MarsalaSicily · Italy

All About Marsala

Famed for its wine, Marsala has long held an important place in the region’s history, and not just for wine lovers. One of the central Mediterranean’s oldest settlements, its sunny summer skies have welcomed everyone from ancient Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero (a one-time friend of Julius Caesar) and Giuseppe Garibaldi, the general who fought to unify Italy in the 1860s. Using Ferryscanner, it’s so easy to compare and book ferry tickets to Marsala. You’ll be looking forward to your trip in no time at all.

A gateway to the Aegadian Islands, consisting of Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo, Marsala has thankfully begun to be recognized as the wonderful destination that it is. What’s more, it’s an equally attractive town for those seeking out Sicily’s natural bounties as those looking to discover its historic ones. Marsala is able to boast 14 kilometers of diverse and dramatic coastline, culminating in sleepy lagoons dotted in historic windmills.Located close to the westernmost point of Sicily, Marsala is a short distance south of Trapani. Its port welcomes a steady number of ferries linking it to the delights of the Aegadian Islands.
 

Routes and Ferries to Marsala

Ferry tickets to Marsala can be purchased to each of the three main Aegadian Islands. There are up to 56 sailings to the islands each week, equivalent to an average of more than three sailings per day. These routes are operated by Liberty Lines, which is one of the largest high-speed ferry companies anywhere in the world. Its fleet of sleek vessels, catamarans, and hydrofoils connect together some of the most stunning places around Sicily, offering those with ferry tickets to Marsala comfortable seating and modern environmentally-friendly craft.

More than half of the 56 sailings per week link Marsala with Favignana, meaning that during the high season months of May to October, it’s easiest to find ferry tickets to Marsala from this island than any other. There are up to five sailings per day in either direction, lasting approximately half an hour, and costing around €10.

The journey to Levanzo from Marsala takes slightly longer at 50 minutes. Costing roughly the same as the one-way journey to Favignana, there is roughly one sailing a day. Last but not least, there are approximately two sailings per day (14 per week) to the island of Marettimo. Costing anywhere between €21 and €56 per adult passenger, the sailing time on this route is scheduled to last no more than one hour and ten minutes.

On each of these ferries, one piece of luggage of 60 x 40 x 20 cm is permitted per passenger as part of the cost of the ticket. Dogs are allowed on board, but must be placed either inside a pet carrier or muzzled for the whole length of the journey. Owners must also be able to provide staff with relevant vaccination certificates on board.

Lastly, Marsala is connected with both Trapani and Palermo, Sicily’s capital, by train. Operated by Trenitalia, it may not be the fastest way of traveling from point A to point B, but it is certainly one of the best ways to explore the inland panoramas that this side of the island has to offer. The closest airport to Marsala is in Trapani, which is largely seasonal and sees most of its flights coming from budget carriers.
 

Ports of Marsala

The port of Marsala is located on the southern side of the town. It lies just a few hundred meters from the historic center of Marsala and is well-connected to the town by road. Marsala train station is also within easy reach. Relatively small by the standards of ports such as Catania or Naples, it is a mixed use port used by both small private craft and the Liberty Lines ferries. You’ll find their ferry terminal at the northern end of the port, close to two public car parks.
 

Best Beaches in Marsala

This area of Sicily’s coast is arguably one of the finest, and least explored, of anywhere on the island. Pointing westward, sunsets regularly ignite the evening skies with a rainbow of oranges and pinks, while the warm year-round climate makes time on the beach an option most months of the year. You won’t find any areas of beaches within the town’s traditional limits, but don’t worry, there are plenty of excellent stretches a short distance away.

Punta Tramontana Beach

The beach at Punta Tramontana ticks plenty of boxes. A mixture of free-to-access public beaches and reserved areas with sun loungers and umbrellas, it offers sun-worships a fine sweep of almost flat sand. Meanwhile, the offshore breeze makes it a popular spot for windsurfers and kite surfers too.

Alcamo Marina Beach

Roughly an hour’s driving time from Marsala, the beach at Alcamo Marina sits within the bowl of a large bay, ensuring largely sheltered waters. Facing north, the journey is made worthwhile by the extent of fine sand available here, which is both wide and long. In total, it stretches for around three kilometers.

Bonagia Beach

Nearer to Trapani than Alcamo Marina but about the same traveling time away, Bonagia Beach belongs to a small village of the same name. Possibly even more picturesque than Punta Tramontana Beach, it is a combination of sand and smooth pebbles and edged by attractive natural rock formations that drift into the warm waves.
 

Places to Visit in Marsala

Beyond the town’s beaches and the allure of the Aegadian Islands, there are some excellent places to visit in Marsala. A mix of historic and natural attractions, many can be enjoyed without having to go too far away from the shopping streets and tempting restaurant menus of its center.

Lilybaeum Archeological Park

Identified as the ‘Parco Archeologico di Lilybeo’ on maps, this archeological park comprises a series of important remains from the past, including ancient streets, bathhouses, and Roman villas complete with intricate mosaic work. Its story is brought together in the onsite museum. Surrounded on three sides by the sea, for maximum impact, try and reach the site via the Porta Nuova gateway.

Stagnone Nature Reserve

The home of Punta Tramontana Beach, Stagnone Nature Reserve can be found just to the north of Marsala. Protecting an area of coastal flats that have been used for the production of salt for an unknown number of centuries, here you can find charmingly lovable windmills and birdlife that includes some of Europe’s only flamingoes.

Piazza della Repubblica

This is probably the most important, and visually arresting, of all the neat squares to be found in Marsala. It stands guarded by the mighty ‘duomo’, or cathedral. Within the church are a wealth of treasures, and a surprising history linked to English martyr Thomas Becket.
 

Transportation Around Marsala

There is a bus terminus located on Piazza del Popolo, close to the cathedral. From here most of the major bus routes around the city have a presence. The organized nature of the terminus also makes it one of the easiest places to hop onto a bus. You’ll need to buy a ticket from the newsstand before boarding. Taxis are the other main means of traveling around Marsala. They can be picked up from the roadside, although there’s no guarantee on how much English the driver may speak. They will know the major places to visit, the ports and hotels. For everything else, it’s best to have the address written down on a piece of paper.