Discovering Trapani

A walk in the historic centre of Trapani, along the main streets or among the secondary alleys, is certainly one of the experiences to be recommended for discovering in an original and entertaining way the many treasures that enrich the ‘old’ city, such as the suggestive walls on the sea and the Baroque aristocratic palaces as well as Art Nouveau buildings and the ancient churches with their gleaming domes.

You can enjoy a walk that enriches and relaxes, amidst panoramic views of the sea and the narrow alleyways of the historic quarters. It is the ideal solution, even with families and small children, to visit the city and appreciate its monuments and historic buildings.

Here are just a few of the small and large treasures scattered around the perimeter of Trapani's historic centre: Palazzo delle Poste Centrali and Palazzo D'Alì; Via Garibaldi, the historic ‘Rua Nova’; Piazza Ex Mercato del Pesce; Palazzo Senatorio; Porta Oscura and Torre dell'Orologio; Chiesa del Collegio dei Gesuiti; Cattedrale di San Lorenzo; Mura di Tramontana and Porta Botteghelle; Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi; Chiesa di San Pietro and Organ Monumental.

To learn more, visit the official website promoting the city of Trapani: https://www.iovadoatrapani.it/palazzi-monumenti-centro-storico-trapani

Trapani offers a long bathing coastline, some of them in the historic centre, just a short walk from us, beyond the ancient walls. For our guests, it will therefore be possible to take a nice swim and/or enjoy a few hours of relaxation on the beach without having to travel far with the advantage of being able to choose between the beach and the rocks, between private lidos/beaches and free bathing areas.

Heading from west to east, we find coves and small beaches from Torre Ligny to Piazza Vittorio, all within walking distance from our hotel. Next are the large beaches and lidos along the seafront from Trapani to Erice to be reached preferably by car or public transport.

Among windmills, salt piles and hundreds of bird species including the characteristic pink flamingos, you can enjoy an itinerary starting from Trapani, along the western coast of Sicily that allows to discover ancient trades, extraordinary habitats, sustainable formulas of coexistence between man and nature.

The first stop on the salt route is certainly the Nubia Salt Museum, inside the ‘Saline Culcasi’. It is a 300-year-old salt house where the stages of salt processing are illustrated and some of the tools used for extraction and harvesting are preserved. Explanatory panels on the walls and photos of salt workers at work help to immerse visitors in the world of the salt pans and bring them closer to a trade with its times and rituals that were handed down from father to son. A walk along the banks of the salt pans to the coast and the impressive Nubia tower completes the visit.

A view to enjoy even at sunset, when everything is tinged with red and the pools transform into mirrors, offering contrasts of color unique in the world. An experience absolutely to do, also thanks to the very short distance from our hotel.

A stay in Trapani must necessarily include a visit to Erice, the ancient religious capital of the mythical Elymian people, the sacred mountain par excellence due to the presence of the temple dedicated to Venus.

Erice will amaze you for the beauty of its palaces and churches, for the charm of its narrow streets and ancient walls, for its typical sweets and handicrafts, such as carpets and ceramics. For the marvellous views you will enjoy from the journey to the summit by cable car.

Erice can also be reached from Trapani by the scenic cable car, the valley station of which is about 10 minutes from our hotel, reachable by car/taxi or public transport.

About 7 km from the coast, between Trapani and Marsala, the Egadi Islands archipelago, home to Europe's largest marine protected area, is a natural paradise in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. The main islands, Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo, attract many tourists eager to enjoy the sea and breathtaking scenery.

There are so many places to visit in the Egadi Islands. To name a few: the Florio factory, the hypogean gardens, the beautiful and famous beaches of cala rossa, cala azzurra and lido burrone in Favignana; the Genovese grotto, the faraglioni, capo grosso and the beaches of cala minnola and cala fredda in Levanzo; the castle of punta Troia, the Roman houses, the lighthouse of punta libeccio and all the wonderful caves along the coast of Marettimo.

Thanks to the proximity of the hydrofoil terminal and tourist piers, guests of the Russo Hotel can easily reach and visit the Egadi Islands:

• A day trip by dinghy to Levanzo and Favignana for diving and sunbathing
• A day cycling tour of Favignana
• A day of trekking and snorkelling on the island of Levanzo
• A tour of the island of Marettimo with a visit to the sea caves