My husband and I are looking for suggestions regarding the best the best town for a base in northwest Sicily, Marsala or Trapani ?
We will be in Sicily for 8 nights - tentative itinerary is 3-4 nights - Marsala or Trapani, 1 night Agrigento, 2-3 nights Taormina & 1-2 in Lipari. Then off to the rest of Italy via car ferry for two weeks.
We have been to Italy many times, including Palermo, Cefalu & Taormina. We enjoy quaint seaside towns, good food, and seeing the day to day lives of locals.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
I would say that depends on what you plan to do those 3/4 nights and how you're getting around. Spent time in both Marsala and Trapani and enjoyed both. I stayed in Trapani which put me a bit closer to Castellamare del Golfo, Segesta, San Vito lo Capo and Palermo. Marsala puts you a bit closer to Agrigento for your next move. Either way though they are pretty close together. I think it took 40 mins or so to get from centro in Trapani to the same in Marsala. No more than an hour and that was driving with a decent amount of traffic. Recommend for a place to stay in Trapani. Baglio Oneto, pretty much on the Trapani/Marsala line, few minutes from the airport, nice rooms, great view, pool, winery/vineyard, good service, plenty of parking and very reasonable prices (at least in 2010 when I stayed there).
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
The town of Scopello, hands down!
Next to the Zingaro Marine Reserve. Short driving distance to Segesta, Erice, Selinunte, San Vito lo Capo, and much more.
http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/sicily/scopello.html
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Roberto is right about Scopello. I stayed in Trapani several years ago and I liked it, but probably wouldn't go again. Lipari is a good base for the nearby islands (especially Panarea, Stromboli, Vulcano) - you may want to spend more time there if you've already been to Taormina (cut one night from Taormina).
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Thanks for the suggestions. Very helpful. I will look into Scopello. Keep them coming! We will be driving. We like the independence of having a car. We enjoy getting up early and walking around the town (maybe visit the market for picnic items) before heading out for the day and spending time doing the same in the evening.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
http://www.pensionetranchina.com/
I stayed here, right in the heart of lively "downtown" Scopello (many American back yards are larger than downtown Scopello). You'll love that town and the Zingaro Natural Reserve makes it a perfect beach and/or hiking opportunity.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Thanks Roberto. We booked the pensione tranchino on Scopello. Looking forward to it.