Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, where in every corner you will find wild and exciting mountains, art, culture, nature, pastoral beaches, rich history, delicious food, desserts galore and festivals that are an unforgettable experience. Sicily is very diverse due to the exchange of population over the years – each nation has left its mark and all of them together have created a cultural puzzle and a special charm that can only be found here. Even the “Godfather” left his mark here and will accompany us between the destinations. Like all those who wanted to conquer it – this is how a trip to Sicily is going to conquer you!
A trip to Sicily - Let's start
From April – October you can find direct flights to Sicily to the two main airports on the island – Palermo (which is the capital of Sicily) and Catania, the city that is closer to the popular sites in Sicily. Another way to get to Sicily is by flying to one of the largest cities in Italy such as Milan, Rome, Naples or Venice, and from there to take a flight to Sicily.
The best and most convenient way to get around Sicily and experience the island in the best way is with a car. That is why we highly recommend renting a car for the period you are traveling in Sicily. We recommend that you compare prices between the different car rental companies through – Car Rental in Sicily .
Vacation in Sicily - Palermo
Let’s start from the capital city. Palermo is a busy and fascinating city, it has excellent food, entertainment places for the night and a variety of attractions for the day. You can sit in one of the impressive squares and soak up the great atmosphere (for example Quattro Canti or Fontana Pretoria- square with a huge fountain), go to archaeological museums and visit the beautiful Palermo Cathedral and learn about the interesting history.
Don’t forget to also visit the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni), and in one of the famous markets – Vucciria or Ballaro, that are bursting with local atmosphere and food that is at least as delicious as in restaurants. If you have seen the movie The Godfather, and even if you haven’t, you should visit the largest theater in Italy, Teatro Massimo – where the final scene of The Godfather 3 was filmed. In the afternoon you can drive to see the sunset from the stunning and famous church – Cattedrale di Monreale.
Sicily in the summer? The closest recommended bathing beach is Mondello beach, which is fifteen minutes’ drive north, and is definitely worth the trip. And if you’ve already started the car, we recommend you to visit Cefalu – the perfect fishing town. You will find a lot of charm so Don’t miss it!
Catania
The second lady of Sicily that sits in a perfect location at the foot of the Etna volcano, which has destroyed it with its eruptions several times in the past. Perhaps the heat of the lava is what makes the locals to a warm and welcoming people, with a passion for life and good food. The almond crops in the area along with other crops create a varied, fresh and stimulating menu. If you haven’t tried it yet – now is the time to taste the granita and cannoli!
A trip to Sicily – What to do in Catania?
Castello Ursino, the main avenue Via Etnea, abundant gardens, a beautiful city center with the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata, the famous elephant statue and two nice local markets (the old fish market – Pescheria di Catania and the Fera ‘O Luni di Catania market).
Recommended hotels in Catania
What to do in Sicily? Mount Etna volcano
Mount Athena is the largest mountain in Europe and has 16 active craters. If you wake up brave and energetic in the morning, you can climb the edge of the mountain, or at least do part of it by car and part on foot. If you wake up brave but not energetic – There is a cable car that overlooks the mountain and the amazing view from above, or alternatively a train that circles the volcano and also passes through ancient villages. There is no access to the top of the mountain for obvious reasons, but if you are lucky you will see the mountain smoking a little, which is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Savoca "The Godfather's Town"
Wandering around Savoka reveals authentic alleys, spectacular views of the sea and spots where scenes from the movie “The Godfather” were filmed. The highlight will be the visit to the Bar Vitelli in the central square (where you will also see the statue of the film’s director), you can drink the famous lemon granita and enjoy the view from the balcony. You can also visit the church where the wedding of the godfather and the village girl was filmed.
A trip to Sicily - Taormina
Taormina, a charming tourist town that sits on the side of Monte Tauro between the sea and the volcano. It has a wonderful atmosphere, especially in the pedestrian Corso Umberto, You will find there a large ancient Greek theater, ancient alleys (among them Vicolo stretto which is considered the narrowest alley in the world), a medieval clock tower, a beautiful square (Duomo), Taormina Cathedral and more. Here, too, you will find things related to “The Godfather” because the views of the city were used for shooting, but the place is also popular thanks to the events and festivals held throughout the year: shows in the ancient theater, film festivals, operas and more.
Where to eat in Taormina?
A good bakery for the famous local cannoli –
Laboratorio pasticceria roberto & La pignolata Guinness cannoli
A cute cafe in Taormina – Timoleone Café
Recommended trattoria – Trattoria tiramisu
Recommended hotels in Taormina
Villa Romana del Casale
A huge and special Roman villa that is a UNESCO site! It was built by one of the senior members of the emperor’s family in the 4th century, apparently for the purpose of Roman hedonism in the spirit of the time. To date, only a small part of the villa has been revealed, It includes an impressive collection of mosaics (which is the largest in the world from Later Rome) with decorations of animals, plants, hunters, mythological stories, etc.
In one of the rooms is a mosaic called “Ten Girls in Bikinis” even though the modern use of bikinis is only known to us from the middle of the 20th century. Gentlemen, is history repeating itself? 🙂
Enna
It is the highest city in Sicily, which allows you to see breathtaking panoramic views. At the highest point, you will find the fortified Lombardy Castle. You have to go up and enjoy the view. Beyond the landscapes, you will find churches, museums, beautiful gardens and excellent, fresh food from the agricultural land straight to the plate. According to tradition, the mythological story of the abduction of Persephone, the daughter of Zeus, took place here.
Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
Archeology lovers – this is for you! A fascinating archaeological site that was declared a UNESCO heritage site,
There you will find remains of eight ancient temples. They were dedicated to gods such as Zeus and Hercules, but the most impressive and preserved of all is the Temple of Concordia, which over the years became a church. It is recommended to climb to the temple of Juno – from where you can see the most beautiful view in the area.
Siracusa
Syracuse is a beautiful ancient city where Archimedes was born and died, and every stone you step on here will bring with it a fascinating story that will teach you about the city’s glorious past. Most of the sites are located in the Neapolis Parco Archeologico, where you will see both a theater and an amphitheater.
Don’t miss the beautiful caves, churches, medieval buildings, the Ortigia peninsula with its cathedral and temple. Of course, one of the most enjoyable experiences in the city is strolling through the magical alleys, and sitting in one of the recommended cafes / restaurants.
Where to eat in Syracuse?
La Lisca Cucina e Bottega – A restaurant with great food
Sicily – Pizzeria & Lounge Bar –Recommended pizzeria
pasticceria artale – Here you can try special desserts and also the famous cannoli.
Recommended beaches in the Syracuse area –
Inside the city you will find the Ortigia Beach where you can bathe in the hot summer days. Not far from there is Vendicari Beach, which is also recommended for swimming. If you have a car you can go to a beautiful stretch of beach, it is called Parco Marino del Plemmirio.
Recommended hotels in Syracuse
Noto - a unique city
Noto is also part of a UNESCO site (province of Val di Noto). It is considered the best example of a city in the Sicilian Baroque style.
It was built in this style because it was rebuilt in the 18th century after the original ancient city was destroyed by an earthquake, and the Baroque style dominated at that time. Do not miss a visit to the many and special churches and a walk on the amazing main street and the alleys that cross it. Here is a cafe with recommended desserts – Caffè Sicilia
Marzamemi
Marzamemi is one of the most beautiful and authentic villages in Sicily. A charming little fishing village with stone houses and a magical atmosphere. It is just above the southern point of Sicily and there are many great beaches in the area.
The village is surrounded by the deep blue Ionian Sea which creates two small natural harbors along the coast, called “Fossa” and “Balata”. The village consists of many small houses with low roofs facing the sea made of local sandstone. These are the “fishermen’s houses”, in the past they were used as houses for tuna fishermen.
Where to eat in the area?
Here you can taste the selection of Sicilian dishes – La Casa del Pomodoro – Bistrot – and then have a drink at the cute cafe – Bar Caffe Al Ciclope 2 .
Caltagirone - the town of ceramics
Spectacular colors, meticulous designs, wherever you go in the town, this is what your eyes will see – ceramics. And this has been the case for thousands of years.
Almost all the buildings in the old city are decorated with ceramic tiles, Shops take their creations to the street and create a photogenic effect that is pleasing to the eyes.
The highlight of the town is undoubtedly the 142 steps of Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte that connect the lower town with the ancient upper town. The ceramic culture is what distinguishes the town of Caltagirone from the other towns in Sicily.
Cefalù
One of the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is one of the most inspiring destinations on the island. It is located on the north coast of Sicily, in a strategic location, about an hour from Palermo.
The town is dominated by a monumental rock that rises to a height of 270 meters. The squares, the churches, the magical streets of this medieval town, make it one of the most magical in Sicily. It is not surprising that the director of the film Cinema Paradiso chose to shoot many parts of his film here,
What do you see in Cefalù?
The famous cattedrale della trasfigurazione
The beautiful port – Spiaggia del porto vecchio
Medieval laundry – Lavatoio Medievale
Stunning view of the town and the sea – Castello di Cefalù
Recommended restaurant Mandralisca Sedici and a wonderful place for Cannolí
Recommended hotels in Cefalù
Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie)
Another UNESCO site, this time due to the islands being an unusual phenomenon of nature. These are seven volcanic islands where you will be exposed to the volcanic nature in all its glory, the beaches will be with black sand and the springs are hot. The largest of the islands is Lipari which is spectacular and popular among the rich people of Italy. It has a beautiful harbor, an ancient citadel and picturesque alleys.
Another tiny island is Stromboli, with a size of only 13 square kilometers, the whole of which is actually a huge and active volcano rising to almost 1000 m. The mountain is very active and if you get to see the sparks coming out of it, it’s an extraordinary experience!
For those interested in geology, it is recommended to go to Vulcano Island, which is one of the most fascinating destinations that attracts geologists from all over the world. Arrive by boat from the city of Milazzo between Messina and Palermo. You can get on the ferry with your car and stay on one of the islands for the night for the full experience, but you can also take a day tour.
Sicily Festivals - The Carnival of Sicily
Anyone who wants to discover the true soul of Sicily, the extraordinary combination of traditions, faith, joy and the celebration of collective identity – cannot miss one of the island’s festivals as part of their vacation. It’s an uplifting experience that spices up the trip with local flavor and teaches a lot about the local residents.
Santa Rosalia Festival (Festa di Santa Rosalia) in Palermo
A special religious festival that falls every year in July in honor of the patron saint Rosalia, who saved the city’s residents from a severe epidemic in 1624, it is a festival of thanksgiving.
The residents hold a procession that leaves the cathedral, they carry the statue of the saint and at the end of the festival there is a celebration with fireworks. On July 15, the remains of the saint are carried in a silver urn, which at the end of the festivities is brought back to the cathedral and blessed by the Archbishop of Palermo.
Festival of Saint Agatha (Festa di sant'Agata)
An event that has been taking place for about 500 years, and glorifies the patron saint of the city – Agatha. It is a huge procession during which 5,000 men carry the statue of Agatha in a silver chariot up the mountain.
The procession lasts two days and two nights, during which they enjoy huge amounts of food and drink and at the end there is a big fireworks show. There is no better way to get to know the heart and soul of the citizens.
There are two celebration dates – in February the larger event commemorating the saint’s death and in August, where they celebrate the return of her remains after they were stolen.
Carnevale di Acireale
In the town of Acireale the oldest and largest carnival of Sicily takes place every year. In the 16th century, the nobles of the area used to make processions in carriages and throw sweets to their subjects.
Today, the royal carriages have been replaced by trucks decorated with flowers, and the sweets have been replaced by flowers. So it’s a kind of flower festival, the music is happy, there are orchestras and dance performances, there are funny costumes and entertaining games that the locals enjoy taking part in. The general atmosphere is amazing. At the end of the carnival, there is an amazing fireworks show and an effigy of a king is burned, as seen in many other festivals in Italy.
Termini Imerese's Carnival
This is one of the oldest festivals, which started already in 1876. In this carnival there is a parade of papier mache carts, very talented artists create figures of celebrities and politicians out of paper. This is amazing!
As every year, according to tradition, there is music and dancing and the characters of Nonno and Nonna will always return – they are the grandfather and grandmother who are represented by huge papier-mâché masks.
Click here for more special festivals in Sicily
Confused about which destination to combine with your trip to Sicily? Naples is a great idea.
For the full and rich article we wrote about Naples. Click here.
