My husband and I are planning a trip to Sicily next April. We are thinking of spending Easter week-end in Trapani and/or Erice. We are wondering if others have been in Trapani on the Easter week-end and can speak to the issue of the size of the crowds, noise levels at night, particularly on Good Friday when I understand that "thousands" come to Trapani to see the procession, and parking. If we stayed in Trapani, we would be in the historical core. We are also wondering about which church in the area might be nicest to celebrate Easter Sunday mass. We have considered staying in Erice and taking one or more day trips to Trapani. That seems to be a decent option if the funicular is in operation, but I understand that it can close unpredictably if weather is less than ideal, and neither taking the bus on a holiday week-end nor driving between the two sites (particularly if parking is likely to be a major issue) seems like a great option. If anyone can speak to any of these issues, it would be much appreciated!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11159 posts
I have not been there, but I have an extremely difficult time imagining those who gather for a Good Friday observance/procession are going to be a loud noisy bunch.
Fat Tuesday, probably; Good Friday , unthinkable
Posted by
US
598 posts
This past spring, we spent Holy Thursday and Good Friday in Trapani. Although it was crowded, it certainly was not overly noisy. The procession was impressive and very long; it went on for hours and into the night. We stayed at the Hotel Vittoria. Although we did not have a car, I know there is a parking lot across from this hotel. Unfortunately, I do not have any details on costs, etc., but it was very crowded. Good luck with your planning.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6508 posts
Have not been there that time of year. If the processions go well into the night, and you were staying in Erice, check the cable car operating hours to ensure it will be running when you want to return (funiviaerice.it). Also check the bus schedule from the historic center to the funivia as it is about an hour walk. While I liked Erice, for what you want to do, staying in Trapani with a day trip to Erice, seems the better option. On our recent trip, we stayed in Erice and took the funivia into Trapani. Our hotel in Erice, San Giovanni, had free parking directly in front of the hotel. I didn’t see parking for other hotels in Erice. You are smart not wanting to drive between the two towns. Driving up the hill to Erice once was sufficient. It wasn’t terrible, just lots of turns and watching for tour busses, but I wouldn’t want to drive it at night.
Posted by
Boston
1692 posts
I photographed the Trapani Easter procession back in the 1980's (!) and it was magical. The people, the music, the visual, the devotion. Do not miss this, it will live in your memory. They go all night long so if your jet lag is right, you'll be able to enjoy the procession at different times. The crowds are nice and respectful, so even when its crowded you can co-exist (tip - for extra crowd consideration, don't look Italian).
Look also for events on Easter morning nearby. If you have a car, you may be able to add other events. I think the one we attended was at Caltanissetta where statues of Jesus and Mary are carried toward each other at speed. When they meet, a flock of white doves are released and the crowd goes nuts.
Getting info back then was really tough, but there was a good travel book that we used that you might seek out: Easter in Sicily by Herbert Kubly who traveled there and wrote in the 1950's. He wrote of a different world we'll not see again.
Posted by
13 posts
My wife and I are also planning in being in Trapani for this next Easter. We fly into Palermo on the 17th of April and are planning on an Airbnb to the west of Palermo and then arriving in Erice early on Good Friday and staying until Easter. We have two weeks on the island and I would like to stay in small towns for two-three days at a time and doing day trips.
I have driven in Turkey extensively, most of the Italian mainland and N. Africa and do not believe the traffic will be too dissimilar.
Any tips?