Trapani is a great scythe of a bay on Sicily’s western coast, surrounding a blue stretch of water that eventually reaches spectacular Favignana and the Egadi group of islands. Its natural assets have made the town a key port, both for fishing, and for naval use, and it has a very colourful history. Today the bay plays its part attracting visitors, because some of the best places to stay in Trapani can be found around the bay, or overlooking it. It isn’t a huge tourist centre, but it’s got a range of accommodation options — we particularly like the converted villas, and farmhouse estates outside of town.

Trapani is the main ferry port for travel to the Egadi Islands, and the mysterious island of Pantelleria, and as the popularity of these remote, and unique outposts, has grown, so have visitor numbers to Trapani. This in turn has lead to restoration projects in the old centre of town, where the gorgeous medieval churches and Sicilian Baroque palazzos haven’t looked so impressive for decades. Trapani is another one of those Sicilian towns to have passed through a number of rulers, and it’s still possible to see the cultural and architectural marks they’ve left. There’s a sea castle, towers, and the remains of fortifications. And several beaches. Trapani’s archaeological museum has also been developed over recent years. Trapani is convenient for hill-top charmer Erice — which you can reach via funicular — Scorpello, Marsala, and historic Segesta, as well as being within a comfortable day trip of Palermo and Agrigento.

During the summer months the town hosts outdoor music events and festivals in the leafy park of the Villa Margherita, and it also puts on a number of events surrounding Easter.

If you're planning a visit here in the peak summer months, don't forget that the best places to stay in Trapani will be extremely busy during July and August. So do your homework and book well ahead to avoid disappointment.

The Best Places to Stay in Trapani

For Historic Trapani

• The Giardini Mon Plaisir is a charming, historic villa, converted into a six room hotel, and run by a friendly family in the centreof Trapani. The brightly coloured exterior, with its palm trees, pillars and wrought iron balconies, is more ornate than the clean lines of the more contemporary interiors, but the rooms still feature colourfully patterned ceramic tiles, and French windows. Outside there’s a pool and gardens, with a pleasant courtyard area too. There’s no restaurant, but there are plenty nearby, and the hotel offers breakfast.

For a Rural Escape

• The Baglio Soria Resort & Wine Experience is a contemporary resort, converted from a beautiful country vineyard estate outside Trapani. It has just eleven rooms and suites, all of them bright and spacious, with black and white photos and solid, square wood furniture. The largest suites have both private balconies and living space, so this is a great option for families. The pool has a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape, and the restaurant has a cooking school too.

For a Private apartment or private villa

• If you're travelling as a family or a group of friends it may be a better option to book a villa or apartment. For a wide range of properties for all tastes and budgets we recommend you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Trapani has its own airport, Trapani Airport, which is only about 15 or 20 minutes drive outside town. It is primarily used by European low-cost carriers, so it might be useful to look at the possibilities of travel to Palermo Airport too. Palermo Airport is about an hour away from Trapani by car, or about three hours by public transport.
• If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• Spring, or March through June, is a great time to visit Trapani, because the weather is sunny and mild, the tourist season hasn’t reached full swing, and the festival and events calendar is packed with activity leading up to Easter. During the summer months Trapani hosts outdoor music events and festivals in the leafy park of the Villa Margherita. July and August are properly hot, and the Mediterranean beaches and beach resorts are busy, and can be expensive, but the visitors tail off in September, though the sea is still warm and pleasant. The Scirocco winds bring a good amount of rainfall to Trapani in September. October is a good pick if you’re planning to visit Sicily’s museums and palaces, and admire the architecture, and we recommend September and October, and April and May, as the best times to visit for a walking holiday.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay on Sicily
• Or consider refining your search by the type of holiday you’re planning and focus on the best beach hotels on Sicily, Sicily’s great rural hotels or Sicily's best wine hotels
• You could also drill down by location, and focus on the best hotels near Mount Etna, or the best hotels near Agrigento
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.