former drug addicts. Maraone, on the other hand, is truly a bare, inhospitable rock with no inhabitants.

How to Get to the Egadi Islands

Every hour to Favignana with Siremar and Liberty Lines (10 €) Every hour to Levanzo with Siremar and Liberty Lines (9 €) Every morning at 10 with Siremar (13 €). With Liberty Lines every 2 hours by hydrofoil (18 €)

Trapani is situated at the center of two of Sicily's most beautiful archaeological itineraries: Segesta and Selinunte. Segesta lies in a landscape of hills and valleys; walking along a path scented with broom and olive, you immediately catch sight of the Temple, in all its extraordinary beauty.

A magnificent and elegant presence, made remarkable by its splendid Doric columns, perfectly preserved. Thirty-six columns, 10 meters high. Higher than the temple, you encounter the Greek Theater of Segesta. Constructed between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.

The theater is located in the northern area of the Acropolis, at 400 meters high, offering a splendid view of Castellammare del Golfo.

During the summer period, the Greek Theater of Segesta becomes the backdrop for important national and international performances. Lastly, the Acropolis of Segesta, divided into two parts.

The southern area is the most residential, with private homes, while the northern area houses the theater, the castle, two Norman-era churches, the medieval quarter, and the mosque.

Selinunte is the largest archaeological park in Europe. Here, one can visit what remains of a splendid city that dominated trade between Sicily and Africa for 200 years until its Punic conquest.

Houses, temples, an entire artisan quarter, and perfect public works made Selinunte the most splendid city of Magna Graecia. Of the numerous temples, today partially visible are the Temple E dedicated to Aphrodite, Temple C dedicated to Apollo, and Temple D dedicated to Athena.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for Segesta

The Archaeological Park of Segesta is located in Contrada Barbaro, SR 22, 91013 Calatafimi TP. To reach the Archaeological Park, one must take a shuttle bus from the parking lot, which costs € 1.50.

Entry Hours: from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from November to February 6:30 PM from March to October 7:30 PM from April to September Ticket Price: € 6.00 full price and € 3.00 reduced (ages 18 to 25). Free on the first Sunday of every month, for all EU citizens under 18, for the disabled and companions, for university students in Cultural Heritage and related fields.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for Selinunte

Entry Hours: weekdays and holidays Opening at 9:00 AM Ticket office closes at 6:00 PM Exit by 7:00 PM

Ticket Price: full price € 6.00, reduced € 3.00

Just a few kilometers from Trapani, on the other side of the Zingaro Reserve, lies Scopello, a fraction of Castellammare del Golfo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. In reality, it is not a true village but a baglio, a fortified building with a large courtyard.

In the little square of the baglio, life concentrates around the tourists who visit: bars, restaurants, and shops in a few square meters, with a large eucalyptus tree in the center that provides shade during the day and perfumes the air in the evening.

All around the baglio, there are only a few restaurants, cafes, and houses for tourists seeking tranquility.

Overseeing the village is the Bennistra Tower, the most majestic of the lookout towers along this stretch of coast: reaching it is an experience but only in the early morning when the sun is not beating down, as it is located in the highest part of the village, reaching 202 meters above sea level.

The view is magnificent because it spans the entire gulf of Castellammare. Scopello is especially famous for the Tuna Factory with the faraglioni, one of the best-preserved in Sicily. Built around 1200, during its last period of activity it was owned by the Florio family until its final closure in 1981.

The warehouses for nets and boats, the buildings where the fishermen and the director of the tuna fishery lived, and other support structures are visible and perfectly preserved. Today, guided tours are possible in these premises, including projections about the history of the tuna factory. The wonders of the place are the two faraglioni that can be reached by swimming with just a few strokes: the seabed is a deep blue with a rich marine flora and fauna.

The tuna factory has an entry fee and limited spots, so it is advisable to arrive early in the morning especially during tourist periods. Inside, there are vending machines and a small refreshment point.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for the Tuna Factory of Scopello

Hours: every day from 10 AM to 5 PM. Ticket price: 4 € per person.

San Vito Lo Capo has about 900 hotels, which says a lot about the tourist success of this Trapani destination in Sicily.

The reasons for this wave of Italian tourists choosing it as a summer destination every year are simple: a crystal-clear sea that rivals Caribbean destinations. Just look at a photo of the famous Urban Beach to see that this is no exaggeration.

In July and August, this impacts the available beach space and the possibility of finding parking, but despite this, San Vito remains a very peaceful and relaxing destination.

If you avoid the more crowded beaches and venture a few minutes away, you will find solitude and beauty in the Zingaro Reserve or the coves between Castelluzzo and Macari.

City life revolves around Corso Novara, where the Fortress - Sanctuary dedicated to the cult of Saint Vito stands out, attracting thousands of pilgrims every year for centuries.

In short, San Vito is not only a beautiful beach destination but also ideal for those seeking a cultural vacation in one of the most beautiful places in Italy. On this page, we recommend the [10 things to do and see absolutely in San Vito Lo Capo during a weekend or vacation](Booking.com).

It may seem strange to many to discover that the most famous dish in Erice is couscous, an Arab-Berber dish that has been part of the regional tradition for centuries, and here they simply call it cuscus. In San Vito Lo Capo, however, they did something more: they made this dish the star of the Couscous Fest in September, a gastronomic event but above all a cultural integration occasion.

Couscous is eaten all year round in all restaurants: it is made with semolina, soaked in fish broth and seasoned with fish, shellfish, vegetables, saffron, and more. Another typical dish of San Vito is the busiate, a local handmade pasta served with tomato, swordfish or with Trapani-style pesto: basil, tomatoes, and almonds. The typical street food of this area is pane cunzato, bread soaked in oil and seasoned with oregano, tomatoes, primo sale cheese, and salted anchovies. More than a snack, it is a proper lunch that requires careful digestion! Also inevitable are arancine and panelle. Among the second courses, fresh fish brought by local fishing boats abounds: especially tuna and swordfish are must-try specialties. Cannoli, cassata, gelato in warm brioche are the sweet temptations of the local pastry.

If you are looking for a hotel in Trapani, we recommend choosing from those offered by Booking.com. There are about 800 hotels with prices, photos, and reviews from those who have stayed before you. Go to Booking.com.