Things to do in Sicily – The ultimate travel guide

Sicily is unlike any other place in the world, including any part of Italy. Due to the civilizations that have once inhabited the island, such as Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Arab, Norman and Catalan, the rich Sicilian culture, cuisine and traditions carry pieces of the past of its land. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is one that will keep you dreaming of when you can visit next.

How to get there

Coming from the UK (and elsewhere), there are three main airports you can fly into, including: Palermo (PMO), Catania (CTA), and Trapani (TPS). The Palermo airport is 28 kilometres from Palermo and is the main airport of western Sicily, for easy access to the cities of Cefalù, Agrigento. The Catania airport is 7 kilometres from Catania, and is the main airport in eastern Sicily, for easy access to the cities of Taormina and Syracuse. The Trapani airport is secondary airport in Western Sicily.

If you want to get to Sicily from another part of Italy, you can also take a ferry or hydrofoil from Naples. However, it is generally easier to simply fly to Sicily.

Where to stay

Where you stay on holiday can make all the difference. For accommodation in Sicily, first consider what part of the island you will be doing most of your exploring, as the island is quite big. Next, consider what type of experience you want. Do you want to be in the middle of the action? Or do you want to be tucked away in nature with privacy?

In both cases, it is highly recommended to rent a locally owned holiday house, which is a very common thing to do in Italy in general. In Sicily there are many villas with private pool available for rent and to find a great deal you can take a look at websites like Wishsicily for example. Depending on the size of your party, you might end up even saving money compared to what you would pay for multiple rooms, along with having your own kitchen.

What to do and see

Sicily boasts striking landscapes that differ from one part of the island to the next. You can get views of the turquoise sea, the active volcano, countryside, olive groves that lead down to the sea, as well as medieval villages. Here are some of the ‘musts’ in Sicily:

• Visit the city of Agrigento. While there, you should visit the Valley of Temples, made up of eight temples that were built between 510 BC and 430 BC.
  
  
• Explore the city of Syracuse. If you’re visiting with small children, catch a traditional puppet show at the Piccolo Teatro dei Pupi for some kid-friendly entertainment.
  
  
• Spent some time in the luxurious city of Taormina. If you visit during the summer, you can even see the opera at Teatro Antico.
  
  
• Head to Cefalù, a quaint fishing village right on the water. Remember to visit the Duomo while you’re there!
  
  
• Make your way to Mount Etna. Trek your way up, take a cable car, go ATV’ing. And pack a lunch so you can have an impromptu picnic during your exploring.
  
  
• Take a boat out or swim out into the turquoise sea to catch views from the water. 

Sicily has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites found across the island that you should definitely keep an eye out for and dedicate time to see.

• 1. Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù (2015)
• 2. Mount Etna (2013)
• 3. Opera dei Pupi (2008)
• 4. Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica (2005)
• 5. Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (2002)
• 6. Aeolian Islands (2000)
• 7. Archaeological Area of Agrigento (1997)
• 8. Villa Romana del Casale (1997)
  
  

What to eat and drink

The best advice I can give for what to eat and drink in Sicily is this: go where the locals choose to eat and try some of the local dishes!

After all, what better way to experience Sicily than through the local cuisine? Indulge in handcrafted gelato, try the local seafood, order a plate of caponata (eggplant stew) and pasta alla Norma, snack on arancine (crunchy fried rice balls), and taste the local wines made in the region. Sicilians take great pride in their food, and some of your best memories made in Sicily will likely be held around a dining table.

While you’re at it, take the time to learn about the history of the food and where it comes from today. This is also a great way to strike up a conversation with the locals!

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