9 Great Places You Need To See When You Visit Sicily
When you visit Sicily, you need to check out some of the lesser-known and great places it offers. Sicily offers exciting and beautiful landscapes too. While you might think of places in Sicily like Rome, Milan, Pisa, Florence, and Venice, it has much more to offer!
Ready To Visit Sicily With All Its Grand Spendor?
Fortunately, everyone is packing their bags and heading out for some wonderful, exciting vacations again! If you need a break, start thinking about a jam-packed trip to Sicily. Did you know Sicily offers majestic skylines, beaches, and unforgettable romantic hideaways?
Furthermore, Sicily sits at the toe of the “boot” of Italy separated from mainland Italy by the narrow Strait of Messina. It is a mountainous island that is home to the tallest active volcano on the continent and filled with rugged landscapes.
Throughout history, a range of various cultures left their mark on the island. And this includes a vast collection of archaeological wonders that are key tourist attractions. When you visit Sicily, you’ll experience fine dining, historic towns, and a picturesque coastline.
Additionally, Sicilians produce some of the best wines, grow almonds, pistachios, olives, and citrus. And offer some of the best seafood too. Besides, you can see some of their historic archaeological sites and experience Sicilian history up close and personal.
Below, you’ll discover nine amazing places to check out when you visit Sicily.
1. Monreale
When you visit Sicily, make sure you visit Monreale as well. This small town overlooking the Golden Shell sits close to the capital of Palermo and offers stunning views. Aside from the spectacular views, it provides a selection of gorgeous almond, olive, and orange trees.
More so, one of the biggest attractions here is the stunning Monreale Cathedral. This cathedral is a gorgeous example of Norman architecture. With its fine mosaics and gleaming architecture, you’ll experience history first hand. And with plenty of local shopping to keep you busy, Monreale is one place you don’t want to miss.
2. Segesta
Nestled in northwestern Sicily, Segesta was once one of the major Elysian cities, belonging to an indigenous population of Sicily. Here you can find a Doric temple situated just outside of the ancient site. And it’s extremely well-preserved since its inception during the late 5th century BC.
Moreover, several clues suggest that this temple was left unfinished, including that the Doric columns are not fluted as they normally would have been. And the main chamber of the temple lacks a roof.
When there, you’ll see grassy filed and wonderful almond groves. When you visit Sicily, make sure you head on over to Segesta. Also, visit the Segesta Theater, The Sanctuary of Mano, and The Doric Temple as well.
3. Syracuse
Known sometimes as Siracusa, Syracuse was once the most important city in the ancient Western world. Additionally, mentioned in the Bible, it made appearances in the myths and legends of various civilizations and the writings of Cicero.
On the island of Ortigia, you can find the oldest part of the city. And it features historic churches, temples, and key archaeological sites. It also includes a necropolis dating back to 1270BC. This area is home to the stunning 5th Century Greek Theater, which still stages theatrical productions today. When you visit Sicily, Syracuse will make a wonderful spot to check out.
4. The Aeolian Islands
Off the northern shore of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands are a popular place to visit, with over two hundred thousand visitors yearly. The archipelago is made up of seven islands and is the result of both seismic and volcanic activity. They are a popular destination for adventurous travelers from all over the world due to the climbable active volcanos on the islands of Vulcano and Stromboli.
Furthermore, The Aeolians are also home to luxury resorts and gorgeous white-washed villages that are a firm favorite. Tourists are looking for a destination where they can come to wind down and relax.
Quite often, travelers choose to visit this stunning place after the country’s capital, as you can easily catch a train from Rome to Florence, take a bus to Milazzo, and head to the stunning Aeolian Islands from there.
5. Taormina
When it comes to must-see places in Sicily, no list would be complete if it didn’t include dazzling Taormina. A popular tourist destination, this small town on the island’s eastern coast is found high up on a hill. This way, you can enjoy some spectacular views of the sea while also taking in the area’s unique history, such as the Greek amphitheater. And when you want to be on a beach, Isola Bella won’t disappoint.
6. Palermo
As the capital of Sicily, Palermo is yet another destination that is worth adding to your plans when you are exploring this island. Like other island areas, this one flourishes with culture and history, friendly locals, and plenty of places where you can indulge in authentic Italian cuisine and do some shopping. Popular sites include Palermo Cathedral, Porta Nuova, Palazzo dei Normanni, and Fontana Pretoria, to name just a few.
7. Mount Etna – Visit Sicily And Explore!
Why bother visiting Mount Etna while you’re in Sicily? Well, it’s the tallest active volcano in all of Europe. And it features hiking trails that place you in amazing settings to reconnect with Mother Nature.
Plus, this is truly a one-of-a-kind place on the island, and you can visit throughout the year, whether it’s summer or winter, to see the diverse landscape, try to spot local wildlife, and climb to experience outstanding views. When you visit Sicily, this place will create wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime.
8. Cefalù
In Cefalù, you will find many attractions, so this is yet another popular destination for travelers. Spend some time by the sea in between exploring amazing ancient sites, such as the Roman baths.
In addition, check out the Piazza del Duomo, Porta Pescara, and La Rocca, as these are all considered great places to discover if it is your first time in the area. And there’s also the really interesting attraction known as Lavatoio Medievale, where people wash their clothes.
9. Agrigento – When you Visit Sicily, Go There!
Finally, there’s Agrigento, one of the island’s oldest cities, so you can imagine all of the histories you will find there. You can check out attractions like La Scala Dei Turchi, the Cathedral of San Gerlando, and The Garden of the Kolymbetra, as just a few examples. And you don’t want to miss out on seeing the famous Valley of the Temples as well.
Are You Ready To Book Your Extraordinary Trip To Visit Sicily?
As one of the gorgeous places in Italy, Sicily offers a lot to see and do, whether you are looking for adventure, history, or relaxation. And private tours to Italy are the most comfortable way to explore the gems of this remarkable Italian region, so consider checking out Firebird Tours to see what’s possible and book a trip with surprising ease. Then, once you arrive in breathtaking Sicily, you can take in all of the beauty and culture that this island has to offer.
5 Romantic Vacation Getaways To Rekindle Your Love Life
If you are looking for ideas for some romantic vacation getaways to rekindle that spark in your love life, you might be on the right track.