If you’ve been thinking of a trip to Italy, then you should definitely consider a visit to Sicily. The largest of the Italian islands, Sicily is rich in history, culture, and nature. Read onto discover why you need to plan your next trip to Sicily today.
With so much to see and do in Sicily, make sure where you’re staying is someplace relaxing and inviting like one of the many Sicily villas that are available for rental. While some may say that the best time to visit Sicily is May to June (late Spring) or September to October (early Fall) for ideal temperatures, any time of year is a good time to visit Sicily.
Flights to Sicily land at the nearby Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, located 114km from Sicily. From the airport you can take one of the many modes of transportation, be it a taxi, coach, or limousine, to your final destination in Sicily.
Decisions, Decisions
Once you’ve settled in, deciding what to do next might seem overwhelming, but don’t worry. Plan out what you’d like to do while in Sicily and then prioritize your list. Whether you want to go hiking, biking, or enjoy the sun at a local beach, you can do it all. Build in a few days to check out the history and culture of Sicily for a fully rounded trip and experience. Of course, don’t forget to dine out and enjoy the food of Sicily.
The Great Outdoors
Are you an outdoors enthusiast? Then you’ll absolutely love the time you’ll spend in Sicily. Whether you choose to walk, run, bike, or hike, you’ll find plenty of open space to do what you love. There are many running trails throughout Sicily, near Casa Santa, Sorrentini, Stazzo, and beyond. If you’re a hiker, then consider hiking up Stromboli, a small island off the north coast of Sicily. One of three active volcanoes in Italy, hikers love the hike and the payoff at the end as the volcano apparently erupts regularly around every 20 minutes.
Amp Up the SPF
For anyone wanting to enjoy the sun on a beach in Sicily, you’ll easily find one that meets all of your needs. Whether you choose Mondello, a white sand beach in Palermo; San Vito lo Capo, a sandy beach with a huge mountain as your backdrop; Cefalu, a popular tourist resort on the north coast of Sicily; or Isola Bella, near Taormina, there’s a beach for everyone.
History
You won’t run out of places of historical significance to visit while in Sicily as it seems there is always one around every corner. Whether you’re looking for a Greek temple, a Roman theater, or the massive Temples of Selinunte. Once there were five temples, but now only one remains, the Temple of Hera or “Temple E,” which has been re-erected. Another option might be to visit Palermo’s Regional Archaeological Museum, which contains many artifacts from archaeological sites throughout Sicily like the Palermo Stone or what it’s sometimes called, the Rosetta Stone of Sicily. The Palermo Stone is an important source in the study of Ancient Egypt.
Art of Sicily
With many museums to boast about, Sicily offers residents and tourists an opportunity to view both art of the past and modern-day art. Galleria di Arte Moderna Santa Anna in Palermo is a modern art gallery with works from the 1900’s to the present. If what you’re looking for is something a bit older, then Galleria Regionale della Sicilia in Palermo is home to Sicily’s finest medieval artwork. For something completely different, try Palazzo Riso (RISO) or Museo d’Arte Contemporanea della Sicilia, a regional contemporary art museum complete with a café and yes, WiFi.
Food and Drink of Sicily
After a long day of sightseeing, you’ll definitely want to enjoy some of the food for which Sicily is best known. Let’s see how many of them you recognize:
- Arancine or Sicilian Rice Balls
- Panella or Fried Chickpea Polenta
- Pasta con le sarde or Pasta with Sardines
- Busiate with Pesto Trapanese, a pesto made from tomatoes, garlic, basil, and almonds
- Caponata or Sicilian Eggplant Stew
- Pignolata: A Sicilian pastry from Messina, which is half covered or iced in two different flavors
- Sicilian Cannoli or Cannolo
- Sfingi or Sicilian Carnival Donuts
- Cassata: A delicious sponge cake with sweetened ricotta, almond paste, and candied fruit
- Don’t forget to indulge in one of the many fruits you can find in Sicily like grapes or blood oranges, for example.
Save some room for a beverage to wash it all down with like one of the many wines Sicily makes or perhaps a Limoncello. Then go back to your hotel or villa and rest and then repeat this all in its entirety tomorrow once again. For breakfast, enjoy a Sicilian breakfast that’s something you might not expect. Try a Granita and Brioche breakfast. You’ll think it’s dessert, but it’s not, it’s breakfast. This semi-frozen dessert that’s kind of like somewhere between ice cream and sorbet. Rip off a piece of your brioche, dunk it in the granita, and repeat. That’s the way to start your day while in Sicily.
Make sure to squeeze some shopping in before you leave and enjoy every minute that you can of your visit to Sicily. I’m pretty certain that once you visit, you’ll already start planning your next trip while you’re still in Sicily. Take in the view, enjoy the breeze, the smells, and the time of your life during your visit to Sicily.