4 Sicily Destinations for Basking in the Good Life

First settled by the Greeks in 735 BCE, the area around Taormina has been a coveted perch for many other civilizations. The Romans, Arabs, and Spanish all planted their flags and left behind landmarks and cultural influences in this sultry seaside enclave on the eastern shores of Sicily. Castello degli Schiavi, an opulent Baroque castle, is just one standout example. 

Peruse the myriad shops, cafes, and restaurants in Taormina, especially around Palazzo Corvaja and Corso Umberto I. Browse cameos, coral and pearls, and other fine jewelry at family-run Stroscio Gioelli and eat your way through Vicolo Stretto, Liola Osteria, and Nunziatina restaurants. For lunch with a view, catch a cable car ride to Lido La Pigna, a restaurant with a terrace overlooking striped beach umbrellas and the undulating waves. The ancient Greek theater of Taormina still hosts concerts and delivers sweeping panoramas; on a clear day, you can spot the summit of Mount Etna. 

You’ll be glad you set aside time for a few day trips too. The atmospheric town of Noto, about 1.5 hours south of Taormina, is chock full of historic buildings and secret alleyways. About 2.5 hours north of Taormina, pretty Cefalù is known for its beach, cliffs, temples -- including one dedicated to the goddess Diana -- and Duomo di Cefalù, a 12th-century cathedral with Byzantine mosaics.

If you’re up for another excursion, consider Isola Bella, an island with its own collection of sweet pebbly beaches, historic relics, and lively restaurants.

About an hour south of Taormina in eastern Sicily, Catania is a port city with the Baroque architecture you’ll find all over the island. Catania's UNESCO-listed old town is full of picture-perfect attractions starting in the Piazza del Duomo, the main square. From there you can walk to pretty much everything else: the Rococo Palazzo Biscari, the very lush Giardino Bellini, and the exciting fish market. 

Gourmands will love Catania’s robust food scene, including street vendors plying tasty delicacies like Cipolline Catanesi, a puff pastry stuffed with tomato and onion. Tuck into more savory and sweet treats, including arancini (rice balls), at Bar Pasticceria Arabica; hearty sandwiches and steaks at Ammucca Ammucca, a family-run butcher shop and casual restaurant; and pizza at Milazzo. 

Catania tends to be more affordable and family-friendly than Taormina, which caters more to couples with its high-end shops, restaurants, and hotels. Catania is also an easy jumping-off point for exploring the Mount Etna region. Many tours strike out from here and may focus on hiking, 4x4 excursions, or visits to some of Sicily’s renowned wineries, such as Planeta.

Explore available tours of Catania at GetYourGuide.

As the Sicilian capital, Palermo bustles with roughly a million inhabitants and countless intriguing things to do. Nearly every Mediterranean civilization has made its mark on this dynamic city, including the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Arabs, and the French. And while you can see their influence in the layers of architectural heritage, the defining style is most certainly Baroque. The Church of the Gesù and the Palazzo Valguarnera-Gangi are two outstanding examples.

Beyond admiring the architecture, catch an opera production at Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Italy, and shop at Tre Erre Ceramiche, where you can pick up a brightly decorated Moorish head vase. When it’s gelato o’clock, head to Dolce Capo for flavors like pomegranate and pistachio; make it a meal by ordering your gelato stuffed in a brioche bun, a Sicilian specialty.  

Sample street food from the countless stalls of the Vucciria market and cap off your visit with inventive drinks at Beta Cocktails Laboratory.  

Get a deeper appreciation of local culinary traditions by joining a food tour or cooking class with GetYourGuide.

In Sicily’s southwest, the province of Agrigento is home to the Valley of the Temples, a magnificent ancient Greek archeological site recognized by UNESCO. Base yourself in the nearby Sciacca, a small fishing village with an outsized cachet, though it still only receives a fraction of the visitors who head to Taormina and Palermo. Not far from North Africa, Sciacca has over a thousand years of history and first came on the tourist radar for its thermal baths, mostly located at the foot of Monte San Calogero. If you catch a boat trip along the coast, you can see various caves bubbling with thermal energy – and hop off at secluded beaches. 

History buffs walking through the compact city center will marvel at Sciacca’s heritage, influenced by both the Arabs and Normans; keep an eye out for staircases decorated with handcrafted majolica (ceramic tiles). Two medieval landmarks standing strong are the fortress Castello Luna and the local cathedral full of perfectly preserved frescoes. Another distinctive local attraction is the small Museum of Coral.