★ Top sights 20
Palermo Cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and reflects the layered history of the city in its architecture. Originally a Christian basilica, it was converted to a mosque under Arab rule, then re-consecrated in 1185 by Norman King William II. Its exterior blends Arab-Norman, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements -- a fusion recognised as part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo World Heritage Site. The building contains the royal tombs of Norman and Hohenstaufen rulers of Sicily.
Quattro Canti, officially Piazza Vigliena, is a Baroque octagonal square at the intersection of Palermo's two main historic streets. Built between 1608 and 1620 during Spanish rule, each of its four concave facades is arranged in three tiers: a fountain at street level, a statue of a Spanish king above, and the patron saint of the corresponding historic city quarter at the top. The ensemble is considered the symbolic heart of historic Palermo and one of Sicily's finest Baroque urban compositions.
Tindari is an ancient Greek city perched on a rocky promontory on Sicily's Tyrrhenian coast, founded in 396 BC by Dionysius I of Syracuse. Its archaeological zone contains the remains of a Hellenistic theatre with panoramic views over the Aeolian Islands, Roman houses with mosaic floors, and sections of the original Greek city wall. Below the promontory, the Laghetti di Marinello lagoons -- formed by sand from the nearby Rosmarino river -- create a distinctive natural landscape visible from the hilltop.
The Parco della Favorita is a 400-hectare urban park on the slopes of Monte Pellegrino in Palermo, created as a royal hunting estate for Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies at the end of the 18th century. It is the largest green space in Palermo and contains the Palazzina Cinese, an eccentric Chinese-style pavilion built around 1799 for the king. The park also houses the Museo Etnografico Siciliano Giuseppe Pitre, which preserves a large collection of traditional Sicilian crafts, puppets, and folk art.
Baroque pearl (UNESCO) - like stopped time. Picturesque streets, Duomo di San Giorgio, scenery from Inspector Montalbano.
Baroque city (UNESCO) famous for its Aztec chocolate. Duomo di San Giorgio, cafes, authentic atmosphere.
A Phoenician town on an islet in the Stagnone lagoon. Whitaker Museum with the unique statue of "The Young Man of Mozie".
One of the largest Norman castles in Sicily. It dominates the landscape from a high cliff. Impressive, few tourists.
A Norman church with red Arabic domes - a symbol of the blending of cultures in Sicily.
Norman church with stunning Byzantine gold mosaics (12th century). UNESCO. A quiet alternative to the Cappella Palatina.
Baroque town (UNESCO) in a dramatic canyon. The backdrop of the Montalbano series. Palazzo Beneventano.
City of ceramics. The famous Stairs of Santa Maria del Monte (142 steps decorated with majolica). UNESCO.
Baroque historical centre with a Norman cathedral. Near Villa Romana del Casale. Palio dei Normanni in August.
The village from the film The Godfather (Bar Vitelli, the church from the wedding). Catacombs with mummies. Authentic Sicily.
City of the famous Marsala wine. Garibaldi's landing 1860. Baroque centre, tasting in cellars.
A seaside town on a narrow promontory. Baroque churches, excellent couscous, gateway to the Egadi Islands.
A Phoenician and Greek city on a mountain above the sea. Roman mosaics, thermal baths. Few tourists, great views.
A castle carved directly into the rock. The only fortress that withstood the Sicilian Vespers (1282). A unique experience.
The highest regional town in Italy (931 m). A mighty castle with a panoramic view of the whole of Sicily.
Borgo più bello d'Italia 2018. At the top of Madonie (1147 m). Norman church, authentic rural life.
Activities & local 19
Day trips from Milazzo to Vulcano, Lipari, Stromboli. Night cruise to Stromboli to observe eruptions.
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.
The liveliest fish market in Sicily, just below Piazza Duomo. Every morning. Swordfish, octopus, sea urchins.
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!
Sicilian cuisine courses - arancini, pasta alla Norma, cannoli. Shopping at the Ballarò market, cooking, feasting.
Sicilian cuisine courses overlooking Mount Etna. Caponata, pesce spada, granita. Usually 3-4 hours.
Winery on the slopes of Mount Etna - the volcanic soil gives exceptional wines (Nerello Mascalese). Planeta, Benanti, Passopisciaro.
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.
Organized trek to the summit craters (3350 m) with a volcanologist. An unforgettable full day experience. Reservations required.
Fiasconaro is a Sicilian artisan bakery founded in 1953 in Castelbuono, a mountain town in the Madonie range of northern Sicily. The company is known for naturally leavened panettone and colomba, slow-fermented over several days using traditional methods. Beyond the signature breads, Fiasconaro also produces nougats, jams, and honeys from local Sicilian ingredients including Madonie honey and Sicilian citrus. The Madonie location, above 400 metres elevation, shapes the microclimate and access to the regional produce.
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.
Body rafting through basalt gorges - adrenaline with a guide. Neoprene provided. From 10 years old.
A shallow lagoon with a flat bottom - an ideal spot for beginners and advanced anglers. Constant wind, warm water.
Market on Ortigia - fresh fish, cheese, pistachios. Street food: arancini, granita with brioche.
Historical market, today mainly evening street food and aperitivo. Night atmosphere with live music.
The oldest and most authentic street market in Palermo. Loud customer calls, fresh fish, street food.
Tasting arancini, panelle, stigghiola, sfincione at the Ballarò and Capo markets. Palermo = street food capital.
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.
Museum of traditional tuna fishing (mattanza) in the historic tonnara. A fascinating Sicilian tradition.
Beaches & coast 22
Legendary basalt rocks thrown by Cyclops Polyphemus - underwater volcanic formations full of marine life.
The main island of the Egadi archipelago with former tuff quarries flooded with turquoise water - a unique underwater scenery.
The pearl of the Ionian Sea - a picturesque islet connected to the beach by a narrow neck. A nature reserve with crystal waters.
Pearl of the Ionian Sea - a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow neck, with clear water and underwater rocks.
The southernmost point of Sicily - further south than Tunis! Two currents of the sea meet here. Windy, wild.
Palermo's municipal beach between two promontories. Art Nouveau baths, white sand, turquoise water. Crowded in summer.
Marine protected area off Syracuse with underwater caves, ancient anchors and rich fauna.
A wild beach in a WWF nature reserve. White merle reefs, no infrastructure. A real wilderness.
The best snorkelling at Taormina. Rich underwater life around the islet - corals, octopus, fish.
Marine protected area off Syracuse. Underwater caves, posidonia, colourful fish. Water clarity exceptional.
Hidden beach in the Vendicari reserve - 20 min walk from the car park. Turquoise lagoon between two capes.
Wide sandy beach with a view of the Aeolian Islands. Popular with locals, quiet atmosphere.
A sandy beach directly below the Norman cathedral. Iconic view of the city. Popular but beautiful.
White sand and clear shallow sea 20 min from Syracuse. Popular family beach.
Long sandy beach at Taormina. Volcanic sand, view of Mount Etna. More locals than tourists.
Birthplace of Andrea Camiller (Commissioner Montalbano). Port of Lampedusa. Beaches on the outskirts of the town.
Commissioner Montalban's house right on the beach. Lighthouse, golden sand, beautiful swimming. Movie sets.
A kilometre of golden sand with the ruins of an old brickworks (fornace). The backdrop of the Montalbano series. Quiet, authentic.
Golden sand, clear water, between Noto and Marzamemi. A quieter alternative to Vendicari.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. White sand, turquoise water, panorama of Monte Monaco. Cous Cous Fest in September.
Wild beach in a nature reserve. Flamingos in lagoons, old tonnars. One of the most beautiful parts of Sicily.
Iconic faraglioni (rock towers) and former tonnara. Clear water, limited access. Book in advance!
Culture & history 22
One of the most beautiful Italian borghi (2014). Medieval streets in the mountains of Madonie. Houses for 1 €.
The mighty Svabian castle of Frederick II (1239). Today a museum. Survived the Etna lava of 1669.
Norman castle on the site of the ancient Temple of Venus. View of the Aegadian Islands and Africa on a clear day.
Morbidly fascinating catacombs with 8,000 mummified bodies from the 16th-19th centuries. Not for the faint hearted.
The Baroque cathedral in Piazza del Duomo with the iconic elephant (Liotru). St Agatha - patron saint of the city.
A picturesque seaside town with a Norman cathedral (UNESCO) and the rock castle of La Rocca. Beautiful beach.
UNESCO. Norman Cathedral with 6,340 m² of golden Byzantine mosaics. Paradise Courtyard (monastery) with 228 columns.
Medieval town on a mountain (750 m) above Trapani. Up by cable car, breathtaking views, famous almond sweets.
A picturesque fishing village with a tonnara and a beautiful little square. Film festival in June. Excellent fish.
Capital of the Sicilian Baroque (UNESCO). The entire city of golden limestone. Flower Carpet Festival (Infiorata) in May.
The historic heart of Syracuse on an islet. Baroque architecture, Duomo, Arethusa fountain, market. UNESCO.
Baroque palace with famous balconies supported by grotesque statues. Via Nicolaci - the main axis of the flower festival.
The Royal Palace with the Palatine Chapel - the Byzantine gold mosaics are among the most beautiful in the world.
Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Dionysus' Ear - a unique cave with incredible acoustics.
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.
A perfectly preserved Doric temple (5th century BC) and a Greek theatre overlooking the landscape. Less touristy than Agrigento.
The largest archaeological park in Europe. Greek temples on the cliffs above the sea. Ideal for a whole morning.
Taormina's main promenade with luxury shops, cafes and breathtaking views. Porta Messina and Porta Catania.
A Greco-Roman theatre with breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the sea. 3rd century BC. Summer concerts and festivals.
The largest opera house in Italy, third in Europe. A neoclassical pearl. A scene from The Godfather III. Tours daily.
UNESCO. The best preserved Greek temples outside Greece - Concordia, Juno, Hercules.
UNESCO. Roman villa with the most extensive and best preserved floor mosaics in the world. The famous "bikini girls".
Getting there 6
Půjčení auta a letenky · Porovnej ceny od ověřených půjčoven · Vyhledej nejlevnější lety na Sicily
Půjčení auta a letenky · Porovnej ceny od ověřených půjčoven · Vyhledej nejlevnější lety na Sicily
Trajektový přístav · Spojení s Naples, Malta
Trajektový přístav · Spojení s Villa San Giovanni, Reggio Calabria
Trajektový přístav · Spojení s Aeolian Islands
Trajektový přístav · Spojení s Naples, Genoa, Cagliari, Tunis
Nature 39
Mountain town with 360° panoramic views of Mount Etna and central Sicily. WW2 war cemetery. Authentic village.
Nature reserve on the northernmost tip. Lighthouse, cave, natural "Venus pool". Great snorkeling.
A hidden 30m waterfall in the Nebrodi mountains. Forest trail, swimming in the natural pool below the waterfall.
30m waterfall in Nebrodi with a natural lake. Easy trek (40 min) through wild nature. Perfect refreshment.
Deep canyon with natural emerald pools (laghetti). Steep descent (1h down). Grand Canyon of Sicily.
Easily accessible side craters from the 1892 eruptions. Moonscape at 1900 m. Free, suitable for families.
A huge caldera (5×7 km) on the eastern side of Etna. Lava fields, black deserts. Preferably with a guide.
The highest active volcano in Europe (3357 m). By cable car and 4×4 to the summit craters. Lunar landscape, fumaroles, lava flows.
The largest amusement and water park in southern Italy. Water slides, dinosaur park. Ideal for families.
The basalt rock towers that Cyclops Polyphemus is said to have hurled at Odysseus. A beautiful fishing village.
Trek through the Anapo River Valley to the Pantalica Necropolis (UNESCO). 5000 Bronze Age rock tombs.
Ruins of the first Greek colony in Sicily (735 BC). Small museum, citrus garden and sea view.
Public garden with fantastic views of Etna and the sea. Victorian style, exotic plants, pagodas.
University Botanical Garden from the 19th century. Tropical greenhouses, succulent garden on lava. Free admission.
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.
An ancient garden in the heart of Valle dei Templi. Citrus, olives, almond trees - an oasis of peace among the temples. FAI.
A huge land-art installation made of concrete over the ruins of the city destroyed by the 1968 earthquake. Alberto Burri. Unique.
A spectacular basalt gorge sculpted by the Alcantara River. Ice-cold water, possibility to walk through the canyon.
The narrow canyon of the Pollina River in Madonie. They ride on rubber boats. Hidden treasure of Sicily.
Natural pools on the Alcantara River above the main gorges. Less tourists, more nature. Swimming.
Sandy lagoons under the Tindari cliffs - the shape changes with the tide. An extraordinary natural phenomenon.
The only natural lake in Sicily. The site of the abduction of Persephone according to myth. Bird sanctuary, racing circuit around.
Goethe called it "the most beautiful cape in the world". Santuario Santa Rosalia in the grotto. View of the whole of Palermo.
A freshwater spring right by the sea where papyrus grows - the only place in Europe. The Greek myth of the nymph Arethusa.
One of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Europe. 200 years old, tropical plants, giant ficus trees.
A large archaeological park with a shatl bus between the temple and the theatre. Educational trails, theatre performances in summer.
Rope park in the forest on the slopes of Etna. Routes for children and adults. Combine with a walk through the lava fields.
River park around the basalt gorges of Alcantara. Botanical garden, nature trails, water activities.
A former sulphur mine turned into a museum. A shocking history of child labour in the 19th century. An important cultural site.
Mountain park with Pizzo Carbonara (1979 m). Old beech trees, wild orchids, Sicilian adder. UNESCO Geopark.
The largest natural park in Sicily. Beech forests, lakes, wild boar. Nero dei Nebrodi (black pig) - a delicacy.
Caves with permafrost on a volcano - the southernmost glacier in Europe. More challenging trek. With a guide.
Shallow lagoon ideal for kitesurfing. The island of Mozia with its Phoenician ruins. Breathtaking sunsets.
Nature reserve next to Mondello. Cave dell'Olio Mangia with bioluminescent algae. Beautiful trek.
View of the Cava Grande Canyon from above - 250 m deep, 10 km long. When the descent is closed, the view is worth it.
Nature reserve with lagoons, flamingos and other migratory birds. Historic tonnary. Ideal for autumn.
Sicily's first nature reserve. 7 km coastal path with hidden coves and turquoise sea.
Ancient salt pans with windmills. The sunset over the salt pans is unforgettable. Salt Museum.
Dazzling white merle cliffs falling into the sea. Iconic natural staircases. Best at sunset.