Western Sicily:
Palermo, Trapani & Marsala
Three nights in Palermo, three between Trapani, Erice and the Egadi islands, three among the vineyards and salt pans of Marsala.
The Sicily of salt pans, islands and Marsala wine
The western tip of Sicily is where Phoenicians, Arabs and Normans left the deepest marks: Palermo's gold mosaics, medieval Erice on its mountain, the windmills of the salt pans, the island of Motya and the cellars where Marsala wine was born. Nine days, three homes, the sea never far away.
- 1Palermo 3 nights
- 2Trapani & Erice 3 nights
- 3Marsala 3 nights
9 days, 3 homes
For every stop: what to see and where to go, the dishes to try and where to eat them. Below, two or three of our homes in the area, with live rates for your nights.
Palermo, the Arab-Norman capital
Start with the capital: gold mosaics, Baroque oratories, markets that have not changed in centuries and a street-food culture unlike anywhere else in Italy.
What to see & where to go
- The Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace
- Palazzo Abatellis and the fresco of the Triumph of Death
- The Teatro Massimo and the Quattro Canti
- Monreale Cathedral and its cloister
- The Zisa, the Arab-Norman summer palace
- Mondello for a swim in the afternoon
What to eat
- Arancine, the fried rice balls of Palermo
- Pane e panelle, chickpea fritters in a sesame roll
- Pasta con le sarde, with wild fennel, pine nuts and raisins
- Cassata and cannoli with sheep's-milk ricotta
Where to eat
- Antica Focacceria San Francesco, for arancine and panelle
- Street food at the Ballarò market
- Cannoli at Pasticceria Cappello
Historic palazzo turned boutique hotel.Why stay hereA historic palazzo in the heart of old Palermo, turned into a small boutique hotel.See the home
Historic villa with an infinity pool and spa.Why stay hereA historic villa in Palermo with period interiors, an infinity pool and a spa.
Trapani, Erice and the Egadi islands
Trapani stretches into the sea on a sickle of land; above it, Erice is a medieval town wrapped in clouds on its mountain. Offshore, the Egadi islands have some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean.
What to see & where to go
- Erice's medieval lanes and the Castle of Venus
- Trapani's old town, from Via Garibaldi to the Torre di Ligny
- The salt pans between Trapani and Paceco at sunset
- A day on Favignana, with swims at Cala Rossa
- The Zingaro nature reserve and its coves
- San Vito Lo Capo and its beach
What to eat
- Busiate al pesto trapanese, with almonds and tomato
- Fish couscous, Trapani's legacy of North Africa
- Genovesi di Erice, warm custard-filled pastries
- Tuna from Favignana, fresh or as bottarga
Where to eat
- Cantina Siciliana in Trapani, for fish couscous
- Almond pastries at Pasticceria Maria Grammatico in Erice
- Busiate with pesto trapanese, in any trattoria in the old town
18th-century palazzo, 100 m from the beach.Why stay hereAn 18th-century palazzo in the historic centre of Trapani, 100 m from the beach.See the home
Period building with a rooftop bar.Why stay hereA period building in the centre of Trapani with a gourmet restaurant and rooftop bar, a few steps from the boats to the islands.See the home
19th-century building on the island.Why stay hereA restored 19th-century building in the centre of Favignana, with a courtyard garden: to sleep on the island.See the home
Marsala, Motya and the Greek temples
Marsala gave its name to one of the world's great fortified wines. Around it, the lagoon of the Stagnone, the Phoenician island of Motya and, inland, the most beautiful Greek temples of the west.
What to see & where to go
- The island of Motya and the Whitaker Museum
- The windmills of the Stagnone salt pans
- The Punic ship in the Baglio Anselmi museum
- The temple and theatre of Segesta
- Selinunte, the largest archaeological park in Europe
- The casbah of Mazara del Vallo
What to eat
- Marsala wine, from the historic bagli
- Sea salt from the Trapani and Marsala salt pans
- Cassatelle with sheep's-milk ricotta
- Pane nero di Castelvetrano and Nocellara del Belice olives
Where to eat
- A tasting in the historic Florio cellars
- Donnafugata's historic cellar in Marsala
- Fresh fish by the Stagnone at sunset
19th-century baglio among the vineyards, pool.Why stay hereA 19th-century baglio among the vineyards of Marsala, with a pool and far-reaching views to the sea.See the home
Baglio on the hill of Rakalia, among gardens.Why stay hereA baglio on the hill of Rakalia near Marsala, a place known since antiquity for its gardens.See the home
Ask our assistant
This itinerary is a starting point. Tell the assistant your dates and constraints and it re-plans the stops on our homes, then checks the rooms.
- We only have 7 days: which stop do we cut?
- Same route but with two children under 10: which homes work?
- Can you check the three homes for arrival on May 4?
