Free walking tours in Trapani and what to see

Must-sees

Trapani occupies a long, narrow peninsula at the western tip of Sicily; its name comes from the Greek Drepanon, 'sickle', because of that shape. The old town is explored on foot along Via Garibaldi and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, with the cathedral of San Lorenzo and baroque palazzi. The church of the Purgatorio keeps the Misteri, sculpture groups carried in the Good Friday procession, and at the tip of the peninsula stands the Torre di Ligny, from the Spanish period, which houses a prehistory museum.

Outside the centre, the Pepoli Museum, in a former Carmelite convent, gathers Sicilian art, coral work and the Madonna di Trapani attributed to Nino Pisano. To the south stretch the salt pans, with their pools, windmills and birds, especially beautiful at sunset. On top of the mountain you can see Erice, the medieval village reached by cable car, and boats to the Egadi Islands leave from the port.

Free tours and guided visits

Trapani does not have a regular free walking tour, but there are guided tours of the historic centre and a food tour to try the local cooking, with fish couscous as the star. The most booked outings are boat trips to Favignana and Levanzo, by sailing boat, with lunch on board or as a classic excursion. Another option combines Marsala with a boat trip and a wine tasting.

How long to spend

The old town can be seen in half a day, and the salt pans at sunset round off the day. With two days you add Erice, and with three or four, a trip to the Egadi Islands and another towards Marsala or the San Vito lo Capo coast. Trapani is a good base for the west of the island, and its airport is close by.

Where to stay

The historic centre is the most convenient: there are small hotels, guesthouses and apartments, with the port and the restaurants close at hand. The north seafront has hotels with views and a town beach. If you want peace, Erice offers accommodation in the medieval village, and around the salt pans there are country houses surrounded by the pools.