Sicily attractions

For a unique window into Palermo’s cultural traditions, catch a performance of the historic Sicilian Puppet Theatre (Opera Dei Pupi, a theater so singular that it is recognized by UNESCO for Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage. At the International Marionette Museum (Museo Internazionale delle Marionette you can see finely-made, historic puppets and enjoy a show.

Considered one of Italy’s most magnificent opera houses, the grand Teatro Massimo Bellini dazzles with its imposing Sicilian baroque-style façade and opulent interiors. Admire its fin de siècle beauty during an opera or concert in the evening, or join a tour during the day to see its ornate marble foyer and 19th-century boxes.

One of the most important baroque churches in Sicily, Church of the Gesù was built by the Jesuits in the late 16th century and is a treasure trove of lavish frescoes, stone carvings, and marble reliefs. Fans of the baroque style will enjoy visiting what many consider to be among the city’s finest churches.

Though Taormina’s most famous attraction is known as the Greek Theatre, this 2nd-century amphitheater is actually Roman—and it isn’t the only ancient site in town. History buffs will be delighted by the Roman Odeon, a smaller version of the Teatro Greco built centuries earlier in a similar Greek style, with space for just 200 people.

Each day at noon, a crowd gathers beneath the bell tower of Messina’s Cathedral to watch as the gilded statues on the astronomical clock seem to come to life. As the bells chime, the lion roars, the rooster crows, statues strike the hour, and mechanical figures replay biblical and allegorical scenes. It's a spectacle no tourist should miss.

Just outside Ragusa in southeastern Sicily, the beautiful 14th-century Donnafugata Castle (Castello di Donnafugata) is one of the island’s most sumptuous treasures. Like many historic buildings in Sicily, the castle is a unique patchwork of architectural and artistic styles, including a Venetian Gothic facade and baroque interior.

One of Sicily’s prettiest baroque cities (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site besides), Scicli is rich in elegant architecture, religious landmarks, and charming restaurants and cafés. The city’s hilltop San Matteo Church is its most recognizable monument, and other popular attractions range from its grand town hall to pretty palazzi.

The Sicilian coastal town of Taormina sits high above the sea and beaches. The Funivia, or cable car in Italian, connects the town to the beaches at Mazzaro below. The 5-minute cable car ride is a quick and scenic way to travel from the hotels or restaurants of Taormina down to the seafront.

The historic center of Noto is a treasure trove of Sicilian baroque architecture, and the Palazzo Nicolaci is among the finest examples of this 18th-century style in the city. With ornate balconies and whimsical carvings adorning its facade, the palace—together with a number of equally sublime baroque churches—is a highlight of Noto.

Despite being repeatedly ravaged by Mount Etna’s eruptions since its founding, Catania retains traces of its long Greek and Roman history, most notably the ancient theaters of the Catania Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico Greco-Romano di Catania). The most important ruins in the city, these remarkably preserved theaters are a must-visit for archaeology buffs.

Home to one of the most sublime historic centers in Sicily, Noto is a baroque treasure and the Chiesa di Santa Chiara, officially known as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, one of its many gems. The church’s refined exterior is just an amuse-bouche to the glory of its interiors, a triumph of decorative stucco and gilding.

Set on the eastern coast of Sicily, Aci Castello (also known as Acicastello) is famous for its 11th-century Norman castle, which towers above the town and overlooks the dramatic lava-rock coastline. With beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, and a resort-town atmosphere, Aci Castello is a popular day trip from nearby Catania.

On the outskirts of Agrigento—a lovely hilltop town on Sicily's southwest shore—the Agrigento Archaeological Museum contains some of the best-preserved Greek art and architecture outside Greece, including hundreds of ancient artifacts from the prehistoric era to the Hellenic period dug out from the once illustrious Greek colony of Akragas.

Considered one of Italy’s most exquisite public gardens, Villa Bellini has a vast expanse of greenery laced with scenic walkways and dotted with pavilions, flower gardens, and hilltop viewpoints over Catania and Mount Etna. Located at the top of bustling Via Etnea, this public garden is a serene respite from the urban chaos and a city highlight.

Taormina is known for its ancient theater, but set just below the town along the coastline is one of the area’s best beaches, Lido Mazzarò. Stretching between the tiny rocky outcrop of Isola Bella and the blue waters of Grotta Azzurra, this pebbly beach is the perfect respite from the sightseeing crowds in Taormina.

One of Europe’s largest Benedictine monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Catania’s Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena (Monastero Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena), is among the city’s top attractions. The stunning monastery was founded in 1558 but almost completely rebuilt in the baroque style following an earthquake in the 18th century.

This UNESCO-listed palace is one of Palermo’s many fine examples of Norman architecture dating from the 12th-century Moorish reign over Sicily. Though the interior has long been stripped of its original decoration, architecture buffs will enjoy seeing the unique Arab influence on the style of this former royal hunting retreat.

The House Museum of Soap (Casa Museo del Sapone), created by an artisan soap company in their estate’s historic Sicilian farmhouse, is dedicated to the history and science of soap-making. You can view old presses and agricultural tools, see demonstrations, and even make your own soap during the guided tour.

Some of the finest examples of Sicilian baroque architecture are located in Ragusa’s old town, Ragusa Ibla. Of these, the 18th-century Chiesa di San Giuseppe is one of the most sumptuous, with a richly sculpted facade and bell tower and elaborate interior stuccoes. A stop in this magnificent church is a highlight of Ragusa Ibla tours.

The UNESCO-listed town of Noto is a treasure trove of Sicilian baroque architecture, and this basilica is one of the city’s headliners. Standing at the top of a monumental staircase, the 18th-century church has an ornate facade that will delight any architecture aficionado, leading into one of the most impressive interiors in Noto.

The 14th-century Chiaramonte-Steri Palace was used as a prison in the Inquisition, and today is home to a museum dedicated to this dark chapter of Sicilian history. Visit the graffiti-covered cells on the lower floors before heading upstairs to take in the art gallery and views over the city to the sea.

On the remote southeastern tip of Sicily, Marzamemi is one of the most picturesque fishing villages on the island. Once the seat of a thriving tuna industry, these days, locals and tourists alike descend each summer to swim at the pretty beach and soak up the town’s authentic ambiance.

Set beneath the Greek ruins in Sicily’s Valley of the Temples, the ancient Kolymbetra Garden is a peaceful respite from the heat and crowds of the nearby archaeological site. Recharge among the olive and citrus trees, admire views of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, and visit a hypogea from the 5th century BC.

One of the most unique sights in Sicily, this outdoor sculpture garden created by 20th-century Sicilian artist Filippo Bentivegna contains thousands of carved stone heads done in theart brut, or naïve, style. Take a break from the ancient temples of nearby Agrigento and Selinunte to discover this eccentric modern artist.

More cabinet of curiosities than a museum, this quirky collection of bits and bobs from archaeological artifacts and Renaissance portraits to thousands of seashells from across the globe was amassed by the baron Enrico Pirajno of Mandralisca in the 19th century, and is a hidden delight in Cefalfù’s historic center.

Located in Palermo’s historic Kalsa Quarter, the Mirto Palace House Museum, known locally as Palazzo Mirto, is one of the city’s only intact noble palaces that is open to the public. The lavish interiors are a time capsule of Sicilian aristocratic life in the 18th and 19th centuries, decorated with furniture and art originally owned by the palace’s Lanza Filangieri family.

The Messina Cruise Port (Terminal Crociere di Messina), set in the busy port city on the narrow Strait of Messina, is many cruisers’ first taste of Sicily. The closest Sicilian city to mainland Italy and a popular port of call for Mediterranean and European cruises, Messina offers striking architecture, flavorful street food, and easy access to Taormina, Mount Etna, and other Sicilian sights.

On summer weekends, and well into autumn, it can feel like all of Palermo whips out their beach bags and tanning lotions and descends onto Mondello Beach (Spiaggia di Mondello), a crescent of white sand at the northern tip of town. With beautiful waters protected by natural cliffs and the Capo di Gallo Nature Reserve, Mondello Beach is among the best urban beaches in Italy.

Among Sicily’s restored and repurposed tuna fisheries, the Tonnara di Scopello is the prettiest, anchored by the pastel-pink Palazzina Florio (with bookable apartments and a museum) and a medieval tower overlooking a perfect stone bay and dazzling blue waters. A functioning fishery for about 700 years, the tonnara is now an idyllic tourist attraction—the stuff of Sicilian dreams.

The 16th-century Branciforte Palace (Palazzo Branciforte) underwent a dramatic 21st-century makeover courtesy of Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti, and today the former aristocratic residence is home to one of Palermo’s premier cultural centers and museums.