Trapani Travel & Vacation Guide

This Basilica houses an impressive collection from both medieval and modern periods. Here visitors can admire paintings by world-famous artists, marble sculptures, a splendid assortment of gold and silver fine art objects, as well as memorabilia connected with Trapani’s history. The entire cathedral expresses the typical Sicilian Renascent-Baroque style through its marble naves magnificently frescoed.

Located in the historic centre, this beautiful Gothic style church is well worth seeking out. Inside it is possible to admire a very interesting group of artworks created by the most valuable local artists, as the marble baldachin and all the stunning sacred frescoes and paintings exposed on the walls of the side aisles.

The Church of Saint Augustine is the oldest building in Trapani, dated back to the Templars’ period. Milestone of Gothic style, the church is recognisable thanks to the big rose window on its facade. In the little square adjacent to the church is situated the famous Saturn Fountain, from the 14th century, as a representation of the mythological founder of Trapani: the god Saturn.

The historic town of Erice is located on the top of Mount Erice, just outside Trapani. The view is stunning from here, and the location is reachable in various ways: by car, bus; by the cable car connecting Trapani to Erice; or for hike enthusiasts it is possible to get there through a path of almost 2 hours. Erice's relaxed atmosphere makes it the perfect place to spend the day exploring.

Favignana Island is part of the Aegadian Archipelago, famous for its glorious beaches. It is located just 17 km southwest of Trapani, and it is easily reachable by frequent ferries. Visitors can take boat trips to the entire group of islands so to discover the natural magnificence of the deep southern Italy. In the numerous small ports, you cannot miss the daily fish markets, where you will have the possibility to taste raw sea urchins, typical dish of the Mediterranean coast.

Grotta Mangiapane is the biggest cave of the group Scurati's Caverns. Scurati is a little village with very ancient origins, as the numerous finds happened here can demonstrate. The cave takes its name from the family Mangiapane, who lived here for more than a century, indeed it hosts a very peculiar rural agglomeration composed of little squared houses. Totally different epochs merge together in this unique place. During Christmas period, Grotta Mangiapane hosts a big event called “Living Nativity”, an event where the agro-pastoral life comes alive with some 160 performers, including artists and craftsmen from all over Sicily.

Marsala is the biggest town in Trapani's district, and it is generally known because from its harbour Garibaldi started his travel to unify Italy. But above all, Marsala is an important gastronomic destination. In this part of the region the Italian tradition meets the Arabic, creating incredibly tasty dishes. It was also here the Marsala wine was born, a sweet wine famous all over the world.

Trapani is a treasure chest of tradition. One of the most ancient and still followed ritual is the annual Procession of Mysteries (Provessione dei Misteri). Each Good Friday almost twenty sculptures are carried across the roads of the city centre. This is one of the longest religious festival in Sicily and in Italy. Italian religion folklore is one of the most coloured and observed in Europe, and this procession fully represents it.

This club on the beach is one of the newest in Trapani's region. It is located on Marausa Beach, and it gains its momentum on Thursdays during summer season, when tourists and travellers join local youngsters in amazing aperitif and parties on the beach. The location is modern and the staff is professional, if you want to have great time during your holidays, then do not miss this club!

Being the only club located in the Trapani city centre, Caloma Sea Club is a favourite place for all party-goers in town. During summer it is frequented mostly on Tuesday night, when aperi-dinners are organised, followed by DJ set and theme parties all night long. So if you cannot wait until the weekend, this is the place to start your week.

In this pub located in the city centre you can find whatever you like to drink: beers, wines, cocktails and soft-drinks. Besides aperitif and appetizers, here you can also taste Ripa's crostoni, the perfect snack to accompany a refreshing beer. A place where to spend a quite evening among friends while listing to music.

Bar/club in the historical centre of Trapani. Start your evening with a late afternoon aperitif, and enjoy an entire night of good music, cocktails, beers and wines. Each night offers a different vibe since different DJs play here every night. But what never change is the inspiration to Frida Kahlo, that is so obviously shown on the bar name and its décor.

Located near to the harbour, I Corti is perfect from the aperitif time until late evening. After an aperi-dinner accompanied by local wines and beers, the romantic pub turns into a loud pub with live music and DJ set. If craving for something fresh, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic cocktails with lots of fresh fruit are served by the experienced bartenders.

Think loud music, a young party crowd and long sweaty dance nights in a stylish environment and you're there! The beach area and skybar Isla Blanca in Erice is open from the middle of May until the middle of September, it offers dance nights twice a week, but music and cocktails every night!

Juparanà is one of the main bars in Marsala. Open all day long, here it is possible to enjoy every meal, from breakfast to dinner. But, in the evening it becomes a lounge bar with happy hours, serving bubbles, wines, spritz and mojitos. Enjoy a pleasant night while listening to live music or to DJ remix.

Lido Marausa is a beach resort located in Marsala. It is the perfect place where to spend a fun night out with your family. During summer, it is open everyday and host plenty of theme nights and events, such as the country and Latino night. Whereas during the rest of the year parties for festivities are set up, as on New Year's Eve and Halloween.

The processing of coral has ancient roots in the Sicilian region. This boutique in the city centre offers all kinds of goods and crafts in coral: from little sculptures to splendid jewels. Prices are affordable for everyone, even so, the beauty of these pieces of art is unquestionable.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele is one of the main pedestrian road in Trapani, here you can find plenty of small shops specialised in local crafts. If you are looking for a ceramic or leather souvenir to remember your holiday in Trapani, here you will certainly find it.

Even if you are not much of a seafood lover Trapani's fish market - Mercato del Pesce- is still worth a visit. Early in the mornings, local fishermen take their daily catch to sell it on the market. Each one of them shout creative jingle to convince customers to buy their merchandise. This is one of the best places to get a glimpse of everyday life in Trapani and should not be missed.

Erice is famous for its traditional craftsmanship, moreover ceramics, and this tiny shop perfectly represents the skill and experience of Sicilian artists. Sicilian ceramics reflect the people of this amazing region: coloured, joyous and humorous. This shop presents such a range of crafts that you will surely find the perfect souvenir to remember your Sicilian holiday.

"Class is an innate quality, elegance accentuates it" The key words for Luisa Spagnoli's collections are "Elegant, unique, unforgettable". It is possible to find an entire outfit in her boutiques, as well as the accessories and the perfume to go with it. Designed by a career woman for career women.

Pantelleria is part of the Aegadi archipelago. It is particularly well-known in Italy and in the rest of the world for its Passito di Pantelleria, a sweet-flavoured wine perfect to accompany desserts. To taste - or buy - all the best varieties of this and other specialties of the island, you cannot miss PassItaly: a fair entirely dedicated to the island’s local products. The fair is held once a year, normally during the first week of September, and lasts five days.

Trapani's region has another very typical product, which deserves to be mentioned: the frazzate canvas, or rather multi-coloured canvas and carpets hand-woven on specific looms. This timeless tradition landed in Sicily in former times. Pina Parisi's laboratory in Erice is one of the few places left that maintains this tradition alive.

This shop is the ideal place for those who are looking for typical Sicilian foodie gifts including souvenirs. Located in the city centre, Sicilia Bedda offers a wide range of products like wines, pastas, sauces, olive oils, sweets, cheeses, salamis and pates. Also selling souvenirs like Sicilian books, ceramics, postcards, magnets, and much more.

There is a motorway from Trapani city to major destinations in Sicily such as Palermo, Catania and Messina, and a coastal road to Mazara del Vallo in the province. All the other roads are quite small and often pocked, hence care should be taken. Public transport is inexpensive and frequent. To travel by bus or train, it is necessary to purchase a ticket before travelling, then it must be stamped in the machine when boarding on the bus, or at the platform for trains. Tickets are only valid for a definite time after stamping, which is indicated on the ticket itself. You can buy tickets in the stations, newsagents and tobacconists. Hefty fines are imposed if travelling without a ticket.

In Trapani it is easy to find unregistered taxis, they are far less expensive but they are illegal, too. So, the use of official taxi companies is strongly recommended. In facilities and accommodations you will easily find the business cards of many companies. The phone number is also reported on taxis.

Trapani’s airport - Aeroporto di Trapani-Birgi or Aeroporto di Vincenzo Florio - is located around 18km from Trapani city centre. Some of the airlines operating here are Ryanair, Alitalia and Meridiana. A.S.T. shuttles leave regularly from outside the terminal building with a journey time of 35 minute to Trapani centre. Tickets to and from the airport can be bought directly at the Airport Ticket Office or from the bus driver when boarding the bus. Taxis are also available just outside the terminal, opposite the main entrance. You will find some of the major national and international car rental companies at the Trapani airport such as AVIS, Hertz, Europacar, Sicily rent car and more. Head to ground floor of the terminal in the arrival hall for contract forms and key pick up and drop off.

220 volts; two-hole and three-hole sockets.

Pharmacies in Italy generally do not stay open during lunch time, and they are closed on Sundays. In rotation, pharmacies of each town/city/area provides Sunday and night services. Details are displayed at the pharmacies or on the websites of the town.

Main post offices in Italy are open all day long during week, on Saturday morning and they are closed on Sunday. They are all run by PosteItaliane, the state post company

Country code: +39 Area code: 0923 (0 is included) Italian telephone rates tend to be among the highest in Europe—cheap rates are between 6.30pm and 8am weekdays and after 2pm on Saturday or all day on Sunday only. Booths in public places and phone cards are available from most newsagents or tobacco shops. Finding a free internet connection can be a challenge outdoor. Usually hotels and bars offer the service, and internet cafés are starting to spring up. There is provision for visitors to connect to the internet at the ferry terminal.