Sicily – the most interesting cities and the most beautiful places for holidays
Sicily is the largest Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to the large space, individual areas of the island are different from each other. Which cities will be the best for holidays and what pleasures can we expect there? Explore the highlights of this amazing Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
- Agrigento
- Taormina
- Etna volcano
- Cefalu
- San Vito lo Capo
- Palermo
- Syracuse
- Noto
- Ragusa
- Modica
- Trapani
- Erice
- Aegadian Islands
1. Agrigento – Valley of the Temples
Agrigento is a city on the southern coast of Sicily, in the province of the same name. It is a real tourist "gem" due to its well-preserved Greek temples; some of them even survived the earthquakes that hit Sicily several times. The entire Valley of the Temples is an impressive area of ​​1800 hectares, divided into two parts: eastern and western, and their border is marked by a road with a bridge over it for visitors. The most important objects are: the oldest temple in this area Temple of Heracles, built in the 5th century BC Temple of Concord (best preserved most impressive) and Temple of Hera and Doric temple of Zeus.
2. Taormina
The picturesquely located city attracts tourists with its monuments, such as the perfectly preserved ruins of the Greek theater or the phenomenal cathedral of St. Nicholas of Bari from the 13th century, where you can admire historic altars, sculptures, decorated tombs and sarcophagi, and commemorative plaques. The mighty castle is also worth visiting. The landscape around the city includes majestic Mount Etna and the nearby hills. To get a stunning photo backdrop, just take the cable car up the hill. The most beautiful beach, Isola Bella, can be admired from up close or from a distance.
When visiting Sicily, you must try products made from locally produced ricotta, made from milk from sheep found in the local pastures. A sweet delicacy is cannoli, i.e. amazing Sicilian tubes filled with cream made from this cheese. The indulgent dessert is deep-fried and served with chocolate or pistachios.
One of the greatest luxury attractions of Taormina is the legendary hotel Grand Hotel Timeo, located on the rocky hills opposite the Greek amphitheater. Your holiday in Sicily in this hotel will be unforgettable and unique!
3. Etna volcano
Etna volcano in Sicily it is over 3300 meters high. It is the highest and largest active volcano in Europe; since 2013 it has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Every now and then there is a spectacular eruption, during which smoke and ash are thrown out of the crater; sometimes lava flows out. When the weather is clear, Etna becomes an ideal vantage point from which you can admire the views of the coastline of Sicily and the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands (the so-called Aeolian Islands). The volcano is covered with vegetation on one side, while the other slope offers lunar landscapes. Climbing the volcano takes the whole day and provides unforgettable experiences and wonderful views. You can get to an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level by cable car, and you can go to the Torre del Filosofo point on foot or by off-road vehicle.
4. Cefalu
Cefalu has a lot to offer visitors. We will find there, among others the most beautiful beaches of Sicily, charming streets full of boutiques and restaurants filled with fresh fish and seafood. Many travelers who choose Sicily as a holiday destination decide to relax in this town. The name of the city comes from the Greek kefale, because it is located at the foot of the huge Rocca rock. On the eastern side of the hill, traces of settlement from ancient times were discovered in caves and caves. On the Rocca hill there are also the ruins of the temple of Diana, built around the 1131th century BC and being one of the few remains of the Greeks. One of the most beautiful monuments of the city is the cathedral in Cefalu, full of valuable mosaics (Duomo di Cefalù). The temple began to be built in the Norman style, on the orders of King Roger II of Sicily in 1131, when he miraculously survived a storm and landed on the beach. The cathedral was built in the years 1240–1267 and consecrated in XNUMX.
5. San Vito Lo Capo
A town located in the north-west of Sicily San Vito lo Capo was founded in the 18th century around a Saracen fortress, in which there still stands a temple dedicated to the patron saint of the city: Saint Vitus. The beach with light sand in San Vito Lo Capo, located on a promontory extending into the Tyrrhenian Sea, is, according to the opinions of locals and visitors, the most beautiful beach in Sicily. The crystal clear water washing over it is characterized by an extremely azure color, and the surrounding nature of the Zingaro Landscape Park complements the idyllic landscape for your dream holiday in Sicily. It is a great place for people who spend their time actively and for water sports enthusiasts; in San Vito there are several diving schools and water equipment and boat rentals. The town is famous for its cultural events, such as the three-day Couscous Festival, which takes place every year in September.
6. Palermo
Palermo is the tourist, cultural and economic capital of Sicily. It is a center of industry and trade, equipped with, among other things, a large international airport. The city's main monuments include the remains of Roman walls, beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque temples, the royal Norman Palace and the city theater and opera building. The city delights with its stylish diversity.
In Palermo, it's easy to find a restaurant serving local delicacies. First of all, as in other parts of the island, dishes prepared from high-quality local vegetables and fresh seafood. According to many travelers, Sicily smells of almonds - on the island you can even taste vino alla mandorla, an almond wine specialty.
7. Syracuse
The homeland of Archimedes in the eastern part of Sicily, which was founded as a Greek colony and years later fell into the hands of the Romans. Despite various adventures over the centuries, it still belongs to Italy. The historic island of Ortygia, connected to it by the Ponte Nuovo bridge, was also affected by its colonial past, with remains of temples of Greek deities (e.g. Apollo). Duomo Square, the charming Villa Reimann and Vermexio Palace are also worth seeing in the area. The historic base of Syracuse also includes, among others, a partially preserved amphitheater, the intriguing Ear of Dionysius cave, the Montalto Palace and the Church of Saint Lucy (the patron saint of the city). Those fascinated by historical writing will undoubtedly be delighted by the Papyrus Museum.
You must visit the Mercato di Ortigia, a colorful market in a movie style, where you can look at the trade folklore and taste fresh tuna or ricotta prepared in dozens of ways.
8. Noto
Another delightful city in Sicily, located in the province of Syracuse. Its late Baroque center was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This part of Noto was rebuilt, or rather built from scratch, after being completely destroyed by the earthquake in 1693. The recreated Cathedral of St. is very impressive. Nicholas, the Church of Charles Borromeo and the magnificent Ducezio Palace. Most of the buildings in Noto are made of stone and the city is characterized by a royal building concept; According to the Baroque architectural idea, there are impressive palaces of the aristocracy at the very top of the city, and the outskirts were intended for the lower social classes.
9. Ragusa
Ragusa also administratively belongs to the Noto Valley, but is located higher, on a beautiful hill, approximately 520 m above sea level. Here there is also a historic center, entered into the UNESCO register, with beautiful cathedrals and churches, charming, inconspicuous buildings and narrow streets. Giardino Ibleo has stunning gardens with lush vegetation. We can find them in Piazza Odierna, one of the most beautiful areas, perfect for a souvenir photo session. To be able to move between the city districts located on the hills, many bridges and stairs were built; hence Ragusa is called the "city of bridges".
The town of Ragusa is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Sicily; encourages you to visit its impressive palaces (Rocca) and the lavishly decorated Arezzo Di Trifiletti. The painted floor, elegant furniture and beautiful frescoes depicting mythological scenes are impressive. In addition to interesting buildings and museums, the surroundings of Ragusa also tempt with natural values. The Cava d'Ispica Gorge is an opportunity for a long walk along the trail of fascinating caves.
10. Modica
This baroque town, classified as... the most beautiful cities on Sicily, is located in the province of Ragusa. The history of the city dates back to the 1693rd century BC. Unfortunately, Modica was largely destroyed during the earthquake in XNUMX and then rebuilt in the late Baroque style. Modica consists of two parts - at the top is the old town with the famous San Giorgio Cathedral. At the bottom is the newer district of Modica Bassa, where urban life takes place around Corso Umberto. Apart from the richly gilded palaces, attention is drawn to the majestic and intricate sculptures San Pietro cathedral.
Apart from UNESCO monuments, Modica is famous for its unique cuisine. Here you can taste incredibly tasty pistachio cream, delicious canelloni and cornetto, and chocolate, the recipe of which comes from the Aztecs themselves.
11. Trapani
Charming Trapani (formerly: Phoenician Drepanon) is a corner on the west coast of Sicily, where the Tyrrhenian Sea meets the Mediterranean Sea. There are stylish monuments there, such as the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, beautiful churches and sanctuaries and the Triton fountain. Active travelers will appreciate access to the sea and, therefore, water attractions of a recreational and extreme nature. Windsurfing, snorkeling, or maybe a trip around the headland on a private yacht?
Near the town you can see beautiful salinas, i.e. salt pools. The fascinating, pink shimmering patches look amazing and also have a health-promoting effect - due to the emission of iodine. The saline landscape is also diversified by historic windmills.
12. Erice
This beautiful town, called the "medieval pearl of Sicily", is located in the province of Trapani, also on the west coast of Sicily. The name of the ancient town comes from the mythological Eryx, the son of Venus and Butas. The history of the Eryks settlement dates back to the 5th century BC, according to legend, it was built by the Elym people. Here you can admire the Castle of Venus built on the site of the former temple of Venus, the Saracen Castle of Pepoli and the remains of Phoenician fortresses. Charming and full of history, Erice rises like a fortress over the surrounding towns of Sicily, guaranteeing breathtaking views of the nearby valleys and the Tyrrhenian Sea and the picturesque Aegadian Islands.
You can get to the Monte San Giuliano hill with a height of 751 meters above sea level, where Erice is located, by the so-called cable car. funicolare or a winding, narrow road, winding like a serpentine.
13. Aegadian Islands (Aegadians)
Aegadians is a small archipelago of five islands off the coast of western Sicily, near the city of Trapani. Composed of: The Aegadian Islands fall -Favignana, I raise, Marettimo and two very small ones – Formica i Maraona. They delight with crystal water and mountainous terrain; the highest peak reaches 686 m above sea level on the island of Marettimo. On the islands of Favignana and Levanzo you can admire ancient Neolithic cave paintings dating back 5000 years. The island of Favignana is dominated by Mount St. Catherine, where the ancient tuna fishing ritual of Tonnara Florio's royalty is repeated every May. In 241 BC, one of the largest naval battles between the Romans and the Carthaginians during the First Punic War took place near the Aegadian Islands.
Crystalline water, underwater diving spots, wonderful bays and the beautiful nature of the islands create great conditions to spend a wonderful holiday on a yacht off the coast of Sicily.
When is the best time to organize a trip to Sicily?
A sightseeing tour of Sicily is a great idea for the spring, summer and autumn periods. The Italian island hides a lot of intriguing secrets, memories of ancient times and mythological souvenirs. Combining active sightseeing with relaxation is a recipe for a truly successful holiday. Sicily is also a place full of historic and luxurious hotels, especially around Taormina and Syracuse. In the southern part of the island, there is also a championship golf course, located next to the exclusive Verdura hotel of the Rocco Forte chain.
Individual sightseeing tours around Sicily and tailor-made holidays in Italy
Private sightseeing tours around Sicily and other regions of Italy are the travel agency's specialty CARTER. We have great local guides who know the places inside out. We will prepare each travel plan with pleasure and great care, according to your individual project.
Holidays in Sicily – Luxury hotels and exclusive accommodation in houses and villas
Holidays in Sicily with a travel agency do not have to be trivial or boring. On the contrary! We make every effort to ensure that your individually designed trips around Sicily are authentic and have perfectly selected accommodation. For the most demanding guests, we offer hotels from the Belmond and Rocco Forte chains in Sicily, as well as Therasia Resort Sea and Spa on the picturesque island of Vulcano and the Sikelia hotel on the volcanic Pantelleria.
Sicily – holidays on an island full of monuments and attractions
Sicily is the hottest of the Italian islands and also the most fascinating; it has retained many Greek and African influences. When visiting Sicily in spring, we can enjoy the scent of blooming citrus and jasmine trees and admire traditional Easter processions. Travelers appreciate the island for its delicious cuisine, Moscato wine and the fact that local residents are never in a hurry. Ancient cities such as Syracuse, Taormina, Noto and Palermo, the best seaside resorts in Sicily and monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, attract with their magnificence tourists who love Italy immensely.
Author: Travel Agency CARTER®
