5 places we love in Sicily
Swimming in the sea off Cefalu between Palermo and Messina, the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily.
We travel all over southern Italy, but over the years we've come to love exploring Sicily, a large island off the southern coast and easily reached with a short flight or ferry ride.
With rich history and culture stretching back millennia, plus natural beauty, you'll find no shortage of great places to visit and things to do when visiting Sicily. Here are just five, all typically included in our small group trips.
Palermo: The capital city of Sicily is home to a plethora of historical sites. And it's great for both casual street food and fine dining. Enjoy delicious dishes such as arancini, pasta alla norma, and rich cannoli. Seafood is superior, even better than mainland Italy's coastal restaurants. We started our current trip here.
Cefalù: Somewhat lesser-known, this fishing village situated on the north coast of Sicily attracts visitors with a beautiful beach, historic cathedral, and like so many Sicilian towns, charming and easily wandered cobblestone streets.
Agrigento: The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento ranks as one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world and represent Sicily's diverse architectural history.
Mount Etna: This active volcano dominates the landscape of eastern Sicily. It's possible to hike, but start by taking the tram from the southern craters. You can walk about the lava-strewn landscape on your own, but if you have a full day, organized tours will safely escort you closer to the continuous volcanic activity.
Taormina: Taormina is a picturesque seaside city with a charming and walkable old town. true, it's also a major tourist attraction of beachfront hotels and seemingly endless boutique shops along Corso Umberto. But you'll also find great places to eat, drink and relax, and the city's unique rocky beaches offer both sun and relaxation.
Of course, there’s more to discover beyond these five places:
Visit great beaches: Sicily is home to some beautiful beaches, including San Vito lo Capo, Mondello, and the Scala dei Turchi. But we equally enjoyed more obscure (to tourists but not local residents) beaches on the southern coast, such as in Marina di Ragusa and even tiny Punta Secca, where we walked the long sandy beach following the footsteps of the famous fictional Inspector Montalbano, title character of an iconic Italian television series based on the novels of Andrea Camilleri.
Try local cuisine, especially seafood: Do we even need to tell you? Sicily is famous for delicious dishes such as arancini, pasta alla norma, and rich cannoli. Seafood is superior, even better than mainland Italy’s coastal restaurants. Our favorite restaurant sits atop rocks and stilts overlooking a harbor-front in a tiny southern town. We ate there twice in one day, lunch and dinner, and yes, my husband ordered that uniquely Sicilian pasta with deep black squid-ink sauce. And he loved it. Indulge your adventurous palate!
Don’t forget a wine tour: Sicily is home to some of Italy's finest wines, including varieties of Nero d'Avola, Etna Rosso, and Marsala. The volcanic soil richly feeds grapes used to make many other varieties as well. We can arrange vineyard visits and tastings where you’ll sample some of the finest wines in the world.
Take a boat tour of the Aeolian Islands: This archipelago of seven islands off the northern coast of Sicily features signature turquoise Mediterranean waters, beautiful beaches, and active volcanoes. It’s on our own must-do list for Sicily to visit Lipari, Vulcano, and Stromboli.
Whether you're a history buff, beach lover, or foodie (or maybe all of these), we've got options for you when you decide to visit Sicily. For more detailed recommendations, check out our website guide, “Sicily: What are the best places to visit and things to do when visiting?”