Sciliy home base between Palermo and Trapani

[Ana3]

We want a single base between Palermo and Trapani for 7-10 days, with day trips in the area. The home base could be either of those cities or a town in between. We'll have a car and if staying in Palermo would only use the car if travelling outside of the city for day trips. Does it make sense to stay in Palermo, or would it be easier to stay in another town to do day trips in that area including trips a couple of days Palermo?

 

[daphnik]

Maybe avoid staying in Palermo if you have a car, my experience had been a bit stressful. You can find a nearby village to keep as your base, I agree with this idea!

 

[Ana3]

Maybe avoid staying in Palermo if you have a car, my experience had been a bit stressful. You can find a nearby village to keep as your base, I agree with this idea!

We'd like to stay put in our home base in the evenings (not driving) so we'd want a village that has a variety of restaurants and shops. Which village do you recommend between Trapani and Palermo?

 

[Tina]

I would stay in Trapani. Much less chaotic and stressful than Palermo, a much more relaxed vibe and it makes a great base to visit the surrounding area. Plenty of restaurants and stuff going on in the evening

Trapani October 2016 Trip report

A blog about travel, vacations and holidays in Italy and Spain with advice, tips and trip reports

slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com

 

[Ana3]

I would stay in Trapani. Much less chaotic and stressful than Palermo, a much more relaxed vibe and it makes a great base to visit the surrounding area. Plenty of restaurants and stuff going on in the evening

Trapani October 2016 Trip report

A blog about travel, vacations and holidays in Italy and Spain with advice, tips and trip reports

slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com

Tina, I read your trip report. Sounds like you had a great trip. I'm seriously considering Trapani as our home base. If driving from Trapani to Palermo for a day trip, do you have any suggestions of an area to park in Palermo that would best minimize driving in the city?

 

[daphnik]

We'd like to stay put in our home base in the evenings (not driving) so we'd want a village that has a variety of restaurants and shops. Which village do you recommend between Trapani and Palermo?

Last time we stayed in Palermo and did a Sicily road trip. Alcamo is pretty big, maybe you could find something there

 

[Steve R.]

Well, staying in Trapani gives you day trips down the coast & we really liked Mazara del'Vallo. There's also relatively easy access to several major wineries (Baglio Oneto & Planeta for example) if that's part of your interest.
However, as a big city guy, I am in love with Palermo and could easily park the car and spend at least 3 days of the 10 walking the inner city and taking in the various cultures, neighborhoods, markets, etc that it has to offer. And there's Monreale, only ½ hour away & not to be missed. Trapani in one direction, Cefalu in the other. And no lack of walkable nightlife for the stay. Well, you get what my recommendation is. Have a great time.

 

[Tina]

I can't advise about where to park in Palermo. If you are flying in or out of Palermo one solution would be to spend three nights at the beginning or end of the holiday before/after renting the car

 

[Ana3]

Last time we stayed in Palermo and did a Sicily road trip. Alcamo is pretty big, maybe you could find something there

Thank you for the suggestion, I'll do more research on Alcamo.

 

[Ana3]

Well, staying in Trapani gives you day trips down the coast & we really liked Mazara del'Vallo. There's also relatively easy access to several major wineries (Baglio Oneto & Planeta for example) if that's part of your interest.
However, as a big city guy, I am in love with Palermo and could easily park the car and spend at least 3 days of the 10 walking the inner city and taking in the various cultures, neighborhoods, markets, etc that it has to offer. And there's Monreale, only ½ hour away & not to be missed. Trapani in one direction, Cefalu in the other. And no lack of walkable nightlife for the stay. Well, you get what my recommendation is. Have a great time.

I was trying to stick to one base but I'm thinking now it might be wiser, since we land in Palermo, to stay in Palermo for 4 or 5 days since we'd already be there and then choose Trapani or Alcamo for another 4 or 5 days. Which neighborhoods of Palermo do you recommend?

 

[Ana3]

I can't advise about where to park in Palermo. If you are flying in or out of Palermo one solution would be to spend three nights at the beginning or end of the holiday before/after renting the car

Agreed, I think we'll do 4 or 5 nights in Palermo at the beginning since we'll land there. Thank you!