Segesta, Erice & Salt Pans tour from Palermo: Three Sicily stops

Three of Sicily's most storied places in one eight-hour loop

A full-day tour from Palermo visits Segesta's ancient Doric temple and theater, the medieval village of Erice perched on a mountain overlooking the Gulf of Trapani, and the Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Natural Reserve with its museum and working salt extraction tanks. The day ends with a tasting of Sicilian cannoli in Dattilo. A bilingual driver leads the route. Pickup from your hotel or port is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Segesta, Erice, and Trapani Salt Pans

• Visit Doric temple of Segesta
• Explore ancient theater of Segesta
• Tour medieval village of Erice
• See Castello di Venere and Pepoli Towers
• Visit Trapani salt pans and Salt Museum
• Taste Sicilian cannoli in Dattilo

The experience

The tour starts at Segesta, halfway between Palermo and Trapani, where the Doric temple stands on a hillside west of the ancient city: one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the western world. From there, you climb or take a shuttle bus to the ancient theater on Monte Barbaro's highest peak, built on the north side of the acropolis. The theater's position gives a sweeping panoramic view over the Gulf of Castellammare and still hosts summer performances and concerts. The climb is optional. A shuttle runs if the heat or your legs suggest it.

Erice comes next, a small medieval village perched on a mountain overlooking the Gulf of Trapani. Narrow paved streets, courtyards and churches fill the center. The Castello di Venere, a Norman-era castle, stands on the overhanging rock at the town's highest point and commands a 360-degree view. The cathedral with its tall bell tower marks the main entrance. During summer, a cable car connects Trapani to Erice's peak, cutting the climb if you prefer it.

The Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Natural Reserve is where the tour turns to salt extraction. The trade that made Trapani a commercial power across Europe for centuries. The Salt Museum shows the tanks where salt was drawn from seawater, along with the mills and period equipment used in the process. You see how salt is obtained and still is today. The day closes in Dattilo with a tasting of Sicilian cannoli, made from sheep's milk and crafted in a more artisanal style than most. This stop is included in the tour cost.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• pickup service from your hotel or port.
• a bilingual driver in Italian and English.
• child seats upon request.
• specialized infant seats available.
• and a tasting of Sicilian artisan cannoli in Dattilo.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Panormus Autoservizi

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want three distinct sites (ancient temple, medieval village, salt pans) covered in one day with a bilingual driver managing the route, so you focus on each stop rather than navigation.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What is the Doric temple at Segesta, and why is it worth the stop?

The Doric temple at Segesta is one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the western world, standing on a hillside outside the ancient city's walls. It is a major example of classical Greek architecture and sits in an open, dramatic setting that makes it visually striking even as a ruin.

Can I walk up to the theater at Segesta, or is there another way?

You can climb Monte Barbaro on foot to reach the ancient theater on the acropolis's north side, or a shuttle bus runs the route if you prefer not to hike, especially on hot days.

What makes Erice different from other villages in Sicily?

Erice is a small medieval village built on a mountain peak with narrow paved streets, courtyards and churches throughout. Its altitude gives a 360-degree panoramic view over the Gulf of Trapani, and the Castello di Venere, a Norman-era castle, stands on the overhanging rock at the town's edge with a spectacular vantage point.

How does salt extraction work at the Trapani salt pans?

The Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans extract salt from seawater using tanks, mills and period equipment on display in the Salt Museum. You see the tanks where salt was drawn and the tools used to complete the extraction process, and the method is still used today.

Are the Sicilian cannoli at the end of the tour included in the price?

Yes, a tasting of Sicilian cannoli in Dattilo is included in the tour cost. The cannoli are made from sheep's milk and crafted in a more artisanal style than typical versions.