Erice: walking day trip itinerary.

Perched on Mount Erice, a medieval style village is one of the unmissable stops on a Sicilian itinerary, especially if you are in Trapani area.

The true essence of Erice, in addition to the streets and medieval-style buildings, are the incredible views of the surrounding landscape. Due to its altitude (752 m above sea level) it is not uncommon some mist, but this is also what makes it even more fascinating.

!!Important: bring a sweater or jacket with you even during the hottest summer days, there could be strong wind here even on sunny days. !!

How to get there

You should know that you have several ways to reach Erice. Below you will find an overview of it.

By car or motorbike

From Trapani travel along "Strada Provinciale 31", from here you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Trapani, the sea, Aegadian islands, and the salt pans. Highly recommended to stop in the panoramic pitches that run along the road.

From Valderice, you will also enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Monte Cofano and the sea.

By cable car

You can also reach the village with the special cable car that leaves from Trapani. In this way you will reach Erice in just 10 minutes, while you will leave the city behind and enjoy glimpses of the sea and the salt pans. This solution is the most convenient if you want to spend a day up there in high season or you want to avoid the hassle of having to look for parking.

Visit the official website to consult always updated timetables and fares.

Funivia Trapani-Erice Cableway

www.funiviaerice.it

At the cable car station available car parkings.

BE AWARE: cable car can be closed in case of strong wind!

By bus

From Trapani, it is possible to reach the village by bus (AST company), the journey will take around 40 min (check the timetable and fares below).

Autolinee extraurbane

www.astsicilia.it

What to see

It is possible to visit Erice while accessing some of the most relevant churches buying "ERICE CARD" (check Erice municipality, see below: tourism section for updates about it)

News

www.comune.erice.tp.it

There is also a pass-partour (6€ in 2023) that allows entering 8 monuments: Real Duomo, King Federico's Tower, San Giuliano church, San Martino church, Ruderi Monastero SS. Salvatore, San Cataldo with "Casa Santa Sales", San Giovanni Battista church and San Pietro church). 

I recommend, if you don't want to enter all the churches (possible to vis to visit at least the Duomo, you won't get disappoint. 

Real Duomo: Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta

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Once you enter, you will get captured from the ceiling! It's a real masterpiece!

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Tower of King Federico (Bell Tower of the Mother Church)

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The tower is 28m high, 110 steps will lead you to the top. The stair especially at the last part is pretty narrow, do not go if you are claustrophobic! From this position you can enjoy a magnificent view that ranges from the reliefs of Monte Cofano to the peninsula of San Vito lo Capo, on the entire city of Trapani, the "Saline", till the city of Marsala; without neglecting the vast stretch of sea with the Aegadian archipelago. !! get ready to feel a bit of wind!!

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San Martino Church

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Unique church

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San Giuliano Church

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It's one of the ancient churches in Erice and on top of the highest point of the village. It's a nice small church, inside you will find the "Misteri"

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San Cataldo Church

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The possibility of visiting "Casa Santa sales", recently renovated, it's something, you can't miss!

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S. Pietro Church

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From the church, you can have access to the top part of the church and appreciate it from the perspective of Poor Clares (Clarisses). Moreover, in the museum, you can see handcrafts that the nuns were making in the convent (i.e statues in wax, special fabrics, ..)

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San Giovanni Battista Church

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The view from the terrace of this church is amazing, especially if it's a clear day! The inside is completely white. Outside, on the east side fan-shaped stairs.

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Porta Trapani

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If you reach Erice by cable car or bus, it's going to be your entrance into the village.

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San Domenico Church and Monastery

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It's possible to visit with Erice card

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Balio' Garden

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From here you can appreciate the Panorama on Trapani and Valderice. Most of the people come here, especially at sunset time!

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Porta Carmine

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Porta Spada

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Quartiere Spagnolo

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It's a bit outside the center but worth a visit

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Best "Genovesi"

Genovesi is this delicious shortcrust pastry filled with custard. Find below the two pastry shops, where you can find the best ones.

Pasticceria Maria Grammatico

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The famous one. Get ready to be on the line, before to get served. They have also a garden to appreciate their wonderful "delizie": GENOVESE! To try also "dolci di badìa" (almond pastries)

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Antica Pasticceria del Convento

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The pastry shop bakes delicious sweets following the nun's recipes. Try also mustaccioli and Cannolo

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Where to eat 

Ristorante Pizzeria Venus

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Osteria di Venere

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La Pentolaccia

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"La Vetta" Trattoria Pizzeria

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Bring home something typical?

The town has also preserved ancient traditional craft-making, such as ceramics reproducing both traditional patterns and contemporary designs and handloomed multicolored carpets.

Along the streets you will find different shops selling these products.

Let me know how was you Erice walking tour!