Looking for travel tips for a trip to Sicily? The island of Sicily consistently ranks at the top of Italy's vacation destinations with its capital, Palermo, the Temple Valley near Agrigento, the Baroque city of Noto, Syracuse, Cefalu, Taormina, and the Aeolian Islands, just to name a few of the many highlights. A melting pot of cultures where influences from Africa, Greece, Normans, the Middle East, and of course the Romans, French, and Spaniards can be found. Not only in culture and architecture, but perhaps especially in Sicilian cuisine.
Sicily: What you should know about this destination
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and a melting pot of cultures. You might ask: who hasn't been here over the centuries? Of course, the Greeks, but also the Normans, Charlemagne, North Africans, French, Spaniards, and the list goes on. Sicily is often seen as an ideal round-trip destination, and in two weeks, you can visit the main tourist attractions with some time left over for a few leisurely days on the beach or maybe to explore the many markets Palermo has to offer.
Palermo has become one of the coolest cities in Italy. Over the past 10 years, much has changed in this once dilapidated city. Naturally, as in every major city, there are certain districts not advisable for tourists to visit, but the center, the port, the hill town of Monreale, the magnificent cathedral, and the chic resort of Mondello are all must-see tourist destinations. The city is also cosmopolitan, with an exciting nightlife (certainly better than Rome) and a young trendy audience. But not only Palermo has become an interesting destination; Catania is also on this list, and even though the city of Syracuse is a bit dull on itself, the island of Ortigia is an unmissable part of your Sicily adventure with its unique character and cozy colorful streets.
Those who love the sea or the beach in Sicily have so much choice. The most beautiful sandy beaches are to be found from Agrigento along the southwest coast to San Vito Lo Capo. The most stunning azure blue coves can be found on islands like Favignana (Egadi Islands), the mystical island Pantelleria with its Dammusi, in the Zingaro National Park and on the East Coast around Taormina. One of the most captivating beaches can certainly be found near the beautiful resort of Cefalù. Thermal springs and mud baths make the Lipari Islands, like Vulcano, a tourist pick and don't forget, now one of the most exclusive holiday destinations in Italy, the small island of Panarea opposite the volcanic island Stromboli.
Inland, there's plenty to do, especially if you are interested in the beauty but also the power of nature. The Etna remains one of the most popular destinations for hikers, and the surrounding area consists of fertile land with vineyards and fruit trees as far as you can see. Thanks to the efforts of various young wineries, Sicily is quickly becoming one of the top wine destinations in Italy. A whole new branch of tourism is blossoming with numerous initiatives from local winemakers aiming to gain recognition and fame for Sicilian quality wines.
The history of the island of Sicily?
The Sicani and Siculi tribes inhabited the island in prehistoric times. Subsequently, the Phoenicians, originating from what is now Lebanon, came to stay, followed by the Greeks, Carthaginians (Tunisia), Romans, Byzantines, Moors from North Africa, Saracens from the Middle East (Iraq), and finally, the Normans. It took the latter about ten years to oust the Moors and Saracens. The first King of Sicily was a Norman known as Roger II, after his father had forcefully evicted the Muslims from the island.
The Saracens founded the city of Palermo, then known as Panormus, which was said to rival Baghdad in beauty and wealth. Then came the Normans. Over time, the Goths, Vandals, even the Germans from Hohenstaufen, and the Spaniards from Aragon have ruled over Sicily. Due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean, the island was an ideal base for merchants from around the world, with excellent ports and a favorable climate. It mainly served as a transit hub, much like Rotterdam today.
The people shifted their allegiances with every passing wind and successively worshipped, on command, gods and goddesses of various kinds, sometimes simultaneously if it was convenient. If you are allowed only one trip in your lifetime and still want to experience the history and culture of the entire Western world: go to Sicily! You will find Greek temples and amphitheaters, Roman settlements, villas with the most beautiful mosaics, unique churches built in a mixed Norman-Arabic style, palaces with Moorish and Byzantine elements, Greek-Orthodox churches, Gothic cathedrals and medieval castles, Spanish-Catalan/Gothic palaces, baroque villas, and even a neoclassical Chinese villa from the 19th century. Beneath some Roman villas, foundations of the Phoenicians were discovered.
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Monreale: the UNESCO Cathedral That Outshines Palermo
Eight kilometres above Palermo, on the slopes of Monte Caputo, sits one of the most underestimated buildings in Italy. The cathedral of Monreale is not underestimated by historians, who know perfectly well what it is, but by the average visitor who allots it a quick morning and leaves before lunch. That is a mistake. The mosaics alone take over an hour to absorb properly. The cloister could occupy another. And the view over Palermo and the Bay of Sicily from the upper terrace on a clear day tends to stop people in their tracks regardless of how much they have already seen that day.
Palermo: discovering one of the Mediterranean's great cities
Palermo does not ease you in gently. Within twenty minutes of arriving in the historic centre you will have walked past a Norman cathedral, an Arab arch, a Baroque fountain, and a man selling sea urchins from a polystyrene tray on the pavement. Sicily's capital has been ruled by so many different civilisations that the architecture stopped being consistent somewhere around the 9th century and never recovered. That is precisely what makes it extraordinary.
Five Mediterranean Island Brands Worth Bringing Home
The best products don't always come from Paris, Milan or New York. Sometimes they come from islands. The Mediterranean's islands have always done things a little differently. No in-your-face marketing, no celebrity endorsements; just a slower, more organic approach and a stronger sense of place. From a Corsican fragrance inspired by the maquis to Sicilian skincare made from ancient olive groves, these are five island brands worth bringing a piece of the Mediterranean home.
Italy's Best Thermal Spas and Spa Hotels
Italy has been in the thermal spa business for approximately 2,500 years. The Etruscans got there first, treating the sulphurous springs of southern Tuscany as sacred ground. The Romans then turned bathing into an entire civilisation, complete with theatres, restaurants, and heated marble halls. What followed was a long intermission involving plagues, wars, and the collapse of the Empire, after which the Italians picked up exactly where they left off. Today, the country hosts over 380 recognised thermal resorts, a wellness tourism market projected to reach nearly five billion euros by 2030,...
The Italian Paradox: the ISTAT Report Every Italy Investor Should Read
If you've been following the news from Italy, you've seen the footage from Niscemi. An entire section of that Sicilian town, roughly 4 kilometres long, slid off a sandy hillside in January 2026. More than 1,500 people evacuated. Estimated damage: 1.5 to 2 billion euros. Prime Minister Meloni flew in, promised money, and everyone acted surprised. But anyone who had read the reports that came out of Italy in recent months wasn't surprised at all. It was all there, in black and white.
Militello Val di Catania: Baroque Beauty, Legends, and Prickly Pears
Once upon a time, Militello Val di Catania belonged to the illustrious Valley of Noto - a distinction the town held in no small regard. Then came an administrative reshuffle that reassigned it to the Valley of Catania, leaving many residents mildly bewildered by this cartographic plot twist.
The Smart Traveller’s Guide to Italy’s Best Black Friday Deals
When you think of Black Friday, you probably picture crowded stores and frantic clicks for the latest electronics and fashion. It’s a day synonymous with shopping for things. But what if the best deal you could find wasn’t for a new TV, but for a future travel adventure across the sun-drenched landscapes and sparkling seas of Italy?
Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
Agrigento, majestically perched on a hill on the southwest coast of Sicily, has a way of stealing hearts. The air is scented with olive trees, and the sun lays a golden glow on the ancient stones. The Valley of the Temples stretches out like an open-air museum, where the breeze carries whispers from another age. Once, this was Akragas, founded in 581 BC by Greek settlers, part of the thriving world of Magna Graecia that dominated the Mediterranean. Today, the ruins of Akragas stand as solemn witnesses of that greatness—Greek temples whose proud columns still reach for the sky.
Discovering Sikelia: A Hidden Gem on Pantelleria
When I first heard about Sikelia, I was intrigued by its location. I visited Pantelleria some 10 years ago, taking a tiny airplane from Catania to this volcanic speck in the Mediterranean. It sits perfectly positioned between Sicily and the North African coast - about 100 kilometers from Sicily and roughly 70 kilometers from Tunisia. It's one of those places that feels like a secret, despite being well-known among discerning Italian travelers.
Hidden in plain sight: six unexpected corners of Italy
An unexpected encounter, a breathtaking view, a village tucked so far off the tourist trail it barely appears on maps — these are the moments that outlast the trip itself. Some travel memories settle in permanently; others evaporate almost instantly, leaving you wondering: did I even go there?Here are six Italian places that stuck: Borgo Parrini in Sicily, Viganella in Piedmont, La Scarzuola in Umbria, Dozza near Bologna, the mountain village of Torri Superiore above the Ligurian Riviera, and the vertiginous Furore Fjord on the Amalfi Coast.
Best Beach hotels in Puglia - new flights from NYC to Bari
Looking to escape to a lesser-traveled yet stunningly beautiful corner of Italy? NEOS Airlines is making it easier than ever with the first-ever nonstop flight from New York to Puglia, launching this June.
A Culinary Symphony: Exploring the Artistry of Italy’s Finest Chefs
As the world’s leaders gathered at the G7 summit in Taormina, the heart of Italian culinary tradition beat with renewed vigor. Against this backdrop of political discourse and global challenges, Italy's most revered chefs presented a menu that wasn't just a display of gastronomic mastery but a profound statement on the future of food. From the saffron-infused waters of Sicily to the artisanal ricotta of Trapani, each dish encapsulates the spirit of Italian cuisine, reflecting a rich heritage that celebrates local ingredients, craftsmanship, and a deep connection to the land. But this...
Cycling the Sicily Divide: from Trapani to Catania + bikehotels
I may be mistaken, but there is no doubt in my mind that cycling routes are suddenly being built all over Italy. It's a great idea. There's nothing better than following a peaceful bike route through charming villages and rural landscapes. This time, we're going to Sicily, and we're following the "Sicily Divide", a road that literally cuts Sicily in half from Trapani to Catania or vice versa.
Our favourite Spring events in Italy
Spring in Italy always makes for a busy calendar of events, not only because of various important sagras and religious celebrations, but also because of numerous fairs. Yes, folks, more than 30 events, so get ready. To help you navigate our favorite events, please check out the events map or list of Spring events below.
Unique wine resorts in Italy to stay and taste
September marks the start of Italy's heavenly food season, when the vineyards are in full party mode and most of the tourists have gone home. The best of Italian cuisine comes to the table! From north to south, these are Italy's finest wine resorts, where vineyards and tastings make you feel in paradise. Treat yourself to the most sublime red and white wines and haute cuisine.
Exploring Etna's Edible Wonders: A Culinary Adventure from Catania to the Volcano
Buckle up for a tour through the province of Catania to Etna National Park, Europe's most temperamental volcano and a paradise for adventurous taste buds. Every twist and turn on this road trip through the "Muntagna" (mountains) is a sensory overload – the air is perfumed with citrus zest, and you're never more than a pistachio's throw away from a vineyard.
Exploring Catania: Why This Sicilian Gem Tops the List for Slow Travellers
If there's one city that knows how to take a punch, it's definitely Catania. Think of it as a bit of a scrapper. As the island's second-largest city, Catania has weathered more than its fair share of disasters over the centuries. And no, I'm not talking about that time the local pizza maker rolled the dough too thin. We're dealing with more epic stuff here, like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Especially those earthquakes — they pretty much sent the whole cityscape to another dimension at the end of the 17th century.
Exploring Sicily's Gypsy Bay from Castellammare to San Vito Lo Capo
If you're on the hunt for a romantic escape that doesn't involve bumping elbows with every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the beach, then let me point you toward a little slice of paradise in Sicily. We're talking about the far northwest of this Italian gem - think Zingaro (Gypsy in Italian) National Park, Scopello, and San Vito Lo Capo. It's the kind of place where the water's so blue, it makes the Florida Keys look like a kiddie pool.
Sicilian Couscous, Trapani style
You don't have to travel to North Africa to get your fill of couscous - in southern Italy, especially Sicily, it is quite a common dish, largely due to the Arabic influence on the island since ancient times. In fact, Sicily even plays host to an annual international couscous festival, where chefs compete to concoct the best couscous dish around. So while it may have originated as a humble wheat dish in the Maghreb, leave it to the Italians to go one better.
The best of Italian wine - crafted by women
When I first stepped inside the stunning Petra winery located in Tuscany’s Maremma area, I knew something was different. It wasn’t the eye-popping Mario Botta design of the entire complex or just the way the wine was stored in what was nothing less than a cathedral for grapes, or how it poured down slabs of stone to great visual effect. It was the women who were there to welcome our group – yes, you read that right, women.
