Trapani (Sicily Italy)

Trapani is a port town located on Sicily Island's west-northwestern coast, with population around 70,000. As cruise port, Trapani is the gateway to the ancient Elymian city Segesta (later Greek colony) and to Aegadian Islands, the largest of which (Favignana) is approx 16 km (10 mi) southwest of Trapani.

City's economy is based on commercial fishing and canning. Local fishermen still use a barbaric technique for tuna fishing called mattanza. It involves a very large net - closed around a group of fish and drawn together. The fish are then hooked with harpoons and beaten to death with repeated blows. The city also exports coral, salt, marble, marsala wine.

Trapani is an important ferry port in Sicily, linking to Aegadian Islands, Pantelleria Island, Sardinia Island, North Africa (Tunisia). Trapani-Birgi Airport (Vincenzo Florio) is between Trapani and Marsala, and one of Sicily's all 5 airports (ranked 3rd largest by annual passenger traffic).

Ferries from Trapani (run by Liberty Lines Fast Ferries) connect the city to Favignana (15 daily crossings), Levanzo (15 daily), Marettimo (7 daily), Pantelleria (6 weekly), Ustica (1 weekly), Naples Beverello (1 weekly),

From Trapani are offered as shore excursions bus tours to the ancient Greek cities Selinunte and Segesta.