The Saline di Trapani e Paceco offers a glimpse of Trapani’s natural side: the nature reserve covers 986 hectares and lies within the municipalities of Trapani and Paceco. The protected area offers guided visits throughout the year by prior reservation. In the salt pans, salt is produced using seawater, wind energy, solar heat and low rainfall. The salt pans can therefore be understood both as a protected natural area and as a place of salt production.
Discover the Coast and Walking Routes
Trapani lies on a peninsula surrounded by the sea. At Torre di Ligny, you can experience the coast from a historical and scenic perspective: the tower was built in 1671 to strengthen the coastal defences of Trapani. From there, views stretch across the Mediterranean, the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Aegadian Islands and the coast as far as the slopes of Monte Erice.
The Mura di Tramontana promenade offers another way to explore Trapani on foot. It runs from Piazza Mercato del Pesce to Bastione Conca, with Porta Botteghelle along the way. This gives you two distinct perspectives to choose from: views across the waters and islands from Torre di Ligny, or a walk between named landmarks.
Salt History and Art
The Museo del Sale is housed in a 17th-century baglio, a traditional Sicilian farmhouse, with an attached windmill, and lies along the Via del Sale cultural and tourism route. It preserves historic tools used by salt workers and black-and-white photographs. The collection thus brings together objects from work in the salt pans and photographic insights into their history.
The Museo Regionale Agostino Pepoli traces the development of visual culture in the Trapani area. It is located in the rooms of the former Carmelite monastery beside the Santuario dell’Annunziata. The collection includes works in coral, majolica, gold and silver, as well as nativity art. It also features objects created by coral craftsmen and sculptors from Trapani in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Santuario was built between 1315 and 1332; its main building was completely rebuilt in 1760.
Torre della Colombaia also offers a glimpse into different historical periods. Its construction is attributed to Hamilcar Barca in 260 BC, during the First Punic War. The tower was later used as a prison until 1965. The Fontana di Saturno is another landmark with a recorded date in the city’s history: it was built in 1342. The Museo Civico Torre di Ligny houses an archaeological collection relating to the Trapani area.
Procession, Islands and Local Cuisine
The Processione dei Misteri has been held for more than 400 years and takes place every year on Good Friday. It features 18 sculptural groups and two simulacra. At 2 p.m., the Sacri Gruppi leave the Baroque Chiesa del Purgatorio and parade through Trapani’s main streets for almost 24 hours without interruption. If you would like to experience the procession, check the timings and route for the year in question before your visit, as these details may change.
Trapani is also a gateway to the Aegadian Islands. If you are planning a visit to the islands, check connections in advance. Local cuisine offers more to discover: busiate is a typical pasta from Trapani, and fish couscous is also part of the city’s gastronomy.
Discover more destinations: Castellammare Del Golfo, Castelvetrano, Erice, Fulgatore, Tonnarella, Marettimo, Macari Di San Vito Lo Capo, Marsala, San Vito Lo Capo, Selinunte, Trapani, Karuscia, Pantelleria, Alcamo, Paceco, Salemi, Pizzolungo, Mazara Del Vallo, Marinella, Levanzo, Guarrato, Custonaci, Castelluzzo, Calatafimi, Buseto Superiore, Valderice, Buseto Palizzolo, Ballata, Xitta, Ciavolo, Parrinello, Kamma, Salaparuta, Scauri, San Leonardo, Partanna, Gibellina, Rilievo, Granitola Torretta, Campobello Di Mazara, Poggioreale, Porticalazzo, Tre Croci, Sasi, Baglio Todaro, Petrosino, Casa Santa, Dattilo, Tre Fontane, Favignana, Biscione, Santa Ninfa, Locogrande, Marausa, San Ciro - Ulmi - Filci, Triscina.
For the main travel overview: Sicily.
