8 Unmissable Things to do in Sicily
During my last visit to Sicily, I did a fantastic 14-day island road trip. Once again, I visited the majestic temples of Agrigento, the well-preserved ruins of Syracuse, the beautiful towns of Taormina and Cefalu, and Mount Etna! Sicily, as it is with every time I visit, blew my mind!
The Italian island of Sicily is a melting pot of cultures and history, paired with beautiful beaches and breathtaking nature. The largest of all the Mediterranean islands is shaped like a triangle. From the capital Palermo in the northwest to the second largest city Catania in the east, the island spans 250 kilometers with lots of things to do and see.
After my trip to Sicily, I wanted to create this list of the top 8 unmissable things to do in Sicily, that you simply can’t miss on your trip here.
So without further ado, let’s get into it!
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Overview
Here is the list of the best activities in Sicily incase you don’t have time to read the entire article.
- Hike Mount Etna
- Explore Syracuse and Ortigia Island
- Stroll through Taormina
- Take a boat to Aegadian Islands
- Take a roadtrip round the island
- Explore the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento
- Discover Cefalu
- Explore Palermo
Top Things to do in Sicily
1. Hike Mount Etna
Mount Etna for me is always the main attraction on the island. The most active volcano in Europe is located on the eastern side of Sicily and has an altitude of around 3357 meters above sea level. There are 4 main craters, and it is visible from almost everywhere on the island. As the volcano is active, you should check the current situation and volcanic activity before visiting.
By car, you can drive up to the large parking lot at Refugio Sapienza in the Volcanos south site. From there you have a wonderful view of Catania and the East Coast. Do not miss the opportunity to climb the small Silvestri craters, accessible from there.
Without a guide, you can take the cable car up to 2500m. From the “Torre del Filosofo” at 2900m at the latest, you are only allowed to continue hiking with an official guide for safety reasons.
My tip: A beautiful and easy hike on the Etna western flank will take you to the rarely visited Fiore volcanic craters. They offer a fantastic view of Mount Etna and the surrounding area while walking through the cold, old lava streams.
2. Explore Syracuse and Ortigia Island
The city of Syracuse is located on the east coast of Sicily, in the south of Catania, and has two highlights you need to visit: The archaeological park Neapolis and the beautiful old town of Ortigia, which is located on an island. Both are perfectly combinable to explore on a day trip to Syracuse.
The Parco Archeologico della Neapoli contains buildings and monuments from the ancient city. The Greek theater from the 5th century BC could seat 15,000 spectators. Another attraction is the breathtaking acoustics within the artificial cave, known as the Ear of Dionysius. I could really hear load and clear other tourists talking which were standing 50 meters away!
The beautiful old town of Ortigia is connected to the mainland by a bridge. In addition to the narrow alleys and historic buildings, the cathedral of Sirakusa, a magnificent example of Sicilian Baroque architecture, is an absolute highlight. The old town is also home to the famous Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest Greek temples in Sicily.
My tip: The waterfront promenade is a scenic walk around the whole of the small old town island. And when you’ve finished exploring, it’s the ideal place to enjoy a glass of wine at one of the wineries in Sicily with the breathtaking sea view in the background.
3. Stroll through Taormina
Taormina is undoubtedly one of the most scenic places in Sicily and accordingly very popular with tourists. The town is located on the east coast of the island, majestically perched on a hill with stunning views of the Mediterranean on one site and Mount Etna on the other.
Strolling through the narrow streets with its small boutiques, chic restaurants, picture-perfect squares and flowering gardens was one of my favorite things to do in Sicily.
Taormina’s main attraction is the ancient theater, which rises spectacularly above the sea. Other sights include the medieval city walls with their imposing city gates around the beautiful old town, the Cathedral of San Nicolò and the popular Instagram spot off the small offshore island Isola Bella.
My tip: Visit the city early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds of tourists. Also, don’t drive into the city center of Taormina, but park in the village of Castelmola, above it. This saves expensive parking fees and the stress of driving through the narrow streets. The Castelmola Taormina hike also offers wonderful views of the picturesque town.
4. Take a boat excursion to the Aegadian Islands
Off the coast of Trapani in the west of Sicily lie the Aegadian Islands (it. Isole Egadi), a beautiful archipelago that is still a real insider tip. It consists of three small islands: Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo.
All three are typical Mediterranean islands, with small fishing villages, pristine dream beaches and almost no cars. You can easily take a day tour of the islands from Trapani by boat!
Favignana is the largest and most touristic island. It is home to two of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily: Cala Azzurra and Cala Rossa.
Levanzo is the smallest of the Aegadian islands and much quieter than Favignana. Only around 200 people live here. The coast is mostly rocky and therefore more suitable for divers or hikers. Various trails lead to the 280m high Pizzo del Monaco mountain and the famous Grotta del Genovese, an archaeologically significant cave with wall paintings from the Stone Age.
Marettimo is the most distant island in the archipelago and as well the most unspoiled of all. There is only a small village with a pier. Outside the village, the mountainous landscape is wonderfully wild, with a rich variety of flora and fauna. This makes the island particularly popular with hikers and nature lovers. The island is particularly popular with divers, as there are various sea caves and a sunken merchant ship from the 1970s.
5. Take a roadtrip around the island
Yes, the Sicilian driving style is…. special. Being used to the strict German way of obeying the street rules, the drastic change in driving style was a bit scary in the beginning. I drove already twice as fast on a narrow country road with a speed limit of 30 km/hr and still got overtaken by locals while honking. But once I got used to traffic lights and crosswalks rather being suggestions, driving on the island was really fun.
On the other hand, you do not have much choice as the train and bus connections are not reliable. Renting a car and mastering or surviving the chaos in Sicily’s streets is the best and only way to get around outside of the major cities. You won’t be able to reach many of the islands highlights without a car.
6. Explore the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento
One of the most important archaeological sites in Sicily is located on the south coast, in the so-called Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi). It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The archaeological landscape park of Agrigento is home to the remains of the city of Akragas, one of the most important Greek polis of antiquity.
Founded around 600 BC, Akragas quickly became the second most important city in Sicily after Syracuse and remained so for several centuries. With the arrival of the Romans around 262 BC, Akragas slowly became less and less important and from the 7th century onwards the temples were abandoned by the impoverished population.
Today, you can visit 11 temples and temple ruins in the 1300 hectare park, as well as many other ruined buildings along a 3 km long path. Personally, I found the well-preserved Concordia Temple the most impressive.
My tip: Visit the Valley of the Temples first thing in the morning as soon as the park opens. There are hardly any trees, so there is almost no shade in the entire park and it quickly becomes swelteringly hot, even if you visit in winter.
7. Discover Cefalu
Another tourist magnet is the coastal town of Cefalu in the north of Sicily. Its landmark is undoubtedly the imposing Norman cathedral, with its impressive mosaic above the main façade. It stands in the center of the former fishing village, surrounded by narrow alleys that are absolutely worth exploring.
Another highlight is “La Rocca”, a massive rocky cliff that towers over the town and offers a breathtaking panoramic view. At the very top are the ruins and remains of a fortification. The climb can be exhausting, especially in summer, but the view is truly rewarding, believe me.
The golden, crescent-shaped sandy beach is also very popular, by tourists and locals alike.
However, my personal Cefalu highlight is the wonderful cliff walk leading from the old to the new harbor of Cefalu. You walk at sea level, always close to the surf, over the rocks and along the city wall of houses. Stunningly beautiful!
8. Get lost in Palermo
Palermo is the capital of Sicily and was already an important city in Europe in the early Middle Ages. You can still see this today, as the old town is full of historical sights that can be explored during a one day itinerary.
There is a monument or medieval church on almost every corner, winding alleys, magnificent avenues, buzzling markets and many bars and restaurants.
A highlight is Palermo’s cathedral, which is especially beautiful from the outside: huge and made of orange sandstone. You can visit a small section of it free of charge. For the climb to the top to enjoy the fantastic view over the city, you will have to pay. The Capella Palatina is another feast for the eyes, completely covered in colorful and golden mosaics. In the middle of the old town, which you need some time to stroll through, is this huge, 35 meter wide fountain, the Fontana Pretoria. It consists of several basins with white marble figures and statues.
Palermo is without a doubt a must-see in Sicily, as these are just a few of the many sights in this lively city. If you start and end your Sicily holidays at Palermo airport, it makes sense to start your discovery with the islands beautiful capitol.
Summary
Sicily is a destination that offers a range of activities for every traveler. From hiking Mount Etna and visiting the ancient temples of Agrigento to strolling the streets of Taormina and enjoying the beaches of the Aegadian Islands, there’s something for everyone.
That mix of historical sites, natural landscapes and cultural experiences offers you a wide range of unforgettable things to do in Sicily.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Sicily?
The best time to visit Sicily is during the shoulder seasons of spring (March to June) and fall (September to October). In July and August Sicily is quite crowded as Italians have holidays. That means longer waiting lines, more crowds in the villages, and less privacy on the beaches. I have been in March and just loved being there during the shoulder month: the weather is mild and very often there were no tourists besides us.
What do I need to know before going to Sicily?
The most important thing before your trip is to decide what you want to see on the island. Sicily is bigger than one might think, and you should consider in advance whether you want to focus on the east or the west and choose your airport accordingly (Palermo or Catania).
How many days in Sicily is enough?
If you only have a week, you should focus on one side of the island. For a first trip to Sicily, I recommend the east coast. A 14-day trip is much better and more relaxed. Then you also have time to get an impression of Palermo and the beautiful west coast.
Is it possible to visit Sicily without a car?
Getting to know Sicily without a rental car is possible but requires a lot of planning and sacrifices. Buses and trains are not really reliable, and many of the natural sights will be difficult or impossible to visit without a car.
Is it better to stay in Palermo or Catania?
Whether you are better off staying in Palermo or Catania depends on the sights you want to see and how much time you have. With a rental car, I wouldn’t want to stay in the city center either, as the parking situation there is very difficult.
Note: This post was written by guest contributor Linda from She Knows Islands.
