Trapani - the capital of the homonymous province, located on the Western coast of Sicily, washed by the Tyrrhenian sea.
Presently, Trapani is still an important fishing port and a leader in the salt industry. Sea salt in Trapani is still produced in traditional ways, that is why trebunskaya salt is considered to be one of the most prestigious, retaining beneficial trace elements. Many tourists buy local salt, both for themselves and as a gift.
Trapani is a small town and currently does not enjoy wide popularity among tourists. However, tourism is gradually growing, all thanks to the town's proximity to such popular destinations as Erice, Segesta and the Egadi Islands. However, for those who still decide to stay in Trapani for a day or two, will not be bored, the town has a historical center with interesting attractions and the waterfront.
The Beaches Of Trapani
A large part of the coast is the port. In the city center there is good beaches. There are, however, allocated for a beach holiday sections of the shoreline. Lido Paradiso is a fully equipped paid beach: changing cabins, sun beds and parasols, adult and children's pools, coffee shop, bar, pizzeria, shower and toilet, and in the evening on the beach and a disco.
Near Lido Paradiso is a small sandy area - free beach with no facilities.
Above the line of beach road and walking area
In addition residents and guests swim and sunbathe almost anywhere can go. Although for such purposes, the coast is not well suited.
Outside the center there are a couple of decent beaches, for example, the public beach of San Giuliano (San Giuliano beach), located 3 kilometers from the historical part of Trapani. The beach is long and sandy, on the beach, all necessary infrastructure beach, a dedicated area for sports games, there are several cafes.
On both sides of the beach of San Julian and rocky ledges, on which there are attractions. On the South side of the beach - a historical monument of the Tonnara of San Giuliano, with the North - wind mill (mulino a vento). Windmills - one of the symbols of Trapani, to see which are available in different places around the city. Now the mills are not working and are just part of the local landscape.
The best beach in the province of Trapani and one of the best in Sicily is the beach of San Vito Lo Capo, located 32 kilometers from Trapani centre. To get to the beach by direct bus from Trapani centre. Details about the beach of San Vito we told you earlier, to read and see pictures here.
The historical centre of Trapani
The historic centre of Trapani, where is concentrated the main attractions of the city, located on the so-called "nose city" - part of the land, disappearing into the sea.
In this area of old buildings, churches and narrow picturesque streets. The centre is small, it is easy to see in a few hours.
Main tourist streets of the historic centre are Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via G. Garibaldi. In the holiday season, these streets are always crowded, there are cafes and restaurants, bars and souvenir shops.
Via Vittorio Emanuele
Garibaldi Street
The main attractions of Trapani
One of the main attractions of Trapani, the magnificent complex of the Cathedral of the Annunciation, which includes:
- the main hall of the Cathedral Santuario Maria SS. Annunziata;
- a small Basilica-sanctuary of the blessed virgin Mary, also known as Madonna di Trapani (Madonna Di Trapani/Maria SS Annunziata), where the Holy of holies - the marble statue of the Madonna of Trapani with a baby in her arms;
and the Museum Agostino Pepoli (Museo Regionale Conte Agostino Pepoli). This ancient monastery is currently the "regional Museum Agostino Pepoli" and one of the most important Sicilian museums. It should be noted, informative and interesting place, I recommend a visit.
On Corso Vittorio Emanuele focused three main dominant
The Palace of the senators or Cavarretta (Palazzo Senatorio Palazzo Cavarretta) is one of the most recognizable places in Trapani. The facade of the building made in the Baroque style, it is decorated with marble statues and a massive clock and calendar.
Near the Baroque Chiesa del Collegio dei Gesuiti
And the major Church of Trapani Cathedral of San Lorenzo (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo Martire). Facade of the Church in the Baroque style with a high, narrow bell tower stands out among the narrow streets of the historic center and immediately catches the eye.
Also in the historic center you can see
Church of Purgatorio (Chiesa Anime Sante del Purgatorio). One of the many historic and most beautiful churches in Trapani, but not even that makes the Church unique, but what it hides inside. This Church is of the 17th century is home to Misteri, 20 wooden displays, describing scenes of the Passion of Christ. Some of them are original, Dating back to the 18th century, while the other is reproduction, replacing those that were broken or damaged in the course of its history. Every year on Good Friday, these images rise to the various guilds on a large platform and carried in a festive procession around the city.
The feast of the "Procession of the sacraments" or "Mysteries Procession" is a religious procession held annually in Trapani on Friday before the Catholic Easter. The procession starts at 14:00 o'clock from the Church of Purgatorio, runs on all the most important streets of the city and ends on the next day on Saturday at 12:00. Together with the procession coming bands, as well as residents and guests of the city.
Near the Church is old the fish market square (Piazza Mercato del Pesce), made in the form of a semicircle and is decorated with numerous arches. Sometimes the area of spend social events, whereas in normal days the market looks more deserted and desolate than visited.
From the fishing the area dates back to the old promenade, where there are remains of fortifications (Bastione Conca).
In the most Western part of the city, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Strait of Sicily, Linyi Watchtower (Torre Ligny), considered one of the symbols of Trapani. The tower was built in 1671 during the Spanish domination in Sicily, to protect the city from the raids of the Barbary pirates. The tower has quadrilateral shaped tapering to the top. Currently, the tower is a Museum, entrance fee is 1 Euro.
Church of Badia Nuova with an interesting interior, different from the rest of the churches of Trapani.
Two adjacent little churches: San Domenico (Chiesa San Domenico) and Lazarillo (Chiesa del Rosariello) a seemingly inconspicuous, but the architecture is so characteristic of small towns of Sicily.
Small Saturn fountain (Fontana di Saturno), built in 1342 and standing next to Church of Sant'agostino (Saint Agostino).
In Piazza Vittorio Emanuele is pretty big, but it looks abandoned, the Triton fountain (Fontana di Tritone), built in 1890, and a bronze monument in the center of the fountain dates back to 1951. Opposite the fountain is the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II.
Near the square is a small green Park of Villa Margherita with Seating and playgrounds.
Events, holidays, activities of the province of Trapani
In the month of July in the Park of Villa Margherita spend the summer Opera festival. Also in July in Marsala, a festival of the swordfish. August 7, Trapani gorgeous Day is celebrated Patron of the city of St. albert, and August 16, the day the city's patron Saint - the Madonna of Trapani. In September in San Vito Lo Capo in a big way is the most famous food festival (gastronomy festival) - festival of couscous "CousCous Fest", for these purposes, on the main streets of the resort set the tents-pavilions.
What to see in and around Trapani
Around Trapani, attention should be given suspended in time to a medieval town on the mountain of Erice, where a large number of ancient sites, narrow streets and small square, green Park and cliffs, the Basilica and the museums, castles, and gorgeous views from the mountain. A detailed article on Erice and on how to get from Trapani to Erice, it is possible to read and see pictures here.
8 kilometers from the city center, in the direction of Marsala, you can see the salt flats of Trapaniby visiting the natural reserve of Saline di Nubia and(or) salt Museum. And from Trapani port to take a boat tour to the Egadi Islands, a group of five small rocky Islands located in the North-Western coast of Sicily, near the cities of Trapani and Marsala, with a total area of 37,45 square kilometers.
Where to stay in Trapani
Hotel chain in Trapani are quite good. Here you can find a variety of options: from budget to quite luxurious. If you come to see the sights, choose the accommodation more comfortable closer to the historical center.
All accommodation in Trapani can view and book here.
How to get to Trapani
16 kilometers from Trapani centre is the international airport of Trapani named Vincenzo Florio or, as it is called - Trapani Birgi (Aeroporto Vincenzo Florio Trapani Birgi/TPS). Trapani Birgi airport receives, as a local (from Italy) and international flights, including from Europe. Cheap you can look here.
To reach from the airports of Trapani and Palermo to Trapani centre is possible by direct bus or taxi. To order a taxi/Shuttle service in advance, even from home. At any time of the day, at the airport, you will meet your driver with a sign, which will be written your name and surname. For taxi is enough to tell us your flight details!
Photos of the streets of the historic center of Trapani
All accommodation facilities in Sicily, you can view and book here 
