Must-see attractions in Western Sicily

  • Ruins of Segesta

    Western Sicily

    One of western Sicily's must-see attractions, the ruins of Segesta straddle a lonely hilltop less than an hour from Palermo and Trapani. The…

  • Parco Archeologico di Selinunte

    Western Sicily

    The ancient Greek metropolis of Selinunte was built in the 7th century BC on a promontory overlooking the sea, and over two and a half centuries became…

  • Gibellina, Trapani, Italy. 11/07/2105.Cretto of Burri, land art work realized site-specific by Alberto Burri; Shutterstock ID 1697588782; your: Bridget Brown; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI Image Update

Cretto di Burri

    Cretto di Burri

    Western Sicily

    Midway between the ancient ruins of Selinunte (38km south) and Segesta (45km north) lies this extraordinary modern marvel – a disconcerting, lunar-like…

  • Greek temple in Selinunte

    Acropolis

    Western Sicily

    The Acropolis, the heart of Selinunte's political and social life, occupies a slanted plateau overlooking the now-silted-up Gorgo di Cottone. Huddled in…

  • Yellow wild flowers at dawn in Sicily

    Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro

    Western Sicily

    This coastal nature reserve is a hiker's paradise and a haven for wildlife, including the rare Bonelli’s eagle and 40 other bird species. Wild carob and…

  • Grotta del Genovese

    Western Sicily

    Between 6000 and 10,000 years old, the Upper Palaeolithic wall paintings and Neolithic incised drawings at the Genovese Cave were discovered in 1949 by…

  • Mulino della Saline Infersa

    Western Sicily

    The southernmost of the region's two salt museums is housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century windmill opposite the Mozia boat dock, 10km north of…

  • Giardino dell'Impossibile

    Western Sicily

    To get under the skin – quite literally – of the island of Favignana, take an eye-opening stroll around these unusual botanical gardens, created by owner…

  • Castello di Santa Caterina

    Western Sicily

    No visit to Favignana is complete without a memorable hike or run uphill to this hilltop fort, built atop an ancient Saracen fort in the 15th century and…

  • Lago Specchio di Venere

    Pantelleria

    Just inland from Pantelleria's north coast, the iridescent waters of this volcanic lake are a stunning sight. Along the southern lakeshore, natural hot…

  • Balata dei Turchi

    Pantelleria

    Those willing to brave the steep and treacherous 3km descent on an unpaved road will be rewarded with one of Pantelleria's most beautiful swimming spots,…

  • Mozia

    Western Sicily

    Located on the tiny island of San Pantaleo, ancient Mozia (also known as Motya or Mothia) was one of the Mediterranean's most important Phoenician…

  • Museo del Satiro Danzante

    Western Sicily

    The jewel in Mazara's crown, this museum revolves around its central exhibit, a bronze statue known as the Satiro danzante (Dancing Satyr), hauled from…

  • Chiesa Anime Sante del Purgatorio

    Trapani

    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…

  • Riserva Naturale Saline di Trapani e Paceco

    Western Sicily

    Administered by the World Wildlife Fund, this nature reserve protects 1000 hectares of saline (salt pans), divided into two zones, extending from Trapani…

  • Eastern Temples

    Western Sicily

    The eastern temples are the most stunning of all Selinunte's ruins, crowned by the majestic Temple E. Built in the 5th century BC and reconstructed in…

  • Greek Theatre

    Western Sicily

    Crowning the summit of Monte Bàrbaro, this 3rd-century BC Greek theatre is Segesta’s most prominent ruin after its famous Doric temple. The theatre…

  • Doric Temple

    Western Sicily

    Segesta's centrepiece is its remarkably well-preserved Doric temple, dating from around 430 BC. Standing in splendid isolation amid fields of wildflowers…

  • Castello di Venere

    Erice

    This 12th- to 13th-century Norman castle was built over the Temple of Venus, long a site of worship for the ancient Elymians, Phoenicians, Greeks and…

  • Museo Whitaker

    Western Sicily

    This museum on San Pantaleo island, 10km north of Marsala, houses a unique collection of Phoenician artefacts assembled over decades by amateur…

  • Temple C

    Western Sicily

    Virtually the symbol of Selinunte, Temple C is the oldest temple on the site, built in the middle of the 6th century BC. The stunning metopes found by…

  • Temple E

    Western Sicily

    Built in the 5th century BC and reconstructed in 1958, the majestic Temple E stands out among Selinunte's eastern group due to its completeness. As you…

  • Museo Archeologico Baglio Anselmi

    Marsala

    Marsala's finest treasure is the partially reconstructed remains of a Carthaginian liburna (warship) sunk off the Egadi Islands during the First Punic War…

  • Museo Nazionale Pepoli

    Trapani

    Tucked away in the atmospheric cloister of a 14th-century Carmelite monastery, this wonderful decorative-arts museum dating from 1906–08 houses the…

  • View of Porta Nuova in Marsala, Trapani, Sicily, Italy, Europe
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    Porta Nuova

    Marsala

    This old town gate marks the western edge of Marsala's historic centre.

  • Real Duomo

    Erice

    Erice's Royal Cathedral – a golden mirage of sculpted buttermilk stone and Carrara marble – was built in 1314 by order of a grateful Frederick III who…

  • Area Archaeologica di Cave di Cusa

    Western Sicily

    Most of the buttery yellow stone used to construct the great temples of Selinunte was hewn at these ancient Greek quarries. The setting is charming –…

  • Villa Margherita

    Trapani

    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…

  • Museo del Sale

    Western Sicily

    Set amid the salt pools 9km south of Trapani, this simple family-run museum in a historic windmill offers a wonderful perspective on Trapani's salt…

  • La Tonnara di Scopello

    Western Sicily

    Traditional tuna fishing is explored at this unusual seafront museum, in a vintage tonnara (tuna 'factory'), in operation from the 13th century until its…

  • Piazza della Repubblica

    Western Sicily

    Mazara's central piazza is an attractive space edged by elegant buildings, including the Cattedrale del San Salvatore, the two-storey Seminario dei…

  • Torre di Federico

    Erice

    Begin your Erice foray with a sweeping bird's-eye view of the medieval village from the top of this 28m-tall crenellated tower. It served as a lookout…

  • Parco Archeologico dei Sesi

    Pantelleria

    This archaeological site on Pantelleria's northwestern coast preserves the remains of several mound-shaped Megalithic stone necropolises known as sesi…

  • Temple B

    Western Sicily

    Up on Selinunte's Acropolis, this smaller temple dates from the Hellenistic period and could have been dedicated to the Agrigentan physiologist and…

  • La Casbah

    Western Sicily

    At the northwest corner of the historic centre, this multicultural maze of narrow streets was once the heart of the Saracen city. The main thoroughfare…

  • Temple A

    Western Sicily

    Temple A, along with Temple O, is closer to the sea than Selinunte's other temples. These two are also Selinunte's most recent temples, dating back…

  • Temple O

    Western Sicily

    Temple O, along with Temple A, is closer to the sea than Selinunte's other temples. These two are also Selinunte's most recent temples, dating back…

  • Piazza della Repubblica

    Marsala

    Marsala's most elegant piazza is dominated by the imposing Chiesa Madre. Just across the way, on the eastern side of the square, is the arcaded Palazzo…

  • Arco dell'Elefante

    Pantelleria

    This sweeping natural arch of rugged grey stone is reputed to look like an elephant's trunk – and indeed it does! To get here, first head for the twin…