The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is an island rich in culture. Its most famous landmark is certainly Mount Etna but there is much more to the island than just its volcano, as spectacular as it is. Sicily boasts an incredible history dating back centuries and the island is home to some of the most incredible historical remains, some of the most delicious Italian food, some of the most beautiful beaches and of course, some of the most incredible scenery in Italy both along its coastline and inland. Sicily offers an impressive range of things to see and do whatever your age or interests. We hope that our travel guide will shed some light on what there is to see and do on a holiday to Sicily.
The team at Bookings For You are busy putting together a guide to the best beaches to visit on your holiday to Sicily. Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches on the island, ranging from pebbled coves to long stretches of sand. If you would like any information, please do get in touch with us directly.
With its diverse landscape and abundance of things to see, Sicily is perfect cycling country. So whether you fancy cycling through the filmsets of the famous Italian TV detective, Inspector Montalbano, or you prefer instead the more dramatic gorges and coastal scenery, or perhaps you prefer to pedal your way from historic site to historic site, there are plenty of options available. There are simply too many routes available to mention them all here but we hope that this list of cycling suggestions provides some initial inspiration to get on two wheels.
Firstly, how can we not mention the opportunity...
Sicily is a great place to bring history to life for little ones. If they’re studying the ancient Greeks and Romans at school then the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is home to some of the best preserved ancient Greek temples in the world and also includes a number of Roman remains too. The Greek remains are the most impressive though and include the Temple of Concord as well as the Temple of Juno. The Temple of Zeus no longer stands but what does remain is a copy of the giant stone figure. More Roman remains can be found at Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina, home to the world’s lar...
Sicily has a plenthora of festivals throughout the year. Whatever time of year you're visiting, there will probably be something to get involved in.
The first of the festivals to take place each year are the carnevale. Often taking place in February, a number of towns put on traditional carnivals with big processions taking to the streets in Sciacca, Acireale, Termini Imerese and elsewhere. Carnivals are bright, colourful affairs. Huge floats and larger than life papier mache figures parade through the streets. Each town's carnival has its own slant on the tradition - the carnival in Termini...
For the keen golfers amongst you, the good news is that Sicily has plenty of courses offering the chance for you to play a round during your holiday. The island can actually boast five superb golf clubs.
Probably the most famous and luxurious of these is at the Verdura Golf Resort. This luxury golf club was designed by Kyle Phillips and actually boasts not one but two 18 hole championship courses as well as a smaller 9 hole course, all set in a stunning landscape of rolling hills. It also offers the chance to improve your golfing swing by enjoying a lesson with one of the experts.
However,...
The Sicilian landscape is incredibly diverse and this makes it a superb region to explore on foot. Whether you're a keen hiker looking for challenging day-long hikes, or if you’re simply looking for a relaxing hike lasting a couple of hours, there are numerous trails to explore throughout the island. Many tracks follow the routes that donkeys would once have walked on. So, whether you’re looking for a coastal hike along the beach, a walk through ancient ruins, a hike through forests or meadows or even a scramble up a rock face or climb up an active volcano, there is something for everyone. ...
One of our favourite ways to shop wherever we are in Italy is to visit the weekly markets in each town and village. Sicily is no exception. Some of the the most famous markets include those in Palermo - Vucciria, Ballaro, Il Capo and Borgo Vecchio are the city's four historic markets. The first is the perfect place to pick up some bric a bric or household goods whilst foodies should head instead to the Ballero market near the city's train station. Markets tend to operate in the morning so get up early and head out early. However, Borgo Vecchio is the exception with stalls here open 24 hours a day....
Located in the Mediterranean Sea to the South of the Italian peninsula lies Sicily, a beautiful island with a fascinating history that goes back centuries and a beauty that is arguably unsurpassed. There is an incredible amount to see and do on a holiday to Sicily, whatever your age and interests.
Palermo is the capital of Sicily and is a good starting point for any visit. It's a bustling lively place with a wealth of things to see and do including the Palazzo dei Normanni with its incredible Capella Palatina. The palace was once home to the most magnificent court in Medieval Europe. Also in...
The largest of the 20 Italian regions, Sicily enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterised by hot, dry summers and warm although possibly rainy winters when thunderstorms can be fairly frequent. Enjoying plenty of sunshine all year round, and very little rain in the Spring and Summer months, the island can boast an average of 2448 hours of sunlight per year (out of a possible 4383). Subjected to the sirocco (Africa's warm winds from the Sahara), temperatures can be as high as 20 degrees or even more in the Winter and as hot as 40 degrees centigrade in the Summer. These winds can also carry sands...