Tourist town, Castle

Erice is a perfectly preserved historic town situated on the summit of Monte Erice, 751 metres above sea level. From the ramparts and viewing points, you can see Trapani, the salt pans, the coastline and the Aegadian Islands. The main attraction is not any single landmark, but the entire compact town centre, full of cobbled streets, churches, passageways and viewpoints. Erice is one of the most beautiful places in western Sicily and is easily…

Volcano

When someone says they’ve been ‘to Mount Etna’, they may simply have walked around the crater near the car park at an altitude of 1,900 metres, taken the cable car up to 2,500 metres, or spent six hours climbing to the active summit craters. The difference is considerable – in terms of cost, the level of fitness required, and the experience itself. For a first visit, we recommend the southern side, Etna Sud, near Rifugio Sapienza. Here you’ll…

Tourist town, Castle, Cathedral, Mountain, Lookout

Enna stands in the centre of Sicily on a high rocky promontory at an altitude of 931 metres above sea level. It is the highest provincial capital in Italy and offers some of the best views of the Sicilian hinterland. The historic centre is known as Enna Alta. Below, near the motorway, lies modern Enna Bassa, which serves mainly as a transport and university district. Most of the sights, viewpoints and tourist accommodation are located in Enna…

Sandy beach, Resort

San Vito Lo Capo is one of the places that regularly features amongst the most beautiful beaches in Sicily. The long, light-sand beach is lapped by crystal-clear, gently sloping waters, whilst the striking Monte Monaco rises in the background. This small seaside resort in north-western Sicily is ideal for families with children and for a stay of several days by the sea. Bear in mind, however, that during July and August, San Vito Lo Capo is one…

City, Cathedral, Palace

Palermo might not blow you away at first glance, but if you stay in the city a little longer, you’re sure to fall in love with its characteristically narrow streets. Peeling façades, rubbish on the streets and crumbling houses are nothing out of the ordinary. Gradually, however, you’ll grow accustomed to the city and its unique atmosphere, and you’ll fall in love with its contrasts. With a population of over 640,000, Palermo is Sicily’s largest…

Archaeological site

Agrigento is one of Sicily’s most significant historical sites. The main reason to visit is the Valley of the Temples, a vast archaeological park containing the remains of the ancient city of Akragas. In my view, the Valley of the Temples is one of those places that’s well worth changing your itinerary for. Agrigento itself is a pleasant bonus, but the main attraction remains the Greek temples beneath the town. 🛌 view accommodation in…

Resort, Sandy beach, Cathedral, Mountain, Lookout

Cefalù is a historic seaside town on the northern coast of Sicily, about 70 km east of Palermo. It combines a sandy beach, medieval streets, a Norman cathedral and a viewpoint from the Rocca di Cefalù cliff, all in one place. It is easy to get here from Palermo by direct train. Cefalù is therefore one of the best day trips in Sicily. If your itinerary allows, we recommend staying here for at least one night. The town centre is quieter in the…

Tourist town, Archaeological site, Cathedral, Pebble beach

Taormina is one of the most beautiful and most visited places in Sicily. The historic centre lies high above the Ionian Sea and, within a small area, brings together an ancient theatre, romantic alleyways, views of Mount Etna and the famous Isola Bella beach. You can easily explore the town on foot, but be prepared for hilly terrain, lots of steps, higher prices and large crowds. In our opinion, Taormina is at its most enchanting in the early…

Sandy beach, Resort

Letojanni is a compact seaside resort on the east coast of Sicily, just a few kilometres from Taormina. It offers a long beach, restaurants along the promenade and, generally speaking, cheaper accommodation than its more famous neighbouring town. In my view, Letojanni is one of the most practical bases in eastern Sicily if you want to stay by the sea and simply make day trips to Taormina. On the other hand, it’s not worth travelling here…

City

In Catania, Sicily’s second-largest city, you may sense a similar ‘Cosa Nostra’ atmosphere to that found in Palermo. As you stroll through the city centre, you’ll occasionally spot bullet holes in the plasterwork; on the other hand, the main tourist thoroughfares are beautiful, restored and elegant. And the 3,000-metre-high Mount Etna adds to the charm of it all. It is as though the inhabitants have forgotten how many times the city has been…

Tourist town, Archaeological site, Cathedral, Palace

The city where Archimedes was born – Syracuse (spelt Siracusa in Italian) – was originally founded as a colony of the ancient Greek city of Corinth in 734 BC. The city can be divided into two distinct halves. The best hotels in Sicily car hire in Sicily The first is the inland part with ruins from the ancient period, and the second is the ancient part with the harbour and winding narrow streets, which lies on the island of Ortigia and is…

Tourist town

Noto is Sicily’s most famous Baroque town and one of the best places to visit when travelling around the south-east of the island. The historic centre consists of churches, palaces and wide squares built from light-coloured stone, which takes on a golden hue in the afternoon sun. The town was rebuilt on a new site following the devastating earthquake of 1693. Today, it forms part of the ‘Late Baroque Towns in the Val di Noto’ UNESCO World…

National Park

The Madonie is a local mountain reserve, the highest peak of which rises to 1,979 metres above sea level. It is a destination primarily for lovers of hiking, which can be combined with exploring mountain villages, allowing you to get a little off the beaten track. View the best accommodation in Sicily compare car hire prices The hikes offer beautiful views not only of Mount Etna, but also of the volcanic cones of the Aeolian Islands…

City, Cathedral

Messina lies on the northernmost tip of the Ionian coast, just a short distance from mainland Italy. An important port and gateway to Sicily, it faced natural disasters and bombing during the Second World War, which destroyed many of its monuments; most of the current ones are therefore either reconstructed copies or were built from scratch immediately after the war. View the best accommodation in Sicily Compare car hire prices Messina may…

Sandy beach, Coast, Cliff

Scala dei Turchi is a dazzling white cliff on the southern coast of Sicily. It lies near the town of Realmonte, about 15 km from Agrigento. Its undulating surface resembles a wide staircase descending into the sea. In my opinion, Scala dei Turchi is one of those places well worth a visit, particularly when combined with a trip to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. The stop itself only takes a short while. However, you’ll have a much…

Tourist town, Castle

Caltabellotta is one of the most picturesque mountain villages in Sicily. It lies at an altitude of 949 metres, about 21 km from the town of Sciacca. Stone houses cling to the slopes amongst massive limestone cliffs, and the ruins of a medieval castle overlook the town from its highest point. The main reason to visit is not the perfectly preserved monuments, but the views, the mountainous landscape and the quiet historic streets. Far fewer…

City, Salt Plain, Mill

Marsala is Sicily’s fourth-largest city and lies on the very western coast of the island, not far from Trapani Airport. As a result, together with the city of Trapani, it serves as one of the ideal starting points for exploring western Sicily. View the best accommodation in Sicily Compare car hire prices Although Marsala itself is not as rich in sights as other Sicilian towns, you can admire, for example, the extensive salt pans – pools of…

Archaeological site

Segesta is one of the most impressive ancient sites in western Sicily. The archaeological site is dominated by an exceptionally well-preserved Doric temple and a Greek theatre atop Monte Barbaro. The site is smaller than the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. However, you’ll need at least 2 hours to explore it. This is because the temple and the theatre are located in different parts of the park and are separated by a long climb. 🛌 view…

Tourist town, Cathedral

Ragusa is one of the most beautiful towns in south-eastern Sicily. The town consists of two parts separated by a deep valley: the Baroque Ragusa Ibla and the higher-lying Ragusa Superiore. Ragusa’s current appearance dates from its reconstruction following the devastating earthquake of 1693. The historic centre forms part of the ‘Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto’ UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main attraction is not any one specific…

National Park

Zingaro is the first nature reserve to be established in Sicily. The reserve protects 7 km of unspoilt coastline between Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo. You won’t find any roads, hotels or restaurants here. Just walking trails, limestone cliffs, small pebble beaches and exceptionally clear sea. In my opinion, Zingaro is one of the most beautiful day trips in western Sicily. You don’t have to walk the entire length of the nature…

Resort, Sandy beach

The beautiful little town of Castellammare del Golfo is the largest and prettiest seaside resort in the extensive beach area of the Bay of Castellammare, which stretches for over 20 km. The whole area is one of Sicily’s best destinations for swimming. 🛌 view the best accommodation in Sicily 🚗 compare car hire prices Castellammare enjoys a superb location on the edge of the rocky Zingaro Peninsula and the flat coastline of the bay of the…

Sandy beach

Do you like to split your time between swimming and sightseeing on holiday? Then Mondello Beach is the ideal choice for you. It is situated right on the outskirts of Palermo, yet in a beautiful setting surrounded by two mountains and a leafy residential neighbourhood with plenty of small hotels and guesthouses. Mondello Beach is certainly one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Sicily. View the best accommodation in Sicily Compare car hire…

Sandy beach, Cliff

Torre Salsa is one of Sicily’s wildest beach areas. The nature reserve lies between the towns of Siculiana and Eraclea Minoa, west of Agrigento. Along the 6 km stretch of coastline, wide sandy beaches, dunes, wetlands and white marl and gypsum cliffs alternate. It is therefore not a single continuous 6 km-long beach. In my opinion, Torre Salsa is better than the better-known Scala dei Turchi if you want to spend a whole day by the sea. However…

Sandy beach

Lido di Noto, also known as Noto Marina, is a small seaside resort about 7 km from the historic town of Noto. Its main attraction is an almost kilometre-long sandy beach with a gentle slope into the sea. Lido di Noto has no major sights or a bustling town centre. It is particularly suitable for families, a peaceful seaside holiday and as a base for exploring south-eastern Sicily. In my opinion, it makes the most sense to stay here for 2 to 4…

Valley

The Gole dell’Alcantara Gorge is one of the most fascinating natural sites in the Taormina area. Here, the river has exposed solidified lava flows from Mount Etna, which have cracked into regular basalt columns. The canyon walls reach heights of up to 30 metres. In my opinion, the Alcantara Gorge is well worth a visit, especially on a hot day. It isn’t a hike through the gorge lasting several hours, like the Samaria Gorge in Crete, for example…

Tourist town, Cathedral, Castle

Modica is a Baroque town in south-eastern Sicily, spread out across the floor of a deep valley and the surrounding slopes. Most travellers come here for the Church of San Giorgio, the panoramic views and Modica’s traditional chocolate. Selected monuments in Modica form part of the ‘Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town acquired its present appearance mainly during the reconstruction following the…

Archipelago

The Egadi Islands are still a somewhat overlooked archipelago, situated just a few dozen minutes by ferry from Trapani. The three main islands – Favignana, Levanzo and Marittimo – welcome you with a laid-back island atmosphere, beautiful villages and plenty of small, secluded beaches with very few tourists. View the best accommodation on the Egadi Islands The island of Favignana The largest of the Egadi Islands, Favignana covers an area of…

Pebble beach, Resort

The port town of Milazzo in north-eastern Sicily is one of the main beach resorts on the north coast and a key starting point for trips to the Aeolian Islands. The town’s location itself is also remarkable: it sits on a peninsula 5 km long and just under 1 kilometre wide, which is ideal for walks. View the best accommodation in Sicily compare car hire prices Beaches and swimming Milazzo boasts an almost endless beach stretching from the…

Mountain

The Nebrodi Mountains are a marvellous, forgotten corner of north-eastern Sicily, attracting all lovers of hiking whilst drawing very few other visitors. White limestone massifs with very sparse vegetation alternate with green meadows where cattle graze and forested, gently rounded mountain peaks rising to heights of over 1,800 metres above sea level. In short, the Nebrodi are a paradise for all lovers of nature and the authenticity of the local…

Island

As soon as you set foot on the island of Vulcano, you’ll be hit by strong hydrogen sulphide fumes, which rise to the surface through the fumaroles of the dormant volcano. On this small island, it’s simple: you can swim at either the light-coloured or black public beaches, take a dip in the mud pool, or set off on a trek to the crater. Swimming in the mud pool is said to be good for your health, so you can do a few laps – mud, sea, mud, sea …

Island

If you fancy visiting a volcano but find Etna a bit too ‘civilised’ for your taste, you’ll love Stromboli. Not only can you witness a lava eruption every 15 minutes, but the summit can only be reached on foot.  It’s not that tourists don’t flock there, but you really do have to make your own way to the crater, and the ascent and subsequent descent require a reasonable level of fitness. Of course, the Italians have come up with an alternative…

Tourist town, Salt Plain

With a population of 72,000, Trapani is Sicily’s fifth-largest city and, thanks to Trapani Airport, one of the starting points for travelling around Sicily. All boats and ferries to the popular Egadi Islands also depart from Trapani, and the resort of San Vito lo Capo and the ancient ruins of Segesta are also nearby. Sights and attractions The town itself lies on a narrow peninsula, on which the historic centre is situated. It boasts typically…