The southern Italian peninsula has a similarly unique character to Naples. However, Sicily also offers a lot in terms of attractions, just to mention Palermo, Syracuse, or Mount Etna! It’s no wonder it made it among the most beautiful places in Italy!
Table of Contents
Best places in Sicily
Palermo
The island’s center is both chaotic and fantastic. There are many markets, especially with a large selection of seafood.
The main attraction of Palermo is the Palazzo dei Normanni. It’s the oldest royal palace in Europe, formerly the seat of the Norman rulers. It was originally a Roman fort, then later functioned as an Arab palace.
Palermo Cathedral, a 12th-century, architecturally diverse church with four bell towers. You can visit royal tombs inside the church. You can climb the stairs to the dome, where there is a great view of the city.
There are several wonderful public attractions in the city. Quattro Canti is an octagonal square where there are statues of four city patron saints on the four Baroque buildings. A few steps away is Piazza Pretoria, where there is a fountain decorated with 16 nude statues.
Mondello
A few kilometers from the center of Palermo, it is not only the city, but also one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily.
The beach is located in a semi-circular bay, with sandy shores and shallow waters. This makes it popular among families.
Its special attraction is enhanced by the Monte Pellegrino mountain rising behind it and the Capo Gallo nature reserve nearby. The area around the beach has well-developed infrastructure, including restaurants, bars, and numerous water sports opportunities.
Trapani
In this coastal city on the western part of the island, the gastronomy and attractions are also highlights.
You can take wonderful walks in the city. The seaside promenade is very atmospheric, and you can see beautiful Baroque palaces and churches.
Erice
Located northeast of Trapani, this medieval town is situated at 750 meters above sea level.
Be sure to visit the Torretta Pepoli fortress on the hill, because the view of the city and the sea is fantastic.
It is worth going up by cable car, which starts from the eastern part of Trapani and goes directly to the edge of the small town. The trip only takes 10 minutes, offering a wonderful panorama.
San Vito lo Capo
Northeast of Trapani, on a peninsula, we find this small town, primarily famous for its beach.
Not only is it one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily, but it is also ranked among the best in Europe. Its slowly deepening shore is popular among those with small children.
It has a bit of a Caribbean feel, as the fine sandy beach and the translucent water, along with a large rock in the background, provide a great panorama.
Cefalu
Located on the northern part of the island, between Palermo and Messina. Its location and Roman remains make it a popular place in Sicily.
The modern town was founded by Roger II, the King of Sicily, in 1131 at the foot of the mountain by the seaside. This is when they started building the cathedral as well. It was built in a style typical of Norman architecture, more precisely called Sicilian Romanesque.
There is a wonderful panorama from the rock above the town. In addition, the town’s beach is also a great place for swimming.
Taormina
Many consider the town located between Catania and Messina to be the most beautiful in Sicily.
It has been a popular tourist destination since the 19th century because of its beautiful beaches. The waters of the Ionian Sea are very warm and have a high salt content.
The Greek theater in the town is a must-visit, as the panorama is also wonderful. With a diameter of 109 meters, it is the second largest theater in Sicily (after the one in Syracuse). It could accommodate 5400 spectators. Today, it is still often used for concerts, as well as opera and theater performances.
Siracusa
The city located on the eastern part is famous for its old town, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
The atmosphere on the island of Ortigia is extraordinary. The houses and alleys of this district evoke ancient Greek architecture. Cicero called it the „greatest Greek city, and the most beautiful of all”.
The Cathedral of Siracusa is in the old town. It was built in the 7th century on the site of the Temple of Athena built in the 5th century BC. The columns of the old temple can still be seen in the walls of the cathedral. Inside, several beautiful works are visible, such as the statue of Madonna della Neve.
The Basilica of Santa Lucia is a Byzantine-era church, traditionally built in 303 on the site of Saint Lucia’s martyrdom. It currently looks as it did in the 15th-16th centuries. Saint Lucia’s catacombs run beneath the church.
Not far from the city center is the archaeological park (Parco Archeologico Neapolis). Here, we can discover several great ancient relics:
- The most famous is the cave known as the Ear of Dionysius, which has unique acoustics. It is man-made, 23 meters high and 65 meters long. Its name comes from Caravaggio, who thought the entrance of the cave resembled a human ear.
- The Teatro Greko is a beautiful and large Greek theater, not fitted with seats and a stage. There is also a beautiful view of the city from here.
- The Latomie del Paradiso is a beautiful shady park with paths under rocks, a walkway through a bamboo forest, and caves carved into the rock.
Catania
The island’s second-largest city is famous for the smoking Mount Etna next to it. But the city itself also deserves some time.
The main square in Catania is home to the Cathedral of Saint Agata (Cattedrale di Sant’Agata). It’s a famous Baroque cathedral known for its columned façade, domed roof, frescoes, and paintings. Saint Agata was martyred here. The tomb of Vincenzo Bellini, a famous Italian composer, is also located here.
Near the cathedral is the amphitheater (Anfiteatro Romano di Catania). Here, a fenced area allows you to see the excavated underground part of the city.
Near the city center stands the Ursino Castle (Castello Ursino). The 13th-century castle has a royal archaeological collection, items from a monastery, and painted carriages. It consists of four wings that surround an inner courtyard.
Markets are also dominant here, with the largest being in Piazza Carlo Alberto. Be prepared for it to always be crowded.
Etna
Mount Etna, Europe’s largest volcano, stands at 3350 meters and is still active today. However, its activity is characterized by lava flows and lava fountains, allowing it to be observed relatively closely and safely.
You can get quite close to the summit, but naturally, you can’t go to the crater for safety reasons!
The starting point is Rifugio Sapienza (1910 meters high), from where you can also take a cable car up to the Montagnola cup (2507 meters high). From there, you can go to the Piccola Rifugio tourist house.
Information about the cable car and ticket purchase is available here!
Agrigento
The archaeological park known as the Valley of the Temples is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Located a few kilometers from the sea on the southern part of the island, it was built during ancient Greek times as Akragas. The city’s old relics and findings can be seen in the archaeological museum.
The temples south of the city are the largest ancient Greek architectural complex outside of present-day Greece. There are seven Doric-style temples here, built in the 5th and 6th centuries BC.
Unfortunately, only two temples are in good condition, but it is definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
Ragusa
This city in the southern part of Sicily has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2002.
The city that developed on the site of ancient Hybla Heraia was destroyed by a severe earthquake in 1693. During the reconstruction, two major parts of the city were formed: Ragusa Ibla (on the site of the ancient city) and Ragusa Superiore to the west. The rebuilt Ibla is characterized by a uniform Baroque style.
Due to its long history, numerous wonderful memories have been preserved. These can be seen in the Ibla Archaeological Museum and the Camarina Regional Archaeological Museum. In addition, several noble palaces and churches represent the past.
