Baywatch Travel
The Greek theatre of Taormina overlooking the sea

Sicily

Sicily

An island that is a journey in itself: three seas, a volcano, a thousand layered stories.

Overview

The Island of the Sun

Sicily can’t be done in a few days. Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards, Bourbons: each occupation left a new layer, and the food is the edible version of all that layering.

You can choose the Baroque south-east, the north coast with Palermo and Cefalù, Etna and Taormina, or the smaller islands. Each one is a different trip.

Character of the place

What to expect

Landscape

Etna (3,300 m), Baroque valleys, a varied coastline, smaller islands (the Egadi and Aeolian Islands).

Sea and coast

White-sand coves (San Vito Lo Capo), sea stacks, deep water at Taormina.

Towns and villages

Palermo, Catania, Syracuse, Noto, Modica, Ragusa, Cefalù, Taormina.

Where it is

Location & getting there

Where

Central Mediterranean, separated from Calabria by the Strait of Messina.

Area

Autonomous region with special statute.

Getting there

Flights to Catania, Palermo, Trapani and Comiso. Train plus ferry across the Strait. Ferries from Naples, Genoa and Civitavecchia.

Temple of Concordia in Agrigento

The Valley of the Temples: more Doric temples than Athens.

Curiosities

Did you know…

  • 01

    Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • 02

    In Palermo, words of Arabic origin are still used today: “zibibbo”, “ammazzaru”, “tabbutu”.

  • 03

    The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento has more Doric temples than Athens.

  • 04

    Sicilian granita in the morning with a brioche col tuppo is breakfast, not dessert.

Itineraries

How to experience it

3 days

Long weekend in the south-east

  1. 1.Day 1: Catania and Etna.
  2. 2.Day 2: Syracuse and Ortigia.
  3. 3.Day 3: Noto and Modica.

7 days

A classic week

  1. 1.Palermo (2 nights).
  2. 2.Cefalù.
  3. 3.Agrigento (Valley of the Temples).
  4. 4.Ragusa or Modica (2 nights).
  5. 5.Syracuse and Taormina.

4–5 days

Aeolian Islands

  1. 1.Lipari as a base.
  2. 2.Vulcano for the thermal mud.
  3. 3.Stromboli at sunset.
  4. 4.Panarea for a day.

Not to be missed

Places and experiences

  • 01

    Valley of the Temples

    Agrigento, especially at sunset.

  • 02

    Monreale Cathedral

    Arab-Norman mosaics, near Palermo.

  • 03

    Ortigia

    The island that forms Syracuse’s historic centre.

  • 04

    Etna

    Excursion to the summit craters, to be done with a guide.

  • 05

    Taormina

    Greek theatre with views of Etna and the sea.

A feast for the eyes

Sicily in pictures

Palermo Cathedral
Aerial view of Isola Bella in Taormina
Hikers exploring the rugged landscape of Etna, in Sicily, under a clear sky.
The ancient theatre of Taormina
Sicilian cassata on a plate in Noto
Sicilian village perched on a hill
Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
The Ortigia seafront, Syracuse

Photo: Pexels. Aleksandra S · Pexels · Leotrim Canaj · Andrea Mosti · Keke Cheng

Highlights

Icons of Sicily

  • Etna
  • Taormina
  • Valley of the Temples
  • Palermo
  • Ortigia

Practical tips

Before you go

Best time to go

May, June, September.

Ideal length of stay

At least 5 nights for one area. 8–10 for a full tour.

Good to know

A car is essential for touring. Distances on the map are deceptive: roads are slow, especially inland.

Keep exploring

Other destinations

Beach umbrellas with the Aragonese Castle of Ischia in the background

Ischia

Thermal springs steaming on the beach, lush gardens, the Aragonese Castle rising from the water.

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Capri’s Faraglioni sea stacks at sunset

Capri

The Faraglioni, the Blue Grotto, Villa Lysis. Elegance that never goes out of style.

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Colorful houses of Marina Corricella in Procida

Procida

Pastel houses, fishing boats, unhurried days.

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