Sicily Travel Guide - Everything You Need to Know

Sicily is a picturesque and serene island, that somehow also seems to be full of drama. Choose your own adventure from your luxury villa in Sicily; whether you’re all about exploring history, food and drink or want to spend your time soaking up the sun. Mount Etna dominates the landscape, it’s active presence providing forests, mountainsides and cold lava streams to explore. The cities are bustling with activity in the form of markets, theatres and great shopping – all in the shelter of beautiful ancient streets. Learn more about the type of holiday you’d like to experience with our handy Sicily travel guide – packed with tips, inspiration and things to add to your holiday to-do list.

Why visit

The largest island in the Mediterranean might be part of Italy, but Sicily has carved out its own distinct personality over the centuries. Boasting a smattering of medieval towns and villages, where the heady smells of centuries-old Sicilian dishes waft along cobbled lanes. So whether you’re looking to lounge on perfect beaches, dine on sumptuous Sicilian fare, ski a volcano, take a wine tour or two or explore ancient ruins, Sicily will most happily oblige.

When to visit

Sicily is one of Europe’s most southerly destinations – parts of it are even on the same latitude as North Africa. This means that the island enjoys a long, warm season and can be visited year-round. You could be swimming in the bath-warm waters right into November if you’re lucky. Yet, the gentle coastal breezes mean that even in the height of summer (July and August) when the temperatures do rocket, it isn’t too stifling.

Shoulder seasons make for a perfect time to visit. Spring arrives early and autumn settles in late; so April to June, and September to late October bring with them balmy temperatures, warm seas and fewer tourists. Having said that, if you do choose to visit in the height of summer, Sicily’s long coastline seems to easily absorb the crowds and it never feels too busy. For the best hiking, February is a good choice as the weather is cool yet sunny and the ground carpeted with wildflowers, while the winter months are popular for those looking to ski down the slopes of Mount Etna.

Typical sights

Taormina – Wander the cobbled streets of this charming medieval town.
Mount Etna – Ski down or climb up one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Agrigento – Wander among the UNESCO-listed ancient Greek remains of the Valley of the Temples.
Palermo – Take in the boisterous vibe of one the capital’s street markets.
Syracuse – Explore the history and ancient architecture of this 2,700 year-old city.
Lipari and the Aeolian Islands – Relax in whitewashed villages beneath bubbling volcanoes.
San Vito Lo Capo (Zingaro Nature Reserve) – Laze on the Blue Flag beaches.
Piazza Armerina and Villa Romana del Casale – Gawp at some of the world’s oldest and most beautiful Roman mosaics.
Erice – Ride a cable car to the ancient mountain-top castle.

Sicily Travel Guide: Map of the best sights to visit

Getting Around

Airports: Flights from the UK go directly into Palermo airport on a regular basis. You can also easily get to Catania on a direct flight through major and budget airlines. Other airports on the island include Trapani and Comiso.

Public transport: Trenitalia offers a fairly comprehensive rail service that connects the main cities on the island, and is efficient and cost-effective. To get to more off-the-beaten-path destinations, buses are a better bet as there is a pretty good network connecting smaller towns and villages. Bear in mind that on Sundays, service slows to a trickle.

Hiring a car: Hiring is a car and a monthly parking service is the best way to get better acquainted with Sicily and hunt out those hidden spots. It is also a good option for the time-tight traveller as public transport timetables can be limiting. Car hire tends to be in higher demand come summer, so it’s best to book ahead at this time. The driving conditions on the island are generally very good and there are some excellent motorways connecting the main cities and towns. Parking in the cities during peak months, however, can be a tad tricky to find.

Hidden Gems

Just south of Syracuse in Avola is the Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve, one of Sicily’s best kept secrets. A vast, 10 kilometre-long gorge has been carved by the Cassibile River, through which a series of fresh water pools and waterfalls tumble. Spend a day hiking, clambering and (if you’re brave enough) taking a dip in the ice-cold water. There are beautiful wildflowers, butterflies and several interesting archaeological ruins here too.

The entire town of Caltagirone is ablaze with vivid colour and vibrant patterns crafted onto ceramic tiles. Everywhere you look, the centuries-old traditional ceramics adorn the buildings, houses and shops of the old town. The highlight of a trip is the 142 steps leading to the Santa Maria del Monte church, which are completely decorated in the town’s tell-tale ceramics. If you want to recreate the effect back at home, pick up some tiles of your own at the shops here.

Though perhaps not best described as a ‘gem’, the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo are certainly hidden. You’ll find them in the limestone corridors under the Capuchin Church, where over 8,000 mummies, each dressed in their finest clothes, are either laying down or hung by hooks from their necks. Dating to the 16th century, the catacombs are eerily well-preserved and a macabre but fascinating experience.

Since the days of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, Sicily’s salt flats have been an important resource. Today, mounds of blindingly white salt – some of the oldest salt marshes in Europe – dot the Lo Stagnone lagoon just outside of Trapani. Windmills add a romantic touch to the scene and there are a couple of interesting museums here too. The salt is used liberally in regional cooking, and adds a unique flavour.

Perched on a hilltop 1,000 metres above sea level, the romantic little town of Enna is steeped in history and mythology. At its heart is the imposing medieval castle, from which there are staggering views across the lower valleys. Spend a delightful day wandering around the cobbled streets, visiting the charming Duomo (cathedral) and a spattering of small museums.

While at first glance Sicily might seem to children like a collection of unappealing archaeological ruins and vineyards, upon closer inspection, the island couldn’t have more in store for your little – or indeed your not-so-little – ones. Of course, there are the fantastic beaches and a seriously swanky selection of family-friendly Sicilian villas, but there is so much more too. Castles galore will ignite their sense of adventure, while biking, horse-riding and jeep trips up smouldering volcanoes will provide stories to tell when they get home.

Sicily is a popular destination with holidaying mainland Italians, and with bambinos being at the heart of every Italian family, there is plenty to keep them happy. Raucous theme and aqua parks, traditional puppetry, donkey trekking and dinosaur parks are just a few of the exciting options that have made it onto our list of the best activities for children, whether they’re tiny tots or older teens.

Best Family Holiday Activities in Sicily

The pure sight and might of Mount Etna is sure to awe-inspire everyone in your family.
- If you like your volcanoes with a side of cute, check out Etna Donkey Trekking, who will take everyone on a steady but fun trek in the foothills of the great volcano.

Do as the Sicilian children do and take in a puppet show. Puppetry is an art-form that the kids here have enjoyed for generations.
- Piccolo Teatro dei Pupi is a great family-run theatre to take your kids to marvel at this ancient art form.

Sicily’s parks and forests offer all sorts of outdoor fun and adventures to be had.
- Be Tarzan for the day on the rope swings, nets and treetop obstacles at Monti Rossi Adventure Park.

The hugely varied landscape of Sicily really lends itself to being explored on two wheels. Your kids will love the freedom of freewheeling past orchards and olive groves with the wind in their hair.
- Sicily Bike Routes run tours to suit all levels and also rent bikes if you’d rather pedal at your own pace.

For more brilliant family-friendly ideas to do in Sicily, check out our family activities blog.

Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Sicily

Sicily is blessed with a huge expanse of dramatic coastline, so you will be spoiled for choice with beaches wherever you stay on the island. Sicily’s famously clear waters make for fantastic snorkelling, and the sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming six months a year, so your water babies will love it.

The steep descent to the beach of Mazzaro is best done by cable car from Taormina. Major fun points! This pebble beach also has kayak rentals, perfect for exploring the nature reserve of Isola Bella, in the centre of the bay.

The long sandy sweep of beach at Cefalu is one of the loveliest on the island. It has a great range of facilities too, perfect for whatever your family may need for a beach day.

The Blue Flag beach of Lido Fiori is a relaxed sandy expanse close to the village of Menfi. The shallow water is perfect for splashing about and paddling with little ones.

Fontane Bianche is a huge 3km stretch of coastline, close to Syracuse. Warm, gentle sea, great facilities and sun loungers and parasols for hire make it hugely popular with families.

Friends, family and socialising are the cornerstones of Sicilian culture (OK, the food and wine are pretty important too), so where better to head for a group holiday than Italy’s southernmost island? The sun blazes in the sky, the food is very, very good and the wine flows more freely than Mount Etna’s red-hot lava. So pick yourself a stunning villa with panoramic sea views or a luxury rustic abode tucked into the heart of vineyard country and get ready for a week or two of exploring.

Stuck for ideas for what to do? Sail on the crystal-clear waters, survey some of Europe’s most impressive archaeological remains or get cultural with a night at the opera. Speed up the slopes of a volcano in jeeps or on quad bikes, or take a leisurely guided bicycle ride through the countryside. Learn to cook regional cuisine and then sit down to a large noisy meal with friends and family Sicilian-style.

Adrenaline-fuelled group activities

If you’re the type of group that likes to get out and about, you’ll be spoilt for choice in action-packed Sicily.

Mount Etna is an absolute mecca for all things active. If you’re a team of ski-bums and are visiting Sicily between December and March head to Go Taormina to organize downhill and cross-country ski days on the great volcano. For the more sun-loving, Go Etna run hair-raising tours of Etna’s ancient forests and lava streams by Jeep, with civilised pit stops at vineyards along the way.

Saddle up for some two-wheeled fun with a bike excursion from Etna Tribe. You can hire bikes to explore under your own steam or sign yourselves up for a guided mountain bike tour.

When you’re on an island, and surrounded by beautiful coastline, the best way to see it is by boat. Buena Vida Catamarano run tours on impressive catamarans, where you can help out with the sailing or dive in to snorkel your way around.

Laid-back activities for groups

For the more sedate holiday, Sicily has lots of mellow days for you too. You could spend an entire week on the island’s fantastic beaches, or if you wanted to venture further afield without breaking a sweat, Tour of Sicily offer luxurious coach tours of Mount Etna where you can take in all the impressive sights in total comfort. If culture is more your bag, they also offer city-based tours, where you can explore fascinating cities like Syracuse.

To get a real feel for Sicilian high-class society of old, take in a show at Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele. The baroque architecture of the theatre creates a stunning setting to get dressed up and take in a ballet or an opera. And while we’re on the subject of performances, another must is to take in an open air show at the incredible greek amphitheatre in Taormina.

A worthwhile afternoon should certainly be spent ambling around Palermo’s extensive street market, Mercato di Ballarò. You’ll be able to find pretty much anything you could desire from children’s toys to terrifying hunting equipment and there are food stalls aplenty, all happy to provide tasters for a smile. It is held most days, but closes at lunchtime on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The local cuisine is one of the highlights of a trip to experience authentic Sicily and it plays a starring role in the culture of its locals. Family gatherings here revolve around hearty dishes, whose recipes have been handed down through generations. Sicilian gastronomy epitomises slow food and the freshness of locally grown and sourced products are the key to the simple, moreish dishes.

Sicilian food is a true hybrid cuisine, bearing influences from the centuries of settlers of Arabic, North African and French origin. Capers, tomatoes, olives and aubergines are staple ingredients, and seafood also plays a big part. Commonly eaten dishes include arancini (stuffed rice balls), aromatic couscous and hearty bowls of steaming pasta.

And what of wine, you ask? Italy may be home to such esteemed wine-producing regions as Piedmont and Tuscany, but Sicily manages to give its mainland counterparts a run for their money. Indeed, Sicilian wine-making dates back to the ancient Greeks and wineries on the fertile volcanic soils of Mount Etna produce world-class reds, whites and roses. For an after dinner tipple, be sure to try locally made limoncello liqueur. Well, when in Italy… do as the Italians do!

Best restaurants in Sicily

For fine dining, try Ristorante La Madia, in Licata. Here you’ll find local and seasonal ingredients used to create traditional dishes with a modern twist. This restaurant’s two Michelin stars are well deserved, and the tasting menu is well worth dedicating an afternoon to.

Kids and adults alike will love the local institution that is I Cuochini in Palermo. This teeny hole-in-the-wall has been there for decades, serving up delicious traditional snack foods that are as moreish as they are delicious.

Dishes not to miss when in Sicily

When on a villa holiday in Sicily, there are a few things you need to try to ensure your palette get the best holiday it possibly can. First things first, pick up some juicy local tomatoes, Pane Cunzato (seasoned bread) and whatever other favourite things from a local market, and whip up a picnic to enjoy on your patio.

While you’re out and about, arancine (fried risotto balls filled with ragu or ham and cheese), are the perfect snack food. For dinner, be sure to try the local specialities like the aubergine stew, caponata and pasta with sardines.

Best foodie activities in Sicily

Eat as the locals do with a guided street food tour from StrEAT Palermo, where you’ll sample local coffees, wines, snacks and more from the hidden gems around the city.

After eating in Sicily for a few days, you’ll wonder how you ever ate anything else. Turn that dream into a reality with one of the island’s plentiful cookery classes. The most authentic local recipes have been passed down for generations, learn from an actual Sicilian grandma with a course from Zuleima Ospitalità Diffusa a Ragusa Ibla. For a more studied approach, try the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School, which is located on a wine estate as an added bonus.

If wine is what you’re all about, a tour of the wineries on the island will be right up your street. Go Etna offer tours that take in several vineyards, tastings and a hefty dose of Sicily’s impressive scenery.