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.
Best Things to Do in Sicily
In no particular order, here are the best things to do in Sicily. Below, you can see all of them on a map.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
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.


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.

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.




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

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.

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




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 ↓
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
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.

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
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.

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

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:
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 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.
Aeolian Islands
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.
Egadi Islands
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
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.

Learn how to plan your visit to the 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).




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 ↓
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.
Godfather Tours
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.



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.



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.




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.



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 ↓
Our Favorite Things to Do in Sicily
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.
How Much Time Do You Need in Sicily?
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.

Bam Bar, Taormina
Putting this Together: Planning Your Itinerary
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.
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.
When is the Best Time to Visit Sicily?
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.
More Information for Your Trip to Sicily
We have lots more information about Sicily and Italy in our Italy Travel Guide.

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