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Best Sicily Attractions: an Island of Treasures
11 Jun 2025
Best Sicily Attractions: an Island of Treasures
Sicily intrigues at every turn. Its terrain ranges from the heights of rumbling Mount Etna, to turquoise waters lapping up against Taormina’s elegant beach. There are moon-like volcanic landscapes, soaring white cliffs and grassy plains. Between all this, an intoxicating blend of civilisations and culture: Sicily’s architectural attractions include Ancient Greek temples, Arab-Norman palaces and Byzantine mosaics.
The island’s diversity across all arenas: art, architecture and food culture creates unique opportunities. For instance, combine street markets and resplendent olive oil estates with stunning architecture in Palermo and Monreale. The possibilities for discovery on this Mediterranean treasure trove are endless.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Sicily
Sicily’s timeless appeal lies somewhat in its honest ability to show the visitor the mark of every successive wave of civilisation which has washed over the island. Sicily landmarks include the finest surviving Greek temples, Roman floor mosaics, untouched hill towns and Baroque palaces. Even the crumbling sites tell an important story: decades of political mismanagement have wrought havoc. But a vibrant gastronomy scene and enormous push for conservation mean that visiting Sicily reveals an island in constant motion. It remains an essential destination for any cultural tour to Italy.
Top ten attractions in Sicily
Here are the top 10 attractions that showcase the best places to visit on the island. It remains one of Italy's most captivating destinations, and we visit all of these sites on our small-group tours of Sicily.
1. Valley of the temples
Location: Agrigento, southern Sicily
Built: 5th-6th century BC
Architectural style: Doric Greek
Famous for: Temple of Concordia, UNESCO World Heritage status, best-preserved Greek temples outside Greece
The Valley of the Temples consists of seven Doric temples and constitutes the best-preserved clutch of Greek temples outside of Greece. Most intact is The Temple of Concordia, built around 430 BC.
The UNESCO protected landscape reveals a tale of unrivalled architectural legacy, political power, and natural disaster: the temple dedicated to Olympian Zeus was the largest of all temples before being laid waste by Carthaginians and violent earthquakes.
Visited on: our cultural tours of Sicily
2. Mount Etna
Location: Eastern Sicily, Province of Catania
Height: Over 3,300 meters
Status: Active volcano, eruptions since 2022
Famous for: Europe's most active volcano, UNESCO World Heritage status, unique volcanic wines, terrain.
Europe's tallest and most active volcano, Mount Etna has returned to the forefront of world news with its most eruptive phase ongoing since 2022 and into 2025. Standing at over 3,300 metres tall, Mount Etna dominates the eastern seaboard of Sicily as a constant reminder of raw geological power. From luminous lava flows visible at night to ash plumes puffing into the Mediterranean sky (plumes in 2002 were visible from Libya), the volcano is a dynamic site for any visitor to Sicily.
Lunar landscapes, rich volcanic soils and craters are revealed to visitors, who can explore Etna’s slopes by cable car and off-road vehicles. Our walking tour of Sicily includes a talk with a vulcanologist and encompasses the southern flanks of Etna’s lava fields from 2002’s eruption.
How safe is visiting Mount Etna? Though seemingly dramatic, eruptions are expected by Sicilians, and warning systems largely reduce eruptions to an inconvenience as opposed to life threatening. Head to our FAQs to read more about safety on Mount Etna.
3. Palermo Palatine Chapel
Location: Palermo, northwestern Sicily
Built: 1130-1140 AD
Architectural style: Norman-Arab-Byzantine
Famous for: Golden mosaics, multicultural context, royal chapel of Norman kings
The Norman occupation of Sicily in the 12th century was a golden age of church construction and mosaics. Hidden within the Norman Palace of Palermo, the Palatine Chapel showcases an extraordinary fusion of Fatimid, Byzantine and Norman decorative styles. The interior dazzles with gold mosaics, depicting biblical themes.
On the ceiling of the chapel, spot clusters of eight-pointed stars, of Muslim symbolism, arranged on the ceiling to form a Christian cross. This almost overwhelming experience is perhaps the strongest example of cultural cross-fertilisation and diversity on Sicily.
Private visit on our Christmas tour of Sicily.
4. Taormina
Location: Eastern Sicily, Province of Messina
Founded: 4th century BC by Greeks
Setting: Clifftop at 200m elevation
Famous for: Greek theater, Mount Etna views, medieval streets
Rising on a clifftop some 200 metres above the Ionian Sea, Taormina is a charming town containing buildings spanning five centuries. Mount Etna looms dramatically in the background of medieval streets, whilst its pedestrianised centre allows for relaxed exploration. Archaeological attractions in Taormina include The Teatro Greco, and several Roman ruins with far-reaching sea views and beyond to the Calabrian coast.
Traditionally an upmarket seaside resort, Taormina is bursting with wonders, including churches, gardens, and a Baroque fountain.
Visit on our Taormina small group tour.
5. Monreale Cathedral
Location: Monreale, 8km southwest of Palermo
Built: 1174-1189 AD
Architectural style: Norman-Arab-Byzantine
Famous for: Largest medieval mosaic cycle in Italy, UNESCO World Heritage status
Despite being a small town, Monreale’s cathedral hosts the largest cycle of Byzantine mosaics in Italy. The ultimate expression of the admixture of Norman-Arab-Byzantine styles, the golden mosaics depict Old and New Testament stories in extraordinary detail.
Built by William II in the 12th century, the cathedral is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Sicily. Its cloister adds another dimension, with 228 twin columns, each intricately decorated with carvings, geometric patterns and biblical scenes.
Visit Monreale Cathedral on our history and archaeology tour of Sicily.
6. Segesta Temple
Location: Calatafimi-Segesta, northwestern Sicily
Built: c. 420 BC
Architectural style: from the Elymian civilization
Famous for: Preserved Doric temple, unfinished state, countryside setting
The approach to the ancient Temple of Segesta is an unmatched experience. Rising dramatically amidst rolling hills of the Sicilian countryside, Segesta is a perfectly-preserved Doric Temple with mysterious origins. It was never completed: its unfinished state adds a fascinating, if haunting element of intrigue to the site.
Isolated in the country and surrounded by long grasses, a visit to Segesta offers the visitor an intimate encounter with Sicily’s archaeological heritage, difficult at busier sites. The ancient theatre on an adjacent hill is also worthy of examination and offers spectacular views across the sea.
Visited by our small-group tours of Sicily
7. Noto
Location: Noto, southeastern Sicily
Built: Rebuilt in 18th century after 1693 earthquake
Architectural style: Sicilian Baroque
Famous for: UNESCO World Heritage status, golden limestone architecture
Rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, the hill town of Noto is one of the loveliest and most homogenous Baroque towns in Italy. The honey-coloured stone streetscape is interjected with carved stone balconies with elaborate ironwork. The cathedral of San Carlo offers further opportunity to study the Baroque style in intimate detail.
Visited on our tour ‘Civilisations of Sicily’
8. Cefalù Cathedral
Location: Cefalù, northern Sicily
Built: 1131-1267 AD
Architectural style: Norman-Romanesque
Famous for: Twin towers, Byzantine mosaics, UNESCO World Heritage status
Cefalù is a charming coastal town, hosting yet another huge Norman cathedral which rises like a fortress above medieval streets. Its twin towers and noteworthy Byzantine mosaics make this landmark one of the best places to visit in Sicily. Built by Roger II in the 12th century, its exquisite Christ Pantocrator is of further note.
Cefalù itself is worth visiting in its own right. The intimate medieval town, cobblestone streets and a beautiful beach make this a punchy cultural, artistic and archaeological gem.
Visited on our tour ‘Civilisations of Sicily’
9. Radicepura Gardens
Location: Giarre, eastern Sicily (near Catania)
Opened: 2017
Size: 9 hectares
Famous for: Contemporary landscape design, Mediterranean plant collections, sustainable gardening practices
In contrast to Sicily’s abundant beautiful (but private) gardens, Radicepura presents Mediterranean landscape design in a civic and educational context. Opened only in 2017 and designed by renowned landscape architect Pietro Porcinai’s protégé, the 9-hectare garden is a careful curation of native plants, sculptures and water features.
Renowned British garden designer Sarah Eberle is a founding figure of the Radicepura Garden Festival and leads on educational programmes on site. Exploring themes of sustainability, climate change and human-botanical relationships, Radicepura is a thought-provoking and beautiful addition to any Sicily itinerary.
Visited on our upcoming gardens tour of Sicily. Register your interest.
10. Palermo Street Markets
Location: Historic center of Palermo
Origins: Medieval period
Districts: Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo markets
Famous for: Authentic street food, cultural immersion, fresh produce
Palermo’s most historic street markets, Ballarò, Vucciria and Capo, are essential amongst things to do in Sicily. Pulsing with authentic energy of quotidian Sicilian life, the markets showcase a fascinating aspect of Italian food culture. Stalls here heave with seasonal produce and fresh seafood, but also Sicilian delicacies: Arancini, panelle (chickpea fritters) and sfincione are most popular.
A visit to these markets, whether to sample piping hot panelle or simply to absorb the atmosphere, adds a living and dynamic addition to the beautiful cathedrals and archaeological sites on the island.
Visit the markets on our food tour of Sicily.
How to See the Best of Sicily
Visitors can be surprised by the size of the island, and visiting all of these landmarks can be challenging.
Our small group cultural tours of Sicily range across the entire island, tying together art, architecture, gastronomy and gardens into fascinating itineraries.
Our ever-popular ‘Civilisations of Sicily’ tour covers the main sights – including Segesta and the Palatine Chapel, but also ventures to many lesser-known ones. Meanwhile, our food tour of Sicily, ‘Gastronomic Sicily’ focusses on artisan production and age-old culinary traditions.
Each led by an expert speaker, including archaeologists, such as Dr Mark Grahame and art historians, our tours unpick this Island’s unrivalled cultural repository.
Currency
Euro (€)
Timezone
GMT+1
Flight time from London
4hrs
Why visit Sicily with Martin Randall Travel?
For 36 years, Martin Randall Travel has been one of the most influential and pioneering organisations in the cultural travel arena, offering over 230 tours in 2026. Our small groups - made up of between 10 and 20 participants ensures like-minded and congenial company, whilst full financial protection offers peace of mind.
Our tours to Sicily are amongst our most popular, and the itineraries honed over many years, presenting special access to places not generally accessible to travellers. Our first-rate speakers are selected for their knowledge and communication and are passionate Sicily experts.
Visiting Sicily: frequently asked questions
You can fly into Catania or Palermo airports, or cross the Strait of Messina by ferry. Our cultural tours of Sicily include flights.
