Trapani Travel Guide: Gateway To The Stunning Egadi Islands
Most people head to the Eastern side of Sicily, made famous by stunning Taormina and Mount Etna, but to overlook the Western side would be a damn shame.
Trapani sits in the far West of the island, a small coastal city that serves as the perfect base to explore this lesser visited area of Sicily, with San Vito Lo Capo, Erice, Zingaro Nature Reserve and Segesta all being less than an hour away by car.
Trapani is also the launch pad for getting over to the stunning Egadi islands, which have some of the clearest, bluest waters I have ever seen anywhere in the world, not just in the Mediterranean. There’s a huge amount to do from Trapani, but the town itself is charming, with fisherman going about their daily rituals down at the port and lots of great restaurants to choose from, many of which will have the local speciality – Trapanese couscous di pesce – advertised for dinner.
I spent a few nights in Trapani in August as part of a 3 week trip around my beloved Italy, remote working some of the time in Sicily and exploring this island I have since fallen in love with and continue to return to as much as I can. Hopefully this guide convinces you this isn’t a part of Sicily to be overlooked!
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Where Is Trapani?
Trapani sits on the West coast of Sicily and serves as the launch pad for ferries over to the Egadi islands. Take a day trip to Levanzo, Favignana or the most remote of the islands –
Marettimo – on the ferry from Trapani or ideally, split your time in this part of Sicily staying between Trapani and the stunning island of Favignana.
Close to the city of Marsala, Trapani has its own airport that is periodically serviced from the UK by Ryan Air in peak times of the tourist season. The flights don’t go every day, but you can hire a car and travel from the capital of Sicily, Palermo in just a couple of hours.
Where To Eat In Trapani
Trapani is a fisherman town, so expect plenty of seafood in the restaurants here. Be sure to try the local Trapanese couscous served with seafood; the Trapanese pesto it’s made with includes almonds and tomatoes – it’s delicious!
Osteria Ossuna
Osteria Ossuna boasts a picturesque setting with softly lit tables outside along the old sea wall of the city, serving the fresh seafood Sicily is so famous for. The outdoor bar area is open in the day too, making it the perfect pitstop for an afternoon Aperol. Osteria Ossuna is also perfectly situated for sunset if you’re lucky to secure a table at the right time.
Temptation of Taste
Upmarket restaurant in the centre of town with an outdoor terrace on the street outside serving traditional Sicilian cuisine made with local ingredients. Fresh fish is on the menu according to the day’s catch, and all dishes can be made gluten free.
Trattoria del Corso
A family run trattoria is my favourite. It doesn’t get more Italian – truly, don’t expect them to speak English! The perfect chance to practice some of your Duolingo, Trattoria del Corso serves proper Italian home cooking, and prices are very reasonable – this is very much a local’s place.
Gelateria Liparoti
No time spent in Italy is well spent until you’ve had some amazing gelato. Gelateria Liparoti is tucked away in the old town of Trapani, serving amazing gelato and granita. If you want to be properly Sicilian, get your gelato served in a brioche bun.
Pasticceria La Rinascente
A must for pastries, the queue for Pasticceria La Rinasecente regularly snakes around the corner. As you walk in yo can see the chefs at work in the kitchen, so even if sweet things aren’t your thing, it’s well worth a visit.
Bars In Trapani
Bar Nettuno
Great for fantastic coffee and fresh pistachio croissants in the morning, and a top spot for an early evening aperitivo as the sun goes down. Come afternoon Bar Nettuno serves snacks and charcuterie boards.
Badia Nuova Apart Hotel Rooftop
If, like me, you’re a sucker for a rooftop, head to the terrace on the fourth floor of the Badia Nuova Apart Hotel for a drink at sunset. Bookings are appreciated if you aren’t staying at the Apart Hotel, but all are welcome.
Il Bar della Piazzetta
Il Bar della Piazzetta is a great spot to try granita, grab a pastry in the morning or an Aperol Spritz come golden hour. The setting is pretty, with tables covered in brightly coloured Sicilian tiles and comfortable seats, situated in a quiet piazza.
Prosit
Excellent aperitivo spot with tiered charcuterie boards in the middle of the historical centre of Trapani. Popular with locals and tourists alike, the atmosphere at Prosit pulls people in whilst the friendly service and reasonable prices keeps people coming back.
Things To Do In Trapani
Whilst I think that Trapani is best utilised as a base to explore the West of Sicily, there are a few things to do in the small town.
Salt Flats of Trapani
You may not have heard of the salt flats of Trapani, but they are very important to a wide range of migratory birds that flock to these coastal wetlands. The salt flats are surrounded by Dutch style windmills, which are silhouetted beautifully at sunset, with the reflections of the salt flats turning the landscape golden.
There are various trips to the salt flats at different times of day. The sunset tour is the most popular given the stunning colours and reflections you can see, but if you don’t have an evening to spare, this morning tour has beautiful light too.
Agostino Pepoli Regional Museum
One of the most important museums in Sicily, the Agostino Pepoli Regional Museum covers art, archaeology and local history. It’s set in a beautiful building and costs just €7 entry.
Bastione Conca
A walk along the walls of Trapani to Bastione Conca is a must in Trapani, and is particularly beautiful as the sun sets. Stop at one of the bars along the walls and enjoy a spritz sat at the old walls, overlooking the sea.
The Museum of Illusions Trapani
Another museum in Trapani but very different from the Agostino Pepoli museum is the Museum of Illusions. With fun and immersive optical illusion experiences, this is a particularly good place to visit if you have children to entertain. Or if you’re a big kid yourself!
Day Trips From Trapani
Some of the most impressive natural beauties of Sicily are situated in the North West of the island, making Trapani the perfect base to explore slightly further afield.
Visit The Egadi Islands
The biggest pull to Trapani in my eyes is the stunning Egadi islands. I did a day trip over to Levanzo and Favignana, though I would highly recommend a few nights on the latter if you have the time.
Regular ferries leave Trapani to go over to the Egadi islands, and I highly recommend booking online in advance at Direct Ferries because they do get booked up in advance and you don’t want to get stranded (or you might, they are beautiful!)
If you want to go for a bit more of a relaxed and glamorous vibe, I highly recommend taking one of the many day trips out of Trapani to the Egadi islands on a smaller boat. Fantastic if you’re solo and want to meet other people, or simply want the ease of not having to think at all on your day exploring these beautiful islands. Most of these trips include lunch, Sicilian wine and snorkelling equipment.
Zingaro Nature Reserve
Around 1 hour 10 minutes drive from Trapani lies Zingaro Nature Reserve – Sicily’s first nature reserve and one of the most beautiful places I have been on the island.
The hiking trail is 7km each way, with paths that lead down to stunning rocky coves and beaches that are only accessible on foot or by boat. The hike itself is moderate, and the views are something else. It’s definitely worth exploring and committing a day to Zingaro if you’re staying in Trapani.
San Vito Lo Capo
An hour’s drive from Trapani and 25 minutes from the north entrance of Zingaro Nature Reserve is one of Sicily’s most popular holiday destinations for locals: San Vito Lo Capo. The beach sits in the shadow of Mount Monaco and is wide and sandy, the water is an absolutely beautiful shade of turquoise. The beach and shallow waters make it a great place for a day trip, especially for families.
If you don’t have a car, or prefer to combine San Vito Lo Capo and Zingaro Nature Reserve together in one day, this trip will drive you to San Vito Lo Capo where you will board a boat that will take you to all the best coves in Zingaro and nearby Scopello. Lunch is included and it’s a bit of a bargain.
Segesta
Under 30 minutes drive from Trapani you’ll find Segesta, an ancient city dating back to the 5th century BC. Segesta is home to an amazingly preserved temple, Greek amphitheatre and thermal springs.
Erice
Erice is a walled town steeped in ancient history, just a 25 minute drive into the hills from Trapani. It’s known as one of Sicily’s prettiest villages and it well worth a visit whether you’re interested in the extensive history of the place or not. It’s also a good place for shopping, with Erice rugs and pottery being sold at little shops in the town’s charming cobbled streets.
Marsala
Marsala is the next town over from Trapani, and you may recognise the name as it’s the home of Marsala wine! 40 minutes drive from Trapani, Marsala is on the other side of Trapani airport, so could serve well as somewhere to spend a few hours if you have time to kill before your flight out.
The city centre is small enough to explore in a few hours on foot, and has some beautiful baroque architecture. Explore the fish market, try some Marsala wine and pick up some last minute souvenirs.
If you’re keen to learn more about Sicilian wine, this tour includes a wine tasting at the family run Florio Winery, as well as free time to explore the historic centre of Marsala and time learning about the Salt Flats of Trapani on the way back, too.
Where To Stay In Trapani
Azzoli Trapani
Stylish adults only hotel with a gorgeous rooftop pool in the historical centre of Trapani. Modern rooms located near plenty of great restaurants and a short walk from the port for the ferry to the Egadi islands.
Dimora Botteghelle
Beautifully designed hotel in the centre of town with lots of personal touches to make you feel at home. The breakfast gets rave reviews, and you can grab a pre-dinner drink at the hotel bar before venturing out. The spacious suite with four poster bed is particularly good value for money.
Hotel San Michele
Hotel San Michele is superbly located in Trapani old town, close to the Cathedral and a quick 5 minutes walk to the harbour for a quick ferry connection to the Egadi Islands.
Buffet breakfast can be taken on the outside terrace in the sunshine – the perfect way to start the day in Sicily.
Room of Andrea
Well located in the old town of Trapani, the major pull of Room of Andrea hotel is the sun trap roof terrace and rooftop pool – a rarity in Trapani!
Some of the rooms are very grand, with marble fireplaces and patterned tiled floors, whilst others are more modern but still classically stylish. The buffet breakfast is excellent, and the bar on the roof is perfect for sunset drinks.
Central Gallery Rooms
Modern hotel with incredible sea views, Central Gallery Rooms is set in a restored building dating back to the 1800s in the historic centre.
The location is superb and the service from the knowledgeable staff is excellent.
San Domenico Residence by Badia Nuova
If you like the idea of a self contained apartment with a kitchen and work space whilst travelling as I did, look no further than San Domenico Residence by Badia Nuova in the historical centre.
It’s super close to the best bakery in Trapani and there’s a rooftop bar to utilise. Prices are incredibly reasonable from £75 per night.
How To Get To Trapani, Sicily
Trapani has an international airport, though only Ryanair fly there a couple of times a week during the peak summer months. You may opt to fly into Palermo instead, which will give you more options of regularity and airlines.
Trapani is a 1.5 hour drive from Palermo airport, and if you decide to use your Avios points to fly to Sicily, a return reward flight will cost you 26000 Avios + £5.
It’s a great excuse to explore a bit more of Sicily too, for Palermo is a wonderful place to spend a few days.
Best Time To Go To Trapani
Trapani is busiest in the peak summer months, but the shoulder season of May/early June and Sept/early Oct will still have lovely weather, with less crowds. The sea will be much warmer in September as it’ll have warmed from the hottest months, so if you’re keen for beach time consider then for a visit.
The shoulder seasons serve as a great time to explore the surrounding medieval towns and archaeological sites without hoards of people, but be prepared that you may get some rain to contend with.
How Long To Spend In Trapani
There is so much to see and do local to Trapani that you could easily fill 10 days here, using the town as a base for various trips around Western Sicily.
Depending on how much of Sicily you want to see, 5 days to a week would also be a good amount of time for Trapani. For variety you could split a week to 10 days between staying in the centre of Trapani and somewhere with great beaches like Favignana or San Vito Lo Capo.
Trapani Travel Guide: Final Thoughts
Trapani is a fantastic place to situate yourself to explore the lesser travelled Western Sicily. There are regular ferries to the beautiful Egadi islands every day, and a car will give you easy access to the unique Zingaro Nature Reserve and rare white sands of San Vito Lo Capo.
Fly into Palermo and combine with a few days in the brilliant Sicilian capital or fly direct into Trapani with Ryan Air to focus on the relaxed vibe of Western Sicily. This part of the island may be less travelled by tourists and usually reserved for Italians on holiday, but that is wholly part of the charm of the area. Don’t overlook Trapani or its surroundings, it’s genuinely one of my favourite areas of Italy I’ve ever been to.
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