25 February 2022

20 unmissable places to visit in Sicily in 2022 for an unforgettable trip

What to see in Sicily: the most beautiful places and where to find them

Wild nature, a mild climate and a cultural, architectural and artistic heritage that is rarely equalled: preparing an exhaustive list of places to visit in Sicily is indeed an ambitious undertaking! Sicily is a unique crossroads of history and civilisations that are thousands of years old and still preserves the extraordinary beauty of its past, making it immortal. This region teems with villages, temples and towns of timeless charm, unspoilt natural wonders and adventurous itineraries, ideal for every season. Here is what to see in Sicily, with a complete guide to its most beautiful places by Liberty Lines!

“Without seeing Sicily, you cannot understand Italy. Sicily is the key to everything.” – Goethe

20 must-visit places in Sicily

Are you planning to visit Sicily and looking for the most beautiful places to see during your holiday? You are in the right place! This marvellous Italian island is ready to reveal itself in all its charm and its most scenic spots are ready to enchant you, to make your stay unforgettable.

With its surface area of over 25,000 km², Sicily is not only the largest island in the Mediterranean, it is also the largest region in Italy! For this reason, visiting it during a single trip can be tiring and entails the risk of having to devote too little time to its many sights. To enable you to better plan your trip to Sicily, we have collected our suggestions by geographical area and season: whether it is a holiday in summer or autumn, in Western Sicily or Eastern Sicily, when and from where do you want to leave? Let's get adventurous!

What to see in Western Sicily

Let's start by discovering what there is to see in western Sicily, the wildest half of the island with millennial charm. Here, the ancient history of Greeks, Phoenicians, Arabs and Normans encompasses Italy's most iconic beaches and villages, preserving a cultural and artistic heritage known Worldwide. Let's get to know it better!

1. Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples

A trip to Sicily absolutely must include a visit to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the most famous archaeological site in Sicily. The reason is easily said! While a walk in Agrigento is a real plunge into the past, into the beating heart of Magna Graecia, the Valley of the Temples is known as an incredible archaeological area and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, it is possible to visit 12 still intact Doric temples, several pagan and Christian necropolises and the ruins of the city settlement, which follow one after the other along Via Sacra to the Agora.

2. Scala dei Turchi

In films, on TV, in a travel story, on Instagram, in a commercial. You saw it virtually everywhere and it immediately won you over with its white marl cliffs sculpted by the wind and the sea. Scala dei Turchi is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sicily and, with its immaculate beauty, fuels not only local and national tourism, but also international tourism! Fine sand, turquoise sea and gentle, rounded lines ready to arouse your amazement: can you imagine a sunset seen from here?

3. Templi di Selinunte

The Selinunte Park is the largest archaeological area in Europe. Here, myth, history, culture and legend are interconnected, in a showcase of treasures and millennial temples, never so impressive and pulsating with life. In the Archaeological Park of Selinunte, some 270 hectares tell the story of one of the most flourishing Mediterranean civilisations of the Classical Age, bewitching tourists, adventurers, researchers, scholars and the nostalgic from all over the world.

4. Segesta Archaeological Park

A historical rival to Selinunte in 415 B.C. in its attempt to reclaim its prestigious role in the Mediterranean basin, Segesta achieved prosperity under the Roman rule, acquiring great scenic impact. The Segesta archaeological park became famous for its two main architectural monuments: the Doric Temple and the Ancient Theatre. Even today, this site boasts countless discoveries, thanks to research and scientific excavations aimed at reconstructing an overall image of the city.

5. Palermo

Welcome to Palermo the capital of Sicily, the effervescent centre of city, economic and social life in the region and a city rich in historical buildings, churches and points of interest. What to see in Palermo? Spoilt for choice! You can certainly start at the Palazzo dei Normanni and the Cathedral, and then continue your sightseeing tour to Teatro Massimo, Ballarò market, Foro Italico and Regional Art Museum of Sicily. If you are hungry for astonishment, a few kilometres from the centre you cannot miss the Cathedral of Monreale and its golden mosaics: a masterpiece of art and architecture created using over 2000 kg of gold!

6. Cefalù

Right in the province of Palermo lies one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: Cefalù. This picturesque municipality of about 14,000 inhabitants is taken by storm every summer by tourists from all over the world, attracted by its seaside village, medieval streets and charming beaches with crystal-clear waters. While Cefalù Cathedral is a UNESCO heritage site and the megalithic 9th-century BC Temple of Diana is ready to astound you with its dolmen stone slabs, the most scenic feature of this town is definitely its Rocca!

7. Bagheria

Do you want to know what to see in Sicily near Palermo, for an unusual excursion away from the most touristy places? Choose Bagheria, the baroque jewel of Sicily's Tyrrhenian coast. Bagheria, also known as the City of Villas, inspired the works of art of several world-renowned artists and filmmakers thanks to its Baroque elegance and beauty. A popular summer destination for Palermo's aristocracy, today it is home to numerous villas with eccentric lines: it is no coincidence that Salvador Dali was keen to choose it as his personal holiday resort in Sicily.

8. Trapani and the salt pans

A city of the sea, wind and salt, Trapani cannot be missing from the list of things to see in Sicily. Located at the westernmost tip of the region, this pearl of Sicily is a trove of treasures and breath-taking views: its villages are home to Baroque buildings, churches and castles that offer delightful views of the Mediterranean Sea. Leaving the city, you can also indulge in an afternoon of sightseeing at the Saline di Trapani, a WWF-protected nature reserve that has made the city Europe's most important centre for salt production. You will fall in love with its mills!

9. Marsala

If you are not familiar with the city of Marsala, you will certainly have heard of the renowned fortified wine that dominates the cellars of this town! A tourist resort in Sicily to be experienced and savoured, ready to inebriate you with its Baroque old town, mild climate and calm, relaxed pace. Marsala stands on the ancient ruins of Punic cities and for this reason is rich in attractions with truly incredible historical and cultural value.

10. Erice and the Castle of Venus

The medieval town of Erice, perched on the mountain of the same name, towers elegantly over the Gulf of Trapani, offering a delightful panoramic view that alone will repay your entire trip to Sicily. Erice is a maze of cobbled streets of authentic charm, unravelling between the many churches, small squares and courtyards to create a real fairy-tale atmosphere. A must for a day in Erice? A visit to the Castle of Venus, a defensive bulwark dating back to Norman times and perched on a cliff, guardian of the royalty of an ancient temple dedicated to the cult of the goddess Venus.

11. Riserva dello Zingaro

An ups and downs of limestone rocks, spontaneous vegetation, crystal-clear waters: the Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro is a still-pristine corner of paradise, where the blue of the sky and the clear sea welcome the land as if in a casket. An oasis of peace and serenity, where you can indulge your senses and merge with nature in a spiritual union. Unspoilt, untamed beauty that you absolutely cannot miss!

What to see in Eastern Sicily

Choosing a holiday in Eastern Sicily will allow you to experience an intriguing adventure in the heart of Sicily most popular with tourists, Italians and others. From extraordinary cities of art to crystal-clear beaches, from wild nature to the most scenic villages in the whole of Italy. All enlivened by the unmissable traditional local cuisine and the great hospitality of the Sicilian people. Let's set sail together to discover the places to visit on the east coast of Sicily!

12. Messina

Where better to start than from the 'gateway to Sicily'? Cross the Strait and you will immediately be greeted by the lively and warm atmosphere of Messina! A city particularly renowned for its harbour, a crossroads for adventurous travellers, and with splendid lines. Rich in history and art, with a fabulous coastal landscape and a typical cuisine to make the whole of Italy envious. Treat yourself to a trip to Torre Faro, one of the most evocative places in Sicily, where Tyrrhenian Sea and Ionian Sea meet in an eternal embrace.

13. Taormina

An enchanting location by the sea, unique scenic beauty and a vast historical, cultural and archaeological heritage: Taormina is certainly one of the most famous tourist resorts in Sicily! Countless illustrious visitors, poets, artists and celebrities have been unable to resist its charms, attracted by the dramatic beauty of its Greco-Roman theatre, its medieval streets with gardens and fountains and its breath-taking views. An enchanted place rained down from the sky to seduce the eyes and mind of everyone. Its secret?
The encounter and contamination that occurred between the Greek, Roman and Arab civilisations.

14. Catania

Also known as the black city, Catania is famous for its location at the foot of Mount Etna and for its buildings made of lava stone. A city that, like a phoenix, knows how to rise from its own ashes, always more beautiful: it is no coincidence that its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site! The monuments that can still be seen today are the result of a reconstruction in 1693, following a violent earthquake, and retain a perfect Baroque style that makes it unique.

15. Etna Volcano

Fancy adventure and thrills? If you are planning an excursion to Sicily, you can't miss out on visiting Mount Etna, Europe's highest volcano. And undoubtedly also the most fascinating. The slopes of Etna that can be visited freely are the Northern and Southern: the sportier can opt for the trekking routes, but alternatively, the summit of Etna can also be reached by cable car and 4x4. In any case, once you reach 2,900 metres, you will need to rely on an experienced mountain guide to proceed with the adventurous climb!

16. Giardini Naxos

Giardini Naxos is a charming town near Messina, located in a small bay protected by green hills that plunge into a crystal-clear sea. Whereas until the 1970s it was a quiet fishing village, today it has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sicily. Why? Its enchanting expanse of fine sand laps against the clearest waters of the Ionian Sea. Take a stroll along the waterfront, rediscover the history of this village in its Archaeological Museum or get your adrenaline pumping with snorkelling, sailing and diving excursions.

17. Val di Noto

Caltagirone, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, Scicli, Ibla are just some of the World Heritage sites in this unmissable valley in the south-east of Sicily. A blossoming of carved stone, late baroque art and luminosity kisses these places with a strong tourist vocation, where churches, parks, nature reserves and archaeological itineraries flourish. It is no coincidence that it was precisely in the fairy-tale streets of these towns that the world-famous TV series Il commissario Montalbano was filmed!

Syracuse and Ortigia

Syracuse is a city to be experienced, where the glory of a past of Corinthian domination still echoes in the streets full of history and splendid historical testimonies. A place that is suspended in time, between the Middle Ages and the Baroque, whose beauty and importance was second only to Carthage and Athens. The best of this city can certainly be discovered on the island of Ortigia, in a historical centre teeming with solemn churches, squares and elegant Baroque palaces. A visit to Piazza del Duomo, the Temple of Apollo and the fountains of Diana and Arethusa cannot be missed on the itinerary.

19. Marzamemi

Marzamemi is a jewel not to be missed on a trip to eastern Sicily. This village, historically associated with fishing activities, is a paradise of stone and colour that offers glimpses of unparalleled beauty at every turn. Dominating the scene is the Arab-built Tonnara di Marzamemi, together with its two small ports, La Balata and La Fossa. It only takes a few hours to see this location in its entirety, which is also home to some of Sicily's most beautiful beaches just a few kilometres away.

20. Bronte

What could be better than a sweet pit stop in the city of pistachios to recharge your energy and sweetness during your trip? Nestled on the slopes of Mount Etna, Bronte is a cluster of colourful houses that stand out among lava rocks and rounded hills that fade into the horizon. Its historical centre still preserves the old urban structure of the ancient dwellings, while the Torremuzza and Nelson castles are a must-visit to be discovered. A suggestion? Visit it during the Pistachio Festival and enjoy all the taste, music, dance and art shows that enliven its streets!

 

Visiting Sicily in summer will leave you speechless

If you are planning to visit Sicily during summer, you will certainly be looking not only for cities of art, but also for the most beautiful beaches to see and the most fascinating islands where you can enjoy a moment of leisure. Very fine sand, wild rocks, crystal-clear waters, hidden coves and five-star beach facilities: sea in Sicily is one of the most evocative in all of Italy, and it is ready to make you daydream. Even until late September! Let's discover together the best places to visit in Sicily in summer!

All the most beautiful beaches in Sicily

1. Spiaggia dei Conigli (Lampedusa)
2. Scala dei Turchi (Agrigento)
3. Spiaggia di Mondello (Palermo)
4. Spiaggia dei Francesi (Bagheria)
5. Spiagge della Riserva dello Zingaro (Trapani)
6. Cala Rossa (Favignana)
7. Cala Azzurra (Favignana)
8. Cala Junco (Panarea)
9. Fontane Bianche beach (Syracuse)
10. Scopello Beach (Castellammare del Golfo)
11. Arenella Beach (Syracuse)
12. Spiaggia di San Lorenzo (Noto)
13. Calamosche (Noto)
14. Sampieri beach (Ragusa)
15. Capo Bianco (Heraclea Minoa)
16. Cala del Bue Marino (San Vito Lo Capo)
17. Faraglioni di Pomice (Lipari)
18. Playa Beach (Catania)
19. Laghetti di Marinello (Tindari)
20. Caldura Beach (Cefalù)

Sicily's most beautiful islands to visit

Crystal clear waters, wild nature and pristine beaches: the islands of Sicily certainly represent one of the most fascinating points of this splendid region. Here are the ones you really can't miss:

1. Isola dei Conigli (Lampedusa)
2. Ortigia (Syracuse)
3. Favignana (Egadi Islands)
4. Pantelleria (Trapani)
5. Stromboli (Aeolian Islands)
6. Lipari (Aeolian Islands)
7. Salina (Aeolian Islands)
8. Panarea (Aeolian Islands)
9. Ustica (Palermo)
10. Isola Bella (Taormina)

How to get to Sicily? Rely on Liberty Lines!

Liberty Lines, thanks to its partnership with the main national road transport companies, offers the opportunity to book your ticket to Sicily directly from the main Italian cities. Discover the destinations served and conveniently purchase your hydrofoil ticket! Take a break, book now.

BOOK YOUR HYDROFOIL

The Liberty Lines team recommends following the latest news on travel safety and to comply with the regulations in force in Italy, so that you can enjoy your stay in total serenity.

Back to blog