90 best things to do in Sicily

Sicily makes the perfect vacation spot for so many reasons. 

It's an island to visit if you’re interested in exploring historic cities or discovering Ancient Greek and Roman archaeological sites.

It’s a place for nature and outdoor lovers to get off the beaten path and explore the wild landscape.

It's a place where foodies and vinophiles can sample and savor the rich and robust food and wine scene. 

But most of all, Sicily is a place where you can completely switch off, relax and create long-lasting travel memories.  

In this post, I want to share 90 of the best things to do in Sicily. It will cover what to see in Sicily, what to do in Sicily and where to visit in Sicily.

I'll be listing well-known, and lesser-known, places, all written from a local's perspective.

Use this post to plan your own trip to Italy and add some of these ideas to your Italy bucket list. 

Sicily resources

The following are a series of posts that detail practical information on visiting Sicily.

• When to visit Sicily
• How to get around Sicily
• Every airport in Sicily
• How to get from Calabria to Sicily by car
• 20+ best hotels in Sicily with a view
• Sicily travel tips
• Best free things to do in Sicily

90 best things to do in Sicily 

Cities in Sicily  

Roam, meander and discover some of the best things to do in Sicily by visiting its fascinating and historic cities. Many places featured are ideal for planning an East Sicily itinerary. Here are some of the best cities to visit in Sicily.

Palermo 

• Visit Palermo Cathedral 
• Book a tour of Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Europe 
• Marvel at the monument of Quattro Canti 
• Arrive early to see the Norman Palace in Palermo (Palazzo dei Normanni) 
• Be spellbound by the interior of the Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina) 
• Explore the Kalsa neighborhood 

• Admire the architecture of the churches of San Cataldo and the Martorana 
• See mummified bodies displayed in various states of preservation at the Catacombs of the Capuchins (Catacombe dei Cappuccini) 
• Try pane e panelle, arancini and other Sicilian street food on a fun food tour of Palermo 
• Browse the fresh produce and try some authentic Sicilian food at Ballarò market 
• Admire the stunning Byzantine mosaics in Monreale Cathedral 

Catania 

• Visit the Cathedral of St. Agatha (Cattedrale di Sant’Agata) 
• Stop by the Elephant’s Fountain (Fontana dell’elefante) 
• Sit inside the Roman amphitheater of Catania (Teatro Romano di Catania) 
• Tour Teatro Massimo Bellini, a grand theater that was completed in 1890 
• Take in the sights and sounds of Catania’s lively fish market  

Syracuse 

• Wander through the streets and old town of Ortygia in Syracuse 
• Step inside the magnificent Syracuse Cathedral in Ortygia to admire the Greek and Baroque architecture 
• Visit the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia to admire the architecture and to see the famous Caravaggio painting 
• Learn about the papyrus plants in the Fountain of Arethusa on Ortygia 
• Indulge in a Siciliana granita and brioche at one of the cafes in Piazza Duomo in Ortygia

Noto 

• Walk the entire length of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Noto’s principal street in its city center 
• Visit the Duomo of Noto (Cattedrale di San Nicolò) and admire its striking baroque architecture 
• See the famous wrought-iron balconies of Nicolaci Palace in Via Corrado Nicolaci 

Marsala 

• Take a tour of a Marsala wine cellar and learn about the production process of this fortified wine 
• Visit the salt pans of Marsala to learn about the unique process of salt harvesting  

Map of Sicily

Historic sites in Sicily  

Don your best explorer’s hat and step back in time to discover some of the most remarkable historic sites in Sicily. 

• Book advanced tickets to see the well-preserved Ancient Greek temples at Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) in Agrigento. For a unique experience, consider seeing the Valley of the Temples on a sunset tour
• Visit the ancient ruins of Selinunte, which includes the Temple of Hera and the Acropolis 
• Learn more about the Ancient Greek theater and the Ear of Dionysius by visiting the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse 
• Visit the Ancient Greek Temple of Segesta and enjoy the views that stretch towards the Gulf of Castellmare  
• Book a tour of the Ancient Greek theater in Taormina, before booking tickets to watch a live performance 
• Discover the well-preserved Ancient Greek and Roman ruins at the archaeological site of Morgantina Agora 

Get outdoors in Sicily  

Escape the crowds and connect with nature on one of these best things to do in Sicily outdoors. 

• Climb to the summit of Mount Etna. Explore the terrain on a hike of Mount Etna, by guided tour or on a sunset jeep tour
• Hike up the hill of La Rocca in Cefalù to enjoy panoramic views of the town and beyond 
• Soak up the sun, and the views, from the unique rocky cliff formation of Scala dei Turchi (Stairs of the Turks) 
• Try out the hiking trails and relax on one of the beaches within the Zingaro Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro) 
• Explore the nature and scenery inside the Madonie National Park (Parco delle Madonie) 
• Discover the lagoons, sandy beaches, ancient tuna processing site and diverse bird species at the Vendicari Nature Reserve 
• Hike through the UNESCO-listed site of Necropolis of Pantalica with thousands of ancient rock-cut tombs and striking canyon views 
• Wade over to the remote island of Isola delle Correnti to see the abandoned lighthouse and to enjoy unspoiled views 
• Take a dip in the Alcantara River and explore the unique basalt rock formations of the gorge 

Visit smaller Sicilian towns  

Leave the chaos of the city behind and get a taste of local Sicilian life in one of these smaller towns and villages. One of the best things to do in Sicily, these places are ideal if you prefer slow travel off-the-beaten track. 

• Stroll through the colorful main street of Corso Umberto in Taormina 
• Visit the coastal town of Cefalù to see the Norman-Byzantine mosaics inside its cathedral 
• Relax on the beach in Cefalù, one of the filming locations in The White Lotus TV show 
• Order a drink at Bar Vitelli in Savoca, one of The Godfather movie locations in Sicily, and see other locations from the franchise on a Godfather tour from Taormina 
• Walk the cobbled roads of Savoca and enjoy the colorful sunsets 

• Spend a day visiting the towns of Ragusa and Modica 
• Visit all the baroque churches in Ragusa, stroll through its gardens and enjoy regional dishes in the town 
• Taste traditional chocolate made using an ancient Aztec recipe in Modica 
• Discover Scicli, its baroque architectural sites and take a tour of the places shown in the Inspector Montalbano TV show 
• See the incredible portico and baroque churches of Ispica 

• Visit the cave complex and learn how people lived in the past at Cava Ispica 
• See the sights in the pretty historic center of Mazara del Vallo and try a traditional dish of fish couscous 
• Explore the quaint fishing village of Marzamemi, known for its colorful houses, piazza, and fresh seafood 
• Walk up the cobbled paths to reach the hilltop town of Forza d’Agro. See its castle from afar, enjoy unspoiled panoramic views and visit the location from The Godfather movies 
• Leave the busy scenes of Taormina behind to wander through the quieter hilltop town of Castelmola 
• Wander through the historic streets of Palazzolo Acreide, visit its basilicas and see the ancient Akrai Theater (Teatro di Akrai) 
• Tour the magnificent Venus Castle (Castello di Venere) in the medieval town of Erice 
• Visit the Duomo in Erice and enjoy the panoramic views from the bell tower (Tower of King Federico) 
• Photograph the views from the top of Lombardy Castle (Castello di Lombardia) in Enna 
• See the well-preserved mosaics depicting ancient life at Villa Romana del Casale in Enna 
• See the ruins of the ‘Mother Church’ in Salemi 

• Visit the ‘ghost town’ of Gibellina, a town destroyed by the 1968 earthquake 
• Drive to see New Gibellina (Gibellina Nuova), a new town built to honor Gibellina 
• Plan a beach day trip to the gorgeous coastal town of Mondello 
• Admire the colorful ceramic crafts in Caltagirone and climb the Santa Maria del Monte staircase adorned with ceramic tiles 
• Explore the medieval Norman castle built on a volcanic rock in Aci Castello 
• Enjoy the coastal views of the sea and faraglioni rock formations from Aci Trezza 
• Swap the busy city of Catania for the baroque architecture and the cathedral in the coastal town of Acireale 
• Take a dip in the turquoise waters surrounding the pretty coastal village of Scopello in Trapani 
• See the magnificent village of Montalbano Elicona, stroll through its medieval streets and visit its basilica 
• Wander through the charming village of Gangi. One of the ‘borghi più belli d’Italia’ it’s a marvellous sight 
• Soak up the rays on the sandy beach at San Vito lo Capo 
• Relax in one of the thermal spas in Sciacca 

Island getaways in Sicily  

Plan a getaway from a larger island to a smaller one. Sicily has plenty of islands to visit, an ideal option if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway. 

• Take a boat tour to visit the Aeolian Islands like Lipari, Vulcano and Stromboli 
• Join a night boat trip from Milazzo to see Stromboli and Panarea
• Spend some time exploring the remote island of Pantelleria 
• Visit Rabbit Island and Tabaccara Bay on Lampedusa 
• Take the ferry to the neighboring remote island of Linosa 
• Swim, dive or snorkel in the clear waters surrounding the island of Ustica 
• Learn about the ancient Phoenician island of Mozia and explore its archaeological remains and museum 
• Check into a luxury hotel on the island of Favignana and soak up the sun on its beaches 
• Enjoy views of the Tyrrhenian Sea on the sandy beaches of Capo d’Orlando 
• Sunbathe on the sandy beach and cool off in the sea in the coastal town of Pozzallo 

Enjoy a unique Sicilian experience  

Make it a trip to remember by experiencing one of the island’s top festivals. One of the best things to do in Sicily, these festivals are colorful, musical and wholly Sicilian. 

• Join in the festivities at the Feast of St. Agatha (Festa di Sant Agata) in Catania (February and August) 
• Attend the Almond Blossom Festival in Agrigento (February) 
• See a floral festival in the Infiorata di Noto in Noto (May) 
• Attend events and movie screenings of Italian and international films at the Taormina Film Festival (June) 
• Join in the festivities of the Feast of St. Rosa (Festa di Santa Rosalia) in July in Palermo 
• Watch a live reenactment of the scene from the story of St. Lucy of Savoca (Festa di Santa Lucia) (August) 
• Spend a few nights at the most fabulous glamping site in Sicily at IUTA Glamping & Farm 

What do you think of this list of the best things to do in Sicily? Did I include a good range of attractions and places? Let me know in the comments below. 

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