Marsala is Sicily’s fourth-largest city and lies on the very western coast of the island, not far from Trapani Airport. As a result, together with the city of Trapani, it serves as one of the ideal starting points for exploring western Sicily.

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Although Marsala itself is not as rich in sights as other Sicilian towns, you can admire, for example, the extensive salt pans – pools of seawater from which salt is extracted – with their ancient-looking windmills, all within easy reach of the town.

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Marsala’s salt pans and windmills

The whole of western Sicily is famous for the desalination of seawater, a process carried out in the large reservoirs dotted around the Marsala area. The romantic scenery, with its pinkish water, is complemented by windmills and mountains of snow-white salt.

The most famous salt pans lie between Marsala and Trapani Airport, about 9 km from the town centre, and the best way to get there is by hire car.

Beaches and sights

The main attraction in Marsala is the beautiful Baroque Cathedral of St Thomas, as well as the archaeological site of Lilibeo, dating back to Roman times.

A strip of straight, well-maintained beaches with fine sand, about 5 km long, begins in the southern suburbs of Marsala in the Berbaro and Lido Signorino areas. The beaches are ideal for a relaxing one- or two-day break whilst travelling around Sicily.

Accommodation

Marsala, along with the city of Trapani, is one of the two cities that travellers choose as a base for their travels when flying into Trapani Airport. Accommodation here is relatively cheap, and you can find a simple private flat for as little as 41 eur per night for two people, whilst a standard hotel costs around 70 eur .

Hotels and accommodation in Marsala

Transport

As well as by car, Marsala is also accessible by train or bus; however, public transport is very infrequent for journeys to rural areas. It is, however, useful for travelling to other towns or to Trapani Airport.

• Trapani –Trenitalia trains, fare around 3 eur
• Palermo – Salemi buses, fare around 10 eur
• Agrigento – Lumiabuses, fare approx. 10 eur

What to see around

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