Sicily
An island of its own, Sicily layers Greek temples, Baroque towns, Etna's vineyards and extraordinary food.
Sicily is less a region than a world of its own — the largest island in the Mediterranean, shaped by Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans, and layered with the traces of each. The result is a place of extraordinary depth in art, architecture and food.
Its range is remarkable: the Greek temples of Agrigento and Segesta; the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto; brooding Mount Etna, whose volcanic slopes produce distinctive wines; cliff-top Taormina; and the volcanic Aeolian Islands offshore. Sicilian cooking — from street food to almond sweets — is a highlight in itself.
What to see and do
- Taste Etna wines on the volcano's black slopes
- Explore Baroque Noto, Ragusa and the Val di Noto
- See the Greek temples of Agrigento and Segesta
- Wander Palermo's markets and Monreale's mosaics
- Sail to the Aeolian Islands by private boat
When to go
April–June and September–October offer warm weather without the summer heat. Spring is green and flowering; autumn brings the grape and olive harvest.