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Trapani

Hugging the harbour where Peter of Aragon landed in 1282 to begin the Spanish occupation of Sicily, the sickle-shaped spit of land occupied by Trapani's old town once sat at the heart of a powerful trading network that stretched from Carthage to Venice. Traditionally the town thrived on coral and tuna fishing, with some salt and wine production.

These days, Trapani's small port buzzes with ferry traffic zipping to and from the remote Egadi Islands and the mysterious volcanic rock island of Pantelleria, not far from Tunisia. Trapani's adjacent historic centre, with its small but compelling maze of ancient churches and gold-stone palazzi (mansions), is a mellow place to stroll, for both locals and travellers awaiting their next boat. From late afternoon onwards, car-free main street Via Garibaldi buzzes with what feels like the entire town out in force enjoying their lazy, absolute sacrosanct passeggiata (early evening stroll). Join them.

Explore Trapani

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Chiesa Anime Sante del Purgatorio
Just off the corso in the heart of the city, this church houses the impressive 18th-century misteri, 20 life-sized wooden effigies depicting the story of…
M
Museo Nazionale Pepoli
Tucked away in the atmospheric cloister of a 14th-century Carmelite monastery, this wonderful decorative-arts museum dating from 1906–08 houses the…
V
Villa Margherita
Trapani's majestic central park, first laid out in 1878, is a relaxing spot to lounge in the shade of centurion trees, admire and learn about dozens of…
C
Chiesa di Santa Maria del Gesù
In the historic centre, this 16th-century Catalan-Gothic church safeguards the exquisite Madonna degli Angeli (Madonna of the Angels), a glazed terracotta…
P
Palazzo Senatorio
Dating to 1672 and designed by famed Trapanese architect Andrea Palma, this three-tiered baroque palazzo dominates the eastern end of pedestrianised Corso…
P
Palazzo Riccio di Morana
One of Trapani's most admired historic buildings, this 16th- to 18th-century palazzo (mansion) enjoys a creamy neoclassical facade and many an admiring…
C
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
The huge Cattedrale di San Lorenzo has a baroque facade and stuccoed interior. Constructed in 1421, the cathedral was modified dramatically over the…
P
Palazzo Fardella Fontana
This golden-hued 18th-century palace – today a local government building so only viewable from the exterior – is one of Trapani's finest examples of…

C
Chiesa Anime Sante del Purgatorio
Just off the corso in the heart of the city, this church houses the impressive 18th-century misteri, 20 life-sized wooden effigies depicting the story of…
M
Museo Nazionale Pepoli
Tucked away in the atmospheric cloister of a 14th-century Carmelite monastery, this wonderful decorative-arts museum dating from 1906–08 houses the…
V
Villa Margherita
Trapani's majestic central park, first laid out in 1878, is a relaxing spot to lounge in the shade of centurion trees, admire and learn about dozens of…
C
Chiesa di Santa Maria del Gesù
In the historic centre, this 16th-century Catalan-Gothic church safeguards the exquisite Madonna degli Angeli (Madonna of the Angels), a glazed terracotta…
P
Palazzo Senatorio
Dating to 1672 and designed by famed Trapanese architect Andrea Palma, this three-tiered baroque palazzo dominates the eastern end of pedestrianised Corso…
P
Palazzo Riccio di Morana
One of Trapani's most admired historic buildings, this 16th- to 18th-century palazzo (mansion) enjoys a creamy neoclassical facade and many an admiring…
C
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
The huge Cattedrale di San Lorenzo has a baroque facade and stuccoed interior. Constructed in 1421, the cathedral was modified dramatically over the…
P
Palazzo Fardella Fontana
This golden-hued 18th-century palace – today a local government building so only viewable from the exterior – is one of Trapani's finest examples of…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Trapani.

See
Chiesa Anime Sante del Purgatorio
Just off the corso in the heart of the city, this church houses the impressive 18th-century misteri, 20 life-sized wooden effigies depicting the story of…
See
Museo Nazionale Pepoli
Tucked away in the atmospheric cloister of a 14th-century Carmelite monastery, this wonderful decorative-arts museum dating from 1906–08 houses the…
See
Villa Margherita
Trapani's majestic central park, first laid out in 1878, is a relaxing spot to lounge in the shade of centurion trees, admire and learn about dozens of…
See
Chiesa di Santa Maria del Gesù
In the historic centre, this 16th-century Catalan-Gothic church safeguards the exquisite Madonna degli Angeli (Madonna of the Angels), a glazed terracotta…
See
Palazzo Senatorio
Dating to 1672 and designed by famed Trapanese architect Andrea Palma, this three-tiered baroque palazzo dominates the eastern end of pedestrianised Corso…
See
Palazzo Riccio di Morana
One of Trapani's most admired historic buildings, this 16th- to 18th-century palazzo (mansion) enjoys a creamy neoclassical facade and many an admiring…
See
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
The huge Cattedrale di San Lorenzo has a baroque facade and stuccoed interior. Constructed in 1421, the cathedral was modified dramatically over the…
See
Palazzo Fardella Fontana
This golden-hued 18th-century palace – today a local government building so only viewable from the exterior – is one of Trapani's finest examples of…

Guidebooks

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