Best Places to visit in Sicily
A simple straight forward top ten of the best places to see while visiting Sicily.
about sicily
Sicily is the largest Italian island, so the options for what to visit can be almost endless. It is an ancient land, which boasts several one-of-a-kind archaeological sites, sunny beaches, numerous archipelagos, and islets. Sicily is also an ideal tourist destination throughout the year, thanks to a mild climate and a perfect mix of history, excellent cuisine, lively nightlife, and, above all, a warm and welcoming atmosphere. These top 10must-see places are a quick source of inspiration if you plan a holiday in Sicily. Keep on reading to find out the best places to visit in Sicily.
1 Mount Etna.
Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. The last eruption started on February 2021 and produced a beautiful lava flow from the south-east crater. This mighty volcano offers daily expeditions to the four active craters, lots of Mountain bike trails, horse riding tours, and quad excursions. Like the close Alcantara Valley, the flanks of Mount Etna host some of the oldest vineyards of Italy. Travellers who are unwilling to walk long distances but still want to enjoy some beautiful landscapes often choose a wine tasting experience.
2 Trapani , Sicily best beaches.
In Trapani, you can visit San Vito Lo Capo one of Sicily most beautiful beach. Small town overlooking one of the best seas in Sicily. The water is crystal clear; the sand is white and powder-like. It looks like a Caribbean gem, but it is much closer. During the summer evenings, you can walk around this busy village. Boat excursions are recommended to see "La Riserva dello Zingaro" and "Scopello": uncontaminated and heavenly sea. You will also find such a beautiful sea in Favignana, an island in the Egadi archipelago, reachable by hydrofoil from Trapani.
3 Taormina
In the province of Messina, not far from Mount Etna, you can visit the beautiful Taormina. This enchanting town encloses all the beauty of a Mediterranean location. The Greek Theater is terrific, the setting for many concerts and shows throughout the year. In June, the international movie festival takes place in Taormina. The beautiful public garden in July host the international Jazz festival. The marine reserve of Isola Bella, Taormina, can be reached with a short cable car ride from the city centre. A kayak tour or a Boat Excursion is the most recommended activity to enjoy the Isola Bella marine reserve's magnificent sea.
4 Syracuse
Syracuse is a splendid city located in the south-east corner of the island. It can be divided into two different areas: the Island of Ortigia, connected to the mainland by a short walkway, and the main centre. Syracuse was the most important Greek city from the 7th-century b.c. Even today, Syracuse's glorious past can be relived by visiting its vast archaeological area consisting of numerous temples, a theatre, and a necropolis. Ortigia, also called the Old Town, is the ideal place to indulge in long strolls, as much of the island's charm is contained in its narrow medieval alleys. The beaches around Syracuse offer some excellent snorkelling opportunities.
5 The Aeolian Islands
All strictly of volcanic origin, the seven Aeolian Islands are surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea and are located north of Sicily: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, Panarea, and Basiluzzo. The largest and most touristic island is Lipari. The most daring travelers do not miss the opportunity to climb up to Vulcano and Stromboli's craters, the two still-active volcanoes of the archipelago. After sunset, you can enjoy the starry sky, thanks to the Municipality's decision not to put any lighting on the islands. The Aeolian Islands have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
6 Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
Better known as the city of temples, Agrigento is located on the southern coast of Sicily. Near the sea and just south of the "modern city," surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, are some of the world's best-preserved Greek temples. The Temples' Valley is a magnificent collection of seven temples dating back to the 6th and 5th centuries BC. Agrigento boasts ancient and fascinating Greek ruins and examples of Baroque architecture, numerous beaches, stunning islands, and clear waters.
The island of Lampedusa and Linosa are in the district of Agrigento.
7 Nebrodi Park
The Nebrodi constitute the Sicilian Apennines; lush forests and lakes characterize the landscape. The Park is divided into four critical reserve areas: general reserve, protection area, and control area. The Park hosts a rich fauna with small mammals, reptiles, and numerous species of nesting birds. Points of interest within the Park are the carsick peak of the "Castro," Catafurco Waterfall, Mistretta Waterfalls, Mount Soro, lake Biviere, Lake Maullazzo, and Malabotta, the oldest forest of the island. This natural reserve of Sicily displays one of the most beautiful foliage of the Mediterranean basin. A Nebrodi trekking is a great way to explore a part of Sicily off the beaten path.
8 Palermo
Palermo is the capital of Sicily. In addition to the beautiful artistic treasures that make this area unique and special, Palermo also boasts a beautiful seafront. Mondello is the city beach, often crowded during the summer, but still worth a visit. The beach is located between the panoramic Monte Gallo and Monte Pellegrino; its sand is soft and light in color. The sea is clear and crystalline. Finally, if you are in Palermo, you cannot miss its historic markets: Vucciria, Ballarò, and Borgo Vecchio, famous for authentic Sicilian cuisine and street food.
9 Lampedusa and the Rabbit Beach - Pelagie Islands
Located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Malta and Tunisia, Lampedusa is the largest of the Pelagie Islands, a small archipelago that includes the islets of Linosa and Lampione. Located in the southern part of the island of Lampedusa and inserted in a natural park, there is the famous Spiaggia Dei Conigli, which in 2013 was voted the best beach in the world on TripAdvisor. It is characterized by a thin and white beach, crystal clear waters, and a shallow seabed. You will see the island of the same name in front of the beach, which unfortunately cannot be visited: its access is monitored 24/7 to protect the turtles that lay their eggs on the beach.
10 The Alcantara Gorges
This canyon made of black lava walls high up to 50 meters is one of the geological wonders of Europe. Located on the east coast of the island close to Taormina, the Alcantara Gorges offers the opportunity for a relaxing day along the river banks. For the more active travelers, adventures of Body Rafting and river walks are available every day from May to October. There are two ways to gain access to the Alcantara Gorges: one is paying €1,50 using a set of stairs, the other is through an elevator and the cost is €8.
