Off to visit Sicily and the charms of Italy? Here’s our selection of the 18 must-do things to do in Sicily!
The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea – 25,709 km² – off the coast of Calabria and bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sicily isItaly’ s largest region, with a population of 5,032,818 (2017). It is an autonomous region of Italy and is the only Italian province to boast two of the country’s ten most populous cities: Palermo and Catania.
One of Europe’s leading tourist destinations, just three kilometers from the mainland, Sicily boasts a colossal historical, cultural and architectural heritage. Anyone lucky enough to visit Sicily will quickly realize this. To visit Sicily is to discover an extraordinary island full of resources. And it’s all just 2.5 hours by plane from home. A dream climate, heavenly beaches, succulent traditional cuisine, volcanoes – including Etna – and mountains for hiking, museums, churches and historic buildings, bars and restaurants for partying: Sicily has something for everyone.
So what’s there to do in Sicily?
1. Zingaro nature reserve
Photo credit: Flickr – Amergin
Here’s one of Sicily’s jewels: the Zingaro nature reserve, located in the Gulf of Castellammare between San Vito Lo Cap and Scopello (province of Trapani). The reserve stretches along 7 kilometers of coastline, covering an area of 1,700 hectares. It is home to 650 plant species, some 40 of which are endemic and rare. It is also home to 39 species of nesting birds, including Bonelli’s Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. You’ll find sublime beaches drenched by turquoise, green and crystal-clear waters. Lovers of nature, flora and fauna will be delighted: a must for any visit to Sicily!
2. Palermo
Photo credit: Flickr – Dennis Jarvis
The island’s capital is an open-air museum and a mosaic of cultures. Founded in the 8th century B.C. by the Phoenicians, Palermo is home to countless historic buildings with multiple influences: Roman, Byzantine, Muslim, Norman, Germanic, Aragonese, Austrian, Bourbon and Italian.
When visiting Sicily, don’t miss the Palazzo dei Normanni, the Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo Cathedral, the Teatro Massimo, the Ballaro market and Monreale Cathedral.
Take advantage of your visit to Palermo to take a gastronomic tour of the city: discover the culinary traditions of this charming city as you browse the markets and street-food stalls. Flavors guaranteed!
3. Erice
Photo credit: Flickr – Alessandro Bonvini
If you want to visit authentic Sicily, head for Erice. A small medieval village perched 750 metres above Trapani, Erice is home to a number of heritage treasures well worth a visit. To reach the village and visit it (ideally for half a day), you can choose between excursions from other Sicilian towns such as Palermo, by car or by cable car from Trapani, which offers superb panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Once there, lose yourself in Erice’s narrow medieval streets, walk up to its Castle and take a short detour to its church. You can also take in the village’s many viewpoints before enjoying a drink on the terrace or a pastry from the famous Pasticceria Maria Grammatico.
4. The Roman villa of Casale
Photo credit: Flickr – Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble
What to do in Sicily? Head inland to the center of the island, to visit a Roman villa dating from the 4th century BC: the Villa Romana del Casale.
It comprises some thirty rooms decorated with 3,500 m² of mosaics. Destroyed in the Middle Ages by fire and a landslide – occupied until 1160 – it took 800 years before archaeologists rediscovered it in 1950. The authentic mosaics are among the best-preserved remains of the Roman Empire’s heritage. Scenes of hunting in Africa, eroticism and sports allow us to rediscover an unprecedented testimony to the daily life of the Romans in Antiquity.
5. Cefalù
Photo credit: Flickr – Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho
An ancient medieval fishing port, Cefalù offers a postcard-perfect Sicilian setting. Situated to the east of Palermo, this small village perched between an immense rock and the waves bears witness to the prosperity enjoyed by Sicily in its feudal days.
Today, it’s a popular seaside resort for tourists, who come to bathe in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the port and relax on the fine sandy beach, one of the most beautiful you’ll see when visiting Sicily. The beach will be literally crowded in summer, like the Côte d’Azur in July, but Cefalù is well worth a visit: stores and restaurants in the old town, the Norman cathedral, the Rocca cliff.
6. Taormina
Photo credit: Flickr – Andrea Schaffer
Located to the northeast of the Etna mountain range, Taormina is a must-see if you’re wondering what to do in Sicily. Perched high above the Catania plain, it offers breathtaking views of Mount Etna and Isola Bella, making it one of Italy’s most visited towns: we therefore recommend a visit in low season, especially to enjoy the sunset, which offers a superb view of Mount Etna.
Stroll along the island’s east coast to visit Sicily, and enjoy a swim at Isola Bella. Visit the Greek theater and climb up to the Madonna della Rocca church (great views guaranteed!).
7. Etna
Photo credit: Flickr – Alessandro Baffa
Europe’s largest active volcano – peaking at 3,330 metres above sea level – Etna erupted more than 100 times during the 20th century, making it one of the world’s most active volcanoes. In summer and winter alike, it’s possible to climb up to the crater on sunny days from Catania. Starting from the southern flank or from the north – at Piano Provenzano – you can walk or take a bus up to an altitude of 2,400 metres. You’ll be able to observe the fumaroles continually escaping from the crater in a lunar and arid landscape unlike any other, a basalt desert shaped by lava.
8. Catania
Photo credit: Flickr – askii
Sicily’s second-largest city and Italy’s tenth most populous, with 315,576 inhabitants, Catania is dynamic, vast, festive, colorful and boasts a rich historical heritage. It’s nicknamed « the black city » because of its basalt stone buildings.
Don’t miss Catania’s Roman amphitheatre (photo) – blending the ancient past with the present – the Norman Ursino castle, the Piazza del Duomo (Duomo Square), the Fontana dell Elefante (Elephant Fountain), the Duomo di Catania (Catania Duomo) and the « Cyclops Rocks » at Aci Trezza (35 minutes from Catania).
9. Val di Noto
Photo credit: Flickr – Andrea Schaffer
If Catania has charmed you, then you’re sure to be charmed by the region, or rather the surrounding area, to which the town belongs. Val di Noto, in south-eastern Sicily, is dominated by the Hyblean mountains.
If the region is well known, it’s mainly because it echoes the history of 8 towns destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. Thanks to a close-knit community, the historic centers have since been rebuilt: a collective effort that has given the towns of Noto, Ragusa, Scicli, Modica, Palazzolo Acreide, Caltagirone, Militello and Catania a second lease of life. Today, they all have one thing in common: the Baroque style that inspired their rebirth, making this a picturesque and exuberant region that surprises as much as it seduces. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, Val di Noto promises travellers a visit to Sicily and its culture.
In Val di Noto, as well as discovering the historic centers of each town, you can also enjoy the beaches and nature reserves of places like the Vendicari Reserve.
10. Syracuse
Photo credit: Flickr – fafart
Located in southeastern Sicily, Syracuse is an ancient city founded in the 8th century BC by Greek colonists from Corinth. It was once a powerful Greek city, famous for being the site of Hannibal and Archimedes’ fierce battle against the Roman invaders in 213 BC (during the Second Punic War).
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, Syracuse is a must for anyone visiting Sicily. Overlooking the sea and the island of Ortigia, Syracuse is home to ancient remains such as the Greek theater, the temple of Apollo, the temple of Athena, the Arethusa fountain and the Roman amphitheater. While you’re in Syracuse, take the opportunity to visit the artificial grotto known as Denys’ Ear.
11. Agrigento
Photo credit: Flickr – Dennis Jarvis
One of Sicily’s most ancient cities, baptized with many names and resurrected on numerous occasions, Agrigento is not to be missed on a trip to Sicily. First of all, a visit to the Valley of the Temples and the extraordinary exhibits in its Regional Archaeological Museum will help you understand that Agrigento (founded in 581 B.C. by Greek and Cretan rhodium settlers, becoming Akragas in the following century) was one of the most radiant centers in the Mediterranean. That’s why, in 1997, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.
12. Scala dei Turchi
From Agrigento, continue on towards Scala dei Turchi. After the Valley of the Temples, an equally breathtaking spectacle awaits you: a must on any trip to Sicily, Scala dei Turchi, its azure beach and limestone cliffs will plunge you into a world… lunar.
Legend has it that the Scala dei Turchi (meaning « Stairs or Ladders of the Turks ») served as an anchorage for Turkish and Saracen pirates who, after leaving their ships in the bay, would make their way to Sicily via these famous wind-sculpted natural stairways. Since then, the story has lost none of its magic: it has to be said that the landscape is enough to charm anyone who crosses its path. While the staircases are now inaccessible for safety reasons, the fine sandy beach, the blue waters and the belvedere on the site perpetuate a timeless moment. To enjoy this exceptional site in an equally exceptional setting, make a date for sunset…
13. Torre Salsa
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Angelonocera
When you visit Sicily, you also have to earn its treasures. Discreet and rather poorly signposted (it’s located between Agrigento and Selinunte), the Torre Salsa nature reserve is one of the island’s little paradises hidden from mass tourism, and for good reason. To get there, you can either drive along the 20-minute path that leads to the reserve (make sure you’re well-equipped, as the path is very rocky) or, for the more courageous, walk! At the end of the path, the beach: large and little frequented, it offers a privileged setting for swimming and lounging.
14. Enna
Photo credit: Flickr – Pasquale Paolo Cardo
It’s in the heart of the island, more precisely in its center, that the other face of Sicily is hidden. Perched 900 metres above sea level, Enna, known as the « navel of Sicily », sits in its eponymous region. is home to its eponymous region. Renowned for its many lakes, Enna simply has that little something that the island’s other regions don’t have, starting with the natural lake of Pergusa, Sicily’s one and only. As for the town of Enna, it’s seductive for its authenticity and old-world charm. From the historic center to Enna Cathedral (Duomo), continue your stroll towards Lombardy Castle. From its main tower, the monument offers a breathtaking view of Mount Etna!
15. The Aeolian Islands
What else is there to do in Sicily, other than keep discovering things off the beaten track? Let’s head for the Aeolian Islands. Just 1h30 by boat away, this volcanic archipelago is famous for its 7 islands (and small islets). Among them, Lipari, Stromboli, Vulcano and Salina are popular for the variety of activities they offer: lazing on the beaches, hiking, mud baths, permanent volcanic eruptions and walks through rocky landscapes, all in an unspoilt natural setting.
16. Sicily’s beaches
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Lucio Sassi
Of course, a visit to Sicily without a visit to its beaches would be unthinkable. Large sandbanks, small coves, crystal-clear waters and pebbles paint the picture of some of the island’s little corners of paradise. So whether you’re looking to relax or try your hand at a snorkelling session, here’s a small selection of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches to suit all travellers.
- San Vito Lo Capo: a large beach with turquoise waters, San Vito Lo Capo boasts a large stretch of sand with both public and private sides.
- Spiaggia dei Conigli: far from it all, this island, nicknamed « Rabbit Island » and voted the most beautiful beach in the world, plunges you into a veritable paradise of turquoise waters.
- Scala dei Turchi: it’s impossible to have written about this reserve in our article without recommending its beach. As a reminder, Scala dei Turchi is renowned for its superb sunsets and limestone cliffs, making it a unique and truly magical place.
- Isola Bella: snorkellers will love this small pebble beach, home to a variety of fish species.
- Forgia Vecchia: on Stromboli, this beach is a real picture-postcard setting. Its black sand and blue waters make it a unique and contrasting place, well worth a visit.
- Spiaggia dei Faraglioni: like an invitation to travel, Spiaggia dei Faraglioni transports you into a world where rocks and turquoise waters have given birth to a beach that invites you to relax and unwind.
- Lido Mazzaro: once again, Lido Mazzaro symbolizes the beauty of Sicily. Located on the Isola Bella peninsula, it’s something of an Eldorado for visitors. Isolated amid turquoise waters, Lido Mazzaro is accessible via a sandy strip that connects it to the coast: the setting is simply breathtaking.
17. A boat trip
Boat moored for a visit to Taormina Photo credit: Shutterstock – Andrii Shnaider
As you can see, Sicily is full of incredible places. Some can even be visited in the same day. And what better way to get there than by chartering a boat?
When you opt for a boat rental in Sicily, the journey is also a visit. It’s also the perfect way to enjoy the region’s turquoise waters, so often featured on postcards.
Rates vary, as do the types of boat available for hire. You can also hire a skipper if you don’t have a boating license.
18. Other things to see and do in Sicily
Photo credit: Pxhere – Giuseppe Costanza
If you’re still wondering what to do in Sicily, here are a few more must-sees to add to your trip:
- The Marsala salt marshes and cellars
- Monte Cofano nature reserve
- The Pelagos Islands and Lampedusa
- The temples of Selinunte
- Trapani and its culinary specialities
How to get to Sicily
At around 1h30 from France, you have direct flights from Paris Beauvais (to Trapani), Paris Charles de Gaulle (to Catania), Paris Orly (to Palermo) and Brussels (to Comiso). Depending on what you want to visit in Sicily, the choice of your airport in Sicily is important, as the island is very large. To find a cheap flight to Sicily, you can do your research on the website of our partner Ulysses.
You can also reach Sicily by ferry. It takes around 10 hours to get to Sicily by boat, so you can move around the island freely with your own car. Ferries depart from France at Toulon or even Nice, as well as from other Italian ports. You can book your ferry to Sicily online at DirectFerries.
Getting around Sicily
It’s best to have a car (or motorcycle) to get around Sicily. Public transport on the island is both difficult and slow, but not impossible. If you want to visit several parts of the island in the same stay, it’s advisable to come by car or rent one locally. You can compare car rental prices in Sicily on the Rentalcars website.
Where to stay in Sicily?
Sicily is a large island, and you’ll need to pack your bags in several cities if you want to visit the whole of Sicily. Accommodation in Sicily is relatively easy outside the vacation season. You can find a cheap hotel in Sicily by searching on this hotel comparator.
Looking for more typical accommodation? Get the local experience with the region’s many Airbnb properties. You’ll find houses, apartments and rooms at all price points.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Sicily