Affiliate disclosure: some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you book using one of them, we’ll earn a small commission. All of our info is free to read and free of ads, so we appreciate it!

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and a place that has been fought over, conquered, and colonized by civilizations for milennia. From the Phoenicians to the Greeks and on to Arabs, Bourbones, and the Spanish, it has truly been at the crossroads of civilizations.

Today's Sicily, my home, is full of bustling cities, charming towns and villages, phenomenal beaches, rugged mountains and soaring volcanos, stunning Greek and Roman ruins, and a host of little archipelagos. There is a density of sights and attractions here that is simply unparalled.

All this is to say… there's a lot to see! So, this list is by no means a comprehensive guide to everywhere to visit, instead it's a mix of my personal favorites and places that I consider "must visits” for any first time visitor.

In time, perhaps some of them will become your favorites too!

Click here to see all of our Sicly guides & itineraries

Table of Contents

Plan your Sicily itinerary with an expert!

Connect with Gaetano in Palermo for a 60-minute travel consultation!

1-hour live trip planning session

Learn about pro tips & hidden gems

Get advice that's tailor-made to you

Learn more

Plan your Sicily itinerary with an expert!

Connect with Gaetano in Palermo for a 60-minute travel consultation!

1-hour live trip planning session

Learn about pro tips & hidden gems

Get advice that's tailor-made to you

Learn more

1. Palermo

*Piazza della Vittoria in Palermo seen from atop the Cathedral*

Palermo, Sicily’s buzzing and wonderfully chaotic capital, is a place full of beauty and contrasts. It has noble palaces, Baroque churches, hectic streets, souk-like markets, ancient golden mosaics, and modern galleries.

This is a true melting pot dating back to its oldest history, and the city still retains its charm.

2. Zingaro Nature Reserve

Sicily‘s first protected area, the Zingaro Nature Reserve is a 7-km-long coastal path from Scopello to San Vito Lo Capo, offering superb views over the sea. Here, you can alternate between hiking and swimming in the little enchanting coves called “cale”.

Not to be missed: Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo, Cala Marinella, Cala Berretta, Cala della Disa, Cala del Varo, and Cala Capreria. In the reserve, you’ll find no roads and no cars, just the sound of the wind and the waves.

3. Catania

*Catania with snow-capped Mount Etna on the horizon. Photo:* *Dariolp83*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

Brimming with history, culture, architecture, and a vibrant nightlife scene, Catania is a fantastic place to spend a few days in Sicily, especially if you’re on a longer trip.

The city, sitting in the shadow of the Mount Etna, has been shaped for centuries by the presence of this active volcano. Despite its turbulent past, Catania, like a phoenix, has always risen from its ashes. Known as the Black City for its use of peculiar black volcanic stone in construction, Catania is a Baroque gem.

4. Taormina

Founded by the Greeks and then dominated by many different peoples since (much like the whole of Sicily), Taormina first became a popular tourist destination in the 18th century.

Since then, it has served as a ritzy holiday destination for nobility in the 1920’s and 30s, and for movie stars in the 50s and 60s. Today, it continues to be an unmissable stop where you can taste the Sicilian dolce vita (good life).

5. Mount Etna

Her Highness, Mount Etna (yes, for locals it’s female!), is Europe’s highest volcano and UNESCO-listed since 2013. It offers an amazing variety of landscapes – from volcanic desert areas to lush forests – and a wide range of outdoor activities: hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, exploring caves, and more. Etna is fantastic!

6. Siracusa & Ortigia

*Piazza Duomo, Ortigia's main square. Photo:* *Dario Giannobile*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

Siracusa was the most important city of Magna Graecia (Greece's network of colonies that existed throughout southern Italy during Antiquity) and today is a must-visit Baroque jewel.

When visiting, you’ll discover that there are two Syracuses: the mainland, where the Greek soul persists, and the small island of Ortigia, where the Baroque explodes and the modern Sicilian soul pulses all around you.

7. Noto

Although it is a splendid baroque jewel - perhaps the best example of the late Baroque in the Val di Noto - Noto is still a quiet, small city that retains the authenticity of a sleepy seaside town.

It's also known as the Garden of Stone due to its many churches, noble palaces, flamboyant Baroque balconies, and bell towers. Noto is the brightest gem of the Sicilian Baroque.

At sunset, the city works its magic, coloring all its buildings gold.

8. Ragusa (and Scicli & Modica)

Are you a fan of the TV series Inspector Montalbano? Then you can't miss Ragusa and the nearby baroque towns of Modica and Scicli. These 3 towns are a cradle of Sicilian history, and they’re also the filming location for the TV series.

Get lost in the maze of winding streets in Modica and Ragusa Ibla, explore the old cave settlement in Scicli, and taste their culinary delights (especially the chocolate, still made the Aztec way!)

9. Villa Romana del Casale

*A mosaic floor at Villa Romana del Casale. Photo:* *bradhostetler*, *CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

This UNESCO-listed ancient villa in Piazza Armerina hosts the best-preserved Roman mosaics in the whole world. On a visit here, you can admire the villa’s multicolored floor mosaics, which extend for over 3,500 square meters. They include the famous Bikini Girls and the huge Grande Caccia (hunting scene).

Not to be missed: the triumphal entrance, the baths, and the immense basilica.

10. Erice

*The view of the coast from hilltop Erice*

Erice is a medieval hilltop village overlooking Trapani and its coastline. A funicular ride to the village offers a beautiful panorama extending from Trapani to San Vito Lo Capo.

Lose yourself in labyrinthine street of the walled 12th-century town, then head to the Castello di Venere, a 13th-century Norman castle built over a former Roman temple of Venus.

Discover authentic Sicily

Plan smarter with local advice

Perfect your travel plan with an expert

Meet the locals

11. Marsala and Trapani: the Salt Road

*Windmills and salt pans outside of Marsala*

The so-called “Salt Road”, a never-ending series of salt pans (locally called saline) unfolds along the coast between Trapani and Marsala. At sunset, the pools glimmer in the sun and change color from yellow to rosy pink.

As you cruise along this stretch, you’ll see lovely windmills dotting the fields along much of it.

I find Trapani to be a particularly charming town and it is heavily overlooked by international visitors, meaning that it's rarely crowded and accommodation prices are usually quite good. Even better, it's in a convenient location from which to explore the surrounding area (and Aegadian islands) and is close to a host of excellent beaches.

12. Segesta

*The theater of Segesta overlooking the countryside below*

Segesta was an important 7th-century trading town founded by the Elymians, a pre-Greek people. Its absolute showstopper is the majestic Doric temple, which pops up out of nowhere amongst the surrounding fields. On windy days, its 36 columns play like a musical instrument, producing eerie sounds.

The Greek theater, dating back to the 3rd century BC, still hosts classical and modern plays. In Summer, you can attend a play at sunrise - magical!

13. Valley of the Temples

*One of many temples within the Valley of the Temples*

The ancient Akragas (now Agrigento) was a powerful Greek city with 300,000 inhabitants and it was far larger than even Athens at the time! Today, the impressive Unesco-listed Valley of the Temples archeological site testifies to this ancient glory. The site has the best-preserved temples outside of Greece.

Strolling through the Valley means marveling at your surroundings at every single step. Admire the ruins of the temple of Hercules, the huge Zeus sanctuary, and the still-intact Concordia temple.

14. Caltagirone

*Ceramic tiles lining the steps of the Santa Maria del Monte staircase in Caltagirone*

The town of Caltagirone is well-known for its ceramics, a millennia-long tradition in this area. You can see artisans at work and majolica artwork all around the city – especially the 142-step staircase rising from Piazza del Municipio to the church of Santa Maria del Monte. Every step is ceramic-inlaid!

You can also take a lesson in one of the many workshops around the city and have your art sent home.

15. Aeolian Islands

*The island of Stromboli. Photo:* *Carsten Steger*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped from original*

The Aeolian Islands are a seven-island archipelago just off the coast of Milazzo in Sicily’s north. The archipelago offers pristine nature, sapphire-blue water, relaxation, and outdoor fun. You can easily hop between the islands or just choose one and relax in a truly blissful location.

The islands of Stromboli or Vulcano are great if you’re keen on a volcanic adventure. Lipari or Salina if you’re looking for relaxation. And Panarea for a more glitzy atmosphere.

16. Favignana

The butterfly-shaped Favignana is the largest among the Egadi islands. It lies right in front of Trapani and is a true picture-postcard island. It is easily reachable from Trapani and Marsala by hopping on a ferry and is a much-loved destination for swimming in turquoise waters at Cala Rossa and Cala Bue Marino.

You can also hike up to the Castello di Santa Caterina, a 15th-century fort perched atop Mount Santa Caterina.

17. Ustica

*Ustica seen from a hill above town. Photo:* *Miceli vincenzo*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

Ustica is said to be a paradise for divers and it really is! This volcanic island, just 90 minutes away from Palermo, is a perfect spot to enjoy amazing landscapes, hidden grottos, and a marine reserve in a deep-blue sea.

The island is small enough that it can be explored on foot. The lighthouse offers a great panoramic viewpoint, and nearby you can cool off in a natural pool nestled by craggy rocks.

18. Marzamemi & Vendicari

Explore the pristine beaches in the Vendicari Nature Reserve, then head to the fishing village of Marzamemi to chill out in its golden piazza. The square is surrounded by a Prince’s palace, a former tonnara (tuna processing plant), two tiny churches, restaurants, and cafes.

19. Lampedusa

Together with Linosa and Lampione, Lampedusa composes the Pelagie archipelago. Lampedusa is the largest of the archipelago and it lies in the central area of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a slice of paradise and is a delightful place to explore by boat, on foot, by bike, by swimming, or all of the above.

Take terrific photos at Tabaccara, where the boats seem to fly over crystalline waters. Go diving at Cala Pulcino, or follow the path to the most scenic beach in the whole of Sicily, Spiaggia dei Conigli.

20. Gole dell’Alcantara (Alcantara Gorges)

*The Alcantare gorge. Photo:* *Eleassar*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commo*

This impressive canyon was carved over centuries by the Alcantara River as it coursed through basalt rocks. If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, this is the place to get it: you can body raft along the cold waters of the river.

Whether you choose to raft the river or not, you can also walk 3 kilometers into the gorge (it’s 6 km in total, but the last three are impassible). If you’re brave enough, take a dip! The water barely reaches 45° F, so be prepared for a chill.

21. Parco dei Nebrodi (Nebrodi Park)

*The green mountains of the Nebrodi park*

The Parco dei Nebrodi is a natural oasis where wild nature and lush greenery rule over 80,000 hectares. It’s Sicily’s largest protected area and encompasses a variety of flora, fauna, and breathtaking landscapes.

Hike among its beech forests, climb rock faces, and reach the summit of Monte Soro to enjoy a panoramic view as far as the Aeolian Islands.