When it comes to the question “What is Sicily known for?”, the answers are many. Ancient Greek ruins, Roman amphitheaters, dramatic volcanoes, lively towns, and postcard-worthy coastlines all top the list.
Then there’s the unbeatable mix of culture, jaw-dropping landscapes, iconic mafia movie locations, and some of Italy’s most mouthwatering street food that keep visitors coming back for more.
If you’re planning a trip to this Mediterranean gem, perched at the tip of Italy’s boot and surrounded by the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas, here’s everything you need to add to your must-do list.
Mount Etna
Mount Etna
Home of the legendary Cyclops in Homer’s The Odyssey and the forge of fire god Hephaestus, Mount Etna is, without doubt, one of the top things Sicily is known for.
The towering mountain is not only Europe’s most active volcano but also its tallest, topping out at some 11,000 feet, although its height changes thanks to frequent eruptions.
Mount Etna dominates Sicily’s eastern coast, somewhat equidistant from the Sicilian towns of both Catania and Messina. Its smoking peak is one of Italy’s most recognizable symbols and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Silvestri Craters
Visitors are welcomed by a heady mix of natural beauty, panoramic views, and ancient paths across lava fields. While walking those paths is definitely recommended, for those less mobile, the Silvestri Craters near Rifugio Sapienza offer easy access to the volcanic landscapes without the need to undertake a strenuous hike.
The Taormina Cable Car
Taormina Cable Car
Taormina, a hilltop town on Mount Tauro, was considered so pretty by the Romans that it became a prime vacation spot for the upper classes. The problem of how to get from the town to the beach area of Mazzarò below was not really solved, though, until the Taormina Cable Car was built in 1928.
Now, almost a century later, this icon of the town is in its third iteration, transporting more than one million people a year from top to bottom and vice versa. Aside from the fun element of taking the two-minute journey to and from the Sicilian beach without navigating the winding roads, the short trip also offers great views of Mount Etna in the distance and Isola Bella below.
The timetable is pretty easy to memorize, too. The car runs every 15 minutes between 8 am and 8 pm in winter, with closing hours extended to midnight during summer in Italy.
Greek Theatre of Taormina
Greek Theatre of Taormina
In ancient times, Sicily was actually part of the wider Greek world known as Magna Graecia. Home to thriving city-states including Syracuse, Agrigento, and Taormina, the island’s Greek heritage certainly comes high on the list.
A case in point is this fabulous theater from that golden era of Greek influence, one of the best places to visit in Sicily. Built in the third century BC and later expanded by the Romans who followed, it’s known for its exceptional acoustics and incredible hilltop location.
With Mount Etna in one direction and the gleaming Ionian in the other, there are few more beautiful spots on the island. That incredible location is in stark contrast with some of the grisly acts that once played out here though. When the Romans took over, the theater went from a place of high culture to a gladiatorial arena. Today, it’s a venue for everything from opera to rock concerts.
Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina
Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina
A 90-minute drive from the coastal town of Catania, Villa Romana del Casale is one of the most luxurious Roman villas in existence. Once the center of a large estate, the villa is now best known for its incredibly well-preserved mosaics, said to be among the finest in the world.
Another of Sicily’s Unesco World Heritage sites, these offer an incredible insight into the world of the Roman elite and the craftsmanship of local artisans.
Bikini Girls
Spread over some 40,000 square feet, they depict various scenes of life in bygone times, including the iconic Bikini Girls. This detailed mosaic depicts women in athletic attire seemingly far ahead of the time.
Now one of the most visited sites in Italy, the villa was actually lost to the world for hundreds of years. Buried by mudslides for centuries, it was only rediscovered during 19th-century excavations.
Isola Bella, Taormina
Isola Bella, Taormina
What is Sicily famous for? Another answer that readily springs to mind is Isola Bella. Literally translated as “The Beautiful Island”, this small, rocky outcrop off the coast of Taormina is exquisitely pretty.
Once a private property owned by the English aristocrat Florence Trevelyan, who cultivated beautiful tropical plants here, the island was bought by the local authorities in 1990 and converted into a nature reserve.
It’s connected to the mainland by a narrow path at low tide that allows visitors to gain access. Once there, there’s a small rocky beach and Italian gardens to explore, while the coastline is dotted with sea grottos that are great for fans of snorkeling.
The Godfather
Bar Vitelli, Savoca
There can be few places in the world more inextricably linked to a series of movies than Sicily is to The Godfather trilogy. A number of scenes from Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary movies were filmed here in the charming villages of Savoca and Forza d’Agrò.
Savoca is a small hilltop village around 30 minutes from Taormina that’s renowned for its role as both the wedding location and hideout of Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino. It’s also home to Bar Vitelli, where Michael meets Apollonia’s father in the first film.
Forza d’Agrò, meanwhile, was used as the backdrop for several scenes in the first two movies. With the two playing such a starring role, a visit to them should be “an offer you can’t refuse,” to quote the great Marlon Brando.
Catania Cathedral
Catania Cathedral
Built partly from lava rock—a testament to fiery Mount Etna—Catania Cathedral is proof you can’t keep a good church down. Despite being destroyed several times due to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, it has been rebuilt, each time bigger and better than the last.
The current 17th-century cathedral—officially the Cathedral of Saint Agatha—is an incredible Baroque-style place of worship dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Inside, it contains several relics dedicated to her, including a silver reliquary that is said to contain her veil.
The cathedral is also home to the tomb of renowned opera composer Vincenzo Bellini who was born in the city in 1801. Set at the heart of Catania at Piazza Duomo, the cathedral serves as a central landmark and a great place from which to explore this Italian city.
Fontana dell’Elefante, Catania
While here, look out, too, for the Fontana dell’Elefante—Elephant Fountain. Located in the same piazza and built between 1735 and 1737, the elephant at its heart has become a symbol of the city.
Corso Umberto, Taormina
Corso Umberto, Taormina
When you take a walk down Corso Umberto, Taormina’s main pedestrianized thoroughfare, you are walking in the footsteps of history. The street follows the route of Consolare Valeria, the main road that connected the original Greco-Roman settlements on the island.
Back then it would have been a dusty dirt track but today, it’s elegance personified: a blend of history, culture, and modern life, an ideal spot for strolling and taking in some of the high-end shops and restaurants that line the street.
Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina
A good place to start a walk is at Palazzo Corvaja’s tourist office, following the road to Piazza IX Aprile with its checkerboard tiles and panoramic views over the sea.
From there, head west to Piazza del Duomo, part of the Borgo Medievale, the oldest district in town and perfect for exploring the various side alleys that can lead to quiet courtyards and even more gorgeous views.
Arancini
Arancini
Arancini—deep-fried, breadcrumb-coated rice balls—are considered so much more than a street food here in Sicily. They’re said to have originated on the island in the 10th century when it was under Arab rule and making them is now approached with almost religious fervour.
Depending on where you visit, people will have very different views on everything from the shape and fillings. The split takes place very much over an east-west divide. On the western side of the island, arancini are round and often have meat sauce mixed in with the rice.
In the east, they are conical in shape and filled with tomato sauce, so they loosely resemble Mount Etna. They may also contain mozzarella and green peas. Wherever you try arancini and in whatever form, one thing is guaranteed: they’ll be delicious and likely to leave you wanting more.
Read: The Ultimate Sicilian Food Guide
Castelmola
Castelmola
Taormina is absolutely lovely but such is its fame, it can be busy in high season. Those looking for a quieter but equally gorgeous option should consider heading to Castelmola instead.
This tiny village, around three miles north-west of its glamorous neighbor, is packed with medieval charm with centuries-old buildings, and cobblestone streets lined with flower-filled balconies.
At its heart is Piazza Sant’Antonio with colorful tiled floors, benches, and high-end shops, while the nearby Church of San Giorgio adds a dash of understated charm.
Given that Castelmola is at a higher altitude than Taormina, the views over the Bay of Naxos are simply incredible, too. A special mention here goes out to Bar Turrisi. With its eccentric erotic décor, fine terrace, and famed sweet almond wine, it’s a quirky little place well worth whiling away a few hours.
Mount Etna Wines
Italian wine
Take mineral-rich volcanic soils, a high altitude, a diverse microclimate, and winds with a hint of sea spray and you get quite the recipe for a unique terroir. This is what makes Sicily one of the best wine regions in the world.
There are two main grape varieties here: Nerello Mascalese forms the backbone of Etna’s red wines, while Carricante is the basis of its whites. Wines have been made here for centuries but it was not until 1968 that Etna received its own Controlled Designation of Origin status, a change that catapulted Sicilian wines into the consciousness of connoisseurs across the world.
There are now thought to be some 180 wineries on Etna’s slopes, with the likes of Benanti, Tornatore, and Firriato being among the best. Most of them offer cellar door tastings, though it’s wise to book in advance, especially if visiting during the fall grape harvest when they sell out quickly.
The Astronomical Clock of Messina
The Astronomical Clock of Messina
When the clock at the Cathedral of Messina strikes noon, there’s quite the show for the crowds eagerly waiting with anticipation. Lions roar, roosters crow, music plays, bells ring, and figures move to depict biblical scenes.
Don’t think this is some kind of street-art show, though. It all happens at the cathedral’s astronomical clock, said to be the largest in the world, and powered by a complex mechanism of whirring cogs and pulleys.
Unlike much of the rest of the island, Messina is a more modern city, with large parts of it needing to be rebuilt after a 1908 earthquake and again after bombings in World War II.
The cathedral sits on Piazza del Duomo and the square is also home to the elegant Fountain of Orion, a Renaissance masterpiece designed by Montorsoli, a student of Michelangelo.
Ortigia, Syracuse
Ortigia, Syracuse
Back in the fifth century, BC Syracuse was all the rage. An hour south of Catania, it rivaled Athens for the title of Magna Graecia’s greatest city, with Roman statesman Cicero describing it as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all.”
That glory may have faded over the centuries, but it’s still one of the things Sicily is famous for. The city is now even more expansive, but its historic heart lies in Ortigia, a small island connected to the mainland by bridges.
Here there’s a beguiling mix of Greek, Roman, medieval, and Baroque influences in the buildings that line the atmospheric streets, as well as archeological wonders galore.
Fountain of Arethusa in Ortigia, Syracuse
Sights are plentiful: the central Piazza del Duomo, the sixth-century Temple of Apollo, and the Fountain of Arethusa freshwater spring are just three that merit a mention.
And while it’s tempting to walk around ticking off guide-book lists, it’s also worth simply enjoying a seafront walk along the Lungomare di Levante. Or visit the bustling market to get a literal taste of life like a local.
Catania
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