Sicily Travel Guide

What to see in Sicily

Eternal meeting point between East and West, Africa and Europe, the gorgeous island of Sicily is a linchpin of Mediterranean culture and one of Europe's most alluring destinations. Discover our green-travel guides of this Region scented sea and herbs: 

Agrigento

Catania

Caltanissetta

Enna

Messina

Palermo

Ragusa

Siracusa

Trapani

Packed with Unesco World Heritage sites, sandy Mediterranean beaches, and hills striped with dry stone walls and dotted with carob, almond and olive trees, beautiful mountains and smoking hulk of Etna, Sicily is seductively beautiful and perfectly placed in the heart of the Mediterranean.

This juxtaposition of sea, volcano and mountain scenery makes a stunning backdrop for outdoors activities. Sicily and its dozen-plus offshore islands offer enough swimming, diving, hiking and climbing to build an entire vacation around.

Flavours meeting each others...

A crazy layer-cake of culinary influences, Sicily's ancient cuisine continues to rely on a few key island-grown ingredients: shellfish and citrus, tuna and swordfish, pistachios, hazelnuts and almonds, ricotta and wild herbs. Sicily's timeless recipes – from the simplest cannolo to the most exquisitely spiced fish couscous – live on.

Where to sleep in Sicily: eco-friendly accommodations

If  you are wondering where you can stay during your holidays on this island, here are some suggestions:

Eco casa sull'Etna : an old manor that has been restructured in a beautiful farm house, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees, citrus groves and forests, between Messina and Catania. They grow organic food and organize  many itineraries to discover the volcano Etna and the green surrounding area.

Scicli Albergo Diffuso: this is a typical formula of Italian hospitality where the rooms are located in different ancient homes in the historical village of Scicli. Slow itineraries are organized and tourist can have the possibility to taste typical products, every morning, for breakfast!

Fattoria Carcaci: an organic farm at the heart of Natural Reserve of Monti Sicani, not far from Palermo. The place offers a wide equipped space to camp. The farm also organizes educational activities related to the cycle of milk to the dairy products; the cycle of honey and the cycle of the bread. This is the perfect place for all who loves cycling, because of the many itineraries around.

Here are alle the eco-friendly accommodations in Sicily

An island for every season

Despite the presence of several glorious cities - Palermo, Catania, Ragusa, Modica, Scicli and Noto, each of which has a distinct atmosphere, festivals and mouth-watering food and wine - the region remains little visited outside August, when beaches are crowded.

But the island offers plenty of chances for people looking for a different meaning in traveling as well. If you love art, culture, traditions you don't need to come to Sicily in summer: you can find interesting suggestions all time of the year! Visit the Temples Valley in Agrigento to get lost in the society of Ancient Greeks or take part in colorful religious traditions dedicated to Saints or other celebrations. Or if you love climbing, the rocky cliffs of San Vito Lo Capo are more welcoming during winter than under the hot summer sun!

Furthermore, if you are looking for other suggestions and advices for your holiday in Sicily, you can read the following articles:

Next holiday in Sicily? The Alcantara canyon itinerary 

Easter holiday in Sicily: 10 temples, 7 churches and unlimited sweet gourmandises

A railroad through lava rocks: the Circumetnea

Walking on Mount Etna, from the top of the craters, to the depth of the caves

Egadi Islands, a bridge over the history between figs and cliffs

Author: Anita Cason

Cover image: scala dei Turci, Agrigento, Sicilia, ph. by CICERUACCHIO via Flick