{"id":4217,"date":"2024-08-01T15:19:49","date_gmt":"2024-08-01T15:19:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/?p=4217"},"modified":"2026-04-01T14:29:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T12:29:50","slug":"sicilys-secret-surprises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/sicilys-secret-surprises\/","title":{"rendered":"Sicily\u2019s secret surprises"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Hidden treasures and unique places in Sicily<\/h1>\n<p>Sicily\u2019s history, superb beaches and mouthwatering food are well documented. So too the magnificence of some of its main tourist attractions, <strong>such as the ancient Greek temples and baroque architecture of the UNESCO towns of the Val di Noto.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>But the island is home to many locations and hidden gems that fall outside the main tourist radar. <strong>Take time to explore some of these places to delve deeper into the island\u2019s history and culture, or simply to enjoy relaxing off the beaten track.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Ceramics in Caltagirone<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Its location in central Sicily keeps its safely off the tourist trail, particularly during the heat of the summer when most people head for the coast. But venture inland to the historic town of Caltagirone and you\u2019ll find yourself in a world far removed from Sicily\u2019s coastal towns and beach vibes. Top sight in the town is the extraordinary 142-step Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, an exquisite stairway with each step uniquely decorated with ceramic tiles. In July and August, the town is lit up with thousands of candles for the annual \u2018Illuminata\u2019 festival. Get gift inspiration in the ceramic shops and boutiques along the narrow streets and enjoy other architectural highlights, including the Palazzo Senatorio and the Church of San Francesco di Paola.\u00a0 Take a day trip to the town from one of our <a title=\"Sicily villas in the southeast\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/en\/holiday-rentals\/villas-and-holiday-homes-in-the-south-east\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">villas in southeast Sicily<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3865\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3865\" style=\"width: 966px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/caltagirone-sicily.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3865\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3865\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/caltagirone-sicily.jpg\" alt=\"Scala S. Maria del Monte - Caltagirone | wishsicily\" width=\"966\" height=\"643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/caltagirone-sicily.jpg 966w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/caltagirone-sicily-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/caltagirone-sicily-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 966px) 100vw, 966px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3865\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Scala S. Maria del Monte &#8211; Caltagirone | wishsicily<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Roman treasures at Villa Imperiale del Casale<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Just 40kms or so deeper into the heart of Sicily, Piazza Armerina is an attractive town with an 18<sup>th<\/sup> century Duomo and several interesting palazzi. It is best known, however, for the splendid <a title=\"villa imperiale del casale in sicily\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/en\/the-villa-imperiale-del-casale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Villa Imperiale del Casale<\/a>, a stunning Roman complex with one of the world\u2019s largest collection of Roman mosaics. Dating back to the early 4<sup>th<\/sup> century, the villa was only fully excavated in the 1950\u2019s. Extending over 3535 square metres, the mosaics depict scenes from everyday Roman life but are best known for their \u2018bikini girls\u2019, a series of tableaux depicting Roman female athletes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3396\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3396\" style=\"width: 904px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/villa-imperiale-del-casale-sicily-1.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-3396\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3396\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/villa-imperiale-del-casale-sicily-1.jpg\" alt=\"Villa Romana del Casale\" width=\"904\" height=\"644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/villa-imperiale-del-casale-sicily-1.jpg 904w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/villa-imperiale-del-casale-sicily-1-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/villa-imperiale-del-casale-sicily-1-768x547.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3396\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Villa Romana del Casale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Legends and ancient ruins at the Sanctuary of Tindari<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Set on the north east coast of Sicily, Tindari is generally overlooked by visitors to Sicily although its stunning Sanctuary plays a starring role in one of Andrea Camilleri\u2019s Montalbano novels. Legend also surrounds the cedar wood-carved Black Madonna that now sits behind the Sanctuary\u2019s altar. Founded in 396 BC by Dionysius 1, the town has a fascinating history as one of the island\u2019s most significant Greek centres, before becoming a Roman outpost in 254 BC. You can still visit its ancient Roman buildings and baths, its Graeco-Roman architecture and a well-preserved theatre which hosts annually a series of Greek plays and performances. Many of our <a title=\"villas in Sicily near Tindari\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/en\/holiday-rentals\/villas-in-sicily-near-tindari\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">villas in Tindari<\/a> have views directly over the Sanctuary.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2697\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2697\" style=\"width: 966px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/villas-in-sicily-14.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2697\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2697\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/villas-in-sicily-14.jpg\" alt=\"The Sanctuary of Tindari from the terrace at Villa Dioscuri\" width=\"966\" height=\"644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/villas-in-sicily-14.jpg 966w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/villas-in-sicily-14-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/villas-in-sicily-14-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 966px) 100vw, 966px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2697\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Sanctuary of Tindari from the terrace at Villa Dioscuri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Wild swimming at Cavagrande del Cassibile<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>But Sicily isn\u2019t just about archaeology and ancient treasures. While powder soft sand and translucent water characterise many of the beaches that fringe Sicily\u2019s south east corner, if you\u2019re looking for an even more memorable dip, head for the pools of fresh water at the Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve.<\/p>\n<p>Also known as the \u2018Laghetti d\u2019Avola\u2019, the natural bathing spots are set in a dramatic 10m limestone canyon with 300m walls, formed by the river Cassibile. Be prepared for a 1 to 1.5 hour walk through a hillside of plane trees, willows and ferns down to the emerald green pools, with a slightly longer climb back. The pools are situated around 12km from the town of Avola, between Noto and Syracuse. Stay at <a title=\"sicily villa casa del carrubo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/en\/noto\/villas-in-sicily\/casa-del-carrubo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Casa del Carrubo<\/a>, a lovely 2-bedroom villa with a pool and hot tub. Or <a title=\"beach villa in sicily with pool\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/en\/siracusa\/villas-in-sicily\/villa-renata\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Villa Renata<\/a> is ideal for larger groups of up to 12, with a pool and garden gate through to the beach. Both villas are 30 minutes\u2019 drive from Cavagrande.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2895\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2895\" style=\"width: 966px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/wish-sicily-villas-4.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-2895\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2895\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/wish-sicily-villas-4.jpg\" alt=\"Villa Renata, Fontane Bianche\" width=\"966\" height=\"644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/wish-sicily-villas-4.jpg 966w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/wish-sicily-villas-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/wish-sicily-villas-4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 966px) 100vw, 966px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2895\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Villa Renata, Fontane Bianche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Deserted beaches at the Vendicari Nature Reserve<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>While many people associate Italian beaches with military-style rows of sun beds and parasols, several sections of the Sicilian coast are characterised by more rugged nature reserves fringed by stretches of dreamy deserted beaches. The Vendicari Nature in south east Sicily is one of the island\u2019s most spectacular natural spots, a little piece of heaven for walkers, swimmers and birdwatchers. Marianelli is the hardest beach to reach and consequently, the quietest. Calamosche is probably the best known while Eloro, the closest to the car park, has a bar and showers.<\/p>\n<p>Want to wake up to views of the Vendicari Nature Reserve? <a title=\"sicily luxury villa\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/en\/noto\/villas-in-sicily\/oasivera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oasivera<\/a> is a 5-bedroom villa set on the border of the Reserve, just 200m from the beach.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4007\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4007\" style=\"width: 966px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/DJI_0017.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4007\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4007\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/DJI_0017.jpg\" alt=\"Oasivera sits on the border of the Vendicari Reserve\" width=\"966\" height=\"644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/DJI_0017.jpg 966w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/DJI_0017-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/DJI_0017-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 966px) 100vw, 966px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4007\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oasivera sits on the border of the Vendicari Reserve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Necropolis of Pantalica<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Necropolis of Pantalica is a spectacular canyon in the Iblei mountains and a place of incredible natural beauty. Carved out over millennia by the Anapo and Calcinara rivers, the deep limestone ravine is intersected by a track that runs along the floor of the gorge passing through lush vegetation and occasional fruit trees. The significance of the gorge, however, is that it is also home to around 5,000 burial chambers that date back to the Bronze Age, making it the largest rock necropolis in the Mediterranean. Choose from a <a title=\"sicily villa near scicli\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/en\/holiday-rentals\/villas-in-sicily-and-holiday-homes-near-scicli\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">selection of villas near Scicli<\/a> and book on to a <a title=\"hiking and walking in Sicily\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/en\/activities-and-excursions-in-sicily\/hiking-and-walking-in-sicily\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guided tour of the site<\/a> to enjoy nature at its best while you delve into the Necropolis\u2019 fascinating history.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4218\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4218\" style=\"width: 966px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/hiking-in-sicily-aeolian-islands.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4218\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4218\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/hiking-in-sicily-aeolian-islands.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking in Sicily (Aeolian Islands)\" width=\"966\" height=\"644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/hiking-in-sicily-aeolian-islands.jpg 966w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/hiking-in-sicily-aeolian-islands-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/hiking-in-sicily-aeolian-islands-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 966px) 100vw, 966px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4218\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hiking in Sicily (Aeolian Islands)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hidden treasures and unique places in Sicily Sicily\u2019s history, superb beaches and mouthwatering food are well documented. So too the magnificence of some of its main tourist attractions, such as the ancient Greek temples and baroque architecture of the UNESCO towns of the Val di Noto. But the island is home to many locations and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4219,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[330,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-homepage","category-things-to-do-in-sicily"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Sicily\u2019s secret surprises | Wishsicily<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get off the beaten track in Sicily and discover some of its top hideaway locations and attractions, from art treasures to wild swimming spots.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/sicilys-secret-surprises\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sicily\u2019s secret surprises | Wishsicily\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Get off the beaten track in Sicily and discover some of its top hideaway locations and attractions, from art treasures to wild swimming spots.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/sicilys-secret-surprises\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Wish Sicily - 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