Trapani

Situated overlooking a sickle-shaped bay where Mount Eryx tumbles down to meet the Mediterranean lies the small but beautiful city of Trapani. The city is situated on the western tip of Sicily, facing out across the Aegadian archipelago which is now home to the largest marine reserve in Europe.

This is a small city with a population of just sixty-eight thousand, and yet, its position and its natural wealth mean that it has been important since the Middle Ages. It was at that time that the people of the island began carving coral artifacts for which they remain famous today. 

Near to the city are a series of salines, or salt marshes, which are still producing salt today. This was one of the first cities in the world to commercialize salt, at a time when it was a much sought-after commodity.

The city makes a great place from which to explore the nearby islands or to wander through the narrow streets of the old town where you will come upon ancient little churches and magnificent golden-colored mansions. You’ll have a much better time exploring if you don’t carry more than you need to, so make sure you drop off your bags at a luggage storage first.

Things to do in Trapani

Because Trapani airport welcomes a large number of budget airlines, many visitors to the city simply use this as a bouncing-off point before traveling further afield. In doing so, they do themselves a disservice because there is much to be seen here.

• Take a trip back in time to the medieval village of Erice. Towering 750 m above Trapani, this stone village is dotted with castles and churches, all interconnected by narrow cobblestone streets. The views are amazing, but be aware that the sudden elevation means that the weather you experience may be a lot cooler than it was down in Trapani itself.
• Cathedral di San Lorenzo is a magnificent cathedral in the center of Trapani and well worth a visit. Stepping into the cathedral, one has the impression that it is larger on the inside than you thought it was when looking at it from the exterior. Both the architecture and the decoration are amazing and make this sight one not to be missed.
• Here’s one to consider if you just feel like having some fun. The Trapani Museum of Optical Illusions is the only museum of its kind in Italy. Here everything that you see is designed to deceive the eye. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to walk on a ceiling, hang perpendicular to a staircase, or simply vanish altogether, this is the place for you. If you have kids traveling with you, they will love it.
• Enjoy a great meal in Trapani. Italy is famed for its cuisine and any Sicilian will tell you that the best cuisine is to be found on the island. In Trapani, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to seafood and it certainly doesn't get much fresher than that which the local restaurants are able to offer. If you are a real gourmand, you might want to consider doing one of the many cooking courses that are can be taken in the area.
• Head below the waves on a diving adventure. The waters of this Mediterranean region are so crystal-clear that it comes as no surprise that there are many companies in the city, and along the coastline, that offer both snorkelling and scuba diving safaris. Whether you choose to go out with a professional diving company, or just slide off the shore with a mask and snorkel, you'll be entering a world of intense natural beauty teeming with colorful marine life.

Trapani transport options

• The company ATM operates a bus service that services most of the city and tickets cost one euro twenty.
• There are plenty of taxis and the best places to pick them up are at the ferry terminal or in front of the main station.
• In order to get to the Egadi islands, there is a ferry service, but the island can also be reached using one of many private boat tour companies.
• Getting up to Erize is easy if you use the cable car which will cost you nine euros.
• Trapani is a major tourist airport for visitors to Sicily, but the island is also serviced by regular ferries from the mainland and as far afield as France. There are reliable shuttle buses from the airport into town.

Luggage storage in Trapani

This is an ancient city with roots that extend back to pre-mediaeval times. Many of the streets are narrow and cobbled, and that lends a specific character that is almost impossible to imitate.

Delightful though these cobbled streets and alleyways may be, they are not ideal places through which to carry or wheel heavy bags. Here is where Bounce locker services will make your life much easier. Simply drop your bags at their storage service, which can be booked online, and leave yourself free to enjoy all that Trapani and the surrounding areas have to offer.

Activities and attractions near Trapani

• Not far from Trapani lie the three Egadi islands. Here you will be able to bathe in turquoise water, laze on the white sand beaches or hire a bike and explore the islands from the clifftops. The views are amazing and the islands themselves make a perfect day trip for hikers and nature lovers.
• The first people to start harvesting salt in this area were the Phoenicians. At the Riserve Naturale Orinetata Saline di Trapani, salt is still harvested by hand today. Here you will find crumbling windmills and salt pyramids that will provide you with haunting photographs. In addition, the salt museum will give you an insight into the salt production process and its history, while the vast marsh tracts attract egrets and hundreds of flamingos.
• Agostino Pepoli Regional Museum is an art, archaeology and local history museum that is one of the most important in the whole of Sicily. Here you will be able to see some of the beautifully carved coral religious objects and jewellery for which the city is renowned, as well as works of art, ancient architecture and even a guillotine. All of this, housed in a beautiful fourteenth-century Carmelite convent.