Things to do in  Sicily

Set on the eastern coast of Sicily, Mt. Etna (Monte Etna) is among Europe’s tallest (and the world’s most active) volcanoes. The volcano has shaped Sicilian history and continues to impact life on the island today. UNESCO declared it a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Today, visitors can explore the mountain’s smoldering volcanic craters and lava fields.

Over the centuries, Sicily was ruled by successive waves of conquerors, each one leaving their mark on the island’s architecture, culture, and cuisine. A perfect example of this blend of cultures is the Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo), a fascinating patchwork of Norman, Arabic, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical architectural styles.

Taormina is best known for its 2nd-century Greek Theatre, but this Sicilian city perched high above the eastern coastline of Sicily has a number of impressive historic attractions. One of the most important is the Cathedral (Duomo), set on a pretty square of the same name (Piazza del Duomo) along the main Corso Umberto I thoroughfare.

The Italian name of Isola Bella contains both a truth and a misnomer: though worthy of being called beautiful, this tiny rocky outcrop along Sicily’s coast near Taormina is not actually an island. Located off the Lido Mazzaro beach on the Mediterranean Sea, Isola Bella is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand that is often covered with water at high tide. The picturesque point was gifted to Taormina in 1806 by the King of Sicily and later purchased by the Scottish Lady Florence Trevelyan—her villa still sits on the highest point—until being taken over by the region of Sicily and made a nature reserve in 1990.

On the southeastern coast of Sicily, the pretty limestone town of Noto—part of a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a masterwork of the Sicilian baroque style. Architecture buffs love to stroll the Corso Vittorio Emanuele III and marvel at the grand St. Nicholas Cathedral and other baroque structures.

Sicily’s most significant archeological site, the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is home to some of the most remarkably preserved ancient Greek ruins in Italy. Dotted along a ridge just outside modern-day Agrigento, the imposing ruins of seven Doric temples are the remnants of the ancient city of Akragas. Dating from the 6th century BC, they are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get a feel for the Sicilian town of Taormina by strolling down its main street, Corso Umberto I, which is crowded with locals shopping and socializing. Begin at the medieval Porta Messina city gate, stop to take in the view over the water from Piazza IX Aprile, and end in Piazza Duomo, home to the city’s historic cathedral and fountain.

The largest opera house in Italy, Palermo’s handsome 19th-century Massimo Opera House (Teatro Massimo is one of the city’s crown jewels. From its elegant neoclassical exterior honoring Sicily’s ancient temples to the lavish gold-and-velvet interiors with impeccable acoustics, this landmark theater dazzles with more than just music.

One of Taormina’s most spectacular sights is its 2nd-century Greek Theatre (Teatro Greco), which, despite its name, is actually an ancient Roman amphitheater built in the Greek style. Sitting high above the coast, the theater has beautiful views over Taormina, the Sicilian coastline, and Mount Etna.

A tiny coastal town in Sicily, Castelmola offers panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and Mt. Etna. Neighboring Taormina is 670 feet above sea level while Castelmola is higher up at 1,700 feet above sea level. Adventurous travelers hike uphill from Taormina to Castelmola to see its churches, visit a 13th century castle, and to taste local almond wine.

Don’t be put off by the heavy traffic in Palermo’s busy Quattro Canti. This square that doubles as a major intersection is a popular stop for architecture enthusiasts, drawn to the four largely identical 17th-century buildings that sit at its four corners, considered among the finest examples of baroque architecture in Palermo.

Take a deep and delicious dive into Palermo’s culture and cuisine with a visit to Capo Market (Mercato di Capo), thick with stalls selling a wide variety of local produce, fresh fish, and other specialties.The atmosphere of this bustling market is testimony to the strong Arab influence in the port city, one of the hallmarks of its unique history.

The captivating former Greek and Roman city of Syracuse wasn’t actually founded on Sicily, but on a tiny island just offshore called Ortygia. Connected by two bridges to the mainland and modern expanse of the city, Ortygia is where you’ll find Old Town highlights such as the Duomo, Temple of Apollo, and Fountain of Arethusa.

The Neapolis Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico della Neapolis) is home to many of Syracuse’s most important Greek and Roman ruins, including the Greek Theater dating from the fifth century BC, a third-century-BC sacrificial altar, second-century Roman amphitheater, and a limestone quarry that provided stone for the ancient city.

With its black-and-white marble checkerboard paving, ornate 17th-century facade of the Chiesa di San Giuseppe, and spectacular view over the Mediterranean Sea, Piazza IX Aprile is Taormina’s loveliest square. Take a break from strolling the main Corso Umberto I thoroughfare to bask in its quintessentially Italian atmosphere.