Top Things to do in Sicily

In 2001/02 I traveled Europe for ten months. After seven months on the road, and at the end of almost a month in Italy moving north to south, I reached Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean. More than a little road weary at that point, I took time out for a few days at a resort to feel stable and cared for.

Sicily is often associated with the Mafia but it’s also famous for its food, particularly fresh seafood and sweet desserts. The island is arid and a world class wine growing region, producing sweet wines like Marsala and Moscato as well as whites and reds. It has Greek, Arabic and Roman influences which is reflected in the food, which contains a lot of spices, and in the architecture which offers Greek temples, baroque churches, outdoor theatres and plenty of ancient ruins. And then, of course, there’s Etna, the biggest volcano in Europe which I hiked to see the lava tunnels and lava flows. It’s still active and the area around it is a protected national park. While I explored Sicily I also enjoyed relaxing spa treatments at my Italy luxury hotel. If you’re looking for somewhere to raise a glass and dance the night away, then Giardini Naxos has a party vibe with open-air bars and nightclubs.

Stay in a Spa hotel- Sicily has some of the best spa hotels in Italy. Many of the luxury hotels on the island feature a spa and some have thermal baths where you can enjoy thermal treatments. Since Sicily is a volcanic region with active volcanoes, the hotels often get the water for their baths from the natural hot springs. The natural minerals in these waters have therapeutic properties and are wonderful for the skin. The Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily, has a spa with four outdoor heated Thalasso pools. Each of the pools offers varying salt densities, minerals and organisms, plus a series of waterfalls and whirlpools. Try a facial or a body wrap which uses natural ingredients from the island such as blood oranges, Sicilian lemons, volcanic mud and sea water.

Mount Etna- I suggest a guided tour to Mount Etna and that you climb it to get the full experience. The mountainous landscape of Sicily also makes it a good destination choice for people who like adventure sports like hiking, walking, cycling, climbing and even skiing during the winter months.

Palermo- Sicily’s capital, Palermo, has an ancient quarter with medieval buildings, Baroque buildings and monuments. Take a stroll around the city, dine on some incredible Sicilian cuisine for lunch and explore Palermo’s shops and markets.

Wine Tasting- Sicily is a famous wine-producing region, so you can indulge in some wine-tasting and take a tour of a vineyard. If you fancy yourself as a wine connoisseur you could take a wine-tasting course and learn all about the region’s best grape varieties, such as the Nero d’Avola red grape and the Inzolia white grape. The most popular wine towns to visit are Messina, Marasala, Noto and Ragusa.

Ancient Sites and Ruins- For anyone who loves archaeological ruins and historic sites, Sicily is an open-air playground. Visit Agrigento to witness classic Greek architecture at the Valley of the Temples and head to Taormina to watch film or theater events in the ancient Greek theatre. Syracuse is famous for its role in Greek mythology and was once a mighty city rivaling Athens. Here you’ll find ancient ruins dating back to the 6th century B.C as well as the Temple of Apollo and the Doric temple. For a more eerie experience, explore the Catacombs of the Capuchins, where around 8,000 bodies are buried in underground passageways beneath the city of Palermo.

Visit The Godfather locations- For something a bit more fun and off-the-wall, you can go on the Godfather Sicily Tour to see locations from the movie. You’ll be taken to Savoca and Bar Vitelli, which has a collection of photographs from scenes in The Godfather II. You’ll then go to the medieval hamlet of Forza D’Agro, which was used for scenes in The Godfather III.

Related posts: