Segesta, Erice and Trapani – Full Day from Palemo

Explore western Sicily on a full-day excursion from Palermo, visiting the medieval hilltop town of Erice, the scenic Trapani salt pans, and the ancient Greek temple of Segesta. Enjoy panoramic views, historic charm, and natural beauty while discovering Sicily’s cultural and archaeological heritage.

Erice Old Town – A mountaintop village with medieval streets and panoramic views over the Gulf of Trapani.
Trapani Salt Pans – A striking landscape of windmills, salt mounds, and reflective pools, still used today.
Segesta Temple – One of Sicily’s most iconic and mysterious ancient ruins.
Egadi Islands Viewpoint – Stunning photo opportunity from Erice, overlooking western Sicily’s coast and islands.

Location: Palermo - Palermo, PA, Italy

Itinerary

Excursion departure from one of the MEETING POINTS closest to your own hotel. We will move towards the west of Sicily to reach Erice. The Elimos settled in the medieval city of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Perched on top of the mountain of the same name, the medieval village of Erice stands out for its 750 meters high, enjoying an exceptional panoramic view over the Gulf of Trapani and the Egadi islands on one side and the Valderice valley on the other. embracing the countryside of the Sicilian interior. Small and incredibly authentic, Erice is a maze of cobbled streets that flow between churches, squares and ancient courtyards that tempts its visitors to discover. After the visit, panoramic walk through the Trapani salt pans, where the ancient tradition of extracting salt by evaporation of seawater is still practiced. Impossible not to be seduced by the Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Nature Reserve, a natural area managed by WWF Italy and established in 1995. Its 1,000-hectare extension makes it one of the largest protected areas in Sicily, divided equally between the municipalities of Trapani and Paceco. Most of the reserve is made up of privately owned salt pans that are still active, where salt is extracted using centuries-old techniques by renowned companies. This afternoon we will continue to Segesta, one of the main cities of the ancient Elimos indigenous people, to visit the unfinished Doric temple (entrance to the temple is not included). Built at the end of the 5th century BC. C., on a hill on the outskirts of the ancient city and with a dominant view of the surrounding nature. You don't have to be a fan of Greek and Roman history to be impressed by Segesta: the ancient ruins of this important archaeological site have a powerful evocative force and a truly suggestive charm. At the end of this wonderful day, return to Palermo.