Marsala is peaceful and charming. It is worth immersing yourself in the wonderful atmosphere of paradise beaches and water sports, and of course sunbathing! The monuments are also very fascinating: you can see the remains of the old city walls (the city grew on the ruins of ancient Carthage Lilybaeum), beautiful gates, a cathedral, numerous old churches, intimate squares, gardens and other alleys. There is also a museum of contemporary art in a former monastery, a municipal archive in an old church, 16th-century tapestries in the Museo Degli Arazzi Fiamminghi and a famous Phoenician ship from 241 BC. in the Baglio Anselmi archaeological museum.
The city’s charm is enhanced by numerous tiny wine shops, shops selling local products and restaurants with a few tables on the sidewalk. At the same time, the city is not full of tourists.
Marsala is located western part of Sicily, on the coast between the Mediterranean Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the province of Trapani.
MARINE CLIMATE:
BEACHES
- Marakaibbo beach is known for its pristine white sands and crystal clear blue waters. This beach is part of Lido Marakaibbo, a beach resort that carefully integrates amenities into its natural surroundings.
- Delfino Beach Lido is known for its shallow waters and pet-friendly environment. It is a well-maintained and clean bathing facility with a variety of amenities.
- Scogliera Cala Azzurra is characterized by clear blue waters and white sands. It offers a peaceful atmosphere despite the crowds.
- Scogliera di Cala Rossa is a picturesque beach known for its stunning natural features, including crystal clear waters and red rock formations.
THE LAGOON OF STAGNONE
The lagoon of STAGNONE is part of the Mediterranean Sea in front of Marsala.
The lagoon is bounded by an island called “Long Island” due to its long geographical shape. Inside the lagoon there are the famous island of Mozia and another small island called Santa Maria.
The water level in the lagoon varies from a few centimeters to a maximum of 2 meters.
The strong point of the spot is that during the summer the water is always warm.
CAMPING SITES:
- Lilybeo Village Camping & Residence
- Camping Biscione
VINEYARD:
Cantine Florio
Go to the historic Cantine Florio, one of the oldest wineries in Italy and certainly one of the most beautiful. Here you will find cellars filled with countless barrels of wine, some of which miraculously escaped the Allied bombing campaign during World War II. Other noteworthy wineries include Cantine Pellegrino, Caruso e Minini and Donnafugata.
OLD TOWN:
In the historic center of Marsala you will find charming, narrow streets and the main square of Marsala – Piazza della Repubblica, where the Duomo di San Tommaso di Canterbury, Palazzo VII Aprile and the 16th-century Chiesa del Purgatorio with a two-story baroque façade are located. The square is also home to the Museo degli Arazzi Fiamminghi (tapestry museum), which houses eight wonderful Flemish wool and silk tapestries by Cornelis Tons.
MONUMENTS:
Marsala Cathedral
Built in the 17th century in Baroque style, the cathedral impresses with its magnificent façade, the richly decorated interior and the crypt with the tombs of Sicilian nobles. The facade of the cathedral is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. It is richly decorated with sculptures, columns and portals. The three-storey bell tower rises above the façade and offers a breathtaking view of the city.
Inside the cathedral, you can expect a magnificent interior with marble floors, gilded stucco work and frescoes. Admire the ornate paintings depicting scenes from the life of St. Thomas of Canterbury and other biblical figures. The cathedral also houses an 18th century organ, which is still played regularly today.
Saline of the Laguna Marsala
SEI- Saline Ettore and Infersa since 1996 promoting sea salt through cultural, experiential and sensorial activities related to salt. In fact, inside the salt pans you can visit the 16th century mill, walk in the salt pan, taste the salt, participate in the salt harvest and even sleep in the salt pan.
MUSEUMS:
Museo Archeologico Baglio Anselmi
In 1986, the Baglio Anselmi was transformed into a museum with the aim of hosting the wreck of the Punic ship and exhibiting precious archaeological evidence that illustrates the history of Lilibeo. At the main entrance there are two large exhibition spaces: the one on the right, dedicated to underwater discoveries, contains among other things the wreck of the Punic ship, a rich collection of transport amphorae, anchor shackles and the load of Arab-Norman remains found off the coast of Lido Signorino.
The room on the left, preceded by a room with graphic and photographic documentation, is reserved for Lilybaeum and displays, in a chronological and topographical order, the archaeological evidence of the city and its territory from its origins to the medieval period.
Museum of Flemish-Era Tapestries
The Museum of Flemish Tapestries in Marsala is a small jewel where precious tapestries from the late sixteenth century are kept. The small and suggestive Museum is located in the historic center of Marsala in via Garaffa 57.
FISH MARKET:
Mercato del Pesce
The fish market is one of the most evocative corners of the city, where, accompanied by the shouting of the sellers and solicited by their tempting proposals on the quality and freshness of the catch, you can buy the prized fish from Stagnone.
