It is the largest island in Italy, with fascinating landscapes and rich natural wonders. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily has always been at the crossroads of culture. It hides the fascinating traces of its ancient history, and the influence of different groups of people awaits visitors from every corner.
The unique gastronomic tradition combined with cheerful and enthusiastic locals makes it a great place to spend a few days exploring and relaxing. Sicily's mild climate ensures that it is an excellent tourist destination all year round.
Amazing food
The culinary traditions of Sicily are extraordinary-especially street food: delicious and savory specialties that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
First of all, you can't miss "Arancino" (or "Arancina"). There are many varieties to choose from, but these fried rice balls/cones only have two original fillings: either fill them with ragù or fill them with butter.
If you have a sweet tooth, you must try Frutta Martorana (almond pastry, fruit shape) and Marsala sweet wine. In Ragusa, you will find a great Caciocavallo cheese. Modica is famous for its chocolate, and Pacino is famous for its typical tomatoes.
"Pane e Panelle" is also a very common street food. It consists of croquettes made from chickpea flour with bread filling.
Especially worth mentioning is "Granita e Brioche", a breakfast. A surprising combination, I will not explain further. Give it a try!
Catania and Mount Etna
In the centre of Catania, you will admire the beautiful churches of San Francesco Borgia and San Benedetto, the marvelous Via Crociferi street and the huge Roman amphitheater. All of these are surrounded by amazing buildings and villas in black and white tones, colorful windows and small cobblestone streets.
Close to Catania, you can also book excursions to Mount Etna. Or in winter, you might want to enjoy the ski slopes there. The highest peak reaches 2600 meters! Have you ever been to Seaview Volcano? What an exciting experience this must be!
Agrigento: Valley of Temples and the best sunset spots
Even if you try to avoid cultural and historical sites, you cannot resist the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento. The richness of ancient Greece has a place here: in the temples of Zeus and Juno, in the eternal pillars that have survived for centuries, in the market square of the Greco-Roman era.
Scala dei Turchi is close to Agrigento, and there is a spectacular sight where you can see the sun disappear into the sea. This is a white, smooth cliff, easily accessible, in sharp contrast to the blue of the Mediterranean. The name reminds people of ancient times. According to tradition, this is where the Turks began to invade the island.
Food market
There are some great fish markets in Marsala, Trapani and Syracuse, but the most important one is in Catania. Imagine having dinner at home in Sicily, including grilled swordfish, fresh shrimp and local delicacies such as oregano, lemon and olive oil...how romantic!
Strolling around the colorful stalls full of marine delicacies, you will hear any kind of lively claims to attract customers.
Another golden Sicilian market is Ballarò in Palermo. It is located in the historical center of the town, close to the railway station and the Royal Palace. In the Middle Ages, this market sold fine meats, as well as fresh fish directly from Deccan and plenty of spices. Today, Ballarò still retains this ancient splendor, and visitors will find the atmosphere here fascinating.
Fantastic Sicilian beach
Finally, according to us, you own the top 5 beaches in Sicily:
Located in Cala Mosche in the protected area of Vendicari, close to Noto: to reach the beach, you need to walk 20 minutes, but it is totally worth it.
Punta Secca is located near Ragusa, in a small picturesque village: it is easily accessible and the transparent water allows you to dive in.
Isola Bella: 7 kilometers from Taormina, you will discover one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Sicily.
San Vito lo Capo, close to Trapani: white sandy beaches and clear waters. In this area, you can also taste the typical Sicilian Cous Cous!
Scopello: A charming little village, like a paradise on earth close to Trapani.
This is our choice, but Sicily has many other beautiful beaches and small islands (such as Favignana, Pantelleria or Lipari). We believe you will not find it difficult to discover them for yourself. Enjoy a bit of adventurous spirit while exploring, because it is perfect for this island!
One article is not enough to highlight all the beauty of a magical place. Nonetheless, we hope this is the first step to get inspiration for your next journey.
Enjoying the island is like the locals renting a perfect holiday house in Sicily, buying groceries at the market and watching the sunset over the sea. Other amazing Sicilian towns worth mentioning are Ragusa Ibra, Taormina, Syracuse, and Noto.
