Top 10 Places to Visit in Sicily
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Latest page update: 19 April 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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The top ten of Sicily list covers the full range of what the island region has to offer — from ancient ruins and active volcanoes to island escapes, Baroque towns and lively city life.
It includes famous names like Mount Etna and Taormina, along with natural reserves and lesser-visited islands. Expect a mix of archaeology, architecture, nature and culture spread across coastal paths and hilltop towns. Sicily rewards curiosity, with dramatic scenery and layers of history in every direction. |
Syracuse, Sicily
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Taormina
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Taormina is Sicily’s most elegant hill town, known for its clifftop views and beautifully preserved Greek-Roman theatre.
The Corso Umberto runs through the old centre, lined with cafés, boutiques, churches and historic buildings. From the edge of town, there are panoramic views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, with easy access to beaches below. Taormina is also known for hosting cultural events, especially summer concerts in the ancient theatre. A cable car connects the old town with Mazzarò beach and the scenic bay of Isola Bella. |
Taormina, Sicily
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Syracuse
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Syracuse was one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world, and its Greek ruins remain among the best in Italy.
The archaeological park includes a vast theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the curious Ear of Dionysius cave. Its heart is the island of Ortigia, a walkable maze of alleyways, elegant piazzas and Baroque architecture. The seafront is lined with restaurants and cafés, with views over the harbour and fishing boats. Ortigia’s cathedral was built into an ancient temple, blending layers of history in a single structure. |
Syracuse, Sicily
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Aeolian Islands
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The Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago north of Sicily, with seven main islands each offering a different experience.
Lipari is the largest and liveliest, while Salina is quieter with lush landscapes and boutique hotels. Stromboli has one of the world’s most active volcanoes, often glowing red in the night sky. Other islands include Vulcano, Panarea, Alicudi and Filicudi, each with its own atmosphere. You can travel between them by hydrofoil or boat, and tours run from Milazzo or Messina. Highlights include hiking volcanoes, swimming in clear bays and dining in harbour towns. |
Salina, Aeolian Islands
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Palermo
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Palermo is Sicily’s capital and largest city, known for its markets, mosaics and mixture of Arab-Norman architecture.
The Palatine Chapel, Monreale Cathedral and Teatro Massimo are among the city’s most impressive landmarks. Street food is a highlight, with dishes like arancine, panelle and sfincione found in lively outdoor markets. Neighbourhoods range from grand boulevards to crumbling palaces and hidden courtyards.Palermo also has a coastline with beaches, a port and ferry links to nearby islands. |
Palatine Chapel, Palermo
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Valley of the Temples (Agrigento)
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The Valley of the Temples is one of the best-preserved collections of ancient Greek architecture anywhere in the world.
Set across a ridge just outside Agrigento, it includes massive Doric temples surrounded by olive trees and open countryside. The Temple of Concordia is particularly striking, standing almost entirely intact after more than two thousand years. Walking paths connect each temple, with views across the sea and the city above. A visit is most atmospheric in the early morning or at sunset when the stones glow in golden light. |
Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
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Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro
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The Zingaro Nature Reserve protects a stretch of unspoilt coastline between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo.
It was the first nature reserve established in Sicily, with trails linking hidden coves, sea caves and rocky paths. There are no roads inside the reserve, so visitors walk along marked paths between beaches and viewpoints. Flora, wildlife and bird species thrive here, including peregrine falcons and native orchids. |
Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, Sicily
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Aegadian Islands
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The Aegadian Islands lie off the west coast of Sicily, near Trapani, and include Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo.
Favignana is the largest, with a butterfly-shaped outline, limestone quarries and beautiful beaches. Levanzo is small and peaceful, with prehistoric cave art and simple fishing villages. Marettimo is the most remote, known for its hiking trails and sea grottoes. These islands are quieter than the Aeolians but popular with Sicilians in summer. Ferries and hydrofoils run frequently from Trapani to all three islands. |
Favignana, Aegadian Islands
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Cefalu
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Cefalù is a coastal town on the northern edge of Sicily, east of Palermo, known for its sandy beach and medieval streets.
Its most iconic landmark is the Cefalù Cathedral, a 12th-century Norman church with striking mosaics and twin towers, set against the dramatic backdrop of La Rocca, a craggy cliff with panoramic views and remnants of ancient fortifications. The town has a compact historic centre, with narrow lanes, small piazzas, and a lively seafront promenade. Cefalù is especially popular in summer, attracting both Italian and international visitors, and can be reached by frequent trains from Palermo. |
Cefalù, Sicily
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Noto
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Noto is one of Sicily’s most beautiful Baroque towns, rebuilt in golden stone after a devastating earthquake in 1693. Its main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, is lined with churches, balconies and noble palaces. The Cathedral of San Nicolò dominates the skyline, with grand steps and a restored dome.
The architecture glows in late afternoon light and is best enjoyed on a slow walk. The town is small but filled with elegant cafés, bakeries and boutique shops. It’s part of the Val di Noto UNESCO site along with several other nearby towns. Noto is a great base for visiting beaches and reserves along the southeast coast. |
Noto, Sicily
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Ragusa
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Ragusa is a hill town in southeastern Sicily divided into two main sections: Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Superiore. Ibla is the older part, full of Baroque buildings, narrow alleys and beautiful staircases.
At the centre is the Duomo di San Giorgio, facing a grand piazza with cafés and palm trees. You can walk between the two sections along scenic paths or stone staircases. The town is known for its architecture, slow rhythm and impressive views. It’s one of the towns featured in the Val di Noto UNESCO site. Ragusa also appears frequently in the Inspector Montalbano TV series. |
Ragusa, Sicily
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