The 20 Best Things to Do in Sicily

Sicily blew me away: The largest island in the Mediterranean is so incredibly diverse and fascinating. Here you will find vibrant cities such as Catania and Palermo, beautiful beaches and bays, as well as historical sites from all eras. In this article you will find my selection of the 20 most beautiful sights in Sicily. Perfect to inspire you for a trip to Sicily or to create your own itinerary.

What you need to know

• Sicily has a long and eventful history, which is why you will even find influences from the ancient Greeks, Normans and Arabs in its architecture and culture.

• Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, offers impressive hikes and day trips in a spectacular setting.

• Sicily is home to many towns and villages with unique charm, such as Palermo, Taormina and Cefalù – all worth a visit!

Sicily sights: What you must see

Sicily is a destination for all the senses: the landscape is impressive, the Sicilians are open-minded – and oh my God, the food everywhere is simply delicious! A trip to Sicily is worthwhile for this alone. But the largest island in the Mediterranean also has other great sights to offer. You can discover natural wonders such as the brightly lit Scala dei Turchi or Mount Etna, Europe’s highest volcano.

And the Sicilian Baroque in the Val di Noto or the ancient temples near Agrigento are not just for history buffs. If you’ve had enough of history, you can simply plunge into the hustle and bustle of the capital Palermo and explore one of the most exciting cities in Europe. You’re guaranteed not to get bored in Sicily!

#1 Etna – Europe’s highest volcano

Have you ever stood on a volcano? Mount Etna is not just any volcano – it is Europe’s highest and also one of the most active volcanoes. It can be seen from afar, and on days with good visibility you can even see it from the Piazza del Duomo in the center of Catania or from the ancient theater in Taormina.

As Mount Etna is still an active volcano, you should only climb it as part of an organized tour. Most tours include a ride on the Funivia dell’Etna cable car and an experienced mountain guide who will accompany you safely to the best spots.

Book your tour to Mount Etna here*

#2 Palermo – The capital of Sicily

Opinions differ on Palermo – which I personally cannot understand at all. For me, Palermo is one of the most exciting cities in Italy or even Europe. The city is so full of life without being intimidating; it’s always busy around the clock – people dance, play music and live on the streets.

In Palermo’s old town, you can explore the exciting history of Sicily through all eras in a very small space, as you will find Norman, Arabic and Byzantine influences in the various architectural styles.

And there is hardly a better place to try so many Sicilian specialties at once: The street food at Palermo’s markets is simply legendary.

#3 Mondello: the city beach of Palermo

In summer, you will probably meet the whole of Palermo here at the weekends: Mondello is the city beach of the Sicilian capital, so to speak. Here you can stroll, sunbathe and swim in the truly turquoise waters.

And of course, Sicilian street food is a must: The food stalls serve delicious arancini – the stuffed rice balls are a typical beach snack on a hot summer’s day.

#4 Cefalù – coastal idyll and Norman architecture

Cefalù is only an hour’s drive from Palermo and is definitely one of my favorite places in Sicily. The small fishing village has managed to retain the charm of the old days and is now the perfect mix of beach, culture and vacation atmosphere: the perfect choice for a Sicilian vacation!

In the almost car-free city center, the Norman cathedral forms the center of Cefalú. Here you can sip a cappuccino in the large piazza and then stroll directly to the small beach at the old harbor of Cefalú to refresh yourself in the turquoise blue sea. And then there is the Rocca di Cefalù, the town’s local mountain, which towers above everything and which you can even climb via a hiking trail.

#5 Taormina – The pearl of Sicily

When it comes to the most beautiful places in Sicily, Taormina is often mentioned. Situated high on a hill, the town with its charming old town offers views that will blow you away.

The ancient theater is also one of the top sights in Sicily. Here you will not only learn more about the long history of Taormina, but you will also have a magnificent view of Mount Etna and the Gulf of Giardini-Naxos.

However, Taormina is literally flooded with tourists during the season. Many cruise ships also dock in nearby Giardini Naxos, so it can get quite crowded in the small old town during the day. Nevertheless, Taormina is really pretty and I would definitely recommend at least one trip here.

Read my complete guide to Taormina here

#6 Siracusa and Ortigia – history and culture

In Siracusa, you can experience Sicily’s history up close. In the Neapolis archaeological park, you can visit the ancient Greek theater and explore the Ear of Dionysius.

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The old town of is located on the island of Ortigia, where you can stroll through the old, narrow streets. From the Norman fortress to the ancient temples – Ortigia is simply like one big open-air museum.

#7 The Valley of the Temples near Agrigento

Curiously, the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento is not a valley, but a hill. On days with good visibility, you can even see the sea from here!

In the Valley of the Temples you will find impressive remains of the ancient Greeks in Sicily, such as the Temple of Concordia, one of the best-preserved Greek temples in existence, the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, once one of the largest temples of antiquity.

The Valley of the Temples is particularly impressive at night when the buildings are specially illuminated.

#8 Noto

Noto is like a little treasure in the Val di Noto of the same name. Here you will find some of the Sicilian Baroque towns that are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Personally, I was most impressed by Noto: the small old town is clearly laid out, but still full of pretty cafés, great restaurants and, of course, really great baroque architecture.

And it is truly breathtaking to experience the sunset on one of the church towers. The warm sunlight then envelops the entire city and gives the sandstone of the buildings a golden glow.

#9 Riserva naturale orientata dello Zingaro

If you are looking for pure nature and tranquillity, then the Riserva dello Zingaro is the right place for you. In the nature reserve in the northwest of Sicily, there is nothing but breathtaking scenery and beautiful bays.

Several hiking trails lead through the reserve, which is located between Castellamare di Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo. Originally, a coastal road was planned here, but due to the continuous protests of local residents, the plans were scrapped and the region has now been protected forever – also to the delight of all visitors to Sicily, as the Zingaro is truly impressive.

#10 Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands are a real insider tip if you love nature and especially volcanoes. The most famous of the Aeolian Islands (also known as the Lipari Islands ) is Stromboli.

The volcano of the same name on the island is one of the most active in the world and can be climbed as part of a guided hike*. There are also complete boat tours from the mainland, where you can explore Stromboli and the surrounding islands and, with a bit of luck, see the lava running down from the volcano from the sea after dark.

Book your boat tour to the Aeolian Islands & Stromboli volcano here*

But I can particularly recommend one of the best-kept secrets of the Aeolian Islands: On Salina, you really enter another world.

The small island is also of volcanic origin and tends to be ignored by large crowds of tourists. Here you will find fine, cozy boutique hotels such as the Principe Di Salina* and relaxing nature – perfect for switching off!

#11 Trapani and its salt pans

Trapani is a real underdog among Sicily’s coastal towns. Many tourists don’t pay much attention to Trapani, and only set sail from here to the Egadi Islands.

But the old town of Trapani really does have some treasures to offer and scores highly in terms of architecture and cuisine with old Arabic influences. An exciting mix!

The salt pans on the outskirts of the city are also really great. You can even see wild flamingos in the extensive lagoon landscape! And a sunset with a view of the sea is unforgettable from here.

#12 Egadi Islands

Trapani is also the best place to reach the Egadi Islands, consisting of Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo. Favignana in particular is worth a detour.

For me, the island seemed like a mixture of Ibiza and Sylt: lots of nature, beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water – but also Mediterranean, relaxed nightlife with great restaurants and cocktail bars in the small main town.

The characteristic tufa caves and the former tuna factory Ex Stabilimento Florio delle tonnare are just some of the sights you can discover on Favignana.

#13 Catania

Catania, the second largest city in Sicily, is bursting with energy. The many dark building facades are also striking: Lava stone from Mount Etna was used for many of the buildings, giving the city its unmistakable flair.

Here you will also find a piece of Sicily’s long history in the form of the Roman theaters.

But today’s Catania is also really exciting: at the fish market, which is located right in the center behind the Piazza del Duomo, it gets really busy almost every day when the freshly caught fish is brought to the people.

You will also find great bars and restaurants all around, where you can enjoy the typical Sicilian hustle and bustle until late in the evening.

#14 Tonnara di Scopello

Tuna fishing once played a major role in Sicily: entire families lived off the bloody mattanza for generations. Shoals of tuna swim past Sicily on their way to their spawning grounds in May. Off the coast, they are guided through a sophisticated system of nets and finally caught.

However, due to overfishing in the Mediterranean, tuna fishing in Sicily has declined sharply and fishing has been abandoned in many places.

Today, the Tonnara di Scopello is one of the most popular Instagram spots in Sicily: the small bay with the rocks in front of it is simply a beautiful photo motif. The old tonnara itself is now home to a pretty boutique hotel and a small museum, which can also be visited by day visitors by appointment.

#15 Marzamemi

Although the fishing village of Marzamemi is no longer an absolute insider tip, only a fraction of Sicily’s holidaymakers find their way here to the south-eastern tip of the island. The region around Marzamemi is sparsely populated and the town itself has retained its original charm – the perfect conditions for a relaxing stay.

Around Marzamemi you will also find extensive beaches and a nature reserve with flamingos and many other wild birds.

Exciting: the former tuna factory has been converted into a small excursion destination! Colorful restaurants, small boutiques and delicatessens line the streets here.

#16 Scala dei Turchi

The Scala dei Turchi is a true natural wonder: the gleaming white limestone cliff drops into the sea like a staircase. Until recently, you could simply walk up to the rocks.

However, as there have been repeated cases of vandalism in the past, the rocks are now cordoned off and you can only admire them from a distance.

However, there are several beaches all around where you can go for a swim. The view from and to the Scala dei Turchi is particularly beautiful at sunset, when the sunlight reflects off the bright limestone.

#17 Ragusa

Ragusa consists of two parts: Since the severe earthquake in Sicily in 1693, the city has been separated by a gorge. The upper part is called Ragusa Superiore, the lower town Ragusa Ibla.

Most of the Baroque buildings worth seeing can be found in Ragusa Ibla. Here you can stroll through romantic alleyways or simply relax in the inviting Giardini Iblei.

If you are traveling by rental car, you can always stop at viewpoints on the winding mountain roads around Ragusa to enjoy the incomparable view of the valley.

Cheap rental cars for your road trip in Sicily*

#18 Modica

Modica is also one of the Baroque towns in the Val di Noto. However, it is somewhat less touristy than Noto or Ragusa Ibla, for example. Nevertheless, there is plenty to discover in Modica, especially a famous sweet – chocolate from Modica is not only famous, but also really delicious.

The special feature: The cocoa is processed cold, so the sugar it contains does not dissolve completely, giving the chocolate a completely different texture. Be sure to try it!

#19 San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo, known for its beautiful sandy beach and relaxed atmosphere, is the epitome of a perfect seaside resort. In addition to sunbathing and swimming, you can also try out numerous water sports here.

Or you can go out on a boat and explore the bathing bays of the nearby Riserva dello Zingaro from the water.

#20 Sicilian street food

Especially on the streets of Catania and Palermo you can get to know the famous Sicilian street food. The many, mostly deep-fried delicacies and the stalls where they are prepared are a sight in themselves.

Most of the dishes are very filling, so bring enough hunger with you. Popular dishes include arancini (stuffed rice balls) and pani ca meusa (bread rolls with veal spleen).

Accommodation in Sicily

There are so many great accommodations for every budget in Sicily! Whether in an old palazzo in Trapani* converted into a boutique hotel, on an idyllic farm near Scopello* or in a beach bungalow on Favignana*, I have never had a bad night’s sleep. Especially in the low season, you will find really good options for every taste in Sicily.

Get the best hotel deals in Sicily*

Frequently asked questions when traveling to Sicily

How many days do you need for Sicily?

Sicily is really very big. In order to visit most of the island’s sights in a relaxed manner, I recommend planning at least three weeks, preferably four. Or you can decide to visit only a certain part of Sicily. Conveniently, the two major airports of Catania and Palermo are located at two different ends of the island: if you want to explore the east coast of Sicily, it is best to fly directly to Catania; from Palermo you can easily reach Cefalù or Trapani with the Egadi Islands.

Both Catania and Palermo are served by many major airlines, including Lufthansa* and Eurowings* which fly directly to Sicily from many airports in Germany.

The small airport of Trapani on the west coast of Sicily is also served by some airlines.

Find flights to Palermo, Catania or Trapani & compare prices*

When is the best time to travel to Sicily?

Especially if you want to see a lot or go hiking, I recommend a trip in the low season. In July and August you will of course experience pure summer in Sicily, but it also gets very hot. Due to the vacation season, prices naturally rise and many places are overcrowded. Recommended months are therefore April, May, September or October. I was traveling in October and had really consistently warm late summer weather, where you could even swim in the sea for the most part.

Is Sicily dangerous?

The bad times of public clashes between hostile criminal groups seem to be largely over and as a tourist you don’t notice much of it anyway.

I was also very surprised at how safe I felt in Palermo and Catania – I find Naples and Barcelona much more stressful in this respect. Safety is always a personal impression, but I think the image of a dangerous Sicily that many people still have is outdated.

Is Sicily dirty?

Well, Sicily is probably not the first destination that comes to mind when you think of organized and clinically clean places. And if you turn into a quieter street in Palermo away from the hustle and bustle, you might find piles of garbage next to the overflowing containers.

Nevertheless, I never noticed garbage as a problem that could have dampened my enthusiasm for Sicily.

Do you need a rental car in Sicily?

Yes and no. If you are traveling in cities, I would advise against renting a car. In Palermo and Catania there is public transport such as buses, and Uber is not expensive either. You can also reach many locations and sights on foot.

You can also easily reach nearby towns such as Cefalú by coach or train. However, if you really want to explore the whole of Sicily or certain more remote corners, a rental car is almost indispensable.

This post was written on a research trip through Sicily for Travellers Insight, the travel blog of Munich Airport. On the website, you can find more exciting tips for Sicily, Trapani Palermo.