Marsala

Marsala is a seaport city in Sicily.

Understand

Marsala is located on one of the three "vertices" of Sicily, the one on the western side. It is also named "Capo Boeo" or "Capo Lilibeo". In 2010, it had about 80,000 inhabitants. It was founded by the Carthaginians, and named Lilybeo ("The town that looks at Libya"). Conquered by the Romans during the First Punic War, it was (not really) renamed Lilybaeum. During the Arabic dominion, it was named Marsala (probably after Marsa Allah, "God's harbour").

Marsala is home of the famous Marsala wine, used as dessert and in many recipes.

In 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi, heading the "Expedition of the Thousand", landed here and began the conquer of the Reign of two Sicilies. This is considered the start of the unification of Italy.

Get in

By plane

The airport of Trapani - Birgi (TPS ^IATA) is 20 km away. There are every day flights from/to Milan and Rome. The low-cost company RyanAir provides flights from/to island of Malta and many important European cities. It is possible to rent a car at the airport.

By train

From Palermo, there are a few local trains everyday. The trip takes approximately is 3hr 10 min. For further information, visit national operator FS.

• 1 Marsala railway station (Stazione di Marsala). (updated Aug 2021)

By car

Marsala can be reached by car through the A29 highway from Palermo. It is only about 150 km, so it should be possible to reach Marsala in little more than one hour. The A29 is a free-toll highway. There are no gas stations on the highway, but it is possible to find some gas stations right at some of the main exits.

By bus

From Palermo, in four stops, the Autoservizi Salemi provides buses every two or three hours, but the last one being at 17:30 in July.

Do

• ASD Volaturi Vela Club (Wind Surfing School), C/da San Teodoro, ☏ +39 3385049616. A friendly locally run windsurfing school where you can take one or many lessons. Operates south of Marausa, towards the Airport and Mozia - collection by minibus by arrangement. 

Eat

Sleep

Go next

• Mozia - island to the north with ancient remains
• Agrigento, 2 hr 20 min by bus