Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made 15 or more days in advance of your tour date are fully refundable, minus our 3% credit card processing fee. See our complete Cancellation Policy for more information.
The Grand Tour of West Sicily: Segesta, Erice, & the Nubia Salt Pans
Day Trip
History
Archaeology
8 hours
Transportation Included
Private Tour
About
This is the classic day trip out from Palermo, and it’s a chance to visit places that we locals consider the “Pearls of Western Sicily”. This is always my most popular tour, and that’s with good reason: the 3 sites that we’ll visit today are spectacular! So if you’re looking for an unforgettable day that combines ancient history, beautiful medieval cities, and gorgeous scenery, you’re in for a treat.
We begin our journey with a visit to the ancient site of Segesta, one of the best places in Sicily to begin to understand what the truly ancient history of this island is like. Built by the Elymians, this is a truly unique place that precedes even the Greeks (!!) and contains a fabulously preserved Doric temple and an ancient theater. I’ve been here hundreds of times and I’m still in awe of it every time I visit.
After a couple of hours at Segesta, we’ll jump forward in time, continuing on to the picturesque and medieval hilltop town of Erice. Here, we’ll sit down for a nice lunch and then spend some time wandering through the narrow cobbled streets, medieval buildings, cafes, and a famous and fabulous old-school pastry shop. Of course, we’ll also make our way up to the imposing Castle of Venus, which offers expansive views over the countryside and coast (fog permitting!).
From Erice, another of my favorite places in Sicily is just down the hill from us: the incredible salt pans of Trapani and Paceco, where traditional salt harvesting methods have been practiced for centuries amidst stunning reflective pools.
Here, we have two options: we can stay in the car and take a drive through the salt pans, or we can park the car and go visit some of the pools, taking a little tour at an on-site museum and learning more about the harvesting process. And if we’re lucky, we’ll even spot some pink flamingos standing out in the lagoon!
After checking out the salt pans, we’ll head back toward Palermo (or wherever we started the tour from), finishing up a pretty marvelous day seeing some of the best that western Sicily has to offer.
Overview
Highlights
- Segesta's Temple & Theater
- Chiesa Matrice in Erice
- Castle of Venus
- Nubia Salt Pans
- Private tour - only you and your guide
Duration
Approximately 8 hours
Start Time
This tour can start at any of the following times: 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM
Included
- Your guide Gianluca
- Private round-trip transportation
Not Included
- Lunch
- Segesta entrance tickets (€20 per person)
- Erice Chiesa Matrice entrance tickets (€6 per person)
- Erice pastry shop tastings (€10 per person)
- Salt Pans Museum (€5 per person)
Languages
This tour can be delivered in English
Max Participants
This private tour can accommodate parties of up to 7 people
Price
This tour costs a flat fee of $840.00 USD
Transportation
Private round-trip transportation is included in the cost of this tour
Tour Itinerary
Pick up from your accommodation in or around Palermo
Approximately 2-hour visit to Segesta
Explore Erice, visit the castle and church, have lunch
Nubia Salt Pans with optional museum visit
Head back to your accommodation
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made 15 or more days in advance of your tour date are fully refundable, minus our 3% credit card processing fee. See our complete Cancellation Policy for more information.
