Your visit isn’t complete without strolling through the Ballaro Market in Palermo, eating a cannoli at a sidewalk cafe, or marveling at the decadent palazzos
A few international mile off the toe of Italy ’s boot sits the country ’s sassy , more elusive baby : Sicily . More than just a fun daytime head trip from the mainland , Sicily is softly one of the most arresting , historic lieu in the world . Every inch of the island seems to hold ethnic grandness , in part thanks to the myriad of ethnic groups that have gotten their hands on it , including the Greeks , the French , the Arabs , and of course , the Romans , amongst many others . As a result of these invasion , Sicily is coated in layers , a palimpsest of idiom , mosque turned cathedrals , and divers cuisine . “ Sicily has a long history of being colonise by many mathematical group of hoi polloi . That ’s why we ’re so hospitable ! ” a local laugh while claver with me at a restaurant on the outskirts of Palermo .
Part of what make Sicily particular is how much variety it manage to pack in under 10,000 straightforward international nautical mile . With just a few hours , one can venture through vibrant metropolis centers , pastoral countryside , and serene beaches . Even the so - called touristy parts are deserving seeing ; your visit is n’t unadulterated without saunter through the Ballaro Market in Palermo , eat a cannoli at a pavement coffee shop , or marveling at the decadent palazzos .
That being said , this template is a taste card designed for a variety of travelers . Whether you need an action - packed , meticulously planned grand tour or a relaxing seaside pickup , everything we ’ve admit will in some way expose you to Sicily ’s unique , thrive ethnical landscape . Based on our own travelling experiences and with the help of local anaesthetic , we ’ve put together our top good word for shoot the breeze Sicily .
*© Marco Bottigelli/Moment/Getty Images*
Don’t leave Sicily until you…
See : The alone and eclectic collection of architecture . While you ’re certainly welcome ( and encouraged ) to make the trek to the ancient ruins in the Sicilian countryside , you’re able to see a wide array of architectural styles , ranging from Arab - Norman and Baroque to Art Nouveau , without have to leave the metropolitan expanse . In fact , right in the downtown meat of multiple city ride some of the most far-famed fountains , cathedral , and carvings , many of which depict dear soma such as patron saint of Sicily Rosalia and notable ocean nymphs like Arethusa . ensure to call theTemple of Apolloin Ortigia , thePalazzo dei Normanniin Palermo , andFontana Pretoria , also in Palermo .
Touch : The fluffy and territorial feral true cat ( with caution ! ) . One of the first things you will detect upon arriving in Sicily is the regalia of stray cats making themselves at home base on shelf , planter , car hoods , and even restaurant tables . Because the local anesthetic take guardianship of them , the cat are clean and well - fed , but it ’s a toss up whether or not the 1 you find out will be well-disposed or completely aloof .
feel : Lemons . Whether you ’re ordering a seltz e limone sale from a chiosco ( kiosk ) in Catania , tasting the honest limoncello you ’ve ever had atCassaro Bottega Alimentare , or wandering through the luscious lemon groves at the base of Mount Etna , the pernicious scent of lemons will follow you everywhere .
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get wind : Thecacophony of vendors , local , and tourists at Palermo ’s street market . instigate by Maroc souk , Palermo ’s Ballaro , Capo , and Vucciria markets line the street with stalls extend delightful Sicilian citrus or piles of fresh Pisces , carts serving Aperol Spritz , and others dish out delectable street nutrient like arancini and and panelle . While the markets are pop tourist destination , you ’ll notice locals hurry through on Vespas to grab their food market for the solar day .
Taste : Almond Milk River in your deep brown , or even by itself . Sicily ’s climate is ideal for almond growth and production , so it only makes sense that their version of the dairy farm milk alternative is far better than what Americans are used to . Instead of give a watery , flavorless consistency , Sicilian sweet almond milk is thick and sweet . It ’s so rich that it can do as an after dinner party treat .
Things to do for cottagecore enthusiasts
The past few years have seen many people yearning for unripe pastures , quite literally . From the inflow of trad wife seemingly living their best provincial lives on lush farms to city slickers making a passel exodus to more remote function of the state , a deadening way of bread and butter and the serenity that issue from it grows more and more tantalizing . Of of course , Sicily ’s palmy city centers in Palermo , Taormina , and Syracuse are particular and worth visiting in their own rightfield , but their calmer opposite number are equally critical to interpret the culture of the island . On the outskirt of Catania sit down one of Sicily ’s major tourist attractions , the vent Mount Etna . While a enlistment of the volcano itself can get crowd , the agricultural enclaves at the root of it are subdued and calm . “ People who appreciate the picayune things come here , ” say Giusi Murabito , a Sicily aboriginal and the possessor of Pozzillo Lemon House , a lemon farm at the base of the volcano . “ We ’re off the beaten itinerary . Everything here is quiet ; this is the way to fly the coop the crowd . ”
10 am - pop out your twenty-four hours with a perambulation through Etna ’s lemon groves . For the most under - the - radiolocation smell at Mount Etna , book a food experience atPozzillo Lemon House . The historic Citrus limon farm has been grow , trading , and sell lemon tree for over 80 years , and if you gossip during peak season ( December through June ) , you get to pick the Citrus limon yourself . The four - time of day tour also includes a cooking class with Murabito and her female parent , as well as a repast partner off with Etna wines .
2:30 postmortem examination - Pick up intellectual nourishment souvenirs atPerivancu Market . This quaint yet heavily buy at market is about a half - hour drive from the lemon farm . Run by the same fellowship since the 1870s , Perivancu Market is locals ’ go - to spot for high quality groceries ; Murabito stocks up here when putting together her Christmas lunch . You ’ll desire to take everything home , but when thinking about pack items in your luggage it ’s smart to stick to nonperishables like candied orange zest , uniquely shape alimentary paste , and Bronte pistachio emollient . “It ’s like Nutella , but just , ” say Murabito of the last point . “ I ’ve even realize tourists hoover the cheeses and bring them home . ”
Kathrin Ziegler/DigitalVision/Getty Images
3 premier - take on with adorable farm animals atLa CaraffaraorAsilat . A journey through the Sicilian countryside is n’t concluded without seeing its animate being . At the cob farm ( also a farmstay ) La Caraffara , visitant can stroll around the peaceable ground amongst mass of shepherd dog , goat , Gallus gallus , horse , and more . Another great option is Asilat , a donkey farm dedicated to keep autochthonal Sicilian breeds .
5 autopsy - Grab a recent afternoon pistacchio granita atPasticceria Santo Musumeci . Sicily is recognise for its unmatched pistachio , often referred to as “ dark-green gold . ” Like its Citrus limon and almond , the junkie fly high in the filth of Mount Etna , producing a rich , thick nip unlike your typical pistachio . And because the granita develop in Sicily , it ’s more than necessary to refresh yourself with the creamy mixture from category - owned Pasticceria Santo Musumeci , hold “ the best granita in Sicily ” byLinda Sarris , a chef who expatriated from New York City to Palermo andleads culinary toursthroughout the island .
8 pm - Eat and imbibe like you ’re at your grandma ’s menage atTrattoria LinguaGrossa . On the Second Earl of Guilford side of Mount Etna , this bit is the consummate representative of what throw Sicily ’s culinary scene so exquisite . They wait on traditional dishes like Mushroom Crudo and Pasta alla Norma made in locals ’ homes with ingredients from Mount Etna ’s farms . Their wine selection , however , is the shin lead ; upon entering you ’ll notice walls stocked with bottles you wo n’t be able to try anywhere else . This is because they ’re from small Etna winery and producer that do n’t legion tasting or take visitor .
Pozzillo Lemon House|Photo courtesy of Giusi Murabito
Things to do forThe White Lotussuperfan
adorn with C of crumbling castling , centuries old tombs , and ancient ruins , Sicily has obviously been around for a longsighted time . But it was n’t until season two of television showThe White Lotusdropped that the island became the most seek after vacation finish . After the show concluded , US hunting for Sicily transfix 50 % , and hotels saw an uptick in bookings .
It ’s easy to see whyThe White Lotusspawned such an effect ; watching the sunkissed Lucia ( fiddle by Simona Tabasco ) frolic around a five - star hotel in a strappy ruby-red apparel or seeing the mould lounge on the beach with sparkling Aperol Spritzes is tie to make anyone impulsively hold a ticket to Sicily . And while an obvious itinerary would include heading to Taormina ( where the show took place ) and waiting in line for a tabular array at tourist favorite ( read : overcrowded ) Bam Bar , or shell out thousands to stay at the San Domenico Palace , Four Seasons , we recommendThe White Lotusfans prioritize Palermo , as many of the filming position actually take place right in the island ’s upper-case letter .
10 am - Sip your espresso endure up atBar Del Corso . While the majority of the characters inThe White Lotusare lazing about , no nonsense Valentina , the director of the eponymic hotel play by Sabrina Impacciatore , is always on the go . She begins her solar day the way of life any right , meddling Sicilian would : standing at the measure of a coffee shop and induce abstemious conversation while down an espresso . This coffee bar on the sometime street in Palermo , Via Vittorio Emmanuel , is as reliable as it gets , featuring a veteran , point-blank barista name Baldo and a cesspit always overflow with empty espresso cups .
Trattoria LinguaGrossa|Photo courtesy of Trattoria LinguaGrossa
12 pm - Pop byMagazzini Anitafor fashionable accouterment . Amidst the touristy knick knack shop and sumptuousness clothing stores sits this vintage dress shop mo from Bar Del Corso . Magazzini Anita ’s eclectic and stylish solicitation boast an array of aesthetics , so whether you want to purchase a silk headscarf to channelise Jennifer Coolidge ’s Tanya or Y2 K sunglasses à la Haley Lu Richardson ’s Portia , there are choice for everyone .
1 pm - fill again yourself with arancini atDonnafranca . retrieve Portia and Jack ’s lovely arancini escort ? It ’s by far the prosperous experience to embolden , considering the Timothy Miles Bindon Rice nut are Sicily ’s most democratic street intellectual nourishment , serve on near every block . Though there are many places to choose from , Sarris recommends this spot for its vast selection of weft , with each arancini ball fried to consecrate . Just please do n’t dine and dash like they did .
3:30 premier - Wander through theVilla Palagonia Palazzoin Bagheria . Not everyone can give to spend the night at a palazzo like Aubrey Plaza ’s Harper and Meghann Fahy ’s Daphne ; in fact , sometimes even the citizenry whoownthe palazzos can hardly afford them , a lesson harshly learned by Tanya in the season finale . While Daphne and Harper get to Noto for their opulent experience , this palazzo in Bagheria feature just as much decadence with half the amount of visitant .
Donnafranca|Photo courtesy of Donnafranca
5 necropsy -Purchase a Testa di Moro atCeramica Artistica di Mirella Pipia . Around every corner in Sicily , you ’ll feel someone ’s eyes following you . Do n’t gall ; that ’s just the Testa di Moro , a famous , colorful ceramic of a man ’s mind . Seminal to Sicily ’s folklore , the Testa di Moro symbolise the story of a Moor who came to Sicily and seduce a local girlfriend . Once she find out he had a married woman and fellowship back at home , she cut off his head in revenge . The Testa di Moro is heavily featured tangibly and thematically inThe White Lotus(Will Sharpe ’s Ethan asks the hotel concierge “ What is with these head thing ? ” ) , so it only makes sense to pick one up at this clayware shop and dress shop .
6 Prime Minister -Make middle at a alien over an aperitif atIgiea Terrazza Bar . The bar is the primary mise - en - scène ofThe White Lotus . It ’s where characters chat up , flight of steps , and even have affectionateness attacks . Whether you want to do any of those or just peacefully sip a drink on the scenic patio , this hotel bar gasconade a robust cocktail menu that reads more like a Greek epic . Upon sitting down you ’ll have a brochure entitle “ The Island of Desire , ” featuring potable according to the cultures that have inhabited Sicily alongside noted paintings from the time period . Options include the Sharab ( white rummy , coconut milk , honey , tahini ) and the Medusa ( gin , orange blossom liquor , Acqua Bianca , olive leafage ) .
7:30 pm - Feast on pasta atFlorio Restaurant . spectator may have notice that instead of peruse Sicily ’s excellent food scenery , the characters dine at their hotel ’s restaurant every nighttime . Normally we ’d encourage travelers to go beyond their homebase , but Villa Igiea ’s Florio Restaurant is too estimable to overleap . Just a few foot off from the Igiea Terrazza Bar , the restaurant has the same sundown prospect and serve raw Pisces the Fishes with Arab spicery , Sicilian - Style Stuffed Pork , and delicious alimentary paste . While tiramisu is always a satisfying choice for dessert , it ’s imperative you seek the Spicy Chocolate Soup and Caper Ice Cream .
Testi di Moro ceramics|Sergio Amiti/Moment/Getty Images
Things to do for sun worshippers
Whether you desire to spend your whole vacation loafing on the beach or just a single sidereal day , Sicily has you covered . With over 900 mile of coastline , there ’s truly no way of life to go wrong . That being said , many of the island ’s gorgeous beaches , like those located in the Zingaro State Preserve , are quite remote . Because they ’re a protracted drive away from most restaurants and shops , call them involve a car , and perhaps the least reposeful affair to do on a beach Clarence Day is sit in dealings . That ’s why Ortigia , a small island in Syracuse , is idealistic for visitors . It has the best of both mankind , including stretch of sand , turquoise waters , and gelaterias waiting to freshen you post - swim .
9 am - Take theInterbusfrom Catania Bus Station to Corso Gelone . The Interbus offers batch of route to Siracusa from all over Sicily . If you ’re fare from Catania , the drive is a little over an time of day , and you ’ll be cut down off at the Corso Gelone passenger vehicle place in Siracusa . From there , it ’s a 15 minute walk across the Ponte Umberto bridge to the island Ortigia .
11 am - Pick up a cappuccino and mortadella sandwich atFratelli Burgio . To get to this deli , you ’ll have to walk through Siracusa ’s Ortigia Market , a bouncy strip that mirrors the one in Palermo . While holidaymaker be given to flock to the spot next doorway , Caseificio Borderi , Sarris recommend visitor “ skip the Instagram - hype retentive lines for the best high - remainder Sicilian food product , charcuterie , salads , and sandwiches . ” you’re able to grab a seat at a table outdoors or take the sandwich with you to the beach ; whatever you choose , make trusted to get a look at the Fratelli Burgio ’s intersection , which include delicious marmalade , ocean preserves , chocolates , and spice .
Villa Igiea bar|Photo courtesy of Villa Igiea
12 necropsy - Bake in the sun onCala Rossa Beach . Many beach in Sicily cost money to enter or are overrun with vendors catering to holidaymaker , and while Cala Rossa Beach can get quite crowded , it ’s detached , easily approachable , and still stunning . cop a place on the rocky sand and lie down out alongside the local to not only get a tan but fire up up under the sun so your imminent splash in the piddle feels all the more stimulating .
2 post-mortem - Descend a staircase into the Ionian Sea at theSolarium Forte Vigliena . Once you ’ve had your beach fix , walk five minute down the coastline to this program that originate like a shot out of the sea . you’re able to pose out your towel on the chopine and descend the steps directly into the urine or rise onto the nearby cliffs and muster up up your best siren ( or cachet ) mental picture .
4 premier - Cool off under the shade atGiardino Aretusawith gelato fromGelati Bianca . It might seem obvious to recommend you eat gelato on a stumble to Sicily , but at long last the glacial dessert is a classic for a reason . Walk two feet and you ’ll be confronted with numerous gelaterias , but Gelati Bianca takes the patty for the wide range of flavors like stracciatella , mulberry , lemon , and more . Plus , the workshop is a three - minute of arc pass to Giradino Aretusa , a beautiful community garden that will dissemble you in shade .
Fratelli Burgio|Photo courtesy of Kelsey Allen
6 pm - Grab a glass of wine-colored atEnoteca Solaria . For a chic pre - dinner aperitif , kick back at this small natural wine stripe that ’s constantly pullulate with locals and serves considerable glass of Mount Etna wines for only a few euros . The standard atmosphere is cozy and welcoming , with “ smiley owners who make you experience like you ’re drinking with friends , ” Sarris says .
7:30 pm - Dine like a principessa atCortile Verga . There ’s no visiting a seaside Sicilian city without indulging in a seafood dinner party . To make the ritual of passing even more iconic , Cortile Verga is located in the courtyard of the eighteenth century Palazzo Bonanno Landolina — straight out ofRoman Holiday . The card is fertile , with classic spreads like Oysters , Fish Bruschetta , and Salmon Tartare .
Where to stay
L’Approdo Delle Sirenein Ortigia $ If you ’re in hunting of a simple and stable homebase , book a way at this adorable , no frill B&B right on the harbor . L’Approdo Delle Sirene is an amazing affordable option for those without a auto , as it is within walking distance of Ortigia ’s best restaurants and beaches .
Casa la Carrubbazzain Catania $ $ A pocket-sized , wizardly property near Mount Etna , Casa la Carrubbazza seems more like a local ’s home than a hotel , in all likelihood because it was once the estate of a noble family in Catania . There are only 20 rooms on the premiss , furnished with vintage small-arm and balcony leave out the garden .
Villa Igieain Palermo $ $ $ $ Once owned by the exorbitantly loaded Florio family , the former 19th one C palazzo turned 5 - star hotel is dump out with succulent gardens , marble floors , and a prospect of the Tyrrhenian Sea . Despite being merely a ten minute drive from business district Palermo , Villa Igiea ’s serene , seaside domicile will make you experience snub off from the chaos . Make certain to catch a drink at the aforesaid terrace saloon to get the full experience .
Cala Rossa Beach|Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images. GordonBellPhotography/iStock/Getty Images.
What to know before you go
How to get around
Sicily ’s metropolitan area like Palermo and Ortigia are quite condensed , meaning they ’re not only walkable but most pleasurable on metrical foot ( how else will you spot the gorgeous mosaic etch into houses and the adorable grandmothers hanging their laundry ? ) . However , for more distant place like Mount Etna , it ’s decidedly most commodious to rent a car ; just be on guard and confident , as local drivers sometimes act like they ’re in a game of Mario Kart . That being said , the train from Palermo to Bagheria is only 10 minutes ( which you may bookhere ) , and the Interbus also has a great and loose arrangement , which you may perusehere . Both alternative earmark travelers to corrupt tickets in progression .
The currency
Sicily habituate the euro ( EUR ) and each euro is deserving 100 euro centime coin . As of November 2024 , $ 1 USD exchanges for 0.95 euros .
International adapters you’ll need
Sicily usesPlug TypesC ( two rounded pin ) , F ( two rounded pin with one hole above them , plus two grounding clip ) , and L ( three rounded pin ) . Italy ’s received voltage is 230V , with a frequency of 50 Hz .
When to plan your visit
This is drug-addicted on what you need out of your tripper ; if your main objective is a gay beach vacation , Sicily stay warm from May to October , with the strong months being June , July , and August . However , if you ’re aim to be there during peak lemon yellow season , book a trip any time between December and June . Just remark that the temperature during that time can drop to the 50s .
Your fun Sicily dinner party fact
There aremore well - carry on Hellenic temple in Sicilythan anywhere else in the world , including Greece . This is because the island was once home to a series of Greek colonies with religious settlers seeking places of worship . The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is one of the most notable examples , featuring seven still - standing temples .
Forte Vigliena|travellaggio/iStock/Getty Images
Cortile Verga|Photo courtesy of Cortile Verga Ortigia
Villa Igiea|Photo courtesy of Villa Igiea
