Sicily holidays
Living the good life in Sicily means staying in palazzos, swimming in the sea, strolling through fountain-filled piazzas and, sometimes, having gelato for breakfast. You’ll see plenty of grand vistas from gardens and restaurants on this mountainous island: look out at shimmering bays and look up at looming volcanoes or castles. Wander around ancient Greek ruins on a hilltop or a Roman bathhouse buried beneath a city. Visit other nearby islands to explore sea grottoes and secluded beaches. No matter where you go, drink in the view. And the coffee. And maybe the wine, too.
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Ice cream for breakfast is encouraged here
Sicily certainly boasts Italian flair – you’ll never be at a loss for a morning espresso or an early evening aperitivo – but it also has its own thing going on. Sitting at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, this island has been ruled by so many different powers that it’s now a bubbly cocktail of cultures. Look for Sicily’s history in its Greek and Roman ruins, in its Arabic-Norman and Sicilian Baroque architecture and even in its arancini served streetside.
Holidays to Sicily are full of ‘bedda matri’ (‘wow’) moments. The phrase might pop to mind when you’re strolling through orchards in spring or taking in sea views from a pool or a sandy beach in the summer. It might find its way into your vocabulary when you see Mount Etna, one of Europe’s largest volcanoes, blanketed in snow and zipped over by skiers in the winter. You’ll certainly want to say ‘bedda matri’ after your first forkful of pasta alla norma. Sicily’s buzzing cities and chic seaside towns are waiting to wow you. Book your flights to Sicily now.
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Best hotels in Sicily for all types of traveller
The best hotels in Sicily boast incredible views. Follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren – stay at the Four Seasons Taormina, San Domenico Palace where glamorous guests have soaked up views of the Ionian Sea since the late 1800s. Walk along blossom paths in the garden, swim in a clifftop infinity pool and see Mount Etna from your seat in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Mazzaro Sea Palace sits by the water in Taormina. The sea is the main star of the show here – get a front row seat (or sunbed) on the private beach and cool off in the beachfront pool. When you return to your room, you’ll likely still be able to see indigo waves through your window. Unahotels Capotaormina is another great option with a private beach in the Taormina area. The saltwater pool built into the cliff commands views of the sea dotted with dramatic rock formations.
Have a grand old time in Palermo and stay at Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel. Stare up at the frescoed ceilings in the palazzo and take leisurely strolls in the tiered gardens. Breathe in sea air and the scent of pine, orange and jasmine as you marvel at the Tyrrhenian Sea. This hotel has always been a magnet for royalty and superstars – it’s easy to see why when you’re sipping aperitifs and listening to live music on the elegant terrace. If you’re looking for somewhere more secluded, Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel covers 230 hectares on Sicily’s south west coast. That’s enough space for two championship golf courses, a 60-metre infinity pool, a spa pavilion, four restaurants and plenty of orange and olive trees.
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- Palermo is Sicily’s bold and eclectic capital where you’ll find Byzantine mosaics stretching across church ceilings and booming markets resembling Arabic souks. Climb to the roof of Palermo Cathedral to see the mountain-wrapped city from above before getting lost in little streets and stopping in trattorias for spritzes. Visit the shameless nymph statues surrounding the Pretoria fountain and see if your friends recognise the dramatic steps in front of opera house Teatro Massimo from the final scene of The Godfather Part III. For a different type of opera, watch an Opera dei Pupi (puppet theatre) show in a workshop. Then, when you’re ready to swap the city for sand, head to nearby Mondello Beach.
- Taormina is a hilltop town by the Ionian Sea. At its highest point, a castle covered in wild foliage stands watch over lemon-coloured houses and sparkling shores. Find a showstopping view at the ancient Greek theatre where Mount Etna looms behind the stage like a magnificent prop. Or stand at the edge of Villa Comunale gardens to see the volcano framed by flowers. Slow things down with long walks along Corso Umberto, stopping to admire palazzos and pastry shop windows displaying pyramids of cannoli. Don’t leave without visiting the nearby secluded island Isola Bella which is bursting with tropical plants and sea grottoes.
- Catania is a spirited city at the foot of Mount Etna with a knack for rising from ashes – some of its buildings are even made from lava stone. In the main square Piazza del Duomo, say hello to the beloved black lava elephant, U Liotru, who faces the city’s baroque cathedral. From here, walk along Via Etnea to Giardini Bellini where you can sip a seltzer from a kiosk and take in volcano views. There are plenty of things to do in Catania, including visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and beaches lapped by the Ionian Sea. There’s also more to Catania than most people see: head underground to find remains of a Roman city, such as bathhouses and shrines, lurking beneath Catania’s feet.
- In Agrigento, the ruins of an ancient Greek city glow under an avid sun. This is the Valley of the Temples: a UNESCO World Heritage site where nine doric temples line up ready to be admired, some of them reaching for the gods on a sacred hill. It’s where you’ll find the Temple of Concordia which is one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Once you’ve gazed up at crumbling columns, look down to see hints of life in the ancient city – you can spot marks from chariot wheels in a road near the Temple of Juno. The archaeological site is also dappled with olive trees, almond trees and Mediterranean shrubs. Visit in spring for a chance to see delicate pink blossoms on the almond trees.
- The Aeolian archipelago is a UNESCO-protected bundle of volcanic islands near Sicily. On Lipari, the largest island, you can see cargoes from ancient shipwrecks in the archaeological museum and stare at the Tyrrhenian Sea speckled with craggy rocks and islands from Belvedere Quattrocchi. Over on Vulcano, adventure seekers bathe in bubbling mud pools and stroll across black sand. Stromboli island’s volcano is the most dramatic: its lava can resemble fireworks. If you’re visiting the Aeolian Islands you’ll probably catch a ferry from Milazzo. Make time to explore the Cape of Milazzo before you board – pass cacti and olive trees to reach its tip and you’ll find an enchanting cove known as the Pool of Venus.
- Beach hop until you drop (onto another sun lounger, that is). Some Sicily beaches, like Mondello and Cefalu, are packed with sand the colour of a light cappuccino. Others, like Isola Bella, are lined with pebbles glinting in the sun. Over on the Aeolian Islands, you can find midnight-black beaches lapped by glimmering waves. Variety is vital to la dolce vita, after all – and so is lots of granita by the sea. With more than 900 miles of coastline to explore, you’ll find turquoise water at every turn in Sicily. So lounge on a private hotel beach, swim in the shadow of a castle at a public beach and paddle in a natural cove that catches sunlight.
- Fall in love at first bite with Sicily’s food scene. Whether you’re sitting in a Michelin-starred restaurant twirling lemon spaghetti or standing in a street market eating an arancini the size of your fist, you’ll be smitten. Go all in, even if that means eating ice cream for breakfast because Sicilians know sweets shouldn’t be delayed until dessert. Brioche buns stuffed with gelato and cannoli dusted in powdered sugar are popular morning treats. You can also have your espresso topped with a mound of whipped cream if you like. If you’re looking for sweet souvenirs, take home boxes of life-size marzipan fruits to confuse and delight dinner guests.
- Go shopping in Sicily. Pop into small workshops in side streets and chat to vendors at local craft markets. Let colourful ceramics catch your eye and be charmed by rosy cheeked marionettes. There are plenty of big designer names hanging above little boutique doors, too. Take home a memento or two – tell people you bought your scarf from a little town in Sicily and serve your friends orange salad in a hand-painted bowl you picked up from a market near Mount Etna.
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