Sicily attractions

The dramatic mountain peaks towering over Palermo along the northwestern coast of Sicily are the first thing that strikes visitors arriving at the city’s Palermo Cruise Port (Terminal Crociere di Palermo)—but there’s more to this destination than spectacular views. Famous for its cuisine, ceramics, and architecture, historic and happening Palermo is a highlight of any Mediterranean cruise.

Marsala wine, a reinforced sweet wine produced in Sicily’s southwest corner, has been famous since the 18th century, with Florio Winery (Cantine Florio) turning out some of the area’s most prestigious labels for 150 years. Learn more about the history and production of these sweet wines with a tour and tasting at this historic cellar located right on the seafront.

Set along a bay just south of Syracuse, Fontane Bianche Beach is a popular destination for basking and bathing within striking distance of the city. Freshwater springs bubble up from the seabed, making the water particularly crystalline, and the shallow waves and soft sand are ideal for beachgoers of all ages.

A heartbeat away from the clamor of Palermo, this cliff-edged reserve has enough hilly hiking trails and sea views to make you forget all about the urban area nearby—ideal for mornings or afternoons spent in nature. Hit the trails to encounter small beaches, caves (closed to the public), and Sicilian flora and fauna (especially birds) typical of the central Mediterranean.

The ruins of a Norman castle and a temple to the Roman goddess Diana crown this rocky peak above Cefalù, a cliff the locals affectionately describe as the shell of a lumaca, a snail. Climb the short trail to the castle to take in spectacular views over the Arab-Norman Cefalù Cathedral and the blue expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

One of the most scenic towns in Sicily, Erice is perched high on Mount Erice above Trapani and offers sweeping views of the north-western coastline and the Mediterranean Sea to the Aegadian Islands. Take the cable car or steep road up to its fortified historic center to stroll the picturesque lanes and tour the medieval castle and tower.

Just south of Ortigia, this protected swath of the Maddalena Peninsula is an earthly paradise of sea caves, hiking trails, and some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in eastern Sicily. In protected areas open to the public, you can swim in unspoiled waters and experience the quintessentially wild Sicilian coast.

Named after pilgrims (“pilgrim mountain”), this sizeable hill in the northern reaches of Palermo is home to the acchianata (“the climb” in local dialect), a winding pilgrimage route up stone-paved switchbacks to the neo-Gothic Utveggio Castle and Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, a church half-hewn into rock, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Around the mountain lies a protected nature reserve.

Past the clothing and houseware carts on Via Mercato, turn onto Via Emmanuele de Benedictis and the aromas of Ortygia’s street-food and farmers market will draw you in. This atmospheric outdoor market is among the most famous in Sicily, and an essential destination for local color and local food.

Get a glimpse of life in medieval Cefalù at the Lavatoio Medieval—or public wash house—built in the 16th century over the Cefalino River. Used by locals for centuries to wash their clothing and household linens, this wash house has its original stone basins and washing stones used to pound and scrub the clothing plus a row of cast-iron spigots, some in the shape of lion’s heads.

The chic Mediterranean town of Taormina on Sicily’s northeast coast is located high in the mountains—which means rewarding hikes and beautiful views. However, for visitors arriving at the Taormina Cruise Port (Taormina Terminal Crociere) who want to stay closer to town, Taormina’s medieval center is full of unique shops, historical monuments, and sidewalk cafés.

Offering colorful sunset and sea views, the 17th-century Bastione Capo Marchiafava is an intact stretch of Cefaù’s historic sea walls on the far northern tip of the city. The polygonal platform juts out over the water for a sweeping panorama of the gulf from east to west, including the coastal cliffs, lighthouse, and the Aeolian Islands in the distance.

Known as the “Sicilian Sistine Chapel,” this baroque church on Catania’s photogenic Via Crociferi is home to dazzling frescoes by the 18th-century painter Giovanni Tuccari, sumptuous stuccoes, a lavish choir loft, and an ornate marble altar. Don’t miss theScalinata dell’Angelo, a stone staircase decorated with statues of angels.

Built to defend against pirate raids, this squat quadrangular tower is where Trapani ends. Walk across a narrow strip of land to the westernmost point in town, and you’ll encounter the restored watchtower and the civic archaeological museum inside. When open, the museum—and the views of the Tyrrhenian Sea from the top—make visiting worthwhile.

This important shrine atop a hill outside Cefalù has a long history of religious importance for Christians, including a supposed miracle (confirmed by the Vatican) in 1760. Sicilians pilgrimage here to pray, while travelers visit to see the baroque shrine, highlighted by an intricate altarpiece, and catch unbeatable views of the Tyrrhenian Sea views from the belvedere.

An open-air science and technology museum, the Tecnoparco Archimede Museum (Tecnoparco Museo di Archimede) is dedicated to the of the Greek mathematician Archimedes. Explore the third-century inventor’s technological innovations, and learn how they are used today.

A former royal palace and civic building in the heart of Cefalù, Osterio Magno features a combination of architectural styles, ranging from its earliest Roman era features to Greek, Norman, and Byzantine styles: ultimately though it remains uniformly Sicilian. Its blend of influences reflects the succession of cultures and civilizations that have held dominion over Sicily throughout the centuries.

In the heart of Catania’s Piazza Carlo Alberto di Savoia lies one of Sicily’s oldest outdoor public markets, which pulses with activity daily—rain or shine (or the punishing Sicilian heat)—into the early afternoon. A feast for the senses, Fera ‘O Luni is where Catanians hunt for fresh produce, fish, and cheap clothing and housewares—and where tourists seek out local color.

Set in the Sicilian countryside outside of Noto, the Roman Villa of Tellaro is home to a number of striking mosaics dating from the 4th century that depict intricate hunting scenes and stories from Greek mythology. Ancient history buffs will especially enjoy a visit to this carefully preserved site with its spectacular original floor.

Noto is best known for its UNESCO-listed clutch of churches and palaces built in the sumptuous Sicilian baroque style, and the 18th-century Church of San Domenico is considered one of the town’s architectural treasures. Admire its ornately carved facade before stepping inside to marvel at the exuberant stuccowork.

Providing tourists with a unique way to see the Sicilian countryside, the historic narrow-gauge Circumetnea Railway (Ferrovia Circumetnea) traces a route around Mount Etna. As its name suggests, this scenic train ride circumnavigates the base of Sicily’s famous volcano, taking passengers from Catania Borgo to Riposto. Uninterrupted views of the volcano’s stark landscape are combined with bucolic vistas of pistachio plantations, citrus groves, prickly pear cacti, and the railway line’s many now-abandoned stations.

Sitting at the base of Mt. Etna, Acireale is an off-the-beaten-path small city on Sicily’s eastern coast. Nearby cities including Catania, Taormina, and Siracusa are better known to travelers, but Acireale has its own charms including churches, parks, and a nature reserve with sea views. Even during the popular summer season, it can offer an away-from-the-crowds atmosphere.

The town that we know today as Taormina is in an area in which there has been a settlement of some kind since the 8th century B.C.E. - but in the town itself one of the oldest neighborhoods is the old town, or centro storico. Taormina’s historic core centers on the centro storico, with its picturesque cobblestone streets. The buildings themselves have been beautifully preserved, giving the whole quarter a postcard look. The main street in Taormina, Corso Umberto I, runs through the center of the old town from the Piazza IX Aprile to the Piazza del Duomo. You can begin your tour of the old town from the Piazza IX Aprile and going through the arch in the 12th century clock tower. The tower was actually almost completely destroyed in the 17th century, and when it was rebuilt the clock was added. The tower serves as something of a gateway to the historic center, most of which dates from the 15th century. Today, Taormina’s old town is a great place to wander aimlessly to explore the pretty streets and buildings, shop in the souvenir stores and boutiques, and stop for a bite to eat in one of the cafes or restaurants.

With narrow streets, quaint houses, and relatively quiet beaches facing the main road through town, Sant’Ambrogio is an off-the-beaten-path gem—but it does draw high-season tourists searching for undeveloped beaches and proximity to the Madonie Regional Natural Park. It's a small but worthy stop in northern Sicily.

A highlight of Cefalù’s UNESCO-listed 12th-century cathedral, the cloister is a dazzling example of Norman architecture and is the oldest cloister of its type in Sicily. Admire its original capitals carved with scenes of the Old and New Testaments lining three sides (the eastern side was destroyed in a 19th-century fire) and its garden, divided into four parts to reference four books of the Bible.

Walk toward the west end of Trapani’s scimitar-shaped bay, and this 15th-century fortification strikes the eye with its sandstone colors and strategic position over the sea. It’s reachable via the pedestrian-friendly Mura di Tramontana—all that remains of the ancient walls along the coastline—and with an ample terrace facing the setting sun, it's probably the best place to catch a sunset in Trapani.

Lining the scenic Bastione di Capo Marchiafava, the Chiesa dell’Itria (officially the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Odigitria e San Giovanni Evangelista) is a modest church laden with history. Visit its unique interior, formed by joining two neighboring 16th-century churches via an internal arch in the mid-20th century, before continuing on to the panoramic overlook just beyond.