After road tripping around the island of Sicily for a month, we’ve put together a collection of villages and cities we think are actually unmissable and ones we’d personally go back to on our next trip. Some are iconic, some are quieter, all of them are worth adding to your list. We’ve also list the things we enjoyed personally in each town along with best hotels to stay.
Best of Sicily At a glance
- Best historic base: Ortigia
- Best classic seaside town: Cefalù
- Best views and luxury feel: Taormina
- Best traditional hill town: Ragusa Ibla
- Best baroque architecture: Noto
- Best island escape: Aeolian Islands
- Best wild coastline: Zingaro Nature Reserve
- Best city energy: Palermo & Catania
Ortigia / Syracuse
Ortigia is a beautiful seaside village on a small island connected to the coast of Siracusa. It’s packed with incredible restaurants, wine bars, and boutiques hidden down narrow laneways, and it’s one of those places that works just as well during the day as it does late into the evening.
There’s a timeless feel here. Old stone buildings, salty air, locals filling the piazzas, and the sea always a few streets away. Make sure you stay inside Ortigia itself, best for 2–3 nights if you want to walk everywhere and avoid driving, and its an easily walkable town, small and flat.
Must try / do:
- Wander the back streets around the Duomo with no plan
- Aperitivo along Lungomare di Levante
- Swim off the rocks near Forte Vigliena
- Early morning walk before the island wakes up
Stay:
Cefalù
One of the most well known seaside towns in Sicily, sitting on the north coast of the island. The historic old town stretches right along the water, backed by the dramatic Rocca di Cefalù.
It’s an easy place to base yourself for 3-4 days. Mornings wandering the lanes, long seafood lunches, and afternoons on the sandy beach. Be asure to stay in the Old Town around the Duomo or port to be amongst it all.
Must try / do:
- Walk up La Rocca early for views over the town
- Swim at Spiaggia di Cefalù or smaller coves west of town
- Sunset along the old port seawall
- Simple seafood pasta in the historic centre
Stay:
Taormina
Taormina is the famous hilltop town on Sicily’s east coast. Yes, it’s popular, but it still earns its place. It’s become a luxury hotspot, with some of the island’s most iconic hotels, beach clubs, and boutiques.
Even a short visit feels special around 2-3 days, mostly thanks to the views. be sure to stay overnight or arrive early to explore before the tourist buses and cruise ship crowds arrive, especially in summer. If you’re staying you can choose between hotels in the upper town or in the lower part down by the beaches. both are conected by cable car and regular shuttle bus.
Must try / do:
- Teatro Antico for views over Mt Etna and the coastline
- Granita at Bam Bar
- Lunch at Osteria da Rita
- Isola Bella and Mazzarò Beach
- Drinks or dinner at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo
Stay:
- Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo
- Taormina infinity suites
- Atlantis Bay Retreats
- Villa Fiorita
- The View
- Four Seasons San Domenico Palace
Ragusa
Ragusa Ibla is one of the most beautiful hill towns we visited. Quiet, traditional, and filled with baroque architecture, it feels slower than many other places in Sicily.
If you can, stay in Ragusa Ibla (the old traditional town) rather than Ragusa Superiore. It’s small, but perfect for a couple of nights of wandering, eating well, and doing very little.
Must try / do:
- Walk the old streets at golden hour
- Sunset drinks and aperitivo over looking the old town from Al Gradino
- get a local cold cuts and cheese board with wine at Salumeria Baroco
- Visit the Duomo di San Giorgio
- Long, slow mornings with coffee in the piazza
Stay:
Noto
Not far from Ragusa, Noto is ideal for a night or two, or even a day trip. The architecture is striking, built from pale stone that glows in the afternoon light.The town really comes alive around sunset in the summer months.
Must try / do:
- Sunset stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele
- Pasta at A Putia delle Cose Buone
- Pizza near the Duomo
Stay:
Aeolian Islands
This was one of our favourite parts of Sicily. The Aeolian Islands sit off the north coast and are reached by ferry from Milazzo.
If you’re choosing just one island, Salina is the easiest and most versatile base. It’s greener, more developed, and has the best mix of hotels, restaurants, and swimming spots. We hired an electric scooter and explored the island slowly, stopping in small villages and along the coastline. It’s ideal for a few relaxed nights without feeling isolated.
Filicudi is something else entirely. Quieter, more rugged, and beautifully minimal. In peak summer it turns into a low key trendy hotspot, with pop up bars, long dinners, and evenings that stretch late by the water. It’s less about ticking spots off and more about taking in the island summer vibe.
If you have the time, combining Salina with Filicudi works beautifully. If not, Salina is the better standalone choice.
Must try / do:
Salina
- Panini at Terre di Salina
- Granita from the blue kiosk on Via Colombo
- Lunch at Pa.Pe.Ro
- Explore the island by car or scooter
- visit the dramatic coastal town and cliffs of Polara
Filicudi
- Lunch / Dinner at La Sirena
- Sushi at Filicrudi
- Sunset drinks at Saloon
- Boat trips around the island
Stay:
Salina
Filicudi
Zingaro Nature Reserve
Zingaro is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Sicily. Wild, rugged, and untouched.
There are no roads inside the reserve, only hiking trails that lead to a series of small coves with crystal clear water. It gets extremely hot in summer and there are no facilities, so planning ahead is important. Towns of Scopello or Castellammare del Golfo make the best bases.
Must try / do:
- Cala Capreria
- Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo
Tips:
Bring plenty of water, closed shoes, and sun protection. The trails are rocky and exposed.
Stay:\
Egadi / Aegadian Islands
If you are spending some time in the north west of Sicily its worth adding the Egadi islands to you list. They are a group of five small islands reachable by ferry from the town of Trapani. The islands are rocky, rugged and minimal but have some of the bluest water youll find in sicily. Favignana being the largest of the islands has restaurants and hotels and you can explore around the islands coves withe either a boat tour or renting scooters / bicicles. Levanso is also a beautiful stop although a lot smaller with a few airbnbs and a couple of restaurants, the traditional fishing harbour is beautiful. The Egadi islands can be done as a day trip or stay a couple of nights to allow more time to explore. make sure to bring water shoes and some of the beaches are sharp and rocky to access.
Liberty Lines Fast Ferries run daily from Trapani it takes around 30 minutes – book in advance here.
Must try / do:
- Cala rosa & Cala Bue Marino rocky beaches for aqua blue water
- Cala Azzura for a small sandy beach with blue waters
- Lido Burrone, the main beach in favignana town if you want sun beds
- Boat trip around Favignana for secret coves and snorkling
- Visit Levanzo harbour & fishing village
Palermo & Catania
You’ll likely arrive in either Palermo or Catania when flying into Sicily. Many people skip them, calling them chaotic or overwhelming, but we really love both.
They’re loud, messy, full of culture, and deeply Sicilian. If you embrace the energy, they’re unforgettable.
Palermo
The capital of Sicily is vibrant, chaotic, and full of life. The historic centre is a maze of laneways, markets, churches, and crumbling ruins.
At night, the city shifts. Bars spill onto the streets and areas like La Vucciria come alive. make sure to stay in the historic centre for atmosphere and walkability.
Must try / do:
- Cannoli and pastries at I Segreti del Chiostro
- Fontana Pretoria
- Quattro Canti
- Palermo Cathedral
- Evening drinks around La Vucciria
Stay:
Vossia Luxury Room
Bastione Spasimo
Sui Tetti di Balarm
Bastione Spasimo
Palazzo Sovrana
Casa Nostra
Catania
Catania sits beneath Mt Etna and feels completely different to Palermo. Dark volcanic stone buildings, wide streets covered in a fresh dusting of volcanic ash, Roman ruins, and some of the best street food youll find on the island.
It’s rough around the edges, but full of character. stay Near the historic centre, or closer to the coast if you want quieter nights.
Must try / do:
- Rooftop of Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata at sunset
- Visit the fish market in the morning
- Arancini at Pasticceria Savia
- Day trip to Mt Etna
Stay:
- BASTIÒ PRIVATE SUITES
- Palazzo Marletta
- Habitat Boutique Hotel
- Mirone – Suite Apartments
- Manganelli Suite
FAQ – visiting Sicily
How long do you need in Sicily?
Ideally at least 10 to 14 days. Sicily is large, roads can be a bit slower and rushing between places takes away from the experience. A month felt perfect for us, but even two weeks lets you slow down properly.
Is it better to base yourself in one place or move around?
Moving around works best. We preferred having a few bases and staying 2 to 4 nights in each, rather than changing hotels every night.
Do you need a car in Sicily?
Yes, if you want to explore beyond the main cities. Public transport works for Palermo, Catania, and some towns, but a car gives you access to beaches, reserves, and smaller villages.
When is the best time to visit Sicily?
Late May to June and September to early October are ideal. Summer is beautiful but very hot and busy, especially in August. we were there in september and it was still very hot and lively.
Is Sicily expensive?
Compared to other parts of Italy, Sicily still feels good value. Accommodation, food, and car hire are generally more affordable, especially outside peak summer.
Is Sicily safe for travellers?
Yes. Like anywhere, be mindful of pick pockets in busy city areas or leaving valuables in parket cars, but overall Sicily felt welcoming, relaxed, and easy to travel.
