Marsala

You might be familiar with the name “Marsala” because of the famous fortified wine that originates in the city - and in fact, one of Marsala’s nicknames is the “Città del Vino,” or city of wine. It would be a shame to get to this city on the western coast of Sicily and not try its namesake wine, but that’s surely not the only reason to visit.

Marsala is a historic port city, the furthest point west on the island of Sicily, and is known for its history, beaches, and, of course, wine. The ancient Roman city that once occupied this spot was one of the most important on the island, thanks to its position as a busy commercial port. Today, while Marsala is still a port city, it’s more of a tourist area than a commercial center.

Things to do and see in Marsala include an archaeological museum, a former Benedictine monastery (which houses a Garibaldi exhibit), the lagoon (popular with windsurfing and kite surfing), and the nearby island of Motya (an archaeological site where an ancient Greek city once stood).

Most people coming to this part of Sicily are likely attracted by the sun, sand, and surf - not to mention the relaxed attitude toward summer. Foodies will be interested in sampling Marsala’s namesake wine. The Marsala that gets exported is a fortified wine, but you’ll find a wider variety of Marsala available in the city itself.

Visitors to Marsala can fly into nearby Trapani and then take the train along the coast (the train from Palermo to Marsala takes more than three hours). If you plan to visit multiple places in Sicily, however, you would benefit from renting a car.