Thanks to very affordable flight prices, the Italian island is becoming more and more popular as a holiday destination. Which cities to see in Sicily? Which Sicilian cities have the best attractions and monuments? Here’s our list of the most beautiful places in Sicily.
Taormina
Taormina is one of the most popular places to visit in Sicily, and has been for decades. Alongside the Isola Bella, located very close nearby, Taormina is a huge tourist attraction. Highlights of the city would most certainly be the greek theatre, a stroll down the town centre’s main street, the aforementioned island, the local cathedral from the 13th century and finally the magnificent views of the bay and Mount Etna. If you want to know more about Taormina, here’s our article on it.
Erice
Now, to the western side of the island. The name of the city comes from Greek Mythology (“Eryx”). For those, who are looking for the exceptionally old monuments, Erice will be a great choice. Here, in the province of Trapani, you can visit the Venus Castle, dating back to the Norman times, built on top of the Temple of Venus, the Pepoli Castle, from the Saracen times and the ruins of Phoenician and Elymian walls. More on that in our guide across Erice.
Noto
In the southwestern side of the island, lies a small, charming town called Noto. Its oldest section, dating back to the Baroque times, finds its home on the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list. Here you’ll find many intriguing palaces, old buildings, a seemingly infinite amount of churches, most popular of which is the famous 1776’ Noto Cathedral.
Catania
Alongside Palermo, Catania is one of the biggest and most important cities of Sicily, offering an abundance of gorgeous monuments and alluring places to visit. It’s also the city to stay in if you want to take the trip to the famous, active stratovolcano, Etna. In Catania itself, it’s especially worth seeing the magnificent cathedral, local castle, the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre, or one of the famed fish markets of Sicily. In one of our previous articles, we delve deeper into the attractions of Catania.
Trapani
On the route between Trapani and Marsala, you can see the famous sicilian salines, often visible on pictures of Sicily. However, the characteristic, red-roofed windmills are not the only attraction in Trapani. Once again, the city showers us with various churches and cathedrals, an ancient fortress from 251 BC and various other ruins scattered across the area. More on the attractions of Trapani here.
Syracuse
This small town on the western coast of Sicily offers a truly generous amount of attractions, including the gorgeous Temple dedicated to Athena, Castello Maniace (a castle from 1232), or one of the most famous fountains of the island – The Fountain of Diana on the Archimede Square. Sightseeing Syracuse is without a doubt worthwhile – more on the attractions of Syracuse here.
Palermo
You may have heard the name being brought up, when talking about Sicilian mafias, but we once again reassure, the place’s absolutely safe as a holiday destination. It’s worth visiting for slightly longer, just to see the spooky Catacombe dei Cappuccini (Catacombs of the Capuchins), the magnificent Cappella Palatina (a royal chapel), the local cathedral or one of the most beautiful fountains of the island – The Fountain of Shame. More on Palermo here.
Cefalù
If all you need from your holidays is a nice sandy beach to rest on and some ancient monuments to see, Cefalù is right up your alley. It’s located roughly 50 km to the west of Palermo and it’s known for its Temple of Diana from the 7th century BC, a local cathedral from 1131, an abundance of churches and squares, all for you to admire. Additionally, the general visual aesthetic of the city is a highlight of its own.
Marsala
Near the aforementioned Trapani, lies Marsala, well known for its famed wine (which we’ve also mentioned on our blog). The most famous attractions of the city are the historic churches, including the renowned cathedral with church organs consisting of 4317 pipes, various local museums and Roman ruins.
Monreale
Last, but not least, is the city of Monreale – located very close to Palermo. The local cathedral is amongst the most beautiful temples of Sicily, its building process had started in 1174. Naturally, the city offers more attractions to see, in the forms of various churches and the Castellaccio Castle.
