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32 Sicily trips. Compare tour itineraries from 20 tour companies. 515 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.
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Top Sicily Attractions
- Walking among thousands of years of history
- Admiring the many different ancient architectural styles
- Learning about the cultural influences left by many different invaders over the years
- Enjoying unique and delicious Sicilian cuisine
- The once in a lifetime experience of visiting an active crater at Mount Etna
- Spending the day touring the Sicilian vineyards around Palermo and Syracuse.
- Learning about the ancient Greek town of Akragas in the Valley of the Temples.
- Swimming in the Mediterranean off the Aeolian Islands.
- The wonder of seeing the best preserved mosaics from Ancient Rome in Villa Romana del Casale.
- Taking in the multicultural city of Palermo as you stroll its historic streets
Sicily Tours & Travel Guide
Sicily Attractions & Landmarks Guide
The natural beauty of Sicily vies for attention with its treasure-trove of man-made architectural gems that span many centuries. The story of the island’s long history is told by its archaeological riches. Against that background, it’s the joy of life, pride for their compact homeland and intriguing multi-cultural mixture of the people that provide the most lasting memories for visitors.
The triangular-shaped island off the toe of Italy’s boot possesses all of those attributes in abundance – and that’s just for starters. In an area about the size of Maryland, Sicily offers the variety expected in a much larger setting, leading some who visit there to liken it to a miniature continent.
History awaits around every corner. Reminders of people who invaded Sicily, and they were many, are everywhere. By about 750 BC, the island was home to three Phoenician and a dozen Greek colonies. Syracuse became the most populous Greek city in the world. As Greek power dissipated, most of Sicily fell into Roman hands, and it became Rome’s first province outside of the Italian mainland.
The collapse of the Roman Empire led to centuries of fighting among conquerors seeking sovereignty over the small, but strategically significant, island. Those who held temporary sway over Sicily included the Germanic Vandals and Ostrogoths, Berbers and Arabs, Normans and the Byzantine Empire. More recently, Spanish and French immigrants were added to the mix. It wasn’t until 1861 that Sicily became part of the newly-unified Italy.
Amazing Landscapes
It’s a welcome surprise to find so much geographic diversity in such a small area. Flat land is limited, and much of it that can be farmed is. Three mountain ranges stretch along the northern coast, providing only a hint about how Mt. Etna dominates the eastern area.
Despite its small size, Sicily’s varied landscapes provide a dramatic setting. Deep valleys rise up to rocky mountaintops and lead to cliffs that dive straight down into the sea. Fields and rolling hills are blanketed by the silver-green leaves of olive trees, low-lying grape vines and golden wheat.
The 10,922 foot peak of massive Mount Etna, often hidden in clouds, looms over the eastern side of the island. “The Mountain,” as locals refer to it, is the highest active volcano in Europe, although fortunately that usually takes the form of lava flows rather than eruptions.
Walking over its volcanic lava fields, which are strewn with rocks that have been scattered far from the volcanic cones, is an otherworldly experience which underscores Etna’s power. Yet Mother Nature has the last word, in the form of tiny tufts of green which slowly poke their head through the rocky crust and eventually add life to the otherwise dormant terrain.
People and History
Each of the people who touched down on Sicily’s soil, in wave after wave, added to the amalgam of ethnicities and cultures that combined to create the present-day Sicilian. The island was indeed a crossroad, where different civilizations met and melded. This evolution in ways continues to the present day, and is among the appeals of Sicily which charm first-time visitors, and prompt many to return after their initial introduction.
A litany of invaders and settlers throughout history have added their influences to the lifestyle, food and other aspects of daily living and beliefs in Sicily. The parade of visitors helps to account for the unique Sicilian culture, and the way it differs from that of mainland Italy.
Their legacy can be seen tangibly through the amazing variety of architectural treasures around Sicily. The island is a museum of styles covering many centuries, ranging from Greek temples and Roman villas to examples of Byzantine, Norman, Baroque, Arab and other remnants.
Among must-sees for most visitors are the Valley of the Temples, which is home to eight graceful Greek structures that were built between 510 and 430 BC, and the Villa Romana del Casale, a specious 4th century AD Roman mansion whose floors are blanketed by some of the finest examples of Roman mosaics in all of Europe.
Less ancient than those, but still impressive is the The Teatro Massimo (Greatest Theatre), which opened in 1897. It serves as a reminder of hundreds of small opera houses that were sprinkled throughout the city until the start of the 20th century. The ornate building is the third largest opera house in Europe, after those in Paris and Vienna. If it looks familiar to visitors that’s because of its role in the Godfather Part III movie.
Palermo: The Capital of Sicily
Although Palermo is Sicily’s capital, largest city and cultural center, the initial introduction to it may be disappointing to some people. At first look, they might conclude that it doesn’t boast of the magnificence or allure of other major municipalities around the country, or the world. However, that judgment would be premature.
For one thing, Palermo is ringed by mountains that provide a dramatic setting for its architectural treasures – which are many. The city also hides a rich history, a wealth of inviting and interesting museums, other numerous attractions. And its historic neighborhood, a favorite among locals who enjoy relaxing at numerous outdoor cafes, is lovely and lively.
The parade of conquerors who descended upon Palermo, like the rest of Sicily, left their imprint. Traces of Phoenician walls survive, as do original gates. Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches, magnificent palaces and other buildings stand out among more modern neighbors.
Food & Wine in Sicily
Food plays a major role in a visit to Sicily, because it plays a bit part in the lives of Sicilians. Mealtimes are not just for eating, they’re as much about a celebration of food.
Focused upon fresh produce and fish, food plays an important part in the life of Sicilians. The rich land, sunny climate and bountiful waters provide the basic products. Culinary influences from Greece, Africa, the Arab world and elsewhere add their flavors.
Given its agriculturally rich land and sunny climate, Sicily served as the granary for the Roman Empire. Its long history of producing a variety of noted cuisines, influenced by those of Greece, Africa and the Arab world among others, has earned it the nickname of “God’s kitchen.” In this gastronomically rich and diverse setting, every region has its own specialties which are vociferously touted by those who cook, and consume, them as ilmigliore (“the best”).
Foodies will love visiting the three sprawling outdoor fruit, vegetable and fish markets in Sicily - leftover vestiges of 9th century Arab souks. Crowds of people mill around the stands, as many looking as buying. Vendors, some whose forebears sold the very same provisions at the same location, alternate entreaties to passers-by to stop and shop with good-natured insults they shout about their competitors.
Sicily’s has a legacy spanning 2500 years as a center of viniculture. A combination of consistent sunshine and moderate rainfall has proved to be perfect for growing wine grapes. Italy ranks first in the world in the volume of wine produced, and Sicily does its part to contribute to that standing.
Sicily Reviews & Ratings
C
Carol
Nov 2024
Written on
Malta and Gozo Discovery
Fantastic trip. At times almost too much packed in- times in museums on the C...
N
Nicholas
Nov 2024
Written on
Malta and Gozo Discovery
Good itinerary adjusted for rainy day. leader was very informative.
R
Ros
Nov 2024
Written on
Malta and Gozo Discovery
This trip included all aspects of both Gozo and Malta with visiting not only ancient temples, monuments, buildings and churches, but being advised on the history of ...
T
Trusted Customer
Nov 2024
Written on
Malta and Gozo Discovery
The itinerary was good and the location beautiful. I found the tour guide frequently disinterested and that her thoughts were elsewhere. She failed to check on one t...
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