Sicily holidays

The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily will amaze you with its ancient monuments, pretty piazzas, and varied landscapes. Ideal for couples, families and adventurers alike, this picturesque region boasts some of the most spectacular sights in Europe. Explore its fascinating history on a day trip to the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, browse the stylish boutiques of Taormina, or soak up the Mediterranean sun on the sandy shores of Cefalu beach. If you’re feeling really adventurous, why not climb the slopes of a volcano? No matter what you decide to do on your holidays to Sicily, don’t leave without tasting a glass of the local vino!

Things to do

Sicily is famous for the Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, it was featured in the film 'The Godfather, Part Three', and is near the heart of the historic Sicilian capital, Palermo. With a capacity of nearly 1,400 and exceptional acoustics, it's a must-see if you're an opera fan. Just a few minutes away is the Museo archeologico regionale "Antonino Salinas", an archaeological museum with a fascinating collection of Phoenician and Ancient Greek artworks.
Then, take some time to explore the resort and ancient Greco-Roman theatre of Taormina on the east coast, or see the wonderful Castello di Venere fortress near Erica in the far west of the region. 

Excellent beaches

Sicily has a range of beautiful beaches, some with soft sand, others are pebblier, so you can tailor your beach day accordingly. Large larva rocks speckle the warm shallow waters of Sicily’s coast adding to the striking scenery. The costal town of Taormina is mainly known for its long stretch of sandy shores. Enjoy reclining on sun loungers under parasols, taking in the picturesque views of the turquoise coast against the golden sand. There’s plenty of opportunity for water sports where you can paraglide, hire a pedal boat or snorkel in the shallow mangroves.

History and culture

Sicily has a rich, complex history, which can be seen through its ancient ruins that have a wide range of cultural influences taken from Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, French, German, Spanish and Italian civilisations. Visitors can see Greek temples, Roman villas, Norman cathedrals and traditional Italian architecture on the island. Sicily became a part of Italy in 1860 but only converted to an autonomous region in 1946 with help from the Italian Republic. The region has a heavy religious culture with a number of festivals celebrated throughout the year.

Nightlife

Sicily is extremely traditional so the nightlife typically follows the same pattern of being quite low key. You’ll find bars and clubs that stay open late in certain areas, but the majority of nightly entertainment is focused in the restaurants and hotels. Enjoy a delicious Italian meal with a glass of local wine at a hillside restaurant whilst the sunsets over the beautiful coastline.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Amalfi | Ischia Porto | Florence | Lake Garda | Limone | Malcesine | Rome | Sant'Agnello | Sardinia | Sorrento | Tuscany | Venetian Riviera | Venice