Audio city guides
Palermo
Arab-Norman capital — audio walking tour of the old town
Open on Stonepath →
Syracuse
Ortigia & the Greek theatre — audio walking tour
Open on Stonepath →
Ragusa
Ragusa Ibla — Baroque hill town audio walking tour
Open on Stonepath →
BEACHES & COAST
Isola Bella
Beach
The pearl of the Ionian Sea - a picturesque islet connected to the beach by a narrow neck. A nature reserve with crystal waters.
🔴 High
Isola delle Correnti
Beach
The southernmost point of Sicily - further south than Tunis! Two currents of the sea meet here. Windy, wild.
🟡 Medium
Mondello
Beach
Palermo's municipal beach between two promontories. Art Nouveau baths, white sand, turquoise water. Crowded in summer.
🔴 High
Riserva Naturale di Torre Salsa
Beach
A wild beach in a WWF nature reserve. White merle reefs, no infrastructure. A real wilderness.
🟢 Low
Snorkeling – Isola Bella
Beach
The best snorkelling at Taormina. Rich underwater life around the islet - corals, octopus, fish.
🟡 Medium
Snorkeling – Plemmirio (Siracusa)
Beach
Marine protected area off Syracuse. Underwater caves, posidonia, colourful fish. Water clarity exceptional.
🟢 Low
Spiaggia di Calamosche
Beach
Hidden beach in the Vendicari reserve - 20 min walk from the car park. Turquoise lagoon between two capes.
🟢 Low
Spiaggia di Capo d'Orlando
Beach
Wide sandy beach with a view of the Aeolian Islands. Popular with locals, quiet atmosphere.
🟢 Low
Spiaggia di Cefalù
Beach
A sandy beach directly below the Norman cathedral. Iconic view of the city. Popular but beautiful.
🔴 High
Spiaggia di Fontane Bianche
Beach
White sand and clear shallow sea 20 min from Syracuse. Popular family beach.
🟡 Medium
Spiaggia di Giardini Naxos
Beach
Long sandy beach at Taormina. Volcanic sand, view of Mount Etna. More locals than tourists.
🟡 Medium
Spiaggia di Porto Empedocle (Vigàta)
Beach
Birthplace of Andrea Camiller (Commissioner Montalbano). Port of Lampedusa. Beaches on the outskirts of the town.
🟢 Low
Spiaggia di Punta Secca
Beach
Commissioner Montalban's house right on the beach. Lighthouse, golden sand, beautiful swimming. Movie sets.
🟢 Low
Spiaggia di Sampieri
Beach
A kilometre of golden sand with the ruins of an old brickworks (fornace). The backdrop of the Montalbano series. Quiet, authentic.
🟢 Low
Spiaggia di San Lorenzo
Beach
Golden sand, clear water, between Noto and Marzamemi. A quieter alternative to Vendicari.
🟢 Low
Spiaggia di San Vito Lo Capo
Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. White sand, turquoise water, panorama of Monte Monaco. Cous Cous Fest in September.
🔴 High
Spiaggia di Vendicari
Beach
Wild beach in a nature reserve. Flamingos in lagoons, old tonnars. One of the most beautiful parts of Sicily.
🟢 Low
Tonnara di Scopello
Beach
Iconic faraglioni (rock towers) and former tonnara. Clear water, limited access. Book in advance!
🟡 Medium
Aci Trezza — Cyclops Rocks
Snorkel spot
Legendary basalt rocks thrown by Cyclops Polyphemus - underwater volcanic formations full of marine life.
🟡 Medium
Favignana (Cala Rossa)
Snorkel spot
The main island of the Egadi archipelago with former tuff quarries flooded with turquoise water - a unique underwater scenery.
🟡 Medium
Isola Bella (Taormina)
Snorkel spot
Pearl of the Ionian Sea - a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow neck, with clear water and underwater rocks.
🔴 High
Plemmirio (Siracusa)
Snorkel spot
Marine protected area off Syracuse with underwater caves, ancient anchors and rich fauna.
🟡 Medium
NATURE
Cascata di Catafurco (Galati Mamertino)
River & waterway
A hidden 30m waterfall in the Nebrodi mountains. Forest trail, swimming in the natural pool below the waterfall.
🟢 Low
Cascate del Catafurco
River & waterway
30m waterfall in Nebrodi with a natural lake. Easy trek (40 min) through wild nature. Perfect refreshment.
🟢 Low
Cava Grande del Cassibile
River & waterway
Deep canyon with natural emerald pools (laghetti). Steep descent (1h down). Grand Canyon of Sicily.
🟡 Medium
Fiume Anapo – Pantalica
River & waterway
Trek through the Anapo River Valley to the Pantalica Necropolis (UNESCO). 5000 Bronze Age rock tombs.
🟢 Low
Gola dell'Alcantara
River & waterway
A spectacular basalt gorge sculpted by the Alcantara River. Ice-cold water, possibility to walk through the canyon.
🟡 Medium
Gole di Tiberio
River & waterway
The narrow canyon of the Pollina River in Madonie. They ride on rubber boats. Hidden treasure of Sicily.
🟢 Low
Gurne dell'Alcantara
River & waterway
Natural pools on the Alcantara River above the main gorges. Less tourists, more nature. Swimming.
🟢 Low
Agira — Panoramic Viewpoint
Nature
Mountain town with 360° panoramic views of Mount Etna and central Sicily. WW2 war cemetery. Authentic village.
🟢 Low
Capo Milazzo
Nature
Nature reserve on the northernmost tip. Lighthouse, cave, natural "Venus pool". Great snorkeling.
🟢 Low
Etna – Silvestri krátery
Nature
Easily accessible side craters from the 1892 eruptions. Moonscape at 1900 m. Free, suitable for families.
🟡 Medium
Etna – Valle del Bove
Nature
A huge caldera (5×7 km) on the eastern side of Etna. Lava fields, black deserts. Preferably with a guide.
🟢 Low
Etna – hlavní krátery
Nature
The highest active volcano in Europe (3357 m). By cable car and 4×4 to the summit craters. Lunar landscape, fumaroles, lava flows.
🔴 High
Etnaland
Nature
The largest amusement and water park in southern Italy. Water slides, dinosaur park. Ideal for families.
🟡 Medium
Faraglioni di Aci Trezza
Nature
The basalt rock towers that Cyclops Polyphemus is said to have hurled at Odysseus. A beautiful fishing village.
🟡 Medium
Giardini Naxos – archeologický park
Nature
Ruins of the first Greek colony in Sicily (735 BC). Small museum, citrus garden and sea view.
🟢 Low
Giardini Pubblici di Taormina (Villa Comunale)
Nature
Public garden with fantastic views of Etna and the sea. Victorian style, exotic plants, pagodas.
🟡 Medium
Giardino Botanico di Catania
Nature
University Botanical Garden from the 19th century. Tropical greenhouses, succulent garden on lava. Free admission.
🟢 Low
Giardino Inglese – Palermo
Nature
English garden from the 19th century with giant ficus and banyans. Popular with local families. A pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
🟢 Low
Giardino della Kolymbetra
Nature
An ancient garden in the heart of Valle dei Templi. Citrus, olives, almond trees - an oasis of peace among the temples. FAI.
🟢 Low
Gibellina – Cretto di Burri
Nature
A huge land-art installation made of concrete over the ruins of the city destroyed by the 1968 earthquake. Alberto Burri. Unique.
🟢 Low
Laghetti di Marinello (pod Tindari)
Nature
Sandy lagoons under the Tindari cliffs - the shape changes with the tide. An extraordinary natural phenomenon.
🟢 Low
Lago di Pergusa
Nature
The only natural lake in Sicily. The site of the abduction of Persephone according to myth. Bird sanctuary, racing circuit around.
🟢 Low
Monte Pellegrino
Nature
Goethe called it "the most beautiful cape in the world". Santuario Santa Rosalia in the grotto. View of the whole of Palermo.
🟡 Medium
Ortigia – Fonte Aretusa
Nature
A freshwater spring right by the sea where papyrus grows - the only place in Europe. The Greek myth of the nymph Arethusa.
🟡 Medium
Orto Botanico di Palermo
Nature
One of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Europe. 200 years old, tropical plants, giant ficus trees.
🟢 Low
Parco Archeologico di Segesta
Nature
A large archaeological park with a shatl bus between the temple and the theatre. Educational trails, theatre performances in summer.
🟡 Medium
Parco Avventura Etna
Nature
Rope park in the forest on the slopes of Etna. Routes for children and adults. Combine with a walk through the lava fields.
🟢 Low
Parco Fluviale dell'Alcantara
Nature
River park around the basalt gorges of Alcantara. Botanical garden, nature trails, water activities.
🟡 Medium
Parco Minerario Floristella
Nature
A former sulphur mine turned into a museum. A shocking history of child labour in the 19th century. An important cultural site.
🟢 Low
Parco Regionale delle Madonie
Nature
Mountain park with Pizzo Carbonara (1979 m). Old beech trees, wild orchids, Sicilian adder. UNESCO Geopark.
🟢 Low
Parco dei Nebrodi
Nature
The largest natural park in Sicily. Beech forests, lakes, wild boar. Nero dei Nebrodi (black pig) - a delicacy.
🟢 Low
Parco dell'Etna — Lava Caves (Grotta del Gelo)
Nature
Caves with permafrost on a volcano - the southernmost glacier in Europe. More challenging trek. With a guide.
🟢 Low
4Parco della Favorita – Palermo
Nature
The largest urban park in Palermo (400 ha). Palazzina Cinese, bike paths, picnic under the palm trees.
🟢 Low
Riserva Naturale dello Stagnone
Nature
Shallow lagoon ideal for kitesurfing. The island of Mozia with its Phoenician ruins. Breathtaking sunsets.
🟢 Low
Riserva Naturale di Capo Gallo
Nature
Nature reserve next to Mondello. Cave dell'Olio Mangia with bioluminescent algae. Beautiful trek.
🟢 Low
Riserva Naturale di Cavagrande
Nature
View of the Cava Grande Canyon from above - 250 m deep, 10 km long. When the descent is closed, the view is worth it.
🟢 Low
Riserva Naturale di Vendicari
Nature
Nature reserve with lagoons, flamingos and other migratory birds. Historic tonnary. Ideal for autumn.
🟢 Low
Riserva dello Zingaro
Nature
Sicily's first nature reserve. 7 km coastal path with hidden coves and turquoise sea.
🟡 Medium
Saline di Trapani
Nature
Ancient salt pans with windmills. The sunset over the salt pans is unforgettable. Salt Museum.
🟢 Low
Scala dei Turchi
Nature
Dazzling white merle cliffs falling into the sea. Iconic natural staircases. Best at sunset.
🔴 High
CULTURE & HISTORY
Borgo medievale di Gangi
Historic site
One of the most beautiful Italian borghi (2014). Medieval streets in the mountains of Madonie. Houses for 1 €.
🟢 Low
20Borgo medievale di Petralia Soprana
Historic site
Borgo più bello d'Italia 2018. At the top of Madonie (1147 m). Norman church, authentic rural life.
🟢 Low
12Caltagirone
Historic site
City of ceramics. The famous Stairs of Santa Maria del Monte (142 steps decorated with majolica). UNESCO.
🟢 Low
Castello Ursino – Catania
Historic site
The mighty Svabian castle of Frederick II (1239). Today a museum. Survived the Etna lava of 1669.
🟡 Medium
8Castello di Caccamo
Historic site
One of the largest Norman castles in Sicily. It dominates the landscape from a high cliff. Impressive, few tourists.
🟢 Low
18Castello di Sperlinga
Historic site
A castle carved directly into the rock. The only fortress that withstood the Sicilian Vespers (1282). A unique experience.
🟢 Low
Castello di Venere – Erice
Historic site
Norman castle on the site of the ancient Temple of Venus. View of the Aegadian Islands and Africa on a clear day.
🟡 Medium
Catacombe dei Cappuccini
Historic site
Morbidly fascinating catacombs with 8,000 mummified bodies from the 16th-19th centuries. Not for the faint hearted.
🟡 Medium
Cattedrale di Catania (Sant'Agata)
Historic site
The Baroque cathedral in Piazza del Duomo with the iconic elephant (Liotru). St Agatha - patron saint of the city.
🟡 Medium
1Cattedrale di Palermo
Historic site
Monumental cathedral with Arab-Norman style (UNESCO). Royal tombs, view from the roof.
🟡 Medium
Cefalù
Historic site
A picturesque seaside town with a Norman cathedral (UNESCO) and the rock castle of La Rocca. Beautiful beach.
🟡 Medium
9Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti
Historic site
A Norman church with red Arabic domes - a symbol of the blending of cultures in Sicily.
🟢 Low
Duomo di Monreale
Historic site
UNESCO. Norman Cathedral with 6,340 m² of golden Byzantine mosaics. Paradise Courtyard (monastery) with 228 columns.
🟡 Medium
19Enna – Castello di Lombardia
Historic site
The highest regional town in Italy (931 m). A mighty castle with a panoramic view of the whole of Sicily.
🟢 Low
Erice
Historic site
Medieval town on a mountain (750 m) above Trapani. Up by cable car, breathtaking views, famous almond sweets.
🟡 Medium
7Isola di Mozia (Mothia)
Historic site
A Phoenician town on an islet in the Stagnone lagoon. Whitaker Museum with the unique statue of "The Young Man of Mozie".
🟢 Low
10La Martorana (Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio)
Historic site
Norman church with stunning Byzantine gold mosaics (12th century). UNESCO. A quiet alternative to the Cappella Palatina.
🟢 Low
15Marsala – centro storico
Historic site
City of the famous Marsala wine. Garibaldi's landing 1860. Baroque centre, tasting in cellars.
🟢 Low
Marzamemi
Historic site
A picturesque fishing village with a tonnara and a beautiful little square. Film festival in June. Excellent fish.
🟡 Medium
6Modica
Historic site
Baroque city (UNESCO) famous for its Aztec chocolate. Duomo di San Giorgio, cafes, authentic atmosphere.
🟢 Low
Noto
Historic site
Capital of the Sicilian Baroque (UNESCO). The entire city of golden limestone. Flower Carpet Festival (Infiorata) in May.
🟡 Medium
Ortigia – Siracusa
Historic site
The historic heart of Syracuse on an islet. Baroque architecture, Duomo, Arethusa fountain, market. UNESCO.
🔴 High
Palazzo Nicolaci – Noto
Historic site
Baroque palace with famous balconies supported by grotesque statues. Via Nicolaci - the main axis of the flower festival.
🟡 Medium
Palazzo dei Normanni & Cappella Palatina
Historic site
The Royal Palace with the Palatine Chapel - the Byzantine gold mosaics are among the most beautiful in the world.
🔴 High
Parco Archeologico della Neapolis
Historic site
Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Dionysus' Ear - a unique cave with incredible acoustics.
🟡 Medium
13Piazza Armerina
Historic site
Baroque historical centre with a Norman cathedral. Near Villa Romana del Casale. Palio dei Normanni in August.
🟢 Low
2Quattro Canti – Palermo
Historic site
Baroque Square (1611) - four curved facades with statues, fountains and four seasons. The heart of Palermo.
🟡 Medium
5Ragusa Ibla
Historic site
Baroque pearl (UNESCO) - like stopped time. Picturesque streets, Duomo di San Giorgio, scenery from Inspector Montalbano.
🟢 Low
Santuario di Santa Rosalia – Monte Pellegrino
Historic site
A shrine in a cave on Monte Pellegrino dedicated to the patron saint of Palermo. The water dripping from the ceiling is said to heal.
🟡 Medium
14Savoca
Historic site
The village from the film The Godfather (Bar Vitelli, the church from the wedding). Catacombs with mummies. Authentic Sicily.
🟢 Low
11Scicli
Historic site
Baroque town (UNESCO) in a dramatic canyon. The backdrop of the Montalbano series. Palazzo Beneventano.
🟢 Low
Segesta
Historic site
A perfectly preserved Doric temple (5th century BC) and a Greek theatre overlooking the landscape. Less touristy than Agrigento.
🟡 Medium
Selinunte
Historic site
The largest archaeological park in Europe. Greek temples on the cliffs above the sea. Ideal for a whole morning.
🟡 Medium
17Solunto
Historic site
A Phoenician and Greek city on a mountain above the sea. Roman mosaics, thermal baths. Few tourists, great views.
🟢 Low
Taormina – Corso Umberto
Historic site
Taormina's main promenade with luxury shops, cafes and breathtaking views. Porta Messina and Porta Catania.
🔴 High
Teatro Antico di Taormina
Historic site
A Greco-Roman theatre with breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the sea. 3rd century BC. Summer concerts and festivals.
🔴 High
Teatro Massimo – Palermo
Historic site
The largest opera house in Italy, third in Europe. A neoclassical pearl. A scene from The Godfather III. Tours daily.
🟡 Medium
3Tindari – Santuario & Teatro Greco
Historic site
The Greek town of Tyndaris on a cliff above the sea. A theatre, a basilica, a Roman house. Below it, laghetti (lagoons).
🟡 Medium
16Trapani – centro storico
Historic site
A seaside town on a narrow promontory. Baroque churches, excellent couscous, gateway to the Egadi Islands.
🟢 Low
Valle dei Templi
Historic site
UNESCO. The best preserved Greek temples outside Greece - Concordia, Juno, Hercules.
🔴 High
Villa Romana del Casale
Historic site
UNESCO. Roman villa with the most extensive and best preserved floor mosaics in the world. The famous "bikini girls".
🟡 Medium
ACTIVITIES & LOCAL
Boat tour – Aeolské ostrovy ze Sicílie
Activity
Day trips from Milazzo to Vulcano, Lipari, Stromboli. Night cruise to Stromboli to observe eruptions.
🟡 Medium
Catania – La Pescheria (rybí trh)
Activity
The liveliest fish market in Sicily, just below Piazza Duomo. Every morning. Swordfish, octopus, sea urchins.
🟡 Medium
Cefalù – La Rocca výstup
Activity
Climb to the rock castle above Cefalù (270 m). 30-45 min. Ruins of the Temple of Diana, panorama of the coast. Worth the effort!
🟡 Medium
Cooking class – Palermo (street food)
Activity
Sicilian cuisine courses - arancini, pasta alla Norma, cannoli. Shopping at the Ballarò market, cooking, feasting.
🟢 Low
Cooking class – Taormina
Activity
Sicilian cuisine courses overlooking Mount Etna. Caponata, pesce spada, granita. Usually 3-4 hours.
🟢 Low
Degustace vín – Etna DOC
Activity
Winery on the slopes of Mount Etna - the volcanic soil gives exceptional wines (Nerello Mascalese). Planeta, Benanti, Passopisciaro.
🟢 Low
Etna — Guided Summit Ascent
Activity
Organized trek to the summit craters (3350 m) with a volcanologist. An unforgettable full day experience. Reservations required.
🟡 Medium
Gole dell'Alcantara – body rafting
Activity
Body rafting through basalt gorges - adrenaline with a guide. Neoprene provided. From 10 years old.
🟡 Medium
Kitesurfing – Lo Stagnone (Marsala)
Activity
A shallow lagoon with a flat bottom - an ideal spot for beginners and advanced anglers. Constant wind, warm water.
🟢 Low
Ortigia – street food & trh
Activity
Market on Ortigia - fresh fish, cheese, pistachios. Street food: arancini, granita with brioche.
🟡 Medium
Palermo – Mercato della Vucciria
Activity
Historical market, today mainly evening street food and aperitivo. Night atmosphere with live music.
🟡 Medium
Palermo – Mercato di Ballarò
Activity
The oldest and most authentic street market in Palermo. Loud customer calls, fresh fish, street food.
🟡 Medium
Palermo – street food tour
Activity
Tasting arancini, panelle, stigghiola, sfincione at the Ballarò and Capo markets. Palermo = street food capital.
🟡 Medium
Tonnara di Bonagia — Museum
Activity
Museum of traditional tuna fishing (mattanza) in the historic tonnara. A fascinating Sicilian tradition.
🟢 Low
Cantine Florio
Local producer
Historic Marsala wine cellars founded in 1833 by Vincenzo Florio on the western coast of Sicily. The two-hectare tuff-stone cellars, lapped by the sea, host over 50,000 visitors a year. Guided tours include the aging warehouses and a tasting of classic Marsala.
🟡 mid
Donnafugata Winery
Local producer
One of Sicily's most celebrated wineries, founded in Marsala in 1983. Famous for elegant Nero d'Avola, Passito di Pantelleria, and Etna wines. Historic cellars in Marsala open for guided tours and tastings; vineyard estates also in Contessa Entellina and Etna.
🟢 low
Fiasconaro
Local producer
Artisan pastry and honey producers in Castelbuono, in the heart of the Madonie mountains since 1953. Famous for Sicilian panettone flavoured with manna, pistachios, and citrus, as well as eucalyptus and orange blossom honey. Shop on-site in Castelbuono.
🟢 low
Frantoi Cutrera
Local producer
Italy's most-awarded olive oil producer, based in Chiaramonte Gulfi in the Monti Iblei hills since 1906. Produces single-variety DOP and IGP extra virgin oils from native Tonda Iblea olives. Shop and mill visits available; oils exported to over 30 countries.
🟢 low
Planeta Winery
Local producer
Family estate with roots going back 17 generations in Menfi, southwestern Sicily. Produces acclaimed Nero d'Avola, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, and Etna wines across six estates. Wine resort and restaurant at the Foresteria in Menfi; tours and tastings bookable online.
🟢 low
GETTING THERE
Airport Catania Fontanarossa (CTA)
Transport
Půjčení auta a letenky · Porovnej ceny od ověřených půjčoven · Vyhledej nejlevnější lety na Sicily
Airport Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO)
Transport
Půjčení auta a letenky · Porovnej ceny od ověřených půjčoven · Vyhledej nejlevnější lety na Sicily
Port of Messina ⚓
Transport
Trajektový přístav · Spojení s Villa San Giovanni, Reggio Calabria
Port of Palermo ⚓
Transport
Trajektový přístav · Spojení s Naples, Genoa, Cagliari, Tunis