Our guide to Trapani and its province

Dropping your luggage

• You can park temporarily in front of the ReSale Hotel (Largo Burgarella 14), a few metres from the apartments. For longer stays, use the paid parking on Corso Italia.

Parking

The only free parking in the centre is the white spots, and as far as we know they exist only in Via Ranuncoli.

• Street parking (not guarded) — Pay with the EasyPark app or at the parking meters, and park in blue spots. Never park in yellow areas — those are residents only. The main nearby streets with blue spots are Corso Italia, Piazza Scarlatti and Via Ammiraglio Staiti.
• Piazza Vittorio — A 10-minute walk away, cheaper rates and much more space.
• Parking Andros — Guarded, a 2-minute walk from the palazzo.
• Parcheggio Egadi — Guarded, Piazza Giangiacomo Ciaccio Montalto 18.

Bike, car and scooter rental

• Costa Servizi Turistici — Bikes, scooters and cars, 30 seconds from the door — exit the palazzo, turn right, then right again.

Taxi, Uber and private drivers

• Michelangelo — +39 335 822 5215 — Our go-to private driver for sites around Trapani. Speaks English and has a fleet of trusted colleagues.
• La Costa — Also arranges private drivers.
• Uber — Available in Trapani, but it can take a while to reach you.
• ItTaxi — Download the app and call a taxi from there.

Port

• The port is less than five minutes away and is the gateway to the islands. Buy tickets in advance through Liberty Lines, Caronte Tourist or NetFerry.

Airport bus and public transport

• Buses to Palermo and Palermo airport are frequent and leave from the port, five minutes from the apartments: about 70 minutes to Palermo airport, 30 minutes to Trapani airport. Timetables and tickets from Segesta, or the Egatour travel agency in Via Ammiraglio Staiti 13.

The best ones

• Cantina Siciliana — Best couscous in town. Indoor only.
• Caupona — Lovely square with a church — ask to sit outside.
• Dimora Botteghelle — Very good, indoor only.
• Gennaio 30 — High quality, though not a typical ambiance.
• Santa Chiara 19 — Good food on a laid-back central square.
• Paciuco — Contemporary take on Mediterranean cooking.

Classic Trapanese

• La Bettolaccia — Famous for busiata alla trapanese and traditional recipes. Indoor only.
• Trattoria del Corso — Cosy, close, quick — not the best view.
• Il Vicoletto — Good fish, sometimes tables outside in the alley.
• Anassa — Fried fish to take away.
• Macco Hosteria — Exquisite food dishes in a very simple, but entertaining ambiance.

Sea view or by the sea

• Stravento — Wonderful location by the sea with space to walk around. Food quality can vary.
• Ittiturismo La Tramontana — Also right on the sea with plenty of space. Food quality can vary.
• Lo Scalo — Great view over the port, though the food has slipped lately — good for an aperitivo upstairs.

Drinks

• Versi di Rosso — Best for wine and jazz, right in the centre.
• Jabir — Best cocktails, right in the centre.
• Radio Mare Listening Bar — Young crowd, in a very narrow street.
• Grab beers and walk — Lazzaretto, Torre di Ligny, Via delle Sirene.
• Rooftop bars — Room of Andrea, La Gancia, Badia Nuova, Terrazza Platamone — call ahead to check they are open.

Pizza

• Pizzeria Calvino — Always busy, award-winning pizza, memorably bizarre interior. Keep a bottle of water by the bed for the night.
• Pizzeria Jolanda — Outdoor seating, very popular, sometimes overcrowded.

Worth the drive

About 20 minutes by car, and a little further into the countryside.

• La Sirena, Bonagia — Seaside favourite serving pasta in lobster broth — call ahead to reserve the dish.
• Chiosco Frutti di Mare, Pizzolungo — Raw and cooked fish in an informal hut by the sea.
• Agriturismo Vultaggio — Probably one of the best 'food in the country' experiences around.
• Baglio Soria — Serene wine resort, with views to the Egadi. Ask to be seated in the upper open air area.
• Baglio Donna Franca — Charming countryside wine resort, ideal for a quiet dinner or aperitivo.
• Peola — A vineyard by the sea.
• Home restaurants — Ask us and we'll recommend one.

Best cannoli in the world

• Euro Bar, Dattilo — On the highway between Palermo and Trapani, take the Dattilo exit. Without a doubt the best cannoli in Sicily — and therefore in the world. Call to check opening hours, a good habit for everything in Sicily around Christmas.

Breakfast, pastry and takeaway

• Capricci in Tavola — Close to the apartments, best custom-made sandwiches and full meals to take away.
• La Rinascente — Best pastry shop in town, a hidden gem, great for breakfast too.
• Pollina Panificio — A bakery close by.
• Panificio Oddo — A bakery close to the sea.
• Panificio A Maidda — Best bakery in town, though not central.
• Bellezza Pasticceria — Best cassata with orange coating, two minutes away.
• Liparoti — Best gelato in town — check opening times.
• Bar della Piazzetta — Coffee in the same square as INCURVA.
• Bar Nettuno — Coffee by the fish market, though the music can be loud.
• Taverna Paradiso — Savoury breakfast with a view of the sea.

Food shopping

• Il Tipico da Diego — Typical Sicilian products.
• Conservificio Ittico Tre Torri — Preserved fish and tuna.
• Nino Castiglione — Historic Trapani tuna producer.

In Trapani

• INCURVA — Our contemporary art foundation in the very centre of Trapani, presenting compelling artists from all over the world.
• Pepoli Museum — The main museum in town, covering the city's history and its arts and crafts — silver and coral. A must. Don't miss the Madonna church nearby and the Cappella dell'Annunziata. Not in the town centre.
• Museum of Theory and Practice of Photography — A unique collection of old cameras and darkroom equipment, guided by maestro Michele Fundarò in his studio. Book ahead — ping us if he doesn't answer.
• Teatro Giuseppe Di Stefano — Atmospheric open-air theatre inside Villa Margherita, hosting opera, concerts and dance for the Luglio Musicale Trapanese. A lovely way to spend an evening — check the programme.
• Museum of Optical Illusions — One for the kids. Book in advance.

Churches

• San Lorenzo Cathedral
• Chiesa del Collegio e Convento dei Gesuiti
• Purgatorio Church — famous for its 17th-century wooden statues for the Misteri procession
• Chiesa e convento di San Domenico
• Chiesa della Badia Nuova

A walk

• One of many walks you can do in Trapani: to get a sense of the sickle-shaped old town, start at Chiesa di San Domenico, head down Via Garibaldi to the old fish market (Piazza Ex Mercato del Pesce), walk above the Tramontana walls, down the stairs and back into Porta Ossuna, along the walls to Porta Botteghelle, then out into the fishermen's quarter all the way to Torre di Ligny — where you'll also find Liparoti, one of the best gelaterias in Italy. Heading back, from Piazza Scalo d'Alaggio you can see the Colombaia and Villino Nasi, then return towards Via Torrearsa for the Jesuit College church and San Lorenzo Cathedral.

Artisans and souvenirs

• Platimiro Fiorenza Rossocorallo — Coral master and UNESCO living heritage, with a mini museum and workshop inside his store — you can watch him work the coral.
• Perrone Ceramics — In Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Cute, fun, original pieces.
• Frames by Bianca Lombardo — Ceramics, souvenirs and framing.

Misteri Procession (Easter)

• Every Easter, Trapani hosts one of Sicily's most extraordinary traditions: the Processione dei Misteri. On Good Friday, twenty sculptural groups depicting the Passion of Christ are carried through the historic centre for almost 24 hours, accompanied by marching bands and thousands of spectators. The procession continues through the night, filling the streets with music, devotion and an unforgettable atmosphere. More than four centuries old, the Misteri are a remarkable expression of Trapani's history and identity, and an absolute must for anyone visiting the city at Easter.

Visits within 30+ minutes' drive

• Erice — A medieval town with spectacular views, one of the best-preserved villages in Europe — Matrice Church and Venus Castle. Buy the pass at the Matrice Church. Great for kids, and full of concerts and exhibitions in summer. Don't miss Maria Grammatico's pastry shop for genovesi; the best restaurant is Osteria di Venere. Drive to the cable car (12 minutes up) or drive all the way in about 30.
• Zingaro Nature Reserve — One of the most beautiful natural areas in western Sicily, with scenic trails and turquoise coves. Better for walkers than small children — the beaches are rocky or pebbled.
• Salt pans (Saline Ettore Infersa) and Mothia — Go for sunset, see the Salt Museum and eat at Mammacaura. Take the boat to Mothia for the Mozia Charioteer and the Whittaker museum with its excavation site. A must.
• San Teodoro beach — Shallow, ultra-clear water, great for young kids and long walks in the sea. Very close to the salt pans and the Stagnone reserve, so a great stop before sunset there.
• Segesta — Beautifully preserved Elimo-Greek temple and a hilltop theatre with spectacular views. In summer the early-morning theatre season begins — check the website.
• Selinunte — One of the largest archaeological sites in Europe, with temples in a dramatic seaside setting. Pair it with lunch or a swim at Lido Zabbara, or the high-end Insula beach club with its private pine forest by the sea.
• Riserva Naturale Foce Belice — Wild and quiet, where the Belice meets the sea through dunes and a long unspoiled beach. Great for a walk, birdwatching or a swim. Bring water, hats and proper shoes.
• Cretto di Gibellina — Alberto Burri's extra-large land artwork — an absolute masterpiece. Gibellina Nuova and the renovated Museo delle Trame Mediterranee are nearby; in 2026 it is Italy's capital of contemporary art.
• Mazara del Vallo — Lively fishing town with a Kasbah-style old town, North African influences and excellent seafood. Go for a stroll, a long fish lunch and the Museo del Satiro.
• Tonnara di Scopello — Crystal-clear water and dramatic faraglioni — one of the most photographed spots in western Sicily. Book ahead in high season.
• Macari — Our favourite strip of coast, more secluded. Try the kiosks Perla Beach (also known as Santa Marinella) or — better — the El Sueno wooden hut, both with deckchairs and umbrellas. One of the best sunsets in Sicily. Walkers can continue to Spiaggia del Tono and Tonnara del Cofano.
• Cornino and Tonnara del Cofano — Cornino is a convenient bay below Monte Cofano but gets crowded. The highlight is the coastal walk around the mountain towards Torre San Giovanni, Spiaggia di Tono and the beautiful tonnara. Start early, bring water and sea shoes, end at El Sueno, and walk back during sunset rather than after.

In the city centre

• Spiaggia di Torre di Ligny — 15 min walk — A beautiful spot for swimming with no services. Wear shoes, it's rocky.
• Spiaggia dell'Ex Mercato del Pesce — 5 min walk — Free access beach in the town centre, with no services.
• Spiaggia Porta Ossuna — 8 min walk — Free access beach in the town centre, with no services.

Just outside town

• Spiaggia di San Giuliano — 10 min drive — Wide public sandy beach with some kiosks. Can get very crowded.
• Beach clubs — 10 min drive — Around San Giuliano: Lido Valenti, SunClub, Mulini Resort and more, with deckchairs, umbrellas and restaurants. Book ahead at weekends and in August.
• Bonagia — 20 min drive — A peaceful seaside village with a small rocky beach behind the historic tonnara. Clear, quiet water — and Gelateria La Fragola nearby.

Levanzo

• The smallest and quietest of the Egadi, perfect for a slower, more authentic day. Lovely combined with a boat tour around the island or a visit to the Grotta del Genovese and its cave paintings. For all meals, your go-to is Bar Romana.
• Depending on the wind, take one of the two hikes: to the Faraglione, or to Cala Minnola with its shaded pine grove above crystal-clear water.
• Boat rentals are readily available at the port — private or group, with or without skipper.

Favignana — getting around

• In low season head over very early to make the most of the warmer hours. Renting eBikes is by far the best way to tour the island: at the port there's a big red building with all the rental services — Brezza di Mare is normally the most reliable. Rent as the very first thing you do.
• Even without swimming weather the island is great to bike around. Bring hiking shoes if you have them, otherwise sneakers, plus sunscreen and a cap.

Favignana — visits

• Labirinto di Cave — Mesmerising walk through Favignana's pits and quarries by the sea. Easy access, good with kids, very near Cala Rossa.
• Giardino dell'Impossibile — A garden created inside a series of quarries. Book at giardinodellimpossibile.it — in low season a phone call may be enough. Five minutes by bike from Cala Rossa. Easy for kids.
• Ex-Stabilimento Florio — A former tuna factory on the sea, a beautiful industrial building with meditative interiors and real insight into the fishing tradition. Three minutes by bike from the port; best in the afternoon, usually closes at 6pm. Easy for kids.
• Santa Caterina Castle — Top of the hill, arguably the most beautiful view on the island. At least 50 minutes up from the museum. It gets chilly up there and the hike is a little steep for children — you may not fit it into a single day.

Favignana — swimming

Check where the wind is blowing from and go to the opposite side; you will always find a calm spot, and crossing the island is only 10–20 minutes by bike.

• North side — when the wind blows from the south — All within 20 minutes by eBike from the port.
• Cala Rossa — One of the most beautiful bays in the Mediterranean, famous for its blue. Not sandy, and truly unique to swim in.
• Bue Marino — Every shade of blue, with caves and areas to rest and sunbathe. Strong currents further out. Not sandy.
• Scalo Cavallo — Easy access, close to the port, with quarries to explore near the beach.
• Cala Graziosa — Easy sandy access, with moon-like old quarries by the sea.
• South side — when the wind blows from the north — All within 20 minutes by eBike from the port, with very accessible places to swim and chill.
• Spiaggia del Marasolo — Easy access, sandy.
• Spiaggia di Calamoni — Many little sandy pockets to get in.
• Cala Azzurra — Bright, small and sandy — probably the most beautiful spot. The walk to the Punta Marsala lighthouse is lovely.
• Lido Burrone — Large sandy beach, easy access, though the least interesting setting.
• West side — Reached through the short tunnel in the hill, which has a secured bike lane. The first bay is only 15 minutes by eBike from the port. The least touristy side, and the one for sunsets. Unlike the tuff and calcarenite quarries of the east, this side is mainly dolomitic rock.
• Preveto — First spot out of the tunnel, a short hike down to the beach, no services, with a little island in front.
• Cala Stornello — A long dirt road by bike then a rough hike down — your safe spot in ultra-high season, a bit daunting in low season. No services nearby.
• Cala Rotonda — Easy hiking start point and easy access, with a hut (may close in low season), a great view and shelter from most winds.
• Cala del Pozzo, Cala Faraglioni, Punta Sottile — Peaceful spots on the north side, farthest from the port (25–30 minutes by bike), easy access, with a bar at the Punta Sottile lighthouse.

Favignana — Food and Stays

• We are happy to provide recommendations for where to eat and stay on Favignana, but we do not list them in this guide since the quality and options change frequently.