Take the ferry to Trapani and visit a Sicilian town with a rich history and an important destination and tourist hub with the Aegadian Islands and Pantelleria!
Trapani was founded by the Elymiotes and then conquered by the Phoenicians who turned it into an important port. According to mythology, Trapani was created when the Goddess Dimitra was wandering around Sicily in search of her lost daughter Persephone and a giant sickle (hence the origin of the city's name "drepanon" from ancient Greek) fell from her chariot. When the sickle landed, a tongue of land was formed where the city of Trapani was to be founded. Certainly the region of Trapani has a great history that is reflected by the many cultures that have ruled over the centuries in its architecture, art and monuments.
Trapani is located on the northwestern side of Sicily and is a very lively port city and capital of the province of Trapani. Its geographical location makes this city very important as it is situated between two seas in the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Mediterranean and is a starting point for the Aegadian Islands, with the number of visitors and cruise ships increasing every year and Trapani becoming a popular tourist destination.
The town of Trapani has a wonderful old historic center, recently renovated, which bears witness to its rich history! The old center is ideal for a beautiful walk of the visitor through its narrow streets and to see uniquely preserved historical buildings in baroque style with their typical wrought iron balconies , great museums such as the Museo Regionale Agostino Pepoli , one of the most important in Sicily, antique shops and picturesque restaurants with terraces to enjoy the sunset and taste unique dishes with fresh fish or pasta and views of the sea and the Aegadian islands! Among the oldest and most characteristic streets of the city are Via Garibaldi, Corso Italia and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. In addition to the historical center of the city, there are unique castles and palaces, imposing churches and dreamy beaches.
Very close to the center of Trapani town the visitor can visit the natural reserve of the Salt Flats which is home to many species of birds such as the pink flamingo. The salt pans are still used for salt production to this day and due to the existence of ancient windmills the area offers an enchanting picture and romantic atmosphere.
Trapani is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination for many reasons, for its mild climate that makes it ideal all seasons, not necessarily the summer months but also for the fact that it is an excellent choice to be the base for short excursions to popular places in Sicily but also to the Egadi and Pantelleria islands.
Trapani ferry routes
The ferry routes of Trapani are connecting the town with the Aegadi Islands (Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo) and Toulon in France!
The connection from Trapani and the above destinations is currently served by 2 shipping companies, both with fast, hydrofoil boats and with conventional boats that offer the possibility of transporting a vehicle.
The ferry routes starting from Trapani are the following:
- Trapani - Favignana: the ferry line connects the Aegadian Islands with Sicily. The frequency of sailings reaches up to 15 times per day during the high season and the sailing time varies from 30 minutes to 55 minutes
- Trapani - Levanzo: the itineraries are multiple / per day and the journey time is approximately 25 to 40 minutes
- Trapani - Marettimo: the connections are approximately 7 times/per day and the duration of the trip varies from 1 hour to 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on the type of ferry
- Trapani - Pantelleria: the connection is all year round with daily departures during the period from June to September while during the winter period the schedules are fewer. The journey lasts almost 2.5 hours
- Trapani - Toulon: the route connects France with Sicily. The connection operates up to 2 times a week with a sailing time of approximately 21 hours. The duration and frequency of the service can vary from season to season
The port of Trapani
The port of Trapani is located northwest of Sicily, in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, making it a stopover for commercial and tourist routes. It is one of the ports, together with Marsala, from which hydrofoils and high-speed vessels depart daily to the islands of the Archipelago of the Egadi. In the port of Trapani there is a pier that accommodates cruise ships and special piers for private yachts and an area for fishing boats. The harbor area is opposite the historic center which has cobbled narrow streets with remarkable sights! The services available in the port of Trapani are many, bars, restaurants, taverns, parking, ticket offices!
Get around Trapani
To get around Trapani, ideally we would suggest you to use the bicycle or to explore the town on foot as it is quite small and in the historic center no vehicles are allowed except through special permits if and when approved. It goes without saying that if you want to explore the surrounding area it is recommended to use a car and if you don't have your own there are many rental companies in the port area.
It is also possible to use the public buses operated by the Trapani ATM company!
Vacations in Trapani
Undoubtedly, vacations in Trapani are not only about relaxing and resting on a beautiful beach under the glittering sun. It is a travel experience to a destination with various cultural elements from cultures that have influenced it over the years. The charm of Trapani lies in the special atmosphere of the white buildings with a characteristic Arabic influence as a remnant of three centuries of Arab rule, the unique sights, the 14th century churches, the amazing mansions that adorn the historic Via Garibaldi and Via della Libertà streets, the museums and the sparkling white salt marshes of Trapani that create the backdrop for stunning sunsets.
In addition, the Trapani area is famous for its typical products such as the red shrimps of Mazara del Vallo , the Trapani sea salt, a Slow Food product famous all over the world, the excellent varieties of virgin olive oil and the unique wines Alcamo, Marsala and Contessa Entellina, produced between the province of Trapani and Palermo, which will do justice to the gastronomy lovers. The best way for the traveler to get to know this interesting town, so rich in art and history, is to take a wonderful walk along the coast; plus day trips to the natural reserves, charming coves and nearby islands will complete this travel tour of Trapani.
Highlights in Trapani
A tourist destination becomes more interesting to the visitor when it has a rich history and culture.
Apart from beautiful beaches and excellent food, there are also highlights in Trapani that enchant the traveler and reward his choice to visit.
Some of the greatest attractions in Trapani are:
- Cattedrale di San Lorenzo Martire: also known as the Duomo di Trapani, is located right in the heart of the historic center. It was built in 1102 as a chapel to the Consolato dei Genovesi and then renovated in 1639
- Torre di Ligny (Tower of Ligny): separating the Tyrrhenian Sea from the Mediterranean Sea and is a symbol of the city. It is located at the edge of the west coast and has stunning views of the Straits of Sicily and the Tyrrhenian Sea
- Fontana di Saturno: built in 1342 is located in the small square of the Chiesa di Sant'Agostino and adorned with the statue of Saturn and was one of the three fountains created to distribute water from the slopes of Monte Erice to the houses of the city center
- Museo Pepoli (Pepoli Museum): was founded in 1906 in the former 14th century Padri Carmelitani monastery, next to the Santuario di Maria Santissima Annunziata. It has works of art and sculptures from Sicily as well as collections of decorative art from the region from the 13th to the 19th century. There are also sacred vestments, period clothing belonging to the nobility of Trapani, Mayolica ceramica and souvenirs from the Risorgimento. The sanctuary houses the 14th century marble statue of the Madonna di Trapani
- Chiesa del Purgatorio(Church of Purgatory): is an 18th century church of Spanish origin, housing the "Mysteries", created by Trapani craftsmen and telling the story of the Passion of Jesus. On Good Friday, one of the oldest religious parades, the Processione dei Misteri, starts from this church, during which the twenty masterpieces are carried through the streets of the city
Walk along Via Garibaldi, Via Torrearsa and Corso Vittorio Emanuele: the most famous shopping streets
- Palazzo della Giudecca: is a cultural center! Built in the first decades of the 16th century, it got its name because of its location in the old Jewish quarter of the city.It is a two-storey building completely covered with adamantine bricks, the so-called Spanish picos, with a characteristic crown with apex and arch, and is the most important example of Sicilian architecture of the 16th century
Piazza Mercato del Pesce (Historic fish market):vibrant gathering place known for its long-running fish market, plus festivals & other events
- Chiesa di Sant'Agostino: is one of the oldest churches in Trapana located in the Palazzo district, a 15th century urban extension district near the oldest core of the city, close to Palazzo Cavarretta, the Senate Palace, Palazzo Lucatelli, the Fountain of Saturn, Palazzo Riccio di San Gioacchino and the Jesuit College Church. Today it hosts conferences and social performances.
- Porta Oscura - Torre dell'Orologio: is located in the center of the historical center and is the oldest gate of the city. On its façade is one of the oldest astronomical clocks in Europe, dating back to 1596 and with an unusually rare feature. The clock actually has two circular quadrants: that of the sun, with hands showing the signs of the zodiac, solstices, equinoxes, seasons and cardinal points rather than the time, and the lunar quadrant showing the lunar phases in reverse
- Villa Margherita: is an urban park dedicated to Queen Margherita di Savoia, from whom it takes its name. In the park there are century-old trees, the columns with Doric capitals and marble busts, and an aviary with various species of birds, wild pigeons and parrots. There is also an open-air opera house, where delightful musical performances are presented every summer
- Mozia Island: is a small island with archaeological remains on the west coast of Sicily, Italy. It is in the Stagnone Lagoon, between Trapani to the north and Marsala to the south
- Colombaia castle: a sea fortress located on a small island about 600 meters west of the port of Trapani. Its geographical position is very important and the building is one of the most remarkable examples of Sicilian military architecture.Τhe oldest symbol of Trapani!
- Pretty historic town center: you can see buildings and churches, which have been renovated and restored to their former glory
- Casina Nasi: construction of the villa began in 1898 and was built with the intention of the citizens of Trapani to donate it to the illustrious former minister Nunzio Nasi. From this point the visitor can see most of Trapani and enjoy wonderful sunsets
- Palazzo della Vicaria (ex Carcere): was built in 1820 and is also called "Palace of the former prison" because of its role until 1965
- Fountain of Saturn: was originally built in 1342 and is one of the first fountains created to distribute drinking water to the city that came from the foothills of Mount Erice. In the 18th century, a statue of Saturn, the mythical founder of Trapani, was added to embellish it in baroque style
Beaches in Trapani
The beaches in Trapani cater for all tastes , for those who prefer the sandy ones and for those who like the wild pebble bays for diving and diving.
- San Giuliano Beach: is a long 2 km long beach with fine and light-coloured sand with turquoise shallow waters, ideal for families with children. It is also an excellent choice for those who want to go to the beach without leaving the city
- Macari Beach: it is a picturesque bay with fine sand and pink rocks and the sea is turquoise and very clean. It is located between the Zingaro Nature Reserve and the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve and is the main beach of the very popular coastal area of San Vito lo Capo. It has all the amenities and structures for the visitor to relax with cafes, restaurants and water sports facilities
Scala dei Turchi Beach: is a landscape of unique charm and one of the most picturesque places in Sicily. It is a sandy beach and around it huge rocks. Access is by a rough path. The view from above is magnificent
- Marinella Beach: is one of the beautiful beaches near Trapani in the area of Castelvetrano.It consists of golden sand and the sea is blue and very clean
- Trapani Beach: is located about 1.7 km from the center of Trapani city. It is a tiny coastline with several coves, with turquoise waters and golden sand. It is not organized and is free for all
- Porta Botteghelle: is one of Trapani’s city beaches, right under the Tramontana walls. It is perfect for families with children
- Cala Beretta Beach: a small and wild beach located in the Zingaro nature reserve and access is on foot, so it is recommended to bring hiking shoes. It's really very picturesque surroundings with incredible nature
- Scopello Beach: one of the most beautiful beaches of Trapani and Sicily in general. with a magnificent view
Tonnara del Secco Beach: is a beach in Firriato Bay, a stretch of lonely and unspoilt coastline with beautiful blue waters
- Punta di Tramontana: is located in the Sassari area and is part of a protected lagoon area.It has white sand and turquoise waters and is ideal for nature lovers
- Capo Feto: is located in the southern region of Trapani and is one of the few remaining salt marshes in Sicily, which is why it is included in the list of sites designated by the European Community as Special Protection Areas. It has a large seabed beach with fine sand and a unique and evocative Old Lighthouse along the coast. It is ideal for kitesurfing enthusiasts and is friendly to the nudists
- San Vito Lo Capo: is located in the village of the same name and has white sand and clear blue waters with some amenities
- Torre di Ligny: is located next to the famous Spanish observatory, the Torre di Ligny and is very easily accessible from the city center. In the afternoon the view of Mount Erice and the Egadi Islands is very beautiful
- Marausa Beach: located 10.1 km from the center of Trapani town and has golden sand and turquoise waters and is fully organized. The view of the Egadi Islands is unique
Hotels in Trapani
The hotels in Trapani can meet all the needs of every visitor. There are B&B hotels for a more economical stay, nice hotels in 19th century buildings fully renovated and villas in a unique natural environment.
- Giardini Mon Plaisir: located in the heart of Trapani, is a luxury villa with 4 spacious rooms and 2 suites and accommodates up to 16 people. It has wonderful Art Nouveau decorations and some frescoes on the ceiling. The villa is today a charming and quiet spot in the city center
- Residence La Gancia: is in the town of Trapani with rooms decorated with a mixture of traditional Sicilian and modern styles with colorful mosaic walls and a roof terrace with garden with panoramic views over the town and the bay
- Agriturismo Vultaggio: is located between Erice and Marsala and is an old farmhouse with Sicilian color. It is surrounded by citrus trees and olive groves, vineyards, in front of the islands of Egadi and Mothia. Only 10 minutes away from Marausa Lido beach
- Secret B&B: is a family-run bed and breakfast with pleasant rooms located very close to the top attractions of Trapani (Chiesa di Sant'Agostino at 0.2 mi and Cattedrale di San Lorenzo 0.3 mi)
- AI LUMI B&B: is an excellent choice because it is very close to the attractions of Trapani. It offers a romantic environment with many useful amenities
- Historico Loft & Rooms: located in a beautiful area with stunning high-ceilinged rooms and balcony. The value for money is amazing
- Azzoli Trapani - Apartments & Skypool: is a beautiful hotel located on the historic foundations of the decommissioned church of San Matteo
- Zibibbo Suites & Rooms: is a nineteenth century building and is one of the most central tourist accommodations of Trapani. The rooms and suites are very beautiful and comfortable. It is located along Via Libertà, behind the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and has a strategic location: on one side, just 100 meters away, you can reach the nearest beach; on the other side, there is the port to which you can reach on foot
