Segesta Archeological Park is what’s left of an ancient city in Sicily. The main attraction is the magnificently well-preserved Doric temple, its golden columns reaching towards a perpetually blue sky. An ancient theater also perches on top of a steep hill. Segesta is located in the middle of nowhere so along with its ruins, Segesta offers a serene escape away from the crowds.
Read on to learn about Segesta (map) – how to visit, what to take with you, what to expect, where to stay, where to eat, and what else to do in the area.
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How to Visit
Full price admission is €12 but if you want the shuttle bus up to see the theater, it’s an additional €2.50 (and unless you really like walking in the heat, don’t try to walk up to the theater). If the ticket line is long, you can skip it and buy tickets on the website but no need to buy ahead of time.
There is free parking onsite and the archeological park is open everyday at 9 a.m. to at least 5 p.m., depending on the time of year.
I recommend exploring Segesta as a day trip from Trapani (30 minutes by car), or Palermo (1 hour by car), or as a stop between the two. I’d also recommend going early or late in the day when the sun is less intense.
Here are some tours you could book if you’d rather just let someone else drive and handle the logistics. Make sure to confirm whether the price of your tour covers the entrance and shuttle fees.
What to Take With You
- Your ticket purchased online (here – admission only or here – admission & shuttle). You can also buy tickets at the gate.
- Water.
- Snacks.
- Sunscreen and anything else you might need to be comfortable and safe in the sun.
- Good walking shoes.
- Your phone or camera.
It’s worth noting that this particular archeological site isn’t known for its lively cafes and gift shops.
What to Expect
After parking, make your way over to the ticket sales window. If you bought a ticket online, you can skip right through to the entrance. You’ll first want to walk about 10 minutes uphill to the temple.
The Temple of Segesta is a Doric temple dating back to roughly 430 BCE and standing in the splendid isolation of the absolute middle of nowhere.
The temple has retained all of its columns, topped by a perfectly intact entablature – the beam thingy that goes on top – and a pediment – the triangular bit at the very top.
This unique completeness makes the Temple of Segesta worth seeing even if you’ve already traipsed through countless Greek temples.
And if, by some chance, you haven’t yet exhausted your quota of ancient theaters, Segesta has one of those as well. Not particularly grand, mind you, but undeniably ancient.
So after visiting the temple, walk back to the shuttle stop near the entrance. The shuttle runs approximately every 15 minutes or when it’s full. It will take you up the hill and drop you off near the theater. It’s about a 5 minute ride or a miserably hot and steep 30 minute walk. Take some time to visit the theater which was built using local limestone and could accommodate up to 4000 people. The theater still hosts concerts, plays and other events in the summer.
While you wait for the shuttle back down, check out the entirely unrecognizable ruins of a church, castle, and agora and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
What Else to Do around Segesta
A visit to Segesta shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours so you definitely have time to explore more of Sicily in the same day. Here are a few ideas.
Trapani
In Trapani, a Sicilian seaside town, sun-drenched streets twist and turn like a whispered promise, each corner a potential portal to a piazza bathed in golden light. Let yourself get lost in Trapani’s charm or follow my self-guided walking tour.
Erice
Nestled precariously on a mountaintop above Trapani, Erice isn’t for the faint of heart (or those without sensible shoes. Cobbled streets wind more like a tipsy donkey path than a sidewalk, but the destination is delightful. Weave between fragrant pastry shops, castles, churches, ancient stone walls, and stunning views using my self-guided walking tour.
Salt Pans
Visit the Saline di Trapani, a 35 minute drive from Segesta. Go to the website to book a guided tour of the salt pans of Trapani and salt museum to learn all about salt production. Tours cost €16 per person and last approximately 75 minutes.
Marsala
The village of Marsala is known for its namesake fortified wine and is a 45 minute drive from Segesta. Head to Cantine Florio for a Marsala wine tour and tasting. Make a reservation here. Tours start at €25 and last a little over an hour.
Selinunte
Selinunte Archaeological Park is a 45 minute drive south of Segesta and might be a good option if you want to see more temple ruins. It is the largest archeological area in Europe at about 670 acres, and was once home to one of the largest Greek colonies on the island, dating to 600 B.C. Tour the ruins of seven Doric temples, as well as the necropolis. There are different hiking routes to see the various structures that range from about a quarter-mile to about 3 ½ miles, and there are also shuttles to take you around to some areas.
Where to Stay in Segesta
I recommend visiting Segesta as a day trip from Trapani or Palermo. Here are some places to stay in Palermo, and places to stay in Trapani.
Where to Eat in Segesta
Because it’s in the middle of nowhere, there are no restaurants particularly near Segesta. Pack your own snacks and plan for a meal when you make it to your next destination.
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