As part of our Naples/Calabria/Sicily summer vacation in June/July (I wrote a more general post a few months ago), we will be spending five nights in western Sicily. We have already reserved these nights in a country setting hotel just outside Erice, but now we are having second thoughts.

Would it be more interesting to spend three nights in Trapani (which appears to be underrated as a travel destination) and then two nights in Favignana? This way, we could still take a day trip to Erice from Trapani, see Trapani in a little more depth and also have the experience of having a few days in Favignana and Levanzo, with the added benefit of having the Trapani port at walking distance. We were also thinking of spending one night in Erice then four nights in Trapani and take a day trip to Favignana.

I know we cannot go wrong with any choice we make, but for people who have travelled to this region, your thoughts and advice would help us decide the most interesting and best use of the time we have there.

Your help is much appreciated.

Andrea

We didn't make it to Favignana, but we have based in Trapani. Took the cable car to Erice, which was fine for a day trip. We had a car, which we thought essential. We felt like we were the only Americans there, and very few tourists. We stayed long enough to become regulars at a local bakery and some other shops. Very nice friendly people. A great base to visit some of the Greek temples, shopping in Marsala if shopping is of interest. Because of street cleaning, each day, as I recall, you had to move your car across the street, but the schedule was confusing to us. We tried to sort it out with a friendly group of police officers but none spoke English, and we couldn't even effectively make use of the normal hand signals. Fortunately, we guessed right. We had little cash, tried to gas up our rental car in downtown Trapani and they did not take credit cards. Long story, but we think we were the victim of someone trying to switch our 50 euro bill with a counterfeit one. Beyond that, we would go back again. Our son has been and based himself in a fabulous airbnb outside of town and brought back olive oil from the owner's adjacent farm. We stayed in an apartment in the old town.

I got bored on Favignana, but it was out of season. In contrast, I loved both Erice and Trapani, and would recommend staying in both. I was without a car, but would recommend one if you want to go to Marsala or the salt flats.

My trip was a while back, but my TR may still be useful, start here: Crumbling Palazzos and Creamy Cannoli - Savoring Sicily

Thank you very much for your advice.

On our drive from Ragusa to the western part of Sicily (we will be renting a car in Naples), we can spend one night in Erice (we should arrive around mid-afternoon) then spend four nights in Trapani, and have time for a day trip to Levanzo or Favignana, a day in Trapani and another day in Marsala or a day at the beach. Would this be a good itinerary?

Last question ( most probably ): we are spending three nights in Ortigia and two nights in Ragusa before driving west. Is that ok or should we spend only one night in Ragusa and allocate it to Trapani?

Andrea

I didn't visit Ragusa, doing Noto as a day trip from Ortygia instead, but I really don't care for baroque.

Agree with Trapani as a base. It's a much underrated town and a good base for excursions in the area such as Erice, Segesta, the Via del Sale (between Trapani and Marsala). Unfortunately we didn't make it to Favigana the queue at the biglietteria being extremely long, plus the fact that we didn't find a parking place for our car close enough to the ferry terminal. Instead we drove to San Vito Lo Capo for a day at the beautiful beach.

Tip: do visit the Villa Romana del Casale (Piazza Armerina) and Agrigento (temple complex) on your way to Trapani.

I don't think you need a full day trip to Marsala. It is close to Trapani and the drive between the salt pans of the two cities is pretty short. I didn't find much of interest in Marsala other than the salt pans, which I really enjoyed. When you're there you might consider a short boat ride to Movia, where several archaeological digs are in progress and there is also an archaeological museum.
I would definitely try to make time to see Segesta, which is an easy day trip from Trapani and need not take the entire day.
An overnight in Erice would be nice b/c if you're lucky enough to see morning or evening fog it can be very beautiful and dramatic, and, like many places, gets quiet and more enjoyable when the day trippers leave. Be sure to have a pastry at Maria Grammatica.
There is a beach in Trapani so you can get in some swimming without spending (wasting?) an entire day at the beach when there is so much to see in such little time.
I haven't been to Favignana yet so I can't comment.

I was interested in Marsala for the wine.....

Th day we visited Marsala, we continued on to Selinunte, which we enjoyed as much as Segesta. This fall we are splitting 10 of our days in Italy between Ortygia and Ragusa. We went back and forth between Ragusa and Modica and chose Ragusa. We booked beautiful airbnbs in both places.

So was I ... 🍷
But I agree that there's not a lot to see.

Thank you all very much. We have decided to stay in Trapani.

Your suggestions and advice really helped.

Andrea

thursday,

That goes without saying!

Hi everyone,

We now have allocated an extra night to western Sicily (6 nights in Trapani), 3 nights in the middle of the old town (on a charming side street) and another 3 nights along the water, just to have a slightly different experience within Trapani.

For one of our day trips, we want to take a ferry to either Favignana or Levanzo. Which do you recommend?

As well, as we drive from Tropea to Ortigia, we want to stop in Taormina for lunch. Any recommendations?

Thank you.