WHAT TO SEE IN TRAPANI?

Itineraries in Trapani

1) The Cathedral of San Lorenzo

The cathedral of Trapani, or Cathedral of San Lorenzo, is located in the city's historic center along Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The façade of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo Martire is in Baroque style and has a pronaos in the lower part, while the upper part has a curvilinear pattern. The interior of the cathedral is Latin cross, with three naves separated by Tuscan columns, six on each side, supporting round arches.

2) The Island of Mothia

Mozia was an ancient Phoenician city located on the island of San Pantaleo in the Stagnone of Marsala. The island is located opposite the west coast of Sicily, between Isola Grande and the mainland. The history of the Phoenician-Punic city can be gleaned both from the archaeological remains unearthed by excavations, particularly from the route of the city walls that enclose the entire island. The entrance to the city (North Gate) was articulated through three successive gates; the road axis exiting the North Gate continued with an artificial road connecting the island with the promontory of Birgi on the mainland. Within the walls, a short distance from the North Gate stands the sacred area of the Cappiddazzu sanctuary where bones of sheep and cattle were found, thus probably used for sacrifices. On the northern and eastern coasts of the island were found the remains of a number of facilities used for the production and processing of ceramics, here was found in 1979 the marble statue known as the Young Man of Mozia, currently kept in the museum. The necropolis of the Archaic phase is located on the northern coast of the island; it is a vast, flattened rocky area crossed by the city wall, which leaves some tombs within the city.

3) Zingaro Nature Reserve

The Zingaro Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located between the towns of Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo, in the Trapani area. The Zingaro coast is one of the very few stretches of coastline in Sicily not contaminated by the presence of a coastal road. The area was inhabited by a last farming family until about 1960, in the house that is now the weaving museum. The inhabitants to transport goods and water used mules, today for the transport of waste and goods in general, mules are always used, the only possible means of transport. It is the first nature reserve in Sicily, stretching along 7 km of coastline and nearly 1,700 hectares of unspoiled nature. The Zingaro reserve branches off into three different paths. The Coastal Path is the most heavily traveled by visitors and connects the main entrance of Scopello to that of San Vito Lo Capo for a duration of 2 hours. Immediately after the main entrance, it leads through a tunnel to a picnic area and the Visitor Center, home to a small nature museum. A detour leads to the coves of Punta Capreria, two charming little pebble beaches set among the rocks. Continuing on the main path leads to Cala del Varo, where there is a small shelter. The contrada Zingaro is home to a few rural cottages. From here one can easily reach Cala della Disa and Cala Berretta. Proceeding further, one first reaches contrada Marinella and then contrada Uzzo with its two coves. From here a detour uphill allows you to reach the Uzzo cave, of archaeological interest near which is located the Museum of Peasant Civilization, which holds evidence of the wheat cycle and examples of the techniques of weaving native plant fibers. Just before reaching the northern entrance is the Tonnarella dell'Uzzo blockhouse, home to the Museum of Maritime Activities. The Mid-Coast Path is the most scenic and begins at Pizzo del Corvo, from here the path proceeds almost level to contrada Sughero, where several rural cottages are encountered, some of them used as shelters. Continuing uphill, we reach Borgo Cusenza, a rural hamlet once inhabited by shepherds and farmers, perfectly preserved. From here, going downhill along the Canalone delle Grotte di Mastro Peppe Siino, you reach the exit the exit. The Sentiero Alto (High Path) is undoubtedly the most challenging trail, walking along the halfway path, after a few meters you will meet a path that climbs through a steep gully, at the end of the path you will arrive at a plateau located at the foot of the Bosco di Scardina, a reforested area occupied by a pine forest of Aleppo pines. It continues on a slightly uphill path that skirts the rural hamlets of Marcato della Mennola and Marcato della Sterna and until it reaches Pianello. From Pianello, the trail proceeds in a straight line along the reserve boundary for about 3 km through Salta le viti, encountering the elevations of Monte Speziale and Pizzo dell'Aquila. Continuing on, you reach Portella Mandra Nuova, a plateau that is home to a dense ilex forest; from here it is possible to ascend to Monte Passo del Lupo, on the eastern slope a cluster of rural houses that in the past was seasonally inhabited from the summer period until December. On the descent, about a mile from the hamlet, there is a watering hole dating back to 1696. The reserve is home to about 670 plants, some of them endemic and rare; the most distinctive aspect of the reserve at present is the dwarf palm garrigue, which characterizes large areas of the coastal landscape of contrada Zingaro. Many species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects nest in the reserve. Of particular importance is the marine fauna where the presence in the reserve of an important biostructure typical of the Mediterranean Sea very similar to coral reefs is noted.

4) Erice

Erice retains all the charm of a medieval town. Erice's name derives from Eryx, a mythological character, son of Aphrodite and Bute, who was killed by Heracles. The town is known for the Castle of Venus, a 12th-century Norman-built castle that stands on an isolated cliff in the southeastern corner of the summit of Mount Erice, built on the ruins of an Elymian-Phoenician-Roman temple. At its side are the Balio Castle Towers. The temple was surrounded by fortifications so as to form a citadel, quite distinct from the city below. By the early Middle Ages much of the remains of the sanctuary had been lost, and a small church dedicated to Santa Maria della Neve was built in the area. The fortress was named precisely Venus Castle; a small part of the buildings is all that remains of the ancient edifice, but some of the fine granite columns, which still exist elsewhere in the city, undoubtedly belonged originally to the temple. The castle was connected to the rest of the peak by a drawbridge, later replaced by the present steps.

5) Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare del Golfo is a town that lies on the slopes of the Mount Inici mountain complex, bounded on the east by Cape Rama and on the west by Cape San Vito. It bases its economy on tourism, viticulture and fishing. It is one of the most renowned seaside resorts in Sicily and one of the most beautiful seaside villages in Italy. Within its territory fall the Faraglioni of Scopello, Guidaloca Bay, the Segestane Baths and the easternmost part of the Zingaro Oriented Nature Reserve. Of particular interest are the traditional festivities in honor of the Patron Saint that take place annually from August 19 to 21 and the Historical Re-enactment Nostra Principalissima Patrona celebrated every two years and tells of the attack on the harbor by the British, foiled, according to legend, by the arrival of Our Lady of Succor. The Mother Church, built on the foundations of an earlier church, has three rows of aisles and houses the majolica statue representing Our Lady of Relief from the second half of the 16th century. Near the port of Castellammare del Golfo stands the so-called Castle by the Sea, so called because until the 1980s it was lapped by the sea. The stretch of sea in front of the tower was called the "queen's basin" to indicate a natural pool bordered by rocks, which legend has it was in use by the queen of the castle.

6) Mount Cofano and Mangiapane Cave Reserve

The Monte Cofano Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located in the municipalities of Custonaci and San Vito Lo Capo that revolves around a mountainous promontory, with a characteristic triangular shape overlooking the sea, which reaches 659 m in height. The reserve encompasses different Mediterranean ecosystems, but the real botanical peculiarity of the reserve is the rocky environment, which is home to numerous endemisms including the rock cabbage and the Monte Cofano sparrowhawk. Points of interest include numerous caves, the best known being the Scurati Caves an ancient prehistoric settlement consisting of as many as 9 caves. The Mangiapane Cave, the largest, is also called the Cave of the Uffizi. The cave was inhabited until the 1950s and belonged to the Mangiapane family. Archaeological excavations conducted in 2004 revealed the presence of prehistoric pottery from the Neolithic period. In a second cave, named Mangiapane II, a hundred meters further west, an excavation uncovered the remains of a hearth containing Middle Bronze Age pottery.

7) Segesta Archaeological Park

Segesta was an ancient Elymian city located in the northwestern part of Sicily. The old city stands on Mount Barbaro, in the municipal territory of Calatafimi Segesta, a few kilometers from Castellammare del Golfo. It preserves, within the archaeological park, a Doric-style temple and a theater from the Hellenistic period, partly excavated in the rock of the hill. Other excavations have unearthed a Hellenistic-Roman town and a medieval village. This archaeological site is among the best-preserved in all of Sicily, and it is certainly one of the most striking cultural sites because of the visible panorama and its location on the hill. It is one of the major destinations for cultural and scenic tourism in the province of Trapani. Archaeological research carried out has decreed that Segesta originally consisted of two separate acropolis. The town was not fortified with walls as it was defended by two steep cliffs, except on the southeastern side where there was a wall instead. The temple, called the "Great Temple," was built on the top of a hill west of the city. On the long side it has fourteen columns, the current state of preservation features the entire peristasis colonnade, and is probably due to the fact that the temple never had a roof. The theater was built on the highest peak of Mount Barbaro, on a site, behind the agora, that was already the site of a place of worship many centuries earlier. It takes advantage of the splendid panorama of the sea and hills as far as the eye can see as a backdrop.

8) San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo is a renowned seaside resort that lies at the western end of the Gulf of Castellammare. Generating nucleus of San Vito Lo Capo is the present Sanctuary built around the 14th century, was a small chapel dedicated to Saint Vitus the Martyr, patron saint of the seaside village. In San Vito there is a three-kilometer-long beach of golden sand that attracts many tourists from all over the world every year. The Chapel of Santa Crescenzia is an important religious building in San Vito Lo Capo that was built in the 13th century in honor of San Vito's nurse, Santa Crescenzia. Legend has it that the woman was petrified by transgressing an order not to turn around during a landslide event at the same spot where the chapel later arose.

9) Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Nature Reserve

The oriented nature reserve of the Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco is a protected natural area of Sicily established in 1995, covering nearly 1,000 hectares in the territory of the municipalities of Trapani and Paceco. Within it, the ancient activity of sea salt extraction is carried out; it also provides shelter for numerous species of migratory birds. It is managed by WWF Italy. Much of the Reserve consists of privately owned salt pans, where salt extraction is still practiced according to traditional techniques in use for centuries. Of great scenic impact is the presence of numerous windmills, used to pump water between basins, to lift water and to grind salt crystals. The strongly brackish salt marsh environment is home to numerous herbaceous or shrub species that have adapted to the extreme environmental conditions that this area presents. The area of the Reserve is of particular ornithological interest because it is a staging area on the migration route to Africa. Considering both breeding and wintering species, 208 different bird species have been surveyed, including flamingos.

10) Scopello

Scopello is a hamlet of the municipality of Castellammare del Golfo famous for its faraglioni and its baglio. A short distance from the baglio is Guidaloca, a bay bounded by the "Pizzo della Gnacara" and the "Puntazza," within which there is a large arch-shaped beach formed by pebbles where there is a cylindrical tower dating from the 16th century, placed to guard that stretch of coastline. The tuna fishery of Scopello is one of the most important and ancient in all of Sicily: the first buildings date back to the 13th century, the actual tuna fishery was built in the 15th century by Giovanni Sanclemente, it passed infinitely to the Florio family.

11) Belice River Mouth Nature Reserve

The Foce del Fiume Belice nature reserve and surrounding dunes is a protected natural area located in the municipality of Menfi. The Belice River Mouth Nature Reserve is a coastal lake area extending over 5.0 km on the southern coast of Sicily and washed by the Sicilian Channel, between Marinella di Selinunte and the promontory of Porto Palo, while inland it is bounded by the Castelvetrano-Porto Empedocle railway line, decommissioned between 1977 and 1986, which crossed the river with an iron bridge, still existing today after the decommissioning of the railway line. Here the Belice River flows into the sea after a 77-kilometer course. The mouth has depressed areas that are periodically flooded by brackish water. The shoreline is sandy and is dotted with small dunes that shift under the action of the winds. The reserve is home to a rich avifauna, both sedentary and migratory.

12) Trapani Historic Center

Trapani immediately captivates with its clear light and the shimmering reflections of the sea, but it is in the historic center that the city reveals its most authentic essence. Here, on a narrow strip of land suspended between the Tyrrhenian and the Mediterranean, one walks through a place that bears the marks of centuries of history and diverse peoples. Strolling through these streets is like crossing a mosaic of cultures: from the Phoenicians to the Romans, from the Arabs to the Normans and the Spanish, each left their imprint still visible today in the baroque palaces, imposing churches, and lively alleys. The heart of the center is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, elegant and bustling, where cafés, artisan gelaterias, and traditional restaurants welcome anyone wishing to savor the city’s slow-paced life. From here branch Via Torrearsa and Via Garibaldi, streets lined with historic shops and noble palaces with flowered balconies, seemingly suspended in time. Walking unhurriedly, between the scent of the sea and that of freshly baked bread, one discovers an intimate and welcoming Trapani. The historic center is not just a place to visit, but to experience step by step: with the slow rhythm of its days, the warmth of its inhabitants, and the constant encounter between beauty and authenticity.

13) Torre di Ligny

The Torre di Ligny, known in Sicilian as Turrignì, rises proudly at the westernmost tip of Trapani, jutting into the Tyrrhenian like a stone bastion defying time and sea. Built in 1671 during the Spanish rule, it was commissioned by Claude Lamoral, Prince of Ligne and Captain General of the Kingdom of Sicily. Its location was no accident: the rocks on which it stands, once called Pietra Palazzo, formed the natural continuation of Trapani’s ancient land tongue and offered a strategic point to defend the city from frequent Barbary corsair raids. Designed by engineer Carlos De Grunembergh, the tower has a square shape narrowing upwards. In its original form, it was armed with cannons on the roof and four masonry sentry boxes. Over the centuries it assumed different roles: in 1806 it was permanently connected to the mainland, in the 19th century it maintained its military functions, and during World War II it served as an anti-aircraft post for the Royal Navy. Restored in 1979, the tower found a new life: since 1983 it has housed the Civic Museum, created thanks to Professor Francesco Torre. On the ground floor are prehistoric finds and a marine archaeology section that tells of the city’s deep connection with the sea and its ancient routes. Today, perfectly restored, the Torre di Ligny is offered to visitors not only as a symbol of Trapani’s defensive history but also as a place of memory and culture, combining the charm of its 17th-century architecture with the richness of the testimonies preserved inside.

14) Basilica Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Annunziata

The Basilica Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Annunziata, the heart of Marian devotion in Trapani, is one of the most significant places of worship in western Sicily. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, it houses the celebrated Chapel of Our Lady of Trapani, where the famous Parian marble statue of the Virgin and Child—attributed to Nino Pisano—is venerated as one of the most beloved sacred images of the Mediterranean. The sanctuary’s history dates back to the Middle Ages. The Carmelites, who arrived in Trapani in 1194 after being expelled from Jerusalem, settled in the area where the convent complex now stands. Their first church, Santa Maria del Parto, was built in 1240, and as early as 1270 it hosted the remains of King Louis IX of France during his journey from Tunisia to Saint Denis. The primitive temple was completed in 1332, as recorded by a still-visible inscription. During the Spanish period, the basilica experienced a golden age: in 1537, the Gagini family created the Chapel of the Madonna, destined to guard the city’s most precious icon. In the 18th century, architect Giovanni Biagio Amico gave the church its current appearance, enriching it with a majestic nave supported by sixteen columns, silvered stuccoes, and a large rose window above the entrance portal. Inside, visitors can admire 18th-century canvases by Giuseppe Felici depicting episodes from the life of the Virgin. Next to the basilica stands the vast Carmelite convent, once the largest in Italy, with its monumental cloister of eighty columns and halls that today house the Agostino Pepoli Regional Museum, where the Madonna’s treasure is also preserved. Elevated to the rank of Minor Pontifical Basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1950, the sanctuary remains a spiritual reference point not only for Trapani but for devotees across Sicily and beyond. The Madonna of Trapani, solemnly crowned in 1734 and again in 1935, is at the center of the great city festival on August 16, along with the renowned Holy Week “Misteri” procession. Even today, entering the basilica or pausing before the chapel of the Madonna, one can sense the enduring strength of popular devotion that has made this sanctuary an identity symbol for Trapani and many communities throughout Italy and the world.

15) Marsala Historic Center

Marsala is a city that blends history, culture, and traditions in a unique landscape, celebrated both for Garibaldi’s landing with the Thousand on May 11, 1860, and for the production of the famous wine that bears its name—a heritage that earned it the title of “City of Wine” in 1987. Its origins lie in the Punic world: the city was founded on the ruins of ancient Lilibeo, from which the name Lilibetani (still used for its inhabitants) derives, and not far from Mozia, now part of the Stagnone Islands Nature Reserve. Here, Cicero served as quaestor between 76 and 75 B.C., leaving a memorable description of Lilibeo, calling it a splendid city. His memory still lingers: at the Baglio Anselmi Regional Archaeological Museum, a bust of Cicero is displayed, and one of the city’s main streets bears his name. The waters off Marsala were also the setting of one of the most important episodes of the First Punic War: the naval battle of 241 B.C., traces of which remain in the extraordinary Punic ship preserved in the Baglio Anselmi Museum. Marsala’s historic center still preserves its Hellenistic-era grid plan, made of parallel and orthogonal axes, once enclosed by defensive walls, of which four 16th-century bastions remain. The beating heart of the city is Via XI Maggio, the old Cassaro: an elegant, lively street that runs from Piazza Matteotti to Porta Nuova, touching the city’s most symbolic landmarks, including the Spanish Quarter—today the Town Hall. Another defining feature of Marsala is its countryside. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, local farmers built chiani, temporary dwellings near their fields that later became permanent homes. These gave rise to today’s contrade, rural districts that still mark the agricultural landscape and testify to Marsala’s enduring bond with the land and farming traditions.

16) Oriented Nature Reserve of the Stagnone Islands of Marsala

The Oriented Nature Reserve of the Stagnone Islands of Marsala, established in 1984, is one of the most enchanting places in western Sicily. It stretches along the coast between Capo San Teodoro and Capo Boeo, encompassing the four islands of the Stagnone—San Pantaleo (ancient Mozia), Isola Grande, Schola, and Santa Maria—along with the historic coastal salt pans of San Teodoro, Genna, and Ettore Infersa, where windmills still shape the landscape just as they did centuries ago. At the heart of the reserve lies the Stagnone Lagoon, the largest in Sicily, with shallow waters rarely exceeding two meters in depth. Marine currents and sand deposits created the Isola Grande, which, by closing off the basin, turned this body of water into a unique ecosystem: warmer, almost motionless waters, giving rise to the name Stagnone (“large pool”). The landscape, suspended between land and sea, hosts a remarkable vegetation adapted to high salinity: glassworts, sea lilies, sea holly, and many other species color the lagoon’s edges with unusual shapes and hues. Among them are the Calendula maritima, a rare endemic species that grows only here, and the Anemone palmata, found in Italy solely in this part of Sicily and in Sardinia. The reserve is not only a natural treasure but also a place where history and tradition intertwine: from the salt pans, guardians of an ancient craft still alive today, to the islands, which recount the Punic and Phoenician past of Mozia. Visiting the Stagnone means immersing oneself in a landscape where time seems to slow down, among water mirrors reflecting the sky and silences broken only by the wind turning the blades of the mills.

17) The Kasbah of Mazara del Vallo

The Kasbah of Mazara del Vallo is one of the most evocative places in western Sicily, a living weave of cultures and traditions that embodies the city’s dual soul. Located near the port, with narrow alleys and tightly clustered houses, the neighborhood dates back to the arrival of the Arabs in 827 A.D. Yet its bond with nearby Tunisia—less than 100 km away—remains alive to this day, thanks to the Tunisian community that continues to coexist alongside the locals. Walking through the Kasbah feels like wandering a North African medina: alleys adorned with colorful tiles, murals, and poems painted on the walls, where the call of the muezzin seems to intertwine with the ringing of nearby church bells. The atmosphere is unique, suspended between Sicily and the Maghreb, between medieval heritage and the contemporary art that in recent years has turned the district into a true open-air gallery of street art. A much-loved symbol for visitors is the famous blue door of the Kasbah, a simple private home turned photographic icon, reminiscent of Moroccan riads and Arab courtyards. Yet the real charm of this place lies in its spirit: a crossroads of peoples and stories, where the scent of Africa still lingers and cultural coexistence remains an integral part of Mazara del Vallo’s identity.

18) Gibellina Nuova

Gibellina Nuova is a city born out of tragedy and rebirth. After the devastating earthquake of 1968 that destroyed much of the Belìce Valley, the old town was abandoned, and the new settlement was built 11 kilometers downhill. Meanwhile, on the ruins of the old village, artist Alberto Burri created the monumental land art piece Grande Cretto, a vast white shroud that still preserves the memory of that catastrophe. From the 1970s onwards, under the leadership of mayor Ludovico Corrao, Gibellina chose not only to rebuild but to reinvent itself as a city of contemporary art. The administration launched an ambitious project: to turn the new town into the largest open-air museum in Italy. Architects and internationally renowned artists were invited to reimagine spaces and squares, enriching them with sculptures, installations, and urban interventions that gave the city a completely new identity. Today, over fifty artworks punctuate the urban fabric, engaging with everyday life. Art greets visitors right at the entrance, marked by Pietro Consagra’s Stella d’ingresso al Belìce (1981), now a symbol of both the territory and Gibellina’s rebirth. Gibellina Nuova thus stands as a living laboratory of art, memory, and innovation, where contemporary creativity has transformed a city of ruins into a symbol of cultural resilience.

19) Historic Center of Alcamo

The historic center of Alcamo is a fascinating network of streets, squares, and palaces that recount centuries of history, from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era. Nestled on the slopes of Monte Bonifato, it still preserves its original urban layout, with narrow alleys that suddenly open onto grand churches and picturesque corners. The heart of the city is Piazza Ciullo, an elegant urban square lined with cafés and enhanced by the baroque architecture of the Church of San Tommaso Apostolo and the Jesuit College. Not far away stands the Castle of the Counts of Modica, a medieval fortress with crenellated towers that recalls Alcamo’s strategic role in the past. The center is dotted with churches that serve as true art treasures: the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta (known as the Mother Church), with its baroque forms and fine artworks; the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi, adorned with 18th-century stuccoes from the Serpotta school; and the Church of Santa Oliva, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Strolling through the streets, one encounters noble palaces with sculpted stone portals and wrought-iron balconies, vestiges of an aristocratic and prosperous past. The area also preserves traces of its most ancient memory, such as the Museum of Sacred Art and remnants of the medieval walls that once encircled the town. The historic center of Alcamo is not just a place to visit but a place to experience: through local markets, artisan workshops, religious festivities, and the vibrant pace of daily life, it offers visitors the authentic atmosphere of Sicily, where history, art, and tradition intertwine seamlessly.

20) Alcamo Marina

Alcamo Marina, the seaside district of Alcamo overlooking the Gulf of Castellammare, is known for its long stretch of fine golden sand—one of the widest beaches in northwestern Sicily. Once, this coastline was closely tied to tuna fishing: in the district of Magazzinazzi stands the historic Foderà Tonnara, dating back to the 17th century, complete with a watchtower and structures that still preserve boats and nets once used during the traditional mattanza (tuna slaughter). In the 1950s and ’60s, intense construction reshaped the coastal landscape, partially compromising its natural potential. Yet Alcamo Marina remains a captivating destination where nature, memory, and tradition coexist. Its coastal dunes, shaped by the wind, provide a precious natural habitat where sea daffodils, ravastrello, and other Mediterranean coastal species thrive. Nearby excavations have uncovered remains of Roman kilns and fossils dating back to the Pleistocene, now showcased at the Fossilandia geological center. The area also carries traces of recent history: here, in 1976, the Alcamo Marina Massacre took place, in which two Carabinieri officers were killed—today remembered with a monument and the naming of the seaside promenade. Alongside this heritage of memory, there are also spiritual landmarks, such as the Church of Santa Maria della Stella (known as Stella Maris) and small historic chapels scattered along the coast. Today, Alcamo Marina is a destination that combines sea and culture, ideal for those seeking wide sandy beaches, Mediterranean nature, and historical landmarks that narrate the deep identity of the territory.

21) Salemi

Nestled in the heart of the Val di Mazara, Salemi is a medieval town with authentic charm, clustered around its imposing Norman-Swabian Castle. From the crenellated terrace of its circular tower, the view stretches across endless hills covered with vineyards and olive groves, reaching as far as the western Sicilian coast. Listed among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, Salemi tells its millennia-old story through the stones of its churches, the alleys of its historic center, and the palaces overlooking its squares. Many civilizations have left their mark here: the Elymians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs, who introduced fruits and spices—lemons, oranges, peaches, saffron, cinnamon, and cloves—and even gave the town its name, which tradition links to Salam (“peace”). Wandering through the village, one encounters places rich in art and memory: the Mother Church, the former Jesuit College, the Museum of the Risorgimento, and the evocative Museum of the Mafia, which recounts this complex history in a unique and thought-provoking way. Salemi also treasures popular traditions, most notably the decorative devotional breads, artistic creations that combine spirituality with a deep bond to the land. Salemi is thus a town suspended between history, culture, and nature, where time seems to move more slowly and every corner reveals a fragment of Sicily’s most authentic soul.

22) Valderice

Valderice (in Sicilian Paparedda) is a lively town in the Agroericino area, nestled among hills that gently descend to the sea, framed by the majestic backdrop of Monte Erice. With just over 11,000 inhabitants, it covers 53 km² and lies only 8 kilometers from Trapani—earning the nickname “the town between sky and sea.” Surrounded by greenery, Valderice offers a variety of landscapes: pinewoods, rolling hills, natural caves, and panoramic views over the Gulf of Bonagia and the crystal-clear waters of its beaches. Spaces like the municipal pinewood and the Misericordia Urban Park provide peaceful spots for relaxation and stunning coastal views. Its beauty was already appreciated in the 19th century, when Trapani’s and Erice’s nobility chose Valderice as their summer retreat, building elegant villas and agricultural bagli set in the landscape. At the same time, along the coast, the Tonnara di Bonagia became a thriving tuna-fishing hub; today, the small fishing village is a charming seaside hamlet that blends history and leisure. The historic center still bears traces of its medieval and baroque past, with narrow streets and small squares preserving the identity of the village. At the entrance stands the Arco del Cavaliere, a symbolic gateway. Today Valderice is the perfect base to explore western Sicily: from the sandy beaches of Lido Valderice and Rio Forgia to the hiking trails of nearby Monte Cofano, where wild nature, sea, and culture merge.

23) Il Museo del Satiro Danzante

The Museum of the Dancing Satyr in Mazara del Vallo, established in 2003 by the Sicilian Region, is located in the charming former church of Sant'Egidio. Its name refers to the most precious and fascinating work it houses: the Dancing Satyr, an extraordinary bronze statue from the Hellenistic period, recovered from the waters of the Strait of Sicily in the late 1990s and now a symbol of the city. Alongside this masterpiece, the museum preserves other archaeological finds recovered from the sea and from excavations carried out along the Mazara coast: pottery, bronze statue fragments, medieval terracotta braziers, a North African spatheion from the 5th century AD, an askos from the 3rd century BC and numerous transport amphorae from the Punic and Roman periods. The visit takes place in a single large room that introduces the finds in an evocative itinerary, enriched by a documentary film that recounts the extraordinary discovery of the Satyr. Since 2019, the museum has been part of the Archaeological Park of Selinunte, Cave di Cusa and Pantelleria, thus expanding the link between Mazara del Vallo and the heritage of its sea, guardian of millennial stories.