Explore ancient Greek ruins, go hiking on Mount Etna, visit charming coastal cities and hillside towns, relax on the beach, go wine tasting, and see how many cannoli you can eat…these all top the list of things to do in Sicily.

We are frequent visitors to Italy, and Sicily completely won us over. Tim and I spent just over two weeks in Sicily (from the end of October into early November…an amazing time to be here), road tripping around the island and visiting the big cities, small towns, beaches, and a long list of archaeological sites.

Rather than writing an exhaustive guide to everything there is to do in Sicily, this guide highlights only the very best experiences, including our personal favorites.

In no particular order, here are the best things to do in Sicily. Below, you can see all of them on a map.

1. Hike on Mount Etna (or See It from the Cable Car)

Mount Etna is an active volcano that dominates the skyline of eastern Sicily. It’s also one of Sicily’s most popular tourist attractions.

There are several ways to visit Mount Etna. Tours from Catania and Taormina take visitors to the lower slopes, where you can see old craters and lava flows. A cable car takes visitors higher on the volcano, where you have the option to go hiking or ride a 4×4 shuttle up to viewpoints of even more craters.

When Etna is quiet (not actively erupting) it’s even possible to hike to the summit, but you will need a guide for this.

Visit Mount Etna Sicily
Mount Etna Gondola

Hiking on Mount Etna was one of our favorite things to do in Sicily. From our experience, and tons of research by Tim, we wrote a detailed guide about how to visit Mount Etna, which covers all of the logistics on how to plan your visit.

2. Spend a Day or Two in Taormina

Taormina is one of Sicily’s most beautiful cities, with its cliffside setting, picturesque streets, rocky beaches, and panoramic views of Mount Etna. It’s a must-see on a visit to Sicily.

Not only is this our favorite city in Sicily, but it’s the favorite of many other visitors.

Where to Stay in Taormina

Even on the quickest of visits to Sicily, Taormina is worth a day or two of your time. Simply walking through town and exploring side streets is the best thing to do in Taormina, but history buffs and photographers will love visiting the Ancient Theater, and those who want to relax can lounge at a resort or at one of Taormina’s beaches.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Taormina makes a great home base for exploring eastern Sicily. From Taormina, you can visit Mount Etna, explore the Etna wine region, and day trip to Syracuse and Ortigia.

Taormina Building
Our Hotel Room View Taormina
Taormina Incense
Taormina at Night

We have written two detailed guides about what to do and how to plan your time in Taormina.

12 Wonderful Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily

Taormina, with its cliffside setting, rocky beaches, ancient Greek theater, picturesque streets, and panoramic views of Mount Etna, is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. Strolling its streets, exploring the public garden, visiting lovely Isola Bella, and climbing the steps up to Castello di Taormina are all top things to do in Taormina, […]

The Perfect Taormina Itinerary: Best of Taormina in 1 to 2 Days

Out of everything we did in Sicily, from climbing Mount Etna to exploring the Valley of the Temples to visiting its charming coastal and hill towns, Taormina stands out as one of the highlights. Perched on cliffs overlooking the Ionian Sea, with steaming Mount Etna forming the perfect backdrop, this city is gorgeous. Add in […]

3. Explore Ancient Greek Temples

Between 800 and 400 BC, the Greek population colonized areas throughout the Mediterranean (called Magna Graecia). In Sicily, they left their mark by building cities and elaborate temples all over the island.

Here is a list of the most important Greek sites to visit in Sicily:

The Valley of the Temples. This is the largest archaeological site in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are a total of seven temples in this park, and the Temple of Concordia is the best-preserved temple and the main attraction. We cover this site in much more detail in our guide How to Visit the Valley of the Temples.

Valley of the Temples Sicily

Valley of the Temples

Selinunte Archaeological Park. Like the Valley of the Temples, this park contains a collection of ancient Greek temples from Magna Graecia. It’s a smaller park, but with its coastal setting and mix of well-preserved temples and those lying in ruins, it is a very interesting place to visit. Highlights for us were walking in the temples and getting up close to the ruins (this isn’t allowed at the Valley of the Temples).

Selinunte Acropolis
Julie In Selinunte
Selinunte Acropolis with Tree
Is Selinunte Worth It

Selinunte Archaeological Park

Segesta Archaeological Park. The main reason to visit this small park is to see the well-preserved Doric temple and the remains of the ancient city of Segesta on top of Mount Barbaro. It is located in northwestern Sicily.

Temple of Segesta Sicily

Temple of Segesta

Syracuse & Ortigia. Syracuse is an ancient city that was founded by the Greeks in the 5th century BC, and at that time, it rivaled Athens in size. This city is packed with archaeological treasures, some Greek and some Roman, and because of this, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ortigia is the ‘old town’ of Syracuse, located on a small island just off the coast of Syracuse.

Roman Amphitheater Syracuse Sicily

Neapolis Archaeological Park, Syracuse

The Ancient Greek Theater in Taormina. This ancient theater is one of the most photogenic in Sicily, as you can capture the walls of the theater with Mount Etna and the stunning coastline. It’s also easy to visit, if you plan to include Taormina in your itinerary.

Taormina Sicily

Greek Theater in Taormina

4. Get to Know Palermo

Palermo is the largest city in Sicily. With its international airport, Palermo is the perfect starting and/or ending point for a trip to Sicily.

Top things to do in Palermo:

  • Palermo Cathedral
  • The Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace
  • Quattro Canti
  • Fontana Pretoria
  • Visit more of Palermo’s important churches
  • Have a cannolo or two
  • Tour Teatro Massimo
  • Visit the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo
  • Take a food tour or walking tour of the city
Photos of Palermo
Palatine Chapel Norman Palace
Palermo Cathedral Rooftop
Palermo Cathedral Rooftop Terrace

We enjoyed the time we spent in Palermo, but there is so much to see and do in Sicily, that we think it is best to keep your visit to Palermo to one to two days.

To help you plan your visit, don’t miss our detailed guide on How to Spend One Day in Palermo

Palermo

One Day in Palermo | Best of Palermo in 24 Hours

This itinerary includes our favorite experiences in Palermo, complete with walking directions, where to eat along the way, and where to stay.

5. Get in Some Beach Time

No trip to Sicily is complete without a day at the beach (or two or three 😊🏖️). The island’s coastline is wonderfully diverse, offering everything from rugged coves to long stretches of golden sand.

Here are a few of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches:

Isola Bella. Located in Taormina, a tiny island is connected to the mainland by a strip of beach, making it one of Sicily’s most picturesque spots.

Isola Bella Taormina Sicily

Isola Bella

San Vito Lo Capo. With its white sand and dramatic mountain backdrop, this beach looks like it’s straight out of a postcard. It’s located in northwest Sicily and perfect for families.

View from Erice Sicily

Aerial view of Monte Cofana and San Vito Lo Capo from Erice

Cefalù. This medieval town (which gets a mention later in this guide) also happens to have one of Sicily’s best beaches.

Scala dei Turchi. This iconic spot near Agrigento is known for its blindingly white limestone cliffs that slope into the sea like natural steps. Currently, it can only be viewed from afar, but it’s an interesting place to visit and can be added on to a visit to the Valley of the Temples.

Scala dei Turchi Sicily

Scala dei Turchi

6. Explore the Towns in Val di Noto

Val di Noto is an area of southeastern Sicily that is home to several gorgeous Baroque towns. On this list are Ragusa, Noto, and Modica. For me, these towns were one of the highlights on our trip to Sicily.

Noto is famous for its long list of churches, its Baroque architecture, and its buildings constructed of tufa stone, which gives them a golden hue in the sunlight.

Things to Do in Noto Sicily

Noto

Modica is a gorgeous small city, with stone buildings clinging to the hillsides. Tasting the famous Modica chocolate is a must-have experience here.

Modica Sicily Italy

Modica

Ragusa is super fun to explore and photograph, with its hilly streets and viewpoints. This was our favorite of these three towns.

Ragusa Sicily

Ragusa

All three towns can be visited in one big, long day trip from Catania or Syracuse, but for the best experience, plan on spending a few days here. We spent two days exploring Val di Noto, using Modica as our home base. Learn more in our guides to these cities:

Noto, Sicily | Best Things to Do on a Quick Visit & Walking Tour

Noto is a small Sicilian city famous for its Baroque architecture, UNESCO-listed city center, and long list of churches. Visiting the churches, climbing the bell towers, and photographing the beautiful buildings top the list of things to do in Noto. The medieval town was destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. The remains of this town can […]

Exactly What to Do on a Quick Visit to Ragusa, Sicily

Ragusa is one of three stunning cities in Val di Noto, Sicily. Alongside Ragusa, nearby Modica captivates visitors with a similar charm, while Noto stands out for its impressive collection of Baroque churches and architecture. If you have the time in your itinerary, visiting all three of these cities is worthwhile, but if we had […]

Best Things to Do in Modica, Sicily (+ Short Walking Tour!)

In Modica, stone buildings and churches cling to the hills that cascade down into the valley. There are just a few historical attractions to see, with chocolate tasting topping the to-do list. This is one of the most photogenic cities in southeast Sicily and it is well worth a few hours of your time as […]

7. Dine on Sicilian Cuisine

Sicilian cuisine is rich with bold flavors and influences from all over the Mediterranean. From street foods to seafood feasts, here are foods to try on your visit to Sicily:

Cannoli. Sicily is the birthplace of cannoli, and you’ll see them for sale all over the island. One of the best we had in Sicily was at I Segreti del Chiostro in the Church and Monastery of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Palermo.

Pasta alla Norma. This dish is a beautiful combo of pasta, fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and ricotta salata.

Arancini. Golden, crispy, deep-fried rice balls stuffed with things like ragù, cheese, or pistachio and ham. They’re the ultimate on-the-go snack.

Street Food in Palermo. Exploring the food markets or taking a food tour of Palermo is one of Sicily’s top foodie experiences.

Ballaro Market Sicily

Ballaro Market in Palermo

8. Go Island Hopping

Two small archipelagos sit off the coast of Sicily. These can be visited on a day trip, or you can spend a few nights on the islands. This is perfect for those who enjoy off-the-beaten-path experiences and those who love to leave the crowds behind.

This volcanic archipelago sits just off of Sicily’s northern coast.

Lipari is the biggest and most accessible, with lively streets, beaches, and a charming old town. Salina is lush and green, perfect for foodies and wine lovers (don’t skip the local Malvasia wine or a caper tasting). Then there’s Stromboli, where you can literally hike up an active volcano. Panarea is tiny and chic, while Vulcano is famous for its sulfur mud baths and dramatic volcanic landscapes.

This small archipelago sits off the west coast of Sicily. They are a popular day trip from Trapani. This day cruise, which visits Favignana and Levanzo, is our top pick, but this sailboat cruise also looks very nice.

Egadi Islands Sicily

Egadi Islands

9. Taste Wine Grown on the Slopes of Mount Etna

Grape vines cover the lower slopes of Mount Etna, creating one of the most unexpected wine regions in Europe.

The hilly slopes, the black lava soil, the regular dusting of volcanic ash, and the threat of a major eruption are just a few of the challenges these vineyards face. All of these elements create wines like nothing we’ve tasted before.

We have become wine aficionados in recent years, and we spent several days in Sicily exploring this wine region. If you are a wine enthusiast like we are, or simply love the idea of visiting a vineyard and sipping some wine, a visit to the Mount Etna wine region is absolutely worth it.

Etna Wine Tasting

Learn how to plan your visit to the Etna wine region ↓

Etna Wine Region

Etna Wine Region: Why Sicily’s Volcanic Wines Are a Must-Try

Here are the top wineries to visit, best tours to take, where to stay, and where to eat.

10. The Amazing Monreale Cathedral

We have visited a lot of cathedrals in Europe, and this one is astonishing.

The cathedral is a beautiful blend of Norman, Byzantine, and Arabic styles.

Intricate golden mosaics that illustrate biblical scenes cover the walls, archways, and the apse of the cathedral. These mosaics cover 6,340 square meters of the cathedral, making it the largest mosaic decoration in Italy.

There are small chapels to see and outdoor terraces to walk (some with panoramic views of Palermo).

Monreale Benedictine Cloister Column
Is Monreale Worth It
Julie in Monreale, Cathedral View
Roana Chapel Monreale Cathedral

Tim and I were absolutely amazed by this cathedral. You can see it on a day trip from Palermo or include it with other sites in northwest Sicily. Even if you aren’t all that into visiting cathedrals, we think this one is worth it. Here’s how to do it ↓

Monreale

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Monreale, Sicily

See the Monreale Cathedral in photos and learn how to plan your visit.

11. Take a Godfather Tour

Taking a Godfather tour is a popular thing to do in Sicily. Much of the movie is set in the fictional town of Corleone, but the scenes were actually filmed in the hilltop villages of Savoca and Forza d’Agrò, which are near Taormina.

There are numerous half and full day tours from Taormina and Catania which visit these sites.

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12. Visit Lovely Cefalù

Cefalù is one of our favorite cities in Sicily. This seaside town is the perfect mix of adventure, history, and relaxation.

Hiking to the top of Cefalù rock, lounging on its golden beach, visiting the cathedral, and exploring the ancient medieval streets are all top experiences to have here.

Cefalu Sicily Italy
Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio Cefalu
Cefalu Shop
Cefalù

Best Things to Do With One Day in Cefalù, Sicily

Top experiences in Cefalù plus how to plan your visit.

13. Hiking & Beach Time in Zingaro Nature Reserve

Stretching along the rugged coastline in northwestern Sicily is one of the island’s best hiking destinations. A one-way 7 km hiking trail runs along the coast with numerous short detours to tiny beaches and small swimming coves.

Zingaro Reserve Sicily
Zingaro Photo
Punta Capreria Grande

A visit here can be very short (hiking just a portion of the trail), or you can linger here all day, hiking out-and-back along the entire trail (14 km/8.7 miles) and visiting a few beaches.

This can be combined with a visit to San Vito Lo Capo, Castellammare del Golfo, or Erice, mentioned next.

14. The Hilltop Town of Erice

Erice is a hilltop town in northwestern Sicily. It’s a bit of a hidden gem and sometimes overlooked on a trip to Sicily, but again, we really enjoyed the time we spent here. Just driving here feels like an adventure.

A twisting, turning road runs from sea level to the mountaintop, and as you climb higher, the views are amazing. From Erice, you can see the rolling hills of Zingaro Nature Reserve and the rocky mountain at San Capo Lo Vito.

This medieval town is a delight to explore, with its cobblestoned streets, stone churches, castle, boutique shops, and viewpoints over this side of Sicily.

Erice Castle
Erice Sicily Street
Trinacria Sicily Italy
Erice Stone Buildings

It takes half a day to visit Erice. We cover exactly what to do and how to get here in our guide to Northwest Sicily (coming soon).

15. Syracuse & Ortigia

Located on the southeastern coast of Sicily, Syracuse is a seaside city famous for its ancient Greek and Roman ruins, which can be seen in Neapolis Archaeological Park.

Ortigia is a small island that sits next to Syracuse. This is the old town of Syracuse, and it is extremely picturesque and fun to explore. We loved getting lost in its narrow streets and watching life unfold around every corner. Ortigia is also home to quite a long list of fantastic restaurants.

Ortigia Sicily
Ortigia Sicily Restaurant Doorway
Ortigia Street

Syracuse and Ortigia can be visited on a day trip from Catania or Taormina, but it also makes a great place to spend a night or two. We cover how to plan your visit in our guide to Things to Do in Syracuse and Ortigia

Visit Mount Etna: Whether you want to see it from the cable car or hike to the summit, Mount Etna is a must-have adventure in Sicily.

Lovely Taormina: Spend a day or two strolling the streets, shopping, and enjoying the spectacular views of Mount Etna and the coastline.

Cefalù: We only spent one day here but we loved every minute. The combination of hiking, beach time, and medieval streets to wander makes this one of Sicily’s most interesting cities to visit.

Val di Noto: Seeing the charming towns in Val di Noto is a must…spending a night or two here is magical.

Greek Temples: The Valley of the Temples is the #1 place to see Greek Temples in Sicily, but we also really enjoyed photographing the ancient Greek theater in Taormina and visiting Selinunte Archaeological Park.

Monreale: The Monreale Cathedral blew away all of our expectations. The cathedral is awe-inspiring and an underrated gem in Sicily.

Italy Travel Guide

Italy Travel Guide

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To see and do everything listed above, you will need 2 to 3 weeks.

On the quickest of visits, you can spend 5 to 7 days in Sicily, using Palermo, Catania, or Taormina as a home base and visiting nearby destinations.

With 7 to 10 days, you have enough time to focus on one part of Sicily (either the east or the west), thoroughly exploring the sites, towns, and attractions in that region.

With two weeks, you can make a full loop, road tripping around Sicily and visiting most of the places listed above.

WHAT WE DID: We spent two and a half weeks in Sicily, and it felt like the perfect amount of time to make the full loop around the island, see the highlights, and explore a few underrated gems, such as the Monreale Cathedral, Erice, and the Etna wine region.

The graphs below depict the average monthly temperatures and precipitation for the town of Palermo, which will help you plan your trip to Sicily.

59°F 50°F
Jan
60°F 50°F
Feb
62°F 52°F
Mar
66°F 56°F
Apr
72°F 61°F
May
80°F 69°F
Jun
85°F 75°F
Jul
86°F 75°F
Aug
81°F 72°F
Sep
75°F 65°F
Oct
68°F 59°F
Nov
62°F 53°F
Dec
Average High/Low Temperatures – Palermo
1.4in
Jan
1.6in
Feb
1.5in
Mar
0.5in
Apr
1.4in
May
0.2in
Jun
0.3in
Jul
0.6in
Aug
0.8in
Sep
2.2in
Oct
2.4in
Nov
1.9in
Dec
Average Precipitation – Palermo
Bam Bar Taormina

Bam Bar, Taormina

To visit everything listed in this guide, plan on spending two weeks in Sicily, and even then, you won’t have time to do everything, even if you move very quickly.

Our two-week Sicily itinerary includes everything listed in this guide, except the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, which can be included if you extend your stay 2 to 3 days.

2 Weeks in Sicily

The Ultimate Two Week Sicily Road Trip Itinerary

This road trip makes a complete loop around Sicily, visiting Palermo, Cefalú, Taormina, Val di Noto, and much more.

For those with less time and who want to see several of the main highlights, take a look at our one week itinerary, which uses Catania as a home base (coming soon). From here, it is very easy to day trip to Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse and Ortigia, and Val di Noto.

The best times to visit Sicily are in the spring (mid-April through early June) and fall (mid-September through mid-November), when the weather is warm and crowds are at their lowest.

Summer is the peak tourist season and Sicily can be hot! Temperatures are typically in the 90’s (32–37°C) but it can get hotter than this inland and during heat waves.

Winter is the quietest time to visit Sicily. The weather is cool (50s to 60s°F / 10 to 18°C), but warmer than many other places in Europe. Skies are generally cloudy and rain is more likely. Some attractions and resorts will be closed, since it is the off-season. But crowds are at their lowest, plus you have the unique opportunity to go skiing on Mount Etna.

WHAT WE DID: Our visit was from the end of October through early November. We generally had sunny skies and warm weather, which was perfect for sightseeing and doing a bit of hiking. It was getting a bit cool to go to the beach, but if you slid your trip a little earlier (early to mid-October), you’d get warm beach weather without the sweltering hot weather and peak crowds of summer.


If you have any questions about the best things to do in Sicily or want to share your favorite experiences, let us know in the comment section below.

We have lots more information about Sicily and Italy in our Italy Travel Guide.

Best things to do in Sicily, Italy: Palermo, Taormina, Cefalu, Noto, Modica, Ragusa, Mount Etna, Etna wine region, Valley of the Temples, Syracuse and Ortigia, Erice, Zingaro, Monreale, and Selinunte Archaeological Park.

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Julie

About Julie

Julie is the main author for Earth Trekkers. Hiker, foodie, photographer, and triathlete, Julie loves traveling the world in search of new experiences and then sharing them on this site. Her goal is to make your travel planning process easier and to inspire you to visit new places.

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