The Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco (Saline di Trapani e Paceco) form a coastal nature reserve in western Sicily, known for traditional salt harvesting, flamingos, and historic windmills.

This 987-hectare protected area is managed by WWF Italy and forms part of Sicily’s network of coastal wetlands. Salt has been harvested here since Phoenician times.

• Established: 1995, managed by WWF Italy since 1996
• Location: Between Trapani and Marsala, including Nubia and Paceco
• Size: ~1,000 hectares
• Ecology: Over 270 bird species; vital stopover for African–European migration
• UNESCO: Part of the “Via del Sale” and Natura 2000 network
• Features: Salt basins, 49 historic windmills (some restored), salt-harvesting tradition

The reserve lies within the boundaries of the proposed Parco Nazionale delle Egadi e del Litorale Trapanese, a future national park that aims to integrate the Egadi Islands, coastal wetlands, and nearby marine areas into a unified protected area.

Areas

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Map of Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco

The reserve is divided into multiple named saltworks (saline), many still used for traditional salt production or conservation. Some are accessible via tours or bike paths; others are protected wetland zones.

• 38.0009812.527541 Salina Galia — Actively managed saltpan producing high‑quality organic sea salt using traditional methods. Known for its photogenic white salt piles.
• 37.9972512.521172 Salina Paceco — Historic basin near the town of Paceco, forming part of the reserve's original structure.
• 38.0026912.530853 Salina Bella — A scenic basin within the interconnected pond system. Offers reflections ideal for sunset photography.
• 38.0033712.513414 Salina Giamcomazzo — Smaller saltpan occasionally included in seasonal sunrise or sunset walking tours.
• 38.0072812.514085 Salina Ronchigilia — Intermediate saltpan representative of traditional production zones along the coast.
• 37.9916912.509856 Salina Morana — Southern section of the reserve, still used for salt extraction under WWF management.
• 37.9892112.517377 Salina Vecchia — “Old Saltpan,” now mostly preserved for natural habitat and biodiversity.
• 37.9911912.530298 Salina Maria Stella — Contains the restored windmill Mulino Maria Stella and the Salt Museum, with exhibits and guided tours.
• 37.966212.503679 Salina Sellinella — One of the reserve’s smaller salt‑pond clusters, Salina Sellinella is noted for its striking pink-tinged water—thanks to halophilic microorganisms—and is a prime flamingo-spotting site during migration periods.

The Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco are a popular day trip from Trapani, Erice, or Marsala. The reserve lies just 5–6 km south of Trapani and ~25 km north of Marsala, and is easily reached by car, bicycle, or guided tour.

Access and booking

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• Visitor Centre: Mulino Maria Stella in Nubia — houses the Salt Museum (Museo del Sale)
• Open: Year-round (guided visits usually Wed, Fri, Sat)
• Booking required: Yes — email or phone recommended
• Website: Official WWF Reserve site
• Contact:

📧 [email protected]

☎ +39 0923 867700 / +39 327 5621529

Vehicle & walking tours

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Many visitors join guided trips that combine the salt pans with Erice, Marsala, or nearby wine estates. Tours usually include round-trip transport, museum entry, and guided walks.

• Transfer Tour Trapani – Salt pans + Erice, private or small group, pickup from Trapani or port
• Tour of Sicily – Custom tours from Trapani or Palermo including salt flats, Marsala, wineries
• Trapani Emotions – Walking/photo tours of the salt works and coast
• Palermo Gourmet Tours – Palermo departures, combines salt, Marsala wine, and local tastings
• Wine Tours in Sicily – Day tours to salt flats, olive oil producers, and heritage cellars

The Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco offer a unique blend of natural beauty and industrial heritage. Visitors can explore restored windmills, a small salt museum, and extensive evaporation basins that change colour with the seasons. Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy birdwatching opportunities, especially during migration periods, while photographers are drawn to the dramatic sunsets reflected in the shallow ponds. The area’s centuries-old salt-making tradition remains visible across the reserve.

• 37.9830912.497791 Mulino Maria Stella (Salt Museum) (Museo del Sale). Historic windmill that houses the Salt Museum. Built for pumping and grinding, it now exhibits traditional tools, archival photographs, and salt-harvesting devices such as ntinni and Archimedean screws. Interprets the cultural and economic importance of salt in the region. 
• 37.9818412.495062 Torre di Nubia. A 16th‑century coastal watchtower beside Salina Culcasi, part of the defensive system against corsair raids—now a scenic landmark overlooking the salt basins. 
• 37.996612.535383 Historic windmills (Saline area). About 49 traditional stone windmills scattered throughout the reserve. Once used for pumping water and crushing salt, many have been restored and are especially photogenic at sunset. 
• 37.9938712.535074 Panoramic viewpoint. Shallow terraced basins where seawater evaporates, leaving behind layers of salt. Their shifting colours—from pale pink to silver—change with sunlight and salinity. 

The salt pans offer a peaceful setting for outdoor activities focused on nature and heritage. Walking and cycling paths wind through the basins, offering close views of saltworks, windmills, and birdlife. Sunrise and sunset are especially atmospheric, attracting photographers and wildlife watchers alike. Guided visits and seasonal harvesting experiences deepen the connection to this living landscape.

• 37.99512.531 Photography. One of the most iconic viewpoints in the reserve. The shallow basins reflect vivid skies at dusk — a favourite location for photographers. 
• 37.9892712.500222 Birdwatching. Wetland habitats supporting flamingos, herons, avocets, and dozens of migratory species. Most active in spring and autumn (Mar–May, Sep–Oct). 

The shop inside the Salt Museum offers locally harvested sea salt in various grades — including fine, coarse, and fior di sale (the delicate top layer). Visitors can also purchase salt-based cosmetics, artisanal soaps, books about the region’s salt history, and souvenirs featuring the reserve’s iconic windmills and flamingos. Most items are produced by local cooperatives or the WWF to support conservation work.

The Salt Pans reserve lies just a few kilometres from Trapani, Erice, and Paceco, all of which offer a wide range of accommodation. For travellers who prefer to stay closer to the salt basins themselves, a handful of guesthouses and agriturismi are located within or at the edge of the reserve, offering peaceful surroundings and views over the ponds.

• 37.9850812.509911 Casolare nelle Saline Guest House, Via murana, 25 91027 – Nubia, Paceco. A rustic, family-run B&B nestled within the reserve, with panoramic views over the salt basins and Egadi Islands. Guests praise its relaxed atmosphere and traditional Sicilian breakfasts. 
• 37.9836112.532212 Le Saline Hotel, Via delle Saline 30, Nubia (Paceco), ☏ +39 0923 867889. Comfortable, modern hotel overlooking the salt pans. Rooms have views of the reserve and Egadi Islands. Close to the Salt Museum and ideal for sunrise or sunset walks. 

• Zingaro Nature Reserve – Sicily’s first protected park, located along the coast between Scopello and San Vito lo Capo. Known for its network of hiking trails, secluded pebbled coves, and diverse Mediterranean flora.
• Monte Cofano Nature Reserve – A rugged coastal reserve near Custonaci with panoramic trails, prehistoric caves, and dramatic limestone cliffs rising from the sea.
• Stagnone Lagoon and Islands Nature Reserve – A shallow coastal lagoon near Marsala with saltpans, windmills, and the archaeological island of Mozia.
• Trapani – A lively coastal town with historic churches, seafood restaurants, and ferry links to the Aegadian Islands.
• Marsala – Renowned for its fortified wine, ancient ruins, and easy access to the Stagnone Lagoon.
• Aegadian Islands – A tranquil archipelago off the coast of Trapani, ideal for hiking, snorkeling, and boat excursions.