History buffs, photographers, and naturalists alike will appreciate a tour of the Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Natural Reserve, which covers a 2,500-acre stretch of lowlands along the Sicilian coast between Trapani and Paceco. The flats here have been used to collect sea salt for centuries, and the area is dotted with picturesque historic windmills and a former salt mill, today used as a museum dedicated to the local history of salt harvesting. Since 1995, the area has also been a protected area for wildlife under the direction of WWF Italy, and visitors can observe dozens of species of waterfowl, including flamingoes, cranes, storks, and osprey.
The Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Natural Reserve is a highlight of western Sicily, and included in day trips from Palermo or Trapani, and multi-day tours along with top attractions like the Segesta Archaeological Park, the medieval town of Erice, and the wineries of Marsala.
The Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Natural Reserve is located between Trapani and Paceco in the countryside of western Sicily. Take the SP21 highway to the salt flats, or join a guided tour including transportation.
The salt flats between Trapani and Paceco are particularly known for their stunning sunsets, as they look west over the Mediterranean Sea to the Egadi Islets off the coast. Visit late in the afternoon for the sunset and for the best birdwatching, as temperatures drop and the wildlife becomes more active.
Another notable attraction in western Sicily is the Segesta Archaeological Park, home to majestic ancient ruins dating from Magna Grecia including the main temple, built in the fifth century BC and one of the best-preserved examples of Doric architecture in the world, and the Greek theater, dating from the fourth century BC.