Erice

Culture & history tours

This popular 8-hour itinerary takes you to see the most interesting sites of western Sicily. With your guide you’ll visit and explore Segesta, a Greek archaeological site. Travel to Nubia and the Salt Pans in Trapani, and admire the Sicilian coast and natural landscapes en route. You’ll also stop at Erice, a medieval hilltop town. Enjoy spectacular views throughout the day. All of the sites are relatively near Palermo, meaning that you’ll have plenty of time to explore each of them. This itinerary is also known as the Elimians's Road, named for the Elimians who were among the first inhabitants of this part of Sicily.

On the itinerary is the medieval hilltop town of Erice lunch and a wine and olive oil tasting at a winery or typical farm, and a panoramic tour along Marsala’ s Salt Route! Palermo, the Sicilian capital, is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the whole of Italy. However, you might want to escape its hustle and bustle after a few days! And there's no better way to do that than a full day small group tour from Palermo to visit the fascinating town of Erice and to admire the unique panoramas of Marsala. You will depart from Palermo on a top notch minivan with an expert driver and tour leader. The first stop is the medieval hilltop village of Erice. Stroll through the narrow streets and find delightful little courtyards. Lookout for the viewpoints where you can see out to the Egadi Islands and over the city of Trapani. You will feel like travelling through times, surrounded by an ancient kind of beauty. Of course, when in Sicily, it’s always a good time for a snack and in Erice we will have a tasty break by tasting a local Sicilian granita. On some day trips, you might have to sort your own packed lunch, but not on this full day group tour from Palermo! After leaving Erice, you'll carry on along the west coast of Sicily to Marsala, a town famous for producing sweet wine and also, like the entire Sicily, an area where olive oil is a another special local product. You will have the chance to taste both of them, as we will stop for a full Sicilian lunch with a sample tasting of the best local wines and olive oil in a local winery or farm. The final stop on this full day group tour from Palermo is the natural and cultural site landscape which connects land and sea. Marvel at salt windmills and basins which are still in use today. The 30km road is one of the most evocative routes in Italy, and if you get out of your vehicle, you'll be able to feel the salt in the air! At the end of this unique and fantastic experience, you will return to Palermo.

Discover the history of Sicily from the Greeks to the Middle Ages with this day trip to Erice, the salt pans of Trapani, and Segesta. After pickup from selected locations in Palermo, drive to western Sicily to reach Erice. The ancient Elymian people founded this medieval town, once an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Continue to Trapani where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. In the afternoon, head to Segesta, another city founded by the Elymians. Visit the 5th-century Doric temple built on a hilltop just outside the ancient city. Admire the astonishing views, before returning to Palermo.

Discover some of the most interesting places in western Sicily on this 10-hour tour. We will visit Erice in the morning, immediately afterwards we will continue for a short visit to the salt museum and the salt pans of Trapani. In the beautiful town of Erice, you can enjoy an amazing lunch and than We will continue to Segesta and return to palermo after a visit to the archaeological park. There will be an English-speaking assistant on board our luxury bus or van to help you during the day, Wi-Fi, fresh water and charging outlets for your devices.

Free tasting of sicilian products in a tipic sicilian shop: wine, liquor, bruschetta with original trapanese pesto. Chocolate of Modica, Marsala wine, limoncello and other sicilian products. The tasting is free.

Benefit from an easy private transfer from Trapani Birgi to Trapani city. You will travel in either an 8-seater black Renault Trafic Minivans or a 5-seat Mercedes E-Class car, all new, comfortable, and spacious vehicles. Transfers can be made from Trapani Birgi Airport, Palermo airport to all destinations in western Sicily. Feel comfortable, as your driver has been working in the industry for several years, and will take care of your transfer in a professional way. Your drivers are qualified and ready to give advice on locations. Service is quick, convenient and economical, moving easily and absolutely safe and comfortable. Should you need to make transfers to and from the Sicilian airports of Trapani and Palermo, this transfer service is the best choice. 

Today h 8.15am be ready at pick up location to meet our driver and departure for Erice uptown. The Elymians settled in the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. At arrival, independent walk along the city centre with recommended stop at local pastry shop to taste some Sicilian local sweet. Enjoy a light lunch in a local Sicilian Olive Oil producer Farmhouse including tasting of mixed local products. This afternoon, we drive along the scenic Salt Way Road to admire the beautiful Saltpans where the sea-salt is still produced following the old Phoenician tradition preserved during the century. We then continue onto Marsala, the Arab “Marsa Allah” –Harbor of God–, is known in the whole world for one thing: Wine! The Marsala Wine comes from the western lands of Sicily and its name derives from the homonymous town. The Marsala is the oldest Italian wine, with an average alcohol content of about 18 degrees. Later we return to Palermo (estimated arrival time h 4pm ish depending on the traffic situation) Please note that if the tour does not reach at least two partecipants it will not be operated.

The tour will start from one of the meeting points located in Palermo or Mondello beach area. Then departure to tour western Sicily where we reach Erice uptown. The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. Later we travel through the Saltpans to see the historic salt flats works, where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. Then we continue onto Segesta, one of the major cities of the ancient indigenous Elymian people, to visit the unfinished Doric temple (Admission Fee: not included), late 5th century BC, built on a hilltop just outside of the ancient city and has a commanding view of the surrounding area. Then we return to Palermo. THE ITINERARY COULD BE OPERATED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION

Depart Palermo aboard a luxury bus equipped with every comfort. Your journey will begin in the bustling city of Palermo, where you will be welcomed aboard a luxury bus. The vehicle is designed to provide you with a pleasant and worry-free travel experience, with cell phone chargers to keep your devices charged, wifi to stay connected, a refrigerator to keep your drinks cool, and an air conditioning system to ensure maximum comfort during the journey. The first stop on your tour will be Erice, a charming medieval town situated on a hill about 750 meters above sea level. Once you arrive, you will have some free time to explore the cobblestone streets, admire the panoramic views of the coast and visit its fascinating sights, including the Castle of Venus and the Pepoli Tower. After visiting Erice, we will head to the Trapani Salt Pans, one of the oldest working salt pans in Europe. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about the sea salt production process and enjoy panoramic views of the evaporation ponds and traditional windmills that dot the salt landscape. To conclude this experience-filled day, we will head to a local winery for a tasting of authentic Sicilian wines. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of fine regional wines paired with local specialties over a delicious lunch. This will be a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Sicilian culinary culture and enjoy the unique flavors of the area.

A walk among breathtaking views, through the cobblestone streets of this small medieval village, but of much older history, expertly accompanied to discover with anecdotes and stories all the history of this enchanted village and the people who have made Erice, also called the city of 100 churches, great over the centuries. Visiting a workshop that is still in production, one will discover the ancient tradition of ceramics and Erice carpets, a typical artifact of Erice's hand-woven and decorated , one of a kind. All this while tasting the famous almond sweets.