Reasons You Should Book A Trip To Sicily ASAP

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and has something for every kind of traveller. There are beaches for the sun worshippers, volcanos for the hikers and, for the archaeology buffs, ancient temples and grand Norman and baroque churches. We haven’t forgotten the foodies either. There are lively and colourful markets and desserts to rival any on the planet. Here’s our list of reasons why you need to go to Sicily.

Want to island-hop and visit active volcanoes? Book Culture Trip’s 10-day adventure, which will show you the best Sicily has to offer.

Islands, lots of them

Salina, part of the Aeolian Islands, is one of several islands around Sicily

An island with its own islands. In fact, Sicily has three sets of islands: there are the seven Aeolians to the north, three Aegadian off the eastern edge, and the Pelagie Islands nearer to Malta and Tunisia than mainland Italy. You have your choice of vibes ranging from the jet set glamour of summertime Panarea in the Aeolian islands, to the barefoot chic of Favignana, to the rugged charm of Linosa.

Lay down a towel on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world in Sicily

The beach at San Vito lo Capo in northwest Sicily is regularly named among the best beaches in the world, with miles of white sand, rocky outcrops and crystal-clear waters. There are also national parks with long empty stretches of sand and tiny rocky coves on virtually unknown islands. The water in Sicily is calm and warm, with the best time for swimming from June until well into October.

Baroque Sicily

The town of Ragusa is a cultural marvel, with plenty of baroque buildings to explore

In the southeastern corner of the island, there are a cluster of towns that are a baroque architectural wonderland. Noto, Ragusa and Monica are each filled with flamboyant churches and palazzos in soft ochre tones and plenty of swirls. A devastating earthquake in 1693 destroyed this part of Sicily and the result was the creation of new cities and lavish buildings. Look out for details such as elaborate balconies and putti (plump winged cherubs).

Food and wine

Embark on a foodie adventure when you come to Sicily

Did you know that Chef Boyardee SpaghettiOs are actually based on a traditional Sicilian dish? Or that it’s perfectly acceptable to eat gelato for breakfast in Sicily? This is just the beginning of the culinary wonders you can find only in Sicily. Look for anelli – which means little rings – in the pasta section of the market as a unique souvenir. Sicilian wines are world renowned, with the reds and whites grown in the ashy volcanic soil near Mount Etna particularly delicious.

You can watch a volcano erupt every night

Get a gripping view of the active volcano Etna from the Greek-Roman Amphitheatre of Taormina

Sicily has two active volcanos, Etna which rumbles occasionally and Stromboli on the Aeolian island of the same name which puts on a nightly show. This volcano has been continuously active for roughly 2,000 years with short bursts of flame and ash. Occasionally you might catch a deep red lava flow from a crater down to the sea below. You can take an evening hike to the top or a boat cruise and watch nature’s fireworks from the sea.

Nightlife in Catania

The seaside town of Catania, on the eastern coast of Sicily, is the place to be if you like to stay up late and dance the night away. The city is home to a large university, so start your evening at one of the low key bars in the historic centre. There are brew pubs and live music venues around the Teatro Massimo, and Banacher is a lively nightclub near the beach.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.