Overview
Discovering an ancient tradition of salt production
Large pink basins reflect heaps of white salt and large windmills. Arriving at the Saline di Trapani salt pans is like stepping back in time. Their history dates back to the 12th century, when the Normans began to exploit the area to extract “white gold”. Even today, centuries later, tradition is still respected here: the salt miners channel sea water into the basins to extract tonnes of a unique salt with impressive sensory characteristics.
Discover the history of this ancient trade at the Museo del Sale. But above all, take time to explore the almost 2500 acres of the Saline, spread between Trapani and Paceco. The salt pans become even more fascinating at sunset – bring your camera for some spectacular shots. If you can, visit the salt pans between July and September when you might spot magnificent pink flamingos and many other bird species, from herons to kingfishers, that pass through here on their migration to Africa.
