When we planned our Sicily travel itinerary, we based ourselves in Giardini Naxos. A relaxed seaside town just a few minutes from Taormina. It was the perfect base for exploring eastern Sicily — close to beaches, the iconic hilltop town of Taormina, and day trips to Mount Etna and Syracuse.
If you’re interested in where to stay in Giardini Naxos, check out our post: Picture It, Sicily. 2025: Our Stay in Giardini Naxos
If you’re planning your own trip, other great bases in Sicily include:
- Palermo, the island’s energetic capital — perfect for exploring western Sicily, from Monreale to Cefalù.
- Catania, a lively port city with easy access to Mount Etna and the eastern coastline.
Each has its own personality. Palermo is bold and historical, Catania is vibrant and volcanic, and Giardini Naxos offers a laid-back beach vibe with postcard-perfect views.
From these hubs, you can easily explore the best places to visit in Sicily. From ancient temples to dramatic coastlines and the best cannoli of your life. We’ve rounded up seven incredible destinations that showcase the very best of the island. Whether you visit them all in a one-week Sicily itinerary or spread them out over a longer trip, each stop offers something unforgettable — from seaside towns and baroque cities to volcanic landscapes and historic wonders.
💡 Travel tip: For the best flight and transport deals across Europe, we’ve been booking through Kiwi.com — it’s been a great resource for finding affordable, flexible routes.
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The Best Way to Explore Sicily
| Renting a Car in Sicily (and Why You Really Should) Sicily is best explored by car. While trains and buses connect the major cities, many of the island’s most beautiful places — coastal lookouts, tiny inland villages, beaches, wineries, and archaeological sites — are either hard to reach or require long travel times without a vehicle. Driving gives you complete freedom to set your own pace, stop wherever you want (trust me, you’ll want to pull over for those views), and link together destinations that would otherwise take hours to reach. Where We Book Our Cars For Europe, we recommend renting through Localrent.com, a platform that works directly with local companies rather than large international chains. 🚗 You often get better prices, 🚗 More personalised service, 🚗 And specialised local cars that are ideal for narrow Sicilian roads. A Few Quick Tips 🚗 Book an automatic early — they sell out fast in Sicily. 🚗 Take photos of the car when you pick it up, just to be safe. 🚗 Choose full insurance for peace of mind (Sicilian parking can be… creative). 🚗 Avoid driving in historic centers if you can — many have ZTL zones with restricted access. |
Full post on Driving in Sicily coming soon!
Top 7 Places to Visit in Sicily
1. Taormina – The Hilltop Gem of Sicily
If there’s one town that embodies the magic of Sicily, it’s Taormina. Perched high above the sea with breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the Ionian coast, Taormina is elegant, charming, and endlessly photogenic.
Stroll along Corso Umberto, visit the ancient Greek Theatre, and stop for an aperitivo with a view. It’s the kind of place that makes you fall in love with Italy all over again.
👉 For our complete guide on Taormina check out Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Taormina (and You Will Be Too)
2. Cefalù – Coastal Beauty and Medieval Charm
On Sicily’s northern coast, Cefalù is one of the island’s most picturesque seaside towns. With its golden beaches, narrow cobbled lanes, and dramatic mountain backdrop, it’s easy to see why Cefalù is considered one of the top places to visit in Sicily.
Climb La Rocca for stunning views, wander through the old town, and stop by the Cefalù Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We didn’t stay overnight, but this is the kind of place that makes you wish you had another day.
Interested in visiting Cefalù, read our post: Cefalù, Sicily: The Beach Town Everyone Raves About… But Is It For You?
3. Palermo – The Beating Heart of Sicily
No Sicily travel guide is complete without Palermo, the island’s bustling capital. It’s chaotic, colorful, and bursting with life — a true mix of cultures and flavors.
We spent a day wandering through Palermo’s markets, sampling arancini and cannoli between stops at Piazza Pretoria and the Cathedral of Palermo. I even created a self-guided route to explore the best of the city on foot.
👉 Discover it here: Palermo Walking Tour: How to Explore Sicily’s Gritty, Gorgeous Capital .
👉 Love DIY walking tours? Don’t miss our Florence on Foot: Our DIY Renaissance Walking Tour
4. Agrigento – Valley of the Temples & the Turkish Steps
Heading south, Agrigento is home to one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Europe — the Valley of the Temples. These ancient Greek ruins are incredibly well-preserved and set against olive trees and sea views that take your breath away.
👉 If you’d like to dive deeper into the history, myths, and our full experience, check out our post on The Valley of the Temples.
Nearby, the Scala dei Turchi (Turkish Steps) is a brilliant white limestone cliff that cascades into turquoise waters. It’s now closed to visitors for preservation, but we still saw people venturing out. We chose to admire it from above and save our energy for exploring the temples.
One hidden treasure worth visiting is Il Castello Incantato (The Enchanted Castle), an open-air art installation filled with hundreds of carved stone faces created by local artist Filippo Bentivegna. It’s quirky, haunting, and one of those places that make you fall even deeper for Sicily’s creativity.
5. Syracuse & Ortigia – Ancient History and Coastal Charm
On the southeastern coast, Syracuse and its island district, Ortigia, are must-see stops on any Sicily itinerary. The city blends ancient Greek history with elegant baroque architecture, all surrounded by sparkling blue water.
Explore the Cathedral of Syracuse, the Fountain of Arethusa, and the Greek Theatre. Don’t miss the Neapolis Archaeological Park — especially the Ear of Dionysius and its incredible ancient ruins.
Wander Ortigia’s narrow lanes, grab a gelato, and watch the sunset from Lungomare di Levante — pure Sicilian magic. If you can, take a boat tour to see sea caves, hidden coves, and Ortigia’s golden skyline from the water.
👉 For the full list of what to see and do, read our post on Syracuse and Ortigia.
6. Catania – City of Fire and Flavor
Though we didn’t make it to Catania on this trip, it’s one of the best cities to visit in Sicily for those who love lively local culture. Framed by Mount Etna, Catania is famous for its black lava-stone buildings, vibrant markets, and thriving food scene.
Stroll Via Etnea, explore Piazza del Duomo, and order a granita with brioche — a Sicilian breakfast classic.
7. Mount Etna – The Fiery Giant
Dominating the island’s skyline, Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano. It’s also one of the most fascinating natural landmarks in Sicily. You can hike, take a cable car, or join a jeep tour to explore its lunar landscapes.
We decided to skip the hike. After climbing a volcano in Hawaii, we felt we’d done our share of lava trekking). Even from a distance, however, Etna’s presence is awe-inspiring. The mineral-rich soil from its ash gives Sicilian red wines their signature earthy flavor — definitely worth a tasting!
| The Syps Family Sicily Tip Box 🍋 Rent a Car — Sicily is easiest (and way more fun) with a car. Great for reaching beaches, hill towns, wineries, and archaeological sites. We use localrent.com 🍋 Book Skip-the-Line Tickets — Popular spots like Taormina, Palermo attractions, and the Valley of the Temples get busy. Pre-booking saves time in the heat. 🍋 Choose the Right Base – Giardini Naxos – relaxed beach base near Taormina (here’s where we stayed) – Palermo – historic, energetic, ideal for western Sicily – Catania – lively city with easy access to Etna 🍋 Start Early — Beat the crowds and the sun at places like Taormina, Cefalù, and Agrigento. 🍋 Try ALL the Sicilian Dishes — Arancini, cannoli, granita brioche, pasta alla norma, caponata… everything is delicious. 🍋 Carry Some Cash — Smaller cafés, beach bars, and markets often prefer cash over cards. |
The Syps Survivial Summary
Did we survive driving in Sicily?
Barely. Italian drivers are wild, lanes are more of a “suggestion,” and roundabouts feel like real-life video games. But we made it — and we’ll have a full post on driving in Sicily coming soon for anyone brave enough to try it.
As for Sicily itself?
This island won us over completely. From Taormina’s sweeping views and Cefalù’s golden beaches to Palermo’s energy, Agrigento’s ancient temples, Syracuse’s baroque beauty, and the dramatic slopes of Etna, Sicily delivers scenery, history, food, and chaos in the best possible way.
We ate everything (no regrets), skipped one volcano hike (definite relief for some of us), and soaked in as much Sicilian sunshine as possible.
If you’re dreaming of a trip filled with beaches, ruins, incredible food, and unforgettable towns, Sicily is your place — and these seven destinations are the perfect way to start planning.