Things to do in Sicily

Things to do in Sicily

Whether you love spending time in nature or exploring new cuisine, brace yourself to be amazed by some of the top things to see and do in Sicily. This beautiful Mediterranean island located in southern Italy is filled with breathtaking archaeological sites, mediaeval town squares and churches.  From adventurous hikes to volcanic mountains to a cool dip in the turquoise blue waters, there are many cool things to do in Sicily with your loved ones. When in Sicily, you can appreciate the beautiful mosaics at Roman Villa del Casale and see prehistoric cave art in Levanzo. Moreover, if you love a hike, you can ascend to Stromboli and be awed by stunning views of the Aeolian Islands. 


Not just this, you can enjoy sampling dessert wines on the slopes of Mount Etna or try gelato ice cream in Ragusa Ibla. Escape the crowds at the beautiful pebble beach of Isola Bella or try unique experiences like visiting the No Mafia Memorial in Palermo. History fans can also visit Syracuse and discover the ancient heart of Magna Graecia or visit the ruins of 2500-year-old temples at the Valley of Temples. 


So, what are you waiting for? Discover the most amazing things to do in Sicily, Italy and start planning your itinerary now! 

Explore UNESCO mosaics

At the Roman Villa del Casale, discover the finest mosaics which earned this heritage villa the tag of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the popular things to see and do in Sicily if you wish to see colourful mosaics influenced by North African culture. While walking through the villa, you can discover scenes like hunting, cupid fishing, chariot races, sagas of heroes and myths like Ulysses and Polyphemus. 

Climb Stromboli

Bring your trekking boots for a pulse-raising hike to the Stromboli volcano and witness the most mesmerising sunrise. It is believed that Stromboli was created by the wind god Aeolus. You get to climb to an altitude of 1300 feet and enjoy up-close views of Stromboli’s Sciara del Fuoco lava flow. Also, bring your cameras to capture unforgettable vistas of the Aeolian Islands while trying this activity among things to do in Sicily Italy. 

Experience the Valley of the Temples by moonlight

If you love ancient ruins, the Valley of Temples in Agrigento deserves a place while creating your itinerary of the best things to do in Sicily, Italy. It is a set of ancient Greek temples built as holy beacons for sailors and dates back to 2500 years. Visiting this famous UNESCO World Heritage site during the summer night in the glimmer of moonlight promises an experience to remember for a lifetime

Sip wine with growers on Mount Etna's slopes

Are you a wine lover? If yes, sample some delicious wines in the picturesque vineyards located along the slope of Mount Etna. It is one of the coolest things to do in Sicily as you learn more about local viticulture and different types of wines in the second-largest wine-producing region of Italy. Make sure you try dessert wines like Marsala which are rarely sold outside Sicily.

Snorkel and swim on Isola Bella

Visit the marvellous beach of Isola Bella which is definitely among the best things to do in Taormina Sicily in Italy. With its crystal clear waters, this beach offers beautiful sightings of parrotfish, wrasse, sargo, mullets, and saddled seabream. After a refreshing dip in the warm ocean waters, you can rent a deck chair and enjoy sunbathing while reading. 

Discover the Mafia's history in Palermo

Your search for some of the best things to do in Palermo Sicily ends with booking a ticket to No Mafia Memorial, a multimedia space in Palermo. You can learn Mafiosi and anti-Mafia history here and look at the intriguing exhibitions. In addition to this, you can also see the at Teatro Massimo, the location where the iconic mafia shooting scene from Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather trilogy was shot. 

See prehistoric cave art on Levanzo

Catch a ferry to Levanzo and discover the hidden cave of Grotta del Genovese when you are looking for offbeat things to do in Sicily. History fans can see Upper Paleolithic and Neolithic rock art here. Enjoy deciphering the cave art that depicts farming practices with images of goats, dolphins and donkeys that date back to 12,000 years. Conclude your fascinating trip by capturing the picturesque views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Visit ancient Magna Graecia in Syracuse

Explore the ancient heart of Magna Graecia and enjoy one of the best things to do in Syracuse Sicily. You can see Greco-Roman ruins like the Ancient Greek Theater, The Sanctuary of Apollo and the Temple of Athena here. As you walk through the labyrinthine alleys, you can imagine the past grandeur of this ancient city. For a unique experience, consider visiting the Ear of Dionysius, an old limestone quarry. 

Escape to the remote Aeolian island of Alicudi

Find the perfect solace away from crowds in the remote Aeolian island of Alicudi. It is the second smallest island in the Aeolian archipelago with an area of 5.2 sq km. If you want to see the unspoilt beauty of nature, consider adding a stop at Alicudi Island while planning your itinerary for top things to do in Sicily. You can enjoy exhilarating activities here like swimming and hiking here. 

FAQs

What are the must-visit attractions in Sicily?

Some of the must-see attractions in Sicily are Agrigento's Valley of Temples, the twin towns of Ragusa and Modica and church Mosaics in Palermo. You can see the Eastern Temples at Selinunte, explore Mount Etna, the highest active volcano and Taormina's Townscape and Greek Theater. Other prominent places to see in Sicily include the Aeolian Islands and beaches like Isola Bella and San Vito Lo Capo.

Are there any famous beaches in Sicily?

Yes. The coastline of Sicily is hailed for having many beautiful beaches like Torre Salsa, Isola Bella and San Vito Lo Capo. These beaches are known for crystal clear waters where offering opportunities for snorkelling and kayaking. Other beaches in Sicily are Scala dei Turchi, Agrigento, Lungomare di Cefalù and Bue Marino. 

What traditional Sicilian dishes should I try?

Some of the must-try dishes in Sicily are Arancini, Caponata, Raw red prawns, Busiate al pesto Trapanese and Pasta alla Norma. Sicilian dishes are known for their vibrancy of flavours of eggplant, swordfish and pine nuts. Consider visiting restaurants like La Galleria and A Cala while planning your list of things to do in Sicily. 

Are there any ancient ruins or historical sites worth seeing?

Yes. There are ancient ruins like Agrigento’s Valle dei Templi and the ancient Greek theatre of Taormina. You can also see the Greek temple and ancient theatre of Segesta along with Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina. Other places to see include the Temples of Selinunte, Syracuse’s ancient ruins and archaeological museum as well as Palermo’s Regional Archaeological Museum.

Can I take a day trip to Mount Etna?

Yes, a day trip to Mount Etna is one of the most amazing things to do in Catania Sicily Italy. It offers an adventurous outing where you can hike to the highest active volcano in Europe. You can also book a guided tour of the vineyards and sample delicious wines on your trip to Mount Etna. 

Are there any local markets or shops for souvenir shopping?

Yes. There are many local markets in Caltagirone, Santo Stefano di Camastra and Sciacca. You can shop for souvenirs like ceramics, pickled olives, pistachio cream, wine, jams, dried herbs, cheeses and salamis here. Some popular markets are Mercato delle Pulci and La Pescheria. 

What outdoor activities are popular in Sicily?

Thrill-seekers can try outdoor activities like a day trip to Mount Etna, a kayaking tour in the Aeolian islands and scuba diving. Other things to do in Sicily, Italy for nature lovers include cycling tours, walking tours of Zingaro nature reserve and skydiving in Syracuse. 

Are there any festivals or events happening during my visit?

You must check the events calendar for festivals and events in Sicily. While food events are organised throughout the year, you can experience other annual festivals there such as Palermo's Feast of Santa Rosalia, the Pistachio Festival in Bronte, the Infiorata Festival in Noto and the Kite Festival in San Vito Lo Capo.

This website is a partner website of Thrillophilia. Thrillophilia works with multiple attractions in Sicily as a reseller.

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