Day trip to Erice and Marsala from Palermo with lunch and tastings

Erice is one of the most distinctive and well-preserved medieval hilltop towns in Sicily, and the journey there — approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Palermo — is itself part of the appeal, offering views of the Sicilian coastline and interior. Perched at 751 metres above sea level on a promontory above Trapani, Erice is famous for its narrow cobblestone streets, Norman castle, ancient walls, and the panoramic views over the Egadi Islands and the salt pans of Trapani. The town has an almost otherworldly atmosphere — particularly in the morning, when mist frequently surrounds the hilltop. It is also known for its traditional almond pastries (especially the local speciality, the genovese di Erice). Our semi-private tour (maximum 8 guests) includes a guided exploration of Erice with free time to browse the local shops and viewpoints.

The Marsala salt windmills are traditional wooden structures set among the extensive salt pans (saline) that line the 30-km coastal road between Trapani and Marsala, one of the most evocative routes in all of Italy. The windmills were used for centuries to grind salt and pump seawater into the salt pans, which are still in active production today. The combination of the windmills, the shallow pink-tinged salt water, the flamingoes that nest in the pans during migration, and the backdrop of the Egadi Islands creates a landscape that is unlike anywhere else in Italy. The salt pans are a protected natural area and a cultural heritage site. On this tour, you stop for a panoramic visit and photography at the salt windmills as part of the Marsala section of the day.

Yes — both a full traditional Sicilian lunch and a wine tasting are included in this day trip. The lunch takes place in Erice or Marsala at a local restaurant, featuring regional Sicilian cuisine: fresh fish, arancini, pasta alla Norma, or meat dishes depending on the season and the restaurant's offer. The wine tasting includes a selection of Sicilian wines — typically white, red, and the celebrated Marsala wine, a fortified wine with a distinctive amber colour and complex flavour, named after the town in which it has been produced since the 18th century. Marsala wine tasting at source, within its town of origin, is a particularly authentic element of this tour.

Erice is approximately 100 km from Palermo, and the drive takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes on the A29 motorway toward Trapani, followed by a winding ascent to the hilltop town. The drive itself passes through typical Sicilian inland landscapes — wheat fields, olive groves, vineyards, and the occasional agricultural town — before the sea coast of Trapani comes into view. Our tour departs from Palermo in a luxury Mercedes minivan with Wi-Fi on board. The full day tour lasts 9 hours, with the return journey to Palermo typically arriving in the late afternoon or early evening.

On a clear day from Erice, the views extend across the western coastline of Sicily in all directions. To the west and north, you can see the Egadi Islands — Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo — floating in the Mediterranean, historically significant as the site of the Battle of the Egadi Islands in 241 BC, the naval battle that ended the First Punic War. Below the promontory, the city of Trapani spreads out along its spit of land, with the salt pans visible to the south. On the clearest days, the Tunisian coast is reportedly visible on the horizon. The Norman Castle at the top of Erice also offers an elevated vantage point over the town and the surrounding landscape.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before the tour departure. For cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time, as well as in case of no-shows, the full amount will be charged.