1. Excursion to Mount Etna
The wonderful looming spectre of Mount Etna, rising dramatically above Catania and the towns on the eastern coast, is also a fantastic playground for those that like adventure activities. If you have time, taste some of the wine that is produced on its slopes. If you are not the adventurous or sporty type go by cable car and volcano SUV to main crater area at 2.900 m.
2. Marvel at the mosaics of Monreale
Sicily is dotted with wonderful remnants of the craftsmanship of the Normans. But the ones at the at Cathedral of Monreale are simply breathtaking. The mosaics here are also particularly important in the Christian world and depict scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.
3. Visit the Valley of the Temples
One of Sicily’s most popular sights, the Greek temples in Agrigento on the western coast should be on your travel wish list of Sicily. The massive archaeological site features enormous columns, altars, statues and chunks of stone to explore.
4. Feast on the wonderful Sicilian dish Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a popular dish, particularly in Catania, and is a rather divine combination of aubergines, tomatoes and smoked ricotta cheese - heavenly indeed.
5. Bathe at San Vito lo Capo
Splash into the waters on one of Sicily’s most beautiful coastlines. San Vito Lo Capo has a superb arc of sand with a backdrop of spectacular mountains and it’s small enough to be intimate and enjoyable. The local food specialty here is couscous – make sure you try it while in town.
6. Stay in an ancient tonnara
In Sicily fishermen once used fixed-net systems a few kilometers long with associated plants for processing the tuna catch - these were called the tonnare. Today there are very few of these left given new rules about fishing and the diminishing number of the tuna fish themselves. There are several left in the Mediterranean, and some of the best in Sicily include those at Bonagia and Favignana. If you wish to stay in one consider visiting the tiny town of Scopello and its associated tonnara right by the sea.
7. Indulge in the foods of Sicily
Sicilian food is worth mentioning in this list as an item on its own as there are simply so many good drinks, snacks and meals to be had here. Some things to make sure you try while you’re on the island include the refreshing ice drink granita sold in summer, wonderful arancini - rice balls stuffed with cheese and meat, pizzas dripping with tasty toppings, great Marsala wine and sweets such as cannoli - tubular pastries stuffed with sweet ricotta. Buon appetito!
8. Gole dell'Alcantara
For those basing on the east coast near Catania or Taormina, this wonderful gorge is a fantastic place to beat the summer heat. With fantastic swimming holes and lots of shady waterside spots it’s a good place to bring a picnic and relax for the day. You can also join tours venturing past the waterfalls and boulders.
9. See a concert at the wonderful Greek theatre in Taormina
The famous theatre of Taormina has a superb vista of Mount Etna and is also one of Sicily’s most celebrated ruins - dating to Roman times but of Greek design. While you can visit during the day, it's worth coming back in the evening, too, for an open air concert or opera. These are usually held during the summer months and are an amazing experience.
10. Explore Sicily’s wonderful National Parks
Sicily has a number of fantastic wilderness areas including Parco Regionale delle Madonie, Parco dei Nebrodi and Parco Regionale dell'Etna. These are great places to walk, ski and enjoy the wildlife and each is significantly different from the rest.
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