If you plan on traveling in Sicily and want to talk through an itinerary, we would love to help, so feel free reach out!

Cathedral of Monreale

Stunning cathedral with beautiful mosaics. A must see

~35 min drive

Segesta

Ancient Greek city with temples

~35 min drive

Palermo

Capital of Sicily

~40 min

Scopello and Riserva dello Zingaro

Nature reserve with hike and beach

~45 min drive

Selinunte

Archeological park and ancient Greek city

~1hr drive

San Vito lo Capo

Famous beach and sea-side town known for its couscous

~1hr 15 mins

Erice

Ancient town in the mountains

~1hr 15 mins

Cefalù

Ancient sea-side town with UNESCO sites

~1hr 20 mins

For traveling to Palermo, we recommend driving there, finding a parking spot away from the city center, and then walking during your visit.

Historic City Center

Norman Palace: The royal palace of the Kings of Sicily. It is the oldest royal residence in Europe and houses the famous Paletine Chapel

Cathedral of Palermo: Considered the symbol of Palermo, this church is influenced by Byzantine, Arab, Gothic, and Norman styles

Quattro Canti: This intersection is known as the four corners of Palermo, with each façade depicting a different season

Piazza Pretoria: Also known as the "Square of Shame" for its ornate fountain decorated with nude sculptures

Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio: Commonly known as the "Martorana," this medieval church turned mosque turned back church is our favorite Palermo attraction. Make sure to go inside :)

Church of the Gesù: Also referred to as "Casa Professa," this church houses incredible baroque art and sculptures

Teatro Massimo: One of the largest opera theaters in Europe

Outdoor Markets

Ballarò: This 1000 year old market is the largest food market in Palermo

Vucciria: A bustling market the name of which is Sicilian dialect for "hubbub" or "chaos"

Mercato del Capo: Another market where you just can't go wrong

Other Attractions

Capuchin Catacombs: Burial catacombs of capuchin monks. It holds the largest collection of mummies in Europe

Politeama Theater: Opera theater famous for its triumphal arch

Known for its history, food, and beautiful beaches, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its central location, abundance of natural resources, and arable land have led to Sicily being invaded by many different civilizations throughout history. As a result, Sicily’s dialect, architecture, culture, and food are a diverse melting pot of Italian, Greek, Roman, Arab, Byzantine, Norman, Spanish, and many other heritages.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, a history-filled trip, adventures to parks and volcanoes, or maybe a combination of these, Sicily has it all! And regardless of which vacation you pick, there is one thing that you can always count on – great food :). We included a list of Sicilian specialties, but overall, eat everything in sight, you won’t regret it!

The capital and largest city in Sicily. Our wedding ceremony will take place in the historic center of Palermo!

Agrigento houses our favorite Sicilian attraction, the Valley of the Temples. This collection of Greek Temples is the largest outside of Greece and is an absolute must when visiting. During your time in Agrigento, you can also visit the famous "Scala dei Turchi" (Turkish Steps) beach, known for its climbable white cliff and skin-treating mud.

Taormina is Sicily's most popular tourist destination. It is best known for its stunning beach views, medieval UNESCO town, and ancient Greco-Roman theater, which is still in use today. The historic streets and architecture house some of Sicily's best views and restaurants.

Described by Cicero as the most beautiful of all Greek cities, Siracusa (and its ancient city center of Ortigia) remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Sicily. The entire city is listed as a UNESCO site and its historical heritage is remarkable.

This charming small sea-side village is a beautiful microcosm of everything Sicily has to offer. In Cefalù you'll find a beautiful beach, delicious food, history everywhere, and a fun hike up a mountain. The whole village can be easily seen in 1-2 days, but many people prefer to stay longer.

Located in eastern Sicily, Mt. Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe. It has recorded over 50 eruptions since February 2021 and you can commonly see lava streams coming down the side of the mountain. The volcano poses little threat to the city and offers a variety of tours and excursions.

Located south of Siracusa, Noto is revered for its stunning Baroque architecture and art. The city was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1693 and is now a UNESCO protected town.

This archipelago of volcanic islands is a UNESCO site and is located off the coast of northeastern Sicily. The 7 major islands are Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filcudi, Alicudi, and Panarea. This is a common honeymoon and vacation destination for Europeans.

Lampedusa is the southernmost island in Europe and is located closer to Africa than Sicily. Here you will find some of the world's best beaches, like the Rabbit Island beach pictured above. Lampedusa can be reached by flying from Palermo or Catania.

This isn't a destination but a note that Sicily's second international airport is in Catania (on the eastern side of Sicily, by Taormina, Etna, and Siracusa). While many travelers choose to do a full loop around Sicily, this is a useful tip if time is limited and you prefer to start your trip on one side of the island and conclude it on the other (ie start in Palermo, and end in Siracusa/Taormina, or vice versa).

Each conquering civilization left their mark on Sicilian food! In fact, Sicilian cuisine's primary characteristic is that it is always a blend.

Pasta, rice, and couscous are widespread. The most common ingredients you'll see in dishes include eggplants, sardines, almonds, and pistachios. Fish is essential. Vegetables and fruits like lemons, oranges, and prickly pears are staples. And, common street foods like arancini are considered delicacies abroad. Lastly, but maybe most importantly, Sicily is the dessert capital of Italy! Cannoli, gelato, cassata, and granita are all absolute musts.

Pasta alla Norma: Pasta with tomato sauce, sautéed eggplant, and ricotta salata

Pasta con i Tenerumi: Summer soup pasta with Sicilian summer squash

Pasta con le Sarde: Pasta with pine nuts and sardines, topped with bread crumbs

Couscous: Seasoned with fresh fish

Anelletti al Forno: Palermo's spin on baked pasta, this dish consists of ring-shaped pasta served with ragù and peas

Caponata: Sweet and sour antipasto consisting of fried eggplants and other vegetables

Arancini: Fried rice balls, stuffed with a filling (usually meat, sauce, and peas, but this will vary). They are either round or cone shaped. Our personal favorite :)

Pane e Panelle: Fried patties of ground chickpeas, seasoned with salt and lemon, placed in mafalde bread (Sicilian sandwiches)

Sfincione: Sicilian pizza with anchovies

Cannoli: Sicily is the birthplace of the famous Cannoli

Cassata: Sicilian sponge cake with sweetened fruits

Granita: A very refreshing Sicilian semi-frozen ice. Try the lemon or coffee flavors

Gelato: Try the hazelnut (nocciola) and pistachio. It is also common to get a topping of "panna" (Italian whipped cream) on your gelato

Gelato con Brioche: The OG ice cream sandwich, gelato served in a brioche bun