Sicily attractions

Perched on the slopes of Monte Caputo overlooking the Golden Valley (Conca d’Oro, the medieval village of Monreale earns a spot on the travel map for its magnificent mosaic-filled cathedral. Built by William II in 1184, the cathedral and adjacent cloister are considered among the best examples of Norman architecture in Sicily.

The mosaic-filled Monreale Cathedral (Duomo di Monreale) is both one of Italy’s most impressive masterpieces of medieval architecture and one of Sicily’s finest examples of Norman design. The triumph of Norman, Arab, Byzantine and classical elements was built by William II in 1184, and continues to dazzle visitors almost 1,000 years later.

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 spectacular Fontana Pretoria is the centerpiece of Palermo’s large Piazza Pretoria. Created by the Florentine sculptor Francesco Camilliani for a private Tuscan villa, the fountain was acquired by Palermo in 1574. Its nude statues scandalized locals at the time, but today the fountain is one of the city’s most treasured landmarks.

Just outside the town of Piazza Armerina in southern Sicily, the ruins of Villa Romana del Casale are home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Roman mosaics. These incredible designs date from the fourth century and were stunningly preserved by a 12th-century landslide before being unearthed in the 19th century.

Set at the foot of Mt. Etna, the lush vineyards of the Gambino Winery are testament to the fertile volcanic soil this rumbling peak has created over millennia. The mountain’s unique terroir comes through in the area’s wines, and you can sample a variety at the winery while admiring the sweeping views across the Sicilian countryside.

Marsala is internationally known for its namesake wine. But this port city on Sicily’s western coast is also a charming cultural destination, with archaeological ruins, a 15th-century Benedictine monastery, and a delightful historic center.

While Palermo has a number of bustling outdoor markets worth exploring for the lively atmosphere, the most famous is Vucciria Market, known locally as La Vucciria. Located in the historic center around Piazza San Domenico, the stalls predominantly sell fish, meat, and produce—but you can find a little of everything here.

One of the most striking palaces in Taormina, Palazzo Corvaja is testament to Sicily's long history of successive invasions with its mix of Arab, Norman, and Spanish styles. This palace is an architectural highlight of the old town and houses the Sicilian Museum of Popular Art and Traditions, for a deep dive into the island’s culture and history.

Lording over busy Via Giuseppe Garibaldi where it runs into Piazza dell’Unità, the monumental Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) is one of Messina’s most eye-catching public fountains. Built in 1557 by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli—a collaborator of Michelangelo—the fountain symbolizes the city’s power over the hostile sea.

The Palatine Chapel inside Palermo’s Royal Palace—once the private chapel of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily—is one of the most breathtaking and important attractions in the city. The chapel seems to glow in a golden light, reflected by the ornate mosaics that cover its interior and are considered among the best in Italy.

Testament to Taormina’s many layers of history, the Church of Santa Caterina di Alessandria has a wedding-cake-like baroque interior from the 17th century built atop an ancient crypt and Greek and Roman ruins, including those of the Roman Odeon. Archaeology and art enthusiasts alike will delight in this small but captivating church.

If you are looking to immerse yourself in the local culture of Palermo, the Ballarò Market (Mercato Ballarò) is the place to go. As the city’s oldest street market and one of the most vibrant markets in Europe, Ballarò also provides a glimpse into Palermo’s past as a major commercial center and port.

The UNESCO-listed Cefalù Cathedral (Duomo, dating from the 12th century and one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Sicily, is a highlight of the historic town of Cefalù. Known for its imposing fortress-like exterior and lavish interior mosaics, the duomo is a must for art and architecture enthusiasts.

Perched on a hilltop in Western Sicily, the Segesta Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico di Segesta) is home to spectacular ancient ruins dating from Magna Grecia. Highlights include the main temple, built in the fifth century BC and one of the best-preserved examples of Doric architecture in the world, and the fourth-century-BC Greek theater.

The ornate 17th-century facade of Syracuse Cathedral (Duomo di Siracusa) is typical of many Sicilian baroque churches, but belies the unusual interior of this former Greek temple. Built in the fifth century BC and dedicated to the goddess Athena, the building was converted into a Christian church over a millennium later.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Piazza Duomo is both a jewel of the Sicilian baroque and the vibrant heart of Catania. Home to some of the city’s most sumptuous architectural treasures, including Palazzo degli Elefanti, the Cathedral di Sant’Agata (Duomo), and the Fontana dell’Elefante, this square is a highlight of Catania city tours.

Catania is best known for its Sicilian baroque architecture, but one of the most important attractions in the city actually dates from centuries earlier: the formidable 13th-century Ursino Castle (Castello di Ursino). Built by Emperor Frederick II, it now houses an impressive collection of art and artifacts in the Museo Civico (Civic Museum).

Palermo’s splendid La Martorana is an architectural time capsule, with elements of three successive historic styles—Norman, Romanesque, and baroque—on its facade, and untouched Byzantine glory within. One of a group of extraordinary UNESCO-listed churches in Palermo, La Martorana dazzles with its 12th-century mosaics.

With its baroque palazzi, worn paving stones, and theatrical staircases, Via Crociferi is unabashedly photogenic, so much so that it is often used as a scenic backdrop in Italian films. Walking the length of this thoroughfare is like taking a stroll through Catania’s history, from ancient Rome to the Renaissance.

For a respite from the heat and crowds of Taormina, retreat to the lush confines of the 19th-century English-style gardens of the Parco Duca di Cesarò, also known as the Villa Comunale. Unwind surrounded by colorful tropical plants and flowers, explore the tower and gazebo, and take in the view over the sea from the terrace balustrade.

Syracuse’s Greek Theater (Teatro Greco) was one of the largest in the world when it was constructed, able to seat up the 16,000 spectators. Hewn directly from the side of the Temenite Hill overlooking the Sicilian countryside, the stone theater is a highlight of the UNESCO-listed Neapolis Archaeological Park.

One of Messina’s most important examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani was one of the few buildings left standing after a devastating earthquake leveled much of the city in 1908. Architecture enthusiasts will especially appreciate its magnificent Arabic-Byzantine facade.

One of the most unique destinations along Sicily’s western coast, the Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Natural Reserve combines the fascinating history of traditional sea salt harvesting with the spectacular beauty of the over 150 species of bird that use this protected area as a haven for nesting and migration.

Taking its name from Mount Etna, the imposing volcano that looms over the city, Via Etnea is one of Catania’s most important thoroughfares, lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés. A lively destination both day and night, Via Etnea connects two of the city’s top attractions—Piazza Duomo and Villa Bellini.

Following the path of an ancient Mt. Etna lava flow, Sicily’s Alcantara River carved intricate ravines and underground passages through the volcanic rock. The resulting Alcantara Gorges (Gole dell'Alcantara) are part of the Alcantara River Park, popular with travelers drawn to the beautiful rock formations and the refreshing river water, especially in summer.

The Neapolis Archaeological Park outside of Syracuse is home to important Greek and Roman ruins, but the most unusual sight is an ancient limestone cave known as the Ear of Dionysius. Its unique tapered shape produces acoustics so precise that the tyrant Dionysius is said to have imprisoned enemies here to better eavesdrop on them.

One of the most famous sights in Palermo—albeit a rather macabre one—is the extensive network of catacombs under the city’s historic Capuchin Monastery. The subterranean Capuchin Catacombs (Catacombe dei Cappuccini) are home to thousands of mummified remains in varying states of preservation dating from the 16th to 20th centuries.

The imposing Politeama Garibaldi Theater (Teatro Politeama Garibaldi), which overlooks Palermo’s Piazza Ruggero Settimo, turns heads with its triumphal arch entrance and circular design ringed with two levels of columns. Home to the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, this 19th-century concert hall stages classical music performances year round.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie) comprise seven small volcanic islands off the northeastern coast of Sicily, including Lipari, Vulcano, and Stromboli. Famous for their beautiful coastlines and beaches, active volcanoes and mud baths, pretty resort towns and leisurely pace of living, the islands are a popular day trip destination for visitors seeking a largely peaceful (if tectonic) experience.