visit sicily 2022

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Arte e Cultura

Famiglie e bambini, mare in sicilia, sapori da non perdere, spiritualità, terme e benessere, turismo impegno, viaggiando si impara.

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SICILIA emozione autentica

• Dove vuoi andare? Ovunque 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 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
• Che interessi hai? Tutti gli interessi All’aperto    In bicicletta    In moto    Sport e Avventura    Trekking e Outdoor Arte e Cultura    Artigianato    L’arte in Sicilia    Luoghi della cultura    Sicilia archeologica    Sicilia da Cinema    Tradizioni vive    UNESCO Borghi Entroterra Evento    Altri eventi    Cinema e spettacoli    Convegni e congressi    Festival    Folklore e feste tradizionali    Grandi Eventi    Mostre    Musica    Natale    Sagre, fiere e mercati    Sport e avventura    Teatro Famiglie e bambini Mare in Sicilia Natale in Sicilia Sapori da non perdere Spiritualità    Cammini sacri    Turismo religioso Terme e Benessere Territorio Turismo impegno Viaggiando si impara

IN EVIDENZA

Scopri proposte uniche da consultare al volo

STATI GENERALI DEL CINEMA IN SICILIA

Si svolgeranno dal 12 al 14 aprile 2024 al Castello Maniace di Siracusa, sull’isola di Ortigia, gli “Stati Generali del Cinema”.

All'aperto Evento Trekking e Outdoor

Cammini Aperti - Cammino di San Giacomo

L’entroterra siciliano, quello meno battuto dai turisti, è uno scrigno di storie che possono essere scoperte con un po’ di [...]

Cammini Aperti - Magna Via Francigena

Una Sicilia inaspettata e probabilmente sconosciuta è quella che si scoprirà il 13 aprile, percorrendo un tratto della Magna Via [...]

Evento Sport e avventura

Water Festival

Tre giorni all’insegna di sole, mare, sport, divertimento, musica e relax. A Mondello, all’Ombelico del Mondo, dal 3 al 5 [...]

LASCIATI ISPIRARE

ESPERIENZE TUTTE DA VIVERE

Il maestoso vulcano Etna , La Valle dei Templi , il Teatro greco di Taormina e quello di Siracusa , Quasimodo , Verga , Il Gattopardo e il ratto di Persefone . Chiudi il libro di geografia, di scienze e di storia dell’arte. Dimentica tutto quello che hai imparato sui banchi di scuola ma che non hai mai vissuto davvero. 

Emozionati con i versi e i passi dei più grandi scrittori della letteratura mondiale, da Sciascia a Camilleri , da Tomasi di Lampedusa a Pirandello . Viaggia lungo gli itinerari letterari che ti accompagneranno alla scoperta di una Sicilia inedita.

Scopri l’origine dei miti e delle leggende più affascinanti, ispirate da una natura straordinaria che con le sue forme e colori ha plasmato il corso della stessa storia. Tutti rivelano un’unica e sola verità: da sempre la Sicilia è cara agli dei . 

Impara quali rare meraviglie botaniche si nascondono in giro per l’Isola, visita angoli di paradiso come il Bioparco di Sicilia , segui le orme di Carlo V in giro per le più belle città siciliane , osserva centinaia di aquiloni colorati volteggiare su in cielo, gusta e scopri la storia della vera cioccolata azteca . 

È viaggiando che la Sicilia si impara davvero! 

Storie di uomini , nuove prospettive, voci e mani che si intrecciano e che con impegno danno vita a luoghi simbolo di una Sicilia che risorge dalle sue ceneri. 

Scopri la Sicilia che non si arrende.

Che non si arrende all’oblio ed edifica i luoghi della memoria. Come l’ Ecomuseo di Palermo , in cui viene alimentata la responsabilità sociale condivisa, la cura partecipata del territorio e il turismo di comunità insieme per iniziative culturali, turistiche e didattiche.

Che non si arrende all’emarginazione e allo spopolamento. Come Florinda e Antonio, che a Favara fanno sbocciare nel grigiore di un quartiere destinato alla decadenza, il Farm Cultural Park , uno dei centri culturali più ferventi al mondo. O come gli abitanti del piccolo e incantevole Borgo Parrini , trasformato in una delle attrazioni tra le più suggestive di tutta l’Isola, esempio virtuoso di riqualificazione urbana.

Che non si arrende al destino e insegue i suoi sogni fino a raggiungere le stelle, come il poeta pastore Lorenzo Reina, che plasma con le mani nude il Teatro Andromeda a Santo Stefano Quisquina .

Che non si arrende alla mafia , e con infinita gratitudine per gli uomini che hanno dato la loro vita per proteggerla, ne tiene vivo il ricordo e allena le nuove generazioni a lottare al loro fianco con messaggi di pace.

Scopri le bellissime storie che la Sicilia ha da raccontare. Preparati ad un viaggio emozionante che arricchirà la tua anima: questo significa turismo impegno!

La Sicilia è la destinazione ideale ed unica al mondo per te che vuoi trascorrere una vacanza all’insegna dell’arte, della storia e della cultura.

Andiamo alla scoperta delle città e dei piccoli centri della Sicilia. Da Noto , capitale del Barocco siciliano, a Caltagirone , dove il tripudio di colori delle sue ceramiche ti sorprenderà. Da Siracusa , patrimonio UNESCO, una vera macchina del tempo, a Modica , dove la sontuosa bellezza del Duomo di San Giorgio (simbolo del Barocco in Sicilia) ti lascerà senza parole. Da Marsala , con Mozia e il tramonto più bello del mondo che rende surreale l’atmosfera dello Stagnone, a Piana degli Albanesi , una piccola Albania nel cuore della Sicilia, pronta ad accoglierti col suo Lago brulicante di vita!

Conoscerai un territorio così vasto e variegato che ti ritroverai spesso a chiederti se ti trovi ancora su quest’Isola, porta d’accesso per una dimensione parallela. Paradiso e inferno fanno la pace nel paesaggio etneo, gli dei e le ninfe tessono storie d’amore, passioni sfrenate e gelosie tra boschi, fiumi e fonti. Ma non tralasciamo le isole minori! 

Lipari ci invita a gustare la sua malvasia, Panarea è la meta più esclusiva e gettonata; esploriamo l’isola di Alicudi in dorso a un asinello, la caratteristica isola di Vulcano rinomata per i suoi fanghi; Stromboli , semplicemente pirotecnica, e Salina , dove troveremo la casa del poeta Neruda set dell’indimenticabile film di Massimo Troisi Il postino. 

E ancora le Egadi , Pantelleria , Ustica , Linosa e Lampedusa . Tutte circondate da un mare meraviglioso, ognuna con la sua tavolozza di riflessi, dal blu intenso al turchese cielo. Ne resteremo completamente affascinati!

Troppo da vedere e così terribilmente difficile scegliere da dove iniziare. Non perdiamo tempo allora, andiamo! La Sicilia ti aspetta!

Se c’è una cosa che Madre Natura ha donato a quest’isola, è un’ampia scelta di trattamenti naturali che rigenerano il corpo e la mente. 

Relax, benessere sensoriale, piacere avvolgente , sono le tue irrinunciabili priorità di viaggio? Hai scelto il posto giusto: la Sicilia è davvero un’immensa SPA a cielo aperto !

Qualunque sia la tua destinazione e la durata della tua vacanza, scoprirai che proprio le cose più semplici e naturali hanno un potere straordinario sulla tua salute. 

Respira a pieni polmoni e ritrova il tuo equilibrio sfruttando la saggezza dei boschi secolari e l’energia delle cascate d’acqua ghiacciata . Circondati di sole e bellezza, indugia sulla crosta di sale nello scenario surreale dello Stagnone , o esplora e trova ristoro nelle grotte naturali care agli dei delle isole minori .

Concediti delle coccole: i fanghi di Vulcano sono un vero elisir di lunga vita, mentre le acque termali sparse in Sicilia alimentano strutture fra le migliori in Italia !

Che il tuo viaggio all’insegna del benessere abbia inizio. Meriti il meglio, meriti la Sicilia.

Sono sempre più ricercate le vacanze che ci portano lontano dai posti affollati e dallo stress quotidiano, dove il corpo e la mente trovano ristoro e meditazione.

Escursioni in luoghi dove la natura e il silenzio sono protagonisti insieme a monasteri, eremi e santuari, dove è possibile trovare il raccoglimento religioso ripercorrendo i cammini di Santi e Beati, oltre che un laico momento di serenità. 

I Cammini sacri sono le vie percorse sin dall’antichità dai pellegrini, che oggi diventano itinerari di grande richiamo turistico. Alcuni sono lunghi qualche decina di chilometri, altri  centinaia. Scopri gli itinerari lungo le antiche vie francigene o lungo i cammini religiosi più battuti, e preparati ad attraversare a piedi i luoghi più incantevoli della Sicilia.

La Sicilia è pronta a offrire un’interessante rete di percorsi religiosi che consentono di scoprire, da soli o con l’aiuto di associazioni naturalistiche locali, lucenti perle ancora poco conosciute.

Sapori, forme, profumi e colori del cibo siciliano sono simboli di un piacere travolgente in tutto il mondo.

Tra i dolci spiccano il cannolo e la cassata , che esaltano la freschezza e la genuinità delle ricotte locali. La granita , che qui rifiuta il ghiaccio, si rivela in tutta la sua cremosità. Diventa difficile scegliere tra i suoi mille gusti ed è prelibata al punto da sfidare il miglior gelato artigianale. Non cammina mai da sola: ad accompagnarla una fragrante brioche calda, rigorosamente con il “tuppo”.

Dalla mandorla , altro vanto isolano, si ricavano paste spesso scelte come dolci souvenir da chi parte per andare a trovare un amico lontano; un latte dissetante ed estasiante; le coreografiche creazioni di frutta martorana , che ravvivano le vetrine delle pasticcerie e rallegrano turisti e passanti.

In Sicilia sono tante le prelibatezze che affondano le radici nella tradizione e nella fede , diventando simboli amati prima che consumati.

A far da ponte tra il dolce e il salato, le arance rosse più succose, provenienti dalle campagne più care al sole, ed il pistacchio più famoso, ormai padrone della scena culinaria grazie alla sua duttilità gastronomica, che spazia dall’impiego della crema dolce nei dessert ai vivaci pesti che sposano i grani antichi, sotto forma di primi piatti inimitabili.

Scrigno di sapori: dall’ oro verde di Bronte all’ oro rosso più pregiato, lo Zafferano che seduce il palato e fa sognare. E scavando nel sottobosco saltano fuori gioielli e pepite preziose: funghi e tartufi .

Icona di sicilianità, l ’ arancin* , il cui nome divide ma il gusto mette tutti d’accordo: è una meraviglia di riso, una frittura di vita, l’espressione massima dello street food siciliano .

La Sicilia è culla della dieta mediterranea , da sempre lo stile alimentare più sano e vario, ed esalta anche pesce ed ortaggi attraverso caponata e parmigiana , ma anche sottoli ed infinite tipicità in cui trionfa il pomodoro di Pachino .

In Sicilia la tavola diventa il teatro di sapori esaltanti: è il caso della “ pasta alla Norma ”, con salsa di pomodoro e melanzane fritte, così ribattezzata perché ritenuta sublime come l’opera omonima del “Cigno”, il compositore Vincenzo Bellini.

Le carni provenienti da allevamenti storici, come il suino nero dei Nebrodi, completano menù ricchi e sorprendentemente impeccabili. 

In rapida ascesa, le quotazioni dei vini siciliani , sinceri, inebrianti e versatili. Un invito ad assaporare quest’Isola a piccoli sorsi, con un calice in mano e il cuore leggero.

Percorrendo i sentieri nostalgici del gusto scoprirai che anche solo intingere del pane nell’ olio , è il motivo per cui della Sicilia non ne avrai mai abbastanza.

Una rapida occhiata alle spiagge, lidi e calette, nel mare meraviglioso in Sicilia, sorprendente per la trasparenza e la ricchezza dei colori.

Partiamo dalla costa a sud di questa incredibile isola, che da Capo Passero di Siracusa fino a Capo Granitola di Trapani , ci mostra orgogliosa la sua sabbia dorata che guarda l’esotico.

Marina di Ragusa, Pozzallo, Punta Secca nel territorio di Ragusa , la Riserva di Torre Salsa nei dintorni di Sciacca, l’isola di Lampedusa e la Scala dei Turchi ad Agrigento , hanno lunghissime spiagge, spesso poco frequentate, che infondono l’armonia e il relax “fuori dal mondo” che tutti cerchiamo.

Questa costa sabbiosa si estende fino a Mazara del Vallo e Marsala e continua con la Via del Sale, la Riserva dello Stagnone e Mozia a Trapani . Qui scopriamo come viene prodotto il sale e i suoi musei dedicati. La Riserva dello Zingaro e la spiaggia bianca e fina di San Vito lo Capo non hanno bisogno di presentazioni e ci aprono alla costa tirrenica, caratterizzata dal susseguirsi di spiagge e rocce.

L’isola di Ustica, Cefalù e Mondello nel territorio di Palermo , le Isole Eolie , Capo d’Orlando e Tindari nella provincia di Messina e le Isole Egadi nel trapanese, affacciano tutte nel mar Tirreno, dove l’azzurro del mare è intenso e  piacevolissimo è lo snorkeling.

Da Messina comincia la costa orientale con le rocce laviche e le spiagge di ciottoli di Taormina e Giardini Naxos; la Riserva Naturale della Timpa di Acireale e gli scogli di Aci Trezza. Poi riprende la sabbia nel golfo di Catania , Siracusa , la Riserva di Vendicari , fino a Marzamemi e l’Isola delle Correnti, il punto preciso dove si uniscono il Mar Ionio e il Mare Mediterraneo.

Scopri anche le spiagge a misura di bambino e quelle che hanno ottenuto nel 2023 la bandiera blu !

Sei alla ricerca di esperienze che ti permettano di trascorrere una vacanza all’insegna della spensieratezza e del divertimento con la tua famiglia ? Allora la Sicilia è il posto giusto per te.

Qui potrai viaggiare e fare passeggiate con bambini in totale sicurezza e serenità, alla scoperta di bellissime e inaspettate realtà naturalistiche. A piedi, in bicicletta o in dorso a simpatici asinelli , andrai alla scoperta di una terra ricca di tesori inaspettati.

I più piccini potranno improvvisarsi archeologi, dotati dell’equipaggiamento adatto e sotto la guida di esperti, o scienziati pronti a imparare quali leggi regolano l’Universo!

Insieme potrete scoprire quali rare meraviglie botaniche si nascondono in giro per l’Isola, visitare angoli di paradiso come il Bioparco di Sicilia , o mettere alla prova il vostro coraggio nei Parchi avventura , sospesi a mezz’aria immersi nel verde.

Guidare lungo la strada degli scrittori , ripercorrere le orme di Carlo V , far volteggiare in aria aquiloni colorati, gustare la cioccolata azteca . Lasciati ispirare e scegli l’esperienza più adatta a te e alla tua famiglia.

L’entroterra della Sicilia, cuore dell’isola, è poco conosciuto. Qui la percezione del tempo, il contatto con la gente del luogo avviene in modo naturale e meraviglioso. Tante espressioni culturali e tradizioni millenarie, tanti tesori archeologici, architettonici e naturalistici ci aspettano.

Dalle pendici dell’ Etna alla Riserva Naturale del Simeto , ricca di grotte laviche, cascate, rapide e laghetti. Dal Lago di Piana degli Albanesi , brulicante di vita, al Bosco della Ficuzza , per ritrovarci nel cuore del Parco delle Madonie , costellato da piccoli comuni che con la loro lentezza ti faranno venir voglia di non andare più via.

Enna , il capoluogo più alto d’Italia, da dove si può godere di una vista panoramica su tutta la Sicilia. Caltanissetta con il suo centro storico ricco di monumenti rinascimentali e barocchi.

Sutera , uno dei borghi più belli d’Italia. Il Teatro di Andromeda a Santo Stefano Quisquina è un luogo magico circondato dal paesaggio bucolico dei Monti Sicani .

Pur trovandoti nel centro della Sicilia, lontano dalla costa, ti capiterà di godere dell’incredibile e privilegiato panorama sulle Isole Eolie , e solo allora si alimenterà in te la consapevolezza di avere appena concluso un viaggio alla scoperta della Sicilia più insolita e, probabilmente, di quella più autentica.

Quante volte hai desiderato di concederti una vacanza in assoluto relax, di contemplare uno splendido paesaggio respirando aria pulita e sorseggiando un buon bicchiere di Etna DOC?

Di passeggiare in una piazza con i bar all’aperto e perderti in un dedalo di stradine, con il naso all’insù, tra davanzali fioriti e campanili, palazzi nobiliari e balconi panciuti, sbirciando nei cortili.

Sogni e desideri possono diventare realtà: è il momento di visitare gli splendidi   borghi siciliani .

Piccoli centri in riva al mare, immersi nel verde, incastonati nell’entroterra o arroccati sulle montagne, ti offriranno quello che stai cercando, tra piccole curiosità e nuove scoperte, come le case scavate nella roccia e abitate fino al secolo scorso o il set cinematografico più famoso di tutti i tempi.

In ognuna delle nove province siciliane, troverai il borgo che fa per te e, nelle vicinanze, tante altre località, forse meno rinomate ma che resteranno per sempre nel tuo cuore.

Posti e vacanze a misura d’uomo, da vivere in compagnia e in sicurezza, dove la parola d’ordine è “incontaminato”, proprio come il borgo che hai scelto.

Ci sono tesori che non hai bisogno di toccare per percepirne la rarità. Tuttavia, su questa terra triangolare ed evocativa, ti imbatterai costantemente nei segni lasciati dalla storia, dal passaggio dell’uomo e dal suo ingegno.  

Preparati a scoprire in quanti modi la Sicilia è in grado di stupirti. Lo farà quando meno te l’aspetti, mentre passeggiando per la strada ti imbatterai in antiche botteghe di artigiani , custodi di tradizioni tramandate da padre in figlio. Attività artigianali antichissime, come la lavorazione dell’ ossidiana o il corallo del Mediterraneo, unico e pregiato.

Alcune tengono vive arti e tradizioni che sono ormai considerate patrimonio dell’Umanità, come quella dei Pupi Siciliani protagonisti dell’ Opera dei Pupi , o l’ arte dei muretti a secco che impreziosiscono i paesaggi con la loro bellezza arcaica, entrambi iscritti nel Patrimonio orale e immateriale dell’umanità UNESCO .

E che dire dei siti archeologici ? Dei 7 siti UNESCO siciliani , ritroviamo alcuni che vengono riconosciuti tra i più bei siti archeologici di tutti i tempi! Pantalica , la Valle dei Templi , il magnifico Teatro di Taormina ! Tutti indizi di un glorioso passato a tinte vivide che aspetta solo di schiudersi sotto i tuoi occhi.

Clima e paesaggi consentono di praticare in Sicilia moltissime attività sportive all’aperto, abbinando benessere e divertimento: hai solo l’imbarazzo della scelta.

Se ami il mare puoi dedicarti all’immersione e allo snorkeling, vivendo l’emozione del contatto con la fauna e la flora più suggestive e scoprendo il “Paradiso dei sub” sui fondali di Ustica, nel cuore della prima riserva marina italiana. Catturerai con i tuoi occhi immagini e combinazioni cromatiche che pensavi fossero di pura fantascienza.

In superficie, invece, il mare alleandosi al vento ti proietta nella dimensione leggera del kitesurf: praticalo nella splendida cornice dello Stagnone di Marsala!

Per qualsiasi livello di fatica, per tutte le età e per ogni presupposto di attività fisica, dal fitness alla ricerca del limite, lo scenario naturale siciliano offre una soluzione originale e pienamente esaustiva: tra la passeggiata con bambini lungo i sentieri familiari e gli estremi del climbing e dello scialpinismo, si possono scegliere impegni dai coefficienti di difficoltà ben diversi, dal golf praticabile sia nella parte occidentale sia in quella orientale della Sicilia all’itinerario più suggestivo in bicicletta, dall’appuntamento con la libertà in barca a vela all’escursione a cavallo, magari sull’Etna o attraversando l’Argimusco.

SCOPRI IL TERRITORIO

Cose da non perdere

Tusa e Castel di Tusa

La sicilia per tutti: turismo accessibile, le saline di trapani e paceco.

SICILIA, UNICA AL MONDO

alla scoperta di un patrimonio immenso e sempre sorprendente

ESPERIENZE E ITINERARI

Suggerimenti e consigli di viaggio

Parchi archeologici di Gela, Morgantina e Villa del Casale

Sicilia orientale e luoghi da non perdere, itinerari tra madonie e nebrodi, tra mari e monti: sant’angelo di brolo, piraino, gioiosa marea e gioiosa guardia, sicilia a vela: da milazzo a vulcano, parchi archeologici tra catania e taormina, street art tra catania, siracusa e ragusa, cercando antonioni.

PATRIMONIO UNESCO IN SICILIA

Dalle sette meraviglie del mondo antico ai sette diamanti

ASSESSORATO DEL TURISMO, DELLO SPORT E DELLO SPETTACOLO – REGIONE SICILIANA

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Sicily   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Federico Scotto | Getty Images

15 Best Things To Do in Sicily

Updated April 27, 2022

Sicily is big, with a nearly endless list of things to do. Some of the island's top amusements are its beaches, of course. Then there are the curious ruins – the Valley of the Temples and the Greek Theatre of Taormina , among others. Experiencing

• All Things To Do

Aeolian Islands Aeolian Islands

There are many lovely islands off the coast of Sicily, and the hardest part may be choosing which ones to see. A popular choice is the Aeolian Islands, located near Messina and composed of seven main islands, which were created by active volcanoes. There you will find incredible sites like a Greek acropolis, a Norman cathedral, beautiful beaches, volcanic vents and even lava running into the sea.

Past visitors recommended visiting Stromboli volcano (seeing it at night when erupting is extra spectacular), the Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano on Lipari, the Scalata al Cratere on Isola Vulcano and Chiesa Vecchia di Quattropani on Lipari, as well.

Mount Etna Mount Etna

Located on the island's east coast, Mount Etna is perhaps Sicily's best-known geological feature encompassing nearly 48,000 acres within Etna National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highest volcano in Europe known for its frequent activity (it's erupted as recently as spring 2019), Mount Etna hosts hikers in the summer months and skiers during the winter. It is a great stop for nature lovers. In addition to the volcano itself, there are several interesting geological features like caves, grottos and even a glacier. The Etna Park Visitor Center offers naturalist-guided tours that depart from the center.

Visitors recommend taking the Circumetnea Railway nearly 130-mile ride around the volcano, but advise you may have to pay to park and suggest bringing layers of clothes for changing temperatures. You can also opt for a cable car operated by Funivia Dell'Etna followed by a bus ride to reach the upper crater area of the volcano. The south area with cable car access, Rifugio Sapienza, offers free parking. You can also hike at any point, but certain elevations require you to have a guide.

Greek Theatre of Taormina Greek Theatre of Taormina

History buffs will want to visit this ancient Greek theater, overlooking the Ionian Sea. Built in the third century B.C., the theater could hold thousands of people attending ancient Greek performances and later gladiatorial games. The structure is built out of rock and is designed so attendees could hear well from any part of the theater. Today, it hosts modern concerts and events.

Past visitors said this is a must-see attraction and that the views of the coast and Mount Etna are incredible. They recommended visiting in the morning to avoid crowds.

Popular Tours

Boat Trip on the Coast of Taormina

(4 reviews)

from $ 32.85

Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina

(241 reviews)

from $ 98.55

Cooking Class with Seaview & Taormina's Market with Chef Mimmo

(307 reviews)

from $ 104.03

Selinunte Archaeological Park Selinunte Archaeological Park

The largest archeological area in Europe at about 670 acres, this site was once home to one of the largest Greek colonies on the island, dating to 600 B.C. Today, visitors can tour the ruins of seven Doric temples, as well as the necropolis and caves. There are different hiking routes to see the various structures that range from about a quarter-mile to about 3 ½ miles.

Recent visitors said the site does require a lot of walking on uneven ground, and they recommended hiring a guide to fully explain the history of the area.

Monreale Cathedral Monreale Cathedral free

Monreale's cathedral, built by William II, dates to 1172 and is now part of a larger UNESCO World Heritage Site that also encompasses the Royal Palace and the Palermo Cathedral, among other sites. Designed by Islamic architects, the cathedral's walls are filled with gilded mosaics depicting Old Testament events, the life of Jesus Christ and the life of the apostles. There's also a Benedictine cloister on site with a courtyard and garden built during the same time period.

Visitors say the duomo is stunning and recommend visiting the cloister. They also suggest allowing a day to see both.

Villa Romana del Casale Villa Romana del Casale

Stroll through the villa of a wealthy Roman family filled with well-preserved mosaics on both the floor and walls. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, which dates back to the fourth century, also contains columns, capitals, statues, coins and the remains of thermal baths.

Recent visitors said the mosaics are stunning and some even described it as the highlight of their trip to Sicily.

Valley of the Temples Valley of the Temples

Located in Agrigento in southwest Sicily, this more than 2,000-acre archeological site dates back to the sixth century B.C. and includes the remains of numerous Greek temples. A highlight is the Temple of Concordia, which is known as one of the greatest remaining Doric temples (along with the Parthenon in Athens) and which was later converted to a Christian church. Other highlights include the remains of aqueducts, mosaic floors and a tomb.

Past visitors said it's worth visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site and recommended allowing at least half a day, if not a full day to explore the area. Others suggested timing your visit for the cooler months, as the ruins are actually situated on a ridge (not in a valley, as its name suggests) and the temperatures in the summer can get quite hot.

Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel

Completed in 1143, this chapel is part of the Royal Palace complex in Palermo and was once described by the French author Guy de Maupassant as "the finest religious jewel ever dreamed up by the human mind." It is a mix of various styles, including European, Sicilian, Byzantine and Arabic, and features Byzantine mosaics and an Islamic-style wooden stalactite ceiling. You can also tour the Royal Apartments area, though they are closed Tuesday through Thursday, as well as the Royal Gardens. The palace also features rotating exhibits.

Recent travelers said the chapel is a must-visit and describe the mosaics as breathtaking.

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Teatro Massimo Teatro Massimo

The largest theater in Italy, Teatro Massimo is located in Palermo and opened in 1897. The theater, which is known for its exceptional acoustics (and its appearance in "The Godfather: Part III"), hosts opera, ballet and music performances throughout the year.

According to recent visitors, the building is impressive and the neoclassical architecture magnificent. Reviewers suggested looking at the performance calendar ahead of your visit to see if any shows pique your interest. If not, consider tagging along on a guided tour of the theater.

Mondello Beach Mondello Beach

When in Sicily, you must visit some of its beautiful beaches, including Mondello, a popular beach in Palermo. Palm trees line this beach with pale sand and emerald waters. Dotting the beach are art nouveau villas and colorful cabins with an old fishing village filled with brightly-colored boats just around the corner.

Past travelers highly recommended a visit to this beach thanks to its clear waters and advise that you can rent chairs and an umbrella for a day in the sun. They also say it's easy to reach from Palermo via bus, although several reviewers warn of inconsistent bus frequency and a crowded ride in the summer. If you're willing to pay for the convenience, travelers suggest you take a taxi from Palermo to the beach. Part of the beach is free to visit (though according to reviewers, it's a very small section). For more space and access to amenities, you'll have to fork over some euros.

Zingaro Reserve Zingaro Reserve

Outdoor enthusiasts won't want to miss the Zingaro Reserve. Stretching for more than 4 miles along the Gulf of Castellammare on Sicily's northwestern tip, the reserve has been left largely untouched by human hands since it was established in 1981. The reserve offers spectacular ocean views, many lovely bays, small beaches and plentiful hiking among abundant flora and fauna.

Past visitors said the area is great for snorkeling and intermediate hikes, and highly recommend its beautiful beaches. Others suggested wearing comfortable shoes and bringing plenty of water and snacks.

Palermo Cathedral Palermo Cathedral

Built by the Normans beginning 1184, the Palermo Cathedral is a must-see for the many architectural styles incorporated into its façade. Altered throughout the centuries since its inception, the cathedral demonstrates Catalan Gothic architecture and features hints at its past life. The site the cathedral now occupies once housed a mosque (among other religious edifices), and you'll see an inscription from the Quran on one of the cathedral's columns. Inside, you will find a crypt, the crown of Constance of Aragon and the tombs of several royal figures.

Recent visitors described the cathedral as an architectural and cultural masterpiece and recommended going up to the roof for fantastic views of Palermo. If you're visiting in the summer, reviewers suggest you stop by early in the day to avoid the queue. Others advised wearing sensible shoes to easily traverse the narrow steps up to the roof.

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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.

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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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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!

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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 #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], visiting italy in may – reasons to go and what to expect, planning a trip to italy.

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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.

Laura Kiniry

Stacey Lastoe

Jemima Sissons

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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Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare

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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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Experience Sicily

Small Group Tours of Sicily and Customized Sicily Travel

2022 Tours of Sicily

Immerse Yourself in Sicily in 2022  with Experience Sicily

We know that during these unprecedented times you may be hesitant to plan your future trips. As a result, we are offering you peace of mind. You may cancel your 2022 tour itineraries for a full refund up to 45 days before the start date of your tour (minus a $250 administrative fee). In lieu of cancelling your 2022 tour with us, you may postpone to a 2023 tour with no change-fee. 

Full reservation terms and conditions are outlined in our Welcome Letter. 

Ensuring Your Safety

We are in constant contact with our colleagues in Sicily regarding hygiene practices and expectations in order to ensure your safety and security during these unprecedented times. When it is time to travel, we will follow the CDC and World Health Organization’s guidelines on best health and hygiene practices for travelers. 

About Our Small Group Sicily Tours

Special early registration incentives.

See below for early registration incentives. 

Experience Sicily tours are fully escorted and supported by professional, licensed drivers. Owner/Curator Allison Scola is your tour leader. Each journey is limited to 12 or fewer guests. See the day by day descriptions to see all of the benefits of traveling with us!

Easter in Sicily is now: Spring in Sicily

Saturday, april 9 to monday, april 18, 2022.

We’ve updated Easter in Sicily . It is now Spring In Sicily , a new itinerary.

Because of the restrictions on public gatherings due to the pandemic, we have changed our original itinerary to focus more on spring, with a seasoning of Easter. This is a truly off-the-beaten path course through Palermo, western and central Sicily, and baroque Sicily — areas of the region that are stunning in the spring! See the full itinerary for details. 

$5,500/person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $850 ). Land only. 10 days, 9 nights Includes everything but three meals  (Includes all breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners), all accommodations, transportation, entrance fees, and gratuities. See full itinerary for details.

• Pay in-full by bank transfer to receive $50 off the cost of your tour.

Enchanting Sicily

Sunday, may 22 to saturday, june 4, 2022.

Your intellect and your senses will be stimulated with our signature tour of Sicily! During Enchanting Sicily , you’ll discover off-the-beaten path towns, interact with locals, and immerse yourself in Sicilian culture and ancient history. You’ll tour intriguing UNESCO World Heritage sites, remote mountain towns, and charming seaside villages. You’ll attend a world-class performance of a classic Greek play in Siracusa’s Ancient Greek theater. You’ll amble through Palermo’s open-air markets and interact with Sicilians in a meaningful way.

You’ll stay in 4-star hotels and characteristic inns and relish family-run trattorias as you explore Sicily’s 3,000 years of human history with authentic experiences, vibrant flavors, and sweet melodies that will capture your imagination. Let Experience Sicily’s owner Allison Scola and her knowledgeable team of guides and local insiders take care of all of the details so you can revel in enchanting Sicily!

Ask about our optional pre-tour stay in Taormina! 

$6,325 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $1000). Land only. 14 days, 13 nights Includes everything but eight meals (Includes all breakfasts, ten lunches, and seven dinners, all transportation, all entrance fees and tickets, most tips.) See full itinerary for details. 

• Pay in-full by personal check and receive $250 off the cost of your tour.

Yoga in Sicily with Clio Mallin and Experience Sicily

Wednesday, june 8 to saturday, june 18, 2022.

Practice yoga in Sicily and awaken your senses through the island’s vibrant villages, profound UNESCO sites, heartwarming locals, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. You’ll explore your own divine energy through tours of ancient sites in Palermo, Agrigento, Siracusa, and Sicily’s baroque southeast, stimulate your awareness through walks in nature, a Mediterranean boat excursion, a hands-on cooking experience, and a winery tour, and hone your practice surrounded by grape vines and olive trees. Co-hosted by Philadelphia-based yoga instructor Clio Mallin and Experience Sicily owner and curator Allison Scola, this sensational yoga retreat in Sicily will rouse your insight and inspire your spirit. 

$3,650 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $400). Land only. 11 days, 10 nights Includes everything but six meals (Includes all breakfasts, six lunches, and seven dinners.)

• Pay in-full by bank transfer and receive $75/person off the cost of your tour.

Secret Sicily Tour

Friday, july 15 to sunday, july 24, 2022.

Immerse yourself in Secret Sicily ! Secret because you’ll escape the ordinary basing your travels for 10 days in the mountain village of Licodia Eubea. We’ll take care of the details while you create memories. You’ll delight in Eastern Sicily’s treasures—its people, its heritage, its cuisine, and its natural beauty. We’ll visit principal sites while basing ourselves in a town of 3000 locals as they celebrate their patroness Santa Margherita. Your intellect will be stimulated by UNESCO sites while your heart will be warmed by the generosity of our local hosts. 

Ask us about adding our Palermo pre-tour from Tues., July 12 to Fri., July 15!

$3,650 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $400). Land only. 10 days, 9 nights Includes everything but six meals (Includes all breakfasts, four lunches, and seven dinners.)

Photography in Sicily with Don Toothaker and Hunts Photo

Thursday, september 1 to saturday september 10, 2022.

Spend ten days in Sicily learning the art of travel photography from professional photographer and teacher Don Toothaker . Don and Experience Sicily Owner and Curator, Allison Scola, have designed an itinerary that will delight those who love to travel through the lens. This is an opportunity to go off the beaten path and learn travel photography in Sicily from the Director of Photo Adventures for Hunts Photo and Video in Massachusetts. We’ve built in lots of time so you can savor the vivid colors and intriguing life of Sicily through photography. 

$5,995 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $800). Land only. 10 days, 9 nights Includes everything but four meals (Includes all breakfasts, five lunches, and eight dinners.)

Cooking In Sicily: Stirring Sicily Tour

Tour i: september 14 to september 21, 2022 or tour ii: september 28 to october 5, 2022.

$3,650 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $350). Land only. 8 days, 7 nights Includes everything but one dinner (Includes seven breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners.).

• Early Registration Incentive Pricing!  Pay in-full by May 1, 2022 and receive $100 off the cost of your tour per person.
• Pay in-full by personal check and receive $125 off the cost of your tour.

Stunning Sicily Tour

Saturday, october 8, to thursday, october 20, 2022.

Stimulate your intellect and your senses with our October tour of Sicily! Intriguing UNESCO Worlds Heritage sites will take your breath away. Remote mountain towns and charming seaside villages will enchant you. Local harvest festivals will inspire you. Palermo’s open-air markets will mesmerize you. And your interaction with Sicilians will warm your heart. You’ll enjoy 4-star hotels and characteristic, family-run inns and relish typical trattorias as you discover Sicily’s 3,000 years of human history with authentic experiences, vibrant flavors, and sweet melodies that will capture your imagination. 

$5,575 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $950). Land only. 13 days, 12 nights Includes everything but eight meals (Includes all breakfasts, nine lunches, and six dinners)

Fully escorted; Professional drivers and licensed tour guides; Includes all but nine meals, all accommodations, all transportation, and all entrance fees.

To reserve your spot, please use the form below. 

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Sicily’s 7 loveliest beaches: swim surrounded by stunning scenery

Feb 26, 2024 • 5 min read

From isolated coves to the perfect places to swim with kids, here are Sicily's top beaches © Jimena Roquero / Stocksy

When the summer sun shines down on Sicily , the beach is the only place to be.

An island between three seas, home to a wealth of islands for exploring and some of the most crystalline and blue waters you’ll find in all of Europe , Sicily’s beautiful beaches offer something to suit everyone. Here, family-friendly beach towns alternate with secluded swimming holes only accessible by intrepid hikers. 

The water is unbeatably blue, but you can expect a rocky terrain on the majority of, but not all, beaches in Sicily. To really dig your toes in the sand, stick to the western side of the island and the beaches around Palermo and Trapani , but don’t expect these spots to be a secret. 

You’ll have more space to yourself if you venture towards the harder-to-reach strands, on foot or by ferry, but there’s nothing wrong with renting a lounger from the lido and letting the whole day get away from you. After all, that’s how the Italians do it.

1. San Vito Lo Capo, Trapani

A long sandy beach with an expansive and shallow lagoon in the shadow of a picturesque mountain – no, it’s not Waikiki – it’s San Vito Lo Capo. With 3 km (1.8 miles) of white sand located on the tip of the cape, this beach town is a summer hotspot popular with Italian families on vacations and Sicilians looking to get a break from the heat. Although it can get crowded, you’ll find plenty of room to spread out in the calm blue sea, where you can walk a long way with the water at hip or chest level. 

Detour: For a wilder beach experience, the legendarily beautiful trails and swimming coves of the Zingaro Reserve are located on the eastern side of the cape. 

2. Cefalù, Palermo

If you’re in Palermo, it’s just one hour to get to Cefalù , where a charming medieval village is pressed right up to the sea along a sandy beach. Not only are there plenty of opportunities for meals with a view (try Vecchia Marina for sunsets and seafood), but you can explore the historic landmarks in town or take a hike up to the hilltop castle for a vista of the city and the water. You’ll find lidos to rent chairs and every convenience in this buzzy beach town, now basking in its recent fame as a filming location on HBO’s The White Lotus.  

Planning Tip: You can take the train here, but that doesn’t mean the schedule is forgiving for under-planners. Make sure you buy your return ticket in advance if you plan to head back to Palermo.

3. Scala dei Turchi, Agrigento

On the southern coast of Sicily facing the Mediterranean Sea, Scala dei Turchi is a rock formation defined by the articulated layers of a natural rock formation. Although you used to be able to walk on top of the rocks, access was closed off to visitors to prevent further erosion. You can still enjoy the beach, which is a mix of sand and rock, at one of the lidos nearby – just prepare yourself for the stairs before the stairs. It’s a long walk down to the water from the road and a big climb back up to the top.

Detour: From here, you are only a 20-minute drive from the Valley of the Temples , an enormous archaeological complex where you’ll find the massive Greek ruins still standing tall and proud on the horizon.

4. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa

Frequently topping the lists of Europe’s dreamiest beaches, the island of Lampedusa is considered part of Sicily but is technically over 200km (124 mi) away and technically closer to the North African coast than it is to any European landmass. This white sandy beach doesn’t have any rabbits, but it does have fluorescent aquamarine water protected on both sides by the land that forms a natural pool.

Planning Tip: Direct flights from Lampedusa are only available from either the Palermo or Catania airport, so you will have to get to Sicily first.

5. Cala Rossa, Egadi Islands

Although the Aeolian Islands are more popular with the jet-set crowd, the Egadi Islands offer some of Sicily’s most cerulean vistas. The largest of the island trio has a mix of sandy and rocky beaches, but the most stunning view requires a bit of scramble down the trail to the rocky outcrop of Cala Rossa. It’s more like a wide, expansive cove than a beach, so you will have to sit on the rocks (and be prepared to swim in deep water), but the view is well worth the long journey. 

Detour: There are beautiful swimming spots all over Favignana, but you’ll find more accessible and family-friendly facilities and white sand at the beaches of Lido Burrone and Cala Azzurra.

6. Mondello, Palermo

The beloved beach day destination of Palermitans, Mondello is a city beach that delivers beautiful water with a retro twist. In the center of the beach, the main landmark is the yellow art-noveau pavilion that dates back to the early 20th century. Two cliffs shelter the natural bay, and for a small fee, you can access the seafront trail of Capo Gallo right from town. 

Local Tip: In the summer – and especially on the weekends – Mondello can become the most crowded beach in Sicily, so do your best to go on a weekday or come early to claim your spot.

7. Isola Bella, Messina

A beach that played a pivotal role in the second season of The White Lotus , many legends surround the island connected to this rocky beach. Down the hill from the chic clifftop city of Taormina , the centerpiece of this rocky beach is its namesake island. Once privately owned by an eccentric English noblewoman, it is now a nature reserve with a small museum that you can get to by walking along the sometimes exposed, sometimes underwater path that connects the island to the mainland. 

Planning Tip: It seems like a long way to the beach from all the way up in Taormina, but there is a cable car that regularly shuttles visitors up and down the mountain until 1:30am in the summer and 8pm in the winter.

This article was first published July 2019 and updated February 2024

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