From Palermo Sicilian Retreat Erice & Marsala Tour with Lunch

Recommended by 90% of travelers

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Palermo, Italy

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

9 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.7

· Karen_A ·

Oct 2025

The tour is just perfect . Our guide Renato was excellent , great driver , patient and very knowledgeable. The sites that we visited were beautiful and the wine tasting and lunch was the cherry on the top ! Totally recommend this tour . Very professionally handled . 100% satisfied

· Melissa_J ·

Oct 2025

This was a fantastic day in all regards! The places we visited, the most comfortable transportation, the wonderful, copious and delicious lunch and wine tasting, our super competent and friendly driver … and GiGi … one of the best guides ever! Don’t miss it when in Palermo!!

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Overview

Step away from Palermo for a day to discover two of Sicily’s unsung attractions on the island’s west side. This day-long tour visits the medieval hill town of Erice where views cascade down to the sea, and the town of Marsala, famous for its sweet wine and salt plains. Lunch and wine are included mid-tour, and you’ll get the lowdown on the Sicilian towns from an attentive driver-guide.

See some of Sicily’s lesser-visited towns on a day-long tour
Chat with ease, traveling with an English-speaking driver-guide
Visit a winery or farm for lunch, and enjoy a typical meal
Escape the Sicilian daytime heat in an air-conditioned vehicle

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
English speaking driver/tour leader
Exploration of Erice
Exterior tour of the Marsala salt pans
Lunch

Typical Sicilian lunch in a winery or farm
Complimentary water bottle
Engaging wine tasting session

Gratuities
Hotel pick up and drop off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Via Volturno, 44, 90138 Palermo PA, Italy
TOWNS OF ITALY TOURIST HUB & COOKING SCHOOL | PALERMO Located at Via Volturno, 44, 90138 Palermo. We kindly request your arrival at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure. Regrettably, we cannot accommodate latecomers.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

Erice

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Marsala

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Saline of the Laguna Marsala

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate

We suggest good walking shoes (no flip-flops!) as well as hat and sunscreen
The tour runs rain or shine
Please note that this tour might be run on Mercedes luxury vans or Mercedes luxury minibuses according to the tour occupancy and always providing the highest possible quality
We are sorry to inform you that pets are not permitted on our tours
Please inform us first about food allergies and intolerances
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.7

based on 72 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Awesome tour !!

Karen_A, Oct 2025

Really cool to see the...

Dominic_V, Oct 2025

Really cool to see the castle town of Erice, Salt pans, and winery in Marsala. The winery was certainly the highlight. Very welcoming service. Only thing was it is a lot of travel. We traveled more than our tour which, if expected, is completely worth the experience!

Highly Recommend!

Jon_S, Oct 2025

Our guide Gigi was amazing, she was personable and knowledgeable! Along the drive she gave so much information about the history and culture of the area. She was dedicated to making this excursion a memorable one. Our driver was very safe and actually followed the driving laws unlike all of the other tours I went on wirh other companies. I felt safe which made this a relaxing and enjoyable trip.

A Perfect Day Exploring Erice and Marsala

Aggie_P, Oct 2025

Our tour of Erice and Marsala was absolutely unforgettable! From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized, and our guide Luca and driver Renato made the day truly special. Erice felt like stepping back in time — the medieval streets, breathtaking views, and delicious pastries were a dream. Marsala was equally impressive, especially our lunch at a beautiful winery and visiting the beautiful salt flats. What I loved most was how much passion and knowledge our guide shared about Sicilian history, culture, and traditions. It wasn’t just sightseeing — it felt like being welcomed into the heart of Sicily. I left with amazing memories, stunning photos, and a real appreciation for this incredible region. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting western Sicily — it’s a perfect mix of history, scenery, and authentic local experiences! 🌅🍷 Grazie Mille Aggie

Fantastic Tour! Highly Recommended!

Melissa_J, Oct 2025

This is not an honest or ethical tour company

Scott_S, Sep 2025

I made a mistake and double booked this tour. I offered to reimburse the "Towns of Italy" for the cost of the commission paid to Viator. They thought ot better that I pay $180 four times for my wife and I. Then the office rep lied and stated that they were not paid by Viator for the tours they do. Really! Not annhonest nor ethical company...Beware!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Dear Scott, Please note that we are not authorized to cancel potential duplicate bookings, as they may refer to different guests. Additionally, each reservation includes a very convenient 24-hour cancellation policy, which allows full flexibility should any changes be needed. It is therefore the guest’s responsibility to carefully verify that no duplicate booking has been made. From the operator’s perspective, two bookings under the same lead passenger’s name could correspond to separate travelers or parties. Thank you very much for your kind understanding. Warm regards, Towns of Italy Customer Care

Do not miss!

Carol_M, Sep 2025

The trip to Erice was wonderful! A very knowlegeable guide and excellent driver The wine tour and lunch were excellent. A must do adventure!

Great day in Sicily

Hani_S, Sep 2025

Great tour , breathtaking sceneries, very knowledgeable guide and a very experienced bus driver. I strongly recommend this tour .

Good day out

Donna_B, Jul 2025

The first part of the trip was a bit strenuous, a lot of walking uphill, stairs and downhill. I suggest good walking shoes.It was a very hot day! The guide Luca was interesting and Roberto was an excellent driver! The rest of the trip was great, a visit to the salt flats and an excellent wine tasting and lunch

A top-notch guide and a memorable tour experience

Marija_P, Jun 2025

First off, I am happy to express my gratitude and say that your guide Renato Caprio was the most professional guide, and, hence, the best one I have had in my 3 weeks of stay in Sicily. And, I have taken very many tours. Renato's fluent Englush profiency and resorcefulness concerning the places we have visited are valuable professional assets. Also, his patience, kindness and positive attitude are traits which customer service companies shoud require from their guides. An uplifted customer is an empowered customer. That's how I have felt: extremely positive and happy to have made the right choice in choosing your tour package. That's how Renato has made me feel. Most of the tours I've taken in Sicily included only transportation and meeting time and place instructions with drivers and guides who could speak little or hardly any English. It is the resourcefulness, safety/exactness and clear instructions, language skills and a kind/charismatic/patient guide which make the magic ingredients for a guide/tour to be a successful and unforgettable holiday and life experience. Lack of these ingredients equal a cheap audio guide. I only feel sorry I haven't taken more tours with your company and guided by Renato as he has all the traits of a top-notch guide and driver possessing all the above-mentioned qualities. A word for Renato, too: Renato, keep up the good work and, please, cherish that positive mental attitude to life, your love for your work and what you do , and never lose that smile of yours.

An interesting variety of activities

Carol_J, Jun 2025

A lovely day trip out of Palermo with a variety of activities. The drive was scenic through the massive cliffs and hills with views over the sea, and the vista of vineyards and olive groves. We visited the historic medieval hilltop town, the salt pans and enjoyed a delightful lunch with wine at a historic vineyard.

We had difficulty finding...

Judi_D, Jun 2025

We had difficulty finding the meeting point and they were kind enough to help us out when we were lost. The shuttle was comfortable and air conditioned. Unfortunately the guide did not speak or understand English as advertised. We’ve been driving for an hour now and have no idea what we are seeing or anything about your city or country. Hopefully it will get better than just riding along the highway

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear that our team was able to assist you when you had trouble finding the meeting point, and that you found the shuttle comfortable and air-conditioned. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused during the initial part of your tour. Due to an unexpected emergency involving one of our drivers on June 2nd, we had to reorganize the service last minute using two minivans. Unfortunately, one of the two drivers was not English-speaking, and we understand this affected the quality of your experience during the drive. Please note that during the stops, all guests were assisted by the English-speaking driver/escort, and the staff at the winery also provided explanations in English. We hope these moments helped you reconnect with the spirit of the tour and enjoy the experience more fully. We truly value your comments, as they help us improve and ensure a better experience for future guests. Should you decide to travel with us again, we’d be happy to offer you a more seamless experience from beginning to end. Kind regards, Customer Care Team

We had a really nice time...

Evelyn_P, Jun 2025

We had a really nice time on this trip. Renato made the day fun by adding beautiful view stops and keeping us informed with facts and tales about our surroundings. We had a beautiful walk around Erice, followed by the salt flats and ending up at a gorgeous Marsala winery where we had a tour, tasting and delicious lunch. Renato’s excellent driving and guidance throughout made this interesting trip all the more special. Highly recommend!

The tour was enjoyable. ...

Vince_L, May 2025

The tour was enjoyable. The driver, Renato, was very informative and courteous. His English was excellent. Erice was a beautiful medieval town with great views below. The wine tasting in Marsala provided us with a wonderful lunch and tasting experience.

The offer included three...

Dzoanna_E, May 2025

The offer included three promised activities: visits to two towns and lunch. We did visit Erice and had lunch, although it was neither particularly generous nor varied—especially considering the rather steep price of the event. However, the second promised town, Marsala, was skipped altogether. So, do be careful and make sure you’re actually getting what was promised and paid for.

Must see adventure

Rick_B, May 2025

This is an amazing tour. I’m so glad we visited these two charming areas. Our guide Renato was very friendly and informative and made this a wonderful experience overall.

A great day out of Palermo

sozzle73, Apr 2025

A small group tour - friendly driver - see a bit of old Sicily in Erice; beautiful scenery; the salt pans followed by a delicious lunch with wine! This was a great day to finish our trip to Sicily - would highly recommend.

For wine, history snd views lovers

Agnieszka_B, Apr 2025

A beautiful trip led by the most kind smiley and well informed guy. Unforgettable views, stories and tastes. Strongly recommended.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! At Towns of Italy, we care deeply about creating unforgettable experiences, and we’re thrilled to know this journey — with its stories, views, and flavors — left a lasting impression. Your recommendation means the world to us. Grazie!

Marvelous day out!

Irene_E, Apr 2025

Marvelous day! Renato is a fantastic guide/driver. He took time to tell us interesting information about Sicily on our was to Erice. Erice is a magnificent place to visit! We would certainly go back! Marsala is charming and visiting the salts planes was so interesting. The wine tasting and lunch were divine. I definitely recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you for this fantastic review! We're delighted you had a marvelous day with Renato — he’ll be thrilled to hear your kind words. At Towns of Italy, we’re passionate about sharing Sicily’s beauty, flavors, and stories. So glad you enjoyed every moment. We’d love to welcome you back!

A perfect day in Sicily!

Jenna_B, Nov 2024

This tour was one of the highlights of my one month travel around Europe. You get to experience so much in this daylong tour, and it never felt rushed. Part of what made the day so great was our amazing guide Renato. He had a warm, easygoing personality and had so much knowledge to share. It was the perfect balance between relaxing and educational.

Not to be missed.

Rob_L, Oct 2024

Make time to include in your plans. Best tour on our trip. Guide was great, comfortable transport and excellent lunch.

Fantastic say

Craig_R, Oct 2024

The visit to Erice and the Donna Franca vineyard were fantastic! We spent the day with Renato, who was incredibly nice, thoughtful, and helpful. Be prepared for a long day, as Erice and Trapani/Marsala are not close to Palermo. But they took such good care of us and we all had a great time. The visit to the salt flats of Trapani was necessary, but frankly could have been removed. Erice is not to be missed, and the winery was fantastic. There, Manuela was a wonderful hostess. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this tour!

Lots of driving with no commentary

Susan_M, Sep 2024

Erice was magnificent but no time to stop. Headed for a pastry shop, had a pastry but no time to buy any to take away. Nice wine tour in Marsala with lunch but again no time to buy any wines.

A great tour with a super guide!

Amanda_J, Sep 2024

A really enjoyable tour with a fantastic guide in Renato who always checked in that we were okay, answered our Qs and made it lots of fun. Erice was wonderful to see and the winery in Marsala was really informative with a super host + the food and wine was delicious.

All Day Adventure!!

Michael_S, Sep 2024

Loved everything about this trip!! Renato and his team were very professional, informative and funny while taking us through our adventure. Each location was beautiful, opportunities for pictures and wrapped it with a delicious lunch full of wine and pastas at the vineyard! Would definitely recommend to escape the city side of Palermo and check out the beautiful country sites of Sicily!

Towns in Italy

annem_k, Sep 2024

Everything was amazing. Our guide assisted me when I couldn’t get to the destination in a timely manner.

Lovely day trip out of Palermo

Mark_C, Sep 2024

Comfortable trip to some beautiful places along NW of Sicily. Wonderful views from Erice and across salt flats near Marsala. Interesting trip to vineyard and meal in the beautifully refurbished grounds. Renato was friendly and knowledgeable. All good!

Erice, best guide and food!!!!! Cannot fault!!

Giuseppa_C, Sep 2024

This your with Renato was absolutely enjoyable. He was punctual, friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable in the areas we went too. Eric’s was simply magical, although foggy on the day, but made it even more mystical a place, and so that we could get the view Renato stop at another view point further the the hill so we wouldn’t miss out. The salt flats of Marsala was really fascinating and interesting. And the location for the wine tour and lunch was impeccable the most beautifully appointed winery. And Renato is already an excellent photo taken and does vey cool selfies. Cannot recommend this tour enough!! A must!! The day went by so quickly. Most enjoyable!!!

Erice & Marsala tour

Christine_C, Sep 2024

Did this full day tour with Renato. There were only 4 other ladies on this tour so it was very friendly. Renato is a star. Although not a tour guide, he was very informative and interesting to speak to about all sorts of things. He looked after us extremely well. The tour itself was excellent. The tour of the winery at Marsala and the lunch there at the end was great.