Selinunte day trip from Marsala or Trapani or Agrigento
A day trip to Selinunte from Marsala, Trapani or Agrigento: the Cave di Cusa quarries, where column drums still lie half cut, then the Eastern Hill temples E, F and G, the acropolis with Temple C and its walled streets, and the Sanctuary of Malophoros, followed by a late seafood lunch and a swim at Marinella di Selinunte and the dunes of the Belice river mouth reserve. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Selinunte in 1 day
Day 1
Cave di Cusa (ancient quarries)
Ancient quarries among olive trees where Selinunte's column drums still lie half cut, left as they were when work stopped in 409 BC.
Eastern Hill temples (E, F and G)
Three Doric temples side by side: Temple E rebuilt in the 1950s, F in ruins, and the enormous fallen heap of Temple G.
Acropolis and Temple C
The walled heart of the Greek city above the sea, with grid streets, defensive towers and Temple C's re-erected row of columns.
Sanctuary of Malophoros
Sanctuary of Demeter Malophoros across the Modione river west of the acropolis, among the oldest and most atmospheric corners of Selinunte.
Marinella di Selinunte (beach and seafood lunch)
Fishing village and beach just east of the temples, with seafood restaurants along the front and a view of the ruins from the sand.
Riserva naturale Foce del fiume Belice
Nature reserve at the mouth of the Belice river, with sand dunes, Mediterranean scrub and a long wild beach.
Watch: Selinunte
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
By car it is about 50 minutes from Marsala, an hour and a quarter from Trapani and an hour and a half from Agrigento. Without a car, take a train or bus to Castelvetrano, about 15 km inland, then a local bus or taxi down to Marinella and the park entrance.
Staying in Marsala or Trapani or Agrigento? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Selinunte
April to early June and late September to October are best, warm enough for the beach but kind for walking among the ruins. July and August are very hot, with little shade, though the beach then comes into its own. Winter visits are quiet and often clear, and the site is open all year.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Selinunte on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Selinunte on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Selinunte on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Selinunte
- There is almost no shade in the park: start early, carry plenty of water and wear a hat, especially from June to September.
- The areas of the park are far apart; electric carts often run between the eastern temples and the acropolis, or allow for long walks.
- Bring a swimsuit: the beach at Marinella is a few minutes from the temples, and the fish restaurants on its seafront are the classic lunch.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven stones of the acropolis and the sandy path out to the Sanctuary of Malophoros.
- Spring is the best time: wild flowers grow between the fallen columns and the heat is still gentle.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Acropolis and Temple C: Franck Manogil from Beziers, France, CC BY 2.0
- Cave di Cusa (ancient quarries): Hans Suter, CC BY 2.0
- Eastern Hill temples (E, F and G): AdiJapan, CC BY 2.5
- Marinella di Selinunte (beach and seafood lunch): Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
