Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, has a rich culture and is home to many important archeological and natural wonders. From the craters of Mount Etna to the undiscovered beaches, there’s plenty to enjoy on this sunny island. Here are just a few places you might want to include in your visit to this Italian haven:
Mount Etna
Image Credit: Shura
Aside from admiring the volcano from a distance, there are several ways to explore the rocky landscape - on foot, by mountain bike, on skis in winter, or even via a donkey trekking expedition with the children. The 3329m volcano makes for a stunning backdrop for a holiday.
Palermo
Image Credit: Jorge Franganillo
The vibrant Palermo, with its old baroque palaces, Norman buildings, Romanesque architecture, and Arabic domes, reflects a mixture of its past rulers. There’s something different to see at every corner, blended of course with a bubbly street life. From a night at the opera or ballet at Europe’s third-largest opera house or a visit to one of the two contemporary art museums, to a trip to the 12th century Norman cathedral or the Arabic Palazzo dei Normanni with gold, mosaics and marble covering the interior, there’s no shortage of sights to explore. That’s not to mention the Piazza Vigliena and Piazza Pretoria, which should be admired before trying out some of the abundant street food found in the city.
Cefalù
Image Credit: Andrea Schaffer
With its sandy beaches and rocky headland, this attractive Italian seaside destination is popular with tourists. The Duomo, an imposing two-towered Norman cathedral from 1131, can be found in the medieval district and historical centre. Visitors raising their eyes a little higher will spot the massive Rocca, on top of which the ruins of the Tempio di Diana megalithic stone structure wait to be discovered - along with spectacular views of the surroundings and picturesque harbour below.
Syracuse
Image Credit: Agostino Sella
Inventor and mathematician Archimedes had his “Eureka!” moment in the town of Syracuse, one of the must-sees on the Italian island of Sicily. It has an astounding amount of archaeological sites with well-preserved Greek and Roman remains. Its island heart and old city of Ortigia, linked by bridges, is particularly worth exploring; the 1km by 500m island has lots of little streets to discover and the town has a vibrant daily food market.
Scala dei Turchi
Image Credit: Monika Durickova
In the south of the island, the beautiful natural landmark of the Scala dei Turchi can be admired. Formed from white sedimentary marl, the UNESCO-listed rock formation sits between two sandy beaches. The stair-like rocks have become quite a tourist attraction, both thanks to their outstanding beauty and their mention in Andrea Camilleri’s detective series about Commissario Montalbano.
Title Image Credit: ren api (Image Cropped)