Taormina, Sicily
Most first-time visitors to Italy skip Sicily. They focus on Rome, Florence, and Venice — the classic trio — and save the island for "next time."
That's a mistake.
Sicily is one of the most extraordinary places in Europe. It's older than Rome, more dramatic than the Amalfi Coast, and far less crowded than almost anywhere else in Italy. Once you've been, you'll wonder why you waited so long.
Here are 7 reasons Sicily deserves a place on your Italy itinerary.
1. It Has the Best Ancient Greek Ruins Outside of Greece
This surprises most visitors: Sicily has more well-preserved ancient Greek temples than Greece itself.
The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world — seven Doric temples dating back to the 5th century BC, set dramatically on a ridge above the Mediterranean. The Temple of Concordia is so well preserved it's almost impossible to believe it's 2,500 years old.
Selinunte, Segesta, and Syracuse add to the picture — Sicily was a major center of Greek civilization long before Rome rose to power, and the evidence is everywhere.
Best for: History lovers, archaeology enthusiasts, anyone who thought they'd seen everything.
2. Mount Etna Is Unlike Anything Else in Europe
Europe's largest and most active volcano dominates the eastern sky of Sicily. At nearly 11,000 feet, Etna is a constant, smoking presence above Catania and Taormina — and one of the most dramatic natural landscapes on the continent.
You can hike its lunar slopes, take a cable car up to the crater zone, or simply watch it from the terrace of a hillside restaurant over a glass of Nerello Mascalese — the volcanic wine grown in Etna's mineral-rich soil.
Don't miss: The view of Etna from Taormina's ancient Greek theater — one of the great views in Italy.
3. Taormina Is Sicily's Most Beautiful Town
Perched on a clifftop above the Ionian Sea, Taormina is the kind of place that makes you question every other travel decision you've ever made.
The main street — Corso Umberto — is lined with flower-draped balconies, ceramic shops, and excellent restaurants. The ancient Greek theater overlooks both the sea and Mount Etna simultaneously. The beaches below (reached by cable car) are some of the best in Sicily.
Our Sicily & Aeolian Islands Tour ends in Taormina — saving the best for last.
4. The Food Is the Best in Italy (Yes, Really)
Sicilian cuisine is a product of 3,000 years of cultural crossroads — Greek, Arab, Norman, Spanish, and Italian influences all layered on top of each other. The result is unlike anywhere else in Italy:
- Arancini — fried rice balls stuffed with ragù, peas, and cheese
- Pasta alla Norma — rigatoni with fried eggplant, tomato, and ricotta salata
- Caponata — sweet and sour eggplant agrodolce
- Cannoli — the original, filled fresh with sheep's milk ricotta
- Granita — Sicily's answer to gelato, eaten for breakfast with a brioche
And the seafood. Swordfish, sea urchin, fresh tuna — Sicily's fish markets (especially Catania's La Pescheria) are among the most extraordinary food experiences in Europe.
5. The Aeolian Islands Are a World Apart
Just off the northern coast of Sicily, the seven Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful island chains in the Mediterranean.
Stromboli has an active volcano that erupts every 20 minutes — visible from the sea at night, it's one of the most surreal natural spectacles in the world. Lipari is the main island, with crystal-clear water and excellent seafood. Panarea is tiny, car-free, and impossibly chic.
Our Sicily & Aeolian Islands 9-Day Tour includes a full day excursion to the islands — one of the highlights of the entire itinerary.
6. Palermo Is One of Europe's Most Underrated Cities
Most visitors fly into Palermo and head straight out. That's a mistake.
Palermo is chaotic, loud, crumbling in places — and completely captivating. The street food scene alone is worth the trip: stigghiola (grilled offal), sfincione (Sicilian thick-crust pizza), and the legendary Ballarò market, where vendors have been selling the same produce for a thousand years.
The architecture tells Sicily's layered history better than any museum: Byzantine mosaics in the Palatine Chapel, Arab-Norman cathedrals, baroque piazzas, and art nouveau villas all within walking distance of each other.
Our Sicily & Egadi Islands Tour starts in Catania and works its way west — giving you the full sweep of the island.
7. It's Far Less Crowded Than the Rest of Italy
In peak summer, the Colosseum has 20,000 visitors a day. The Amalfi Coast road gridlocks. Venice implements crowd-control entry fees.
Sicily gets a fraction of that traffic — even in July and August. The temples at Agrigento, the beaches near Taormina, the streets of Siracusa's Ortigia island — all accessible and enjoyable without the crush of mass tourism.
That's changing. Sicily is growing in popularity. But right now, it remains one of the few places in Italy where you can still feel like a traveler rather than a tourist.
Go before everyone else figures it out.
How to Visit Sicily
Sicily is large — about the size of Vermont — and best explored with a guided tour that covers the main highlights without the logistical headaches of renting a car and navigating its winding roads. We offer three Sicily itineraries:
- Sicily & Aeolian Islands — Palermo to Taormina 9 Days — our most popular Sicily tour, covering the island's highlights from west to east
- Sicilian Secrets — Catania to Taormina 10 Days — a deeper dive into eastern Sicily including Etna, Siracusa, and the baroque towns of the Val di Noto
- Italy: Fantasia All Italy 17 Days — combines Sicily with Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast in one grand tour
Browse our full range of escorted Italy and Sicily tours or contact us to find the right itinerary for your trip.
Savitar Tours is an IATA and ASTA-accredited travel agency based in Los Angeles, California. CST #2138920-40.
