Trapani
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 23 October 2023
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The city of Trapani is the capital city of the Province of Trapani with a population of 67,531 inhabitants.
Situated on Sicily's north west coast, it covers a total area of 271 km² and lies 90 kilometres south west of Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily. Trapani's position at the point where the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas meet has made it a strategic port for the military, trade and nowadays, tourism. |
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Ancient Greek origins: Drepana
Founded by the ancient Greeks, Trapani was originally called Drepana and played an important role during the First Punic War. The Battle of Drepana took place in 249 BC and saw a Roman fleet of more than 90 ships and thousands of soldiers destroyed by the forces of Carthage.
Eight years later, another naval battle took place close to Trapani which saw the Romans avenge their earlier defeat and take control of the city. Since those times it has been ruled or conquered by the Normans, Vandals, Goths, Byzantines and Arabs at one time or another, leaving the city with a confused but cosmopolitan architectural legacy.
Eight years later, another naval battle took place close to Trapani which saw the Romans avenge their earlier defeat and take control of the city. Since those times it has been ruled or conquered by the Normans, Vandals, Goths, Byzantines and Arabs at one time or another, leaving the city with a confused but cosmopolitan architectural legacy.
Exploring the city centre
The city centre is small and easy to visit on foot, with most of the highlights to be found in the port area. Sitting on an east-west promontory, the city juts out into the sea with the main port area to the south and the centro storico (old town) occupying a narrow strip above it.
This is a great city for simply walking and enjoying what you find along the way; you can take long walks along the port side promenade where you'll find an array of fishing boats and small market stalls peddling their catch of the day. The smaller fishing vessels provide a marked contrast to the gargantuan cruise ships that dock here or even the ferries which cross to the nearby islands.
Duck inland, away from the port and you reach the bustling city centre; the main street here is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, an east-west axis lined by shops, restaurants and some fine Baroque churches.
The principal religious building in Trapani is the Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo) but also keep an eye out for the Chiesa Anime Sante del Purgatorio with its famous wooden effigies.
This is a great city for simply walking and enjoying what you find along the way; you can take long walks along the port side promenade where you'll find an array of fishing boats and small market stalls peddling their catch of the day. The smaller fishing vessels provide a marked contrast to the gargantuan cruise ships that dock here or even the ferries which cross to the nearby islands.
Duck inland, away from the port and you reach the bustling city centre; the main street here is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, an east-west axis lined by shops, restaurants and some fine Baroque churches.
The principal religious building in Trapani is the Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo) but also keep an eye out for the Chiesa Anime Sante del Purgatorio with its famous wooden effigies.
Cuisine and local traditions
Every Easter, Trapani is flooded by visitors who flock to witness the Processione dei Misteri. The colourful parade lasts from 2 pm until midnight and features the wooden effigies known as the "misteri", each representing a different trade in the city.
One of those trades celebrated is that of the salt-worker; the coastal area around Trapani is marked by salt pans, such as those at the Stagnone Nature Reserve, which create a patchwork effect of pink and white shades.
Trapani's restaurants are the best place to try the local cuisine with the pesto alla Trapanese featuring on most menus. The pesto from Trapani is a variant of the more famous Genoese version which uses pine nuts. The "alla Trapanese" cooking style features almonds instead of pine nuts, along with garlic, basil, grated pecorino cheese, tomatoes and other spices. It's worth visiting Trapani for that alone.
One of those trades celebrated is that of the salt-worker; the coastal area around Trapani is marked by salt pans, such as those at the Stagnone Nature Reserve, which create a patchwork effect of pink and white shades.
Trapani's restaurants are the best place to try the local cuisine with the pesto alla Trapanese featuring on most menus. The pesto from Trapani is a variant of the more famous Genoese version which uses pine nuts. The "alla Trapanese" cooking style features almonds instead of pine nuts, along with garlic, basil, grated pecorino cheese, tomatoes and other spices. It's worth visiting Trapani for that alone.
Close to Trapani
Aside from the city's own sightseeing and culinary delights, it's one of the most popular places to base oneself for a tour of western Sicily. It has great transport links with its own airport, of course the sea port, a central train station and even a vertigo-inducing cable car up to the nearby hill town of Erice.
Comune di Trapani
Trapani Travel
The train station is located to the east of the centro storico and port area, around 15 minutes walk (1 km) to Trapani Cathedral. Trains from here run south to the seaside town of Mazara del Vallo with a journey time of an hour, stopping along the way at Marsala (38 minutes).
It is though by sea where Trapani's real travel advantages lay. The most popular destination, and indeed the very reason why many people come to Trapani, is the Aegadian Islands. You can see the island group from Trapani's port area which is where the Liberty Lines hydrofoil company sails from. The closest island is Levanzo with a journey time of 25 minutes from Trapani, while the most popular is Favignana with its beaches edged by cobalt blue sea, a hydrofoil journey of 40 minutes. The furthest, and quietest of the three islands is Marettimo which takes around an hour and 20 minutes to reach. Liberty Lines also sail from Trapani to another Sicilian island: Pantelleria, a journey of just over two hours. More distant maritime routes from Trapani include Sardinia and Tunis in Africa.
Many would-be hydrofoil travellers to Pantelleria decide instead to fly from Trapani Airport with its shorter journey time. The airport is located 18 kilometres away, south towards Marsala, which takes around 20 minutes to reach by car. Other popular Sicilian destinations reachable from Trapani Airport are Palermo and the island of Lampedusa with its famous beach: Spiaggia dei Conigli.
The combination of Trapani's travel facilities and abundance of places to visit nearby, make it a popular holiday base. The most obvious attraction is the proximity of the Aegadian Islands; you can visit the islands one by one from Trapani or with some careful consultation of the hydrofoil timetables, visit all three in one day. Just inland of Trapani is the beautiful and historic hill town of Erice which is either that hair-raising cable car ride of 12 minutes or a much more sedate crawl up the mountain by car or bus.
North of Trapani is one of Sicily's most popular areas; the beach resort of San Vito Lo Capo is a major destination but doesn't quite compare to the magnificent Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro. Also keep an eye out for the beautiful nearby Macari Beach and the Tonnara di Scopello. South of Trapani is the tiny island of Mozia which is just a short distance from the city of Marsala, famous for its sweet wine.
It is though by sea where Trapani's real travel advantages lay. The most popular destination, and indeed the very reason why many people come to Trapani, is the Aegadian Islands. You can see the island group from Trapani's port area which is where the Liberty Lines hydrofoil company sails from. The closest island is Levanzo with a journey time of 25 minutes from Trapani, while the most popular is Favignana with its beaches edged by cobalt blue sea, a hydrofoil journey of 40 minutes. The furthest, and quietest of the three islands is Marettimo which takes around an hour and 20 minutes to reach. Liberty Lines also sail from Trapani to another Sicilian island: Pantelleria, a journey of just over two hours. More distant maritime routes from Trapani include Sardinia and Tunis in Africa.
Many would-be hydrofoil travellers to Pantelleria decide instead to fly from Trapani Airport with its shorter journey time. The airport is located 18 kilometres away, south towards Marsala, which takes around 20 minutes to reach by car. Other popular Sicilian destinations reachable from Trapani Airport are Palermo and the island of Lampedusa with its famous beach: Spiaggia dei Conigli.
The combination of Trapani's travel facilities and abundance of places to visit nearby, make it a popular holiday base. The most obvious attraction is the proximity of the Aegadian Islands; you can visit the islands one by one from Trapani or with some careful consultation of the hydrofoil timetables, visit all three in one day. Just inland of Trapani is the beautiful and historic hill town of Erice which is either that hair-raising cable car ride of 12 minutes or a much more sedate crawl up the mountain by car or bus.
North of Trapani is one of Sicily's most popular areas; the beach resort of San Vito Lo Capo is a major destination but doesn't quite compare to the magnificent Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro. Also keep an eye out for the beautiful nearby Macari Beach and the Tonnara di Scopello. South of Trapani is the tiny island of Mozia which is just a short distance from the city of Marsala, famous for its sweet wine.
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Public transport: ferries, central train station, local buses
By train: Marsala - 38 minutes, Mazara del Vallo - 1 hour 1 minute |
By car: Palermo - 1 hour 23', Agrigento - 2 hours 13' (178 km)
Fly to: Trapani Airport - 20 minutes by car (18 km) |
