Sicily v Sardinia: Which Italian Island Should You Visit?

Want to visit Sicily? Book Culture Trip’s 10-day adventure, where you’ll be able to eat local cuisine, bounce around Mount Etna in a 4×4 and be guided through the ancient towns of Noto, Ragusa and Modica by our local insider.

Italian cuisine varies greatly between regions, and Sicily’s has been heavily shaped by Arabic, Greek, French and Spanish influences over the years. You’ll still find typical pizza and pasta dishes – particularly in Palermo and Catania – but why not sample some delicious Sicilian delicacies for a more authentic experience?

Arancini (deep-fried stuffed rice balls) and cannoli (tube-shaped pastries filled with sweet ricotta) are ubiquitous across the island. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try a pane con la milza (pork spleen sandwich) before cleansing the palate with a scoop of granita (a semi-frozen dessert made with ice, sugar and fruit).

Although not quite as expansive, Sardinian cuisine features numerous specialities you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in Italy. Culurgiones (pasta stuffed with creamy potato, fresh mint and pecorino cheese) and spaghetti ai ricci di mare (sea urchin spaghetti) are two traditional favourites.

If pristine sandy beaches are what you’re looking for, Sardinia certainly won’t disappoint. There’s a vast array to choose from around the 1,849km (1,148mi) coastline – with Cala Goloritzé, Porto Istana, Cala Brandinchi and Spiaggia del Principe among the highlights. Swim in calm, clear waters or lie back and catch some rays – it’s one of the prime spots in Europe to do so. Sicily has no shortage either, with many of its beaches characterised by pebbles and craggy rock formations – as well as a handful of sandier shores more suitable for sunbathing, such as San Vito Lo Capo and Mondello.

Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe at around 10,826ft (3300m), dominates the northeastern skyline of Sicily and offers an ideal vantage point for panoramic views. Follow one of the easily accessible walking trails or take the cable car for a more relaxing route up the slopes. On the northwest coast, the Zingaro Nature Reserve contains several excellent hiking routes if you want to experience a totally contrasting side to the natural landscapes of Sicily. Hikers are also spoilt for choice in Sardinia, with coastal, mountain and forest trails aplenty. Neptune’s Grotto – an awe-inspiring stalactite cave – is well worth exploring, too.

Sicily’s complex history of invasion and foreign rule is reflected in the varied architectural styles of the towns and cities. You can admire the intriguing blend of Norman, Arab, gothic and neoclassical influences at Palermo Cathedral, which – together with the Cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale – form part of a Unesco World Heritage list of religious and civic landmarks. The late renaissance-style Teatro Massimo – the largest opera house in Europe – is another impressive sight, both inside and out.

For one of the most extensive and best-preserved sites of ancient Greek temples and monuments in the world, take a trip to the Valley of the Temples – where the Temple of Concordia bears a powerful resemblance to the Parthenon of Athens. Syracuse, a picturesque city on the southeastern coast, is similarly steeped in Greek and Roman culture.

From the grand religious buildings and rambunctious food markets of Palermo in the north to the baroque piazzas and exuberant nightlife of Catania in the east, the urban hubs of Sicily are teeming with life – but there are plenty of smaller towns and villages with a different kind of charm. Drive an hour east from Palermo and you’ll arrive at Cefalù – a laid-back town on the Tyrrhenian coast set against the dramatic backdrop of La Rocca, an 879ft (268m) cliff with a castle at the top.

In Taormina – an idyllic hilltop town on the east coast lined with medieval cobbled streets – you can visit the ancient Greek-Roman amphitheatre with spectacular vistas of Mount Etna and the Mediterranean. Venture up a little higher to Castelmola for an even better observation point.

In Sardinia, Cagliari is where you’ll find the richest selection of accommodation, restaurants and bars. It’s an attractive city which tends not to be overly crowded with tourists, and the historic centre – Quartiere Castello – is a delightful area to take a stroll. On the north coast, the harbour village of Castelsardo is especially eye-catching with a hilltop castle and colourful houses.

Unbeknown to some, Sicily is an island with its own set of islands. Reachable by ferry from Milazzo, the Aeolian archipelago comprises seven islands – each with a unique appeal. Sample the nightlife of Panarea, walk up an active volcano on Stromboli or soak in the mud baths and hot springs of Vulcano. A day trip to the Aegadian Islands off the northwest coast is also seriously worth considering to access secluded beaches and scenic nature trails.

Sardinia’s Maddalena archipelago shouldn’t be overlooked either. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in the Caribbean, with turquoise lagoons and swathes of unspoilt beaches – including Spiaggia Rosa renowned for having peculiar pink sand. It takes just 20 minutes to get there by ferry from Palau.

This is an updated rewrite of an article originally by Gillian McGuire.