Experiencing authentic Sicilian food and wine regularly rates as one of the most important aspects of our guests’ holidays. After all, browsing through market stalls to select the freshest ingredients for a modest salad can be just as enjoyable as eating out when you have time on your hands and are presented with homegrown produce that is bursting with flavour. But good old-fashioned picnics remains one of life’s simplest pleasures, particularly if you find the right setting. Here are some good places for a picnic in Sicily.
Vendicari nature reserve: good places for a picnic
The Vendicari nature reserve offers hikes galore, coastal views, wildlife and beautiful scenery. A café at the entrance to the reserve sells cold drinks and ice creams but after that, it is down to you so before you get there, pack a picnic of the best Ragusan cheese, some tasty foccaccia, the sweetest cherry tomatoes from Pachino and a bag of peaches and sit back and enjoy the view. Book your villa in Sicily near the Vendicari nature reserve and choose a places to go for a picnic.
Picnic ideas for family
Picnicking in the Madonie Park is the perfect excuse to sample some of the excellent regional salamis, cheeses and olives for which the area is renowned. For a memorable family-friendly day out, head for the Parco Avventura, an adventure playground with rope ladders, zip wires and tree-climbing where there is a specially designated picnic area, fully equipped with barbecues for public use. Madonie Park it’s a good place for your family picnic ideas.
Hiking in the Nebrodi
Inhabited by herds of cattle, horses and black pigs, the Nebrodi mountains have a more remote feel than the Madonie. Let someone else do the guiding so that you can concentrate on the view and on your picnic in the mountains. Our guided walks in the Nebrodi mountains include picnic breakfasts and lunches packed with local gastronomic specialities.
Picnic in the shadow of a Greek temple
Finish off your tour of the enchanting Greek temple at Segesta with a picnic with a view overlooking the countryside and coast. Perched on a hill in north west Sicily, the temple offers spectacular views across a rural landscape of rolling hills.
Rich pickings in Palermo
Not strictly a picnic, more a series of grazing opportunities as you wander through the markets and back streets of Sicily’s fascinating capital. Street food is an intrinsic part of Palermo’s culture, guaranteed to tempt you as you wander past the fried food stalls dispensing arancine rice balls, panelle fritters and crocchè (potato croquettes) in the Vucciria and Ballarò markets.