City: Sicily
Top Things to do in Sicily
Countries
What to do and see in Sicily, Italy: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Sicily (/ˈsɪsɪli/ SISS-i-lee; Italian: Sicilia [siˈtʃiːlja], Sicilian: Sicìlia) is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an autonomous region of Italy, in Southern Italy along with surrounding minor islands, officially referred to as Regione Siciliana.
Restaurants in Sicily
1. Spiaggia dei Conigli
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,217 reviews
Reviewed By GcRedaelli - Dublin, Ireland
The best beach of the island by far, but also the busiest one. By walk it takes about 15 minutes from the street down to go there. It opens at 8.30. If it is constantly rated the best beach in 'Europe' it must be a reason! The water and colour of the sand are so unique. Speechless. Lampedusa has also the advantage of having a convenient airport to travel from Catania or Palermo, and the norther airports on summer time.
2. Ex Stabilimento Florio delle Tonnare di Favignana e Formica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,277 reviews
Reviewed By jamespF355 - Carshalton, United Kingdom
We’d been looking the the Stabilimento for a couple of evenings before we visited. Very informative about the history of the way that Tuna has traditionally been caught and processed.
3. Palazzo Conte Federico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 787 reviews
The palazzo is in the center of the old city only a few steps away from the Norman Palace. the Cathedral and the Market Ballarò. The oldest part of the palace is an Arab-Norman Tower of the 12th century. You can observe verious architectural styles, high painted ceilings of the 15th century, baroque ceiling frescoes by Vito D'Anna and Gaspare Serenario, various collections and original furniture. Since Count Federico's family, which can be followed back to the Hohenstaufen Emperor Friedrich II, has lived in this palace for centuries, the personal atmosphere makes a visit to this historical building a unique experience.
Reviewed By debm224
Small group tours with a member of the Federico family, who have lived in this fascinating historic building for many generations. A Norman tower from the original Palermo city wall is incorporated into the palazzo, and the history of the city is demonstrated with examples from renovations and additions. This is also a family home, with the cat’s climbing frame, portable heaters etc sitting alongside old treasures. We were welcomed by one of the sons, who was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share the family history - it was a highlight of our visit to Palermo.
4. Museum Of Optical Illusions
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 234 reviews
Reviewed By aoifeo961
Super experience. Fascinating & great fun. Excellent guide and host who speak very good English. . A must doon a visit to Trapani.
5. Ancient Theatre of Taormina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,605 reviews
The view of Mount Etna and the sea beyond is absolutely superb at Taormina's 10,000-seat ancient Greek amphitheater, which was erected in the third century BC and expanded by the Romans.
Reviewed By ryanfL7429GJ
This theater and its location are stunning -- I'm surprised this isn't a more widely known attraction in Italy or even all of Europe. The history here (both Greek and Roman) and the spectacular beauty and setting of this coastal town (with an active volcano steaming in the background) make this a MUST when visiting Sicily.
6. Valle dei Templi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,409 reviews
This region is one of the most important archeological sites in the world with many great temples such as Hera (Juno,) Lacinia, Concordia, Heracles (Hercules) and Olympian Zeus (Jupiter,) all dramatically perched along a long rocky scarp.
Reviewed By alikarim - Dallas, United States
This is an extremely well preserved set of ancient Greek temples that you can visit over a mile long walk. Best thing to do is to park yoru car at the bottom of the valley; at the exit of the site. Then take a local taxi (3 Euros/person) to the top of the site, the main entrance, where fro about an entrance fee of $13.50; you can start at the top temple and walk leisurely down to the bottom sites, exploding multiple temples and ruins in great shape. Lots of tourists here, but well worth the visit. It will take several hours to complete this, so plan for a min half day here. A must do in Sicily.
7. Mount Etna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,933 reviews
Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain: Mount Etna, at 10,990 feet, is the most active volcano in Europe and the oldest recorded active volcano in the world.
Reviewed By frankandfeli - Switzerland, null
We had clear weather so it was not to cold the view was awsome we were not able to trekk up to the top crater due to the increased activity and safety standards but you could still hear and see the small eruptions and sulpher yellow about the top crater.The large lava fields are otherworldy the guide was great plenty of good info the bus ride was good to an open bus the guide was real helpfull around etna
8. Duomo di Messina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,240 reviews
This Cathedral, a fine example of Sicilian Norman architecture, has retained its original medieval lines even after a long history: built under Roger II, consecrated in 1197, destroyed in the 1908 earthquake and rebuilt.
Reviewed By Adventure_Steph_H - Bristol, United Kingdom
We visited Messina on a rainy day which meant that there were not very many people about. The clock tower is a beautiful structure and parts of it move as it chimes on the hour. Inside the cathedral the striking feature are the wooden beams across the ceiling with beautiful detailing on them. Its definitely worth a visit whilst in Messina although when we visited we had to split it into two parts as when we first visited at about lunchtime they closed the cathedral but were able to return later in the afternoon.
9. Norman Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,972 reviews
Reviewed By Sunshine631869
I didn't bother with the full visit. Just focused on the Capella Palatina which is enough, to be honest, because every inch is covered in lavish Byzantine mosaics illustrating biblical scenes. There's also plenty of Arabic influence, particularly in the geometric patterning of floor and wall tiles. You could study it for hours and you wouldn't begin to take it all in. Absolutely glorious! There's also an exhibition about the history of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Norman Palace on the ground floor. It's a bit haphazard and the English translations on the interpretation boards are absolutely shocking. It's almost impossible to follow them. You'd think they'd get native speakers to approve them but no, they just print up nonsense. Get what you can out of it but go for the mosaics. They are the real deal.
10. Ortigia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,488 reviews
This offshore island was occupied by the Greek colonists who fortified it and constructed the earliest structures, including the temples of Athena and Apollo, whose remains can still be seen today.
Reviewed By pedrol366 - Madrid, Spain
This is a really beautiful island next to Siracusa (you can access it by car) with really beautiful streets, a magnificent Piazza del Duomo with beautiful buildings and where you can enjoy Sicilian gastronomy. Its streets are full of wonderful corners, shops and restaurantes... it is worth a visit if you are in the eastern part of Sicily
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