Atop a mountain in a tiny walled town in Sicily, you can see the whole of Trapani, wonderful blue sea and a perfect landscape. It’s my favourite view in all of Europe, so a visit to Erice, a stunning and secluded medieval town,  is one of my top Europe travel tips.

This hidden gem of Sicily is located at the top of Mount Erice, 750m above sea level.  There are a couple of ways to get there from Trapani (flights from the UK run daily). Obviously, you can get a bus from the city, but the most exciting way is easily by cable car.

Follow buses to the East of Trapani, and you’ll find on that takes you in the general direction. The cable car is only a thirty minute walk from Trapani centre (although not in the nicest area of the city so I wouldn’t suggest walking it alone in the evening). The cable car runs until 8pm every evening and it’s not only the quickest way to get to Erice, it’s also the most exciting. It’s about €8 for the trip, just make sure you don’t lose your ticket!

There are some key points of the town that you should definitely try and visit, but strolling about is the best way to do it. You can buy a day ticket for all of the attractions (which includes every church in the town – and there’s a lot of them!) from any of the museums. They’re inexpensive, and give you the freedom to wonder in and out of museums and ruins. You’ll get a map too, if you really want to plan a route. But I’d just walk about, down the little cobbled streets, see what you stumble across.

Of course, most cobbled streets are leading to one point. Pepoli Castle. It’s hard not to miss this imposing Sicily attraction, which looks like something out of a fairy tale. The Torri Pepoli is now a hotel, so if you feel like playing princesses (and you have few hundred euros for a night’s stay) then this is where you should head. There is cheaper accommodation in Erice, but it’s also much cheaper to stay in Trapani and visit.

Feeling hungry? Then head to the main square and take your pick of restaurants in the sunshine. The food is traditional and fairly priced. No trip to Erice would be complete without popping into La Pasticceria di Maria Grammatico. Maria’s is a world-famous sweet shop is renowned for the marzipan treats. Make sure you try the wonderful pistachios sweeties. And bring some back. You’ll miss them when they’re gone.

After all that strolling and eating, you’ll have just enough time to watch the sun go down behind the castle. Walking that little bit quicker to keep warm (you’re higher up than you think, it gets shivery in the evening) and make sure you catch the cable car back down to Trapani. Of course, if you miss your ride, you could always stay another day.