If you’re in the middle of planning your Sicily road trip right now, then we’re about to make things a lot easier for you.
On any road trip, it’s important to identify suitable bases along the way; wonderful destinations in and of themselves, that also happen to be ideally located for day trips and adventures.
Thankfully, the city of Trapani is the perfect base in north west Sicily.
So, whether you’re craving days by the Med within hidden coves, an energising hike along the coast, time to explore ancient treasures or simply the opportunity to unwind with a good book and a cold beer on an quintissentially Sicilian beach, you can find them all only an hour or so away from the charming city on the west coast.
Here are seven of the best day trips from Trapani.
The Wild and Rugged Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve
Zingaro is a version of paradise; rugged grey and black cliffs and crags, a tinderbox of sprawling and tumbling greens, and endless views of the turquoise water coves which form the faint outline of Sicily's beginnings.
One of the island’s few coastal areas without a road to contend with, its official designation in 1981 marked the creation of the first nature reserve in Sicily, and the opening of a stunning 14 km round trip hike along the water’s edge.
For those that have been indulging in one too many gelato in Sicily, it offers up an excellent opportunity to hit a dusty trail and work up a sweat, with the added benefit of being able to stop at a handful of stunning little coves and swimming holes along the way.
Definitely a win-win in our book!
Do It Independently | This is definitely an activity for the independent traveller, and the park is best accessed with your own rental car. We’ve written a thorough guide to Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, so head over there for more info and get planning.
Take a Tour | If you are not physically able to hike, or worry you will struggle in the heat, then it is still possible to visit Zingaro with a boat tour; in fact, many locals visit the beaches this way.
Boat tours leave from Trapani, Palermo, and Castellmare di Golfo, but it's really difficult to find much information online. There is however this boat tour to Lo Zingaro leaving from Palermo for those that who plan on spending time there too.
San Vito Lo Capo
Whether you choose to tag San Vito Lo Capo on to the end of your trip to Lo Zingaro (as we did), or hire yourself a couple of beds, a parasol and submit to the heat of the Mediterranean sun for the the day, this blue flag beach remains a solid choice for those looking for to enjoy the best of the Sicilian summer without too much exertion.
A word of warning however for those visiting during the peak summer months - this beach is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike and so if you’re planning on visiting for the entire day, we’d recommend you arrive nice and early to claim either a good spot on the ‘free’ section of the beach or a prime place at one of the lidos.
We also visited the popular beaches of Castellammare del Golfo and Scopello from Trapani. The former wasn’t really our cup of tea due to its size and crowds; the latter is beautiful and famous due to being featured in the series Inspector Montalbano but very small.
Do It Independently | You can either reach San Vito Lo Capo by bus from Trapani (full timetable can be found in Italian here), or with your own hire car in 45 minutes. There is plenty of paid-for parking available in the town within easy walking distance of the beach (both on street and in private lots).
Take a Tour | For obvious reasons, we have no tour recommendations for a day trip to San Vito Lo Capo!
The Medieval Hilltop Town of Erice
Precariously perched atop Monte San Giuliano, the wonderfully preserved medieval walled town of Erice allows an opportunity to step back in time at 751 metres above sea-level.
Accessible via an edge-of-your-seat ascent up a narrow hairpinned mountain road (or a relatively more sedate cable car ride), Erice is steeped in the myth and conquest of long gone powers, offers breathtaking vistas over Trapani, the coast, and the Mediterranean from a fairytale castle carved into rock, and the chance to indulge in too sweet treats at the island's most famous patisserie.
Do It Independently | Whether you have a rental car or are relying on public transport for your Sicilian adventure, Erice is easily accessible from Trapani. You can find out more in our short guide to this hilltop town.
Take a Tour | As we mention above, Erice is steeped in history and for those wanting to understand a little more of it, taking a tour is a good call. We are unable to find any tours that only visit Erice, but if you’d like to combine a visit to the hill-top town with Scopello, Castellammare del Golfo, and the Salt Pans then take a look at this tour.
If you’re keen to join a local tour to Erice, we’d recommend perhaps speaking with the local tourism office or your accommodation - and if you discover one you’d like to recommend, do let us know in the comments!
Read Later | Our Travel Guide To Trapani, Sicily
The Colourful Trapani Salt Flats
For hundreds of years, the economy of Trapani has been tied to the sea and salt.
And whilst worldwide exportation has dwindled, there remain many that wouldn’t dare cook with anything else; the long sun-drenched summer days and shallow coastal waters of Sicily’s west coast providing the ideal environment for its creation.
Dotted with remarkably well-preserved windmills that once pumped water from the sea, shades of blue stretch out towards the Mediterranean where they disappear into a cloudless sky.
Even if you’re not that fussy about the source of your salt, there’s no denying that they’re mighty photogenic too!
There are two main areas of production around Trapani which serve to attract visitors to the region; one at Nubia, a few kilometres south of the city, and the other at Lo Stagnone, just north of Marsala - which also offers exceptional wildlife spotting opportunities due to its designation as a marine nature reserve (pink flamingoes are known to migrate there during the late summer and autumn months).
The salt museum (and accompanying shop) - located in Nubia - is open to visitors all years round, with a English-Speaking guide on hand. Entry is €6 per person.
Do It Independently | Both salt flats are easily accessible if travelling independently with a rental car, and no appointment is necessary.
Take a Tour | For those that would like to gain a deeper understanding of the long history of salt production in Trapani, consider joining this highly rated two hour tour.
The Spectacular Island of Favignana
Situated off the northwestern coast of Sicily, Favignana island’s thirty seven kilometres of sharp, cragged stone are a summertime dream.
Part of the three Egadi islands, it has long been a popular spot for holidaying Italians but slowly an increasing number of foreign travellers looking for sunshine, dusty roads and saltwater blues are discovering this small island paradise where the crystal clear waters rival any Caribbean island we’ve ever visited.
And the best news? With a regular ferry schedule between Trapani and Favignana, it’s absolutely ideal to visit on a day trip. Just hire yourself a bike, plot a few dots in the map and set out to explore the very best the island has to offer you!
Do It Independently | We’ve written all about how to get to to the islands, where to hire bikes and the best stop you simply can’t miss in our comprehensive guide to Favignana.
Take a Tour | For those planning on visiting as a day trip and exploring by bike, a tour really isn’t necessary, however if you’d prefer to combine your visit with a day aboard a sail boat, exploring the spectacular beaches by water, there are a number of tours that provide this service.
Boat Tour Egadi Day to discover Favignana and Levanzo | This full day boat tour cruises along the coasts of Favignana and Levanzo, dropping anchor at various gorgeous coves along the way so you can swim, snorkel and generally fall in love with some of the best swimming spots we’ve encountered in Sicily! It has an insane number of excellent reviews to boot. Find out more here.
Cruise to Favignana and Levanzo | Including time off the boat to explore on foot, alongside coast explorations and swimming, this well-rated full day tour - including lunch - visits two of the most popular Egadi Islands. Find out more here.
Aegadian Islands Favignana & Levanzo Cruise | Alternatively, for a more intimate experience, the chance to explore an incredible sea cave and go snorkelling off the boat, consider this highly rated, small-group boat tour. It’s more expensive, but for those that crave a slower, more relaxed pace, it may be ideal. Find out more here.
The Impressive Ruins of Segesta
Sat atop a small hill overlooking the Gulf of Castellammare and isolated from the modern world is one of is one of the finest - and best preserved - examples of Doric architecture in the world. A temple that for more than 2,500 years has sat unfinished, as the passing of time has removed most traces of the great town of Segesta for which it was built.
Part of a larger complex that also includes Greek amphitheatre, it is a must-do for anyone who has even a passing interest in archeology and ancient history, particularly if you will not be able to make it south on your Sicily trip to visit ‘The Valley of the Temples’ just outside Agrigento.
Do Independently | Although we have read rumours of a bus service from Trapani, by far the most reliable way of visiting independently is with your own rental car. From the main highway, you'll need to head to the nearby official ‘park and ride’ (Google Maps) from where you can catch a shuttle bus to the main entrance. The buses leave every 15 minutes, and parking for the day costs €5 per car.
Tickets to enter the site are bought from a booth where the shuttle bus drops off and cost €6 per person.
The walk from the main temple to the amphitheatre is apparently very beautiful but also incredibly steep, so if you don’t think you’re fit enough (or it’s too hot) consider jumping on the regular shuttle bus between the two (€0.50).
Take a Tour | If you’d like to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Segesta and the ruins, consider taking a tour of the site. Unfortunately, we are unable to find a huge number of tours leaving from Trapani (and even fewer with any reviews) but if you’re really keen on including it within your Sicily itinerary, take a look at this 7-hour guided visit to Segesta.
