visit sicily 50

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SICILY authentic emotion

• Where to go? Everywhere Acireale Agrigento Aidone Alcara Li Fusi Avola Bagheria Borgo Parrini Bronte Buccheri Burgio Butera Caccamo Calascibetta Calatafimi Segesta Caltagirone Caltanissetta Capo d’Orlando Castelbuono Castellammare del Golfo Castelmola Castelvetrano Castiglione di Sicilia Castroreale Catania Cefalù Cinisi Egadi Enna Eolie Erice Etna Favara Ferla Gangi Gela Geraci Siculo Giardini Naxos Giarre Gibellina Grammichele Gratteri Ispica Lampedusa & Linosa Licata Marsala Marzamemi Mazara del Vallo Messina Milazzo Militello in Val di Catania Modica Mondello Monreale Montalbano Elicona Monterosso Almo Naro Nicosia Noto Novara di Sicilia Paceco Pachino Palazzolo Acreide Palermo Pantelleria Parco Archeologico di Selinunte Patti Petralia Soprana Piana degli Albanesi Piazza Armerina Porto Empedocle Ragusa Randazzo Realmonte Salemi Sambuca di Sicilia San Cono San Marco d’Alunzio San Vito lo Capo Santo Stefano Quisquina Savoca Sciacca Scicli Siracusa Sperlinga Sutera Taormina Terme Vigliatore Termini Imerese Terrasini Trapani Troina Tusa Ustica Zafferana Etnea
• What's your interests? All interests Art and Culture    Archaeological Sicily    Art in Sicily    Handicraft    Living Traditions    Places of Culture    Sicily and Cinema    UNESCO Event    Christmas    Cinema and shows    Conventions and congresses    Exhibitions    Festival    Festivals, fairs and markets    Folklore and traditional festivals    Major Events    Music    Other events    Sport and adventure    Theater Families and Children Inland Outdoors    By Bike    By Motorbike    Sport and Adventure    Trekking and Outdoor Sea in Sicily Spa and Wellness Spirituality    Religious Tourism    Sacred Routes Territory Tourism Commitment Traveling you learn Unmissable flavors Villages Xmas in Sicily

HIGH LIGHTS

Discover unique proposals to consult on the fly

STATES-GENERAL OF CINEMA IN SICILY

The “States General of Cinema” will take place from 12 to 14 April 2024 at the Maniace Castle in Syracuse, on the island of Ortigia.

Event Sport and adventure

Water Festival

Three days of sun, sea, sport, fun, music and relaxation. In Mondello, at the Ombelico del Mondo, from 3 to [...]

GET  INSPIRED

EXPERIENCES TO BE LIVED

How many times have you yearned to enjoy a fully relaxing holiday, to contemplate a beautiful landscape while breathing in clean air and sipping a good glass of Etna DOC?

To stroll through a piazza with open-air bars and get lost in a maze of narrow streets, with your nose in the air, wandering between flowery windowsills and bell towers, noble palaces and rounded balconies, peering into courtyards?

Dreams and desires can come true: it’s time to visit Sicily’s beautiful villages.

These small towns by the sea, surrounded by greenery, nestled in the hinterland or perched on the mountains will offer you what you are looking for, with small curiosities and new discoveries, such as houses carved out of the rock that were inhabited until the last century, or the most famous film set of all time.

In each of the nine Sicilian provinces, you will find the right village for you and, nearby, many other places that may be less renowned but will remain forever in your heart.

These people-friendly places and holidays can be experienced in company and in safety, where the watchword is “unspoiled”, just like your chosen village.

Unmissable flavors

The flavours, shapes, scents and colours of Sicilian food have become symbols of overwhelming pleasure all over the world.

The outstanding desserts include cannolo   and cassata , which bring out the freshness and authenticity of local ricotta. Granita , which does not include ice here, reveals itself in all its creaminess. It can be difficult to choose between the many flavours and it is so delicious it can even give the best homemade ice cream a run for its money. Never alone: it should be accompanied by an aromatic hot brioche , and strictly with a “tuppo” (nobble).

Almonds , another of the island’s points of pride, are used to make the paste that is often chosen as a sweet souvenir by those visiting a distant friend. It is also the basis for a thirst-quenching and sumptuous milk and the choreographic creations of martorana fruit , which add life to the windows of the pastry shops and amuse tourists and passers-by.

In Sicily there are many delicacies rooted in tradition and faith , which become beloved symbols before they being consumed.

Bridging sweet and savoury, the juiciest red oranges  come from the countryside most beloved by the sun, while the most famous pistachios , those from Bronte, now dominate the culinary scene thanks to their gastronomic flexibility, which ranges from their use as sweet cream in desserts to the intense pestos that bring together ancient grains [link to Sicilian Ancient Grains] in the form of inimitable first courses.

A treasure trove of flavours: from Bronte’s green gold to the finest red gold , Saffron , which seduces the palate and inspires you to dream. And digging in the undergrowth, precious jewels and nuggets emerge: mushrooms and truffles .

An icon of Sicilianness, arancin*  has a name that divides people but its taste brings everyone together: it is a rice-based wonder, an essential fried delicacy and the pinnacle of Sicilian street food .

Sicily is the cradle of the Mediterranean diet , which has always been the healthiest and most varied approach to food. It also brings out the best of fish and vegetables through caponata and parmigiana , as well as pickles and infinite speciality dishes, in which the Pachino tomato reigns supreme .

In Sicily, the dinner table becomes a “stage” for exhilarating flavours: one case in point is pasta alla Norma , made with tomato sauce and fried aubergines, and so named because it is considered sublime like the work of the same name by the “Swan”, the composer Vincenzo Bellini.

Meat from historic farms, such as the Nebrodi black pig, rounds off rich and surprisingly impeccable menus.

The price of Sicilian wines is rising rapidly, as the product becomes increasingly sincere, intoxicating and versatile. It serves as an invitation to savour this island in small sips, with a glass in your hand and lightness in your heart.

Walking along the nostalgic paths of taste  you will find that even dipping bread in oil  proves why you will never have enough of Sicily.

Visiting the local markets will be the best way to deeply discover the tasty, spicy and most authentic flavours of Sicilian street food. Sicilian street food is among the most celebrated, and its main symbol is the arancin * of contention, which is loved and appreciated all over the world.

Sicily is the cradle of the Mediterranean diet and will surprise you witha thousand combinations of poor ingredients that enrich vegetarian menus.

And if you are wondering whether Sicily is the right destination for you, you will find the answer in a glass of local wine .

Discover all the flavours of your happy island.

Traveling you learn

In Sicily, you can visit the majestic volcano Etna , the Valley of the Temples , the Greek Theatre of Taormina and the one of Syracuse . You can learn more about Quasimodo, Verga, Il Gattopardo and the Rape of Persephone . Close your geography, science and art history books. Forget everything you learned at school and get ready to live a new experience.

You can follow the verses and passages of the greatest writers in world literature, from Sciascia to Camilleri, from Tomasi di Lampedusa to Pirandello . Travel along the literary routes that will lead you to discover an unusual side of Sicily.

Discover the roots of the fascinating myths and legends . These stories take inspiration from an extraordinary nature whose shapes and colours influenced the course of history itself. All tales reveal one truth: Sicily has always been a place loved by the Gods .

Travelling through Sicily, you can learn what rare botanical wonders live around the island. You can visit corners of paradise such as the Bioparco di Sicilia , or you can choose to follow the footsteps of Charles V around Sicily’s most beautiful cities . Spend some time watching hundreds of colourful kites soar through the sky, then taste and discover the history of real Aztec chocolate .

Travelling is the best way to learn something new and unique about Sicily.

Tourism Commitment

There are stories of men , perspectives, voices and hands that come together and, with commitment, give life to new hopes. They are the symbols of a Sicily that rises from its ashes.

Discover the Sicily that doesn’t give up.

The part of Sicily that does not want to be forgotten creates memorials. Palermo Ecomuseum promotes projects related to shared social responsibility, participatory care of the territory and sustainable tourism. The local community plans cultural, touristic and educational initiatives.

A terrible earthquake destroyed the town of Gibellina . Today its existence echoes through the work of its rebirth: Burri’s Cretto . There is a part of Sicily that shouldn’t be forgotten and abandoned. In Favara , from the greyness of a neighbourhood destined to decay, Florinda and Antonio created the Farm Cultural Park . Today it is one of the world’s most vibrant cultural centres. With Fiumara d’Arte, Antonio Presti has proclaimed the salvific power of beauty, creating one of the largest and most evocative land art parks in Europe. The inhabitants of the small and enchanting Borgo Parrini transformed the town into one of the most evocative places on the island, a virtuous example of urban regeneration.

There is another part of Sicily that does not surrender to fate. It pursues its dreams and reaches for the stars. One example is the shepherd poet Lorenzo Reina , who shapes the Andromeda Theatre in Santo Stefano Quisquina with his bare hands.

We cannot mention the part of Sicily that does not surrender to the Mafia . With infinite gratitude for the men who gave their lives to protect their land, it keeps their memory alive and educates the new generations to fight with messages of peace.

Discover the beautiful stories that Sicily has to tell. Prepare yourself for an exciting journey that will enrich your soul: this is what committed tourism is all about.

Sicily is the perfect and unique destination for those who want to spend a holiday surrounded by art, history and culture.

Let’s discover the cities and small towns of Sicily. Noto is the capital of Sicilian Baroque. In Caltagirone , we will be surprised by the blaze of colours of its ceramics. Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a walk through its streets will take you back in time. In Modica , the Duomo di San Giorgio’s great beauty (the Baroque icon in Sicily) will leave you speechless. In Marsala , you can admire the most beautiful sunset in the world, which makes the atmosphere of the Stagnone surreal. We then arrive in Piana degli Albanesi , a tiny Albania in the heart of Sicily, ready to welcome you with its lake teeming with life.

You will get to know such a wide and varied territory that you may wonder whether you are still in the same Region. Sicily seems to be the gateway to another dimension. Heaven and hell make peace in the Etnean landscape. Gods and nymphs weave love stories, unbridled passions and jealousies through forests, rivers and springs. But don’t forget to visit the smaller islands.

In Lipari , you can taste the worldwide famous Malvasia. Panarea is the most exclusive and popular destination. You can explore the Island of Alicudi on the back of a donkey. Don’t miss visiting the characteristic Island of Vulcano , renowned for its mud baths. Stromboli is pyrotechnical, while, in Salina , you can see the home of the poet Neruda, set of Massimo Troisi’s unforgettable movie “ Il Postino ”.

Then there are the Egadi Islands , Pantelleria , Ustica , Linosa and Lampedusa . They are all surrounded by a wonderful sea, and each Island has its palette of reflections, from deep blue to the turquoise sky. You will be completely captivated by the colours and atmosphere of these places.

There is too much to see, and it is hard to choose where to start. Do not waste time then: get ready to go. Sicily is waiting for you!

Spirituality

There is increasing demand for holidays that take us away from crowded places and daily stress, where the body and mind can find rest and meditation.

Excursions lead us to places where nature and silence reign, with monasteries, hermitages and shrines where it is possible to find religious devotion by retracing the paths of Saints and beatified people, as well as a secular moment of serenity.

The Sacred Paths are routes that have been travelled by pilgrims since ancient times, and have now become itineraries with great attraction for tourists. Some are a few dozen kilometres long, others hundreds. Discover the itineraries along the ancient roads of the Via Francigena or along the most beaten religious paths, and get ready to walk through the most enchanting places in Sicily.

Sicily is ready to offer an interesting network of religious routes that allow you to discover bright gems that are still little known, alone or with the help of local nature associations.

Spa and Wellness

Sicily offers a wide range of natural treatments to regenerate the body and mind.

If relaxation, sensory well-being and immersive pleasure are your top travel priorities, when you visit Sicily, you will discover that it is an amazing open-air spa .

It is not a matter of destination or length of your holiday: you will find out that the simplest and most natural things have extraordinary power over your health.

Breathe deeply and find your balance using the wisdom of the centuries-old forests and the energy of the frozen waterfalls . Surround yourself with sunshine and beauty. Relax on the salt crust in the unique setting of the Stagnone . Explore and rest in the natural caves , places of the Gods in the minor islands .

To treat yourself to some relaxation, spend a day in Vulcano’s mud baths . They are a true elixir of life. The thermal waters scattered throughout Sicily supply some of the best facilities in Italy .

Let your wellness journey begin. You deserve the best: you deserve Sicily.

Sea in Sicily

A quick look at the beaches, lidos and coves on the wonderful Sicily sea, with surprising transparency and richness of colours.

We’ll start from the coast on the south of this incredible island, going from Capo Passero in Syracuse to Capo Granitola in Trapani , which proudly reveals its golden sand with an exotic flair.

Marina di Ragusa, Pozzallo, Punta Secca in the territory of Ragusa , the Torre Salsa Reserve near Sciacca, the island of Lampedusa and the Scala dei Turchi in Agrigento have very long beaches that are usually not crowded, and which blend the “off-grid” harmony and relaxation we all seek.

This sandy coast extends to Mazara del Vallo and Marsala and continues with the Via del Sale, the Stagnone Reserve and Mozia in Trapani . Here we find out how salt is produced in the museums dedicated to it. Riserva dello Zingaro and the white, fine sandy beach of San Vito lo Capoe need no introduction and open up to the Tyrrhenian coast, characterised by a succession of beaches and cliffs.

The island of Ustica , Cefalù and Mondello in the Palermo area, the Aeolian Islands , Capo d’Orlando and Tindari in the province of Messina and the Egadi Islands in the Trapani region all overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea, where the blue of the sea is intense and snorkelling is very enjoyable.

The eastern coast starts after Messina with the lava rocks and pebble beaches of Taormina and Giardini Naxos, the Acireale Timpa Nature Reserve and the cliffs of Aci Trezza. The sand then returns in the Gulf of Catania , Syracuse , the Vendicari Reserve , going up to Marzamemi and the Isola delle Correnti, the precise point where the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea meet.

Also discover the child-friendly beaches and those that have been awarded the blue flag in 2023 !

The climate and landscapes allow you to pursue many outdoor sports activities in Sicily, combining wellness and fun: you will be spoilt for choice.

If you love the sea, you can dive and snorkel, experiencing the thrill of contact with the most awe-inspiring fauna and flora and discovering the “Divers’ paradise” on the bottom of Ustica, in the heart of Italy’s first marine reserve. You will behold images and colour combinations that you thought were pure science fiction with your own eyes.

On the surface, however, the sea works together with the wind to playfully push you towards kitesurfing: try it in the beautiful setting of Stagnone in Marsala!

The Sicilian natural scenery offers an original and fully comprehensive solutions for any level of fatigue, for all ages and for previous background of physical activity, from those who want to get fit to those who want to push their limits. Choose between a walk with your children   and the extremes of climbing and ski mountaineering. There are challenges with a very wide range of difficulty levels, from golf, which you can play in both the west and east of Sicily, to a highly evocative bike trip, from a day spent feeling truly free on a sailing boat to a horseback ride on Etna or crossing the Argimusco.

The hinterland of Sicily is the heart of the island, it is a little-known area. Here time flows naturally, and the contact with the locals is wonderful. It is a land rich in cultural expressions, millenary traditions, archaeological, architectural and naturalistic treasures. Many places make you want to stay forever.

Let’s discover the slopes of Mount Etna or the Simeto Nature Reserve : this area is rich in lava caves, waterfalls, rapids and small lakes. The Piana degli Albanesi Lake , on the other hand, is an area teeming with life. From the Bosco Della Ficuzza , we find ourselves in the heart of the Parco delle Madonie , dotted with small towns where time flows slowly and quietly.

Enna is the highest town in Italy, and from here you can enjoy a panoramic view over the whole island. Caltanissetta has a historical centre full of Renaissance and Baroque monuments.

Sutera is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The Teatro di Andromeda in Santo Stefano Quisquina is a magical place surrounded by the pastoral landscape of the Monti Sicani .

Despite being in the centre of Sicily, far from the coast, you can enjoy the incredible and unique view of the Aeolian Islands . You will feel like you have just completed a journey into the most unusual and authentic Sicily.

Families and Children

Sicily is the perfect place to spend a carefree and fun holiday with your family and children.

Here you can travel and walk with children in total comfort and safety , discovering beautiful and unexpected natural settings . You can travel on foot, by bicycle or on the back of friendly donkeys . There are many ways to discover a land rich in hidden treasures, observing fauna and flora of rare beauty.

We recommend the best beaches to enjoy the wonderful Sicilian sea and spend your days among sandcastles, velvet seabeds and curious little fish. If you are lucky enough, you may even see a specimen of Caretta Caretta turtle !

In the Valley of the Temples , children can become budding archaeologists. They will be provided with the right equipment and guided by experts in discovering ancient remains. The Ludum is the first science museum in Sicily where you can learn what laws regulate the Universe.

You can discover the rare botanical wonders hidden around the island together with your family. You can visit corners of paradise such as the Bioparco di Sicilia . Or you can test your courage in the Adventure Parks , suspended in the air amidst the greenery.

Another unforgettable experience is driving along the writers’ road . Follow in the footsteps of Charles V on a historical route. Have fun with the children by flying colourful kites and tasting Aztec chocolate . Be inspired and choose the experience that perfectly suits you and your family.

Art and Culture

Some treasures do not need to be touched to perceive their rarity. However, in this triangular and evocative region, you will constantly come across the signs left by history, the passage of man and his creativity.

Get ready to discover how Sicily can amaze you. Sicily will surprise you when you least expect it. As you stroll along the streets, you will come across the works of contemporary street art : it is intense, immediate and universal. Looking out, over the infinity of the Sicilian hinterland, from the Andromeda Theatre, you will see a mystical and ancestral place. You will feel like floating in sidereal space. You have the chance to visit artisan’s workshops , guardians of traditions handed down from father to son.

Some customs are very ancient, such as the working of obsidian or the unique and precious Mediterranean coral . These traditions keep alive arts and knowledge of inestimable value, they are World Heritage Site. This heritage also includes the Sicilian puppets , protagonists of the Opera dei Pupi . Or the art of dry stone walls that embellish landscapes with their ancient beauty.

And what about archaeological sites ? Of Sicily’s 7 UNESCO sites , some are among the most beautiful archaeological sites of all time. Examples, Pantalica , the Valley of the Temples  and the magnificent Theatre of Taormina . They all bear witness to a glorious past in bright colours just waiting to be discovered. In Sicily, you will find countless places of culture , beautiful theatres and museums, artistic routes and endless opportunities to breathe in art en plein air. You will cherish this journey in the depths of your heart, along with your most precious memories.

DISCOVER THE  AREA

Things not to be missed

80th Anniversary of the Allied invasion of Sicily

Vulcano aeolian islands, sicily street food.

SICILY, UNIQUE IN THE WORLD

to the discovery of an immense and always surprising heritage

EXPERIENCES AND  ITINERARIES

Travel tips and advice

Castles in central Sicily

Vegetarian food tour in sicily, palermo, quick tour of the historic centre, from segesta to selinunte, horse trail on the etna, following the bluefin tuna on their route from favignana to mondello, sacred journeys – faith as a destination.

UNESCO HERITAGE IN SICILY

From the seven wonders of the ancient world to the seven diamonds

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT – SICILY

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50 Things to Do in Sicily: The Italian Island’s Best Beaches, Palaces, and Food

From Greek ruins to "The White Lotus," the Italian island of Sicily has a wealth of wonders—not to mention some of the best food on earth. 

By Stephen Brewer

May 22, 2023

Stirring landscapes, Greek ruins, great beaches, delicious street food, baroque towns, amazing art, decadent pastries—the Italian island of Sicily has just about everything you could want in a European vacation. 

Here are 50 ways to enjoy it all.

Natural Wonders

Ascend Mount Etna . The highest and most active volcano in Europe beckons despite smoking craters and smoldering lava flows. Whether you’re making the ascent on your own or signing on for a tour , the first leg is a ride on the Funivia dell’Etna cable car from Rifugio Sapienza to the Torre del Filosofo (Philosopher's Tower) terminus. Then it’s a steep hike or bumpy ride in a 4X4 vehicle across ashy terrain to the eerie crater area at about 9,800 feet.

Get salty at the Saline di Trapani . The shining white expanse of salt flats stretches for almost 2,500 acres on Sicily’s west coast and is home to flamingos, herons, and other migratory birds. Salt has been harvested here since antiquity, and you’ll learn all about this history at the Salt Museum. For instance, did you know the word “salary” comes from the Latin salaries , meaning “soldier's allowance for the purchase of salt”?

Set sail for Spiaggia Valle Muria . On the Aeolian island of Lipari , sheer cliffs back a hideaway beach washed by enticingly clear waters. You can hike there and back across the cacti-strewn landscape, but it’s easier taking one of the small boats operating out of Marina Corta .

Take a hike in Lo Zingaro . An 8.5-mile circuit trail skirts clifftops along the Monte Monaco headland at the island’s northwest tip, protected as a nature preserve. What’s there? Hillsides carpeted in wildflowers and Mediterranean maquis, beaches fringing crystal-clear coves, and soaring eagles. What’s not there? Motorized vehicles, towns, or many other signs of civilization.

Witness the volcano that never sleeps . The volcano of Stromboli , located on the same-named Aeolian island, has been blowing its top nonstop for millennia. You can witness the spectacle from a viewpoint overlooking the Sciara del Fuoco , a blackened wasteland created by explosions that occur with such regularity that ancient mariners set their course by the fiery glow, giving the island its nickname, “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.”

Go bird-watching in Vendicari . This pristine nature preserve is the southernmost stop in Europe for a sky full of migrating flocks as they come and go from the wetlands of Tunisia. The snorkeling is terrific here, too, and hiking trails follow the unspoiled coastline for miles.

Take the plunge in the Egadi archipelago . A trio of little islands off the western coast are low-key getaways where a refreshing experience awaits: jumping into Sicily’s most pristine waters at Cala Rossa beach on Favignana , the largest of the three isles. Afterward, tuck into a simple meal of grilled, fresh-caught tuna at a portside osteria.

Classical Sicily

Explore the largest archaeological park in Europe . At Selinunte , the ruins of an ancient Greek city spread over 670 seaside acres in the island’s far southwest. The temples, streets of shops and houses, and town walls here were all abandoned more than 2,000 years ago. One of the few modern intrusions: an electric train providing a convenient way to cover the vast site.

Take a seat in a theater where Greek classics were first performed . Syracuse’s Teatro Greco was built in the 5th century BC and renovated by the Romans. The semicircular tiers of seats are still packed for summertime performances.

See one of the world’s oldest ships . Marsala ’s seafront archaeological museum displays large sections of a 155-foot-long Roman craft launched during the Punic Wars in 241 BC. Sixty-eight oarsmen powered the sleek and speedy vessel. 

Ogle a huge collection of Roman mosaics . Thirty-eight thousand square feet of rich mosaics carpet the many rooms of Villa Romana del Casale , a onetime hunting lodge outside Piazza Armerina . Delightful scenes depict mythology, flora and fauna, and domestic tableaux.

Pay homage to the Dancing Satyr . At the Museo del Satiro , a bronze statue from the 4th century BC captures the well-preserved head and torso of a young man-goat hybrid in a state of ecstatic frenzy, his arched back and tossed locks suggesting he’s frozen mid-jump. Dredged from the bottom of the sea in 1998, the satyr's current home is surrounded by domed towers, arched loggias, and a mazelike casbah in the transporting city of Mazara del Vallo.

Gaze upon the Temple of Segesta . This Doric beauty on a wildflower-carpeted hillside has been bewitching onlookers since it was built in the 5th century BC. Ancient workers never finished the job—the smooth columns, all still in place, were left unfluted and the roof is missing. Nevertheless, the site is thoroughly beguiling.

Relish the dramatic setting of Taormina ’s Teatro Antico . The Greeks had a knack for building theaters in stunning locales, and they outdid themselves here. The backdrop of smoldering Mount Etna and the sea crashing far below just might upstage the performances at the amphitheater (pictured at the top of this page) in summer.

Appreciate the layers of time at Syracuse’s Duomo . The cathedral’s façade is a charmingly frothy baroque concoction, but tiers of columns around the entrance and lining the nave whisk you back to ancient Greece. The columns are what’s left of a 5th century BC Temple of Athena that stood on this site. Filled with gold and ivory, it was a draw for travelers from throughout the Mediterranean world.

Meet the Young Man of Mozia . Cast in marble around 440 BC, the Giovane di Mozia wears a clinging wet tunic and is the star of the show on his home island —once the Phoenician stronghold of Motya, now an archaeological park. 

Follow myths in marble . At Palermo ’s Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonino Salinas , a former convent is a treasure trove of the island’s long history. Most riveting are friezes from the Selinunte temples—Perseus slays Medusa, Actaeon is torn apart by hounds, and other action-packed myths unfold in the sensual marbles.

Listen for echoes in the Ear of Dionysius . A teardrop-shaped cavern burrowed into a hillside in Syracuse’s archaeological park amplifies even the faintest sounds. This acoustical phenomenon was handy for ancient ruler Dionysius I, who allegedly listened in on the whispered plots of prisoners chained within the cave’s damp reaches. 

In and Around Palermo

Walk the halls of power at the Palazzo Reale . In the island’s capital city stands a regal residence that served as a fortress, royal palace, and seat of government for Sicily’s Arab, Norman, Bourbon, and Spanish rulers. The glittering jewel is the mosaic-covered Cappella Palatina , though the mazelike secret dungeons and a hall of winds (the 12th century’s answer to air-conditioning) are intriguing as well. 

Marvel at the 12th-century Arab-Norman cathedral in Monreale . On a hilltop just outside the city, Byzantine craftsmen set to work covering every inch of this church’s interior with golden mosaics depicting 130 religious and biblical scenes. You’ll appreciate the old Sicilian saying, “Anyone who comes to Palermo without seeing Monreale arrives on a donkey and leaves as an ass.” 

Stare death in the face at the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia . In the beautiful Palazzo Abatellis, a massive fresco called Trionfo della Morte (Triumph of Death) depicts the Grim Reaper as a fearsome skeletal demon astride an undernourished steed and brandishing a scythe as he leaps over his victims.

Guess who’s who in the Quattro Canti . Palermo’s two main streets, Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, intersect with fanfare at the Quattro Canti, or Four Corners. Each quadrant is decorated with a three-tiered niche filled with statues representing the four seasons, Spanish Hapsburg kings, and the patron saints of the adjoining districts.

Ooh and ahh at saintly sculptures . Some of Palermo’s most exuberant places of worship are the private chapels that the 18th-century artist Giacomo Serpotta decorated in sculpted stucco. His pièce de résistance is the Oratorio di San Lorenzo , called “a cave of white coral” for the artist’s lavish depictions of the namesake saint being roasted on a spit and undergoing other religious ecstasies. What’s not here anymore is the last large painting by Caravaggio—the work was stolen in 1969 and never recovered in one of the world’s great unsolved art heists. 

Watch your step at the Teatro Massimo . Legend has it that a nun whose convent was displaced to build Italy’s largest opera house trips theatergoers as they ascend the staircase. Once safely seated, you’ll be treated to near-perfect acoustics, or, if you’re not around for a performance, you can see the beautiful neoclassical hall on guided tours. 

Get spooked at the Catacombe dei Cappuccini . Some 8,000 souls, dressed in their Sunday best and in various stages of preservation, hang from hooks and recline in coffins at these catacombs. 

Enchanting Towns Around the Island

Gasp at the view over Ragusa Ibla . This picturesque assemblage of domes, tile roofs, and baroque facades straddling a ridge between two deep gorges is best appreciated from on high—especially from the church of Santa Maria delle Scale at the top of 340 steps linking the old and new towns.

Survey the west coast from Erice . The lofty medieval town, perched high atop Monte San Giuliano and reached by winding mountain road or cable car, overlooks much of western Sicily, with the Mediterranean sparkling on the horizon. The ethereal outlook is best from the cliffside Giardino del Balio park. It’s little wonder the Romans claimed the site for a long-gone temple to Venus, goddess of love. 

Savor the good life in Taormina . The fabled seaside resort is known for pampering celebrities, bon vivants, and other privileged visitors—as chronicled in the second season of HBO’s The White Lotus , shot at Taormina's   opulent San Domenico Palace . For a shady refuge from worldly concerns, retreat to the lush gardens of the Villa Comunale . Laced with fanciful stone pavilions, the park has sublime views of the coast and Mount Etna.

Discover the charms of Cefalù . This fishing port turned beach resort has more to offer than a long strip of golden sand. An enchanting old town centers on a magnificent, mosaic-filled Duomo and is backed by La Rocca , a craggy summit that rewards a climb with views that on a clear day extend all the way to the Aeolian Islands. 

Climb the tiled stairs in Caltagirone . This southeastern town shows off a long tradition of pottery-making on the Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, on which each of the 142 steps is tiled in colorful ceramics of a different style. Try to show up around July 26, when the stairs are lit with thousands of votive candles arranged in beautiful designs in honor of the town’s patron, San Giacomo. 

Go for baroque in Noto . This stage set of honey-colored limestone features curved facades, curling staircases, and wrought-iron balconies decorating palaces and churches. The town becomes especially radiant at sunset, creating a spectacular setting for an evening passeggiata . 

Enticing Street Food

Sample some spleen . A need-to-try-it-once Palermo favorite is pani câ meusa —a bread roll stuffed with slices of boiled veal spleen and melted cheese. Grab one at the sidewalk takeout window at 'Nni Franco U’ Vastiddaru on Piazza Marina.

Poke around La Pescheria . Stalls at Catania ’s morning fish market are piled high with swordfish, tuna, sardines, squid, and other denizens of the deep. When you tire of the jostling shoppers and the shouts of cleaver-wielding fishmongers, take a seat and tuck into a seafood feast in the relative calm of the marketplace’s Osteria Antica Marina .

Make an arancini stop at Sfrigola . This is Palermo’s number-one spot for the island’s beloved saffron-flavored, stuffed rice balls that are rolled in bread crumbs and fried. By tradition these delicacies are filled with meat ragu and mozzarella, but Sfrigola mixes up the options with a wide choice of vegetables, cheeses, meats, and even tuna.

Shop and gawk in Palermo’s street markets . With stalls extending for blocks, the clamorous, age-old Ballarò and Capo markets recall Middle Eastern bazaars combined with juiced-up Italian food shops. The fresh produce, piles of fish, garlands of sausages, vats of olives, and other wares are all tempting, but especially fulfilling is the taste of Sicilian life. 

Unforgettable Sit-Down Meals

Hit the high notes with pasta alla Norma . Catania’s famous and delicious concoction of spaghetti, tomatoes, fried eggplant, and salted ricotta is named for the eponymous heroine of the opera by native son Vincenzo Bellini. Try a plateful at the modest but venerable Nuova Trattoria del Forestiero .

Cook with a duchess . During this culinary experience in Palermo, you’ll start the day on a market expedition with the charismatic Nicoletta Polo, Duchess of Palma. Then return to her brightly tiled palace kitchen to prepare a feast that’s served by white-gloved waiters in the duchess’s stately dining room.

Try Trapani ’s take on couscous . A classic couscous alla trapanese is a flavorful concoction of fish, broth, tomatoes, and spices, baked in a terra-cotta pot and often topped with shrimp and mussels. Try some at Trapani’s summertime Stragusto food festival or any time of the year at old-world favorite Cantina Siciliana . 

Dine on nouveau Sicilian cuisine at L’Ottava Nota . In Palermo’s exciting Kalsa quarter, this restaurant’s sleek, black-on-gray decor is the setting for creative takes on Sicilian classics—tuna tartare served with avocado, risotto-laced tuna caviar, and eggplant meatballs topped with tomato cream.

By the Glass

Sip Marsala at the source . The port town of Marsala has been on the international wine map since British sailors developed a taste for the locally made fortified sweet wine in the 18th century. Sample the wares in the tasting rooms of the venerable Cantine Florio winery.

Taste the OJ in Palagonia . Blood oranges have been harvested in Sicily since 9th-century Arabs planted orchards in the fertile valleys of the Conca d’Oro region. The fruit yields deliciously refreshing juice that flows like water in the orange-growing town of Palagonia, especially during the late April orange festival.

Cool off with a granita . This summertime favorite made with shaved ice and fruit juice, or sometimes a shot of espresso, has been helping Sicilians beat the heat for centuries. In Catania, the island’s granita capital, vendors used to cart the ice down from nearby Mount Etna. The long-standing Caffè Europa on Corso Italia is the best place to enjoy this refreshing treat.

Desserts and Pastries

Indulge in sinful pastries devised by convents . Out of the ovens at  I Segreti del Chiostro , set off a peaceful cloisters hidden high above Palermo’s beautiful Piazza Bellini, come decadent concoctions based on recipes gathered from convent bakeries throughout the island. Try a classic Sicilian cassata, a liqueur-drenched cake in a marzipan shell. 

Breakfast on a brioche at Caffè Sicilia . At this 125-year-old Noto institution, a sweet roll is filled with a few scoops of sorbetto , made in house from fresh figs, berries, and other local bounty. Still hungry? Try what might be the island’s best cannoli.

Treat your sweet tooth at La Pasticceria di Maria Grammatico in Erice . Owner Maria Grammatico learned her craft in a local convent orphanage and is world-famous for her paste di mandorla (almond-paste cookies) and frutta martorana (marzipan shaped into fruits so realistic they look like they’ve just been picked). 

Give into your chocolate craving in Modica . Sicily’s chocolate capital is a baroque beauty of a town climbing the sides of a deep gorge. Chocolatiers at Sabadì and other shops follow 400-year-old methods introduced by the island’s Spanish rulers to produce a granular, cacao-rich product, often infused with cinnamon and pepper.

Stylish Stays

Hide away in Henry’s House . A seaside mansion turned hotel on Ortygia Island in Syracuse is awash in colorful floor tiles and antiques. The ambience, intimate flower-filled terraces, and warm hospitality will make you feel like you’re staying in the home of a Sicilian relative.

Wake up to a view of a Greek temple . Windows at the 17th-century Villa Athena , restored as a posh hotel, frame the spectacle of Agrigento ’s Valley of the Temples; the time-worn columns and pediments seem to be within touching distance. Even if you’re not checking in, you can savor the same views over a drink on the bar terrace.

Decompress at Scicli Albergo Diffuso . These accommodations with full hotel services are tucked away in old houses scattered throughout the historic center of a southeastern town that’s far enough off the tourist trail to deliver an authentic Sicilian experience. Unlike many Airbnb hosts, staff members are stationed just down the street in a reception lounge and bar. They’ll even make breakfast for you.

Plop down in a palace . The Duchess of Palma accommodates guests in her gracious Butera 28 short-stay apartments on the Palermo seafront. It’s no accident the premises suggest an old-world aristocratic lifestyle: This was the final home of Giuseppe Tomasi, Prince of Lampedusa, author of the modern Italian classic The Leopard (1958).  

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Best places to visit in Sicily

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If you want to know the best places to visit in Sicily then make sure to ask an expert. Our friend Karen La Rosa from Sicily tour specialists La RosaWorks is exactly that person. Her passion for Sicily is infectious and in this article she shares the unmissable towns and sights of this fascinating island.

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Join us on tour in sicily

Why visit Sicily  

For years, the Italian mainland has been the desired destination for tourists. Seems they can’t get enough, eating and drinking their way around the triangle from Venice to Florence to Rome. Venturing to the south of Italy never occurred to tourists and didn’t seem necessary.

Recently, that has changed. A switch has flipped, and the light is now shining bright on this magnificent and still somewhat secret island. Or, maybe the light is emanating from the island itself – that unique sunshine that reaches down to embrace Sicily from piercing blue skies more days of the year than most places? Tourists are re-considering.

This just means that on your visit, you will change your historic hat frequently and question frequently the style of architecture, the food, the human gestures and the ambience. In some places, it’s all jumbled together, a reflection of the way the Sicilians adapted, incorporated, and demonstrated great resilience.

Who is Sicilian? The answer, in short, is no one and everyone. Sicily is a great mosaic, still vibrant, still changing and still adapting. It’s an exciting place to visit, and oh, that wine!

Eastern Sicily

First, let’s land in Catania , unsung Catania. Sicily’s second largest city is far less touristed than Palermo, the largest. Situated in the middle of the eastern coast of the island, it is a Baroque town but also has black lava stone buildings. It is one of the few places to see Roman remains.

The Cathedral that houses the relics of their beloved Patron Sant’Agata, the Benedictine Monastery (Catania University), the various churches and the Bellini Gardens that sit across from Sicily’s best arancini at Pasticceria Savia , are all worth a visit. The Museo dello Sbarco , dedicated to the Allied campaign in WWII is terrific.

Catania is alive with entrepreneurial spirit and has one of the Sicily’s must-see markets, the Pescheria . This fish market has been in continuous operation since the 9th century, Arab times, 6 days a week from dawn until lunch time, just steps from the beautiful grand Piazza Duomo .

You can pass through one of the city’s original gates, Porta Uzeda , or emerge from behind the larger than life fountain cascading water above the now submerged Amenano River. In the center of the piazza, a slight turn of the head, you’ll see another fountain and the city’s symbol, the Fontana dell’ Elefante . In the evenings, this area is hopping with musicians and people enjoy the traditional stroll called the passeggiata, along the pedestrian only Via Etnea , arriving to the piazza, gelato in hand.

READ: Our guide to the Best things to do in Catania .

This city is undergoing a food renaissance and good eating is to be had in every corner. From street food of sublimely fried fish-in-a-cone to some of the best arancini around, to re-interpreted classic dishes at Catania’s first Michelin starred restaurant Sapio to Vinoteca Ostier where wines are paired to your entrée, there is so much to feast on.

There is no shortage of wine sourced from Mount Etna, Sicilian craft beers, and local specialties. To tourists, Catania is yet under-appreciated for its sights and food, but it is the ideal place to arrive and from which to venture on day trips before moving on. Okay, let’s head north!

LISTEN: The Tastes of Sicily

People have talked about Mount Etna for millennia. A volcano referred to as Mother, she provides a huge geographic area with remarkable fertility from her ongoing spurts of mineral rich lava ash that settles on the soil. Her imposing profile is visible from miles away and in every direction.

A visit up close is a must. There are various ways to experience her majesty, that begin with a visit to the extinct craters. Driving into the Etna Park, you will observe the landscape changing as you ascend. Boulders are everywhere. You arrive to the Rifugio Sapienza and the Silvestri Craters where you have a chance to climb up slopes of varying steepness and peak inside. The wind is audible, the soil rich in mineral colors, and the vistas, breathtaking.

Venture a little further to the next car park and you will find the cable car . A ticket will get you a seat on a 10-minute ride soaring to a platform where large 4-wheel drive vehicles whisk you further up onto the black lava sea, some 9800 feet high. From this vantage point you see the sky and the sea, the mountains and even Sicily’s center on a clear day. The wind is chilly in the warmer months and cold other times, but wrapped in warmth, you suddenly appreciate the power and magnitude of this volcano.

Private guides can take you on off the beaten path hikes and to experience this UNESCO recognized volcano in other ways. Be sure not to miss a visit to one of Etna’s more than 250 wineries. There is treasure in those hills.

Taormina is a small hilltop town, draped in floral displays of vibrant bougainvillea and about which great writers and romantics have waxed poetic. It is perched high above the sea, with a view to the mainland and draws hordes of international tourists to feast eyes on its unique beauty.

The Greek Theater is one of the most beautiful and at the edge of town it has exceptional views of both Mount Etna and the coastline, too. The historic center is given over to pedestrians who wander among the high-quality shops and cafes, climb up and down steps, and poke around narrow little corners, with restaurants serving aromatic foods tucked in here and there.

Taormina is unique in Sicily for its pristine and refined beauty. It is Sicily’s perfect place to relax and shop. Should you want some activity, take the cable car to the Mazzaro Beach whose white sand is just below the town, and hire a boat to skip you across to the crystal-clear Blue Grotto. Back in town, sit back and sip a crisp Etna white wine overlooking the breathtaking expanse and you’ll understand what all the fuss is about this town.

Ortigia is the small island that sits just steps over a connecting bridge from the mainland. For some, this place defines charm. It is the most historic part of the area with a long history, having been one of Greece’s most important cities after its founding in 734 BC. It can be explored through very narrow lanes that meet up at one of Sicily’s grandest piazzas, a perfect place for people-watching.

Before you is the stunning Baroque Cathedral, but a close look reveals its original Greek Columns, evidence of an earlier time, the ultimate recycled building. In one direction you can find a fountain steeped in mythology and papyrus growing in its sea water. In every direction there are ornately beautiful aristocratic palaces, some still privately owned, and some used for government functions. Shops selling both fine and delightful hand made goods line the streets.

There is a Jewish quarter in which it is possible to see two ritual baths, the Mikveh , and underneath the Church of San Filippo Apostolo there are catacombs and WWII shelter drawings. For a small island there is much to interest a visitor.

Off the island there is the Archeological Park with Sicily’s largest Greek Theater and the intriguing Ear of Dionysius.  Here, in the spring, you can see fabulous interpretations of ancient Greek plays.  There are also remains of a Roman amphitheater. Go with a guide and expect to stay 2-3 hours.

My advice: if you are planning a day trip, stay the whole day and enjoy. There are terrific restaurants and a market with places to eat fresh and delectable things.

South-Eastern Sicily

Just a short 20 minutes away from Siracusa is Noto . Built after the earthquake of 1693 destroyed the original town, it is now recognized by UNESCO for its refined Baroque architecture. The town is laid out in a grid form so the sun shines along the streets, reflecting light off the golden limestone. Perched atop a large flight of steps the Duomo is an imposing feature in the center of the main thoroughfare. Its steps are inviting to all for a sit down. The Duomo faces another beautiful building, the Palazzo Ducezio , now used by the government.

Noto has a slower pace to it than Ortigia and people mill about eating gelato from well-known pastry shops, climbing to one of the two church roofs for fabulous cityscape photos, and exploring the balconies that drip with fanciful and ornate decoration. It is a welcoming place and one of the few where I have seen LGBTQ flags.

Stay at the Gagliardi Hotel for its beautiful spacious rooms and a rooftop for wine and cocktails with a view before dinner. Eat local almonds. Drink Nero d’Avola and Moscato di Noto wines, produced nearby. Visit the Vendicari Reserve in the morning or at dusk to see migrating birds (including pink flamingoes!), the sandy beach and old tuna fishing structures. The boardwalk paths are lovely to traverse.

Ragusa is another town that was a victim of the earthquake of 1693. It combines a newer town above the historic town below with iconic images of beautifully colored domes visible from the windy road in between. Like many other places, the main area is the Piazza Duomo, where many streets converge. Here you can sit and enjoy wine-flavored gelato while gazing at Ragusa’s quintessentially Baroque Cathedral, so recognizable with its steep stairs and wrought-iron gate.

The best view is from the parlor inside the Palazzo Arezzo , which is open to the public. Deeper into town there are steps leading to great vantage points and interesting streets. The Iblean Gardens are a peaceful oasis of exotic plants and ponds, flanked by the old convent. Don’t miss a visit to Rosso Cinabro . Cart-makers in the old tradition, they are the design creators for Dolce and Gabbana’s SMEG line of appliances. From this tiny workshop, the designs reach the world.

Not too far from Ragusa is Modica . If by now you are in need of chocolate, you will find it here. Modica is chocolate central and here the chocolate is made in the same way the Aztecs did, a style brought over by the Spanish. Cooked over a low fire, the chocolate remains granular. It comes in plain or many delicious flavor varieties. There are several places that will give you a tour with samples of their chocolate bars, chocolate syrup and confections, including the traditional ‘Mpanatigghi , that has more than just chocolate baked inside, a secret ingredient that always surprises.

You will then have the energy to climb the steps of the ornate and beautiful Cathedral San Giorgio . Much like Ragusa, the town is full of steps all leading away from the main Corso (Umberto) offering views, intriguing history and fun. Come dusk, you should position yourself next to the San Giorgio Hotel to see the lights as they cover the surrounding hills, another iconic image. Dinner can be in a Michelin-starred restaurant or a small trattoria whose owners bring in cheese and other delectables from their farm. It is aptly named Ricotta.

READ: about the Delicious typical desserts of Sicily

It is well worth a visit to head a little further south to Scicli (pronounced She-cli). Yes, it’s another of the Baroque towns recognized by UNESCO in the Val di Noto and it is probably the smallest, but it has big surprises. Any Detective Montalbano fan can tell you that it is the home of the police station, the center of all story lines. Fans flock to this area to trace the steps of the beloved Inspector who mixes charm, insight, bravado, warmth and humor all into one character.

Visit the Chiesa San Bartolomeo to be amazed by the large and stunning diorama of the Nativity. The Palazzo Beneventano is interesting with its strikingly odd ornamental features. In the afternoon head to Gli Aromi , a nearby herb farm where its passionate owner Enrico will give you an ‘olfactory’ tour and his chef wife Rita will whip up a fabulous lunch. Herbs never tasted this good.

Val di Noto

In all of the surrounding areas of the Val di Noto , you have the opportunity to taste excellent wines. To the west is Vittoria, home to Sicily’s only DOCG wine, the Cerusuolo di Vittoria which blends Frappato with Nero d’Avola. To the east there is Moscato di Noto , a dry, delicious, historic white. There are women winemakers, historic wineries and new producers who arrived to try their hand in Sicily.

LISTEN: Exploring the Val di Noto

Central Sicily

Piazza armerina.

From Catania, Piazza Armerina is a day trip, fewer than 90 minutes away. In Sicily it is always best to talk about the time to travel, not the miles because going off the main roads can be slow with lights, trucks, and sheep traffic. Piazza Armerina is a good-sized town with a beautiful church and some lunch-time eateries, but the reason to drive here is to visit the Villa Romana del Casale , just a few minutes on its outskirts. Think 4th century wealthy Romans.

We don’t know exactly who they were, but the vast expanse of this villa and their intricately decorated rooms, would suggest they were very important. It was a hunting villa in the woods, and it contains miles of some of the best-preserved Roman mosaics in the world. Animal scenes, allegories, mythology and family life is all described with small stone, glass and ceramic tiles in each spectacular room. Another UNESCO site , a tour around will give you a sense of their very advanced living, from hot baths to a gym and much in between.

Caltagirone

The ceramics tradition in Sicily dates back to the indigenous peoples who used the rich clay in the area to make useful things. The Greeks advanced to firing vases and pots. Fast forward to the Arabs who brought with them a knowledge of ceramics-making from the East and they began making decorative objects, later refined further by the Spanish.

History in Sicily is always complex, and all the peoples that came through left their own mark. Caltagirone is the largest of the ceramic centers in Sicily. Walk through the town and it is like you are in an open-air museum seeing glazed pottery on walls, balconies, decorative objects and on the town’s centerpiece, the Scala Maria del Monte .

These 182 steps are each adorned with ceramic tiles that tell a chronological story from most recent to older styles as you climb. Alongside the steps, the workshop doors are ajar for you to come in and browse or watch artistry at work. There are many, many shops in town from museum quality refined to the inexpensive.

The mother-lode of Greek ruins lies in the town once known as Akragas . It was a thriving, highly populated metropolis in the 6th century BCE. In the amazing place known as The Valley of the Temples , visitors will see 7 temples along a paved road (where it is possible to hop on a bus for a fee), among which is one of the world’s best-preserved temples, Concordia. This stunning group of temples all have similar light-colored stone now, but we know that back in the day, each temple was a colorful sight.

There are olive, almond and carob trees, ongoing digs, a few goats, and a rest stop or two as well. Imposing and majestic, this is an unforgettable sight with a complex history and mythology best explained by a guide. Allow yourself half a day for the Archeological Park (with comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen) and if archeology interests you, the well-stocked Archeological Museum is nearby.

The town itself is small but has some old churches worth seeing and a few good restaurants. A visit to the Monastero Santo Spirito is worth the steep walk and rewarded, as these nuns are one of the only ones on the island that still sell their marzipan sweets. Pay attention to parking rules in town. That’s experience talking.

READ: Our guide to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples .

Sicani Hills

The Sicans were an indigenous population from Sicily’s central area and recent efforts have been successful at bringing tourists to see a bit of pre-history. In tucked away caves and small off-the-beaten-path places, this area is awash with experiences for the curious, food and wine lovers, too, from visiting farms that raise goats to pistachios, from olive oil producers to winemakers.

You can spend a memorable day with a knowledgeable guide, immersing yourself in a bit of Sicily known to few. Afterwards, head to the sea and there you will find sandy beaches from which to watch the sunset. Accommodations in the area run from five-star hotels to wonderful rural properties, known as either a baglio or an agriturismo. You can watch a video about the Sicani hills on the La RosaWorks Sicily Presents YouTube channel .

North-West Sicily

Sciacca and selinunte.

On the windswept sea, along the Southern coastline sits Sciacca . It had thermal springs that served nearby Selinunte , a large Greek settlement in the 5th century BCE. Today Sciacca resembles a charming medieval town, built on an incline affording beautiful views of the sea. It is known for its ceramics with its own distinctive style, with many shops and workshops in town and also for its celebration of Carnevale.

If you visit the town for a half day of relaxed exploring, you can spend the other half roaming the vast Archeological Park of Selinunte . Among the least visited of the archeological sites, here the ancient grain blows in the wind, the stones are strewn about and it is easy to imagine the time when these lands were the scene of great Greek and Carthagenian battles. Buy a book at the newly opened visitors center to learn about the history. Signage at the site is minimal. Remember the sunscreen. Archeological sites generally offer little shade.

Mazara del Vallo

Coming up the west coast, the town of Mazara del Vallo says a lot about Sicily. As the crow flies, it is not far from Tunisia and this port town seems like a colorful extension, complete with a section of town called The Kasbah, Arabic art and signage, and the population itself often in Muslim dress.

There are Mosques and couscous, the signature dish, but there is also an old Jewish Quarter, Catholic churches and a museum housing one of Sicily’s great art treasures, a Greek statue. The Dancing Satyr was found in a fishing net off the coast and after careful restoration, looking up at it is a Stendhal moment. Sicily’s complex history is on display in this small town, a microcosm of diversity. Feast on the fish couscous here.

Not far, further north and also on the sea is Marsala – Mars-Allah, the Port of Allah. The Arab influence in Sicily is distinctly felt in the West in contrast to the Greek influence in the East. This town is known for its fortified wine. Marsala was Sicily’s first DOC wine. It became famous in the mid 19th century because the wine would remain drinkable for sailors and merchants on long voyages.

Although this small town is pleasant enough to explore, visiting wineries here is the thing to do. There are a number of cantine right around town; Florio , Donnafugata , and Pellegrino are all large scale and welcome tourists interested in seeing how Marsala is made and tastes, Florio being the most historic. Alagna Vini , just outside of town, offers a very personal approach to the wines they make, a delicious education. All by appointment only.

Outside of the city are the salt pans, and in the Summer, you can see white, conical piles of salt that were once used to preserve tuna from the local fishing industry. There is a small museum to explain the salt collecting process and different varieties.

Take the 5-minute boat ride over to the island of Mozia , a settlement of Phoenician merchants and sailors from the 7th century BCE. There are remains all over the island and archeological digs to observe. The main attraction is the museum, in which stands another of Sicily’s great art treasures, The Charioteer sculpture. As you gaze upon this stunning Greek body, you are sure to be amazed by its grace, power and unusual pose.

Not on most tourist itineraries is a trip into the interior. Salemi is not far inland from Marsala and well worth the visit. Known for its intricate breads made for the Feast of Saint Joseph , there is a museum that explains the meanings of the many bread shapes that decorate the special feast time altars. In town you will also find the remains of a Norman castle and a grand church. It’s a charming hill town with expansive vistas.

Nearby are many wineries offering tastings and each one offering their unique expression of winemaking. Tenuta Orestiadi combines their winemaking efforts with art and they are situated across the road from the Contemporary Art Foundation Orestiadi , a wonderful museum and relatively new addition to the landscape.

Trapani is further north and west. It was once an important trading port inhabited by wealthy merchants as is evidenced by the impressive houses that still line the streets. Trapani is known for its intensely somber Holy Week events that draw people from all over the world.

There is an historic medieval Jewish quarter that has narrow streets and some good restaurants, including Cantina Siciliana , where Pino’s Fish couscous is a signature dish. Sicily’s Jewish population before the Inquisition was quite large.

From the port of Trapani, you can ferry to the Egadi Islands where the fascinating history of the tuna fishing ritual can be seen at a museum on Favignana . On Levanzo , a less populated island, scooters and light hiking offer beautiful and peaceful moments. Boating and water sports are available. Bring the camera.

From Trapani take the funicular up to the hill town of Erice , or you can drive up a steep and curvaceous road with many switchbacks, but fabulously stunning vistas. The town of Erice is small with a distinct medieval ambience but its history goes back to the Greeks. There was once a temple to Aphrodite, an important spot where a fire always burned and to which travelers came from afar to pay the goddess respects.

In later times there was a Norman castle with a breathtaking view. Flash forward and we can find Maria Grammatico’s Pasticceria . As a young girl from a poor family, Maria was sent to the convent. She spent her days helping to bake the traditional sweets for which the convents were known.

Today she bakes still, and her shop is quite famous. You must not miss her Brutti ma Buoni , almond paste or divine pistachio treats. You can see Erice in a half day, but if you have the time, walking the cobblestone streets and exploring slowly is my recommendation for all town visits.

Segesta rises from the landscape seemingly from nowhere. This was an ancient Elymian settlement and the ruins of the temple and the amphitheater are well preserved, making this site one of Sicily’s most visited.

A guide is useful to explain this particular ancient history. There is a bus every thirty minutes that can shuttle you to the higher ground on which the amphitheater sits, overlooking the rolling hills, or you can walk, although it is a steep climb that will take time. Half a day should be enough time here, and you can move along towards Palermo.

Northern Sicily

Monreale .

Perhaps one of Sicily’s top must see sites is Monreale Cathedral . It is simply spectacular and renowned for its beauty but also because it remains a symbol of a time when multiculturalism was at its height.

Begun in 1174 by William the Good, it exemplifies the best of the Arab/Norman heritage. It is an imposing Norman structure, covered in miles of brilliant Byzantine mosaics and colorful stonework with distinctly Arab motifs. It has decorated wooden ceilings, again displaying intricate Arab craftmanship.

On the side walls are gilded saints and Biblical stories while the glittering iconic Christ Pantocrator looks out towards devout worshipers. You can visit the cloister, a separate entrance, that is surrounded by unique columns and more mosaics, radiant in the sun. Another treat is climbing up to the walkway that surrounds the cloister for an aerial view of the cloister and surroundings.

Monreale is best seen with a guide to understand and not miss the layered meanings of its stunning contents. If you are hungry after being wowed, head to the wonderful Pavone for a very nice lunch with wine, but pizza in the Cathedral piazza is quite good, too.

Palermo is Sicily’s capital, the largest city with roughly one million inhabitants. It has UNESCO designation for its Arab/Norman heritage, but even beyond this important history, Palermo has so much to offer!

LISTEN: Palermo, Not what you expect!

It is advisable to give yourself at least 2-3 days in Palermo to experience its variety: fabulous markets, famous for their chaos, colors, and cacophony; the historic sites, including the Palazzo Royale and its Cappella Palatina the extraordinary private chapel of King Roger II (with more incredible mosaics); Palermo Cathedral that houses the remains of Palermo’s patron saint, Rosalia, medieval tombs and a rooftop experience; the Teatro Massimo , Europe’s third largest opera house (tours are offered); the excellent Archeological Museum Salinas with its unique lay out in an historic convent; the large circular Pretoria Fountain with its particular history; the Galleria Arte Moderne , GAM; the ornately decorated Oratorios decorated in stucco relief by the artist Serpotta, and the charming traditional puppet shows, the most well-known and central of these being L’Opera di Pupi Cuticchio .

There is a wonderful Orto Botanico as well as 16th-18th century Spanish palazzi all around the city, some of which you can visit by appointment. Stanze al Genio , a private collection dedicated to the important history of ceramic tiles in Southern Italy is well worth the guided tour.

READ: Our guide of the Best things to do in Palermo .

These are highlights of what Palermo can offer to fill your days, but Palermo’s nightlife is busy, too. In Palermo’s old Vucciria Market , there is a party of street food and music. On pedestrian only Via Maqueda you can hear street musicians and eat arancini. The Piazza Verdi which fronts the Teatro Massimo is always alive with buskers and tourists. Palermo is a wonderful city, at one time Europe’s most important city, and it is a mistake to overlook it.

LISTEN: Great day trips from Palermo

Cefalù sits on the Tyrrhenian seacoast, a small but very charming town built around its main Cathedral whose sturdy Norman spires dominate the landscape. It’s an iconic image of an unusual setting with sandy beach at its front and the Madonie Mountains at its back. To the side of the Cathedral is La Rocca – a rocky promontory whose top can be reached on a path that leaves the center of town and after a moderate hike gifts you with stunning views of the sea, the town and the mountains.

Cefalù has a good tourist population but it seems far less international than Taormina. In the evenings the narrow streets are full of locals taking the passeggiata or sitting in the Piazza Duomo for an espresso or gelato. There are eateries aplenty here and if you go to the edge of the town on Via Bordonaro, you can sit on one of their terraces on the water and listen to the water gently lapping as you devour a great pizza and local red wine.

Don’t miss the Duomo itself, filled with more amazing and well-preserved Byzantine mosaics in the Arab/Norman style. The small Mandralisca Museum is a gem of a collection and contains the famous ‘Portrait of an Unknown Man’ by Antonella da Messina . If you are looking for down time with a few things to do, for a base from which to do relaxed day trips, consider staying in Cefalù for a couple of nights.

READ: Our guide to the Best places to stay in Sicily .

Which places will you visit in Sicily?

The message for visitors is clear: do not miss feasting on the variety of what Sicily has to offer, on your plate, in a glass, and with your eyes. The history is layered, the contrasts are great, the landscape is stunning and the overall experience otherworldly. And this list is but a sampling, for in every town large and small, there are untold stories to uncover.

DISCOVER: Best Things to do in Sicily during a visit

Delve deeper into the places to see in Sicily

Recommended reading to inspire your Sicilian adventures!

• Seeking Sicily and Sicilian Splendors by John Keahey;
• The Peoples of Sicily by Louis Mendola and Jacqueline Alio
• The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
• The Wine Dark Sea by Leonardo Sciascia

You’ll find more books and inspiration for your trip to Sicily at La RosaWorks .

About the author

Karen la rosa la rosaworks sicily, latest italy travel podcasts and articles, episode #220: italian hospitality – come as a guest, leave as a friend, episode #219: 10 (or more) reasons to visit sardinia, episode #218: how hard is it to learn italian, how to buy tickets for the colosseum in rome, can you travel to italy – latest travel information [april 2024], best beaches in calabria and how to visit them, 15 best hotels near the vatican city, where to stay in calabria: best towns and hotels [updated 2024], planning a trip to italy.

We love travel in Italy and sharing our knowledge. Read our Italy trip planning guide or join our FREE Italy travel planning community . Our 115,000+ members are happy to answer questions about your itinerary, how to get from place to place, the best places to stay and fun things to do.

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Visit Sicily: Top 20 Things to Do and Must See Attractions

The 20 best things to do in sicily (bucket list).

You’re planning to visit Sicily for you next trip or holidays and you are looking for the best places to visit?

Great choice, there are many things to see on this beautiful Italian island!

With important historical sites such as Agrigento Valley of the Temples , the Roman theatre of Taormina or the Baroque cities of Noto, Ragusa and Modica .

Natural richness , with its volcanoes (Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano), its islands , its beaches and its magnificent nature reserves like the one in Zingaro .

And of course, the fabulous Italian Cuisine! (I am a big fan!), you will for sure enjoy your stay. Now the question is: Where to go in Sicily?

To help you plan your trip, here is the list of the best things to do in Sicily, as always accompanied by my best tips for a memorable stay!

So, what are the best points of interest in Sicily?

3. Taormina

6. syracuse and ortigia island, 7. visit noto, modica and ragusa, 8. the valley of the temples in agrigento, 9. scala dei turchi.

• 10. Selinunte Temples 

11. The temple of Segesta

12. torre salsa nature reserve, 13. marsala salt pans, 14. trapani and erice medieval village, 15. aegadian islands, 16. enna, the heart of sicily, 17. zingaro nature reserve,  18. monte cofano nature reserve, 19. aeolian islands, 20. sicily most beautiful beaches, the best activities in sicily, sicily tours, renting a boat in sicily, tourist map of sicily, you’re traveling in sicily these articles will help you, visit sicily: the 20 best places to visit and must-see attractions.

You’re planning to visit Sicily?

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared detailed itineraries depending on your trip duration . You should read them after reading this article.

You can find them here, simply click on the orange links to read the articles:

• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in Sicily – With all my best tips + accommodation suggestions (East + West)
• Itinerary: 1 week in Sicily – The best itinerary to visit Sicily in 6, 7 or 8 days (East coast)
• Itinerary: 10 days in Sicily – Want to spend 10 days in Sicily? Then you should read this guide (West coast)
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Sicily – How to plan your 14, 15 or 16 days trip to Sicily (Full Sicily tour)

They will allow you to plan your trip very easily!

And if you have any question, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section, at the end of the article. I would be glad to help you plan your stay.

I can only start this list of the top things to do in Sicily   with the capital, Palermo . It is a very rich city in terms of historical buildings and monuments and the ideal place to visit if you like churches and palaces.

In Palermo , you shouldn’t miss:

• The Norman Palace
• Palermo Cathedral
• The Massimo Theatre
• The Ballaro Market

Not far from Palermo, there is one of the most visited places in Sicily: Monreale Cathedral and its thousands of square meters of golden mosaics . To give you an idea, 2200 kg of pure gold was used to make them!

For more details about Palermo and the best accommodations in town, you should read my article: The 15 best things to do in Palermo

This is a very picturesque place and probably the first Sicily picture you saw!

This small fishing town with its colorful boats moored at the pier seems calm and peaceful.

Ok, I will tell you something, so you will not be disappointed when you will visit Sicily: the reality is nowadays a bit different because Cefalù has become a popular seaside resort. With its sandy beach and medieval alleys , the place is certainly pretty, but quite crowded, especially in high season. I don’t advise you to go there if you only want to enjoy the beach, you will find much better and quieter elsewhere!

However, Cefalù is worth a stop to admire the panorama from the old port and pier and stroll through its narrow streets full of shops and restaurants. If you have time, you should also visit the Cefalù Norman cathedral , the most important building of the city.

Finally, you should climb to the top of La rocca di Cefalù , the cliff that overlooks the town and offers spectacular views.

Let’s continue this bucket list of things to do in Sicily with Taormina , nicknamed “the Pearl of Sicily” . This town is world-famous for the magnificent view it offers on the plain of Catania , Etna and Isola Bella . It’s one of the most touristic cities in Sicily , so it’s best to go off-season to make the most out of your stay.

If you’ve decided to visit the east coas of Sicily , it’s a must-see destination. Here are the things you shouldn’t miss in Taormina :

• Go down to Isola Bella , the small island and its beach that contribute greatly to the fame of the city.
• Visit Taormina Greek Theatre
• The beautiful view on the Etna and the sea from Piazza IX Aprile
• Climb the 300 steps leading to the Madonna della Rocca Church to enjoy a Bird’s-eye view of the surroundings.

I give you all the best tips to visit Taormina during your trip to Sicily in my article: Visit Taormina: The 10 things to do and see.

The Etna volcano is impossible to miss if you are in Sicily . It is one of the island’s main attractions, and it should definitely be included in your tour in Sicily .

From Taormina and Catania , many viewpoints allow you to admire it from a distance. But as it’s so close, it would be sad to miss the opportunity to climb up and see its crater, right?

The best things to do is to choose a day or half-day excursion. From Catania or Taormina , many tour operators offer full package around 55€ with transport , equipment , guide and 4 Wheel drive vehicle to go up to the crater.

Of course you can also drive there , but you will not be supervised, so be careful to have the right shoes and equipment . Check the weather conditions beforehand as well, access is not always allowed. Please note that if you are not accompanied by a guide, you will have to stop at the first level , (after the cable car). To reach the crater, the climb to the second level must be done in a guided minibus .

Going on the volcano is an unforgettable experience!

To make the most out of your day trip to Etna, I highly suggest you to book your tour with Getyourguide. It’s simple, they have the best English speaking guides!

Click on the following button for more info about the trip to Etna volcano:

Catania , the 2 nd largest city in Sicily after Palermo , is located at the foot of the Etna . As I told you before, this is the ideal starting point to get to the volcano.

Nicknamed the black city because of its buildings built in lava stone, Catania has many things to offer.

During your trip to Sicily , I advise to spend between half a day and a full day visiting the city.

Here are some of the things to do in and around Catania , in addition to the Etna excursion:

• Take a walk around the Piazza del Duomo to see the emblem of Catania : The Fontana dell’ Elefante .
• Visit Duomo Di Catania , the Cathedral dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Agatha .
• Visit the “Cyclops rocks” (Faraglioni in Italian) in the seaside resort of Aci Trezza , only 35 minutes from Catania .

Find all the best activities to do in Catania in my article: The 12 best things to do in Catania

On the east coast of Sicily lies the town of Syracuse and the charming Ortigia Island , its historical center. It’s simple: everything in Ortigia is pretty! Monuments, squares, fountains, palaces and churches. There’s also some really good ice cream. You will have guessed it, at Voyage Tips, we loved our stay on this island!

Ortigia Island must-sees attractions:

• The beautiful Piazza del Duomo
• The Castello Maniace
• Arethusa fountain at sunset

In the modern city of Syracuse , there is only one must-see attraction: Neapolis archaeological park with its Roman amphitheater, Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius.

Find everything you need to plan your stay in Syracuse in my article: Syracuse: the 15 best things to do

Another great place to visit in Sicily!

If you are looking for the best place to visit in Sicily to discover the amazing baroque architecture, then look no further!

The Baroque towns of Noto , Modica and Ragusa are all listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites . There are no specific monuments to visit here. All you have to do is stroll through the historic centers and enjoy it! (Tip: With an ice cream, it’s even better).

Palaces, churches and Baroque cathedrals , architecture lovers will really be happy!

The Valley of the Temples, next to the city of Agrigento, is Sicily best-known archaeological site. It’s the number 1 in terms of visit, before Selinunte Temples and Segesta (I will tell you more about them below).

8 temples are visible in the valley but the 2 best preserved are undoubtedly the temple of Concorde and the temple of Hera . The walk between the temples is very pleasant and easy to do on foot.

If you choose to go by yourself, you can find detailed information to plan your visit in my article: How to visit the Valley of the Temples?

About 20 minutes’ drive from the valley of the temples , the Scala dei Turchi is another must-see if your trip to Sicily takes you in this region!

This white limestone cliff is famous for its particular shape: it looks like erosion has carved steps! And if you add the turquoise color of the sea and the fine sand beaches that border it, you will understand why Scala dei Turchi is a very popular place.

Several dozen people gather here at the end of the day to watch the sunset , probably hundreds in high season. A show you shouldn’t miss!

Adresse de la Scala dei Turchi: Strada Provinciale 68

10. Selinunte Temples  

I will not hide it: Selinunte is my favorite archaeological site in Sicily! The temples with the sea view is simply a must-see during your trip to Sicily .

The archaeological park is split in 2 different sites , so I recommend you take your car to go from one to another. There are several temples to see . Some are very well preserved, others in less good condition.

Since the experts were not sure to which divinity the temples were dedicated, they preferred to name them according to the alphabetical letters. So don’t be surprised to visit temple A, B or C.

The site is really beautiful and will keep you busy for half a day. If you can, I really recommend you to stay there for the sunset .

Details for visiting Selinunte temples can be found in our article : How to Spend 10 Days in Sicily? The Best Itinerary!

Last temple and archaeological site of my Sicily bucket list, the temple of Segesta .

Perched in the middle of the green hills , Segesta Temple dominates the surrounding countryside. Extremely well preserved , it’s definitely worth a look if you are in the area.

Fun fact: if the temple doesn’t have a roof, it’s simply because it was never finished!

Another vestige you can see on the site is the theatre , which is perched at 400 meters above the temple. It’s still used in summer to host concerts and theatrical performances.

All the info to know how to visit the Temple of Segesta is in my article: The 10 things to see in and around Trapani

Torre Salsa nature reserve is located between Agrigento and Selinunte , which makes it a very nice stop during your road trip in Sicily.

Another good reason to go there: the sandy beach is huge and there are really not many people. This not very well-known point of interest is a real paradise for swimming or picnic!

To get there, you will have to go down a dirt road for about 20 minutes , then park your car in the parking lot.

Be careful though:

• It’s not well indicated, so you may be struggling a little to find the right entry (there are several)
• The path to go there is very rocky, so watch out for your rental car!
• Avoid leaving your car on the parking lot with your belongings inside. Don’t leave anything in the car .

When you get out of Marsala town , take the salt road that will take you directly to the salt pans . The road then continues to Trapani .

The salt pans and their mills are on many postcards, and you will quickly understand why when you will see them! Try to go there at sunset if you can, they are even more photogenic!

You can easily stop on the roadside, take a few pictures and maybe buy some of this renowned salt, used by the best Sicilian chefs.

Trapani city itself isn’t a major point of interest of Sicilian tourism, but it is an ideal starting point for at least 3 major attractions:

• The temple of Segesta I mentioned earlier
• Visit Erice medieval village
• Take a trip to the Aegadian Islands . I will tell you more about them in a minute!

Let’s talk a bit about Erice , this small medieval town built at an altitude of 750m, on top of the rocky cliff overlooking Trapani.

You can of course get there by road (good luck finding a parking space in summer!) or go for for something more original: the cable car !

From Trapani , a return trip by cable car costs 9 euros and the view is breathtaking .

Once at the top, here are some of the must-see places in Erice:

• Erice castle , from where you will have a beautiful view on Trapani
• The opposite view, on Monte Cofano reserve and San Vito Lo Capo
• The 14th century medieval church
• Discover the charm of small medieval lanes and shops (Even though touristic!)
• The Maria Grammatico pastry shop, an Erice institution!

For more information on Trapani region, I recommend that you read our article: Visit Trapani: The Ultimate guide.

From Trapani , you can leave for a day trip (or several days!) to one of the Aegadian Islands .

Boats connect Trapani to the islands several times a day.

The 3 Aegadian Islands are Favignana , Levanzo and Marettimo . They are all ideal for long walks, bycicle riding and swimming breaks in beautiful coves . And in addition the use of cars is very regulated, so there are almost none!

However, if you only have one day to devote to Aegadian Islands, I recommend you choose Favignana . Most people then opts for bicycles rental , to be able to see as much as possible in a day. Impossible to get lost, everything is well indicated. The paths have no particular difficulty, except for a few potholes.

Things to see in Favignana :

• Cala Azzura
• Cala Rotonda
• Lido Burrone

Everything you need to know about the Aegadian Islands is in our article : Visit Trapani: The Ultimate guide.

Located in the heart of Sicily, Enna is nicknamed “ the navel of Sicily “.

The region of Enna is the only one without access to the sea. However, it has the most lakes, including Lake Pergusa , the only natural lake of the island.

Perched on a promontory over 900 meters above sea level , Enna has retained its typical charm and offers several points of interest:

• Lombardy castle , which offers an unobstructed view of Etna from the top of its main tower.
• Enna’s Duomo
• Via Roma , the city’s historic center
• Archaeological Museum
• Lake Pergusa , with a racing circuit on its shore

It is undoubtedly the most famous nature reserve in Sicily. The Zingaro Nature Reserve is easily accessible from Scopello or Trapani .

During the easy 3h trail (back and forth), you will be delighted by the beautiful panoramas, with the path overlooking the sea.

And if you still need a reason to go there, this nature reserve offers access to several super beautiful coves. You can go for a swim before, during and after your hike! Isn’t life beautiful?

If you plan to visit the Zingaro during your trip to Sicily, you should read my detailed article: How to visit the Zingaro nature reserve?

Just as beautiful as the  Zingaro Nature Reserve , the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve is not as famous.

Other travel blogs may not tell you about it when you’re looking for points of interest in Sicily, and that’s a good thing! Like the Zingaro, it’s a path that runs along the seaside , however the vegetation and landscape is very different. personally, I loved it!

It’s also a lot quieter, very pleasant to walk around alone or almost.

For more experienced hikers , the reserve also offers another trail that allows you to climb to the top of Mount Cofano. But beware, with very steep passages where it’s necessary to use ropes and chains attached in the rocks, this trail requires good equipment and a good physical condition .

If you want to know more about Monte Cofano Nature reserve , you can read our article : Top 10 Things to see in Tripani.

The Aeolian Islands are located in Northern Sicily . This volcanic archipelago is made of 7 islands + a few islets and rocks. The best known and therefore the most visited are Lipari, Salina, Vulcano and Stromboli.

Each islands has its own charm and atmosphere :

• Lipari is the largest, best served by boats, and therefore it’s more animated than its sisters. It also has beautiful beaches .
• Vulcano is also easily accessible . It is famous for its beautiful volcanic landscapes and mud baths .
• Stromboli , well-known thanks to its continuously active volcano . An impressive night show you shouldn’t miss!
• Salina , has some beautiful hiking trails and good restaurants to eat after activities. It’s less touristy than the previous ones.

To get to Aeolian Islands , you will have to take a hydrofoil or a boat from Milazzo , Palermo or Messina . For example, the boat from Milazzo to Vulcano takes about 1h30. Once on the islands, cars are forbidden and reserved for residents exclusively.

If you only have a day to devote to the Aeolian Islands, I advise to choose only one, but if you want to see them all, you can choose a multi-day cruise .

My Sicily bucket list wouldn’t be complete without a list of the most beautiful beaches. Yep, if you’re going on a tour to Sicily , you will for sure want to enjoy the beach and crystal clear water! It’s one of the best things to do in Sicily after all.

Here are some of my favorite beaches and coves:

• San Vito Lo Capo Beach: Perfect for families with children, this large sandy beach is great for swimming or sunbathing! Public beach + private beach.
• Isola Bella: Small pebble beach with crystal clear water, at the foot of Taormina. Ideal for snorkeling with lots of small fish to observe. Public beach + private beach.
• Scala dei Turchi: This is the most romantic beach to enjoy the sunset in Sicily. Turquoise water + limestone cliffs getting orange and pink tone = the perfect combination! Public beach + private beach.
• Cala Rossa in Favignana: Surrounded by huge rocks, this cove offers crystal clear turquoise water. The view from above is breathtaking.
• Torre Salsa Nature Reserve Beach, a large, fine sandy beach, with very shallow water. Great place to spend a day with family, far from everything. Be careful for 2 things: the road to go there isn’t very good and it’s extremely important not to leave anything in your car.
• Parco Marino del Plemmirio : Close to Syracuse , you can find numerous beautiful small coves there.
• Calamosche Beach: One of the busiest beaches around Syracuse, well known for the beauty of its shallow and translucent water.

During your stay in Sicily, you might want to do something else than cultural tourism or going to the beach .

I have thus selected for you the best activities in Sicily. There is something for everyone ??

Simply click on the links below for more information and to book your activities:

• Paragliding: You can enjoy this activity in Palermo, Agrigento, Taormina , Trapani or Cefalu.
• 4-hour cruise from Catania to Cyclops Bay – And for the Small group version, on a sailboat, click here!
• Canyoning in the Alcantara Gorge – Five-hour trip ( Book here !) 3-hour excursion ( Book there. )
• A boat trip to Isola Bella, in Taormina
• A boat trip to the Aeolian Islands
• Mountain bike tour in Alcantara gorge
• Snorkeling tour (Aeolian islands – Vulkan and Lipari) or a Snorkeling tour in a marine reserve around Catania.
• Kayaking around the beautiful island of Isola Bella, in Taormina – You can also do a snorkeling tour there!
• A Segway tour of Catania
• Diving in Sicily, near Catania – First dive also possible on the Aeolian Islands
• An excursion to Etna from Catania or from Taormina
• Mountain bike on Etna / Also possible with a buggy!
• Parasailing , a great way to enjoy the view over the coast!
• A Kayak course along the coast of Syracuse, or in Catania
• Quad bike tour near Ragusa/Modica
• Quad bike tour in the archaeological park of Segeste
• Jet Ski Rental to discover a part of the south coast of Sicily.
• Jet boat tour (a very fast boat that takes very tight turns)
• Speleology in the lava caves of Etna
• Guided hike to the necropolis of Pantalica , near Syracuse.

And if you have the budget, you should opt for a unique and exceptional activity : A Private helicopter flight over Mount Etna!

Now, I would love to know what you have planned to do during your trip to Sicily!

On Voyagetips.com , I give you all my best tips and itineraries to plan your trip to Sicily by yourself. (All Sicily articles are here)

However, if you prefer to book a Sicily tour with a travel agency , I recommend you to check the 10 best Sicily tours by clicking the button below:

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your trip to Sicily, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Sicily? 😊

To help you get a better overview of this big island, I have created a tourist map of Sicily , which lists all the best places to visit I mention in this article. You can view the map’s legend by clicking on the upper left button, the one with a small arrow.

Sicily travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Sicily guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Sicily guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all my articles about Sicily : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Sicily are listed there.

• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (East + West)
• Itinerary: 1 week in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (East coast)
• Itinerary: 10 days in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (West coast)
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (Full Sicily tour)
• Agrigento: The 10 best things to do in and around the city
• Catania: The 12 must-see attractions
• Palermo: The 15 things to do in the capital
• Syracuse: The 15 best things to discover
• Taormina: Top 10 things to do and must-see!
• Trapani: The 10 best things to do
• Agrigento Valley of the Temples: visit the archaeological site with my detailed guide!
• Zingaro nature Reserve: All my best tips to enjoy this wonderful hike
• Where to stay in Sicily? My guide of the best hotels, sorted by cities and budget!

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Discussion 63 comments.

Hi Vincent!

I’ve really been enjoying reading your information on Sicily. You have offered some great ideas and advice!

I do have a quick question for you. Next April my husband and I are going to Sicily for about 10 days. We’d like to settle in 2-3 areas for that time, as we all really like to linger in a place for a while.

Since this is our plan, I was curious what 2-3 towns would you might suggest for this kind of trip. I have a feeling we’ll be settling on only 2 locations, but we’re just in the beginning stages of our planning, so we may change it to 3 different spots.

Thanks so much!

Hi Allyson!

I am glad my articles are helping you to plan your trip!

If I had to choose 3 cities, I would go for Taormina, Syracuse and Palermo, these are the 3 most interesting cities to visit. But it really depends on what you want to see, if you like more cities, historical sites or nature for example. Tell me what you prefer.

If you are interested in visiting the temples (Agrigento, Selinunte) + Marsala Salt pans + Aegadian Island + Erice village (all 3 next to Trapani city), staying in Selinunte or Sciacca town can be a good idea.

It also depends if you plan to rent a car there? Let me know! Then you can pickup a few places you would like to see from this article: The 20 best things to do in Sicily . I will then tell you where to stay to optimize your trip in Sicily.

Hey Vincent!

Thanks for your response! My husband, David, and I will be traveling with another couple that has been to Italy many, many times. They are pros at traveling around the country! 🙂 We will definitely have a car, and will do a little bit of everything. I’m a big nerd, so I love the history. LOL We will also plan on some active type activities, as well as travel to big cities.

There has been a development in our planning, though. We had decided on Sicily, but in a conversation late last week, Greece was mentioned. Now we are trying to decide if we want to go to Sicily or Greece! It’s a rather difficult one to make, because we would all love to go to both places! The pros to going to Sicily are that my friend Lisa speaks the language, has driven there many times, and the FOOD!! Oh the food!! Pros for Greece include the history and architectural ruins, the many islands, and again, the FOOD!

I checked your website, and I noticed that you haven’t been to Greece. I’ll have to do some searching around on other sites to find information that will help our decision-making. We want to have it decided upon within the next two weeks, so we can book our flights.

Anyway, any advice, tips, or whatever you’d like to share will be most appreciated. Thanks so much!

Hey Allyson,

If you love history, you should really go to at least one of the temples archeological sites, it’s amazing!

I haven’t been to Greece, I am planning to go relatively soon (This year or next year, not sure if I will do Portugal first, or Greece, no idea for now!), but the country is big and attractions aren’t close to each others, so traveling 10 days in Greece seems a bit short in my opinion (15 should be a minimum I think, 20-25 would be best).

So my personnal advice for a relatively short trip would be Sicily, as traveling from place to place with a car is super easy there, you will lose a lot less time in transportation.

After, you decide!

Just one important thing: If you go to Sicily, you need to be very careful with the car rental scams, it’s unfortunatly very common there. I have written an article about it and how to avoid them, but it’s just in french for now. (if needed I can sum it up for you)

The article is here, just in case: Rent a car in Sicily – How to avoid scam (in French)

If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to let me know.

We will be on the Amalfi coast for three days and i plan to go to Sicily for a couple of days by car…the 7 hour drive is bad enough so i dont plan to go all the way to Palermo…for time sake. However I would appreciate you advice on things to do in eastern sicily… i have only two days to allow and then back to Rome for our flight back home…thanks

Hello Johnny,

If you don’t want to drive too much, the best is to spend your 2 days in Taormina, it’s a very beautiful town, and the closest to Messina (where the ferry boat to Sicily arrives). You can spend your 2 days like this: Day 1: Visit Taormina and go to Isola Bella beach Day 2: Go to Castelmola village (less than 10 minutes drive, very beautiful!) + enjoy the beach again, or go to Alcantara Gorges.

Another option for Day 2 is to go to Mount Etna.

You can read my article about Taormina: The 10 best things to do in Towwn

Enjoy your trip to Sicily!

Hello Vincent, I really enjoyed reading all the information in Sicily, my boyfriend & I we are (48 & 64 years old)are wanting to go in November, we enjoy history, beaches, and are big “Foodies” and love to explore new places, I have some Sicilian history (Great Grandfather from a small town that was destroyed by an earthquake in the 1970’s and most of the family moved to Polamero at that point. Anyways… We are thinking 8-10 days maybe ? in Sicily and then pop over to Barcelona for a week or so ?, I could really use some help planning some of the details can you recommend someone? We live in USA and also do not speak any Italian so I want to make sure we don’t get scammed.

I also read that Greece is on your list and I do have a great person for planning that, check out Fantasy Travel, they only plan Greece and Egypt however.

Hello Nicole,

For Sicily, i will be glad to answer your questions and help you plan your trip (for free of course) if you want to organise it yourself.

No need to worry, if you book everything in advance, you can’t really get scammed. The only scams that are problematic in Sicily are the car rental scams, but you can avoid them easily by taking an insurance, as i explain in my itineraries articles.

Unfortunately I don’t know anyone who can organise your trip for you, but, if you want, you can tell me what you would like to visit, and I can tell you how many days you will need.

By the way, have you read my 10 days and 2 weeks itineraries articles? They can give you a good idea about how long it takes to visit the various places!

I am currently in Greece, I have visited most of the country during the past month, so I will prepare some travel guides when i will be back.

I am sure you will love your trip to Sicily, Barcelona and Europe!

Good afternoon Vincent,

Thanks for your great tips for visitors to Sicily. My husband and I are planning a holiday for a month in Italy in May/June 2019 and have decided to include Sicily in our itinerary.

We will certainly be taking your advice and visiting many of the places you have mentioned but are a little undecided what to do about booking accommodation. Would you suggest pre booking from Australia or perhaps just ‘winging’ it when we arrive. We really are at a bit of a loss on this one so hope you may be able to help us out a little with you great knowledge of the country.

Many thanks, Kristine

Hello Kristine,

I would really suggest you to book your accommodations in advance, Sicily is quite touristic and the hotels offering the best value for money are full quite fast.

This is especially true in Taormina, Ortigia (Syracuse) and next to the Valley of the Temples for example.

If you haven’t already, I recommend you to have a look at the itineraries I have written: they give you a better idea of what you can visit in how much time. I also suggest the best hotels for every budget in each cities. Click here for the list of the best Itineraries in Sicily

And if you need help to plan your trip, don’t hesitate!

Thanks Vincent, will take your advice and book prior to going. Will also look at your recommended areas to visit. Nothing like having some local knowledge so will probably be back in touch.

Cheers Kristine😊

You’re very welcome, talk with you soon then 🙂

Hi again Vincent,

Quick question. If we decided to base ourselves in one hotel and then travel to different towns/cities in Sicily, where would you suggest we do that. We will have transport and as we live in Australia we are used to driving distances so that wouldn’t be an issue but just wonder if this idea is feasible.

Thanks again,

Hi Kristine,

I wouldn’t suggest to do this at all, as it is really a waste of time 😊

Even by staying in the most central location (in the middle of Sicily, where there is nothing very interesting to do), you will have around 4 or 5 hours of driving each day to reach the main attractions and come back.

Not to mention a few places deserves at least 2 days to visit, like Syracuse or Trapani if you also want to go to Aegadian islands.

In Sicily, doing an itinerary is really the only viable solution.

My family booked a house for a week in Trappeto. We are already planning to spend a couple days going to Palermo. On top of that what would you recommend? Should we stay on the west side of the island (Castellammare del Golfo/ Trapani)? Or does maybe an overnight, two-day trip to Mt. Etna and Taormina make sense during that week? Thank you so much and I have really enjoyed reading all of your articles!

If you are in Trappeto, it’s really better to stay on the west side of Sicily. There is enough to keep you busy, with attractions such as:

– Palermo of course and Monreale Cathedral – The Zingaro nature reserve – Erice village, near Trapani – or even Selinunte temples, as they are only 1 hour drive from Trappeto – Marsala Salt Pans – The Aegali islands (Favignana or Levanzo) – Cefalu is at around 1h30 if you want to go there too.

You can group some of them. For example, you can do, in 1 day:

Selinunte temples in the morning, then do a loop: Marsala Salt Pans and Erice village at the end of the day. That would be a pretty awesome day of visits!

To go to the east side (Catania), it’s a 3 hours drive. A bit far in my opinion for just a week. Going back and forth, you would be losing half a day in the car.

It’s really better to plan to come back to Sicily another time, and enjoy the east side, as there is enough places to visit to spend another great week there 😃

Have a nice trip, and if you have other questions, don’t hesitate!

I love your blog and will use your advice for our 2 weeks in Sicily and for a few days in Rome, thanks so much for your insights.

We are seniors and the idea of navigating ourselves is a bit intimidating, I was wondering if you could recommend a driver who could take us around on our 2 week sojourn in Sicily.

I suppose we can do it but it would be a real luxury to be able to look out the window and have someone else ( who knows the terrain) get us around.

Thank you in advance for any help and information, we loved your blog!

P.S. we will be traveling in February 😊

I am glad my articles about Sicily are helping you to plan your trip! Unfortunately, I don’t know any driver in Sicily. I think your best bet would be to contact one of your hotels in Sicily and ask them. They generally know a few local taxi drivers.

Have a great day and enjoy your trip to Sicily! And if you have any other question, don’t hesitate.

Hi, My husband and I are going to have just 3 days in Sicily but have yet to decide where to stay. He wants to rent a car but I would rather hire a guide to lead us around. Which would you suggest? Also, we speak no Italian and I am really concerned about the language barrier. Which area of Sicily would be best for English speaking Americans?

It really depends on what you want to visit. If you don’t mind driving a bit, the best place to visit in 3 days would be Catania/Taormina/the etna Volcano and castelmola village. If you do not have the time, you can do just half a day in catania, it is enough to visit the best attractions of the city.

You can read my 3 days in Sicily itineraries article here: the best things do to in 3 days in Sicily .

There are links to my city guides in the article too.

For the car rental/guide question, it depends: the guide would be useful if you want to have detailed historical information about the places you will visit and if you don’t mind being with someone else all day.

Else, it is pretty straightforward, you just have to drive from A to B with the car. The city historical centers are very small, so you cannot get lost.

And don’t worry about the language barrier, Sicily is a very touristic place and everyone speaks a bit of English there.

Great article. My daughter and I will be in Sicily for one week. She would like to do wine tasting. Can you recommend a specific region that would allow for both wine tasting and hitting the sites/cities you recommend.? Thank you!

Hello Elizabeth,

I’m glad my article is helping you to plan your trip to Sicily.

The 2 best regions for wine tasting in Sicily are around Marsala and Trapani on the west coast and around the Etna volcano on the east coast.

I have written 2 detailed itineraries that will help you to plan your stay.

You can read the one about the east coast of Sicily by clicking here And the one about the west coast there .

The west coast itinerary is for a 10 days trip, but it can be slightly modified to fit a 7 days holidays in Sicily. If you need any help for this, don’t hesitate to ask me.

If you choose to visit the east coast, I highly recommend you the following tour:

Mount Etna 5 hours wine tasting tour

Hello Vincent,

Love your website. Thank you so much. Problem is I want to see it ALL and I know that will never be possible. So I’m hoping you might have some ideas for us.

My husband and I will be going to a family wedding in Trapani. The wedding is on Aug. 4. I know, groan, August is not the best time to travel in Italy and especially not Sicily. We will be flying from NY. We were thinking of spending maybe 3 days in Rome and then flying to Sicily.

We would like to spend 2- 3 days in Trapani, perhaps Aug. 3, 4 & 5? And then tour a bit more of the island. We would want to spend no more than 14 days total (including the days devoted to transatlantic flights). If we take a 14 day total trip, subtract 2 days for transatlantic travel, 3 days for Rome, 3 days in Trapani, that would leave us 6 days to tour Sicily. Can you suggest an itinerary?

Would flying home to NY directly from Palermo be possible? Are there flights every day? Would it add a lot to the air fare to book flights NY → Rome, then Rome → Catania, (rental car from Catania ), then Palermo → NY? I am assuming the total trip time will be shorter if we fly directly home to NY from Palermo, but that it will be more expensive .

Thank you so very much for any ideas you have.

Hello Kisa,

Thanks a lot, I am glad my website is useful for you to plan your trip to Sicily.

For the 3 days you will spend in Trapani, you should have a look to my detailed article about the things to do in and around the city, if you haven’t cheked it yet. It also includes itineraries to visit the city in 1, 2 or 3 days. You can read it here: The 10 best things to do in Trapani

For the 6 other days in Sicily, the best would be to land in Catania and do the following itinerary:

– 1 day in Catania – 1 day in Syracuse and Ortigia Island – 1 days in Noto, Modica and Ragusa – 1 day in Agrigento and Scala dei Turchi – 1 day in Selinunte – 3 days in Trapani for the wedding – 1 day in Palermo and take your flight back

It’s a tight schedule, and you will have to change hotel each night, but that’s the best way to see many places in such a short amount of time.

You can read all my articles about Sicily by clicking here , you will find a list of the best things to do for each place + itineraries ideas to plan the visits.

For Palermo to New York flights, you should have a look on a flight comparator such as Skyscanner . I have checked, and it seems there are flights everyday (with 1 stop) for around 400€.

By the way, I have also written a detailed travel guide about Rome, with all the best things to do and itineraries to visit the city in 3 days, you can read it here: The 25 best things to do in Rome .

Don’t hesitate if you have any other questions.

I am planning for a three week trip to Sicily in Mid August. I plan to rent a car.

I am researching places now but was wondering what places you recommended. I am interested in nature, culture and history.

I know that it will require driving but is it possible to base myself in certain places (of an area) for a couple of days and then do day trips to surrounding areas?

Thanks in advance.

The thing is, in Sicily, all the 99% of the must-see attractions are located along the coast. So to visit, you really need to drive around the island.

It’s not really possible to do it with only 3-4 stops for example, you would end up driving 5 or 6 hours per day!

For a first long stay in Sicily, I recommend doing the itinerary I talk about in my “How to spend 2 weeks in Sicily” article. You can read it here: 2 weeks Itinerary in Sicily .

It’s a 9 stops itinerary, and the only ones you can group together are “2) Syracuse / Ortigia Island (2 days)” with “3) Noto / Ragusa / Modica (1 day)”. You can spend one more night in Syrcause and visit Noto/Ragusa and Modica as a day trip. You will waste a bit of time, but as you have 3 weeks, that’s alright in your case!

As you have 3 weeks in Sicily, in addition to the itinerary I linked above, you definitely should add a few days on the Aeolian Islands. 4 days would be a good start to explore them.

If you have any questions to plan your trip to Sicily (advices for your itinerary draft, best places to stay in a city or anything else), don’t hesitate to ask me 🙂

Hi, Thanks for this very informative site; it’s really helped me plan our trip to Sicily. Thought I’d leave you my itinerary to get your opinion on if we will manage with what we doing:

– Day 1: Arrive in Palermo pm – Day 2: Palermo – Day 3: (road trip begins) am Cefalù/ pm Taormina (sleep in T) – Day 4: Taormina/ Castelmola- drive to Syracuse (sleep in S) – Day 5: Syracuse – Day 6: Syracuse + Ortigia (drive to Catania/ sleep in C) – Day 7: Catania – Day 8: Catania…pm ferry to Amalfi

U think it’s all good ? Can you recommend any accommodation ?

Thanks, Dan

Your itinerary seems to be perfect!

About accommodations, I have written suggestions in the detailed articles about each city, in the “where to stay?” section

Here are the direct links, for the cities you will visit during your road trip in Sicily:

Where to stay in Palermo Where to stay in Taormina Where to stay in Syracuse Where to say in Catania

If you have specific questions about accommodations or anything else, don’t hesitate!

Hi Vincent There is so much to see and do I think I need a month! However, we are flying into Palermo late evening and have then 5 nights for a road trip. We want to see Palermo, Agrigento and Syracuse and whatever you suggest along the way. We are then heading for Taormina where we have a hotel booked for a week. We went there last year and loved it so decided to see a little more of the Island first. Would really appreciate your help.

If you want to visit Palermo, Agrigento and Syracuse during your road trip before going to Taormina, I suggest you the following itinerary:

– Day 1: arrive in Palermo – Night in Palermo

– Day 2: Visit Palermo. If you have time, you can also go to Monreale town to see the cathedral. Night in Palermo

– Day 3: Go to Agrigento (2 hours by car) and visit the Valley of Temples. At the end of the afternoon, you can head to the Scala dei Turchi beach to watch the sunset. Night in Agrigento.

– Day 4: Discover the 3 baroque cities: Ragusa, Modica, Noto and then head to Syracuse. Night in Syracuse.

– Day 5: Visit Syracuse and Ortigia. Night in Syracuse.

– Day 6: Visit Catania and night in Catania or Taormina (depends if you count the first night in Palermo in the 5 nights total or not).

If you have other questions to plan your trip to Sicily, don’t hesitate!

Thank you Vincent. The 5 nights includes the first night in Palermo but we can drive to Catania from Taormina for a day trip. Do you think we would have time to visit Trapani/Erice on our full day in Palermo?

From Palermo to Erice, it’s 2 hours by car, so it’s too short to do Palermo + Erice on the same day.

If you prefer, you can skip Palermo and do a day trip to Erice.

From Palermo, you can take the coastal road, go to the Zingaro Nature Reserve or see some nice beaches around San Vito Lo Capo and Monte Cofano (Bue Marino beach for example) for the first part of the day.

Then head to Erice, try to be there around 4-5pm.

Erice is very small, so 1h30-2 hours is really enough and Trapani city iself isn’t very interesting (not worth going).

Thank you for this great site. We are going to be hiring scooters to tour the Island in September, and have found you advise tremendous. What are the roads like in terms of safety?

Hello Jane,

To be honest, I wouldn’t hire scooters to tour the island, for a few reasons:

– Sicily is a very big island, a typical tour of Sicily takes about 2 weeks, if done by car. (You can have a look at my 2 weeks itinerary in Sicily ). With a scooter, unless it’s a 400cc or more, travel times would be very very long. – Sicilian driving is crazy: if you are not used to drive in the South of Italy, renting a scooter is quite dangerous. – You will need to be very careful of thieves. Even if you rent a car, it’s not recommend to leave it unattended with something inside. So you can’t really park the scooter near a wild beach and go swimmming, as you might have a bad surprise when coming back.

While renting a scooter is great for small islands (like the Aeolian islands, reachable from Sicily), it’s really not adapted to visit Sicily itself.

Enjoy your trip, and if you have other questions, don’t hesitate!

I would like to ask you for the best breathtaking panoramic/view points in Sicily. We will be driving a rent car for 4 days starting from Catania.

Hello Mariyana,

The best viewpoints of the east coast are located in Taormina and in castelmola, a small village located near by.

Hi Vincent,

My Boyfriend and I are planning to spend 4/6 weeks in Sicily and hope to see as much as possible during that time.

We are planning to fly to Palermo and spend at least 1 week there first. We were not intending on renting a car for our trip- do you think this is a bad idea? Are there any other modes of transport for getting around the island?

As we will be staying for quite a while we are not in a rush to see everything as quick as possible and can stay a few nights/ a week in each place. I would love to get your advice on the best way to get around the island and if a car is absolutely essential!

Hello Kate,

As you will spend 4/6 weeks in Sicily, it’s in my opinion even more important to rent a car.

Of course, it will be a lot easier to get around with a car, but that’s not all: during such a long trip on the island, you will probably want to explore remote “secret” places, villages, go hiking in the mountain, find secret beaches and so on. And all this can only be done with car, as public transportation in Sicily is rather limited.

Of course, if you want to stick to the main highlights of the island and you have the time, you can for example do something similar to my 2 weeks itinerary in Sicily , but by bus, on a slower pace. That works too!

So it really depends on what you plan to visit, what kind of things you enjoy doing while traveling. In my personal opinion, the complete freedom you get when doing a road trip is totally worth the amount spent on the rental car!

If you really don’t want to rent a car, here are the options you will have in terms of public transports:

– You can take the train. Here is the train schedules: Trenitalia . – You can also take the bus. There are 3 main bus companies: Interbus , SAIS and AST .

However, please note that public transport in Sicily is not very reliable. Most of the time, trains and buses will arrive or depart late.

If you need help to plan your stay in Sicily, don’t hesitate to ask me!

Enjoy your trip,

First of all, I would like to thank you for all the lovely guides you’ve put on this website. They are really useful and in-depth, so thank you for that! I was hoping to get your advice in certain aspects!

Around August 15, I’m flying to Palermo to start a 1-month trip in and around Sicily. I’m 21 years old and I’m going to travel by myself, hoping to meet a lot of new people and to have a wonderful time. I’m just going to travel with 1 large backpack. I’m not planning on renting a car, but I will just travel by train mostly (and sometimes take a bus or taxi). I should also note that I’m a real fan of nature, so I love hiking & visiting coastlines, coves, mountains, … and I’m not really into museum and churches.

I’m planning on visiting the following cities ( in this order):

Palermo (+ Mondello) – Cefalù – Milazzo & the Aeolian islands (Vulcano + Lipari + Salina + Stromboli) – Taormina – Etna visit – Catania – Siracusa & Ortigia island – Ragusa or Noto – Agrigento (Valley of Temples & Scala dei Turchi) – Castelvetrano (for Selinunte) – Trapani + Erice – the 3 Aegadian islands – Monte Cofano and ending in Palermo again.

Next up, I have a couple of questions:

– Should you advice me to visit Enna or Messina? I could integrate both of them in my tour, but I’m not sure if it is really worth the extra time? At first sight, it appeared to me that those cities were not as interesting as the rest of my planned tour.

– I saw you adviced both Noto, Modica or Ragusa, but I think I will only visit 1 of them ( or maybe 2). Currently, Noto & Ragusa seem the nicest to me. In case you would have to choose between them, which one do you believe is the nicest one to visit?

– Do you think it is feasible to book everything just day by day? That includes tickets for museums, ferry tickets, train tickets, hotels (or hostels,…)? Or do you really suggest me to book in advance? ( I would like to avoid this though as I want to have to freedom to stay as long as I want in the places I want to spend more time than anticipated.) This implies that I book my hotels like 24 or 12 hours in advance only.

– Do you have any advice in general before I head off? (Concerning travelling by train or items I should definitely take with me in back pack? Tips and tricks to survive Sicily in the summer?)

I’m really looking forward to your advice! Don’t hesitate to send me a private PM as well, I can show you a powerpoint I prepared with everything that I have planned in my trip. Please also let me know if I should skip some cities and focus more on others instead!

Thanks in advance!

Andreas Windels

Hello Andrea,

Thank you!I’m glad my blog is helping you plan your trip to Sicily.

Regarding your questions about your itinerary:

1) Messina is not worth it. Enna is charming and offers beautiful views over the whole of Sicily, but it’s really quite small. So as it takes quite much time to get there by train, you might want to skip it.

2) I recommend visiting Noto, Modica and Ragusa in 1 day because by car they are very close to one another. So it’s super easy! By train or bus, it’s definitely better to choose just one or two. For me, Noto was the more impressive as it has a few very beautiful monuments. It’s a very nice place, even if small (it will not take you a full day to visit for sure).

3) You can book day by day for the museums and the ferry. For the train, I’m not sure how it works in Sicily but booking your ticket 24 hours in advance should be enough. For hotels or hostels, it’s more complicated. There are already many hotels that are fully booked in August. With Covid, many Italians aren’t going abroad and prefer to spend their holidays in Sicily. So the destination is even more popular than usual! In some places like Cefalù, the Aeolian Islands and Taormina, it would be a lot better to book in advance. At the last minute, you will just end up with prices and “not that good” accomodations.

4) I haven’t travelled in Sicily by train, but I have seen several warnings that they are often late (same for buses).

I think your itinerary is great. You will enjoy your stay in Sicily for sure!

Hey Vincent, thanks for your previous reply!

I’m planning my visits on the northcoast of the Sicily right now. Regarding the Aeolian islands, I’ve noticed that booking hotels is quite expensive, so I’ve decided to stay in Lipari for 3 days (as it is the biggest island, it provides the most possible hotels and air bnb’s.)

I would then use my time there to visit the several islands by ferry. I would discover Lipari on the day of arrival (maybe with a scooter or bike) and we’ll do a boat excursion to Panarea & Stromboli on the 2nd day. My question now is, what to visit on the final day? Vulcano seems like a unique experience, while Salina seems very quiet and peaceful. And what about the remote islands of Alicudi & Filicudi? Would you advise me to visit only 2-3 islands and take my time in doing so or would you recommend to visit all of them in like half a day?

I’m looking forward to your feedback regarding these Aeolian islands.

Kind regards!

Hello Andreas,

You are welcome!

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to help you too much with the Aeolian Islands because I don’t know all of them very well (especially Salina, Alicudi and Filicudi, I can’t tell you if they are worth it or not).

But for sure you should at least plan 1 day per island. It will be impossible to visit them all by spending only half a day on each one.

For the last day, I think the best thing is to wait until you are there to decide. It will allow you to ask your hotel about the details + to decide depending on what you feel like doing that day!

Have a nice day,

Hello, Vincent and thank you for this wonderful resource. My wife and I are planning to spend one week in Sicily next July (2022.). Before I read your blog my plan was to rent an Airbnb in Cefalu because of the beach and then take day trips from there. Now that I have read your comments, I wonder if you would have a different suggestion. We would really like to be by a sandy beach but we are flexible as to where on the island. Do you have a better suggestion?

Hello Gerry,

Thank you very much! I’m glad that my article about the best things to do in Sicily is helping you to prepare your trip.

If you want to be close to a sandy beach and spend the week in one accommodation, you should in my opinion stay around San Vito lo Capo or Castellammare del Golfo.

From there you can visit: – The Zingaro nature reserve – The Monte Cofano nature reserve – Trapani and Erice medieval village – The Aegadian Islands (Favignana) – The temple of Segesta – Marsala

If you want to know more about these places, you can also read my articles: – Trapani: The 10 best things to do – Zingaro nature Reserve – Palermo: The 15 things to do in the capital

It’s better than Cefalu to organize day trips, there are a lot more places to visit in the area.

Enjoy your stay in Sicily!

First of all, Vincent, I can’t get over what a valuable and generous resource you provide. I will look into it right away and perhaps bother you again with a question or two. Thank you again.

Yes, please do not hesitate if you have any further questions about planning your trip to Sicily.

Hello Vincent, Love your help…… we land in Palermo on Wednesday night and we’re thinking of going to Siracusa the next day and visit Taormina and possibly Ragusa too before we head back to Palermo on Saturday. So we can see Palermo too… our flight leaves at 9.00pm on Sunday. My questions are as follows: 1. Should we go to Siracusa and what is the best way to go? We are not renting a car.

2. Should we base in Siracusa? How should we go to Taormina?

Kind regards, Manisha

Hello Manisha,

If you don’t plan to rent a car, you will have to take the train or bus to get around Sicily. You can check the timetables and fares on this website: OMIO

All the visits you want to do are quite far from Palermo. For example it takes more than 4 hours to go from Palermo to Syracuse by car (even more by bus/train). You will already lose a whole day to go there and back. And to go from Syracuse to Taormina by public transport, it takes about 2 hours. To do what you planned, it’s much better to land at Catania airport.

If you arrive in Palermo, I really advise you to visit the west of Sicily (San Vito, Trapani, Erice, Zingaro, temple of Segeste, Favignana).

I am already booked to fly into Palermo since that was the only airport with a direct flight. I was thinking of going to Siracusa and staying there for 2 nights and doing a day trip to Taormina. How do I get to Taormina from Siracusa and how long does it take for a day trip?

You can take the train or bus as I have mentioned in my previous comment, simply click on the Omio orange link above to check the timetables and book a ticket. For Syracuse Taormina, the train is a bit faster than the bus. (With the bus, you generally need to take 2 buses: 1 from Syracuse to Catania and then another one from Catania to Taormina. The train that goes to Taormina from Syracuse takes 2h45. Considering you need time to go to from your hotel to the train station, need to arrive a bit in advance etc… Round trip, that’s more than 6 hours of transport in 1 day. It’s a lot!

You have 4 full days in Sicily (roughly 40 hours of day time), and you plan to spend:

6 hours to go from Palermo to Syracuse 6 hours to go from Syracuse to Taormina and back 6 hours to get back to Palermo for your return flight

That’s 18 hours (and I am being very conservative, in real it can end up being quite more if you include train station to hotel transfert time, waiting time etc.), almost half your visit time in Sicily, in the public transports. That’s why I said I couldn’t recommend you this itinerary, it won’t even be enjoyable. After you do as you please, but really, it’s a question of ethics: I can’t recommend you do organize your stay like this (but after, you do as you please of course!)

Have a nice trip!

Hello Vincent I have just discovered your blog and it’s really helpful. My husband and I are flying into Palermo in April and have 9 nights in Sicily. We want to see as much of the island as possible and are contemplating multiple sites dotted around the coast to spend 1/2 nights at each. We are hiring a car. It all looks so beautiful but can you offer some advice. Thank you, Anna

Hello Anna,

To give you an idea of what you can do in 10 days with an arrival in Palermo, I recommend you to read my other article: 10 days itinerary in Sicily .

During this trip, you will discover all the must-see places in Western Sicily: Palermo, Agrigento, Selinunte, Trapani, Scopello, Castellammare. As Sicily is a really big island, in 10 days, it’s better to focus on the Western part of Sicily. And come back another time to visit the East!

My husband and I are planning to go to the Amalfi Coast and Sicily (east side) for 14 days at the end of August 2022. I am 70 years old and my husband is 73. WE are both in good shape. Can you please tell me, do you think this is too much. Also, we were not planning to rent a car. Could you please suggest an itinerary for us along with accomodations.

I read your blog and found it very interesting.

Much appreciated.

Neil Katz (Toronto, Ontario CANADA)

Hello Neil,

Unfortunately, I can’t help you for your trip to the Amalfi Coast as I didn’t have the chance to visit it yet.

About Sicily, if you only want to do the East Side, you can have a look at this itinerary: One week in Sicily detailed itinerary Here you can find all the things to do and my selection of accomodations.

For this itinerary I recommend to rent a car, but if you don’t want too, you can do it by bus and train. In that case, maybe you can spend 9-10 days there and do a similar itinerary at a slower pace.

Enjoy your trip in Sicily!

Hi Vincent, Thanks for the great info about 2 weeks in Sicily 🇮🇹 My husband and I are going to Sicily for 3 weeks in September 2022. We have rented a car for the whole period, and we are planning to drive around the island. We have a few questions, which we hope you will kindly answer 😊 1) Your trip goes clockwise, we are thinking about doing the opposite starting in Catania driving to Taormina, Palermo etc. Is there a good reason why you suggest to go clockwise around the island? 2) We would like to rent a bike 2 or 3 days during the vacation. Is there 2 or 3 areas on the island you can recommend for mountain and race bike? 3) We have seen photos on Instagram of a new hotel called Villa Saraceni at Scala Dei Turchi that should open in 2022, but we haven’t been able to find further information. Any chance you can help? We are looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance. Kind regards Marc and Ulrikke 🕺🏻💃

Hi Ulrikke,

That sounds like a nice trip!

1) You can definitely do it in reverse, this is really up to your preferences.

2) For biking, the first place that comes to my mind is Favignana island, as it can only be visited by bike. Then, you can also probably rent bikes around the Parco delle Madonie (near Cefalu) and the Parco dei Nebrodi (north east of Sicily).

3) this hotel doesn’t exist, the picture you saw is a 3d render.

It’s not possible to build anything there, as it’s a protected area.

Enjoy your trip to Sicily, and if you have other questions, don’t hesitate!

Wow what a brilliant article. I am off to Sicily for five days late next week and this has been extremely helpful. Thanks so much!

Hello Vincent! Thanks a lot for your articles about Sicilly, I guess I’ve read all of them 🙂 Could you please help me and answer several specific questions? Small backround info: travel time – end of March-beginning of April, we are traveling with 2 kids (2 and 8 y.o.) by a rental car. We love more nature beauty than historical sights. So, back to the questions: 1) Alcantara gorges – is it possible to walk there to see te beauty of the place, since I am not sure that it is possible to do kayaking with a small child. 2) Zingaro natural reserve. Is it worth a visit in April when the water is to cold for swimming. I really want to go there, but if we do, we need to change the itinerary a lot, since we will have 8 full days on Sicilly arriving and departing from Catania. I am hesitating between 2 options now: – stay in the eastern part without rush -skip Syracuse and Taormina and try to make a bigger circle including Etna vulcano, Cefalu, Zingaro reserve, Marsala and Erice, Agrigento-Catania. Do you think second option is doable if we have 8 full days (+2 days for arrival and departure)

Hello Daria,

Thanks a lot! I’m glad that my articles on visiting Sicily are helping you prepare for your trip.

Regarding your questions: 1) Yes there is a small part of the Alcantara Gorges accessible on foot. 2) The Zingaro reserve is beautiful in all seasons. Even if you can’t go swimming, it’s worth taking a walk along the way to enjoy the scenery. But it’s a long way from Catania.

As for your hesitation, that’s really up to you. If you don’t mind doing a lot of driving every day, it might be possible to do a loop. You can look at the journey times on Google maps to give you an idea of the distances.

But of course it would be more relaxing to visit only the east of Sicily if you’re arriving and departing from Catania.

I’d recommend visiting the west by arriving and departing from Palermo, as it’s much more practical. I hope this helps.

Enjoy your family trip to Sicily!

Thanks a lot for your pompt answers, it helps a lot. One more question about Zingaro natural reserve. You wrote that it’s 7 km long and that you did a round trip in 4 hours? Looks like it is nor a round trip, judging by time. Is there some public transport that helps you get back to the southern entrance, if you started from the southern part and reached the northern part?

You’re welcome!

Yes, that’s right, it took us 4 hours to walk there and back (including the photo breaks). There’s no mistake. No, there’s no public transport, you have to do the round trip.

One more question from me:) It is very subjective, but still. If you had a choice between Taormina and Ortigio, which one would you choose, what impressed you more?

Taormina feels more special as the setting of the town is quite unique (the view, the roman theater). But keep in mind it’s also more turistic. Ortigia feels more like an italian old town where italian people actually still live.

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9 things you cannot miss on your next trip to Sicily

Mar 16, 2024 • 6 min read

Experience all the beauty and history Sicily has to offer with these amazing experiences © Giovenda / Shutterstock

Something of a mini-continent, the island of Sicily in Italy ticks most boxes. Adventurer, art lover, beach bum, ruin explorer: this rugged chunk of sun-spun land at the crossroads of the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Mediterranean seas has enticed ancient and modern peoples with its charms since time immemorial. The result: one of Europe's richest and most extraordinary histories, with an unmatched booty of artistic and drop-dead-gorgeous natural treasures. The food and drink's not bad either.

Turquoise cove to ridgetop temple. Byzantine mosaics to chubby-cheeked baroque putti (cherubs). Windswept olive and lemon groves and dry, parched gardens planted with pomegranate, fig and carob trees. Traveling around Sicily might feel like sensory overload on steroids, but it exudes Sicilian dolce far niente (sweet nothing) in buckets. 

July and August are the busiest months, but every month has its own beauty. The very real temptation of simply eating and drinking your way around Sicily aside, here are nine top things to see and do on the island.  

1. Discover Sicily's backstory in a kaleidoscope of UNESCO mosaics

Scantily-clad Olympians, African animals, lepers, deities, mythical monsters, Adam and Eve: the wild stories told by Sicily's Herculean cache of Roman, Byzantine and Arab-Norman mosaics will have you hooked for days. Begin your mosaic mini-tour in the glittering gold cathedral crowning the hilltop Monreale , built for William II in 1184 to upstage grandfather Roger II's magnificent building accomplishments in Cefalù ( Duomo di Cefalù ) and Palermo ( Cappella Palatina ). Continue the mosaic fest in Villa Romana del Casale , a Roman patrician's palatial country pad a couple of hours' drive inland.

2. Adventure up Sicily's "other" volcano on Stromboli

Hiking or mountain biking up the emblematic slopes of massive brooding Mount Etna is a classic. But if you're into a fire-spitting volcano with a primordial village vibe and post-hike pizza with fireworks, hit the less-sung Stromboli – legend says that wind god Aeolus and other mythological deities had a hand in this island's marvelous creation. But a guided trek at sunset from the whitewashed village up charred slopes shows the harsh reality of living next to a volcano, a tempestuous environment ruled by Mother Nature alone. From the smaller volcano's Sciara del Fucco viewpoint at 400m, only accessible with a guide, watch red-hot rocks roll down the lava-charred mountainside into the sea, and then hike back down by torchlight for dinner alfresco at Ristorante Osservatorio Stromboli .

3. Wander ancient ruins in the Valley of the Temples by moonlight

On Sicily's southern Mediterranean coast, Agrigento's Valley of the Temples makes an impression like no other ruins on the island. Strung out along a long rocky promontory where the ancient Greeks built sacred temples as holy beacons for sailors 2500 years ago, the vast archaeological site is prized by UNESCO as one of the world's "most outstanding monuments of Greek art and culture." The magic peaks on summer evenings when the moon casts the ruins in a celestial, iridescent light, and the wind plucks tunes on the columns of ghostly Doric temples.

Planning tip: Sicily's flush of ancient Greek ruins runs deep. Add hilltop Segesta and sea-facing Selinunte , both in western Sicily, to your long weekend itinerary to bag the hat trick.

4. Taste vino with winegrowers on the slopes of Mount Etna

Sun-soaked grapes have always been grown on the island – this is Italy's second-largest wine-producing region after all. But with the exception of sweet dessert wines like Marsala , Sicilian wines are hard to come by outside Sicily. Drink in local viticulture, meet wine growers and swill, sniff and sip wines produced on Mount Etna's fertile slopes along the Strada del Vino dell'Etna (Etna Wine Road). This is not a road at all, but a deliciously scenic train journey peppered with sumptuous villa-wineries along the lower slopes of Europe's largest active volcano.

Planning tip:  The Strada's wine trains depart twice weekly from Riposto, an hour's drive from Catania on the Ionian Coast. Tickets  include a guide and bus transfers to wineries for degustazione (tasting).

5. Splash and snorkel like a 1960s movie star on Isola Bella

Vintage glamour queen Taormina is the springboard for chic sea dips and snorkeling forays in the crystal water that laps the pebble beach on Isola Bella – as bella (beautiful) as its name suggests. The dot of an island, linked by cable car to Taormina (which is perched dramatically on a cliff high above), lured Europe's aristocracy during the days of the Grand Tour and the literati likes of DH Lawrence in the 1920s. Glitzy views of smoking Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea vie for the spotlight during summertime theater performances in its resplendent ancient Greek amphitheater.

Planning tip: Taormina gets packed to bursting in July and August and all but shuts down between November and Easter. April, May, September and October are best.

6. Learn about the Mafia past and present in Palermo

Try to better understand what makes Sicily's disheveled, high-octane capital tick at No Mafia Memorial, a multimedia space in a palazzo on Palermo's main street Corso Vittorio Emanuele that explains Mafiosi and anti-Mafia history. Combine the interesting if unsettling exhibitions with a contemplative walk along the powerful Wall of Legality street mural in rough-and-tumble Il Capo; then snap a selfie on the opera-house steps at Teatro Massimo , where the iconic mafia shooting scene from Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather trilogy was filmed.

7. Admire prehistoric art in a cave on Levanzo

When you tire of beach-hopping by bicycle on the Egadi island of Favignana, swap wheels for water and catch a ferry to pin-prick Levanzo. From its tiny port, motorboats whip along the wave-lashed coast to Grotta del Genovese , a cave hidden high in the hillside that shelters Upper Paleolithic and Neolithic rock art. Etchings of goats, dolphins and donkeys reflect farming practices some 12,000 years ago when a vast plain linked to the two islands. Bookend the torch-lit cave visit with huge, glittering sea views.

Planning tip: Cave visits must be booked online at least 48 hours in advance. Ditto in July and August for Liberty Lines hydrofoils to/from Trapani on "mainland'" Sicily and also Favignana. To continue the rock art theme, stay the night on Favignana in rooms at Giardino dell'Impossible , botanical gardens hewn in labyrinthine rock.

8. Uncover the greatest city of ancient Magna Graecia in Syracuse

To think small town Syracuse in southeast Sicily was the largest city in the ancient world in its heyday – bigger even than Athens and Corinth – is mind-boggling. A near-perfect encapsulation of Sicily's timeless beauty, its "once upon a time" begins in 734 BCE. Split your time between the ancient island-city of Ortygia – where honey-hued medieval streets flow like ribbons down to the sea and open-air food market brim with lunchtime oysters  – and the evocative, citrus-scented ruins of Parco Archeologico della Neapolis .

Planning tip: Bag a golden ticket for theater beneath the stars at Syracuse's supremely well-preserved Greek amphitheater during May-June's Festival del Teatro Greco.

9. Get off-grid on the Aeolian island of Alicudi

Magical and mesmerizing, the Aeolian's second-smallest island feels like a mischievous afterthought on the map. As isolated a place as you'll find in the entire Mediterranean basin, this 5.2 sq km island has no roads – just a relentless succession of time-wizened, volcanic-stone steps staggering mercilessly up to the craggy summit of Monte Montagnola (675m). After you step off the hydrofoil at the sleepy port, simply follow the donkeys and mules uphill – they're the only means of transport on this old-timer island. Post-hike, watch fishermen clean fish and nets, or track down a boatman at sundown to bathe in the peace and tranquility of aperitivo al tramonto (early-evening drinks at sea).

This article was first published November 2021 and updated March 2024

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A road trip tour of the best places in Sicily

By Rosalyn Wikeley

‘In Sicily it doesn’t matter whether things are done well or done badly; the sin which we Sicilians never forgive is simply that of "doing" at all.’ ― Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, 'The Leopard'

Lampedusa’s words in his 1958 novel, chronicling the decline of a noble Sicilian family during the Risorgimento, neatly sums up the state of being we were hankering after when planning this road trip in Italy. In just two weeks, we explore Lampedusa’s old noble city, Palermo , pick up the keys to a Fiat 500 and drive west to Trapani’s Scopello beach. From here, we journey through Sicily ’s rural heart to the ancient columns of Agrigento, the south-east’s baroque marvels, and up the east coast via Taormina to the north-eastern tip of Sicily. We leave our little car in the port town of Milazzo and jump on a boat, bound for the sleepy Aeolian Islands .

A church sits on every Palermo street corner – crumbling stone splendour drizzled in honey, then baked in the sun. Evening lifts and melts these honey hues into a blurred and balmy labyrinth of restaurants and alfresco wine bars. Palermo’s old palazzos, tangles of telephone wires and ancient statues are caught in the glow of 18th-century lanterns, much like the island found itself caught and conquered by every power passing through it.

Morning brings sweet pastry tradition – deep-fried ciambella and brioche con il gelato at Prestipino café – and an unusually hot breeze. Majestic palms shift and tickle the feet of cherubs dangling over vast doorways, while statues of voluptuous women draped over lions greet visitors and nod to Sicily’s golden age. We drive into one that’s considerably shabbier – yet no less beguiling.

Languorous hours are lost gazing at Palazzo Lungarini’s frescoed ceiling from an enormous bed, giggling on its marble balconies with Negronis, being late for lunch. We dodge Vespas, flinch at sheets slapping balconies above us, then settle into plates of arancini al ragù at local favourite Antica Focacceria San Francesco in another of Palermo’s film-set-ready squares.

The cooler end of the afternoon lends itself to inspecting the stamps of the city’s multiple occupiers: the Norman Palace with its Moorish mosaics, the grand Spanish courtyards, the couscous di pesce brought to Sicily’s shores by Arab and North African invaders. The relics abound: trinkets at the mercato delle pulci (flea market) – chandeliers, intricate vases and gilt mirrors – the bounty of indifferent vendors; noisy food markets reminiscent of Moroccan souks. Then there are the quiet backstreets and their treasures: a pocket-sized bookshop with a marble mezzanine and classics that, when translated, peer into the Sicilian soul (the Lampedusas and Camilleris), and restaurants such as Osteria Ballarò: old palace stables elevated with softly lit stone, swordfish rolls and fine wines.

Outside the exotic Garibaldi gardens, with their enormous Morton Bay fig’s roots gripping the dry earth like lion’s claws, we pause at the spot where Giuseppe “Joe” Petrosino (America’s first Sicilian police lieutenant, who investigated the mafia in New York ) was murdered having been malevolently lured to Piazza Marina – a sobering reminder of the Mafia’s historical grip on the city.

The scars are manifest, but Palermo possesses the same spirit of possibility that resurrected Athens after the financial crisis. Progressive young people are mapping out the city’s future with values that suit its ancient walls.

Palermo insider guide

Scopello beach, Trapani

We leave Palermo and its splendid palazzos for Scopello beach on the north-east coast in Trapani, long lauded for its beauty (Homer placed Ulysses here before his return to Ithaca), and just over an hour’s drive. Italians sprawl like seals on the slab of concrete, dipped in the calm water. Above them, a faded pink house blinks through white cutwork curtains caught in the sea air. On the ascent to our Fiat 500, the ground feels scorched and crunchy, too desert-like for the Mediterranean.

Skirting the coast, where rushes of sandy meadow and olive groves meet the blue, we head south for two hours, slicing through Sicily’s underpopulated rural heart until the sea greets us again. It’s particularly captivating to gaze upon the water from Agrigento, from its ancient columns high on a hill, and to imagine the Greeks doing the same as a Carthaginian invasion breaks the horizon. Exploring these ruins, we gently roast in the midday sun.

The almonds in Mandranova Agricola’s courtyard suffer the same fate, although theirs is by design, bound for milk-alternative coffees and healthy snacks across Europe . Tucked just off a main road, the house recalls a grand Spanish finca , standing tall with gilt mirrors, wrought-iron candelabras and original stone floors inside. On the terrace, supper arrives along with a Hyblaean breeze and dogs weaving between our legs. Exquisitely simple dishes – such as buttery rigatoni with broccoli and pine nuts – blend Italian ingredients with Japanese precision (courtesy of the owner’s son, who trained in Kyoto ). The family jovially tuck into cena alongside us, with the exaggerated gesticulation and intonation tourists long for. Tomorrow is harvest day, when the estate’s olives are pruned, pressed and poured into famous Mandranova bottles – its deep, well-rounded taste once sipped renders supermarket bottles bland and obsolete.

The light splays across the pool in marble shapes, a smooth contrast to its backdrop of sparse and jagged hills. Their mustard hues would paint the baroque towns we are bound for – imposing, elaborate buildings softened, like an old man’s temper, with age and fatigue.

The first of these towns is Scicli, two hours south-east and the lesser known of the four baroques, whose flamboyant architecture and interiors tell stories of wild parties, family dynasties and bygone prosperity. Once-grand windows are framed by crumbling stucco arches, dark green shutters and iron balconies that swirl and rust.

Two traditional Sicilian pastries at Cannolia elicit unearthly joy and several napkins. We take our sugar rush out of the sun and into an antiques shop shaded by the glorious San Bartolomeo church. ‘I left my Milan life in finance for this,’ explains the owner, whose upstairs warren of guest rooms at Sanbatholomeo Casa e Putia is a tastefully choreographed expression of his and his wife’s new start. Lace bed toppers, mahogany dressers and eccentric Italian trinkets dress them in a manner reflective of the light and loyal design footprint these historically rich yet economically fragile towns deserve. ‘If you’re interested in antiques, my mother-in-law is the best for it.’ He scribbles her number on a scrunched receipt, then neatly wraps my Sicilian pine ceramic.

Sampieri Beach

Nearby Sampieri Beach echoes Scicli’s mottled golden buildings – though these are bleached with sea salt and blistered by the sun. We follow locals into the sea, slipping under the warm water like otters before flopping back onto the sand with more Birra Messina and sugary granita. The sunsets along Sampieri are as flat and deep red as the glasses of Donnafugata Tancredi we’re served at our next stop.

Set in the Ragusan countryside a 35-minute drive from Sampieri, contemporary hotel Relais Chiaramonte offers a brief hiatus from baroque façades and frescoed ceilings. Its balconies and terrace peer over olive groves and carob trees and across the Irminio valley’s neatly groomed wheat fields, which trail off to meet the sea. The wine accompanies a local lamb recipe (Ragusan, not Sicilian) and warm bread soaked in puddles of Relais Chiaramonte’s own olive oil.

Doing our best to avoid erratic weaving at great speed, we journey west for half an hour to our second baroque. A strong coffee in Modica (‘the town of one hundred churches’) takes the edge off the shakes. It’s difficult not to liken angles of this town to those of Jerusalem – not perhaps the wide, orderly Corso Umberto dominated by the magnificent Church of Saint Peter and its pastel-fancy innards, but rather Modica’s hazy, hilly sprawl that surges in the distance.

Having occupied Sicily for just over three centuries, Spain left a legacy that can be seen in both Modica’s flamboyant architecture and, famously, its chocolate, the former having imported Aztec chocolate-making prowess from its South American conquests to Sicilian soil. Modican chocolate is defined as ‘cold’ for its crumbly texture, and local chocolatiers still use the process passed indirectly to them from the Aztecs. We scrutinise the movement of knowledge and skill, the controversial issue of provenance and ownership as we queue for the mandatory bar in Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, Sicily’s oldest chocolate factory.

Its sugar-coated almonds are the popcorn for our theatrical half-hour drive north into the Hyblaean Mountains to reach Ragusa Ibla. This fairy-tale town, with its limestone labyrinth of bijoux houses, baroque palazzos and churches, engulfs us for two gelato-heavy days.

CNT Editors

Cass Farrar

Sophie Heawood

Sophie Prideaux

Ragusa Ibla

Here, Locanda Don Serafino sprawls across several old houses and down below the town for its famous cave rooms. Upstairs, shutters open to a jovial scene – locals going about their day, a chef whistling, an animated nonna greeting a companion – but in our moody cave rooms, we’re left alone with bowls of exotic fruit, traditional cakes and Champagne. Even more tempting is the sea urchin spaghetti primos , the pork-belly secondis or indeed the sinful alchemy of solid and liquid Modica chocolate, cooked up by chef Vincenzo Candiano at the hotel’s vaulted restaurant (once stables for the church).

‘These are owned by sisters.’ Locanda Don Serafino’s executive director, Alex Massari gestures towards two pastel-pretty palazzos. He has just introduced me to olive-and-onion-flavoured ice cream at Gelati DiVini and sold me on the foodie virtues of A’ Rusticana. Yes, this is one of Sicily’s south-eastern baroque towns, but Ragusa Ibla evokes Nutcracker , toymaker, Pinocchio scenes, with its workshops such as Rosso Cinabro, where Damiano Rotella and Biagio Castilletti carve, hammer and paint traditional carts. A book of their collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana rests proudly on the worktop. This aspect of the Sicilian psyche unfurls itself throughout our trip: an innate ability to celebrate traditions rather than preserve them in glass cabinets. The island’s reverence for its past (and disdain for its less savoury aspects) translates into a sensory, up-close experience for voyeurs like us, accustomed to viewing history from a distance.

Having scrambled up the stone steps (dipped by the centuries) behind the cathedral for killer views over the Hyblaean Mountains, we chug down the hillside in our trusty Fiat 500, following the spiral of a snail’s shell for the baroque finale: Noto.

Pictured: Rosso Cinabro, Ragusa Ibla

More than an hour east from Ragusa Ibla and just outside the city of Noto lies Dimora delle Balze . Any semblance of critical appraisal is lost once inside its castle door (from Marrakech ) and the hotel’s sun-dappled stone courtyard. An organic edict runs throughout, from its earthy linens and lilac curtains to the peachy room colours and compact kitchen-garden menu. Bandits routinely ransacked this fortified castle in the 18th century – now guests recline alongside its pool wrapped in prairie-style scrubland and Val di Noto, concerned with only a hot breeze and cocktail menu.

Noto, Sicily guide

Pictured: Dimora Delle Balze, Noto

Our Noto visit fails to comply with Sicilian siesta law (1pm to 5pm is dead, save a few restaurants soldiering on till 2pm). Past the paninis, postcards and blinding tourist regalia, in this strange window when only tourists walk Noto’s streets, is its Roman Catholic cathedral: a splendid, hefty bastion of baroque glory.

Striking architecture is sweetened with a pistachio gelato from Gelati Bianca. Couples squeeze on Vespas, frangipani dresses scruffy walls and a maximalist wedding spills lace and laughter down the cathedral steps.

A little further along the butter-coated Corso Vittorio Emanuele lies Caffè Sicilia, the grande dame of Noto’s coffee scene dating back to 1892, with poetry supposedly spun from its granita and brioche. Also closed.

We drive north scraping the east coast. Catania is to our right, the mighty Etna bearing down on us for the two-hour drive to Taormina. John Julius Norwich’s deft account of Sicily’s history bellows to be heard above the wind, hammering our ears and rattling our sunglasses as we cruise into Taormina, Sicily’s high-rolling, dolce vita town commanding Amalfi -style views and scenes of Slim Aarons reverie. Convertible Fiat 500 territory.

The onyx statement earrings are as dazzling as they are expensive, one of family-run Novello Oggetti d’Arte’s delicate treasures (an ornate find off Corso Umberto’s tourist run). As is the historic Belmond Hotel Grand Timeo and its jaw-dropping views.

Otto Geleng (a Michelin-starred ode to the German painter whose fondness for Taormina was documented in gold and blue strokes) plays to this bygone glamour. Flickering oil lamps trace the swirls of lace along the table and velvety sauces run over squid, tuna, chocolate. Breakfast is composed of tall glasses of orange juice, pastries slathered in butter and strawberry jam, and granita brioche served with a polished silver spoon. Then there’s the jazz, the parquet floors to dance on, the menacing backdrop of Mount Etna, whose coils of smoke recall those of 19th-century grand tourees puffing on cigars.

In a hot stupor, we slump down the many steps to Timeo’s little sister, Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea , too distracted by the twinkling views of Naxos Bay (and our body heat) to dodge the fallen prickly pears scattered across the way like confetti. A pretty cabana awaits, a shady refuge of ice buckets and Evian face mist behind the beau monde crowds lining the beach. The sea is as photogenic and inviting as the faces serving Bellinis, plates of exotic fruit and baking soda for jellyfish run-ins.

Salina, Aeolian Islands

We leave Taormina’s Greco-Roman amphitheatre and its bougainvillaea-framed views of the coast for Milazzo, a gloriously tatty port lined with palm trees, lost Rimowa cases and cobalt-blue and white ferries.

From the hydrafoil’s windows, I discern Vulcano’s grey mass rising from the sea like an elephant’s wrinkly bottom. Patches of green, then white specks of houses begin to fill the crevices of its dark and dramatic topography, its harbour dominated by a handsome palazzo, and then Salina, the greenest Aeolian.

This go-slow, bountiful island is dotted with white houses and Maldivian vineyards, and appears to have drifted from its volcanic friends to find its own patch of tropical-grade water. Piaggio Apes filled with capers, olives or grapes, which bounce precariously, chug up and down narrow roads.

Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy – we spend them dozing in the shade, gently parting calm, tar-like water come evening or gliding past Salina’s craggy rock formations in a little motor boat. Salina’s cliffs read like slices of cake – red velvet, grainy walnut and coffee, boulders and patches of green cascading and crumbling amid cacti, moss and herbs to meet the water. ‘Look up!’ Falcons ride the hot air before migrating to Madagascar.

We migrate home every night from a different patch of this exuberant island to Hotel Signum , a family-owned sprawl of pastel-coloured houses, whose genteel, maritime sensibility manifests in antique furniture, long white curtains and curly wrought-iron beds. Every morning, our porous room inhales the cool, salty air off the Tyrrhenian Sea. Every evening, Etta James and crisp Etna wine lull us into a strange delirium on the terrace, flanked by a wild tangle of lemon trees, palms, honeysuckle, jasmine and bougainvillaea, its white Victoriana cast-iron chairs positioned for Stromboli’s smoke show and occasional fiery belch. We plot to extend Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s sinful existence, throwing caution to the wind, drunk on wild fantasy and Amarillo Brillo.

Pictured: Hotel Signum, Salina

Like this? Now read:

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South-east Sicily's baroque towns

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The Top 15 Things to Do in Sicily

Sicily is not only Italy's largest island, it's also the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its history spans thousands of years, and its terrain is vast and varied, ranging from snowy peaks to balmy, tropical beaches. Sicily's cities are also diverse and richly cultured—think seaside outposts, remote towns, and teeming historic centers lined with Baroque monuments. And there are Greek and Roman ruins everywhere; they sit beside busy downtowns, glorious beaches, and on remote hilltops.

To see all there is to see in Sicily would take weeks or months, so we've listed below the top 15 things to do on the island. If you don't fit them all in on your first trip, there's always next time!

Go Back in Time at the Valley of the Temples

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Rome may have its ancient ruins, but few archaeological sites in the Eternal City are as old as the Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples. Dating to the 6th century BCE, this UNESCO World Heritage Site covers more than 2,300 acres. Of its seven Doric-style temples—each in varying conditions—the Temple Concordia is the best preserved. In addition to its outstanding examples of Greek monumental architecture, the Valley of the Temples affords sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. It's set just outside the city of Agrigento , also built on ancient foundations.

Marvel at Mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale

It's not clear who the owner was—maybe Roman emperor Maximian, who ruled from 286 to 305?—but whoever built the opulent Villa Romana del Casale was an extremely high-rank individual with good taste and lots of money. The UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases one of the finest, most extensive examples of Roman mosaic art, its floors decorated with nearly 40,000 square feet of beautifully detailed mosaics. As a result of a 12th-century landslide that covered the villa, they remain in excellent condition to this day. It's located about a 90-minute drive from Catania.

Take a Hike on Mount Etna

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When Mount Etna isn't spewing lava (most recently, the volcano spectacularly erupted in February 2021), visitors can hike along several different trails of varying levels of altitude, length, and difficulty. Itineraries may take you to the edge calderas, through lava caves, or past the rows of grapevines and other crops that flourish in Etna's fertile volcanic terrain. The Parco dell'Etna has two visitor centers and an observatory, and can arrange guided tours of the park.

Sip Sicilian Wine

The volcanic terrain around Etna and on the Aeolian Islands, as well as fertile areas across the rest of Sicily, produce some highly coveted wines. Wine aficionados should definitely plan some winery visits for tours and tastings, and maybe even an overnight stay. The Etna wine-growing region is an obvious choice, but there are also noteworthy wines being produced in the west (including around Marsala), and in the Monreal and Alcamo regions near Palermo. Read more in our guide to wine tasting in Sicily .

Eat Street Food in Palermo

Ancient, fascinating, beautiful, and teeming with life, Palermo is a must-see stop in Sicily. It's also one of the best places in all of Italy to eat street food, which was part of the culture here long before it became trendy. The city's open-air markets are fine places to try arancini (fried rice balls), cannoli, pizza, and panino con le panelle (sandwiches made with fried chick-pea patties). More adventurous eaters can try pane con la milza, sandwiches stuffed with stewed spleen, as well as an array of other offal-based dishes.

Sample City and Sea at Taormina

North of Catania, on the eastern coast of Sicily, Taormina offers a little bit of everything: Greek and Roman ruins, a romantic medieval historic center, and gorgeous beaches not far from town. It's a stop on many tours of Sicily, and a good place to base yourself for exploring the northern side of Mount Etna. Enjoy lofty views from the ancient Greek theatre, wander the narrow street of the centro, and take the cable car down to Mazzarò beach.

Island Hop in the Aeolians

"Otherworldy" doesn't begin to describe the Aeolian islands, a group of seven volcanic islands off the northeastern tip of Sicily. Black-sand beaches, spewing volcanos (on Stromboli and the Vulcano islands), dazzlingly blue seas filled with marine life, bubbling thermal mud, Greek and Roman ruins, and tiny towns—some without cars—make the Aeolians one of the most unique places in the Mediterranean. Ferries leave from the Sicilian port of Milazzo and connect all the islands, though less frequently in the off-season.

Go Greek in Syracuse and Baroque on Ortigia Island

On an island full of Greek ruins, the city of Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian) may have the most. Its vast archaeological park features the remains of a Greek city—one that rivaled Athens in size and importance—including the largest Greek theatre in Sicily. A hop over to the connected island of Ortigia takes you closer to the modern age—but just barely. Ortigia Island serves as the historic center of Syracuse, and offers an enchanting ambiance of Baroque architecture, narrow cobbled streets lined with shops and eateries, and a gorgeous seafront.

Take a Tour of Trapani

Like so many of Sicily's coastal cities, Trapani offers a divine mix of ancient and more recent history. The Sicilian city rose to riches in antiquity when, along with nearby Marsala, it became a center for the salt trade. Visit Baroque cathedrals, close-by beaches, and the salt pans and windmills between Trapani and Marsala. Trapani is also a fine base for exploring the coast and interior of western Sicily.

Bask in the Sicilian Baroque

When a massive earthquake leveled the towns of the Val di Noto (Noto Valley) in 1693, they were built back in the prevailing ornate style known as Sicilian Baroque—considered a hybrid of Italian and Spanish Baroque. Noto, Ragusa, Modica, and Catania are among the Val di Noto cities that form a combined UNESCO World Heritage site for their outstanding representations of Sicilian Baroque art and architecture; plan a visit to wander the streets and admire it up close.

Pause in Pretty Cefalù

Tripsavvy / Michela Sieman

Regarded as one of the prettiest villages in Sicily—and that's saying a lot!—Cefalù sits on the northern coast about 40 miles east of Palermo. It's dominated by the Promontory of Hercules, a huge rock formation on which sit the ruins of the Greek Temple of Diana, plus evidence of a settlement dating to the 9th-century BCE. The town below has Greek, Byzantine, Norman, and Arab roots, giving it a fascinating mix of architectural styles and monuments. A pretty harbor and plenty of nearby beaches complete the scene here.

Head to the Market in Catania

There's plenty to see in Catania, Sicily's second-largest city. Part of the Val di Noto UNESCO area, Catania is rife with Sicilian Baroque architecture, including the Duomo (main cathedral). But without a doubt, the Catania Fish Market, "La Pescheria" in Italian, is one of the most colorful, authentic experiences in the city. Wander through and you'll find not just a dizzying area of fresh fish and sea life, you'll also hear the chaotic sounds of vendors hawking their goods, haggling customers, and scavenging seagulls. The market also sells produce and tasty street food. It's open Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Watch the Sunset from the Scala dei Turchi

If you make it down to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, don't miss a nearby natural landmark, the Scala dei Turchi (the Turkish Steps). These sea cliffs, composed of layers of sediment that have taken on a step-like formation, are an incredible sight and a popular spot for watching the sunset. Two sandy beaches lie on either side of the steps.

Go Wild in the Zingaro Nature Reserve

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For intrepid nature lovers, the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, or Zingaro Nature Reserve, is one of the most rewarding experiences in Sicily. The reserve, established in 1981, can only be visited on foot. While you'll find a few houses and picnic shelters here, you'll otherwise traipse through undisturbed natural areas to reach small, perfect beaches, many of which are accessed via steep staircases.

Soak Up the Sun at San Vito Lo Capo Beach

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If the Zingaro Nature Reserve requires a little too much roughing it or you have little kids in tow, head instead to San Vito Lo Capo. Located at the tip of the promontory, the small, touristy town fronts a perfect half-moon-shaped beach that's lapped by shallow turquoise water. This is one of the best beaches in Sicily , so don't expect to have it to yourself if you visit in high season.

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On a Trip Through Sicily, Old Secrets and New Surprises

By Erin Florio

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

For Condé Nast Traveler' s Iconic Itineraries , we partner with our travel specialists to create classic trips through our favorite destinations that showcase the difference it makes to travel with the help of an expert.

Two hours after arriving in Palermo , I am standing inside the Galleria degli Specchi at the Palazzo Gangi, beneath centuries-old chandeliers, surrounded by gilded everything. The mirrored walls and ceilings, the velvet curtains, the opulence of it all reminds me of Versailles's Hall of Mirrors. Like so much in Palermo, the 300-year-old palace appears suddenly and magnificently, rising up around the corner of a nondescript alleyway. Its low profile is fitting for a city where every wall holds millennia of conquests and scandal.

Palermo's buildings carry the scars of World War II. But its doors reveal palaces still owned by princesses descended from the House of Bourbon, which ruled here from 1735 to the mid-19th century. Below ground, a network of tunnels has served as both a playground of sin for nuns and monks on trysts and as an escape route for the Beati Paoli, a precursor to the Mafia. It's a cunning, clever city that requires know-how to crack. Fortunately, I'm with Marcella Amato, a whip-smart, quick-tongued Palermitana guide with knowing eyes full of urban tales and wisdom. It is her long and trusted relationship with the princess who lives at Gangi that got me through the door. Being inside the palace is the first of many moments that brings me closer to Sicily than I have gotten on any previous trip.

Sun break on the Scala dei Turchi, a natural wonder near Agrigento

Villa Sant’Andrea, a Belmond Hotel, in Taormina

I'm traveling with Authentic Explorations, a specialist travel company run by Gary Portuesi in New York City. The son of Sicilian immigrants, Gary has spent the last two decades bringing Americans to Sicily and the boot on tailored itineraries that he designs after careful talks with would-be clients. Marcella is one in his army of specialized guides all over the island. When he and I started planning, I told him this would be my sixth trip to the island. That Palermo was important, but so were artisans and history and the southeast corner of the island, home to Noto and Ragusa, which I had never explored. He ended our call with the words “Be prepared for improv.”

For Thousands of years, Palermo was conquered and passed among the Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs, Vandals, and Spanish before becoming the capital of Sicily under Norman rule, which joined Italy in the 19th century when it was united by the legendary general Giuseppe Garibaldi. Because of that history, cultures from the Middle East, Europe, and Africa have influenced everything from its food to its architecture to its dialect.

As the gateway to western Sicily, Palermo is where I spend my first two nights and where I meet for the first time with Peppe Mendola, Gary's business partner, who would serve as my driver, Sicilian encyclopedia, and dinner companion for the week. On our first full day, we hit the road early, driving along the coastal highway toward the seaside town of Trapani. It's a clear, mild late-September morning. As we get farther west, Palermo's industrialized suburbs, which sprawl along the hills and coastlines, begin to thin out. Our destination is the Trapani salt pans, which trace their origins to the arrival of the Phoenicians 2,700 years ago. Squint, and the silhouettes of Favignana and Levanzo, two of the three Egadi islands off western Sicily, are faint shadows against the blinding Mediterranean sunlight. I came here 10 years ago while road-tripping around Sicily with friends, so I'd told Gary I could pass this time around. But he kept it in the program, and I'm glad he did. On my last visit, I only glimpsed the pink and blue salt pools on the shoreline from the car window. But this time I learn that the salt pans are a window into artisan cultivation. That means a choreography of bare-chested men, in shorts and rubber boots, shoveling tidy piles of sea salt into wobbly wheelbarrows they roll across a shallow slick of water so dense with saline it looks like a sheet of ice until they reach a large mound at the edge of the pools. Peppe tells me kids don't come here looking to follow in their fathers' bootsteps. Due to economic and technological changes, these leather-skinned laborers, with their thick beards and faces hardened by a life's work in the sun, will probably be the last to follow this centuries-old practice.

Fig trees populate the region

A pickup soccer game near Capo market in Palermo

“I love improvisation!” says Peppe. It's roughly 10 a.m. on day three, and he and I have left our base in Palermo for eastern Sicily, driving through lush meadows with tall, windblown grasses stretching in every direction toward the horizon. In April and May, Peppe tells me, these fields are a profusion of wildflowers. Today we don't pass a single vehicle, which makes these seemingly endless expanses feel all the more elysian.

Peppe tells me about a large extended family he brought here recently. After getting out of the car, the patriarch, who had left these valleys nearly 80 years earlier, fell to his knees to kiss the earth. Of the estimated 5.4 million Italians who emigrated to the United States in the three big immigration waves of the 20th century, roughly a quarter were Sicilian. That's translated into a decent chunk of hereditary travel business for Gary and Peppe, who are masters at reconstructing a Sicilian American's origin story with very little information. (“Give me a name and a date of birth and I'll find the house they were born in,” Peppe says.)

Our destination is Agrigento, off Sicily's southern coast, Peppe's hometown and the site of an ancient architectural wonder known as the Valley of the Temples. But Peppe scratches his improv itch and makes a few detours—to the spellbinding Cretto di Burri di Gibellina, an art project to preserve a town in these valleys destroyed by an earthquake; the chic seaside village of Sciacca; and the famed Scala dei Turchi, a natural marvel of white stone cliffs seemingly sliding into the sea.

The Temple of Juno, built around 450 B.C., is one of the best-preserved monuments in Sicily’s Valley of the Temples, a complex of statues, structures, and burial grounds constructed during the ancient Greek occupation of southern Sicily.

Prosciutto and fixings at a market in Siracusa

Exploring Sicily means a lot of time in the car. There is no way around it. A regional high-speed rail service has been long discussed for the island, but never realized. On our drives, Peppe and I chat about everything from the gusty sirocco winds that blow in from the south to the humanitarian aid the Sicilian government has offered migrants who arrive on these shores from northern Africa. Peppe tells me an apocryphal legend that has been circulating in the area since the end of World War II: that ties between the Sicilian Mob and the United States were once so strong, the infamous gangster Lucky Luciano helped coordinate the Allies' arrival on the island. Outside Palermo, Peppe points out the spot where, in 1992, an assassin triggered the bomb that killed anti-Mafia judge Giovanni Falcone, whose death marked a turning point in Sicily's war against organized crime. When I ask if Sicilians prefer to avoid discussing such topics, Peppe replies, “To not talk about how life was under the Mafia wouldn't be fair to those who died trying to change it.”

The Valley of the Temples sits atop a hill, unobstructed and glorious, like the world's most magnificent welcome sign. For the past 2,500 years, visitors to Agrigento, from conquerors on horseback to journalists in Audis, have looked up at the seven Doric temples, built by the Greeks, and known they have arrived. As a boy, Peppe would play hide-and-seek behind the towering pillars. Today, entry is controlled and the monuments are roped off. In the late afternoon, I meet Lorenzo, a 42-year-old Agrigentino who has been guiding since the age of seven, when he insisted on giving his parents a tour of the Valley after learning about it in elementary school. We are at the base of the Temple of Juno, at the Valley's western end. As we walk its path, passing the Temple of Zeus and Hercules, Lorenzo explains that this area was selected by the Greeks for its strong bedrock, which could support these colossal houses for their gods. He tells me of the Arab influence on Agrigento and talks about Sicily as the original melting pot. We arrive at the towering Temple of the Concordia, the Valley's best-preserved and most awesome monument, just as the setting sun turns the sky into a swirl of neon pink, backlighting the temple with an otherworldly glow. I realize then that Lorenzo timed everything so that I would hit this spot at this very moment. It's the kind of experience that exposes your insignificance in this powerful old world.

Scallops for lunch at Villa Sant’Andrea in Taormina

Fontana di Diana in Siracusa

In the days that follow, we cover equally great distances and historical depths as we drive the southern coast before curving up east. In the Old Town of Siracusa, located on Ortigia, on an island connected by two bridges to the main town, I observe a wedding in a synagogue in the town's Jewish ghetto. I also speak with one of the last remaining makers of I Pupi Siciliani, a type of puppet popular in theaters throughout the island during the 1800s, whose venues and art form are protected by UNESCO as an intangible cultural inheritance. In the beautiful village of Noto, I stroll past its 18th-century cathedral after the sun goes down, the streetlamps coating the Baroque town in a dreamy amber hue. In nearby Modica, I taste the reach of the Spanish Empire in the local chocolate, made by techniques plucked from the Aztecs and brought here 400 years ago. Twenty-five minutes away, in Ragusa, the petite Maria Guastella, one of the last remaining makers of traditional sfilato siciliano, or Sicilian lace, talks me through her intricate craft. Her studio is on a hairpin turn on the road into the town, with a sign so discreet you would already have to know to come here to notice it at all. Inside, she demonstrates with crooked fingers that navigate the needle and thread with the nimbleness of someone 50 years younger. I stay longer than planned, purchasing her bookmarks and place mats to take home with me.

Jessica Puckett

Anna Borges

Karthika Gupta

In the main piazza, Peppe ushers me across the broad flagstones of the sloping Old Town, passing regal cathedrals until we reach a door under a swinging wooden sign that says “Rosso Cinabro.” It is the last remaining workshop of the Sicilian carrettieri, or cart makers. While I was with Maria, Peppe arranged for the studio, which is normally closed in the afternoons, to remain open for me. To step inside is to step back two centuries in time. The wood is whittled by hand, and the wagons, which were ubiquitous up until the 1950s, are painted in shades of brilliant red, yellow, and blue, in patterns as distinct as fingerprints.

A Fiat 500 in the Baroque town of Noto

The mineral-dense dark soils of Mount Etna

On my last full day, I wake up in Taormina, on Sicily's east coast, and tiptoe into the sea as the sun rises and the town sleeps. A few fishermen have rowed out just beyond the rock line, and the water is calm and as clear as glass. On a good day, you can see mighty Etna, the smoking volcano that could destroy much of the area's centuries-old antiquities in minutes. By the grace of all the gods who have been worshipped on this island, Etna's destruction has so far been largely contained to the mountainside. A bonus from the centuries of lava flows is the alluvial, mineral-­dense soil, which over the last few decades has captured the attention of some of Italy's top winemakers. Later that afternoon, I'm on the flank of the volcano, in a modern glass-and-timber tasting room at Cottanera Winery. Sipping Nerello Mascalese on leather sofas with views of the vineyards tumbling down the mountain slope, I see a different side of Sicily, the beginning of something new.

Yet change doesn't always mean an end to what was here before. In the crumbling hilltop village of Motta Camastra, which clings stubbornly like a mountain goat to the cliffs north of Etna, a group of local women is taking preservation into its own hands. Urban migration and economic downturn have hit the village hard. To create jobs and bring people back, Mariangela Curro and other local women launched Le Mamme del Borgo, which is creating a super-local farmed-food movement to help sustain the town agriculturally, and offering good old-fashioned cooking to bring in travelers. Mariangela is a cheery and proud ambassador, guiding me to the local museum where antique olive presses are displayed and to the town square, which looks over the valley and across to Etna. We climb a footpath and duck through a door that leads to a kitchen. Inside, the Mammas, in aprons and house dresses, are frying arancini, molding eggplant parmigiana, and stuffing crescent-shaped pastry with ricotta. Typical Sicilian food is their currency; every tour with the Mammas ends at the table outside this kitchen, under the shade of a canopy in an ivy-draped courtyard.

The meal is the kind of experience a traveler could book an entire trip around, bridging sustainability, local interactions, and extremely good food. At the lunch table, between platters of pasta alla Norma, sausage, and stewed greens, Mariangela explains the mission of the Mammas. Sicily is nothing if not a study in endurance and evolution, having inherited, fostered, grown, and preserved influences from so many forces throughout history to create a place unlike anywhere else. But Sicily's magic is knowing when to let change in. For the Mammas, change is intertwined with conservation. If done properly, their work will help to keep Motta Ca­mastra ticking.

Mariangela clears the lunch dishes and offers coffee. Peppe and I should get going. But under that canopy, surrounded by these women, on top of a valley that's been inhabited in one way or another for thousands of years, time seems to move at its own pace. We don't need to rush. So we stay at the table a little longer.

A view from the grounds of Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel, a newly reborn resort outside Palermo.

How this trip was made 

When Gary Portuesi of Authentic Explorations and I first talked, I made it clear that I wanted to be wowed by Sicily as though I were experiencing the island for the first time. He asked careful questions about my travels in Italy (extensive) and general preferences (cities over nature; culture and food; honest local connections). We then workshopped an itinerary, including places to stay, that aligned with my passions. His itinerary left plenty of room for flexibility, which, as a traveler who does not like to hyperschedule my days, I greatly appreciated. (I recommend you do the same if traveling to Sicily; there are so many directions the island can pull you in once you're there.) Gary's connections secured me hard-to-come-by rooms at sophisticated new retreats, like the grand Villa Igiea, A Rocco Forte Hotel, and San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel . He also brought me to boutique and family-run places, such as Fontes Episcopi, a dream of an agriturismo outside Agrigento that I never could have found on my own.

The highlights

Day 1: A lunchtime stroll through Capo Market, a lesser-visited food market in Palermo, which ended in my first and one of my favorite meals of the trip—a mound of local anelletti al forno from a small vendor and a bottle of Menabrea beer.

Day 3: After visiting the Trapani salt pans we drove up to the hilltop town of Erice. When I told Peppe that I had always wanted to taste the pastries of the legendary Maria Grammatica, who popularized certain types of sweets from this part of Sicily, he walked into a pastry shop and invited me into its kitchen where I got to chat with her in person—she even gave me a book about her life to take home.

Day 4: A supremely delicious dinner of tri colore eggplant involtini on the outdoor terrace at the luxury restaurant at Villa Athena with views of an illuminated Valley of the Temples—though I would have eaten anything that my hosts at eco-retreat Fontes Episcopi might have served me from the farm kitchen.

Day 5: A tour through the Catania fish market. The place was rollicking and wild and there were some lovely modern wine bars and bistros for lunch right next to the stalls. Just don't wear clean white shoes—you'll probably step in tuna guts.

Day 6: Climbing over a hardened lava field on Etna before switching gears for a wine tasting later that day.

Florio Restaurant at Villa Igiea in Palermo

The pool at Villa Igiea

Where I stayed

Gary’s connections to exactly the types of the places you want to stay secured me the top rooms all over the island. In Palermo, I stayed at the Villa Igiea in Palermo, Rocco Forte’s new and stunning takeover of a storied turn-of-the-century resort right on the water. Over in Agrigento, the sweet eco-retreat Fontes Episcopi may have left the biggest impression on me, with its orchards and pinch-yourself-perfect farm kitchen where all the meals are made. Across in Noto, Seven Rooms is discreet and perfect, located in an old palace right off one of the main drags. Taormina has been popular for years and has the strongest hotel scene on the island. For me, that meant a seafront room at Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea and an overnight at the beautifully redone San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel , in the middle of the town.

Gary and his team at Authentic Explorations can pull off week-long Sicily itineraries starting at around $12,000 for two, depending on services and accommodations. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.  

This article appeared in the May/June 2021 issue of  Condé Nast Traveler.  Subscribe to the magazine   here .

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22 Best Places to Visit in Sicily

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If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Sicily, you’ve got a fantastic trip ahead of you. Sicily is like nowhere else on Earth. Sure, it’s Italy, but like if you cranked the volume up — wild and passionate, bursting with music and laughter and lava.

The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has so much to offer, whether you’re looking for some of the finest beaches in Italy or some of the best preserved Greek ruins in Europe.

So. You know you want to visit Sicily. But where should you go? That’s where I come in.

I’ve spent many trips traveling in Sicily and many years advising travelers. I’m even a Sicilian American who visited my great-grandfather’s home village in Sicily. In this post, you’ll find out some of the best destinations in Sicily to add to your itinerary.

And be sure to check out my other Sicily posts — including my guide to Sicilian food , the joys and challenges of visiting Sicily , guide to visiting Sicily in winter , posts on my favorite places like the Aeolian Islands and Palermo , and more. You can see all my Sicily posts here.

Table of Contents

Best Places to Visit in Sicily

How many places should you visit in Sicily? Honestly, it depends on how much time you have. But no matter how much time you have, I recommend visiting lots of different kinds of destinations.

What does that mean? Mix in a city (Palermo or Catania or Siracusa, perhaps), a natural wonder (Mount Etna, Aeolian Islands, Pantelleria), a seaside/beach destination if visiting during the warmer months (San Vito Lo Capo, Cefalu, Aci Trezza), some ruins (Segesta, Agrigento, Siracusa), and a stunning smaller city (Ragusa, Taormina, Modica).

My biggest tip is to rent a car for your trip to Sicily. This is the best way to get around Sicily. With a car, you can head out for the morning and visit several different places before returning home for the night. You’ll be able to see so much more than you would by public transportation. (Be sure to read my guide to driving in Italy before your trip.)

Okay, let’s take a look at the best places to visit in Sicily!

Submitted by Jenifer of The Evolista

Taormina is a beautiful town and one of the best places to visit on the east coast of Sicily. Situated on a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea, it sits peacefully, at a safe distance from Mt Etna, one of Europe’s most active volcanoes. 

Start your visit with a walk through town on Corso Umberto. Browse cute shops and restaurants tucked into small alleys. Make sure to try the regional food specialties like arancini, which are stuffed rice balls that are deep-fried. Another must try is the granita from Bam Bar. A food and wine walking tour is a great way to sample the Sicilian food specialties.

A must-visit is the ancient Greek Theater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which dates back to the third century BCE and is still used today for concerts and an international film festival. You will also find many historic churches and palaces, including the Palazzo Corvaja and the Church of San Giuseppe.

While the views in Taormina are truly breathtaking, the beaches are also beautiful. You can walk down to the beach or take the Funivia cable car, an attraction all on its own. The most popular beach is Isola Bella, a small gem of an island that you can get to by walking over a sandbar, flanked on both sides by crystal clear, turquoise water. 

Where to stay in Taormina: For one of the best hotels in Taormina , book a stay at the San Domenico Palace , where Season 2 of The White Lotus was filmed. This is arguably the best luxury hotel in Sicily, and the pool area is top notch with those to-die-for views.

Welcome to the sizzling capital of Sicily — and one of the liveliest, most vibrant cities in all of Italy. Palermo , the island’s largest city, sits on the northwestern corner of Sicily and has served as the melting pot of the Mediterranean for thousands of years.

Palermo is defined by its unique blend of architecture with Arab-Norman inspiration, thanks to its far-flung cultural influences. These monuments, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are sprinkled all over the city. Don’t miss the Piazza Duomo and the golden Palatine Chapel in particular.

Palermo’s streets are also home to some of the best Sicilian food you’ll ever find — including dishes you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Don’t miss pan panelle , a roll filled with fried chickpea fritters and sometimes potato croquettes, or sfincione , handheld pizza. If you’re adventurous, pani câ meusa is a spleen sandwich (!), a local favorite street food.

Take yourself on a food tour in Palermo — Streaty’s Sicilian food and wine tour was easily the highlight of my own visit — or a trip to Mondello Beach, a 25-minute bus ride from the city center.

Palermo makes an excellent base for further exploration in Sicily. You can easily do day trips from here to Cefalù, San Vito Lo Capo, Monreale, Erice, Segesta, and more.

Where to Stay in Palermo: The best area to stay in Palermo is the chic Politeama neighborhood, with lots of good restaurants and easy access to the rest of the city. Hotel Politeama is a nice mid-range hotel with gorgeous views.

Siracusa is one of the absolute gems of Sicily, and in my opinion is a must-visit. Located an hour’s drive south of Catania, Siracusa (also known as Syracuse) is home to ancient ruins and one of Sicily’s most picturesque old towns.

For many Sicilians, Siracusa is synonymous with Ortigia — an island that is home to the old town. Ortigia is mostly car-free and looks the same way it has for centuries, with a lively harbor and a beautiful cathedral. If you’re basing in Siracusa for any time of your trip, Ortigia Island is the place to be.

But the ruins are another major draw of Siracusa, located in the north of the city. Here at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Néapolis Archaeological Park, you can visit a Roman amphitheater as well as a Greek theater, as well as the altar of Hieron II and the Ear of Dionysus. Be sure to bring sun protection, as this is a big open space.

Siracusa makes a great place to base while exploring southeastern Sicily, including the Val di Noto and its towns of Noto, Ragusa, and Modica.

Where to Stay in Siracusa: You should stay in Ortigia while in Siracusa, and Hotel Henry’s House is one of the nicest places to stay in this beautiful part of town. The decor is elegant Sicilian, and you can’t beat the location!

Recommended by Tamar of World by Weekend

Mount Etna in Sicily  is a must-visit for nature lovers and adventurers. With its smoking top and long history of eruptions, a trip to Mount Etna is an unforgettable experience to have in Sicily. 

The highlight of visiting Mount Etna is taking a guided tour along the volcano’s summit. To reach the summit, begin at Refugio Sapienza. From there you can hike or take the cable car up 2,800 meters to the Mountain Hut. If you don’t wish to continue on foot, from the Mountain Hut you can take a jeep (or snowcat if you’re visiting in winter) up another 1,000 meters.

After the 2,900-meter mark visitors must be accompanied by a guide. On the guided tour you’ll hike along the rim of the volcano while your guide lectures on the history and geology. From the summit you’ll enjoy stunning views of the valley, the Mediterranean, and, on a clear day, mainland Italy.

Where to stay near Mount Etna: The nearest accommodation to Mount Etna is  Rifugio Sapienza , but there is little to see or do in the vicinity. Instead, stay in nearby Taormina. This charming seaside town has beautiful beaches, high-end shopping, and delicious restaurants. Stay at  B&B Terraza Sul Mare , a family-run hotel with an attentive owner, delicious breakfasts, and stunning views of the sea.

Submitted by Zoe from Together In Transit

If looking for a charming little location on Sicily’s northern coast, find yourself  inspired by Cefalu . Only one hour from Palermo, it’s the ideal quieter Sicilian destination.

While exploring the quaint old town of Cefalù, take a stroll through the alleyways and cobblestoned side streets for those sweet Italian vibes. There are many restaurants to choose from, with a personal dinner suggestion to reserve a table at  B.I.F. Braceria Italiana Fuorimondo . The old town area is also the place you can find the main cathedral and cloister, which is absolutely stunning. Enjoy your time here before strolling to the scenic viewpoint at the end of the pier.

A visit to Cefalù would not be complete without a visit to the castle. With just a short hike up from the town, the Castello di Cefalù is 270 meters above sea level. The view from the very top is beautiful on a clear day, where you can spot lots of locals enjoying the water below. Water activities and tours in Cefalu are popular, such as boat trips, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

Fun fact: the beach scenes from The White Lotus were actually filmed in Cefalù, not Taormina where the hotel is set.

Where to stay in Cefalù : Cefalù has many hotels and cute rentals to choose from. A personal highlight is to stay at the holiday home that you can find called A Window On The Sea . It is not located in the old town, however just a short five-minute drive from Cefalù. It has a private beach for a restful afternoon and direct views of the castle.

Aeolian Islands

My personal favorite summer getaway in Sicily is the Aeolian Islands — an archipelago of volcanic islands off the northeast coast of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea. These islands are summer personified, with glorious beaches, volcanoes, vineyard, striking mountains, and beautiful views in every direction.

There are seven islands in the archipelago: Lipari, with the most shops and restaurants; Vulcano, with a smoldering crater and fantastic views; Salina, the best overall island with lots of great towns and food; Panarea, a getaway for the rich and famous; Stromboli, home to a wild active volcano and sparkling black sand beaches; and Alicudi and Filicudi, very quiet and remote islands.

If you have a week in the Aeolians, I recommend spending a few nights in Stromboli and the rest of your time based in Salina. You can take plenty of boat trips to the other islands, either by public ferries or on organized trips. Each island has something special to offer.

If you have a good level of fitness, climbing Stromboli’s volcano is a must. You’ve never seen lava up close like this before! Not a hiker? Have dinner at Osservatorio Restaurant, halfway up the volcano with a view of the explosions as you enjoy your pizza.

Where to Stay in the Aeolian Islands: No matter how long you stay in the Aeolians, I highly recommend staying at Hotel Ravesi on the island of Salina. This gorgeous little boutique hotel is right on the cusp between mid-range and luxury and has a gorgeous infinity pool overlooking Panarea and Stromboli. The staff are lovely, they have electric motorbikes for rent, and their aperitivo is creative and delicious.

Submitted by Coni from  Experiencing the Globe

Overlooking Trapani and the Egadi Islands, the medieval hilltop town of Erice is an unmissable destination in Western Sicily.

Its location was the logical place to defend the harbor, so Erice has been inhabited for millennia. What all its peoples have had in common is the town’s dedication to a female divinity: Astarte for the Phoenicians, Aphrodite for the Greeks, and Venus for the Romans. Early in the morning, the hilltop is often covered by a magical fog that the locals associate with the mysteries of the goddess, and one of the main attractions in town is the Castello di Venere — the Temple of Venus.

The city is shaped like a triangle, surrounded by defensive town walls, which makes it easy to get lost in its alleyways without ever feeling truly lost. The Italians refer to it as “The City of a Hundred Churches” — and although it ‘only’ has 60 of them, you’re guaranteed to stumble into one, no matter which way you go.

Another feature that makes Erice special is that it houses the prestigious Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture Ettore Maiorana. A statement was signed here during the Cold War by thousands of scientists and high-level politicians (including Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan) to secure a way of moving forward without the use of nuclear power. Today the town hosts varied scientific conferences.

After seeing all the sights, enjoy the relaxed Sicilian rhythm from any of the lovely  pasticcerie , or pastry shops. Don’t miss the classical almond biscuits ( dolci ericini ), the custard filled pastries ( genovesi ericine ), nor the beautifully decorated marzipan ( frutta martorana ).

Getting to Erice is easy. If you have your own wheels, you can drive the winding road up. If you’re in for dramatic panoramic views down the valley, take the ten-minute cable car ( funivia ) from Trapani. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also hike up (or down) the hill –it’s a gorgeous trek of about 10 km/6 miles with almost 800 m/2600 ft of elevation difference.

Where to stay in Erice: You can easily visit Erice as a day trip from Trapani or Palermo, but it’s a popular tour, so it’s worth staying over to enjoy the early mornings and evenings without any crowds. A very special accommodation is Il Carmine , a former monastery linked to the Carmelite order of monks.

Submitted by Veronika of Travel Geekery

Noto belongs to one of Sicily’s prime examples of Baroque architecture, forming part of the UNESCO-inscribed Val di Noto region. The town was built from scratch in the 18th century after a devastating earthquake in 1693. The former Noto, now referred to as Noto Antica and located just a few kilometers away, was not rebuilt. 

Everywhere you look in Noto, you’ll be stunned by limestone structures and palaces, with an exceptionally high number of churches, especially along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. And then there’s the Noto Cathedral — Noto’s top sight and an imposing structure on the central Piazza del Municipio.

For a truly remarkable experience, if you have a sweet tooth, head to Café Sicilia. The family-run café serves the best granita in town and has become world-famous thanks to a Netflix special. The almond granita is to die for, and there’s a lot behind the scenes, too — the family helped to bring almond growing back to Sicily. You can also have all other kinds of sweets here, including delicious cannoli. 

Noto, of course, played a pivotal role on Season 2 of The White Lotus .

Where to stay in Noto: While Noto can be easily visited on a  day trip from Catania , you should spend a night or two if you want to experience it without tourists. Noto is relatively small, so you’ll have everything within walking distance no matter where you stay. For the most comfort, opt to stay near the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Filinona B&B is a great choice.

Submitted by Soumya of Stories by Soumya

One of the best places to visit in Sicily, the small town of Agrigento is home to some of Italy’s most fascinating landmarks and ancient archeological sites.

Agrigento’s history dates to the 6 th  century BCE when Greeks ruled the land, after which came the Romans and then the Turks. Visiting Agrigento is like peeling several layers of history and discovering the imprints of many civilizations that have thrived in this historic region.

Of the many wonderful  things to do in Agrigento , visiting the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples is a highlight. Agrigento’s Valley of Temples is a sprawling complex of well-preserved Greek temples that was once the ancient city of Akragas. The temples of Concordia, Heracles, and Dioscuri are imposing structures that tell numerous stories about the powerful Greek Empire.

Right next to the temples is an impressive archeological museum that displays the history of Sicily in 5000+ artifacts. The ancient garden of Kolymbetra, full of citrus trees and almond groves, is not very far away either.

Agrigento’s Old Town is chock full of medieval villas and Gothic churches. A short drive will take you to the Stair of the Turks (Scala dei Turchi), a set of beautiful white cliffs by the sea where you can take a dip in the sea or enjoy a boat tour.

Where to stay in Agrigento: The best place to stay in Agrigento is the majestic Hotel Villa Athena , an 18 th -century mansion that’s located right next to the Valley of Temples and provides stunning views of the Greek ruins. 

Pantelleria

Submitted by Imee Magbag from  Guide To Day Trips

Pantelleria is a beautiful island located between Sicily and Tunisia. Pantelleria is of volcanic origin and has a rugged landscape with several volcanic peaks. Due to its volcanic nature, Pantelleria is known for its unique geothermal features, including hot springs and fumaroles.

The island attracts tourists looking for a peaceful and picturesque destination, with its rocky coastline, crystal-clear waters, and unique volcanic landscapes. Visitors can explore ancient ruins, enjoy thermal baths, indulge in local cuisine, and experience the laid-back charm of this off-the-beaten-path Mediterranean island.

There are so many things to do while you are in Pantelleria; you can explore the ancient ruins of Sesi by booking an Archaeological Tour; this is an important archaeological site featuring well-preserved prehistoric stone structures, including Byzantine tombs. 

Another famous attraction and a must-see destination is Pantelleria, the Specchio di Venere, a small lake within a volcanic crater. The water here is to believed to have therapeutic properties, making it a sought-after destination for relaxation. 

Where to stay in Pantelleria: If you are looking for a place to stay in Pantelleria, experience an overnight stay in  Dam musi I Jardina , a traditional stone house; this unique and distinctive dwelling offers beautiful accommodations, with a Mediterranean garden perfect for relaxation. 

Submitted by Jackie Rezk of Jou Jou Travels

Sciacca is a charming town located on the southwestern coast of Sicily. This lesser-known town is a must-visit, especially if you love picturesque and colorful places.

One of the most special things about Sciacca is its thermal baths, which date back to ancient times. The healing waters of the Terme di Sciacca are said to alleviate various ailments. And of course, a visit wouldn’t be right without going to the beach (you can try Lido Sovareto or San Giorgio) and admiring the crystal clear waters.

Sciacca also boasts great food and being located in Sicily, you can imagine why! So be sure to try local dishes such as “couscous di pesce” (fish couscous). This flavorful dish consists of steamed semolina grains served with a variety of fish, shellfish, and aromatic vegetables, all cooked in a fragrant tomato-based broth. The couscous reflects the historical Arab influence in Sicilian cuisine and can be tried at La Bottega Fusion Cuisine.

Where to stay in Sciacca: For accommodation, staying near the marina is highly recommended due to its proximity to the beach and the town center. One specific hotel that stands out is the Domus Maris Relais Boutique Hotel . Situated steps away from the Mediterranean Sea, this hotel offers a great location and comfortable rooms.

Submitted by Steve of The Trip Goes On

Augusta is a small town nestled on the east coast of Sicily between Catania and Syracuse. It was one of the earliest Ancient Greek colonies on Sicily and later became a Roman settlement. 

The town stretches across a small peninsula that culminates in a 2-km long island with a medieval fortress called Castle Svevo overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Med. 

Augusta is also one of Italy’s major commercial ports with weekly  ferries to Malta . I actually missed my ferry and ended up spending four days here waiting for the next one, and it was one of those strange twists of fate that I’m so glad that I did. 

Each year there are a number of festivals held in the town including the  Sagra dei Sapori Medievali , a medieval festival held in September where you can try dishes dating back to the dark ages. 

The streets and squares are lined with cafes and restaurants serving traditional Sicilian dishes, and naturally, the seafood here is some of the best in Italy (I highly recommend the  Locanda Scorfano Rosso  seafood restaurant). 

Where to stay in Augusta: There are some excellent B&Bs on the island. B&B Blu Mare is a nice guesthouse right next to the castle.

A lot of Sicily travelers see Milazzo for one thing alone: the ferries to the Aeolian Islands. But this seaside city is a lot more than that, and I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed Milazzo!

Milazzo is a narrow peninsula set on the sea, the geographic center rising steeply up from the coast. In this part of town, you can enjoy Castello di Milazzo, a ruined castle with spectacular views (and even a tuna production museum on site!). Beautiful villas spring up throughout this neighborhood.

The Tono neighborhood is home to a curved beach surrounding a neon blue bay. Here you can enjoy a number of beach clubs and seaside dining. Alternatively, head to Capo di Milazzo, the tip of the peninsula, to see the Piscina di Venere — Venus’s pool, a beautiful place for a swim.

Just one thing — if you spend time in Milazzo, get yourself beyond the immediate port area. Like most port cities in Italy, this part of town pales in comparison to what you get when you head further away.

Where to stay in Milazzo: Ngonia Bay Boutique Hotel is one of my favorite hotels in Italy, and absolutely worth a special splurge for a few days. The grounds are beautiful — they reminded me of Southern California — with a pool in the ground and a second pool on the rooftop. The restaurant serves some of the best food I’ve had in Sicily (if there is a pasta with red Mazara shrimp, burrata, and pistachio pesto, GET IT).

Submitted by Annabel of Smudged Postcard

Known as the “Belvedere of Sicily”, the hilltop town of Enna has commanding views across central Italy. Enna is surrounded by farmland – a rich green landscape in springtime that gives way to golden fields as the heat of summer arrives.

The best place in Enna to admire the views is from the well-preserved 13th-century fortress Castello di Lombardia. It’s free to enter and is usually fairly quiet so visitors can take in the impressive panorama in relative tranquility.

Elsewhere in Enna, highlights include the Gothic-Baroque cathedral with its impressive staircase. Easter is the best time of year to visit the city when atmospheric parades take place leading to the cathedral.

Enna is remote and hard to reach by public transport. It’s 150 km from Palermo and 90 km from Catania, so hiring a car is recommended — there are plenty of interesting places to explore in the surrounding area too.

Where to stay in Enna: Although there are places to stay in Enna, there is nowhere interesting of note. However, just outside the town are some excellent agriturismo properties that enable visitors to get a true taste (literally) of rural Sicily. Baglio Pollicarini is a good option — it has an excellent restaurant, characterful accommodations, and a swimming pool. There are rooms sleeping up to four guests, which is ideal if you are visiting  Sicily with kids .

Submitted by Izzy of The Gap Decaders

No trip to Sicily would be complete without the incredibly well-preserved ancient Greek Temple and Roman amphitheater at Segesta .

One of Italy’s best-known landmarks, Segesta is set on a rural hill southwest of Palermo, with commanding views across the landscape. Surrounded by rolling hills which are covered by wildflowers in spring, Segesta is hauntingly beautiful.

Influential and important throughout ancient history, the original Elymian city of Segesta reached the peak of its wealth and power in the 5th century BCE, and was operated one of the largest mints on Sicily. During this period, Segesta also hosted an enormous market that attracted traders from all over Europe and was considered an endpoint of the historic Silk Road.

Towards the end of Segesta’s reign, around 417 BCE, the Doric temple that still stands today was constructed (although never finished) at the foot of Mount Barbaro and represents the ancient city at the end of its power as Sicily was being drawn into international conflicts between the Greek powers of Athens, Sparta, and Carthage. 

Between Palermo and Trapani, Segesta is easy to get to by car, or with a guided tour from Palermo, around an hour away. There’s no reason to stay in accommodation close to Segesta; feel free to stay in Palermo, Trapani, or anywhere else in northwest Sicily.

Submitted by Iphi from Travel Choreography

Far off the white marble cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi and Southern Sicily, there is a tiny stretch of arid land called Lampedusa. The island has a unique feel to it — exotic yet approachable, beautiful but untamed. Most of all, it feels like it’s in a world apart, and that’s because it is. Located between Malta, Tunisia, and Sicily, it turns out Lampedusa is also one of the best places to visit in Sicily.

One of the best things to do on Lampedusa is visit Rabbit Beach, also known as Spiaggia dei Conigli. This beach was named the best in the world in 2013 because of its warm, crystal-clear waters filled with tiny fish. You can reach it by boat or take a 10-minute walk from the main road. Don’t forget to bring water and a few snacks as there are no services available on the beach.

Like every Mediterranean paradise of its kind, the island thrives on tourism and fishing and is just waiting for you to join the party. With short direct flights from every big city in Italy, it is, fortunately, not too hard to reach.

Where to stay in Lampedusa: Staying in the main town of Lampedusa is the best option for most people. You can wander around the charming streets and try the local cuisine, where fish dishes dominate the menus. If you find a perfect Airbnb elsewhere, it’s not a problem. Given the island’s small size, you’ll discover that everything is just a short scooter ride away.

If you’re looking for total escapism, you might want to stay at Hotel i Dammusi . It’s surrounded by nature, and you’ll love the pleasant smell of wild cacti flowers and waking up to the sound of waves nearby. It’s the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

Submitted by Greta of Greta’s Travels

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Sicily, you have to add Ragusa to your bucket list. Located in the southeast of Sicily in the Val di Noto, this hilltop town is characterized by its Baroque architecture and countryside views.

Ragusa Ibla, the historical town center, is home to the Duomo di San Giorgio. This Baroque church dates back to the 1700s and is home to grand paintings and colorful stained glass windows. Surrounding the Duomo di San Giorgio, you find picturesque cobbled streets, which meander through the historical town center and make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Ragusa, as is most of Sicily, is one of the most popular destinations to visit in  Italy in summer . It gets pretty hot in the Sicilian countryside, but Ragusa Ibla is only a 30-minute drive to Marina di Ragusa. That way you can combine discovering one of the most interesting Baroque cities in Sicily with spending some time lounging by the sea.

Where to stay in Ragusa: When choosing where to stay in Ragusa, make sure to pick somewhere inside Ragusa Ibla. That way you will be within walking distance of all the main attractions, and you’ll be able to enjoy the magical atmosphere of these cute streets after dark, when most of the tourists leave.

Sure, there are lots of places that international travelers like to go in Sicily — but where do the locals go? They go to fun beach getaways that are easily accessible to the big cities, but

One of those places is Aci Trezza — a seaside town in Eastern Sicily, just outside Catania near Aci Castello, home to a picturesque coastline with clear, bright blue water. Here you’ll find the Faraglioni dei Ciclopi — the “stacks” or boulders of Cyclops, who flung them into the sea.

There’s not a lot to do in Aci Trezza — but that’s its appeal. Have a granita by the sea, take a boat trip around the islands, bask in the sunshine. While there aren’t any traditional sandy beaches here, people either stretch out on the rocky coastline, or book a chair at one of the beach clubs on stilts above the water. It’s the perfect place to take a break from your hectic trip.

If you’re an early riser — or even if you’re not — it’s worth getting up for sunrise here. There’s nothing like seeing the colors change over the faraglioni.

Where to stay in Aci Trezza: The Grand Hotel Faraglioni is one of the nicest properties in town, with a perfect seafront location overlooking the coastline.

Submitted by Ossama of Awesome Traveler

Sicily is well known as one of the  best European islands  to visit. One of the best places to visit in Sicily is the town of Modica, one of the UNESCO-listed Baroque cities of the Val di Noto.

Modica is home to mesmerizing Baroque buildings with rich carvings and exotic balconies, including the Cathedral of San Pietro. The enormous stairway leading to the Cathedral is stunning, lined with the status of the 12 apostles. Once you enterthe church, you are great with staggering Statue of the Madonna of Trapani.

Be sure to spend time walking down Corso Umberto, Modica’s Main Street, which is home to more architectural marvels like the Palace of Modica, the church of Saint Peter, Garibaldi Theater, and Grimaldi Palace.

Modica is also known for its signature chocolate, which you can find in shops all over the city. Modica’s chocolate is processed at a low temperature, which gives it a grainy (and delicious!) texture. Modica is also home to a Chocolate Museum where you can sample all different kinds of this local delicacy. It also makes a nice souvenir to bring home from Sicily.

Where to stay in Modica: The Modica Boutique Hotel is a mid-range property close to many attractions, and features panoramic views of Modica, all the way to the distant sea.

Scala dei Turchi

Submitted by Adriana of Wanderlicious

Scala dei Turchi is one of the most unique places in Europe and my favorite place to watch the sunset go down. The sunsets at Scala dei Turchi are just as beautiful as they look in the pictures. 

Scala dei Turchi, known as the Turkish Stairs in English, is a strikingly white cliff with natural inbuilt steps that resemble a staircase. It’s become a popular tourist destination because of the beautifully blue cerulean waters that are perfect for diving into during the day, and watching the sunset with its hundreds of pastel colors.

It is referred to as Scala dei Turchi due to the location’s tumultuous history. The Ottoman Empire used this point as a lookout during their raids by pirates and warriors. But those days of turmoil are long gone, and now you’ll find tourists bathing in the plentiful coves and shallow pools to relax in.

Make sure you bring a picnic, wine, drinks, or something to sustain yourself as there aren’t always vendors down at the bottom where the beach is. It’s also worth exploring the nearby towns of Agrigento and Porto Empedocle. A gelato tastes even sweeter with this view!

Where to stay in Scala dei Turchi: I can recommend the Scala dei Turchi Resort , a lovely 4-star hotel with a pool and loungers to relax on after a long day of exploring the local area.  

San Vito Lo Capo

Submitted by Jolene Ejmont of Wanderlust Storytellers

In northwest Sicily you’ll find one of the island’s most beloved beach towns: a little place called San Vito Lo Capo. 

San Vito Lo Capo is well known for its sheltered beach and clear waters making it a great spot for swimming and spending a relaxing day at the seaside. Mount Monaco makes a stunning background straight out of a screensaver. Although it’s well-known for its beach, it has many other great things to do and places to see. 

San Vito Lo Capo feels more North African than many other parts of Sicily, and that extends to the cuisine. The town puts on one of Sicily’s best food festivals each September — Cous Cous Fest! Cous Cous Fest celebrates all things couscous, which originated in North Africa before making it to Sicily.

Another great cultural experience is a visit to the San Vito Sanctuary in the middle of the town. Originally built as a fort and then later transformed into a church, it is now a small museum. 

If you fancy a day trip or excursion, a  boat trip  is the perfect tour to book. Here you will cruise along the coastline visiting secluded coves and beaches, where you can go swimming or snorkeling.

For the more adventurous or active travelers, there is a rock cliff with more than 1000 climbing routes that rock climbers love. For an activity less daring you can hike along the coastline to Piana of Egitarso or Zingaro Nature Reserve and take in the gorgeous panoramic views along the way.

Where to stay in San Vito Lo Capo: While many travelers visit from nearby  Trapani , an overnight stay in San Vito Lo Capo is well worth it.  Hote l Biancolilla  is situated in what is considered the best area of San Vito Lo Capo and is in the heart of everything.

Submitted by Džangir of Dr Jam Travels

Monreale is a small town in Sicily that makes for a great day trip from Palermo, as it is just a short drive or bus ride from the city center. This town is famous for the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nuova, commonly known as Monreale Cathedral, located on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.

Built by William II in 1174 in a unique combination of Arab-Islamic, Byzantine, and Romanesque-Norman architecture, the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The interior is covered in almost 70,000 square feet of mosaics, mainly biblical stories with the main figure of the Cristo Pantocratore (Christ Almighty).

Monreale is located in a hill above Palermo, with stunning views all the way down to the sea. This area is called the Conca d’Oro — the Gold Basin — and makes a great spot for photos. Once in town, you will wander around its narrow cobbled streets surrounded by beautiful old buildings and pastry shops.

Monreale is a 35-minute bus ride from Palermo, and buses leave every 30 minutes — it’s so easy, you don’t have to book a pricey trip to Monreale. You can also drive to Monreale if you have a car, though be prepared for Italian driving !

Where to stay in Monreale: While most travelers will prefer staying in Palermo with its extensive accommodation options, you can also stay over in Monreale for a quieter, more local atmosphere. You can find accommodation in great medieval renovated houses like Opera Boutique Rooms .

More on Sicily:

• The Joys and Challenges of Traveling in Sicily
• Where to Go in Eastern Sicily
• What to Eat in Sicily: 30 Iconic Sicilian Food Dishes
• 23 Fun Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily
• Complete Guide to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily
• Aci Trezza: A Laid-Back Coastal Town in Sicily
• Visiting Sicily in the Winter: Worth it or not?

Cool Places in Southern Italy:

• Tropea, Italy: A Spectacularly Situated Beach Town
• The Stunning Trulli of Alberobello, Italy
• 16 Fun Things To Do In Sorrento
• 16 Fab Things to do in Lecce, Italy
• 17 Fun Things to do in Bari, Italy
• 15 Best Things to do in Monopoli, Italy
• 17 Fun Things to do in Matera, Italy

Cool Places in Northern Italy:

• Three Weeks in Northern Italy: An Itinerary
• Parma, Italy: A Colorful, Artsy, Delicious Town
• Where to Stay in Rome: Best Neighborhoods and Accommodation
• Three Days in the Dolomites: A South Tyrol Getaway
• Best Day Trips from Florence, Italy
• The Immaculate, Bursting Mosaics of Ravenna, Italy
• 25 Best Food Experiences in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Planning a Trip to Italy:

• What NOT to Do in Italy
• Solo Female Travel in Italy: Is it Safe?
• Ultimate Guide to Driving in Italy
• How to Stay at an Agriturismo in Italy
• 30 Stunning Mediterranean Islands To Visit In Your Lifetime
• 30 Italian Cities To Visit Once In Your Lifetime

Have you been to Sicily? What’s your favorite place to visit? Share away!

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10 Reasons to Visit Sicily on Your Next Trip to Italy

From the lively capital in Palermo to the hilltop city of Taormina to Trapani in the west, Sicily is finally being discovered for the magical destination that it is.

For many years, Italy's classic cities of Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan have attracted tourists from around the world while Sicilians quietly produced their wine, grew almonds, pistachios, olives, and citrus, and dined on superb seafood. But word has been getting out about the island's picturesque coastline, historic towns, and many attractions. The large tri-cornered island off the toe of Italy's boot is now recognized for all it has to offer.

From the lively capital in Palermo to the hilltop city of Taormina to Trapani in the west, Sicily is being discovered for the magical destination that it is. The diverse island offers beaches, mountains, active volcanoes, and even skiing in winter. Well-preserved archeological sites, cathedrals, and buildings show evidence of its history as a home for Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, and others. The indigenous Sicanians, about whom little is known, are thought to have occupied the island as far back as 8000 BC, giving Sicily its name.

The yellow and red flag of Sicily depicts a three-legged woman with the head of the mythical Medusa, called the "Trinacria." The three legs symbolize the three corners of Sicily, and according to legend, the three mythological nymphs who created the island. You'll see this symbol of Sicily everywhere on the island, from its flag to the souvenirs you'll want to take home as memories of your extraordinary vacation.

Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure

Delicious Food

Sicily has its own style of Italian cuisine, and both its location and history influence its favorite dishes. It's not unusual to see couscous on a menu, reflecting Arabic influences, and pasta is served with a variety of ingredients, with each locale having its specialty. Fresh, delicious seafood is plentiful, with the island's more than 600 miles of coastline, and sardines are served on their own as well as in the flavorful pasta con le sarde that also includes fennel, pine nuts, and raisins. Pasta alla Norma features tomato, eggplant, and ricotta salata (salted ricotta cheese). Fried rice balls called arancini are popular snacks, and a favorite antipasto is caponata , a luscious mixture of tomatoes, capers, and eggplant with many variations.

Sicilians love desserts and are known to make the best cannoli — fried pastry tubes filled with sweetened ricotta. Granita , crushed ice flavored with fruit, almond, or coffee, and cassata , sponge cake with liqueur, ricotta, and marzipan (almond paste) are also favorites. Frutta Martorana, a Sicilian specialty, are miniature fruits and vegetables embellished by hand. Sicily's almonds, pistachios, and citrus appear in desserts like gelato and biscotti. And where else would you encounter the summertime breakfast treat brioche con gelato — gelato in a brioche bun?

Stunning Archaeological Sites

Sicily is home to some of the world's best preserved examples of Greek and Roman temples, structures, and art. In the southwest, Agrigento's Valley of the Temples includes the nearly intact Temple of Concordia as well as columns remaining from several other Greek temples. On Sicily's southeast coast, Siracusa — once the leading city of Greece — a massive amphitheater built around the 5th century B.C. is still used for theatrical presentations. A 3rd-century A.D. Roman amphitheater can also be seen in the area. On the nearby island of Ortigia are the remains of the Temple of Apollo, built in the 7th century B.C.

Further north on the coast in the hilltop city of Taormina, the Teatro Greco , dating to the 3rd century B.C., was later enlarged by the Romans. Today, the theater is home to film festivals, concerts, and plays with the audience enjoying views of the Ionian Sea and Mt. Etna along with the performance. In Segesta, a striking Doric temple has stood for more than 2,000 years near a massive amphitheater. Selinunte, once a major Greek city on the south coast, is another impressive archaeological site. The Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo contains sculpture and artefacts from throughout Sicily's past.

Luxurious Beaches

Surrounded by the Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas, Sicily has miles of varied and beautiful coastline. Near Taormina, Isola Bella is a gorgeous beach, and it's common for a lido (beach club) to offer umbrellas, chairs, beverages, and dining. A cable car takes visitors from the hilltop to beaches at Mazzaro. The sea is clear and warm, and the sand is pebbly (beach shoes are suggested). Nearby Giardini Naxos offers both lidos and public areas.

Palermo's beaches on the north shore, including Mondello, Magaggiari, and Cefalu, feature sandy shores. About 40 miles east of Palermo, Cefalu, once a fishing village, offers several beaches, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and nightlife. Near Ragusa, along the southeastern shore, popular beaches include Fontane Bianche, San Lorenzo, and Marina di Ragusa. Visitors to Sicily will find beaches they love, whether they're looking for a secluded spot or a lively lido.

Complex Wines

Sicilian wines have become better known and appreciated in recent years, although winemaking on the island dates back many millennia to the Greeks. Marsala, in the western part of Sicily, produces fortified wines by the same name, categorized by their age and residual sugar. In the Mt. Etna area of eastern Sicily, volcanic soil and favorable climate lead to excellent wines like Carricante (white) and Etna Rosso (red) made mostly from Nerello Mascalese grapes. The widely planted native grape, Nero d'Avola, produces dark, robust, complex wines.

White wines, sometimes called Etna Bianco (white) are based primarily on the Carricante grape. Catarratto, the most planted grape, produces dry wines, and Grillo is another dry white wine with medium body, a lovely accompaniment for seafood. Look for Sicilian wines at home, and when you travel to the island, be sure to sample local varieties for the perfect match to your meal.

Rich Culture and Traditions

The two-wheeled, horse-drawn cart, painted with bright colors in great detail depicting religious scenes, flowers, and intricate designs, is a recognizable symbol of Sicily. Originally used as transportation, the carts were pulled by horses also decorated with ribbons, bells, or plumes. Skilled craftsmen built and painted the carts, today seen at festivals, museums, and in miniature versions for souvenirs.

Festive events take place throughout the year in Sicily's cities and towns, many honoring patron saints, holidays, or seasons. In Agrigento, the Almond Blossom Festival in spring lasts 10 days with traditional costumes, music, and parades. The Sagra della Ricotta is held in late April in Vizzini, one of Sicily's oldest cities, celebrating the cheese used in cannoli, cassata, and savory dishes. The Feast of Santa Rosalia in Palermo is a major event in mid-July with music, processions, and fireworks. Easter season brings carnival and Holy Week processions, with a variety of events throughout Sicily. Visitors fortunate enough to arrive during one of these events will feel the authentic nature of Sicily's traditions.

Beautiful Islands

Several groups of islands off Sicily's shores offer some of the most spectacular beaches in the area. The Pelagie Islands are located southwest of Sicily in the Mediterranean. Lampedusa, the largest of these islands, features white sand beaches and clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The Egadi Islands off Sicily's west coast are accessible for day trips from Trapani. Favignana, the largest of the Egadis, is home to luxury hotels, beaches, and popular diving spots.

Off Sicily's northern coast, in the Tyrrhenian Sea, are the volcanic Aeolian Islands. Lipari is the largest and most popular with tourists who enjoy its hot springs and historic architecture. Small, but also a tourist favorite, is Panarea. Stromboli features an active volcano, and many visitors take guided hikes to its summit. The island of Salina is known for its delicious capers and mountain peak. Off Sicily's west coast, volcanic Pantelleria is a UNESCO World Heritage site with fumaroles, mud baths, and agricultural products that include olives, grapes, and their well-known capers.

Impressive Cathedrals and Architecture

The Cathedral of Monreale , not far from Palermo, is a stunning example of Norman architecture begun around 1171 by King William II of Sicily. Notable for its mosaics, many made of pure gold, its marble floor, and the inlaid detail of the columns in the cloister, it is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. On Siracusa's historic Ortigia island, the 7th-century Cathedral of Syracuse was built on the site of a Greek Doric temple whose columns are still visible on the cathedral's exterior. An expansive piazza enhances the cathedral's facade, an impressive view from one of the many cafes lining the area.

The Cathedral of Cefalu , set on a hilltop above the city, dates to 1131 when King Roger began construction. The Cathedral of Catania, dedicated to St. Agatha, was originally built in the 11th century on the site of ancient Roman baths. After damage by earthquakes and fires, it was rebuilt in 1711 with a Baroque-style facade. Sicily's cities of Palermo, Noto, Ragusa, and Modica all offer spectacular cathedrals in a variety of architectural styles.

Villa Romana del Casale , a UNESCO World Heritage site, dates to about the 4th century and contains an extensive collection of Roman artwork and mosaics. Set in the interior of Sicily, the villa is open for tours.

Welcoming Accommodations

From five-star resorts and exclusive villas to casual beach hotels, you'll find the right place to stay in Sicily. Verdura Resort on the south coast offers white sand beaches, golf, spa, and luxurious accommodations. Therasia Resort on the island of Vulcano features an expansive spa, pool, and views of the other Aeolians. The Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina is a classic, with elegant rooms, gardens, and views of Mt. Etna and the sea. Or book a grand villa overlooking the sea for a group or family.

Hotels in major cities include the boutique Villa Carlotta and the San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel in Taormina, the Monaci delle Terre Nere near Mt. Etna, Grand Hotel Wagner in Palermo, and the Baglio Soria in Trapani. For a different experience, enjoy the environment and comfort of a farmhouse stay. Choose a locale by the sea, mountains, or amid olive trees and grape vines. Farmhouse lodging can range from rustic to ultra-luxurious.

International airports in Palermo and Catania receive flights from most cities in Europe. Eurostar trains from Rome and Naples as well as other cities in Italy arrive in Sicily via a ferry across the Strait of Messina, an enjoyable trip. From Italian ports of Naples, Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, and Villa San Giovanni, ships sail to Palermo, Catania, and Messina. It's even possible to drive from the mainland and other European countries, taking the ferry to Messina.

30 Super Useful Sicily Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Visiting Sicily for the first time? You will love it! To make your trip absolutely amazing, here are my 30+ super handy Sicily travel tips you need to know before embarking on the Sicilian adventure. 

I travelled around Sicily twice so far (and I am pretty sure I will be coming back). During my two road trips (one and two weeks respectively), I got familiar with local culture, the best ways to get around, what to see, and also how to plan a great Sicily road trip .

Whether you are going for a day, a week, or a month, let me guide you through some practical travelling in Sicily tips, as well as share some inspiration on why you should visit Sicily.

In this Sicily guide, you will find the most important topics and questions answered about Sicily travel: when is the best time to go to Sicily , how to get to Sicily and the best way to travel around Sicily (public transport or driving), how many days in Sicily and which part of Sicily (east or west) to choose for nature, history and architecture, as well as insights into culture, food, and Sicilian lifestyle . 

• Related reads: 21 practical tips for driving in Sicily stress-free .

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). This helps to keep my blog running and growing by creating more awesome free content for you.

30+ essential tips for travelling in Sicily: plan your perfect visit

Sicily travel essentials.

• My TOP TIP : The best way to explore Sicily is self-driving. Rent a car at the best rates at Discover Cars .
• Best flight deals: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Sicily from your location.
• Sleep: find your perfect accommodation in Sicily on Booking.com .
• Peace of mind: always remember to get travel insurance to be on the safe side. Get a quote at World Nomads or SafetyWing .
• Local SIM Card: Get a tourist pack of local data and calls at TIM or Vodafone. Advisable to purchase from a local store in town as airport costs are much higher.
• Learn Italian: take a fun interactive online course Rocket Italian which will help you learn spoken and written Italian language quickly. Study at your own pace either on a desktop or using a mobile app, lifetime access, and a free trial available upon signing up.

GETTING TO KNOW SICILY

1. there is italy and then there is charismatic sicily.

Kicked by the toe of mainland Italy, the volcanic island of Sicily developed its own identity with a distinct character. Sicily has delightful mischief that you won’t find anywhere else in Italy. 

Sicily, although part of Italy, could easily be a country on its own (historically it used to be the Kingdom of Sicily before it became an autonomous region of Italy). Locals proudly call themselves Sicilians and even get offended if you refer to them as Italians.

Indeed, everywhere you go you will see Sicilian flags stretched between the balconies. Meanwhile, colorful Sicilian ceramics are a statement of Sicilian house decor. However, the most obvious way to understand Sicilian identity and witness the pride of being Sicilian is while interacting with locals.

We stayed in different parts of Sicily during our road trip. Every host we met was raving not only about how wonderful Sicily is but also pointing out that the area they are from is the best on the island.

And trust me, the way Sicilians describe their hometown will make you excited to explore it. We got particularly lucky in Palermo with our host Mario whose passion for the town and food made us fall in love with the underrated capital of Sicily.

In short, when the place has a distinct character and identity of its own ready to be explored, it makes traveling way more fulfilling than just scratching the surface of main tourist sights. And Sicily definitely has the charisma!

2. Sicily has some of the most diverse histories in Europe

Sicily has been invaded dozens of times by Arabs, Spaniards, Normans, Greeks, and Romans, to name a few major ones. Therefore, if you have an interest in history, discovering Sicily’s layered and diverse past through many remaining historical sites will definitely keep you busy.

Today’s Sicily is like a living museum, a historical artwork celebrating and commemorating some of the most powerful cultures and civilizations. 

With a history that stretches over thousands of years, you will find out about the ancient Greek settlements in Agrigento and Syracuse, learn about Baroque architecture in Val di Noto, Roman cultural influence in Villa Romana del Casale mosaics, Arab and Norman impact in Palermo, as well as discover frozen in time medieval villages of Madonie mountains. 

To sum up, Sicily is a perfect place to travel back in time and get acquainted with its turbulent history. 

3. Is Sicily worth visiting? 

Sicily is a must-visit place in Italy. You can expect to have a very different travel experience even if you have already been to other parts of the country.

You may already know that Italy is very diverse, with different regions having distinct landscapes, architecture, and even cultural nuances. But even if you have been all around Italy, and think that there is just so much more you can expect from yet another region, you will be pleasantly surprised how different from other parts of the country Sicily is.

Sicily can satisfy any kind of traveler as it has everything- fantastic beaches, nature reserves , mountains with hiking trails, some of the most impressive architecture (Syracusa, Val di Noto, Palermo), important historical sights like the valley of temples in Agrigento, frozen in time mountain villages of Madonie , and even wonderful low-key Egadi and high-end Aeolian islands you can easily catch a ferry to. 

But above the scenery and cultural sights, Sicily’s highlight is the locals. To me, Sicilians appeared to be some of the friendliest people compared to other parts of Italy. Locals in Sicily are genuinely happy to see you and are very welcoming, curious, and outgoing.

• Make sure to also check my post about 21 must-visit places in Sicily .
• Find The most beautiful small coastal towns and fishing villages in Sicily.

4. Is it safe to travel to Sicily – the birthplace of the Mafia?

Travelling in Sicily is very safe. From my personal experience everywhere we went felt extremely safe in Sicily. People are very welcoming, kind, and genuinely curious about travelers. 

Leaving the luggage in the car was probably my biggest safety concern while road tripping in Sicily . Leaving bags in the car was heavily advised against on other travel blogs, but in reality, it wasn’t an issue at all. Of course, there is no need to irresponsibly display your digital camera, laptop, or wallet on the seat which could seduce some robbers. But even if you left some of your belongings in the back seat, it doesn’t mean someone will definitely break into your car. 

The only place I was looking over my shoulder was when we walked in the Ballaro neighborhood in Palermo. Later on, however, our local host explained that there was nothing to be worried about. Apparently, Mafia owns many hotels and restaurants in the capital of Sicily. That means tourism is one of their main businesses and travelers are sort of looked after. Thus, small criminals don’t dare to touch a tourist. 

Regardless, I would still suggest keeping your guard up in busy areas of Palermo as pickpocketing certainly happens. Just make sure to keep your wallet and phone somewhere safer than the back pocket of your jeans when walking in crowded areas of Palermo, or Catania. 

WHEN TO TRAVEL TO SICILY

5. the best time to visit sicily-when should you go.

The best time to visit Sicily is from May to the beginning of June, and from September to the beginning of October. These are shoulder seasons when the weather is great both on the coast, in the towns, and in the mountains. Also, around these months tourists either haven’t arrived yet or already departed.

If you love beaches, September will be better than May as the water in the sea is still warm as opposed to slightly chilly late spring temperatures.

If you don’t care much about the beaches and swimming, and prefer cultural activities, like wandering UNESCO-listed towns and small villages, then any time of the year is a good time as Sicily has a pleasant island climate all year round. You might encounter some fogs and rain if you visit during autumn/winter. On the bright side, it may add to the mysterious atmosphere and interesting photography scenarios.

I would suggest avoiding July and especially August when the majority of Italians are on vacation. Prices of accommodation and car rental shoot up, while beaches and towns are packed with people- not the greatest time to travel to Sicily.

Nonetheless, if you only have summer months, you can still have a great time and pick some less visited places around the Island. Sicily has plenty of hidden gems waiting to be explored. 

• READ MORE: Planning on hiring a car in Sicily? Here are my 21 Useful Tips for Driving in Sicily, Italy.

6. Go before it is too late! 

Is Sicily very touristy? Yes and no, depending on which place and when you choose to go.

In recent years Sicily has definitely seen a quick increase not only in local but also in foreign tourism. The rough towns like Palermo which used to be considered a bit dangerous, are now completely tourist-friendly and adapted to serve the foreign visitor.

Meanwhile, even remote villages are slowly but steadily opening up cozy B&Bs and getting completely booked out during the peak season.

While many popular beach towns are packed with sun-seekers and local holidaymakers during summer, still there are enough places on the island where you can have an authentic Sicilian experience without crowds. But don’t wait too long, as with social media being so proactive, Sicily is getting on tourist radar pretty fast. Some of the seemingly remote places I have discovered on Instagram!

GETTING TO AND AROUND SICILY

7. three ways of getting to sicily: airplane, ferry, or train.

Sicily is an island separated from the mainland of Italy by the narrow strait of Messina. The good news is that Sicily is very well connected not only to mainland Italy but also to the rest of Europe and even other parts of the world.

Getting to Sicily by air

As expected, most travelers come to Sicily by air. There are 3 airports in Sicily-one in the capital Palermo in the West North, one in Catania in the East, and one in Trapani in the West of the island.

If you are flying from Europe, sometimes you can get insanely cheap deals to land in Sicily.  Search for the best flight deals using KIWI flight search aggregator .

Getting to Sicily by ferry

Another also quite popular option to reach Sicily is taking a ferry, both nationally and internationally. 

Nationally, the main places from where you can reach Sicily are Rome, Naples, Salerno, Genoa, and San Giovani in Calabria (southern Italy-the toe of the boot).

The overnight ferries from Naples, Salerno, Genoa, and Rome arrive in Palermo. Meanwhile, if you are traveling by land from Southern Italy, you can take a 30 min ferry from Villa San Giovani to the port town of Messina, Sicily. This is precisely what we did on our combined Sicily and Calabria road trip. 

Internationally, you can reach Sicily from Malta and Tunisia. 

Top tip: Ferries to Sicily also accommodate various vehicles. Therefore, if you travel by car, instead of driving long distances, you can “jump” onto the ferry.

• You can easily search for the ferry schedules from your selected departure place using the Directferries website.

Popular ferry routes to Sicily

• Palermo-Naples: 10.5- 11.5 hours; from 50 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Palermo-Rome (Civitavecchia): 14.5 hours; from 60 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Palermo-Genoa: 19.5-20.5 hours; from 45 or 75 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Messina- Salerno: 9-10.5 hours; from 52 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Messina- Reggio Calabria (South Italy) : 30 minutes; from 10 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Catania- Valletta (Malta): 4 hours 45 minutes; from 80 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Palermo-Tunis (Tunisia): 10.5 hours; from 85 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here

Getting to Sicily by train

The third way is taking a train from the mainland of Sicily. There are train departures from Rome (12 hours) and Naples (9 hours) to Palermo. The train also has routes heading to East Sicily and stops in Taormina, Catania, and Syracuse.

Question- how on Earth does this train get through the water? Apparently, there is a special ferry which transports, yes, the train! This could be an interesting and fun travel experience.

• You can find a train route and book tickets from Italy to Sicily using Omio train search aggregator.

8. Driving is by far the best way to explore Sicily

I am a huge fan of road trips, and Sicily is a perfect place to go on one (check out my 2-week in Sicily Itinerary ).

I am sure you have heard that driving in Sicily might be challenging, which is partially true (if you don’t know what to expect).

However, driving is by far the most convenient way to get around Sicily as you don’t have to rely on irregular and not frequent public transport schedules. Also, hidden gems are only accessible by car (well, in some cases by boat-like Favignana island ). Finally, you will be able to travel at your own pace and get from place to place much faster than with a train or a bus. 

Therefore, I strongly recommend renting a car if you are planning to see more than just bigger towns like Catania or Palermo (those places don’t require a car). 

Important: book your car well in advance to get the best deal! We booked 3 months ahead to secure a good deal (20 EUR per day). If you leave it to the last minute, chances are, the car rental rates will be much higher.

I found the best car rental prices for my road trip in Sicily with DiscoverCars.

Rent a Car in Sicily

Look for the best rates for your rental car at Discovercars.

9. Getting around Sicily with public transport

Public transport in Sicily connects main destinations and more popular tourist towns like Palermo, Catania, Agrigento, Taormina, Messina, and Trapani. If you are not willing to drive you might be able to find your way around using only busses, or trains. Also, you can join organized day trips to places like Taormina, Etna Volcano, and Agrigento.

When it comes to using public transport in Sicily, buses are known to be the most complicated to deal with. I have read stories of buses having completely unreliable schedules, lack of accurate timetables online, needless to say not the most frequent service.

All this makes travelling and planning your time quite tricky. Although, larger companies like Interbus are pretty good. However, regional buses, unless you have unlimited time in Sicily, you can forget about. More often than not, you will have to rely on asking around for accurate information when travelling between smaller towns.

I personally would avoid using buses, except if you are planning to get between main towns and are not going to explore beyond the main tourist destinations. Even some of those places do not always have a guaranteed regular connection.

Trains mainly connect the coastal part of Sicily but are not available for the inland due to its mountainous terrain. Trains as far as I have researched are quite efficient and run according to schedule.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR SICILY ROUTE

10. how many days do you need in sicily .

You need at least 2 weeks and at least 5 different overnight bases to explore the whole perimeter of the island at a medium pace .

To see all the highlights plus some hidden gems of Sicily you will need at least 3 weeks, ideally a month. Having this amount of time, you can slowly drive all around the island discovering different parts of Sicily. Those would include beaches, mountains, archeological sites, baroque towns, fishing villages, Etna volcano and you can even squeeze in a trip to Egadi or Aeolian islands.

Do not try to see the whole island of Sicily in one week. Sicily is bigger than it looks at a first glance. Driving time from West to East of the island is around 4.5 hours.

Understandably, not everyone has a month worth of time to allocate for their vacation. Still,  as a bare minimum, I would recommend 10 to 14 days in Sicily . However, you will have to be strategic about how and where you spend your time. You will definitely have to trim down the long list of places of interest in Sicily leaving only what excites you the most. 

If you have only around one week in Sicily, the best is to focus on one side of the island. For example, highlights of the west and northwest part, or highlights of the east and southeast part of Sicily, depending on which airport you land at. Definitely don’t try to move all the way from west to east as you will end up spending most of the time in a car. 

• Check my two-week road trip itinerary for inspiration and help to you plan your own vacation in Sicily.

11. Choose West Sicily and the hinterlands for a more authentic experience and wild nature

If you are landing in Palermo or Trapani, you are for a treat of wild beaches and nature, the unfiltered lifestyle of Palermo, sleepy Madonie mountain villages, and a slow-paced Favignana island. Western and Norther parts of Sicily are less touristy than the Eastern part. This means you will have a very authentic travel experience wherever you choose to go.

12. Choose East Sicily for Baroque and Greek architecture, Etna volcano, and famous archeological sites

If you are landing in Catania on the Eastern part of Sicily, then you are getting a treat of unparalleled architectural gems-Val di Noto baroque towns like Ragusa, the Greek amphitheater of Taormina, the valley of temples in Agrigento, spectacular Syracuse with Ortigia at its heart, and mighty Etna volcano which you can explore up close by hiking .

Note, that the Eastern part of Sicily is more touristy (due to its cultural wanders and a large number of UNESCO heritage sights which indeed made Sicily famous).

13. The best beaches in Sicily are on the northwestern side of the island. 

If you are seeking the sun and going to Sicily mainly for the beaches, then head to the North West. Here, you can find crystal clear waters and some of the most spectacular beaches in Sicily.

The mountainous backdrop characterizes the northwest of the coast. There you will find a perfect natural combination of mountains and the sea offering an array of hiking and swimming activities in one place.

You can find exactly that in Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve . To me, it was the best nature spot with the most incredible beaches in the whole of Sicily.

If you love sandy beaches, then San Vito Lo Capo at the northwestern tip of the island is a place to be. If you are looking for great city vibes with a close-by beach escape then Mondelo beach is just 30min drive from Palermo.

Finally, Favignana islands on the West side of Sicily will surprise you will azure waters and wild beaches to lay your towel at. Read my post about visiting Favignana island for more details.

14. Mix up big cities, small towns, and the seaside for a diverse experience in Sicily

To get a real taste of Sicily, plan on visiting a mix of different parts of the island. To understand daily hustle and bustle as well as admire impressive historical buildings, aim for a few days in the biggest towns (Palermo, Catania, Ortigia Island in Syracuse), for the beach scene, go to smaller seaside towns (Cefalu, Castellammare del Golfo), you will find UNESCO listed Baroque architecture in Ragusa, Modica or Noto, for the important archeological treasures head to Agrigento, while for chilled island life- to Egadian islands, for raw nature – to Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, and to get the sense of the frozen time drive up to medieval villages in Madonie mountains. 

15. Get used to sweating up the hill-mountainous terrain of Sicily

Sicily’s climate and terrain can be very unforgiving in summer. It might become overwhelming if you are not used to almost African heat and hiking. Many Sicilian towns are located in mountainous areas. Getting from landmark to landmark on foot will require broken-in shoes, a hat for shade, lots of sunscreen, and good stamina. Indeed if you are planning to visit some of the small mountain tows, be ready to burn a few calories (which is great considering the carbs intake you will have while in Sicily).

ACCOMMODATION – WHERE TO STAY IN SICILY

There is no shortage of accommodation in Sicily. Depending on your budget, you can pick a room in a boutique hotel, stay in a dorm or in a fancy timeless hotel, rent a cozy apartment or opt for a homestay. Bigger towns like Palermo and Catania or Trapani will have all these options. Meanwhile smaller villages may only offer homestays and boutique hotels. In remote locations, you may not always find dorms in Sicily.

The only type of accommodation I have not seen (gladly) was monstrous seaside hotels. Okay maybe a couple of ugly ones in Cefalu were ruining the scenery, but they weren’t nearly as massive as the ones you can find in the UAE or Turkey, for example. And I hope it will stay this way.

16. Stay in homestays for the best local experience in Sicily

I always aim to support local small businesses when travelling, and one of the best ways to do so is to stay in a family-run B&B. Not only do you bring business to a local family but in return, you get more personal and warm treatment as opposed to the very formal approach in regular hotels.

Finally, Sicilians are very knowledgeable about their local area and they are more than happy to share some tips for sightseeing, the best places to eat, and sometimes they even cook for you!

For example, we were very lucky with our host in Palermo who was extremely passionate about his town and Sicily overall. He shared some insider tips, and fantastic stories about Palermo, and gave some great insights about Sicily. It enriched our travel experience and helped us understand the local culture much better. 

17. Book your stays in popular destinations in Sicily early in advance

Some of the towns in Sicily receive way more visitors than the others during the high season (July/August). Therefore, booking early is strongly recommended.

The most popular places which get booked out are Cefalu, Taormina, Syracuse and Ortigia, Favignana (Egadi islands), and Trapani.

For example, even at the beginning of May, accommodation in Cefalu seemed to be 70 percent occupied when I looked it up on the booking site. So I can imagine it can be pretty tough finding a place to stay in summer, let alone getting a reasonable deal.

Alternatively, if you are driving, there are countryside guesthouses called Agriturismo- those are usually fantastic family-run getaways not too far from the main towns.

Book Accommodation in Sicily

Look for the best rates and perfect places to stay on Booking.com

18. Make sure to check if the parking is available and is not in the ZTL zone

If you are driving, parking is one f the factors you will be making your decision about whether or not you should book a place. Often in towns like Cefalu, there won’t be any parking included in accommodations located in the historic center. Thus, you might have to look for a place to stay outside but close enough to the historic center.

Also, in case you manage to find a place to stay which offers parking in the historic center, double-check with your host if it doesn’t fall under ZTL (Zona Trafico Limitato) , which only permits registered vehicles. You can read more about sneaky ZTL zones in my post about driving in Sicily .

GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH SICILIAN CULTURE

19. travel to sicily just for food.

You could travel to Sicily just for the food.  From the famous Pasta alla Norma , tuna burgers, couscous with fish, all sorts of arancini , pizzas to ricotta-filled pastries with cannoli being the king of all, brioche with ice cream, and many more- eating Sicilian specialties can keep you busy all day long. Just looking at the menu in trattoria you can quickly realize that Sicilian cuisine adopted the crossroads of civilizations. There are flavors from Europe and Africa on one plate.

Moreover, Sicily’s capital Palermo is worldwide famous for the best street food. Therefore, forget about fancy restaurants, and go try the fast food- it is fresh and delicious.

20. Breakfast is not the main meal of the day, but in Sicily, you can fuel up with ice cream in a bun

Sicilian breakfast (as common everywhere in Italy) is always sweet. But having ice cream in brioche is something unheard of and probably only to be found in Sicily.

I know that eating an omelet in the morning sounds bizarre to Italians, but come on, ice cream with bread?! This is whole another level of weird…

Nonetheless, this combination is a guaranteed energy boost and is extremely filling. I have tried brioche with ice cream but decided to stick to the regular pastry and coffee.

Note: when you see breakfast included in your accommodation booking, do not expect English breakfast with sausages and beans. Usually, you will only get coffee and pastries. On a rare occasion, you may find B&Bs offering some panini (sandwiches with ham and cheese). Continental breakfast is only common in bigger hotels.

21. Catch up on your sleep during riposo – understanding Sicilian time (aka siesta) 

You probably have heard of siesta in south European countries. Unlike any other timing-related matters, Sicily is taking the midday nap very seriously.

Shops, museums, and restaurants close for so-called riposo or siesta at around 12-1 pm and re-open at around 3-4 pm or even later. Siesta’s starting time is always on the dot while the finishing time is sort of flexible.

Longer siestas are very common in smaller towns. We have struggled to find a place to eat lunch in Madonie mountain villages-everything was closed, and there was no live soul to be seen in the afternoon. Taking into account Sicilian summer heat, having a power nap in the middle of the day is probably the best thing you can do. 

Sundays are usually days off and shops and museums, and even some restaurants are also shut for the whole day.

However, in bigger towns like Palermo and Catania, as well as touristy places like Cefalu, Taormina, or Syracuse you can find quite a lot of cafes and gelaterias, and casual eateries which are open during siesta hours and even on Sundays.

22. There is time for aperitivo and then there is time for dinner

Restaurants and trattorias usually open at around 6-7 pm, however actual dinner time is around 8-9 pm in Sicily and Italy. Therefore, it is recommended to reserve a table to avoid the disappointment of having to wait for an even later meal.

However, before heading out for dinner, you should not miss aperitivo which is a time between late afternoon and dinner when people head out for a drink and a small snack before they actually go to have a proper meal.

23. What is coperto – tipping culture and service fee in Sicily, Italy

Coperto (or servizio ) in Italy and also Sicily is a fixed service fee that you pay per person for being served at a restaurant. The amount you must pay varies from place to place but usually it ranges between 1-2 euros. Some more expensive restaurants may charge 2.5-5 euros for coperto per person.

The amount of coperto is usually indicated on the menu. It is a fixed charge and doesn’t depend on how much or little you eat or how long you spend at a table. 

If I pay coperto , do I have to leave a tip? 

If you love the service and food, the tip will be highly appreciated but it is not a must in Sicily, Italy. 

24. Coffee price at a bar vs at a table. 

Note that you may have to pay coperto in some coffee shops/bars if you choose to have your cappuccino at a table rather than at a bar, as most Sicilians do. Most likely the cost of being served coffee at a table will range from 20 euro cents to one euro.

This doesn’t apply to all coffee shops though. Charging extra for a coffee at a table is more common in touristy and popular areas or famous fancy coffee places. For example, I have been to places in Venice, Rome, Amalfi Coast , and Naples where we had to pay extra for having our cappuccini at a table. Smaller and more casual bars and coffee shops do not collect this fee.

LANGUAGE AND INTERACTION WITH LOCALS

25. few italian phrases will go a long way but be ready for the sicilian language.

Sicilians barely speak English. Most of the locals don’t speak a word, especially in smaller towns and villages. I can count on my one hand fingers how many fluent English speakers we met on our road trip (when I think of it, probably only 3 or 4 people were very well versed in English and those guys were our hosts at the B&B). Nonetheless, you can still meet younger generation people working at bars and restaurants who can speak some basic English, but not as much as you may expect.

Moreover, even information in museums, churches, and even parking signs are in Italian! Therefore, learning some basic survival phrases in the local language will go a long way.

After many years of thinking about it, I finally signed up for an online Italian course just 3 months before my Sicily road trip. I could not be happier about dedicating some time to learning Italian. It really came in handy in Sicily and South Italy.

It seemed that Sicilians really appreciated my effort to speak in Italian, even if it was a very basic conversation. It also helped me to understand simple daily things related to accommodation questions and directions. And don’t worry if you don’t know how to say something properly, Sicilians will always try to help you out when you are lost in translation.

Nonetheless, there was a bit of a catch. Sicilians apparently often speak the Sicilian language (it is a language, not even a dialect). Although they do speak official Italian, there were times when they spoke in Sicilian and it sounded like a totally different language- I couldn’t catch a single familiar word!

However, this didn’t happen often. Most of the time people spoke regular Italian and if you are lucky- even a few English words.

If you are thinking of learning some Italian basics, the best interactive course that I found online is Rocket Languages. Rocket Italian course is a set of audio conversations, grammar, and written and oral practice. You can have it on an app on your phone or your laptop, and learn at your own pace, come back to it whenever you want to repeat something or skip ahead.

Subscribing to the course gives you a 2-week free trial, lifetime access, and also 60-day money-back guarantee if you don’t find it useful (I definitely find it super useful and I still continue to study after my trip).

Learn Italian

Sign up for Rocket Italian language course before your Sicilian trip

26. Make sure to meet the locals

Interact with locals. 

Sightseeing is amazing, but the true joy is in those short (or long) conversations and cheerful interactions with the local people. Sicilians are very outgoing and friendly (I think I already mentioned that before).

Even if you don’t speak Italian, don’t shy away from the hand language. I am sure the minimum you can learn is a friendly ‘ciao’ when you meet a person on the street. Trust me, they will happily respond. Sicilians are often curious to know where you are coming from-‘ di dove sei? ‘.

Usually, their guesses revolve around the most well-known destinations such as UK, Germany, France, or America (apparently people from these countries are frequent visitors). Sicilians were extremely delighted to find out that we came all the way from the UAE to their beautiful island. In fact, many of them confessed that Dubai is their dream destination to travel to. To this, I always joyfully replied, that yes indeed it is a beautiful place to see and live, but there is no place as wonderful as Sicily (I do have a very soft spot for Italy- a perfect place to move to one day). 

27. Avoid the “M” word

Sicily is often associated with the birthplace of the Mafia. Thanks to Hollywood films that have glorified organized criminal groups in the movies such as Godfather, there are a lot of misconceptions about past events. In reality, Sicilians had to deal with horror created by the local mafia and face consequences until today.

Therefore, this is a sensitive subject to bring up when talking to locals. It is not advisable to joke about it as you never know whose family member has actually been a victim of organized crime in Sicily.

Although the local mafia in Sicily still exists and operates today. In some places, business owners still pay a second tax that goes to organized crime and so-called protection. 

However, as a tourist, you are not likely to come across any of these mafia-related aspects. Let alone experience any violence or dealings with the Mafia. Interestingly, in Palermo some hotels are owned by Mafia, while some actually set themselves free and signed anti-extortion charters – there is even a “pizzo-free” map with the list of these accommodations, in case you want to avoid supporting the bloody businesses. 

MONEY, INTERNET, SIM CARD, GROCERIES

28. is sicily expensive to travel to  .

Sicily is still less expensive to travel around than, for example, northern and central Italy. Especially if you go to smaller and less known towns like Castellammare del Golfo, you can find great accommodation deals. When it comes to food, you can get some bargain deals for street food in Palermo, amazing pizzas, and an unlimited supply of pastries everywhere.

You can check the budget breakdown on my Sicily Road Trip Itinerary post HERE to get an idea of what it costs to travel in Sicily.

29. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in Sicily but always have some small change

Contrary to what I have read online before traveling to Sicily, debit and credit cards were widely accepted across the island. Even in smaller restaurants and shops. We paid for all our accommodation by card and very rarely needed to use cash (usually the possibility to pay by card is indicated on booking, or it is an automated advance charge prior to arrival).

Nonetheless, I still advise having some emergency cash for small spending. Not all the shops will have card machines, and even if they do, sometimes they may say it is not working so they can collect cash (as we learned from a local).

Some self-service petrol stations might also have card issues- which happened to us- and in this case, you definitely want to have cash.

Also buying small things like souvenirs or paying for toll gates is usually more convenient in cash.

30. Get a local sim card for cheaper data

If you are travelling for a couple of weeks in Sicily, it is well worth getting a local sim card with data and calls. It would usually be much cheaper than roaming. Tourist packs are available to purchase from TIM or Vodafone-those providers are offering pay-as-you-go tourist packages with the best coverage.

31. Be ready to allocate a couple of hours to sort out SIM card

Okay, there is a catch when it comes to sorting out the local SIM card in Italy, and also Sicily. It is probably one of the most complicated places when it comes to getting a data plan. The tricky part is that you may not be able to get SIM card at the airport which is the most convenient way when starting your journey in a foreign country.

Instead, you may have to look for a local TIM or Vodafone store in the town. If you are renting a car at the airport, the best way is to look up the nearest store and pre-download its location on Google Maps.

Be aware of your arrival time- if it is during working hours or not. Also, take siesta time into consideration (stores close from around 1-2 PM till 4-5 PM). Luckily, this might not be applicable if the store is located in a bigger shopping center. However, malls are not that common in Italy.

Once you are at the store, expect around 30 minutes to sort out payment, and installation, and then add another hour for activation of the SIM.

I am sharing my personal experience here. When landed at Naples airport, there was no SIM card shop available (2022). Therefore, we pre-downloaded Google maps with the nearest mall that had TIM shop (it was open during siesta time- made sure to check it). It took around 2 hours to sort out the internet but it was totally worth it to get this out of the way for our 3 -week-long journey in South Italy and Sicily. We purchased a generous 70GB plan for around 20 EUR, which was valid for 30 days, local calls included.

32. Big supermarkets are less popular than local specialty shops and markets

When travelling to Sicily, and also Italy, you may notice that big supermarkets are not that common. Thus, whenever you want to do grocery shopping, it might not be as per your usual habit of buying everything in one spot.

In Sicily, people still love using markets and specialty shops where they buy a specific product. There are separate pescaterias (fish shop), paneterias (bakeries), cheese, meat, fresh pasta, and vegetable shops. Those are the best places to get fresh produce.

Certainly, you can find mini-markets in every town where they sell the basics- milk, eggs, canned stuff, a small selection of cheese and sausages as well as some cleaning and shower products, detergents, and whatnot.

Talking about mini markets, we had a fun experience in Castellamare del Golfo. We were looking for a small bottle of olive oil to use for breakfast, but all shops had only 1-liter bottles which we couldn’t carry around and it would have been a waste of buying one. A lady working at one of the mini-markets in town understood our situation, and literally pulled out a bottle of olive oil and poured some of it into a small plastic cup for us to take away (at no extra cost). It was very kind of her and something you are not likely to experience in big shopping centers.

33. Covid – 19 in Sicily requirements

Today you can travel to Sicily and Italy by air for tourism purposes. All Covid-19 regulations have been lifted for travel to Italy. For more information about the requirements related to covid- 19 refer to this page .

Masks are still being worn inside supermarkets, churches, and museums. It was a strict requirement to wear a special medical mask (sold at the coffee shop at the port in case you don’t have one) on the Trapani-Favignana ferry. I have noticed that many elderly people still wore masks outside, and even in small towns. Knowing that Italy was one of the countries hardest hit by pandemics, it comes as no surprise.

Have you ever been to a destination where traveling felt challenging, or on the contrary- a complete breeze? Share your experience in the comments below. Also, if you have more questions about traveling to Sicily, please feel free to get in touch.

More Italy travel guides and resources

Sicily travel guides.

• Useful Tips for Renting a Car in Sicily and Driving Stress-Free
• Renting a car in Catania, Sicily
• Renting a car in Palermo: what you need to know
• Epic Road Trip for 2-weeks in Sicily itinerary
• Essential Sicily Travel Tips .
• 21 spectacular places to visit in Sicily 
• How to visit Favignana island, Sicily
• Guide to hiking Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve
• Visit Gangi mountain town in Sicily
• The most beautiful small coastal towns and fishing villages in Sicily.
• The most charming mountain towns in Sicily .
• Which is better: Amalfi Coast or Sicily?

General Italy travel guides

• Browse all my  blog posts about Italy   HERE .
• Looking for romantic road trip ideas in Italy? Check my list of  15 Best Road Trips in Italy.
• The ultimate guide to renting a car in Italy
• Tips for driving in Italy for the first time
• Thinking of renting a car in Rome? Read my guide to  How to rent a car in Rome .
• Explore Calabria- the least visited region in Italy.
• Visit Sicily- the biggest island in Italy.

Italy travel resources

Here are links to essential travel resources and services I always use when organizing my trips.

• HIRE A CAR : Rent a car at the best rates at Discover Cars .
• CHEAP FLIGHTS: find the cheapest and the best flight combinations with Skyscanner .
• ACCOMMODATION: find your perfect stay on Booking.com .
• VISA: apply for a Schengen visa easily at iVisa . Use OneWayFly to reserve dummy flight tickets/hotels if required for your visa application.
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: get 5% off your insurance by using my link on Heymondo , a travel insurance provider. For the cheapest travel insurance on the market check SafetyWing .
• eSIM CARD: Stay connected before you land. Airlo offers an eSIM card with up to 20 GB (7 to 30 days) data packages for Italy and Europe for reasonable rates.
• GUIDED TOURS:  Find the best day tours in Italy on  GetYourGuide , outdoor tours and activities with Manawa .
• PRIVATE TRANSFER: Book a private transfer to any location in Italy with GetTransfer .
• FLIGHT GOT CANCELLED OR DELAYED? You may receive compensation of up to 600 EUR. Consult and get support from AirHelp or Skycop .

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

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The Ultimate Sicily Road Trip: An Epic 10 Days in Sicily Itinerary

Beautiful, mysterious Sicily, with its looming volcano, sparkling azure waters, and hilltop villages, is one of those travel destinations that I have spent most of my life dreaming about. After finally taking a Sicily road trip, I can say confidently that the island was worth the wait… and that we’ll be working our way through another Sicily itinerary before too long.

The largest island in the Mediterranean truly does have it all: whether you’re looking to lounge on a beach, dive headfirst into the cuisine, explore the Roman (or Greek, or Norman, or Arab, or Byzantine) history, or visit famous Mount Etna, a Sicily road trip has something to offer.

Planning your own trip to Sicily and not sure exactly where to go?

We’ve put together this 10 days in Sicily itinerary for first-timers to the island–this is how to make the most of your first Sicily road trip!

Table of Contents

Why to Take a Sicily Road Trip

How we structured this 10 day sicily itinerary, a note on the language of the island, the ultimate 10 day sicily road trip itinerary, other places to visit on your sicily road trip, sicily road trip itinerary map, what to know about driving in sicily, the best time to visit sicily, what to pack for sicily.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Sicily was made for road tripping: with plenty of wide-open spaces, beautiful natural spots, and tiny towns worth visiting, there are few places in Italy more worthy of hitting the open road than Sicily.

Add in a less-than-ideal public transportation system, and a Sicily road trip quickly emerges as the clear best way to explore the island–but you need to be prepared in order to make the most of it.

You could easily create a month-long Sicily itinerary and still leave the island with stones unturned–but let’s face it, most people won’t have that long to spend on the island.

Our Sicily road trip itinerary is designed to hit all the best spots on the island for first-timers to visit, allowing you to get a taste of many different parts of Sicily: complicated yet lovely Palermo, beautiful beaches, and hilltop villages are all covered, as well as some of the most popular cities in Sicily.

Next to each location, we’ve noted the minimum number of full days (so, not counting a day you arrive at 4pm, for example) we’d recommend spending in each location. 

This works out to be quick-paced but reasonable 10 day Sicily itinerary–but if you’re lucky enough to have more time to spend in Sicily, you can extend it far longer, both by increasing the number of days spent in each location and adding new destinations (we’ll provide some suggestions for those below as well).

Though Italian is the official language in Sicily, Sicilian dialect–which is related and yet distinctly different, to the point where Italian speakers will have a hard time understanding it–is widely spoken in Sicily.

In the destinations covered on this Sicily road trip itinerary, you won’t run into many people (especially those who work with or near tourists) who don’t comfortably speak Italian–but if you stop off in smaller towns along the way, you’ll start to hear (and even see, on menus and such) more and more dialect.

As for English, well–like most places in the world, you can get by among those working in the tourism industry by using it, but it’ll be a bit harder here than in most of Italy.

We strongly recommend learning at least some basic Italian phrases before taking your Sicily road trip–the more Italian you speak, the easier your Sicily travels will be.

I don’t speak much Italian, but knowing enough to ask for (and receive) directions, order food in out-of-the-way places, read basic signs, speak with taxi drivers, etc, made our trip a bit simpler.

Palermo: 2 Days

The capital of Sicily is known for being a bit of a rundown place–and though in some ways it is, it’s also a beautiful, laid-back, and endlessly engrossing city. 

We spent an entire week in Palermo and still weren’t ready to leave when it was over, but 2 days in Palermo will be enough to give you a taste of the major sights and start your 10 days in Sicily itinerary off on a great foot.

What to Do in Palermo

Step inside the magnificent palermo cathedral..

Dating back to the 12th century and built in a variety of architectural styles, the beautiful and distinctive Palermo Cathedral is one of the most important religious buildings in the city.

It’s also home to some very unique touches, like a sundial on the floor marked with zodiac signs and an inscription from the Quran on one of the columns near the entrance–both highly unusual for a Catholic church!

Take a walking + food tour in order to see some of Palermo’s best highlights, fast.

Taking a Palermo food and walking tour on one of the first days of your Sicily travels is an excellent way to orient yourself both to the city and to the island as a whole.

Explore historical landmarks, markets, and cuisine while also getting a taste of what Palermo is all about with a fabulous food and walking tour.

We took this fun tour during our trip to Palermo and absolutely loved it!

Book your Palermo food + walking tour today!

Visit the mummies at the Capuchin Crypt of Palermo.

From the 17th to the 19th century in Palermo, increasing numbers of people were mummified in these catacombs–first naturally, and later intentionally, preserving them for all eternity.

The walls of the catacombs are lined with clothed bodies that have their full skeletons intact, staring down at visitors with sometimes disturbingly aware facial features.

No photos are allowed inside, but I can’t impress enough the creepiness of this place–I think it has something to do with the fact that these people are preserved as themselves that adds an extra layer of disturbing to it all, as opposed to places like the catacombs of Paris where the bones are more or less repurposed into artwork using human remains.

If you find catacombs interesting, we highly recommend visiting these during your trip to Sicily–they are, hands down, the most bizarre and fascinating catacombs we have ever seen.

Palermo Travel Tips

You probably don’t need a car here..

Palermo is one of the two major airport hubs in Sicily (Catania is the other), and if you arrive to the island here, we recommend not picking up your rental car until you’re ready to head to Cefalù–it’ll save you both a bit of cash on your rental bill, and a bit of a headache, as you won’t have to worry about parking it.

The easiest way to get from the airport to the city center is the train.

It costs 5 Euros, avoids the hassle of a taxi, and is perfectly comfortable!

Stay in an ideal location, and you should be able to walk everywhere in Palermo.

This is the biggest reason not to kick off your Sicily road trip until after to leave Palermo: here, a car is a liability but doesn’t really add much of a benefit.

You can walk between all of Palermo’s best things to do, so opt for that instead!

Where to Stay in Palermo

Il Lapino  — Home to simple rooms (some with shared bathrooms) and located only a 10-minute walk from the Palermo Cathedral, Il Lapino is very well-reviewed and is an excellent place to stay in Palermo for those on a budget.

Check rates & book your stay at Il Lapino!

Ciuri Ciuri B&B  — Featuring spacious rooms, included breakfast, and an excellent location, mid-range travelers can’t go wrong with a stay at Ciuri Ciuri B&B while in Palermo!

Check rates & book your stay at Ciuri Ciuri B&B!

Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel  — Boasting near-perfect reviews, Palazzo Natoli is located in the heart of Palermo, just steps from some of the city’s best highlights. Private balcony views, exceptional customer service, and a delicious daily breakfast are all included here–if you’re looking for the ultimate relaxing stay in Palermo, this is it!

Check rates & book your stay at Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel!

Cefalù : 2 Days

Of all the places to visit in Sicily, this is the one outlined on this Sicily road trip itinerary that we personally have the most unfinished business with.

We squeezed a quick visit to Cefalù into one day, but this magnificent seaside town captured our hearts and absolutely deserves more time than that–as we strolled the streets of Cefalù, we fantasized about one day returning here for a month!

In other words, don’t rush: you won’t regret taking two of your 10 days in Sicily to enjoy this beautiful place.

What to Do in Cefalù

Climb to the top of la rocca..

Climbing high over Cefalù to La Rocca takes less than an hour but rewards you with stupendous views over Cefalù and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as providing some interesting stops along the way (namely, the ruins of the Temple of Diana).

Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and ideally, complete this climb in the morning or early evening–the midday sun is brutal up here!

Check out the Cefalù Cathedral.

Not many villages as small as Cefalù have cathedrals as impressive–dating back even further than Palermo’s Cathedral, the Cefalù Duomo is absolutely worth visiting during your Sicily road trip, and if the views at La Rocca weren’t enough for you, you can even climb to the top!

Enjoy being a beach bum.

One of the best things to do in Cefalù is simply to enjoy its beach that is conveniently located right outside of the old town, where you’re never far from gelato or a granita.

Pull up a stretch of sand, dip your toes in the water, and enjoy the beauty of Cefalù without stress.

Cefalù Travel Tips

Savor getting lost here..

The small streets and occasional unexpected sea views give Cefalù a delightful charm that completely captivated us during our Sicily travels–this small village is worth wandering aimlessly, and due to its small size, it’s impossible to get too lost along the way.

Where to Stay in Cefalù

Sweet Home Cefalù  — Located practically next door to Cefalù’s beach and complete with both a balcony and a small kitchen, Sweet Home Cefalù gets rave reviews and is the perfect option for budget travelers in Cefalù.

Check rates & book your stay at Sweet Home Cefalù !

Marina House — What’s better than a well-reviewed apartment in the heart of Cefalù? One that’s located right on the water and includes a balcony overlooking the sea!

Check rates & book your stay at Marina House!

Casa Barone Agnello — Housed in an antique home in the center of Cefalù, this impeccably decorated and well-reviewed apartment is perfect for travelers looking for a bit of old-world charm during their trip to Cefalù.

Check rates & book your stay at Casa Barone Agnello!

Taormina: 2 Days

Taormina is probably the most touristic place on this Sicily itinerary, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth adding to your Sicily travels.

Boasting phenomenal views of both Mount Etna and the sparkling Ionian Sea, great swimming nearby, and an incredible Greek theatre, Taormina is hard not to love.

What to Do in Taormina

Visit the greek theatre..

Of all the Greek theatres we have visited in world–including ones in Greece itself–this one is by far the prettiest we have ever seen, and a visit here absolutely belongs on your 10 day Sicily itinerary.

On a perfectly clear day, you’ll see an epic view of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea behind the theatre–but even on a slightly cloudy day like when we visited (at least over Mount Etna, that is), the views are still pretty phenomenal.

Take a day trip to Mount Etna.

Want to add a little thrill to your list of things to do in Taormina? Book a day trip to the crater of an active volcano!

On a clear day, the views of  Mount Etna  from Taormina are fantastic–but there’s still nothing like standing on an active volcano with your own two feet.

Whether you want to book  a morning hike ,  a scenic tour , or  a full day trip  that also includes a visit to the beautiful Alcantara Canyons, you’re bound to find a visit to Mount Etna that appears to your travel style.

Book your day trip to Mount Etna today! Morning Hike  |  Scenic Tour  |  Full Day Trip

Go for a swim at Isola Bella.

Home to what are widely considered to be the best beaches in Taormina, summer visitors should definitely add a visit to Isola Bella to their Sicily road trip itinerary!

Though you can easily reach the island yourself from Taormina via the cable car,  a cruise along the coast  paired with visits to the island’s best swimming spots is an excellent day to spend a hot day in Taormina!

Book your  boat cruise around Isola Bella  today!

Taormina Travel Tips

Not everything is within walking distance..

In order to visit some of Taormina’s most popular sights like Isola Bella, and its beaches in general, you’ll need to head down to the seaside via cable car.

Check the weather carefully.

If you’re in town for a couple of days and one day looks clearer than the other, use the clearer day to visit Mount Etna (or if you don’t want to head all the way to Mount Etna, admire views of it from the Greek Theatre).

Where to Stay in Taormina

Hostel Taormina  — Boasting great reviews and a perfect location in Taormina’s Old Town, Hostel Taormina is the perfect place for budget travelers looking to keep costs down in what is arguably Sicily’s most expensive city.

Both private rooms and dorms are available, and a shared kitchen is located in the hostel.

The only downside? No parking options–so keep that in mind if you choose to book a stay here!

Check rates & book your stay at Hostel Taormina!

Hotel Natalina  — We had a great time at this little hotel!

The location is a short walk from Taormina’s Old Town, the included breakfast quite large by Italian standards, and the customer service excellent. The staff helped us park our rental car for free nearby, which we greatly appreciated!

The rooms are large, but a bit dated–this certainly isn’t a luxury hotel, but it’s definitely a cozy enough place to stay while visiting Taormina, and we’d be happy to stay again.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Natalina!

Hotel Continental  — Want to admire the sea views that Taormina is famous for from the comfort of your hotel, while also staying in the lap of luxury?

If so, the Hotel Continental is for you!

Known for its superb location in the heart of Taormina, its views, and its wonderful included breakfast, luxury travelers can’t go wrong with a stay here.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Continental!

Syracuse: 2 Days

Packed with ancient ruins, beautiful churches, and a maze of quiet streets, Syracuse (or Siracusa) is second only to Taormina in tourism popularity for Sicily vacations.

For your 2 days in Syracuse, we recommend focusing primarily on the island of Ortigia (or Ortygia), which is a small island right off the coast of Sicily (and I do mean right off the coast–no ferry necessary) that is essentially Syracuse’s lovely old town.

What to Do in Syracuse

Check out castello maniace..

Located on the far edge of Ortigia, this citadel-slash-castle dates to the 13th century (an earlier castle on the site dated to the 11th) and boasts beautiful views over the Ionian Sea.

Stroll through the small streets of Ortigia.

Ortigia is a charming place, and we found that we loved it most when wandering the streets in search of coffee bars, churches (we stumbled across one with a festival going on inside!), and the island’s many ruins.

Be sure to make your way to the Piazza Duomo and the Fountain of Arethusa during your wandering!

Marvel at the Temple of Apollo.

Of all the ancient ruins in Syracuse, the Temple of Apollo is considered the most important.

Dating to the 6th century BCE, the temple has served a whole host of functions over the centuries, including acting as a temple to both Apollo and Artemis, as a church (more than once), and as a mosque.

Syracuse Travel Tips

Stay in ortigia if you can..

This is essentially the old town of Syracuse and is set on an island nearby the main part of the modern city.

It’s beautiful, easy to get lost in, and delightfully fun to explore on foot, making it the perfect place to stay in Syracuse. 

The only catch is what to do with your car, which leads me to…

Choose where you park in advance.

Parking is severely restricted on the island of Ortigia, and on our Sicily road trip we ended up driving in circles for a bit trying to find the right place to leave our car.

Learn from our mistakes and plan carefully beforehand!

Consider visiting the Greek Theatre on your way into or out of Syracuse.

Syracuse’s Greek Theatre is one of its most popular attractions, however, it’s completely across town from Ortigia.

It’s the perfect place to stop for a quick sightseeing break as you arrive in or leave the city, though.

Where to Stay in Syracuse

Room Calafatari — Ortigia is peppered with dozens of small, simple apartments that are used as budget rentals, and Room Calafatari is both a great option and the perfect example of what to expect in Ortigia in a budget price range: no frills but a great location.

Check rates & book your stay at Room Calafatari!

Hotel Posta — With a fabulous location overlooking a port and within a short walk of many of Syracuse’s top attractions, Hotel Posta is a prime choice for mid-range travelers on their Sicily road trip.

Personally, we’d be tempted to upgrade to a room with a balcony–those views are just too good to pass up.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Posta!

Hotel Livingston — With excellent reviews, and included breakfast, and a prime location on the edge of Ortigia (most rooms include a sea view!), luxury travelers (or just those looking for a splurge) can’t go wrong with a stay at 4-star Hotel Livingston during their 10 day Sicily itinerary!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Livingston!

Val di Noto: 2 Days

Sicily’s Val di Noto is littered with stunning Baroque towns, rolling hills, lovely wine country, and some of the best chocolate in the world–in other words, it’s definitely a place that belongs on your 10 days in Sicily itinerary.

What to Do in the Val di Noto

Hop between the beautiful baroque towns..

Eight of the towns in the Val di Noto are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their incredible Baroque architecture: Ragusa, Modica, Noto, Scicli, Palazzo Acreide, Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, and finally, Catania itself.

Obviously, that is a bit much to cover with just 2 days of your trip to Sicily.

We recommend prioritizing Ragusa, Noto, Modica, and if you have time, Scicli.

Admire views of Ragusa Ilba.

Beautiful Ragusa is divided into two sections: Ragusa Superiore (the upper town) and Ragusa Ilba (the lower town).

The views of Ragusa Ilba looking down from Ragusa Superiore may just be some of the best views in this entire Sicily itinerary, which is really saying something!

Snack on chocolate in Modica.

The beautiful town of Modica is world-famous for its chocolate, which boasts a recipe that originally hails from none other than the Aztecs.

The chocolate is created with “cold processing”, giving it a characteristic grainy texture, inconsistent color, and delicious taste.

Val di Noto Travel Tips

Choose where to stay carefully..

Think about your travel style when you choose where to stay in the Val di Noto: do you want to be the heart of the action? Do you want to be able to do plenty of sightseeing without driving? Would you prefer a countryside stay so that you can easily come and go without worrying about parking or driving through a town to do so?

Personally, we chose to stay in Ragusa for its relative popularity and central location and were very happy with the choice.

Don’t try to see more than 1-2 towns a day.

The Baroque towns of the Val di Noto may look very close together on a map, but add in small, winding roads, the hassles of finding a place to park and making your way (often uphill) to the picturesque town centers, and the delights of savoring each spot, and it’s definitely best to limit your movements when possible.

We recommend sticking to seeing 1-2 towns per day in this section of your Sicily road trip itinerary.

Where to Stay in Val di Noto

For the sake of simplicity, we’ve outlined a few well-reviewed places to stay in Ragusa here, but staying somewhere like Modica or Noto will also easily work with this 10 day Sicily itinerary!

SanVito Hostel — With excellent reviews, a prime location in Ragusa near Piazza San Giovanni, an included breakfast, and a gorgeous terrace offering panoramic views of the Val di Noto, SanVito Hostel is a phenomenal option for budget travelers during their Sicily road trip.

Check rates & book your stay at SanVito Hostel!

Hotel Il Barocco — Cozy and comfortable, this small hotel is located in a 19th-century building in central Ragusa, making it the perfect launching pad for your sightseeing. With excellent reviews and a fabulous included breakfast, Hotel Il Barocco is a reliable choice in Ragusa for your Sicily vacation.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Il Barocco!

San Giorgio Palace — Located in the heart of Ragusa Ilba, popular San Giorgio Palace boasts very spacious rooms, as well as modern decor and amenities (including a very well-reviewed included breakfast) in a picture-perfect setting, with some rooms that overlook the valley.

Check rates & book your stay at San Giorgio Palace!

If you’re lucky enough to have more than 10 days in Sicily–or you just prefer an even more fast-paced Sicily road trip–there are plenty more incredible places to visit in Sicily to add to your list!

Here are a few more beautiful places to see in Sicily that you might want to add to your itinerary.

The ancient Valley of the Temples outside of Agrigento is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Sicily.

Once a thriving Ancient Greek city, these ruins are remarkably well-preserved and far less crowded than many better-known Greek ruins throughout Europe.

Located just outside of Palermo, Mondello is best known today for its long stretch of beach, which is one of the most popular places for beach days for both tourists and locals who are staying in Palermo.

This laid-back beach town is perfect for kicking back and enjoying long stretches of sandy beach–in fact, if you want a little more swimming to be included on your Sicily vacation beyond what’s outlined in this 10 day Sicily itinerary, you can even add a quick stop in Avola during your drive from Syracuse to the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto.

Aeolian Islands

Also sometimes called the Lipari Islands, this stunning volcanic island chain is a UNESCO World Heritage site and boasts some of the most magnificent sea views in all of Sicily (which is, as you can imagine, very high praise).

Located in the shadow of Mount Etna, Catania is Sicily’s second-largest city and second airport hub–you’ll likely fly into and out of either Palermo or Catania (in fact, for this Sicily road trip itinerary it’s easiest to fly into Palermo and out of Catania if you can swing it).

Though Catania is far from Sicily’s most popular tourist attraction, it’s definitely worth a bit of exploring if you happen to be passing through!

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

Driving in Sicily truly deserves its own post, but here are some essential tips to know before embarking on your Sicily road trip!

Shop around for your rental car.

There are dozens of rental car companies operating in Sicily, all with their own prices and rental agreements. We recommend shopping through Discover Cars in order to search through multiple companies at once.

Not only will you be able to compare prices easily, but you’ll also be able to compare rental inclusions (like insurance, kilometers allotted, etc.), which we found varied dramatically among different rental car companies in Sicily!

Price Sicily rental cars with Discover Cars today!

The driving honestly isn’t as bad as it is portrayed… but it’s not easy.

There’s no way around it: driving in Sicily has a pretty terrible reputation.

However, ultimately, we walked away feeling that driving in Sicily was easier than expected–but we fully admit this impression is likely partially because of how nervous we were about doing it.

The major roads in Sicily are perfectly well maintained–smaller roads, not so much, so beware of potholes. City driving is the trickiest while traveling between cities on major highways is fairly simple.

Drivers can be a bit aggressive, yes, but we wouldn’t say they were drastically more aggressive than in, say, Tuscany.

As much as Sicily has a reputation for being its own world, particularly when it comes to driving, driving in Sicily felt pretty much like driving anywhere else in Italy (which is, admittedly, a harder place to drive than some).

Bear in mind that we are coming at this from the perspective of people who drove daily for nearly a decade and have road-tripped through many countries, including Italy, before. You do need to be a confident, well-practiced driver to comfortably drive in Sicily.

Taking a Sicily road trip if driving makes you anxious, you’re out of practice, you don’t like to drive, or you’ve never driven outside your home country is likely not the best idea.

Also–this is not the place to learn to drive a manual. Unless you are very confident with one, we recommend paying extra for an automatic transmission.

… But be sure you have insurance (preferably with no deductible/excess).

We didn’t incur any damage to our rental car in Sicily… but when we dropped it off, both rentals parked on either side of us had huge dents in them!

Due to the aggressive driving, small roads, and distances covered on this Sicily road trip, we’d recommend purchasing insurance with no deductible/excess for the time it takes you to work through this 10 day Sicily itinerary–it’s simply one less thing to worry about on the road.

Rent the smallest car you can manage.

Tiny roads. Cramped historic centers. Parking lots where cars are parked a mere inch apart (and the lines denoting where the parking places should be seen as mere suggestions at best–people park over them regularly).

Truly, renting a big car in Sicily is a liability, not a benefit. 

We recommend renting the tiniest car you can squeeze your group + luggage into. If the rental desk suggests an upgrade? Turn it down.

Carry lots of coins.

You will pay tolls when driving in Sicily, especially in northern half of the island, so come prepared with a cupholder full of Euros.

Don’t underestimate the time it takes to drive between destinations.

There were days that we pulled into our hotel’s parking space exactly when Google Maps said that we would–and days (like the day we had to catch a flight) that we ended up way behind schedule due to road work and an unfortunate accident that we got stuck behind.

Definitely leave yourself plenty of extra time on days that you have somewhere to be at a specific time!

July and August are peak tourism season in Sicily, and while the beaches will be warm and the sun shining, it’s best to avoid taking your Sicily road trip during those months if you hope to avoid peak crowds and prices.

Luckily, Sicily is characterized by its brilliant weather that allows for swimming over nearly half the year! 

Personally, we’d recommend aiming for a September or early October trip to Sicily if you hope to swim your heart out, and a late April or May trip if you want to avoid the worst of the heat and crowds while still thawing out after a long winter.

Over the winter, lots of small, tourist-focused businesses close and the island, especially in smaller towns, quiets down significantly–but if a slow-paced, off-season 10 days in Sicily itinerary sounds right up your alley, you’ll certainly find plenty of peaceful spots to savor.

Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and a fast-paced Sicily road trip is definitely better a case of safe than sorry. We use and recommend Safety Wing  for trips to Italy.

Cell Phone Holder — This is especially important if you don’t have a reliable co-pilot: the last thing you want to do is be fumbling with the GPS on your phone during your Sicily road trip. Pack a cell phone holder to attach to the car and you’ll be able to drive much more safely!

Additional Car Insurance — Whether you purchase a policy with World Nomads that covers car rental (only some of theirs do, so double-check!), purchase a policy through the rental car company, or something else, be sure you have coverage: in Sicily, it’s worth the peace of mine.

International Driving Permit — If you’re coming from outside the EU and plan to rent a car in Sicily, you’ll need to make sure to acquire an International Driving Permit in your home country, before coming to Italy. It is required for all car rentals in Italy, and while the rental company may not ask, it’s not worth the risk of being refused a car once you arrive or getting a fine if you’re pulled over to be without one. 

Comfortable Day Bag  — We currently use  Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack  and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable. Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized–we used a  Northface Jester backpack  for years and loved it as well.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

9 thoughts on “The Ultimate Sicily Road Trip: An Epic 10 Days in Sicily Itinerary”

From someone who has family and typically visits for +30 days every other year, you did a very nice job with the article….many, many other wonder ful places to see and things to experience on the island, and the Eolian, and Egadi…..

Thanks Anthony! We can’t wait to make it back and explore more of Sicily.

Oh waooo Its amazing to know these valuable Information provided by you. Next month we have plan to visit Sicily and these information will be very helpfull. Thank you

Happy to hear that, Josef! Hope you guys have a great time in Sicily. 🙂

Wow! That was a very helpful article! I am bookmarking it multiple places so I don’t lose it before our trip in June. Thank you so much for your great tips and very practical advice.

Thanks, Vrinda! Hope you guys have a blast in Sicily!

Quiet a lot of information . One question if not interested in driving then the other options .

You definitely can visit Sicily without a car, but it’s a bit trickier than up on the mainland where there’s more train service.

Essentially, without a car your options are to stick with one town or city as a base and use guided tours to visit more rural areas, cobble together an itinerary with train and bus service (doable, but not as simple as in, say, Florence), or sign up for a full multi-day guided tour of Sicily.

Personally the first option falls most in line with how we tend to travel. Taormina is one of the most popular bases for a trip like that, as many cruise ships stop there and there are lots of options for guided tours to Mount Etna, wine country, etc.

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The perfect sicily itinerary: how to spend 5-7 days.

Sicily is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. The Mediterranean island boasts medieval charm and a fascinating culture with Greek, Roman, and North African influences. If you’re planning a trip to Sicily, you’re in for a fantastic vacation. 

Spending a week in Sicily will give you endless opportunities to explore the island’s best attractions and immerse yourself in the culture, including strolling through some of the best medieval towns in Italy to exploring Roman ruins.

» You may also like these 11 Beach Hotels in Sicily for 2023 .

We’ve been to many places in Sicily and have always enjoyed our time there. The food is incredible, the views are stunning. You just can’t go wrong with a vacation there.

We’ve put together a 5-7 day Sicily itinerary for you that will take you to the stunning beaches, charming villages – we especially loved Taormina – the ancient ruins, and for some wine tasting on Mt. Etna.

Visiting soon? Check out our expertly curated Sicily itinerary to help you plan the perfect trip, from where to visit , the airports that are closest to the places on our list, plus our guide to wine tasting in Sicily , the food you should eat , and the best beach hotels on the island.

Planning your trip to Sicily?

• Book a transfer from the airport to Catania city center with Welcome Pickups.
• Rent a car from the Catania or Palermo airports through Discover Cars .

Where to Stay See all hotel options

• Where to Stay in Palermo: Rocco Forte Villa Igiea – A renovated Art Nouveau palazzo overlooking the gulf or Palermo – luxury 5-star family-run hotel. 
• Where to Stay in Catania: With tastefully decorated rooms and high-end amenities and facilities, the  Liberty Hotel  is one of the best in the city.
• Where to Stay in Taormina: There’s no better place to stay than the  Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo , with direct views of Mount Etna.

Best Tours and Experiences in Sicily:

• Godfather vs Mafia Tour & Sicilian Light Lunch – This is a fun way to spend an afternoon.
• Private 6-Hour Tour of Three Etna Wineries – you can’t miss these wineries!
• Streaty – Palermo Street Food Walking Tour – great way to sample a lot of things at once

Table of Contents

How to Get to Sicily

Sicily is a beautiful island located in the southernmost part of Italy , and there are several ways to get there. The most common way to reach Sicily is by plane. The island has several airports , including the Catania-Fontanarossa Airport and the Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport, which receive regular flights from major European cities.

Another option is to take a ferry from mainland Italy. Ferries run from several ports, including Naples , Genoa, and Livorno, and offer a scenic and relaxing way to reach Sicily.

If you prefer to drive, you can cross the Strait of Messina via the A3 motorway, which connects Calabria on the mainland to Messina on the island.

Tips for Traveling to Sicily

When traveling to Sicily, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind to make your trip as enjoyable as possible.

• Rent a car (I always book with DiscoverCars.com for the best deal) or hire a driver to explore the island, as public transportation can be unreliable and limited in some areas.
• Be prepared for hot and humid weather in the summer months, and plan accordingly by packing light, breathable clothing and plenty of sunscreen.
• Immerse yourself in the local culture by trying the delicious Sicilian cuisine, which includes fresh seafood, pastries, and pasta dishes.
• Don’t miss out on visiting some of the island’s most famous attractions, such as the ancient Greek temples at Agrigento, the picturesque fishing village of Cefalù, and the stunning beaches of Taormina.

Sicily Itinerary | 5-7 days on the Island

This Sicily 7-day itinerary takes you from the island’s capital, Palermo, in the west on a road trip to Catania in the east.

You can either explore the island from the west to the east coast, like in this itinerary or vice versa. Which way you go usually depends on where you need to fly into. There are quite a few airports on the island, but most people fly into Palermo or Catania.

The Itinerary:

If you have 7 days:

Day 1: Trapani

Day 2-3: palermo, day 4: cefalù, day 5: taormina, day 6: mt etna.

• OR Catania – I waver suggesting two major cities in a 7-day itinerary. My preference would be to choose either Palermo or Catania and skip the other.
• Day 7: Syracuse

If you have 5 days:

• Day 1: Palermo
• Day 2: Cefalù
• Day 3: Taormina
• Day 4: Mt Etna
• Day 5: Syracuse or Catania

Keep in mind that you might need to drive back to your starting point to fly out, if you can’t get a flight into one airport and out of another.

While some travelers will only choose one side of the island to visit, I think you should do both in one trip, unless you foresee coming back to Sicily in the future for another trip. However, if you only have 5 days and you have to fly into Catania, then I would skip the west coast and do Syracuse, Catania, Mt Etna, and Taormina.

If you have more time to spend, like 10-14 days, I wouldn’t choose to go to more places. I would spend more time in each of the places listed below.

Who Is Sicily For?

I personally think anyone would love Sicily. It’s steeped in history, culture, and amazing scenery, but you might be wondering if you’ll find something there for you.

• If you’re a history lover, you’re going to really enjoy the island’s ancient Greek and Roman ruins, including the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the Roman Amphitheater in Syracuse.
• Foodies will love the fresh seafood, arancini, and cannoli. The island is also famous for its wine production, and wine tastings and vineyard tours are a popular activity.
• Nature lovers will enjoy exploring the stunning landscapes of Sicily, including Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe , and the picturesque Aeolian Islands, which offer great hiking and swimming opportunities.
• The island’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in Italy, with crystal-clear waters and sandy shores. Some of the best beaches in Sicily include the stunning Scala dei Turchi, the white-sand beach of San Vito Lo Capo, and the black-sand beach of Giardini Naxos.

On the first day of your Sicily itinerary, explore the stunning coastal city of Trapani. After landing at Palermo Airport, rent a car and drive to your hotel in Trapani. The drive is 55 minutes. If you arrive early, you plunge right in to sightseeing instead.

Options: If you want to spend more time in each place, I would suggest skipping Trapani (as sad as that is!) and heading straight to Palermo.

Where to Stay in Trapani

The  Rooms of Andrea Hotel  in the center of Trapani is a 4-star property with an ideal location for exploring the city; it’s one of the best.

Famous for its crescent-shaped shoreline, white-sand beaches, and Baroque architecture, Trapani is a great place to spend an entire summer vacation in the Mediterranean Sea . But you have just a day to enjoy it, so time is of the essence.

Admire The City’s Baroque Architecture

Start your day off with a stroll around the city, exploring its unique architecture. Chiesa delle Anime Sante del Purgatorio is an excellent place to admire Trapani’s Baroque architecture. 

Other historical sites like Cattedrale di San Lorenzo and Piazza Mercato del Pesce are also great depictions of Baroque architecture and are worth a visit.

Go Island Hopping

Hop on a boat tour to the Egadi Islands and enjoy a fantastic day of island hopping between Favignana and Levanzo. Onboard, you’ll have expert commentary about the islands and their Roman history. You’ll find several snorkeling spots and beaches ideal for sunbathing.

Visit the Trapani Salt Flats

Take a short 15-minute drive to Trapani’s salt pans for an immersive experience in the rich history of the city’s salt production. Your guided tour starts at the Mulino Maria Stella, where you’ll learn about the salt-making process. And remember to keep your eyes peeled for nesting flamingos around the salt flats.

Bonus Activity: Day Trip to Erice

If you have some more time, take a day trip to Erice — one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Italy . This historic hilltop village has about 60 churches, a cathedral, and two castes, so there’s a lot to see and do. You’ll also get stunning aerial views of Trapani.

The drive to Palermo city center is 1 hour 25 minutes.

Palermo is the island’s bustling capital. We recommend visiting on day 2 so you can unwind a little bit in Trapani and get those first few amazing sea views before launching into the city.

Where to Stay in Palermo

Rocco Forte Villa Igiea  

A renovated Art Nouveau palazzo overlooking the gulf or Palermo – luxury 5-star family-run hotel. 

Take a Walking Tour Around Palermo

There’s so much to see and do in Palermo. But, like many cities in Europe , a great place to start exploring the city is its historic city center. The best way to explore Palermo is by getting lost in its endless walkable passages as you eat your way through the city’s food hotspots.

Take a street food walking tour and explore Palermo’s backstreet markets and food stalls serving local delicacies. You’ll also visit open-air markets like Mercato di Capo and Vucciria Market, where you can enjoy a tasty lunch.

If you don’t have much time to explore Palermo on foot, you can take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour and see top attractions in half the time.

Admire Medieval Architecture at Quattro Canti and Piazza Pretoria

Learn about Palermo’s history through its stunning medieval architecture and bustling squares. Getting an up-close look at the Quattro Canti intersection is a must. Once you’re done marveling at the Quattro Canti, head over to the adjacent Piazza Pretoria.

Here you’ll find a massive structure named Fontana Pretoria , dominating the square with its 436-foot circumference and a towering 39-foot height. The fountain boasts several statues of nude nymphs, tritons, and river gods – which earned it the nickname “Fountain of Shame”.

Visit the Cattedrale di Palermi and Norman Palace

Your next stops are the Cattedrale di Palermo and Norman Palace , where you get a closer look at the architectural prowess of ancient Silicians. If you’d like to see more, take this markets and monuments walking tour and discover other iconic monuments like Teatro Massimo .

The drive to Cefalu is one hour.

The next city on your Sicily itinerary is another gorgeous coastal town – Cefalù. This vibrant old town has a lot to offer, from beautiful sandy beaches to casual restaurants dotted along winding medieval streets and, of course, the unmissable Norman Cathedral.

To cut down on the amount of times you need to change hotel, I would recommend just spending the day in Cefalu and moving on to Taormina for your overnight.

Hike to Castello di Cefalù

Kick off day four of your Sicily itinerary by taking a two-mile hike to Castello di Cefalù. The trail takes you up Rocca di Cefalù, where you’ll find several prehistoric ruins like the Temple of Diana and Church of St. Anna, built in the 5th and 10th centuries, respectively. While you’re here, take some time to enjoy the panoramic views of Cefalù from above.

Admire the Duomo di Cefalù

Once you’ve seen the city from a bird’s eye perspective, make your way to the Duomo di Cefalù. This towering Roman Catholic cathedral makes part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale. Inside the basilica, you’ll spot incredible 12th-century religious mosaics and ornate frescoes.

Explore the Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino

Before you call it a day, take some time to explore a historical laundry house that dates back to the 15th century. This medieval wash house was used by locals well into the 20th century. Walking through the washhouse, you’ll get a glimpse of medieval life in Sicily and how inhabitants used the stone wash basins and cast-iron spouts to do their laundry.

Taormina is one of the popular cities on Sicily’s east coast. The stunning hilltop town also has dramatic backdrops of Mount Etna and its own Greek-Roman Theater. But there are lots of other things to do in Taormina , and you’ll find plenty of charming spots dotted across the city’s medieval cobblestoned streets.

Where to Stay in Taormina

There’s no better place to stay than the  Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo , with direct views of Mount Etna.

Walk Around Teatro Antico di Taormina

The ancient theater of Taormina was first built by the Greeks in the third century and later reconstructed and enlarged by the Romans. This 5,400-seater theater was initially built for musicals and performances, and it was turned into a stadium for gladiator games. 

What makes Teatro Antico di Taormina a spectacular feature in the city is its incredible views of the Calabrian Coast and Sicily’s Ionian Coast – so don’t miss out on this attraction.

One of the biggest tourist draws to Sicily is Mount Etna, so it’s only right that you take a hike up the famous peak. Mount Etna is a stratovolcano known for its incredible level of activity; the volcano has been erupting for over 2,700 years. 

A fantastic way to see this monumental landmark is by taking a half-day tour to Mount Ena, where an expert guide will take you through the volcano’s ancient craters and lava flow cave. Your day trip also included a special wine tasting and an incredible view. If you want to hike up to the summit of the crater, this tour is for you.

Mt Etna is home to some of the best wineries in Sicily, so a wine-tasting trip should be on the cards. Take this small group food and wine tour, tasting local delicacies in villages in and around Mount Etna’s countryside. Pick up is from Taormina, so you don’t have to change hotels for this trip.

Day 5: Catania

Catania is the second-largest city on the island. This ancient port city sits at the base of Mount Etna and is abundant with culture, architecture, and bustling markets.

For me, it’s only really necessary to visit one of the cities, so if you’ve already planned to visit Palermo, you can skip Catania, or vice versa. Not because Catania isn’t great, it is. I just think the smaller towns are more “real Sicily” and should be prioritized.

Where to Stay in Catania

With tastefully decorated rooms and high-end amenities and facilities, the  Libe rt y Hotel  is one of the best in the city.

Take a Walking Tour Around Catania

Take a guided tour through Catania to see the city’s gorgeous medieval architecture and learn about its history and culture from a local. During your tour, you’ll get to see highlights such as the Ursino Castle, the vibrant scalinata Alessi, La Pescheria, and lots of piazzas.  

Tour the Massimo Theater

The Massimo Theater is the biggest opera house in Italy and one of the largest in Europe . This gorgeous 1,387-seater theater is known for its perfect acoustics, and you can give them a try during your guided tour of the Neoclassical building. You also get to tour the Valsecchi art collection in the historic Palazzo Butera. 

Admire the Frescoes at Palazzo Biscari

If you’re an art lover, visiting Palazzo Biscari should be your favorite thing on this Sicily itinerary. This Baroque palace is the most private in Catania, boasting jaw-dropping interiors from wall to ceiling. Take a guided tour of Palazzo Biscari and marvel at its gorgeous frescoes, paintings, overdoors, and stunning terracotta floors.

Visit the Catania Fish Market

Immerse yourself in Catania’s everyday life by visiting the local fish market. This seafood market has lots of enthusiastic fishmongers selling the day’s catch under colorful umbrellas. To get here, you’ll climb a series of stairs made of volcanic rock – how cool is that?

Explore Catania’s Roman Architecture

Catania is one of the first Sicilian cities to fall to the Romans in 263 BC, so it has a lot of historical monuments from that era. A great way to see the legacy of the Romans and their architecture is by exploring its relics dotted across the city.

Start at the Greek-Roman Theater, where you’ll find two ancient open-air arc Roman theaters. The larger theater was designed to accommodate 7,000 spectators and had marble columns. On the west end, you’ll find the Odeon theater, built for 1,500 people.

Your next stop is the Roman Amphitheater of Catania in the historic Piazza Stesicoro. While most of the ruins lie under the four adjoining streets, the amphitheater was originally built to accommodate 15,000 spectators and is one of the largest in the Roman world.

Sicily Travel Itinerary Day 7: Syracuse

Syracuse is a historic town sitting along the Ionian Coast. This stunning medieval city boasts an abundance of Greek and Roman architecture and amphitheaters, and it’s said to be the birthplace of the famous Archimedes – a Greek engineer, mathematician, and inventor.

Where to Stay in Syracuse

The Caportigia Boutique Hotel  is a 5-star hotel with an excellent location, and luxurious suites with breathtaking views.

Explore Neapolis Archaeological Park

In the Archaeological Park Neapolis, you’ll find plenty of ancient ruins to admire. The complex comprises marvelous Roman and Greek architecture. You can take a tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park and admire its Roman Amphitheater, Teatro Greco, and the Ear of Dionysius –  a limestone cave formed like a human ear.

Visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi

If you want to dive deeper into Syracuse’s history, visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi for a front-row seat to the most extensive archeological museums in Sicily. Here, you’ll see a large collection of fossils and figurines, including Titian’s Venus Anadyomene.

Walk the Grounds at the Temple of Apollo

Dating back as far as the sixth century, the Temple of Apollo sits adjacent to Piazza Pancali. These ancient ruins are one of the most important Greek monuments in Sicily. This Doric temple is considered a pioneer in Greek architecture, as it displays a transition from building with wood to using stone. 

Bonus Activity: Marvel at the Arethusa Spring

If you have some time to spare before the end of your Sicily itinerary, take a stroll down to the Arethusa Spring – a natural spring with a mythical story. This is a great place to sit and recollect all the memories you’ve made on this trip. 

How to Spend One Week in Sicily | Wrapped Up

Italy is home to some of the best well-preserved medieval towns in Europe , and Sicily has plenty of them. The country’s popular regions like Tuscany and Lazio may get the most attraction from travelers, but Sicily is a must-visit.

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

Like this post? Why not save it to Pinterest? FOLLOW US  on  Pinterest ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  for more great travel inspiration and tips.

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

2 thoughts on “ The Perfect Sicily Itinerary: How to Spend 5-7 Days ”

Thank you for a great article. We go every year to Sicily. 7 days is such a tease. We go for 2 weeks at a time and still is not enough. What is interesting is no one writes about Marsala. It is a tranquil oasis that seems to be forgotten. Grazie mille per il tuo articulo

Yeah 7 days is definitely not enough! There is just so much to see there and driving takes up so much of the time.

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• Travel Resources

The best of Sicily Tour

Sicily small group tour.

Want to explore the best of Sicily from  iconic attractions to the lesser-known places with the locals? Click to learn more about The Best Of Sicily Tour!

👉  TOUR ITINERARY

👉 PRICE + CONDITIONS

👉  HOW TO BOOK

👉  TESTIMONIALS

How To See Sicily  With A Small Group Tour

Are you dreaming of seeing the best of Sicily and doing it with a small group of like-minded people over 50? You landed in the right place! Read what guests say about the  Rocky Travel Best of Sicily Tour.

• Beautiful  Sicilian Cities   and Small Villages! F rom Catania to Taormina, Cefalù, Palermo, San Angelo Muxaro, Agrigento, Syracuse with Ortigia and Ragusa Ibla. These are just a few of the best Sicilian places we will be visiting.  See the entire   Best Sicily Tour Itinerary .
• Stunning  Temples and Archeological Sites!  We will be visiting  some of the most significant UNESCO World Heritage archeological sites, that date back to a few thousands of years B.C. The Valley of the Temples, Syracuse Neapolis Roman Theatre, the Taormina Greek Theatre and more sites. 
• Exquisite Sicilian Food :  if you like Italian Food you will love Sicily! This is the home of the most delicious pasta dishes and excellent home-cooking. From seafood dishes, and select wines, to citrus, almonds, pistachios, chocolates, pastries: Sicilian cannoli and granite. For food lovers, Sicily is the best place in Italy. Check what to expect and is included in the tour.   See what to expect on our Best Of Sicily Tour.

Our Small Group Tour In The Best Of Sicily Trip 2023

 NEXT SICILY TRIP DATE IS IN MAY 2025! 👉  SEE DATES & ITINERARY 👉  SIGN UP FOR TOUR UPDATES HERE

Free Pre-Saving of Your Space on Tour: fill in the 👉  The Inquiry Form

• Solo Traveller
• Travel with A Companion

What Our Tour Guests Say - Testimonials!

Here below are just a few of the many testimonials we received from our lovely guests. On this page you have access to live testimonials (2-4 min) and listen what these ladies say about our Sicily Tour. Or read  tour reviews .

Best Sicily Tour 2023 - Guests Testimonials

MORE TESTIMONIALS

My friend and I traveled with Michela on the Best of Sicily Tour in May-June of 2019 and what an awesome trip it was! We had not been to Sicily before and this trip showcased the beautiful island in a wonderful way. I felt like we were truly off the beaten path with the excursions and destinations. There were many delightful experiences and one of my favorites was the visit to the small town of Sant' Angelo Muxaro near Agrigento. We explored this charming town of about 1,200 people and then had lunch with a local family. The lunch was outstanding and the family was so welcoming. A lot of what we ate came right from their garden and it was delicious. Another favorite was our visit to the Villa Romana del Casale where we saw beautiful mosaic tiles. We had the best guides-Palermo resident and knowledgeable guide Alessandro and bus driver Sergio from Agrigento were so kind. You could tell they were proud of their island and happy to show it off. Michela was great, very responsive before and during the trip. I would highly recommend this Sicily Tour and loved the fact that it was a small group tour of 10 people, many of whom were seasoned, active hikers and walkers. A perfect vacation!

LAUREL PALMER   | St. Augustin, USA

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Sicily. Travelling with Rocky Travel was so easy and well-organized. Michela and our local guide Angela always ensured we had enough time to see everything while bonding with other women travelling in the group. The accommodations were well chosen and often located where walking into town during our free time was easy. While in Sicily in May 2023, we had to deal with bad weather, cancel some of our excursions, and replace them with new tours. This was done without any downtime and with options that exceeded my expectations. My experience with Rocky Travel in Sicily was super good, and I highly recommend any tours organized by Rocky Travel.

MARIE-JOSÉe Vinet   | Toronto, CANADA

The Best of Sicily Tour was a perfectly planned trip. It hit all the highlights, as well as those out of the way places and local people that you will never find in guidebooks or online. It was with a very comfortable minibus with a friendly group of 10. Our guide, Alessandro, was well informed and entertaining who kept us on schedule along with a superb driver Sergio, both Sicilians. Michela, the trip organizer, also Italian, was extremely helpful and made sure everything ran smoothly. It was a fabulous introduction to Sicily, and I highly recommend it, especially if you are not familiar with Sicily. Very reasonably priced and good value for money. For sure I’ll be back.

VIVIEN TROY | New York, USA

This Sicily small-group tour is an ideal introduction to Sicily's many and varied attractions, ranging from architecture to food to archaeology. Zoom calls beforehand meant I already knew the other participants when it started. The meals were an excellent introduction to Sicilian cuisine. The tour guide was outstanding, and her local knowledge gave us valuable insights into many aspects of Sicilian culture, history and food. Poor weather meant some of the attractions were closed. Our tour leaders, Michela and Angela, organised excellent replacement activities using local contacts and insider knowledge. I definitely recommend this tour to solo female travellers 50+ who want to visit a more unusual destination and make new friends. This was my first tour, and I wondered if I'd like it. I'm now a big fan of small group tours with hand-picked like-minded travellers. I'll be looking out for more!

Marion Halliday | Adelaide, AUSTRALIA

Michela, Angela and Francesco did their best to create and provide a lovely tour of Sicily. Patience and attentiveness were well executed throughout the trip, and no questions were left unanswered. The knowledge demonstrated throughout was much appreciated, especially when we needed to shift gears due to weather concerns. I highly recommend this tour by Rocky Travel. Michela, the organiser, and Angela’s tour guide expertise were exceptional.

ChARMAINE HARKINS | West Hartford, USA

DETAILS OF THE BEST OF SICILY TOUR

A View of The Eolian Island Basin from Vulcano Island

Who Is This Guided Sicily Tour Good For?

• You are active, 50+ and like the idea of exploring Sicily with a small group of like-minded travellers.  
• You are fit and love walking on all terrains: cities, and in the outdoors.    
• You love exquisite Sicilian Food : and are keen to try out the delicious Sicilian Food while on tour. 

Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily

The Best Of Sicily Trip -  Dates & Itinerary

Next sicily trip dates: 12th - 21st may 2025 .

• DAY 1 - PICK UP AT CATANIA TRAIN STATION Exploring Sicily's most picturesque town, Taormina, with its Teatro Greco  (Greek theatre)  and views of Mount Etna. A walking tour, free time and a welcome dinner in Taormina.
• DAY 2  - A DAY AT THE EOLIAN ISLANDS Transfer by ferry and day out to exploring Lipari + Vulcano. Walking to the crater and/or Hot Bath Mud Springs.
• DAY 3- CEFALÙ + MONREALE  Enjoy a morning walking tour of Cefalù and a visit to the Monreale Cathedral (Palermo) in the afternoon.
• DAY 4 - EXPLORING PALERMO Go on a morning walking tour of the city with a street food tour. Free time to enjoy Palermo, with aperitivo time and music concerts.
• DAY 5 - VISIT THE AGRIGENTO TEMPLES REGION A full day exploring the Valley of Temples, the most significant archaeological site in the world. Visit St. Angelo Muxaro village with home-cooked lunch by the locals.
• DAY 6 - RAGUSA IBLA + PIAZZA ARMERINA  Dive into the Sicily's 2 Unesco world heritage sites. We spend the day here visiting the Roman Villas in Piazza Armerina and old Ragusa Ibla.
• DAY 7 - ISPICA CAVES' TREK A easy to moderate trek across the green canyon between Modica and Ispica. Food and Wine tastings. A visit of Scicli with a special sensorial experience.
• DAY 8 - VISIT NOTO + NOTO ANTICA  An archaeological area and baroque township of NOTO, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Exploring the new Noto. And the surroundings area.
• DAY 9 SYRACUSE + ORTIGIA Spend one and half day along the stuning South East coast of Sicily, visiting Syracuse and the beauty of medieval and baroque architecture of Ortigia. Market Food Testing + Walking Tour of Ortigia. Farewell Dinner.
• DAY 10 - TRANSFER TO CATANIA AIRPORT End of the tour and privare bus transfer to the Catania Airport.

Our Best Of Sicily Tour Images from Previous Sicily Trips

To get an idea of what this tour of sicily italy is all about, click to see the  best sicily trip itinerary .  you can also watch these short videos interviews with our guests on tour ..

Majestic Palermo Cathedral

Ragusa Ibla

Tour Details For  The 10-day Round-Trip of Sicily 2024

TOUR PRICE AND TOUR CONDITIONS

Prices to be communicated by beginning of May 2024. Please take a look at what the tour price covers and and doesn't include, as stated here below!

What the Tour Price includes:

• 9 Overnights* in 4*** Hotels with Cont. Breakfast. * You can upgrade to a double room for single use for +375 Euro.
• 3  Dinners At The Hotels  (drinks excluded).
• 1 Welcome Dinner in Taormina  (in restaurants incl. drinks).
• 1 Farewell Dinner in  Siracusa .  (in restaurants, incl. drinks).
• Street Food Tour and Walking Tour + Lunch.  (Day 4).
• Home-made cooked Lunch with a family.  (Day 5).
• 1 x Local Produce + 1 x Cheese Tastings.  (Day 5).
• 1 x Ice Cream tasting .   (Day 6).
• Trek Guide of Ispica's Caves. (Day 7).
• Food & Wine tastings + Lunch. (Day 7).
• Sensorial Nursery Experience in Scicli .  (D ay 8).
• Food & Cheese Tastings.  (D ay 9).
• All National Parks, Heritage Sites entrances. (+70 €).
• All Group Transfers in Modern Coach to/from Hotels .  (incl. the pick up at Catania Rail Station and Drop-off at Catania Airport).
• All Outdoor Guided Walks and Excursions. 
• Ferry to Aeolian Islands (Milazzo-Lipari-Vulcano-Milazzo ).
• English Speaking Tour Leaders & Private Drivers

 Extra Bonuses included in the Tour Price:

• 3 Live Zoom Group Call of 60 min each. We share and discuss all things about booking flights to Italy, travel insurance, things to know about your Sicily Trip in Italy.
• Sicily Trip Planning Support with Q&A. via email or in our Facebook Group and on Live Zoom Call.
• Monthly Email Updates : include videos and content about flights and accommodation bookings, travel insurance, what to pack and wear for the trip).
• A Private Facebook Group For Tour Members .  for sharing info, updates about Sicily, plus recorded live Calls, and Videos.
• A WhatsApp Private Group For Tour Members  : from 1 month prior to our Sicily T our, during and after the trip.

What this Tour Price does not include

• International Flights to/from Italy + Domestic Flights to/from Catania.
• International Travel & Med Insurance for Italy .
• City Tax imposed by city councils  (about 2.50 € per night/hotel to be paid at each hotel. Stand as per June 2024).
• Everything which is not listed below "tour prices includes" is automatically excluded.

THE TOUR REGISTRATION FOR THE BEST OF SICILY TRIP HOW TO BOOK THIS TOUR: DEPOSIT AND BALANCE

Bookings. The Sicily tour is open to single travellers over 50 to over 70 or if you travel with a companion, friend, partner, and walking and being in the outdoors. Deposit and bookings. Payment of an initial deposit of €150 will reserve your space on the Best of Sicily Tour 2025. Once this group tour is confirmed with a minimum of 8 pax, we will notify via email. *YOUR SPACE IS CONFIRMED BY PAYING THE DEPOSIT INVOICE. CHECK THE FAQs

Free Pre-Saving of Your Space on Tour, fill in the 👉  The Inquiry Form

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR BEST OF SICILY TRIP

Have questions? Read the FAQs. Or send your questions by filling in this  inquiry form.

When DO I NEED TO PAY THE DEPOSIT?

The payment of the initial deposit of 150 € pre-save your space on tour. Upon confirmation of the tour, you'll pay the remaining deposit.

CAN I CANCEL MY TOUR RESERVATION ?

Due to the nature of our boutique small group tours, you cannot cancel the reservation of your space.

WHEN DO YOU OFFER A FULL REFUND?

A full refund of the deposit is offered if the tour does not achieve the minimum of 8 people.

DO I NEED TRAVEL & MED INSURANCE?

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for all tour participants on our tours. You need to look into international travel insurance to cover any potential incidents or injuries that may occur in Italy, as well as flight and tour cancellation due to illness or force majeure. For more info, see our Travel Insurance Guide For Over 50 .

WHAT'S THE CONVERSION IN USD?

To get a price conversion from Eur to USD or AUD, or any currency please use a currency converter like xe.com. Rates fluctuate and change every day. Your credit card will process the payment and convert the amount in Euro into your own currency.

THE BEST WAY TO GET TO SICILY

Flying from the US or from AUS, you will need to land in Rome or Milano and from there take a domestic flight to Catania, Sicily. Alternatively you can also consider Munich airport, or Zurich Airport or London and from there fly into Catania. All of the above EU airports have several daily flights to Catania.

WHAT IS THE COST FOR OTHER MEALS?

5 dinners, 4 lunches + several tastings are included in the tour price, see details of  what's included in the tour price . Other meals are at your charge. The average cost for a meal, at a restaurant in Sicily is between 15-30 Euro.

Are FLIGHTS INCLUED IN THE PRICE?

International and domestic flights to/from Catania are not included in the tour price. We can help providing info and advice about the best flight connections for domestic flights as well as international flight to Italy.

WHAT'S THE STANDARD OF THE HOTELS?

We stay in 4 stars hotels, and most have a swimming pool too. We stay in six different hotels: in Taormina, in Cefalu, in Palermo (2 nights), in Agrigento, near Ragusa (2 nights) and in Siracusa (2 nights). You can see details of the hotels from a 15-page tour brochure that you get when you sign up for the tour.

IS THIS TOUR A WOMEN-ONLY TOUR?

While we prioritise women on this tour, this is not a women-only tour, it is open to all travellers over 50.

DO I NEED TO WALK ALL THE TIME?

Yes, there are also optional walks, however  you must be able to walk comfortably in nature on uneven surfaces, with stones, and small rocks. 

THE AVERAGE length of the WALKS

We will walk for an average of about 3-7 km per day. This includes walking in towns, sightseeing, walking and food tours, visiting archeological sites, and in the outdoors.

Have more questions about this tour?

Fill in the form with your questions about the Best of Sicily Tour

More Testimonials!

We came together, all females from Canada and America except for one lucky male person (me) from Australia. Michela had provided beforehand, full information on what to expect on the trip. Then on the weeks leading up to the trip a few tour blogs. So, by the time we were sitting down for our first “get to know each other” dinner, we were well on the way for making new friendships.  Michela had also provided last-minute tips, for example, an overview of Catania, recommended hotels to stay at and the best way into town from the airport. If possible, do a small tour group like the Rocky Travel Best Of Sicily Tour. That way, you have better customer service, and the little bus provides greater mobility, while the unavoidable toilet stops are not as long.  The Rocky Travel Sicily Tour touts for the active and adventurous type which suited me and most of the others on tour, so I was with like-minded people! This Sicily Tour had a right balance of organised activities and free time. In Palermo there were too many activities for one day, so, a bit rushed.  I also found the location and standard of the hotels on tour excellent. 

JAMES BURKE | Perth, Western Australia

The Rocky Travel Best of Sicily Tour, more than lived up to the promise of its name. Our small group visited major cities and towns such as Palermo, Syracusa, and Taormina. Unusual and beautiful places in nature were important destinations as well, including treks on Sicily’s iconic Mt Etna and through other dramatic landscapes. World-famous and less well-known, but fascinating, archaeological ruins and other sites also were part of our wonderful trip, including the Greek temples in Agrigento and the fascinating Ispica Cave with its ancient necropolis and dwellings carved into the hillside.  And, one thing I liked was that Rocky Travel made sure we had authentic experiences. Two that stand out are the Palermo “street food” tour, led by a local guide, Raffaella. We tasted delicious and authentic Sicilian tidbits, got to relax around a special set-up table, and we even met the gracious cooks who made those treats.  The second was the lunch prepared by a family in a lovely, very un-touristy hilltop village, San Angelo Muxaro. Among my most favourite memories are those from the beautifully situated seaside city of Syracusa, with its rich Greek and Roman history, culture and archaeological sites and its numerous medieval and baroque architectural treasures.  Amazingly, you can see all these different cultures on one place: the baroque Cathedral in Syracusa’s historic center, which incorporates Doric columns from a 5thc BC Greek temple. The Cathedral and the other stunning architecture in the surrounding square are especially magical when lit up at night. I’ll always remember this scene and many more from the tour. I’d recommend Rocky Travel to anyone who likes active travel with small groups and who is interested in really getting to know Sicily and all its cultural, historic and natural aspects. Michela, our organizer, Alessandro, our Sicily expert guide and our wonderful driver, Sergio were incredibly helpful and informative throughout the trip planning and during the journey.

Mary Kelly   | Washington, USA

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13 of the most beautiful villages and towns in Sicily

I f you found yourself dreaming of a trip to Sicily this year, you are not alone. The island's popularity soared this year thanks to its appearance on the popular HBO series, "The White Lotus," as did one of its most luxurious staging posts, San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel, where the show was filmed.

Part of a larger trend toward "set-jetting" — the phenomenon whereby movies and TV shows inspire travel itineraries — Sicily has dominated social media and Google searches this year. Hoppe r reported that Palermo was one of the top trending destinations for airfare searches this summer, with a 90% spike in interest.

While many travelers flocked to Sicily this year to indulge their White Lotus fantasies — facilitated by new luxe resorts like Rocco Forte's Ville Igiea in Palermo and, of course, the aforementioned San Domenico Palace in Taormina — Sicily's distinctive culture and traditions far and away transcend its moment in the media spotlight.

The largest island in the Mediterranean has long been something of a hidden gem, drawing European jet-setters in the know. It's home to gorgeous, UNESCO-inscribed villages, dazzling beaches, a wine and cuisine scene that easily rivals Italy's mainland, and even its Mount Etna volcano. Sicily is one of the best places in Europe to hire a car and explore without any prescribed agenda.

From the baroque towns of Val di Noto to villages with medieval castles and quaint beachfront fishing communities, Sicily's sheer diversity of cultural and natural treasures enthralls travelers who want to experience the more authentic side of one of Europe's hottest destinations.

Scicli is dramatically sited in a valley sandwiched between rocky cliffs. It's situated in the southeast area of the island, and it's one of the seven famed Val di Noto baroque towns.

Like many towns in the Val di Noto, it was heavily damaged by the 1693 earthquake and rebuilt in baroque style. It's affectionately known as the setting for the hit Italian television series, "Commissario Montalbano."

Plan to explore the city on foot, starting on Via Francisco Mormino Penna, a street with several baroque palaces and churches all constructed in local white stone. Don't miss the emblematic baroque Palazzo Beneventano, an ornate 18th-century palace (the original building dates to the Middle Ages) with a courtyard hailed as the most beautiful in Sicily.

Draped over Mount Marone and dramatically framed by Mount Etna, Gangi is often called the most beautiful village in Italy. Crowned by the 14th-century Ventimiglia castle, the town's charm lies in its authentic Sicilian ambience and evocative medieval alleyways photogenically lined with two- and three-story stone houses.

In the San Nicolo Church, you can visit the rather macabre "tomb of dead priests" (or fossa de parrini), where a crypt contains niches with about 100 mummified priests thought to have lived in Gangi from around 1720-1850.

One of Sicily's most well-known beach towns , Cefalu has more than just golden sands and azure waters.

Visit the 12th-century cathedral, complete with Renaissance sculptures and Byzantine mosaics. If you have some energy to spare, hike the massive Rocca mountain that towers above the town until you reach the old castle remains. If it looks vaguely familiar, this former fishing village was the setting for the Oscar-winning movie "Cinema Paradiso."

This stunning island, once inhabited by Greeks, is filled with ancient monuments and historic churches. Its picturesque squares are lined with elaborate palazzi, and its labyrinthine streets are dotted with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.

Connected to Sicily's mainland by two bridges, it's best to park your car in Siracusa and walk over to Ortigia's old town. Don't miss the Piazza del Duomo, with its showstopping Duomo, the oldest church in Europe.

Another highlight is the town's lively food markets (pick up some pistachios — Sicily has thousands of acres of pistachio trees). Fresh swordfish is a local delicacy that you'll find on chalkboard menus in many restaurants.

Erice's claim to fame is its Venere Castle, which sits atop the fabled mountain peak of Ertz and boasts expansive views of the Sicilian countryside and the sea.

Within the town's 12th-century walls, you'll find an array of churches — its moniker is the "city of 100 churches." The most famous is the imposing Norman Erice cathedral, built with stones from Rome's Temple of Venus; it's distinctive for its freestanding bell tower and intricately carved vaulted ceiling. The church dates to 1314 but was rebuilt in its current Gothic style in 1865.

You'll find the town's greatest joys wandering its streets, which feature antique stores, craft shops, restaurants, cafes and bakeries (almond pastries are renowned here).

The second of what will be a few of the iconic UNESCO-designed Val di Noto baroque villages on this list, Modica's never-ending rooftops rise along the surrounding hills. Before the earthquake of 1693, the medieval old town was carved into the rock face. Now built on top of the ridge, it's an evocative maze of stunning baroque facades, extravagant churches and beautiful palaces connected by stairways.

Make sure to see the San Giorgio cathedral, and for an afternoon snack, sample some chocolate . The ancient recipe uses special grinding methods at frigid temperatures sans cocoa butter for a grainy and bold taste.

North of Taormina in the province of Messina, Savoca is set between Sicily's aqua waters and the Peloritani mountain range. It's surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

Another cinematic backdrop, iconic scenes from Francis Ford Coppola's movie "The Godfather" were shot there — most memorably, the wedding of Michael Corleone and Apollonia at church of San Nicolo. Fans of the film should also stop into Bar Vitelli (another famous filming location) for a glass of local wine.

Ragusa Ibla

Nestled among craggy peaks, Ragusa's old town (Ragusa Ibla) is one of the most spectacular spots to view from a distance.

The striking town sits upon a hilltop, complete with blue-domed churches and pink and yellowed crumbling baroque buildings. With its charming tangle of streets and elegant squares lined with gray stone houses and palaces, Ragusa is one of the best places on the island to just relax and watch Sicilian life unfold.

The town is divided into two distinct parts: Ragusa Superiore is the town's more modern enclave with a more prosaic vibe, while Ragusa Ibla is the town's beautifully preserved historic center that unfurls down the hillside. Don't miss sites include the church of San Giorgio and the San Giovanni Cathedral.

Built right into the stone of the surrounding mountains, Sperlinga sounds suspiciously like the word spelunking — caving. As you might guess, there are numerous caves carved into the stone throughout the village, and you can explore them all. Find the best views can by hiking up to the Sperlinga castle, which overlooks the village.

Related: The best way to travel to Europe using points and miles

Novara di Sicilia

Nestled between the two mountain ranges of Nebrodi and Peloritani, Novara di Sicilia has spectacular views from pretty much any angle. Built from local sandstone beneath the remnants of an ancient castle, most of the village dates to the 17th century. The oldest building is the small and unassuming 13th-century Church of St. Francis.

If you're lucky, you'll visit during one of the many food festivals this village has throughout the year, dedicated to local products such as hazelnuts, Maiorchino cheese and bread. If not, you can simply wander the village's magical streets.

The town is steeped in myth — legend has it that Cyclops once lived in Novara di Sicilia.

San Vito Lo Capo

Shoulder season (May-June and September-October) is the best time to visit San Vito Lo Capo, one of Sicily's most beautiful beach villages , to beat the crowds but still have perfect weather. You may not associate couscous as a Sicilian specialty, but the village has an entire festival dedicated to the food each September.

Castiglione di Sicilia

With views of the volcano Mount Etna, this village is similar to many other Sicilian towns in that it has a signature 12th-century castle and many churches. One of the most distinctive is the Santa Domenica chapel, a small stone structure built by Byzantine monks.

This tiny fishing village is famous for its tonnara or tuna fish. It's also a popular beach spot for tourists and locals alike in the summer when the population increases exponentially. People-watching over a spritz in the main plaza, Piazza Regina Margherita, is the activity of choice for a warm, summery evening.

Bottom line

With so much to see and do in a beautiful country like Italy, it can be hard to figure out where to start. But if you end up in Sicily , the best way to explore the island is by car.

Taormina may have stolen the limelight this year thanks to "The White Lotus" effect, but once you get off the beaten path, you'll find stunning villages with timeless cultural traditions at every turn. Make sure to add some of them to your Sicilian vacation itinerary.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• The 18 best places to travel in 2023
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Sicily

Wondering if Sicily is worth visiting? I am here to delete all your doubts and share my favorite photos to inspire you to visit Sicily!

Sicily , the expansive island nestled in the Mediterranean Sea and a proud part of Italy , holds a prominent place in history and captivates visitors with its diverse cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes.

Distinguished by its remarkable past, dynamic traditions, mouthwatering gastronomy, and awe-inspiring scenery, Sicily stands as a destination that promises an array of extraordinary encounters for explorers. 

This is why I have prepared 50 photos that will inspire you to visit Sicily and I share the exact location of every single photo. This way, you can easily find these locations and create some beautiful photos from Sicily.

*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Photos to Inspire You to Visit Sicily

Indulge in the captivating beauty of Sicily through this mesmerizing collection of images that will undoubtedly ignite your wanderlust and prompt you to embark on a Sicilian adventure without hesitation. Let’s dive in and discover the photos that will inspire you to visit Sicily.

RELATED : 13 Authentic Experiences in Sicily That You Don’t Want to Miss

RELATED : 30 Most Beautiful Places in Sicily

RELATED : Itinerary: How to Spend One Day in Palermo, Sicily

RELATED : 13 Best Resorts in Sicily: Beach Resorts, All-inclusive, and Beyond

RELATED : 100+ Best Italy Quotes and Italy Instagram Captions + Beautiful Shareable Photos

Further reading for Sicily

13 Authentic Experiences in Sicily That You Don’t Want to Miss

30 Most Beautiful Places in Sicily

13 Best Resorts in Sicily: Beach Resorts, All-inclusive, and Beyond

Or read more about: Palermo | Sicily | Italy

Other popular regions of Italy

Dolomites | Liguria | Lombardy | Piedmont | Puglia | Tuscany | Veneto

Other useful tips for visiting Italy

🏠 Need a place to stay? Browse Booking or Agoda 💃 How about fun experiences? GetYourGuide and Viator have it all 🚗 Considering renting a car in Italy? Use Rentalcars ✈️ Looking for the best flight deals? Check WayAway 🔒 Don’t forget about travel insurance from HeyMondo

In conclusion…

And it is a wrap! I am absolutely certain that these stunning photographs have sparked your desire to visit Sicily and initiate the planning of your vacation immediately. It’s time to embark on this extraordinary adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime.

I would love to hear your thoughts, so if you have any feedback or additional tips, leave a comment below. Also, check out my Instagram for regular travel videos and travel inspiration. Or explore other destinations on this travel blog.

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7 Things to Know Before Visiting Sicily in Italy

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It’s not too often that I find myself spending a month in a region and feeling disappointed by how much there is still left to see. That’s a long time to travel anywhere and an opportunity that few get to enjoy. But that doesn’t change how I felt after visiting Sicily , because all I wanted was more time to experience everything I’d yet to see. Yes, you could craft a quicker itinerary that covers the best places to go in Sicily, but I tend to travel with a little less focus.

Ask me what the most beautiful place in Sicily is and I’d have a hard time deciding. The same goes for what to do in Sicily, because we all have our own interests and preferences, and there’s just so much you can do around the island. Answering the question of where to stay in Sicily is one that I can do and have already kind of done.

What I can share with you here are a selection of things I think you may benefit from knowing. Some may seem obvious, but if I were visiting Sicily for the first time all over again, these are the things I’d want to know.

Table of Contents

1. Different to Mainland Italy

One of the wonderful things about spending time travelling in Italy is that you realise just how different each part of the country is. That’s definitely the case with Sicily. I constantly found myself thinking “I’ve never seen anything like this in Italy before” which says it all really, doesn’t it?

Many of the reasons why Sicily is so special I’ll cover in more detail below. But they follow the usual lines of history, food, culture etc. One of my favourite though is the architecture, which I know isn’t something that will excite others in the same way. But look at the sheer beauty of the Val di Noto, a UNESCO-recognised region full of Baroque architecture, with places like Noto and Ragusa , and you’ll see what I mean in.

My point though is that if you’re expecting or dismissing Sicily because “you’ve done Italy” then stop that thinking right now. Because Sicily is definitely its own thing.

2. How to Get There

As with most of Italy, you shouldn’t have much trouble getting to Sicily to start your trip. The island is extremely well connected with the rest of the country, not to mention Europe in general. Since we are talking about an island, your two options to get there are either flying in or taking a ferry, although taking the train is technically a third way to go.

For most tourists, flying is going to be the most obvious solution to get there. Sicily has three airports to fly to: Catania, Palermo and Trapani. Budget carriers and national airlines fly to all three, but Catania and Palermo are the bigger two. Flights to Sicily can be insanely cheap sometimes which was part of the reason I finally went when I did.

Next we have ferries to Sicily, both domestically and internationally. Naturally, there are ferries to the mainland, with Naples and Villa San Giovanni the main places to go from. The latter sits on the narrow Strait of Messina between Sicily and the mainland and is the quickest sea crossing if you don’t like boats. But there are also ferries to neighbouring islands and even a ferry to Malta if you want to combine Sicily and Malta in a trip.

As for the train, you can buy train tickets from the mainland direct to Sicily. What happens is that the train actually uses a special train ferry to cross the Strait of Messina, which honestly sounds like a special experience.

3. Getting About

One bit of hard won advice from my time travelling in Sicily is that getting around isn’t as easy as it seems. I used public transport in Sicily throughout my trip to get about and ran into plenty of troubles along the way. In hindsight, having a rental car in Sicily would have helped, although that naturally brings the challenge of driving in Italy. Alternatively, you could cede control completely and take a guided tour of Sicily .

No matter though, as now I get to warn you about what its like taking trains and buses here. And really, I never had any trouble with the trains in Sicily . Trains are mostly useful for travel along the coasts, but not so much in the island’s interior. In some parts they’re also not super fast due to the weaving, winding routes they need to take through the hilly terrain.

No, it’s the bus travel where things got tricky. At first it was just people pushing ahead of me in the line so that there was no room by the time I stepped aboard. The real problem though is trying to reliably plan your bus trips. Buses in Sicily belong to a mess of different companies, many of which you can’t get accurate timetables of online.

Timetables for large companies like Interbus are pretty good, but for smaller regional ones you can forget about it. And I’m not just talking about online here. I got given completely wrong information twice trying to get from Piazza Armerina to Agrigento, once from the actual bus ticket office. My advice is to try to stick to major routes as much as possible and seek local help otherwise.

4. Fantastic Sicilian Food

If you’re looking for a reason to visit Sicily that’s not simply “why not?”, then may I suggest its awesome cuisine? That’s usually one of the reasons people go to Italy anyway, but Sicilian cuisine is its own thing and it is phenomenal. Even if you’ve spent a month travelling through mainland Italy, you’re bound to find new and exciting things to try when you reach Sicily.

And with so many Sicilian specialities to experience, my advice is to dive right in. Don’t make the mistake of just eating the typical dishes of Italy while in Sicily because you’ll be missing out if you do. I personally spent much of my time in Syracuse and Catania experiencing the food scene and was far from disappointed. Another way to discover the food scene is with a food and wine tour like this one out in the countryside.

Now, some Sicilian dishes are better known internationally than others. Arancini are a quite well-known dish in other countries and cannoli are the island’s most famous sweet treat. But even these recognizable foods come in a dizzying array of styles and flavours; especially all the types of stuffing you can find in arancini from one place to the next.

Then there are the less instantly recognizable foods found across Sicily that you’ll soon find are just as common, like Pasta alla Norma with its tasty eggplant sauce and granita, the refreshing icy dessert you can get from kiosks everywhere. One of my favourite new experiences was trying busiate pasta in Agrigento, a spiral pasta from Sicily I’ve yet to find elsewhere.

5. Remarkable History

Followers of the blog will know that learning about a destination’s history is one of my favourite things to do. And I have to say that Sicily is just awesome for those interested in history. The island has had such a layered, diverse past and that means you get to see all sorts of historical sites when you travel in Sicily.

Sicily’s notable history stretches back thousands of years. With the incredible ruins of Agrigento you can learn about the island’s settlement by ancient Greeks. Over at the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale  you can learn more about Sicily during the time of the Romans. At Syracuse you can see both. The Arabs and Normans defined the medieval history of Sicily and many of the best places to visit in Palermo are tied to that era.

Then there are the destinations that feel absolutely trapped in time, offering a window into what 17th-18th century Sicily was like. For that you need to head to the Val di Noto, which I mentioned earlier. These may be the most picturesque places to explore that era, but trust me there’s many more. The point is you’ll be spoiled by the end of your Sicily trip, that’s for sure.

6. Surprising Mountains

With its location right at the heart of the Mediterranean, you might think that the beaches in Sicily are the island’s best natural asset. And if that’s your kind of thing and what you want from your trip then you won’t be disappointed. But in my books, the most interesting natural attraction of Sicily is its mountains.

Certainly the most famous mountain on the island is Mt Etna. The volcano near the popular tourist town of Taormina is one of the best places to go in Sicily, even if I chose not to during my visit. Its looming, sometimes smouldering, presence adds so much drama to the island’s east coast. I can’t wait to see it up close one day.

But a place that equally appeals to me now and is far less well-known is the Madonie Mountains. These mountains sit within a natural park at the centre of the island’s north coast. While planning my trip to Sicily I didn’t even know about them, and by the time fellow travellers had recommended them as a great place to go hiking it was too late to change plans.

Then I chatted with a man with family near there who said how beautiful it is there. A little bit of research later and the mountains are very high on my list for next time. Which is why I mention them now, so you can know before you go and maybe factor them into your plans.

7. Sicilian Pride

While it shouldn’t necessarily be a surprise, it’s hard to describe just how proud of Sicily the people of the island seem to be. You definitely notice the fervent pride in Sicily and everything Sicilian, even when doing the most generic touristy things. Sicilian flags are everywhere, as are the island’s distinctive ceramics, but that’s just the start.

It truly becomes clear when you talk to Sicilians about Sicily. During my stay in Piazza Armerina I met and dined with an Australian/Sicilian guide who been showing tourists around for decades. I was genuinely taken aback by just how much he raved about how great everything to do with Sicily was, from its heritage and culture to the produce and the people. Even when he talked about the dark history of the past related to the Sicilian Mafia, he found positives to focus on.

Were he talking about a country, you’d call it unwavering patriotism. But Sicily isn’t a country, at least nowadays. But I’ve never really experienced this sort of regional pride in a place without a strong modern separatist movement like Catalonia.

I personally find that sort of intense, passionate pride hard to swallow because everywhere has flaws, but it did make me reflect on everything I’d seen and realise just how strong the Sicilian identity is. And what is more interesting when you travel than exploring the identity of a destination?

Resources for Visiting Sicily

• Getting There: To find the cheapest and most useful flights to Sicily make sure to check Kayak .
• Accommodation: Here you can find hotels, apartments and guesthouses throughout Sicily , plus don’t forget Airbnb.
• Tours: There are countless day trips and sightseeing tours available for exploring Sicily, plus longer Sicily tours .
• Car Hire: If you want to travel more independently, consider renting a car to drive yourself about.
• Managing Money: Lastly, the Wise card can be a great option for getting cash out and making purchases .

Have you had the opportunity to visit Sicily during your travels? What advice do you have for people spending 7 days in Sicily or longer? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

David is the author behind the Travelsewhere travel blog and is always on the search for the quieter, less-visited corners of the world.

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Sicily has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I go every summer for the food, people and beaches. You can stay a month and not see everything there is to experience on this beautiful island.

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Here are new ways to visit sicily this year.

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The Marble Theatre, a Baroque monument in front of Palazzo dei Normanni, also known as the Palazzo ... [+] Reale, in Palermo.

For those looking to visit Sicily and experience it in a new way, a good place to start is the Villa Igiea in Palermo. A cherished landmark, the villa is testament to a great Italian dynasty, the Florios, who were widely chronicled in Europe for both their business acumen and social prowess, as the Astors and Vanderbilts were in the U.S., during the Belle Epoque. Designed in neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, Villa Igiea was purchased by Ignazio and Franca Florio to be used as a health retreat for an ailing daughter. Instead they turned it into a hotel, which would come to be known for a glittering guest list that included kings and emperors and film-world royalty like Roberto Rossellini and Sophia Loren. In 2019, Rocco Forte Hotels purchased the historic property and initiated a multi-year refurbishment overseen by Olga Polizzi, director of design and deputy chairman of RFH.

Designed in neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, the Villa Igiea was purchased by the Florios ... [+] originally as a health retreat for an ailing daughter, but they turned it into a hotel instead.

The Palermo of the Florios, the “uncrowned kings of Sicily”

Interest in the Florios, once dubbed the “uncrowned kings of Sicily,” has never waned since their glory days more than a century ago, although the family fortune faded away. What better proof than the novel, The Florios of Sicily , written by Stefania Auci and published in 2019, which became an international best-seller, with 1.5 million copies sold in Italy alone.

It’s not surprising that the Villa Igiea and its sister hotel, the Verdura Resort in Sciacca, an under two-hour drive from Palermo, have tapped into the ongoing fascination with the Florios and Sicilian culture to create travel experiences for guests wanting to see a lesser-known, yet authentic, side of the island. Their latest program, called Sicilian Matriarchy , with itinerary tours led by women, takes inspiration from the most glamorous figure in the Florio saga, Donna Franca Florio (the “donna” honorific because of her father’s noble roots), a woman as famous in her day as a Princess of Wales or Grace Kelly.

Franca Florio, painted by Giovanni Boldini, 1901.

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, franca florio’s star power.

Franca added youthful glamour to turn-of-the-century Palermo, cementing it as a hot stop for European elites; her cultural passions and social savvy also brought attention and prestige to the Florios’ extensive business empire. It was an unexpected trajectory for young Francesca Paola Jacona della Motta dei Baroni di San Giuliano (her very full name).“She was a fragile young woman who found herself catapulted from an ordinary family to the status of wife of one of the richest men in Europe,” says Stefania Auci, the best-selling author. (Her own family was long on aristocratic titles, but shorter on cash.) “That meant being perpetually under everyone's eyes, evaluated, weighed and judged. She changed her way of being to be able to live up to the situation and the family she had entered.” Franca Florio lived up to the situation so well that no less than Kaiser Wilhelm, the German Emperor, called her the “star of Italy.”

Even with all the Florio wealth, Franca’s clout wasn’t an anomaly in the early 1900s, according to Auci. “Women have always had a strong power in Sicily,” she says. “There has always been a sort of ‘hidden’ matriarchy.” Auci adds that while women’s power was not codified, “it certainly [had] a great impact on the lives of families. Women wove the family plots that led to marriages and ties between the great noble lines from the Middle Ages until the end of the nineteenth century. Especially among the nobility, theirs was never a merely decorative role. They had a power and social impact of great importance.”

Stefania Auci. author of "The Florios of Sicily," an international bestseller. (Photo by Leonardo ... [+] Cendamo/Getty Images)

Sicilian women with lesser means had different ways to exert influence, says Auci, supporting families with work outside the home, running small businesses and managing economic resources.“Women played a role that was anything but secondary.”

The Villa Igiea’s Sicilian Matriarchy program aims to give guests a fuller sense of women’s contributions to the island’s history in both the recent and distant past, while highlighting the work of innovative female entrepreneurs impacting Sicilian arts and artisanal culture today.

The inner courtyard of the Palazzo Reale. (Photo by Frank Bienewald/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Sicilian matriarchs and influencers, old and new

The Matriarchy itinerary includes town and country destinations. In Palermo there will be visits to the Palazzo Reale , the seat of many rulers of Sicily and various queens, the first Sicilian “matriarchs”( several of whom bore the name Constance). The palace is also the location for the Palatina Chapel and the current exhibit, Thesaurus (through 30 September 2024), with Constance of Aragon’s jewels among other items on display.

To further get a sense of Palermo’s past, the itinerary will include a tour of the Duke of Serradifalco Garden , known for its centuries-old plants, with Princess Amalia Licata di Baucina, who worked to revitalize the park. There are visits to unique ateliers, aiming to keep traditional crafts alive, like the one helmed by Carolina Guthman, which is devoted to hand embroidery, sustainable practices and to creating jobs in the area. Another stop is at an art studio, where a resident artist will show her home and work and conduct a tour of favorite shops and Palermo’s famous Ballarò market. A chamber-music concert in a Liberty (Art Nouveau)-style palazzo rounds out the itinerary.

The Verdura Resort in Sciacca.

From the Verdura Resort , Rocco Forte Hotel’s 250-acre property in Sciacca, the itinerary showcases women entrepreneurs in rural Sicily. For example in the town of Aragona, there’s a traditional Sicilian cooking class to learn the secrets of wood-fired oven cooking; and a visit to a studio devoted to coral craftsmanship, headed by a fourth-generation artist.

In the footsteps of the Florios

The ceiling of the Teatro Massimo.

For those wanting to know the Florio family history in more detail, Villa Igiea has the program, “ In the Footsteps of the Florios .” It includes stops at the Villino Florio all’ Olivuzza, a former family home and another prime example of Art Nouveau architecture; the Teatro Massimo, among Europe’s grandest opera houses, and a favored cultural institution for Ignazio Florio; and the Palazzina dei Quattro Pizzi, a neo-Gothic structure with four turrets where Vincenzo Florio once lived.

The entrance to Palazzo Mirto in Parlermo.

To further understand the Palermo of the Florio era, Stefania Auci recommends the Villa Malfitano Whitaker “a magnificently preserved time capsule where you can breathe the life and climate of the Belle Epoque near the Villino Florio; Palazzo Mirto, which allows you to savor the life of a rich Sicilian family from 1700s onwards; and Palazzo Mazzarino [with the] portrait of Franca, painted by Boldini.” She also suggests the cultural institutions Villa Zito, “with paintings [depicting] the life of the people in the 19th century; and the GAM [Gallery of Modern Art], which is very close to the marvelous Palazzo Gangi, where Luchino Visconti filmed [scenes from] The Leopard.” Outside Palermo, there are Florio destinations like Favignana and Cantine Florio in Marsala, she says.

The old port in Favignana, one of the Aegadian Islands.

The Cantine Florio was founded in 1833 by Vincenzo Florio.

Favignana , one of the Aegadian Islands where the Florios had their tuna fisheries and a large palazzo, is known for beautiful seascapes and bright aqua seas.

If you head to the Cantine Florio in Marsala (a little more than an hour by car from Sciacca), you can visit the Florios’ last surviving business. Founded in 1833 by Vincenzo Florio, the winery produces four types of Marsala—virgin, dry, semi-dry and sweet, and recently introduced the first Vino Florio, made entirely from Sicily’s Grillo grape. Various tours can be arranged by reservation.

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