Sicily tourist attractions

Mag 16 2023

A guide to Scicli, southeast Sicily

Find the best things to do and see in the baroque town of Scicli More understated, and generally less visited than some of its neighbouring crowd-pullers, Scicli is certainly worth a visit if you’re on holiday in southeast Sicily. One of the eight towns in the cluster of UNESCO Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, Scicli is both smaller and more lowkey than Modica and Ragusa, but nevertheless, utterly charming and with plenty of attractions to fill a day or two with leisurely sightseeing. Where is Scicli? Scicli is conveniently located between the coast and rural heart of…

Mar 29 2023

GUIDE TO RAGUSA

Chiesa Santa Maria dell'Ittrio and Ragusa Ibla- Sicily Italy

Everything you need to know about Ragusa, Sicily About Ragusa If you’re a Montalbano fan, you’ll definitely be familiar with Ragusa, but even if you’re not, this is a town that simply couldn’t fail to impress. Showcasing some of Sicily’s most memorable sights, Ragusa is one of the eight towns that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto. The town is in fact split in two – Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla – and not surprisingly, some visitors to the area are initially confused as to which one to head for. In this…

Feb 15 2023

Get off the beaten track in Sicily

Five of the best lesser known Sicilian towns Even if you’ve never been to Sicily, there’s a good chance you’ll have heard of Taormina, the impossibly picturesque seafront town on the island’s east coast. Recently thrust even further into the public’s consciousness by way of the TV series White Lotus, the town is unashamedly a treasure trove of jaw dropping views and film set snapshots. The downside, of course, is you won’t be the only tourist in town! Between April and October, the streets of Taormina are filled with holidaymakers keen to get their fill of the iconic vistas, fabulous…

Nov 09 2022

DISCOVER SECRET SICILY

SIX OF THE BEST HIDEAWAY VILLAGES IN SICILY Sicily’s beaches and coastline are undoubtedly the big magnet for most holidaymakers, but venture slightly inland to explore several of its hideaway villages and you’ll enter a whole new world. This is where you’ll find glorious views, centuries old architecture and a traditional way of life that allows you to step right back in time. Rent one of our villas in Sicily and explore some of the best hideaway villages on the Island. Greek and baroque architecture at Palazzolo Acreide Sicily’s massive 1693 earthquake resulted in the rebuilding of eight towns in…

Set 03 2022

FOCUS ON TAORMINA

Sicily’s best-known coastal resort Ask anyone who’s holidayed in Sicily whether they’ve visited Taormina and the chances are they will have done. The fact is this jewel of a town attracts more tourists than anywhere else on the island. Staying here is not everyone’s cup of tea – exploring some of the lesser-known corners of Sicily can be far more rewarding – but there’s no denying that there are plenty of reasons to visit. After all, this is a town where dazzling blue seas and the dramatic outline of Mount Etna form the backdrop to achingly pretty medieval buildings and…

Ago 12 2022

Visit Sicily in autumn

Why September and October are the best months for a holiday in Sicily While Sicily sparkles as one of the Med’s top summer spots, visit in September or October and you’ll fall instantly in love with this fascinating island. Sandy beaches and warm sunshine still beckon but slightly milder temperatures mean that you can wander round the island’s towns and historic sites at ease. Sicily – one giant museum Keen to explore Sicily’s extraordinary art and architecture? Le Vie dei Tesori is the organisation behind the Borghi dei Tesori Fest, an initiative which allows visitors to peep behind the scenes…

Ago 02 2022

Focus on Acireale

Discover all you need to know about Acireale How much do you know about the town of Acireale? One of Sicily’s unsung, lesser-known stars, this is a town steeped in mythology, with an elegant baroque historic centre and some of Sicily’s most spectacular Carnival celebrations. Where is Acireale? Set half-way between Catania and Taormina, just 40 minutes by car from Catania airport, the coastal town is perfectly located for exploring Sicily’s east coast. The vineyard-carpeted slopes of Mount Etna are on your doorstep and, heading south, Syracuse is just over an hour’s drive away,. The legend of Acis and Galatea…

Lug 28 2022

Cool down in Sicily | Best swimming spots

nine of Sicily best out-of-the-way beaches and places to swim

9 of Sicily’s best out-of-the-way beaches and places to swim With temperatures topping the charts as they have done this summer, having a body of water close by for a refreshing dip is becoming even more important than ever. Naturally, staying in a villa with a pool is one option, but here on Sicily there are plenty of other ways to cool off while you explore the island. So come on in, the water’s lovely! Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve If you’re staying in Syracuse, take a break from sightseeing with a day at the Cavagrande del Cassibile nature reserve,…

Mag 31 2022

Off-the-beaten track in Sicily | Tindari

Focus on Tindari So you’ve heard of Taormina, Palermo and Cefalù, and possibly of the splendid baroque towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa in the south east of the island. But have you ever heard of Tindari? And if so, how much do you know about it? Where is Tindari? If you drive along the motorway on the north coast between Palermo and Messina, somewhere between Capo d’Orlando and Milazzo, you’ll catch sight of the spectacular Sanctuary of the Black Madonna. This is Tindari’s most famous attraction, built on the ruins of the Tindari Castle, with views of the Tyrrhenian…

Apr 12 2022

Spring flowers and flavours

spring-sicily-villa-cecilia-trabia-wishsicily

5 reasons to book a Sicily holiday in springtime Holiday in Sicily during the months of April, May and June and plunge into a world of scented floral blooms, blossoming trees and the fresh flavours of springtime. Visit over the next couple of months, before the fierce summer heat takes hold, and you’ll find local dishes featuring the delicate flavours of artichokes, spring peas, and wild fennel and asparagus, and a heavenly backdrop of hillsides and mountain slopes carpeted with colourful spring flowers. Quite simply, spring is one of the loveliest times to holiday in Sicily. Here are just a…

Apr 03 2022

Focus on Modica, Sicily

Churches and chocolate in Sicily’s baroque southeast If you’re anywhere near the extraordinary baroque towns of southeast during your holiday in Sicily, you’ll certainly want to spend time in Modica. One of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Val di Noto towns and cities, visitors come to the town for two main reasons – the churches and utterly bewitching baroque architecture, and the chocolate. In common with its neighbours, the medieval old town underwent a major reconstruction after the devasting earthquake of 1693, when damaged buildings were replaced by magnificent baroque facades, extravagant churches and palazzi, all connected by a labyrinth…

Feb 02 2022

Focus on Cefalù

Charming Sicilian coastal resort with a UNESCO world heritage cathedral It’s home to one of Sicily’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, a glorious crescent-shaped beach and a harbour that’s worth of any picture postcard, but what else makes this Sicilian seaside town so popular with Italians and tourists alike? Most visitors would agree that Cefalù has a completely different atmosphere to the equally popular and undeniably glamorous town of Taormina on the east coast. It’s loved by both Sicilians and visitors from mainland Italy and beyond, partly for being so charmingly unpretentious. In the oldest part of town, cobbled lanes wind…

Ago 03 2021

Delve deep into Sicily

Discover some of Sicily’s lesser-known sights If you’ve holidayed in Sicily in the past, you’ll know just how many extraordinary sights and experiences are lurking round each and every corner. Few other Mediterranean islands manage to pack in quite so much in the way of architecture, nature, history and culture. Marvel at the Byzantine treasures of Palermo and the baroque architecture of the southeast, then feast your eyes on the smouldering backdrop of Mount Etna or the blinding white steps of the Scala dei Turchi. The truth is, Sicily never fails to dazzle. But if you’re on a second or…

Apr 13 2021

Off the beaten track in Sicily

Alternative summer escapes in Sicily Mention a holiday in Sicily and up pops an image of Taormina in many of our minds. Just a hop from Catania airport, the town has been a tourist destination since the 18th century and a firm celebrity favourite since the 1970’s. Add to that its impressive clifftop location, glamorous Gucci and Prada window displays, and pretty squares and alleyways, and it’s not hard to see why it continues to be a winner. But if you’ve ever been to Sicily, you’ll know how much more there is to the island. Travel beyond the best-known towns…

Nov 25 2020

When is the best time to go to Sicily?

Take a look at some of the highlights of each season in Sicily Dreaming of a 2021 holiday in warmer climes? Just 100 miles from north Africa, Sicily’s location means that sunshine’s on tap for a good part of the year. Throw into the mix sandy beaches, delicious food and wine, stunning nature reserves, and a fascinating history, and you’ll soon see why Sicily is such an appealing destination for so many. In fact the biggest decision is not where to go in Sicily but when to go! Naturally, what you enjoy doing on holiday will have a bearing on…

Ott 30 2020

Syracuse and Ortigia

A practical guide to Syracuse and Ortigia, Sicily Unlike Rome, Florence and Venice, Syracuse – or Siracusa in Italian – still manages to hover slightly below the tourist radar, in spite of its enormous cultural wealth. At the height of its influence, it was the most important city of Magna Graecia with a population at times in excess of 500,000. Today, the city, with its 120,000 or so inhabitants, still boasts some of the finest Baroque art and architecture, and Greek and Roman ruins, although there’s also plenty to do beyond the cultural attractions. Basically, if you’re planning a holiday…

Set 11 2020

Five of Sicily’s most appealing towns and villages

Discover our favourite Sicilian towns and villages Soaring mountain backdrops, dramatic sea views and historic hilltop towns interwoven with medieval stone lanes are familiar sights in Sicily. The fact is, if you’re looking for a small town that’s big on beauty, Sicily is jam-packed with options. Our favourite Sicilian towns and villages varies according to the season but these five generally feature in our top ten at any time of year! Baroque beauty in Ragusa Ibla You couldn’t fail to be dazzled by the sight of Ragusa Ibla, the jewel in the crown of the UNESCO-listed Baroque towns in the south east…

Set 24 2019

Visit Sicily in October

Enjoy an action-packed calendar of lively local events in Sicily’s towns and cities throughout October when blazing blue skies and warm autumn sunshine provide a backdrop to vibrant and colourful festivities around the island. During this time, everything from Sicily’s bountiful produce to its rich cultural heritage is on show, making it a wonderful opportunity to get behind the scenes and discover a more authentic side to the island. This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Le Vie dei Tesori festival. The annual event started in Palermo, with the aim of opening up the city’s rich heritage to the…

Browsing CategorySicily tourist attractions