Marsala

A historic western Sicilian city famous for its fortified wine and Phoenician ruins on the nearby Mothia island. A relaxed town with great food and culture.

Things to do

• Tour a Marsala Wine Cellar — Visit Florio or Pellegrino wineries for a guided tasting of the famous fortified wine.
• Mothia Island Archaeological Site — Take a short boat ride to this Phoenician island with fascinating ancient ruins and a museum.
• Museo Archeologico Baglio Anselmi — See the remarkably preserved ancient Carthaginian warship, the Punic Ship, on display here.
• Walk Via XI Maggio — Stroll the elegant main street lined with baroque buildings, shops, and cafes.
• Stagnone Lagoon Sunset — Kayak or take a boat through this shallow protected lagoon at golden hour for stunning views.

Food to try

• Marsala Wine — Try dry Marsala Vergine as an aperitif rather than only the sweet cooking version.
• Pesce alla Marsalese — Fish cooked in Marsala wine sauce, a local specialty showcasing the town's signature product.
• Busiata al Pesto Trapanese — Twisted pasta with a tomato-almond-basil pesto typical of western Sicily.
• Cassatella di Sant'Agata — Small ricotta-filled pastry shells dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Local customs & good to know

• Garibaldi History — Marsala is where Garibaldi landed in 1860 to begin the unification of Italy; locals are proud of this legacy.
• Wine Etiquette — When visiting wineries, it is polite to purchase at least a bottle after a free tasting tour.
• Afternoon Riposo — Most shops and sites close between 13:00 and 16:00; plan activities around this local custom.