Western Sicily: Segesta, Erice and the salt pans

Gold mosaics at Monreale, a lone Greek temple, a roadless nature reserve, the hilltop town of Erice and windmills on the salt pans of Marsala.

Distance: 203 km (126 mi)
Driving: 2 h 49 min
Suggested days: 5
Stops: 8
Countries: Italy
Updated: September 9, 2026

At a glance: 5-day road trip of about 203 km (126 mi) with 8 stops, from Palermo to Selinunte. About 2 h 49 min of driving in total.

More road trips in Italy · More road trips from Palermo

Route description

From Palermo, climb to Monreale for its mosaic-covered cathedral, then take the A29 motorway (E90) west to Segesta, where the temple stands in open countryside. It gets very hot in summer, so plan the visit for the morning.

Turn north to Castellammare del Golfo and Scopello, with its old tuna fishery and sea stacks, for the southern entrance of the Zingaro reserve. There is no coast road through the reserve: to reach San Vito Lo Capo on the other side, drive round inland, about 40 km.

San Vito has one of Sicily’s best town beaches and hosts a couscous festival each September. Then head to Erice, a medieval town on a mountain above Trapani; a cable car also climbs from the city, and the summit is often in cloud while the coast is sunny.

South of Trapani the coastal Via del Sale runs past the salt pans and windmills of the Stagnone lagoon, where boats cross to Mozia. After Marsala and its wine cellars, follow the SS115 to Selinunte for the temples above the beach. Spring and autumn are ideal; all roads are fine for motorhomes.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

Palermo
Italy
Start
2

Monreale Cathedral
HistoryMonreale, Italy
A Norman cathedral whose walls are covered in gold mosaics, with a cloister of carved twin columns. The terrace behind looks over Palermo’s Conca d’Oro.
9 km
3

Segesta
HistoryCalatafimi-Segesta, Italy
A Doric temple standing alone on a hill, with a Greek theatre on the summit above. A shuttle bus climbs to the theatre; go early to avoid the heat.
54 km
4

Zingaro nature reserve
NatureSan Vito Lo Capo, Italy
Sicily’s first nature reserve: seven kilometres of roadless coast with coves reached only on foot. Entrances at Scopello and San Vito; bring water and swimming things.
19 km
5

San Vito Lo Capo
Italy
16 km
6

Erice
Italy
25 km
7

Stagnone salt pans
ViewsMarsala, Italy
Salt pans and windmills on the shallow Stagnone lagoon, glowing pink at sunset. Small boats cross to the Phoenician island of Mozia.
26 km
8

Selinunte
HistoryCastelvetrano, Italy
The temples and acropolis of a Greek city spread above the sea, one of the largest archaeological parks in Europe. A small electric train links the areas.
54 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

5 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: Palermo → Segesta · 63 km · 0 h 52 minOn the way: Monreale Cathedral.Overnight nearby, for example: camping Nausicaa (11 km); Camping Lu Baruni (12 km).
Day 2: Segesta → Zingaro nature reserve · 19 km · 0 h 16 minOvernight nearby, for example: Agricampeggio Scopello (1 km); camping Nausicaa (9 km).
Day 3: Zingaro nature reserve → Erice · 41 km · 0 h 34 minOn the way: San Vito Lo Capo.Overnight nearby, for example: camping Lido Valderice (5 km); L’hotel Le Saline (8 km).
Day 4: Erice → Stagnone salt pans · 26 km · 0 h 22 minOvernight nearby, for example: L’hotel Le Saline (14 km); AA NAUTISUB - TP (5 km).
Day 5: Stagnone salt pans → Selinunte · 54 km · 0 h 45 minOvernight nearby, for example: Helios Camping (5 km); Camping La Palma (12 km).

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August and December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

Practical notes for the road

Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.

FAQs

How long is Western Sicily: Segesta, Erice and the salt pans?

5-day road trip of about 203 km (126 mi) with 8 stops, from Palermo to Selinunte. About 2 h 49 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for Western Sicily: Segesta, Erice and the salt pans?

We suggest 5 days: about 2 h 49 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does Western Sicily: Segesta, Erice and the salt pans start and end?

It starts in Palermo and ends in Selinunte.

Which countries does Western Sicily: Segesta, Erice and the salt pans pass through?

Italy.

Where can you camp along Western Sicily: Segesta, Erice and the salt pans?

OpenStreetMap lists 37 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Parcheggio Auto Camper, IDEA VACANZE -PALERMO and Camping degli ulivi.

When is the best time for Western Sicily: Segesta, Erice and the salt pans?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)