Sicily

A melting pot of culture and style with dramatic landscapes

In the heart of the mediterranean, with some of the finest sites of Greek civilisation, elaborate baroque style towns, beautiful beaches, fine food, plenty of sunshine and dramatic landscapes, Sicily is a destination that truly has something for everyone.

Well preserved Greek temples, Roman villas and Norman cathedrals for those seeking an insight into the ancient world.  Fine wine from vineyards on the slope of Mount Etna and delicious food influenced by many culinary cultures for the epicurean among us. Numerous towns with stunning baroque style architecture for whiling away the days wandering through labyrinthine streets and sipping coffee in stunning piazzas. For those seeking dramatic landscapes, Mount Etna is a must – where you can walk or take a cable car to the summit and maybe walk around the rim of the crater. For culture vultures, Sicily has a number of theatre, opera and other performing arts festivals throughout the year, including live performances in the amphitheatre in Syracuse. And for beach lovers, numerous sandy and pebbly beaches providing glorious spots for watching sunsets.  

Sicily combines brilliantly with the Aeolian islands off the north coast.  For more information on these enchanting islands visit our Aeolian Islands page.  

Walking in Sicily

There is some lovely walking in Sicily. But unfortunately reliable walking maps are, with the exception of Etna, hard to find. For those who wish to self guide then Etna is a great destination and there is also a reputable book of walks for you to try. But trails are not well marked and so you will need to rely on the walking book. Alternatively there are plenty of guides who can take you on walks. A guided walk on Etna is an excellent way both to stretch your legs, see fantastic panoramas and learn about the volcano itself.  

Key Facts about Sicily

Sicily Photo Gallery

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Ideas for a trip to Sicily

Here are some ideas for trips to Sicily all of which can be adapted for you and we are always happy to create a bespoke trip from scratch.

From £1300

per person

Explore Etna and Sicily's Baroque towns

Spend three nights in a luxurious hotel in the countryside surrounding Mount Etna. Take a walk on the volcano, sample local wines and relax by the hotel's striking pool. Follow this with four nights staying in a boutique hotel in Noto with a roof terrace with fabulous views over the rooftops of the town. Spend your time visiting the beautiful Baroque style towns in south-eastern Sicily and perhaps walking in a local nature reserve or relaxing on the beaches.

From £989

Per person

Delicious Sicily

Spend three nights in a luxurious hotel in the countryside surrounding Mount Etna. Take a walk on the volcano, sample local wines and relax by the hotel's striking pool. Follow this with four nights staying in a boutique hotel in Noto with a roof terrace with fabulous views over the rooftops of the town. Spend your time visiting the beautiful Baroque style towns in south-eastern Sicily and perhaps walking in a local nature reserve or relaxing on the beaches.

From £1210

Per person

Sicily and the Aeolian Islands

Spend three days exploring the delights of elegant Taormina on Sicily before taking the boat across to Lipari. Here you can explore Lipari, hike some of the trails or take a boat trip around the island or to other islands. After two nights on Lipari take the boat to Vulcano where you can climb the volcano and bathe in the thermal muds before taking the ferry back to Sicily for your flight home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions that haven't been answered here? Send your questions to enquiries@shearwatertravel.co.uk and we'll try our best to help.

From 1 January 2021 you can visit Italy for up to 90 days in any 180 day period without a visa as a tourist.  For further information see the FCO website

You should ensure your usual vaccinations are up to date and check NHS Fit for Travel pages for Italy.

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