A little fun fact about me — there’s basically no point in me ever booking a return flight from Italy, because every single time, I end up changing it or cancelling it completely. Insert my month eating my way through Sicily as a prime example. I woke up the day before my flight back to the U.S. while in Palermo, and said, “Nope.” I called my mom and said, “I want to extend my stay. Am I crazy?” And she said, “Nope.”
That was all the affirmation I needed to change gears. But, I had to check out of my Airbnb in Palermo the next morning and had no idea where I’d stay. Not that this was anything new for me — I found myself in a similar situation in Perugia, the capital of Umbria, years prior.
So, long story short, I ended up in Trapani, a seaside town, less than two hours away from Palermo. In true type B fashion, I had absolutely no idea what to do there prior to arriving, but I found my way. And I quickly learned Trapani is the prime destination for a weekend getaway.
What to do in Trapani
Trapani’s old town is full of Baroque architecture. She’s small, but she’s mighty. Make sure to check out Chiesa Delle Anime Sante del Purgatorio, and the town’s main duomo. Head over to the water to see Torrino Conca. There’s also Museo Civico Torre di Ligny, a museum offering viewpoints on the westernmost part of the city.
Pro-tip: by the Italian Coast Guard, there’s a street lined with baobab-like trees.
Best beaches in Trapani
Trapani is quite small, so your beach options are fairly limited. The main beach in town is Spiaggia delle Mura di Tramontana. I highly recommend grabbing tagliere, a panino, or some pastries and enjoying a nice lunch on the beach. There’s also an upper deck (just look for the stairs on the street parallel to the beach) where you can catch a killer sunset.
What to eat in Trapani
Trapanese cuisine is entirely different from everything else on the island. Make sure to try:
- Timballo and cassatelle from Panificio Oddo Michele
- Couscous Trapanese (also known as cùscusu) from Osteria ‘A NASSA Seafood (it’s a woman-owned spot!)
- Rianata Trapanese, a typical pizza from this part of Sicily made with tomatoes, anchovies, onions, and oregano, from Pizzeria Calvino, a pizzeria that used to be a brothel
- Gelato from Il Meno Tredici — some of the best pistachio gelato I’ve ever personally had
You can read a full guide on what to eat in western Sicily here.
Where to stay in Trapani
When in Trapani, I would simply ensure you’re within the Old Town. The town itself is walkable and quite affordable. I would highly recommend staying somewhere within or near the city center.
How to get to Trapani from Palermo
Many people choose to drive in Sicily — I am not one of those people. Instead, I booked a bus from Palermo to Trapani for just $15. The ride was roughly 90 minutes and picked me up right where I needed to pick up, and dropped me off right where I needed to go. There is also a main train station in Trapani.
Best day trips from Trapani
By far, one of the biggest draws of Trapani is its easy access to the Egadi Islands, namely day trips to Favignana.
- Book this tour to visit Favignana and Levanzo in a day
- You can also take the cable cars up to Erice for a hilltop experience.
- Marsala is an easy train ride away.
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