Western Sicily

A port city at Sicily's western tip, known for windmills on its salt pans at sunset; the turquoise waters of Favignana are just half an hour away by boat, with Marsala wine and ancient Motya close by.

Trapani sits at the westernmost tip of Sicily, its old town built on a sickle-shaped peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean. It is the gateway to the Egadi Islands and about an hour's drive from Palermo. Phoenician, Arab, Norman and Spanish influences all mingle here, and the food is famous for fish couscous, tuna, busiate pasta with pesto alla trapanese, and Marsala wine.

A visit falls into four parts. First, Trapani itself: stroll the main street of the Baroque old town, watch the sunset at the Ligny Tower, and see the Mysteries sculpture groups and the Pepoli Museum. Second, the Trapani–Paceco salt pans south of town and the Stagnone lagoon at Marsala, where windmills, salt mounds and sunsets make a classic Sicilian scene; on the island of Motya in the lagoon lie the remains of a Phoenician city. Third, the Egadi Islands: Favignana is ideal for cycling around the island to coves such as Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, Levanzo is quiet and unspoilt, and Marettimo is the place for boat trips into sea caves and for hiking. Fourth, the white-sand beach of San Vito Lo Capo and the coastal trails of Monte Cofano to the north, and to the south the Marsala wineries and the Casbah quarter of Mazara del Vallo. Nearby Erice, Segesta and the Zingaro Nature Reserve are covered under the Palermo destination.

The best time is May–Oct; Jul–Aug is peak season on the islands, so book ferries and accommodation ahead, while Apr–May and October suit the salt pans and historic sites. Getting there: Trapani Birgi Airport has European low-cost flights, and buses run direct from Palermo Airport; hydrofoils leave Trapani harbour for each of the islands. Allow 4–5 days, including two days of island-hopping.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries