10 Best Places to Visit in Sicily
Planning a trip to Sicily and wondering what places to put on your itinerary? Then read on, because this post lays out the 10 best places to visit in Sicily!
After returning from an incredible 11-day Sicily Road Trip, we couldn’t get over the amazing concentration of sites the island has. It truly is one of the best places to visit in Italy! The entire trip felt like one big highlight reel, with each day surpassing the last. It’s hard to narrow down our favorite sites, but this list of the 10 best places to visit in Sicily will help you get started on planning a trip to this amazing island.
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1. Mount Etna
Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, looms tall over eastern Sicily. With a long history of destruction – the volcano has leveled the city of Catania 6 times in written history – you may think trekking this volcano (which erupts on average 200 times a year) is out of the question. On the contrary, Mount Etna is open year-round to visitors and is Sicily’s most visited tourist attraction!
2. Catania’s fish market
Under the grit and graffiti, the city of Catania has charm and character. Home to a Duomo constructed from lava rocks, a hidden Roman theater, and one of Italy’s only WW II museums, Catania has a lot to offer the adventurous tourist. The main draw of Catania, however, is its bustling fish market.
This authentic market, which takes place daily, features vendors selling the catch of the day along with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other culinary delights. A walk through the market will delight the senses – vendors sing out in Sicilian announcing their wares, and the salty smell of fish lingers in the air. Amble through the market and delight in the colors, smells, and tastes surrounding you.
3. Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
Sicily is home to the best-preserved collection of Greek temples outside of Greece. Visitors to the Valley of the Temples will see these temple ruins in various states of deterioration. While some temples appear almost completely intact, others are merely piles of rubble. Visitors will be transported back nearly 2,000 years as they wander amongst the ruins of this fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale
Adding to Sicily’s historical treasures, the mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale are the most complete and preserved Roman mosaics in the world.
The home itself is shrouded in mystery. Archaeologists and historians don’t know who owned it. However, based on the size of the home and the quantity and quality of murals, we know the owner was a wealthy individual. Although out of the way for most itineraries (you’ll need to rent a car and drive in Sicily to get to them), the murals are remarkably detailed and worth a trip on any visit to Sicily.
5. Ortigia, Syracuse
Ortigia (also spelled Ortygia) is the ancient section of the city of Syracuse. Its narrow streets are filled with tasty eateries and charming boutiques. Ortigia also boasts a wealth of history, including a cathedral built using columns from an ancient Roman temple. With expansive Mediterranean views and many streets to wander, Ortigia is a must-see stop on your Sicily itinerary.
6. Baroque city of Noto
The city of Noto is famous for its stunning baroque architecture. One of the few planned cities in Sicily, the architecture along Noto’s main thoroughfare follows a consistent style. With buildings that glow golden in the sunlight, Noto is a photographer’s dream. There are numerous churches to explore, a theater, delicious eateries, and a few nicer, yet touristy, shops.
7. Monreale Cathedral
The Monreale Cathedral, a short bus ride from the heart of Palermo city, showcases exquisite Byzantine mosaics on a grand scale. Inside this cathedral, the ceiling is filled with depictions of biblical scenes constructed using tiny pieces of stone. Despite the limited light in the cathedral, golden inlay makes the mosaics appear to glow. While visiting Monreale Cathedral be sure to ascend into the rafters for panoramic views of Palermo. The adjacent cloisters are also worth a visit, although require a separate ticket.
8. Churches of Palermo
The city of Palermo boasts some of the most unique churches in Sicily. Saint Catherine, San Cataldo, and Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio are most noteworthy and happen to be located on the same block. The Palatine chapel, found within Palermo’s Norman Palace, is an immersive experience. Visitors are surrounded by golden floor-to-ceiling mosaics. Further afield is the shrine of Santa Rosalia, Palermo’s patron saint, built into a damp mountaintop cave.
9. Beachside Taormina
While Taormina is known as a posh retreat for mainland Italians, the city still offers plenty of local charm. Every Sicily itinerary should include at least one day in Taormina!
The main street is full of luxury shopping and nice restaurants, but a few steps off will take you past narrow alleys lined with orange trees and stunning Mediterranean views. Taormina is also home to the Antico Theater, an ancient Greek-turned-Roman theater with an amazing view of Mount Etna. During the summer months, take the cable car down to Isola Bella beach and swim in the crystal clear Mediterranean waters.
10. Neapolis Archaeological Park, Syracuse
Visitors to the Neapolis Archaeological Park can walk inside an ancient limestone quarry and see a 2,000-year-old Greek theater, the best preserved in the world. The theater once had a seating capacity of 16,000 spectators. During Roman times, the stage was adapted to hold water for boating demonstrations. Every year from May to early July, the theater is reinvigorated with live performances of classical pieces.
With its diverse cultural history, Sicily is a treasure trove of ancient sites. When planning your trip, make sure to add these 10 best places to visit in Sicily to your itinerary!
