Holidays to Sicily

Home to stunning Mediterranean beaches, ancient Greek temples (yep, not Italian) and the chest-beating Mount Etna, holidays to Sicily are nothing short of pure magic.

Island fever

When the heat of summer hits, there’s no better place to be than on the coast in Sicily. Basking on the edge of insanely blue seas with water as clear as our obsession with sun-kissed getaways, the island’s beaches are something else!

Make like the locals and cool off by leaping from the rocks at Blue Marino on Favignana island or settle for an icy granita on Trapani’s sandy, mountain-backed San Vito lo Capo.

Diverse dishes

It’s not all pasta, pizza and gelato in Sicily (though we’d be totally fine with that!). The island’s cuisine also has Greek and Arabic influences, with couscous being one of the foods adopted by the islanders over the years (do try the couscous alla trapanese). It’s that big there’s even a Cous Cous Festival in September!

Seafood, of course, is also a staple here. For a Sicilian classic, order pasta with sardines, pine nuts and raisins.

Temple time

Sicily is crammed with all kinds of historic sites, but its ancient Greek temples are defo one of the major highlights on the island.

Head down to the almond tree-festooned Valley of the Temples in Agrigento in southwest Sicily, which is as dreamy as it sounds. Here you can wander past the remaining columns of temples dedicated to Greek gods, buff statues and creepy sacrificial altars.

Capital capers

A big ol’ melting pot of cultures, the Sicilian capital Palermo is your go-to for city break vibes – think bustling markets, baroque churches and art galleries casually housed in 15th-century palaces (yes, we’re talking about you, Galleria Regionale della Sicilia!).

After you’ve hit your daily step count, swing by a natural wine bar in the buzzy Kalsa district for some liquid refreshment.

Etna adventures

Sicily’s volatile geological giant, Mount Etna, isn’t just a beauty to look at. You can also hike the still active volcano or even ski down its slopes in winter, too.

Trek up to one of the four main craters from the cable car station or, if you don’t fancy the workout, hop on a late-arvo cable car sunset ride. Bellissimo!