2.) Scala di Turchi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/2022\/10\/30\/15-very-best-places-in-sicily-to-visit\/\")
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Not too far from Porto Empedocle, Scala di Turchi is probably one of Sicily\u2019s most iconic coastlines. Without sounding like a geologist, the sedimentary rock is totally white and creamy.<\/p>\n
This has been made over many thousands of years by the shells of plankton.<\/p>\n
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Nowadays, Scala di Turchi is gorgeous to see; just make sure to leave the area as you see it. Take all your rubbish back with you and don\u2019t disturb the rock formations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Make sure to take lots of water, snacks and food for a day here. Though, there are some local restaurants not too far away. Oh yeah, and this is a perfect spot for sunset.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n3.) Mount Etna<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
The highest mountain in Sicily is Mount Etna which is also a UNESCO-listed site and is one of the best places in Sicily to visit, even if you\u2019re not a geologist. For any visitor, it\u2019s an incredible place to visit.<\/p>\n
Nestled on the right between the African tectonic and the Eurasian tectonic plates, it\u2019s Europe\u2019s most active volcano.\u00a0This all being said,\u00a0Mt. Etna is a stunning natural spot you can\u2019t miss.<\/p>\n
Now, one of the easiest and best ways to visit is by booking this Mt. Etna tour that departs from Catania. For most of the way, you\u2019ll be in a 4\u00d74 or small bus and there\u2019s a small and easy walk at the top. This all makes it nice and easy for families and really worth a visit if you\u2019re in Sicily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, if you want to do everything on your own, you can do so, but I would always recommend hiring a guide. No one likes a reckless hiker and conditions can change very fast around Mt. Etna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Be sure you check the weather and have the complete equipment to have an unforgettable experience during your trip.<\/p>\n
4.) Aeolian Islands<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
The Aeolian islands, a UNESCO as World Heritage Site, are easily one of the best places in Sicily to visit when exploring the coast.<\/p>\n
A result of historic volcanic activity, the seven islands comprising the Aeolian Islands were formed many years ago and now stand proudly in the Tyrrhenian Sea. They\u2019re roughly 30km away from Sicily and well worth a trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best of all, these islands are inhabited, and it\u2019s really easy to visit, especially to the largest island, Lipari.<\/p>\n
That being said, you can also pop over to some of the other islands, like; Vulcano, Salina, and Stromboli. which are well-known and visited.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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To make things your trip nice and easy, book this Aeolian Islands tour that departs from From Tropea to explore Stromboli, Lipari, and Vulcano. Not only will you visit the iconic islands, but you\u2019ll also get to spend some time on the volcanic beaches and see the gorgeous little towns (like Lipari) on the islands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tour is so much fun and well worth booking before visiting Sicily. This way, you\u2019ll be guaranteed a spot on your tour (weather permitting).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Honestly, tours are the easiest way to go. You see, the only allowed form of transportation to get to Aeolian island is through a boat or a hydrofoil coming from Messina, Palermo, or Milazzo. In addition, the only individuals allowed to use cars on the islands are the islands\u2019 residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Across the islands, you\u2019ve got Mud baths and volcanic all across Vulcano, while Salina has tasty family-run restaurants and hiking trails that are just so beautiful. Lastly, the Stromboli has an active volcano and is incredible to see at night.<\/p>\n
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Oh, and don\u2019t forget to look out for Scoglio Spinazzola. It\u2019s a colossal 79-meter-high rock that\u2019s just by Basiluzzo. Some tours will even take a trip past the island and the bays around Basiluzzo, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
5.) Taormina<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Recommended as a day trip, or for a relaxing weekend, Taormina is one of the best places in Sicily to visit if you\u2019re travelling the east coast, down to Catania.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s roughly a 1-hour drive from Catania airport, which makes it really easy to visit as part of a wider Sicilian adventure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Once here,\u00a0 make sure to check out Giardini Naxos, Mazzar\u00f2, Madonna della Rocca Church, Isola Bella, and Taormina Greek Theatre. The latter, for me, is a must-see!\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Oh, and don\u2019t forget to check out the bays and Isola Bella which is just off the coast of Taormina itself. It\u2019s stunning and even though it\u2019s not a sandy beach, it\u2019s still totally beautiful to visit when in Sicily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n6.) Valley of the Temples<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
The Valley of the Temples is as obvious as they sound!\u00a0 A vast collection of magnificent temples make it one of the best places in Sicily to visit for the island\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Perched in the area of Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples is one of the best examples of Greek architecture in all of Italy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Built thousands of years ago, around the 6th and 5th centuries BC, there are seven or eight temples found in the Valley of the Temples \u2013 making it perfect for a day trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, be sure to see the Temple of Concordia, the remains of an Atlas in the Olympeion field, the Temple of Hera Lacinia and many more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Make sure to book these temple tickets before arriving in the area. This way, you\u2019ll get to skip the queue for tickets (which can get really long at peak times).<\/p>\n
7.) Syracuse and Ortigia Island<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Serving as a vital city many centuries ago, Syracuse and Ortigia Island are totally beautiful to visit.<\/p>\n
Not only is it picture-perfect, but it also contains the finest historic monuments, temples, and even a necropolis right in the city itself. Nowadays, the island of Ortigia is attached to Sicily by a small bridge, making it easy to visit if you\u2019re driving between Catania and the likes of Ragusa.<\/p>\n
We totally loved Ortigia, the Old City, which has gorgeous medieval lanes which are perfect to stroll by foot. Just wear comfy shoes, you\u2019ll thank me later!<\/p>\n
Once here, be sure to check out the Castello Maniace, the beautiful Piazza del Duomo and the Arethusa fountain at sunset.<\/p>\n
8.) Palermo<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Probably one of Sicily\u2019s best-known cities, Palermo is perched on the north coast of the island and is great for a long-weekend trrip. We stayed around 3 days and it was a great amount of time to see the city without having to rush at all. That being said, if you are short of time, you can easily get a good taste of Palermo with an overnight stay.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve arrived in Palermo, make sure to get out and explore the streets that make this one of the best Italian cities to visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Be sure to spot off at the Palermo Cathedral, The Ballaro Market, The Norman Palace, and The Massimo Theatre. You should also include the Palermo museum which is one of the best in Italy and the Catacombe dei Cappuccini. It\u2019s just incredible to visit.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re something of a foodie, book this Palermo food tour that\u2019ll take you to some of the city\u2019s most delicious spots. It\u2019s a great way to get a taste of the city, without any of the stress of getting there yourself. Plus, the guides know their stuff!\u00a0<\/p>\n
9.) Catania<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Another one of Sicily\u2019s biggest cities, Catania is a great place to start or end your trip in Sicily.<\/p>\n
Not only does it have a well-connected airport, but it\u2019s also a city that\u2019s actually really charming once you\u2019re there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Yes, it can seem a little rough around the edges<\/em> and, at times, a little different from the likes of northern Italian cities like Milan or Venice.<\/p>\nBut, that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s bad.<\/p>\n
We loved our time in Catania, especially once we settled into the city vibe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Trust me, Catania is a totally beautiful to see in Sicily and has thousands of years of history to explore.<\/p>\n
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Once here, be sure to check out the beautiful Sicilian Baroque architecture you\u2019ll see all across the city. Plus, be sure to visit Piazza del Duomo, see the Cyclops rocks, and check out Duomo Di Catania.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t forget, you can book this Mt. Etna tour directly from Catania, too. In fact, you can even see Mt Etna on a clear day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
10.) Cefal\u00f9<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Perched in the north of the island, Cefal\u00f9 is one of the best places in Sicily to visit for a relaxing trip. Yes, it\u2019s one of the more notable spots visitors might know about, but that\u2019s not a bad thing. It\u2019s popular for a reason!\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, what I would say it that you might want to plan the time to visit. Cefal\u00f9 can get pretty crowded during peak seasons. If you want a more peaceful experience, head off-season and avoid weekends.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Anyway, once you\u2019re here, be sure to check out the Norman cathedral, hike to the top of La Rocca, and pop into the Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino.<\/p>\n
The latter is a medieval laundry house that, I promise, is more interesting than it sounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
11.) Aegadian Islands<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Nestled off the northwest coast of Sicily, the Aegadian Islands are sometimes missed by international visitors \u2013 but that would be a mistake. They\u2019re one of the best places in Sicily to visit if you\u2019re island hopping.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Made up of Levanzo, Favignana, and Marettimo islands, it\u2019s a beautiful archipelago to explore. Most are easy to explore from Trapani by boat \u2013 making them a great day trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The coves in the islands are great spots where you can swim, cycle, or just walk and stroll around.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, if you can\u2019t visit all three areas in the Aegadian Islands, the most popular spot is Favignana where you can explore with ease.<\/p>\n
Oh, and don\u2019t forget to check out; Cala Rotonda, Cala Rossa, Lido Burrone, and Cala Azzura.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n12.) Monreale<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Just shy of Palermo, Monreale is a gorgeous town to visit in Sicily. It\u2019s really easy to visit if you have a car and a mere 25-minutes from Palermo\u2019s historic centre.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, you\u2019ll get to see Monreale Cathedral that\u2019s a national monument in Italy. Do not be fooled by \u2018plain\u2019 architecture from the outside, the mosaic-covered walls are astonishing together with the Italian cloisters. Oh, and look out for the intricate mosaic of Adam and Eve who stand proudly next to the Tree of Knowledge. You can\u2019t miss it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
13.) Ragusa\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Another gem in Sicily, Ragusa is one city you can\u2019t miss whilst explore the island. We stayed here for 3 nights and loved every second.<\/p>\n
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Now, Ragusa is split into two quite distinct areas which make it quite unique to explore.<\/p>\n
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These are the old town (Ragusa Ibla) and the much newer part (Ragusa Superiore). Both are beautiful, for quite different reasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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We chose to stay in Ragusa Ibla and booked into A.D. 1768 Boutique Hotel<\/em> which was right in the heart of Ragusa. We loved it and their rooms are just lovely (especially their painted ceilings).\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Once here, make sure you check out the Duomo di San Giorgio, see Ragusa Cathedral and stop by Giardino Ibleo for a stroll around the park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Oh, and for the best view of Ragusa Ibla, head to this viewpoint at sunset. It\u2019s one of our favourite views of the city. Just be prepared for a walk up and down the hilly city streets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
14.) Marzamemi<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Marzamemi was such a surprise for us both. It\u2019s easily one of the best places in Sicily to visit if you\u2019re staying in Noto (or the wider area).\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Although a small hamlet, it\u2019s the perfect little coastal spot to go for a later afternoon stroll before dinner in one of the little restaurants that this gorgeous little piazza.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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There\u2019s no need to book any experiences in Marzamemi \u2013 it\u2019s the kind of place you can rock up and just slowly enjoy.<\/p>\n
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Make sure to explore the family-run shops, tiny art galleries and grab a bite to eat as the day turns to night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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We grabbed a bite at Liccamuciula and it was delicious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n15.) Modica<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Not too far from Ragusa, Modica is another Sicilian city you can\u2019t miss when in the south of the island.<\/p>\n
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After arriving, check out the stunning Cathedral of Saint George, visit the Chocolate Museum of Modica and visit Castello dei Conti.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s one of the best places in Sicily to visit for a day trip from Ragusa and well worth tagging it onto your trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, take a drive over to the nearby town of Scicli within Val di Noto which is just as beautiful as the likes of Modica and Noto close by.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best cities in Italy to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n16 Best Cities In Italy To Visit<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n