The Most Beautiful Places in Sicily to Visit in 2024

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is a destination that should be on your list, if it wasn’t already.

There are many beautiful places in Sicily to explore and quietly the island is emerging as one of Europe’s hottest summer destinations.

Frederick II, King of Sicily in the 13th century, once said “I don’t envy God’s paradise because I’m so satisfied to live in Sicily.” He definitely had a point.

The Italian island of Sicily is about 9.900 square miles (25.700 sq km). It offers blissful beaches, impossibly beautiful cliff-side villages, archaeological sites testifying to millennia of history, and lush vineyards producing standout Nero d’Avola, Inzolia, Nerello Mascalese, and Grillo grapes.

This sun-kissed triangle of land off the southern coast of Italy is unlike anywhere else in the world.

One of the most artistically and culturally rich destinations in Europe, this gorgeous island holds allure for those who enjoy mixing history with beach time, luxury accommodation, and a rich, varied, and unique cuisine.

In this article I want to share some of the most beautiful places to visit in Sicily. It’s a mix of popular destinations and more hidden gems, to help you explore everything this island has to offer.

10 of the Most Beautiful Places in Sicily

1. Scopello

If you’re looking for some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Europe, head to the picturesque coastal village of Scopello.

Scopello is located just a 30-minute drive west of the vibrant and eclectic Sicilian capital of Palermo.

Try some of the best seafood Sicily has to offer. Or some fluffy arancini di riso (Sicilian rice balls), and flavourful pasta con le sarde with wild fennel, sardines, and raisins. All while enjoying spellbinding views of the limestone Faraglioni rocks that rise out of the transparent cobalt-emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

This photogenic seaside hamlet, set on what is arguably the island’s most beautiful strip of coastline, has long been popular with Hollywood producers and directors.

Scopello’s bay starred in many acclaimed films and television series, including Ocean’s Twelve with Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and an episode of the hit Sicilian detective series Inspector Montalbano, based on the best-selling novels by Italian crime writer Andrea Camilleri.

This part of the island is also a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

There are numerous gorgeous hiking spots, like the charming Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, a beautiful protected area of coastline that runs for 5 miles to the beautiful seaside town of San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily’s answer to Copacabana.

A network of well-marked coastal hiking trails take you through rugged, prickly pear-covered ridges before dipping to some of Sicily’s best coves, beaches, and grottos, otherwise only reachable by boat.

Here you can really feel the spirit of the northwestern coast.

2. Trapani

Northwest Sicily is closer to Tunisia than to the Italian mainland, and it has a charm and character all of its own.

Beautifully set on a promontory at the foot of Mount Eryx on the northwestern rim of the island, the lively port town of Trapani is a gem worth visiting.

And it’s a perfect base from which to discover Sicily’s lesser-explored western coast.

Trapani’s Baroque historic center is a delight to wander around in, especially in the late afternoon when the setting sun casts the amber-colored churches, sumptuous palazzos, and postcard-perfect cobblestone streets with an apricot glow.

When in Trapani, you can also hop on a cable car to the beautifully preserved medieval walled town of Erice, where some of The Godfather trilogy’s most famous scenes were filmed.

3. Marsala

salt pans and windmills outside Marsala — Salt pans and windmills outside Marsala

Wine lovers should head to the beautiful seaside town of Marsala, Sicily’s most westerly point, known for its easy, breezy seaside vibe and flavorsome, richly colored, fortified wine.

From palm-fringed beaches and kitesurfing schools to charming wineries and superb seafood restaurants, the honey-colored town of Marsala has something for everyone.

And that’s not all. The picturesque chessboard of salt pans along the shore between Marsala and Trapani is a WWF-protected nature reserve for migratory birds, a real Mecca for birdwatchers.

Other must-sees around Marsala include the Egadi archipelago and the Phoenician archaeological site of Motya, in the Stagnone lagoon.

4. Menfi

With renowned vineyards and a great food scene, the historic wine town of Menfi is ideal for wine aficionados and foodies, along with nature lovers, outdoor explorers, and, apparently, even rock stars!

Did you know that Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger bought a seaside retreat in this area?

With miles of long pristine beaches, the almost entirely untouristic ancient town of Menfi provides great opportunities for cycling, windsurfing, diving, and snorkeling, plus wine-tasting and vineyard-hopping.

The area that Menfi is set in is just beautiful. Gently sloping hills carpeted with bright-green vineyards yielding some of Italy’s best wines descend right down to the electric-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, with Tunisia in the distance.

5. Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

The Valley of the Temples is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Sicily and shouldn’t be missed.

It is one of the best-preserved Greek archaeological sites in the world.

The UNESCO-protected Valley of the Temples, located within the city of Agrigento, on the southwest coast of Sicily, spreads over 3.000 acres bordered by silvery olive groves.

There are seven almost-intact 5th-century B.C. Doric temples to visit in the valley, which is actually not a valley but a hill.

Just a few miles west of the Valley of the Temples you can find the blindingly white, staircase-like rock formation of Scala dei Turchi, meaning the Stair of the Turks. This unique cliff is a candidate to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is worth a visit while you’re in this part of Sicily.

6. Selinunte

If you want to reach far, far, FAR back into the past, travel to the Selinunte Archaeological Park in the southwest of Sicily.

This is one of the largest and most impressive ancient Greek sites in the whole of the Mediterranean, covering a total of 270 hectares.

A powerful metropolis in ancient Greece, the city of Selinous (modern Selinunte) was built in the 7th century B.C. on a promontory overlooking the southwestern coast of the island.

The Acropolis of Selinunte is as striking as the more famous Valley of the Temples in Agrigento but far less touristy, and therefore in my opinion one of the best places to visit in Sicily.

The archeological park is a sprawling open-air museum containing the ruins of Greek temples and ancient town walls, and the remains of both commercial and residential buildings.

And as a bonus for coming to this more off-the-beaten-path part of Sicily, you’ll find that the nearby beaches are not only beautiful but also nearly empty, even in high season.

7. Taormina

Over the centuries, the glamorous town of Taormina, perched dramatically on a slope high above the deep-blue Ionian Sea, has charmed stars as varied as Wolfgang Goethe, Ernest Hemingway, Audrey Hepburn, and Liz Taylor.

This beautiful town on the east coast of Sicily, nicknamed the Pearl of the Ionian Sea, is still a favorite with the rich and famous.

Its twisting, cobbled alleyways and stone stairways will take you past beautifully restored medieval palazzos, picture-perfect piazzas, luxury boutiques, and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Its top sight is the impressively preserved 3rd century B.C. Greco-Roman open-air amphitheater, which is still being used as a venue for concerts and classical operas.

Take a cable car to the beach and go to beautiful Isola Bella, a tiny island connected to Sicily by a narrow stretch of sand.

And, Taormina is a great base from where to visit Mount Etna, which I’ll discuss next.

8. Etna Volcano

Believed to be the home of the Roman god of fire, Mount Etna is Sicily’s show-stopping jewel.

At almost 11.000 feet and growing with every eruption, Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe.

Book a guided tour or take a hike or jeep ride on this UNESCO World Heritage site looming over the city of Catania, and explore its craters and black lava fields safely, while learning about one of Mother Nature’s most unpredictable gifts.

9. Modica

As all fans of BBC Four’s Inspector Montalbano TV series know, the spectacular town of Modica is famous for its chocolate-making history.

The chocolate produced in this glorious Baroque town is still made using the ancient process dating back to the Aztecs. Visit the chocolate museum to learn more about the history of chocolate in Modica and to admire some unique chocolate statues.

The best way to explore this beautiful town in Sicily’s southeast corner is by walking up and down the stairs connecting its lower and upper sections, where houses are carved like caves into the rock.

Modica is home to magnificent Sicilian Baroque architecture and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Baroque art, along with seven other towns in the Val di Noto.

10. Syracuse

Syracuse is one of the most enchanting destinations in all of Sicily.

The UNESCO-listed city of Syracuse – known in Italian as Siracusa – was nearly as prestigious as Athens when it was a Magna Graecia colony.

Syracuse is an ancient city with a mighty backstory and the birthplace of the Greek Mathematician Archimedes.

A massive amphitheater constructed in the 5th century B.C. is still used for theatrical performances.

The most beautiful part of Syracuse is the small island of Ortigia which is the historical center of the city.

The island, connected to the rest of Syracuse by bridges, is a picturesque labyrinth of winding ancient streets, charming squares studded with Baroque buildings, cute shops, and nice restaurants.

Map of the Most Beautiful Places in Sicily

Visiting the Most Beautiful Places in Sicily – Conclusions

Are you looking for an alternative to the popular and more crowded Mediterranean islands such as Mallorca or Santorini?

This sun-drenched tri-cornered island in the very south of Italy offers the perfect balance of modern luxuries and the authentic Sicilian traditional feel.

Fun Fact: did you know you can take a train to Sicily? Yes, they put the train on a ferry to the island! You could take a direct train all the way from Rome to Sicily.

I hope this article has given you an idea of all the beautiful places Sicily has to offer. Have a great time exploring this incredible island!

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