Things to do in Sicily: 15 unmissable experiences
Less than 100 km north of Malta, Sicily is just 1 hr 45 min away by catamaran. By plane, 50 minutes is enough. Greek temples, an active volcano, baroque towns and street food: few islands pack in so much to see. Here are our 15 favourite things to do, with the tours we recommend. Whether you stay two days or a week, choose according to where you arrive.
Explore Palermo, the capital
Palermo blends Arab, Norman and baroque heritage like no other city in Italy. Its Arab-Norman route has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. Highlights include the cathedral, the Norman Palace and its Palatine Chapel, with its golden mosaics.
Then wander through the Ballarò and Capo markets, and on into the Kalsa district. The curious can visit the Capuchin Catacombs, a museum of mummies as fascinating as it is macabre. Just 8 km away, Monreale Cathedral is worth half a day on its own.
To understand the city today, join the “No Mafia” walking tour of Palermo. It is led by guides from Addiopizzo, the anti-mafia movement.
- 📍 Palermo
Visit the Teatro Massimo
Opened in 1897, the Teatro Massimo is Italy’s largest opera house and one of the biggest in Europe. Its horseshoe-shaped auditorium and fine acoustics are Palermo’s pride and joy.
Seeing an opera or a ballet here is a memorable experience. Without a show ticket, you can join a guided tour of the auditorium almost every day. Its steps were also the setting for the final scene of The Godfather Part III.
Walk the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
A UNESCO site since 1997, the Valley of the Temples holds the remains of the Greek city of Akragas. The Temple of Concordia, from the 5th century BC, is one of the best preserved in the Greek world.
Come early in the morning or late in the day: the site is very exposed and shade is scarce. Sunset over the golden columns is a real highlight. From Catania, the Agrigento and Villa Romana del Casale tour combines both sites in one day.
Admire the mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale
Near Piazza Armerina, this 4th-century Roman villa holds one of the largest collections of mosaics in the world. They cover around 3,500 m² and have been UNESCO-listed since 1997.
Hunting scenes, circus games and mythology unfold beneath your feet as you follow the raised walkways. The most famous show young women in sportswear, nicknamed the “bikini girls”. The site is easy to visit on the tour that pairs it with Agrigento.
Climb Mount Etna
Europe’s highest active volcano, Etna rises to over 3,300 metres and has been a UNESCO site since 2013. Eruptions are frequent: access to the summit craters varies with its activity.
From Rifugio Sapienza, a cable car and then 4x4 vehicles take you closer to the summits. The Silvestri Craters, reachable on foot, already offer moon-like landscapes. In winter, you can even ski here when there is enough snow.
Our pick: the half-day Etna tour from Taormina, in a small group.
Discover Catania
At the foot of Etna, Catania was rebuilt in lava stone after the 1693 earthquake. On Piazza del Duomo, the Elephant Fountain faces the Cathedral of Saint Agatha. Its baroque centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the morning, dive into La Pescheria, Sicily’s most spectacular fish market. In the evening, Via Etnea and the surrounding streets come alive with bars and trattorias. The guided walking tour of Catania is a good, low-cost introduction.
- 📍 Catania
Wander through Syracuse and Ortigia
A rival of Athens in antiquity, Syracuse has been a UNESCO site since 2005. In the Neapolis Archaeological Park, see the Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius, a cave with a striking echo.
Save time for the island of Ortigia, the city’s historic heart. Its alleys lead to the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Arethusa and a superb cathedral square. The Syracuse, Ortigia and Noto tour from Catania covers the essentials in one day.
Enjoy Taormina
Perched above the Ionian Sea, Taormina is Sicily’s most stylish resort. Its ancient theatre, Greek in origin, offers a famous view of the coast and Etna.
Corso Umberto, the pedestrianised main street, is lined with shops, cafés and palazzi. At sunset, head to the gardens of the Villa Comunale, then walk down to the tiny island of Isola Bella. The Etna and Taormina tour from Catania pairs the volcano and the town in one day.
- 📍 Taormina
Visit Noto, capital of the baroque
Entirely rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, Noto is a masterpiece of baroque town planning in golden stone. Its cathedral, whose dome collapsed in 1996, reopened in 2007.
Don’t miss the carved balconies of Palazzo Nicolaci, then stop for a granita in a café on the Corso. On the third weekend of May, the Infiorata covers an entire street with pictures made of flowers. The baroque tour of Noto, Modica and Ragusa takes in the great towns of the south-east.
- 📍 Noto
Explore Ragusa and Modica
Ragusa is split in two: the upper town and Ibla, the old quarter perched on a rocky spur. Its alleys lead to the Cathedral of San Giorgio, then to the Giardino Ibleo and its view over the valley.
Fans will recognise settings from the Inspector Montalbano series. Just 15 km away, Modica is famous for its cold-worked chocolate with a grainy texture. Both towns feature on the baroque tour from Catania.
Tour the Aeolian Islands
North of Sicily, the seven Aeolian Islands have been UNESCO-listed since 2000. Lipari is the largest and liveliest. Vulcano wins visitors over with its black sand beaches and fumaroles.
Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes in the world: you can watch its explosions at night from a boat. Allow two or three days to really enjoy the archipelago. Short on time? The day trip to Lipari and Vulcano from Taormina offers a great taster.
Swim at Sicily’s finest beaches
Sicily has beaches for every taste. San Vito Lo Capo offers white sand and turquoise water at the foot of Monte Monaco. Near Palermo, Mondello is the locals’ favourite, and Cefalù combines swimming with a Norman cathedral.
Near Agrigento, the Scala dei Turchi is a dazzling white marl cliff. Access is often restricted to protect it: you can then admire it from the nearby beaches. In the south-east, the Vendicari reserve hides wild coves near Noto.
Hike in the Zingaro Nature Reserve
Created in 1981, the Zingaro reserve is Sicily’s first nature reserve. It protects 7 km of wild coastline between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo, with no roads at all.
A coastal path links its two entrances and leads to a string of coves with crystal-clear water. Set off early, with water and good shoes: shade is scarce. For views from the sea, the boat trip from San Vito Lo Capo to Castellammare covers the whole reserve.
Taste Sicilian food
Sicilian cuisine bears the mark of the Arabs, the Spanish and the Normans. Try arancini, fried rice balls, and pasta alla Norma, born in Catania. For something sweet, you can’t miss cannoli and granita, served with a brioche at breakfast.
Palermo is the capital of street food: panelle, sfincione and pani ca’ meusa are eaten at the markets. The Palermo street food tour, tastings included, is one of the island’s top-rated tours.
Sample Sicilian wines
Sicily is one of Italy’s largest wine regions. Nero d’Avola makes powerful reds, and Marsala produces its famous fortified wine. On Etna, vines grow in volcanic soil, up to about 1,000 metres above sea level.
Etna’s estates produce some of the country’s most sought-after wines, based on the nerello mascalese grape. The Etna tour with wine tasting combines the volcano and the cellars in one day.
How do you get to Sicily from Malta?
The easiest option is the Virtu Ferries catamaran between Valletta and Pozzallo, which takes about 1 hr 45 min. Pozzallo is 30 minutes from Modica and less than an hour from Noto and Ragusa. Crossings run almost every day, weather permitting.
By plane, allow around 50 minutes’ flying time between Malta Airport and Catania. Direct flights to Palermo also operate in season.
See Sicily in a day from Malta
Without planning a full stay, you can discover Sicily in a single day. The Etna and Catania day trip from Malta combines catamaran and coach. The day lasts about 15 hours, including the return journey.
How many days should you spend in Sicily?
With two days from Pozzallo, focus on the south-east: Noto, Modica, Ragusa and Syracuse. With a week, add Etna, Taormina and Palermo, ideally with a hire car. For the rest of your trip, see our guide to things to do in Malta.
