From the bright and suggestive colors, the province of Trapani is one of the most popular destinations for lovers of the sea, nature and traditions food and wine from Sicily. An area rich in history and culture where the marine and coastal environment are perfectly integrated and in which they live in harmony hilly landscapes cultivated in "Marsala" doc, protected natural areas (Zingaro Nature Reserve) and stretches of fine beaches, like the Caribbean San Vito Lo Capo on the northern coast of the island. But the territory of the province of Trapani, which extends over 2 thousand km² reaches far beyond the coastal strip. In fact, the Egadi Islands (Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo) and Pantelleria fall into the province of Trapani, destinations easily reachable from the port of Trapani. The province includes a total of 24 municipalities and has about 400 thousand inhabitants. Among the most popular places we find the city of Trapani, capital of the homonymous province, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, Alcamo, Erice, Calatafimi-Segesta and Poggioreale.

Torre Campanaria - Erice, Province of Trapani (Source: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo - CC BY 2.0)

How to get there and move around in the province of Trapani

In Auto

The main motorway artery to reach the territory of Trapani is the A29 motorway (no toll), which connects the towns of Trapani, Marsala and Mazara del Vallo to the Sicilian capital (the shortest route recommended). The distance from Trapani to Palermo is about 111 km and it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to travel with an estimated fuel cost of € 12.00. Among the main roads to move around the province we have the SP3 ("Ericina"), which leads to Trapani passing through the evocative municipality of Erice; the SP38 that from the capital Trapanese reaches Mazara del Vallo and the SP21, better known as "Via del Sale", coastal road from Marsala to Trapani crossing different internal locations.

By plane

The territory of Trapani is served by two airports that have managed traffic in excess of 1.5 million passengers in 2017. The main airport is the "Vincenzo Florio" airport of Trapani-Birgi (distant 17 km from Trapani and 16 km from Marsala), and the Pantelleria airport, which connects the small Mediterranean island with the airports of Palermo and Trapani. The "Vincenzo Florio" airport offers direct national connections to the cities of Milan, Turin and Bologna served by the companies Ryanair, Mistral Air, Blue Air and Alitalia. For information on timetables and destinations, visit the Airgest site, the company that manages the airport service. To reach the "Vincenzo Florio" airport from Sicily, daily connections from the cities of Trapani, Marsala, Palermo, Sciacca and Agrigento by bus / shuttle bus. The service is offered by the companies Salemi, Lumia and Sicilian Transport Company.

By Train or Bus

The province of Trapani is connected by a capillary railway network and by paid bus transport services. The main railway station It serves the city of Trapani and is managed by the Ferrovie dello Stato. Provided connections to the Sicilian capital with fast regional routes. From Palermo it takes about 4 hours to reach the station of Trapani and the minimum cost of the ticket is about € 12. To know in detail the routes, timetables and costs of trains can be found on the website of Trenitalia. In the province of Trapani also provides transportation services with buses and shuttles operated by private companies. From Trapani to Palermo the service is managed from the companies Segesta Autoservizi and Lumia Autoservizi.

By ship or hydrofoil

The port of Trapani is the beating heart of the city and is at the same time the main landing for thousands of passengers who reach the Trapani coast and the golden beaches of the Minor Islands. The "Sanità" pier of Trapani is in fact the central maritime junction to reach easily the Trapani area. Scheduled connections from Cagliari to Trapani offered by the ferry company Tirrenia and from Naples for Favignana, managed by Liberty Lines. For information on timetables and availability, visit the web pages of the shipping companies. From the port of Trapani it is possible to reach by sea or hydrofoil the Egadi, the island of Pantelleria, some of the main towns of western Sicily (Castellamare del Golfo, Marsala and Mazara del Vallo) and the North African coasts.

Zingaro Nature Reserve

A walk in nature between coastal paths and cliffs that turn into wonderful bays and end up embracing the sea from the cobalt blue color: the Zingaro Nature Reserve is the recommended destination for travelers in the province of Trapani. Crystalline sea, steep hills, overhanging cliffs and the unmistakable "macchia mediterranea" are just some of the marvelous and precious resources preserved in the protected natural area of ​​the Zingaro. The Reserve charms for its rough beauty, intense colors in every season, the majestic carobs and marine and terrestrial fauna. In fact, in the reserve nest numerous species of birds including the peregrine falcon, Bonelli's eagle, buzzards, kestrels, kites and other endangered birds, in an environment rich in endemic and rare plants that make the reserve a true oasis of Sicilian biodiversity. And for lovers of the sea and the sun, coves with tongues of pebbles and fine sand but also breathtaking backdrops: the ideal stage to best enjoy the spectacle of a stay in a precious and fragile "paradise" of Sicily. For entry into the Reserve, allowed from 08:00 to 16:00, there is a ticket cost of about € 5. To reach Zingaro by car, take the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo motorway, exit at Castellammare del Golfo and continue on the SS 187 Palermo-Trapani to the junction of the Zingaro-Scopello Nature Reserve. From Palermo it takes 80 km and from Trapani 40 km.