Beaches and Sea
the best destinations in Trapani and its province
If you love the sun and the sea, Trapani is the right city for your holiday. In addition to being a destination rich in charm, history and culture, Trapani and its province are famous for their beautiful coastline, interspersed as it is with enchanting bays that enclose a clean, crystal-clear sea with hues ranging from azure to green and dark blue. There are beaches for all tastes: both for those who like fine sandy ones and for those who prefer pebbly coves hidden among the cliffs. In short, whatever your idea of a holiday is, the beaches of the Trapani coast will surely captivate you.
The city is ideally located for exploring the beautiful west coast of Sicily. In fact, some of the most renowned seaside resorts on the island can be easily reached from Trapani. In addition to relaxing on the beaches and enjoying the summer holiday sun, those who love diving excursions can go on long dives to discover the wonderful seabed. Many of the beaches on the Trapani coast are also characterised by gently sloping seabeds, ideal as a destination for families with small children. Among the beaches in the province of Trapani that have been awarded the Green Flag for summer 2019, the recognition that indicates child-friendly beaches and seaside resorts, are: San Vito Lo Capo, Tre Fontane and Torretta Granitola in Campobello di Mazara, and Signorino in Marsala.
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San Giuliano beach in Trapani
Lying at the westernmost tip of Sicily, on a sunny peninsula stretching between large salt pans, to the south, and the San Giuliano Lido, to the north, Trapani has the great privilege of having beaches in the city and it is normal to go from urban to seaside within minutes. Also known as the city of two seas, it boasts beautiful coastlines and a charming sea, despite its proximity to the centre. A few kilometres from our boutique hotel is the San Giuliano Beach, famous for its crystal-clear waters. The wide coastline, which features both equipped bathing establishments and stretches of free beach, is characterised by a shallow sandy seabed, perfect for families with children.
Close to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele is a picturesque beach with free access, ideal for those who want to enjoy a swim without moving from the beauty of the city centre. Beneath the mighty medieval walls of ancient Trapani is the Spiaggia delle Mura di Tramontana, characterised by fine, golden sand, which becomes a favourite destination for tourists and swimmers in the summertime for its calm, crystal-clear waters. Also close to the city centre is the Torre di Ligny cliff, also known as ‘la vasca ru parrino’ (the priest’s basin), one of the city’s most picturesque spots, from which one can admire Mount Erice and the Egadi Islands. Further south, moving away from the centre, we find Marausa Beach, whose strong point is the water, which, apart from being very calm, has a higher temperature than that of other nearby beaches. From here you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
San Giuliano beach in Trapani
Lying at the westernmost tip of Sicily, on a sunny peninsula stretching between large salt pans, to the south, and the San Giuliano Lido, to the north, Trapani has the great privilege of having beaches in the city and it is normal to go from urban to seaside within minutes. Also known as the city of two seas, it boasts beautiful coastlines and a charming sea, despite its proximity to the centre. A few kilometres from our boutique hotel is the San Giuliano Beach, famous for its crystal-clear waters. The wide coastline, which features both equipped bathing establishments and stretches of free beach, is characterised by a shallow sandy seabed, perfect for families with children.
Close to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele is a picturesque beach with free access, ideal for those who want to enjoy a swim without moving from the beauty of the city centre. Beneath the mighty medieval walls of ancient Trapani is the Spiaggia delle Mura di Tramontana, characterised by fine, golden sand, which becomes a favourite destination for tourists and swimmers in the summertime for its calm, crystal-clear waters. Also close to the city centre is the Torre di Ligny cliff, also known as ‘la vasca ru parrino’ (the priest’s basin), one of the city’s most picturesque spots, from which one can admire Mount Erice and the Egadi Islands. Further south, moving away from the centre, we find Marausa Beach, whose strong point is the water, which, apart from being very calm, has a higher temperature than that of other nearby beaches. From here you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
San Vito Lo Capo and the Zingaro Nature Reserve
At this point, if we continue along the coast northwards, we reach San Vito Lo Capo, a tourist resort on the edge of the peninsula that closes the Gulf of Castellamare. Near the village is one of the landmarks of the entire area, the Tonnara del Secco, a large factory once used for tuna processing, now in ruins. An obligatory stop for those who want to learn about the history of this area, the tonnara is still a fascinating place, despite the fact that the nets have not been lowered since 1969.
A true pearl of the Mediterranean, San Vito Lo Capo is home to some of the area’s most fascinating beaches, gently lapped by a Caribbean sea, including the Zingaro Nature Reservecharacterised by small bays paved with white pebbles and a magnificent sea that during the day is tinged with unexpected shades of green and blue. The reserve extends from Tonnarella Dell’Uzzo to Cala Mazzo di Sciacca, in a pure and unspoilt corner of paradise. There are also important caves and Palaeolithic artefacts along the reserve’s routes.
In addition to the enchanting coves of the Zingaro Nature Reserve and the mythical urban beach of San Vito Lo CapoAlso noteworthy are: Cala Bue Marinoa true jewel of nature that offers a unique experience to its visitors, especially at sunset when the horizon turns red; the Isulidda Beachan enchanting oasis named after the rock that lies just in front of it; and the beautiful Bay of Santa Margheritabewitching and elegant, thanks to its pristine waters. Skirting the coast, a few steps from the Zingaro Nature Reserve, in the municipality of Castellamare del Golfo, is Scopello, a pretty seaside village perched on a cliff at the foot of which lies a small bay characterised by white pebbles that are washed by a sea that is always clean and crystal clear. In Castellammare del Golfo, in addition to the extensive coastline of fine sand of the Playa, there is also the Bay of Guidaloca and Cala Petrolo.
Marsala and its beaches
Moving instead along the coast to the south of Trapani is Marsala, home of the wine of the same name and a leading city in the wine industry. Here, the coastline is marked by the presence of the Stagnone Reserve, which includes the islands of Mozia, Isola Grande, Schola and Santa Maria as well as the coastal salt pans. This area is characterised by calm, clear waters, unspoilt nature and strips of land rich in history and archaeological remains. Not to be missed: the Punta Tramontana beach, famous for its white sand and transparent sea; and the San Teodoro beach, an enchanted and ever-changing place.
Marsala and its beaches
Moving instead along the coast to the south of Trapani is Marsala, home of the wine of the same name and a leading city in the wine industry. Here, the coastline is marked by the presence of the Stagnone Reserve, which includes the islands of Mozia, Isola Grande, Schola and Santa Maria as well as the coastal salt pans. This area is characterised by calm, clear waters, unspoilt nature and strips of land rich in history and archaeological remains. Not to be missed: the Punta Tramontana beach, famous for its white sand and transparent sea; and the San Teodoro beach, an enchanted and ever-changing place.
The south coast: Campobello di Mazara and Selinunte
Continuing along the coast towards the south we reach Campobello di Mazara, the main centre of the Cusa Coast, where they are definitely worth a visit: Cala dei Turchia sandy and rocky beach set in a beautiful tufa cove, ideal for snorkelling, diving and underwater fishing; Torretta Granitola, which has a jagged coastline with low cliffs where octopuses and shellfish hide; and the Three Fountains Beachperfect for families on holiday with children in tow. Advancing along the coast, one arrives at Selinunte, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the entire Mediterranean. Here one can admire the remains of no less than seven temples, some in a good state of preservation, built in a strict Doric order. A few kilometres from Selinunte is the small but charming Foce del Fiume Belice Nature Reserve, where there is a wonderful beach washed by a crystal-clear sea and surrounded by unspoilt nature. The reserve is home to several trails that can be travelled on foot or by mountain bike.
The Egadi Islands
Finally, the Egadi Islands, a wonderful archipelago off the coasts of Trapani and Marsala formed by the three major islands of Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo, and other smaller uninhabited islands such as Formica, Maraone, Stagnone and Galeotta, deserve a separate mention. Immersed in an evocative natural setting, these islands are an unmissable destination for those who want to discover the beauty of our sea, but also for those who love diving and snorkelling. Compared to Levanzo and Marettimo, the coast of Favignana is less indented and offers sea-lovers a variety of beaches, capable of satisfying the tastes of even the most demanding: Cala Azzurra, Praia, Lido Burrone and Marasolo are the main sandy beaches; Cala Graziosa, Preveto, Pirreca, Cala Rotonda and Cala del Pozzo are more jagged and rocky. But Favignana’s most beautiful and famous cove is undoubtedly Cala Rossa, a true corner of paradise.
So have we convinced you? All you have to do is pack your bags and head for Trapani. Awaiting you are beautiful beaches, crystal-clear sea and plenty of sunshine!
The Egadi Islands
Finally, the Egadi Islands, a wonderful archipelago off the coasts of Trapani and Marsala formed by the three major islands of Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo, and other smaller uninhabited islands such as Formica, Maraone, Stagnone and Galeotta, deserve a separate mention. Immersed in an evocative natural setting, these islands are an unmissable destination for those who want to discover the beauty of our sea, but also for those who love diving and snorkelling. Compared to Levanzo and Marettimo, the coast of Favignana is less indented and offers sea-lovers a variety of beaches, capable of satisfying the tastes of even the most demanding: Cala Azzurra, Praia, Lido Burrone and Marasolo are the main sandy beaches; Cala Graziosa, Preveto, Pirreca, Cala Rotonda and Cala del Pozzo are more jagged and rocky. But Favignana’s most beautiful and famous cove is undoubtedly Cala Rossa, a true corner of paradise.
So have we convinced you? All you have to do is pack your bags and head for Trapani. Awaiting you are beautiful beaches, crystal-clear sea and plenty of sunshine!
