Sicilian Travel Guide & Trip Adviser

Island of Sicily is one of the top vacation spots in Italy due to the rich historical heritage, awesome natural beauty and countless tourist attractions. The Mediterranean influence is very strong and can be felt with ease particularly on its cuisine. This island is separated by mainland of Italy by the Strait of Messina, that was since centuries a geographical and cultural border.

The architectural style of the cities in the eastern part of Sicily was formed under the Baroque influence and received the name of "Sicilian Baroque". Any trip adviser to Sicily include information about some of the most interesting travel destinations located on the eastern side such as Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Ispica and Noto. Magnificent vestiges and remains of the Sicilian Baroque era are included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Other interesting towns with lots of tourist attractions are the capital city of Palermo, Taormina, nicknamed as the "pearl of the Ionian Sea", Enna, Caltagirone, Trapani and Catania, with several wonderful Baroque palaces.

Sicilian Tourist Attractions - Palermo & Other Holiday Spots

Palermo

Palermo is an ancient city, founded between the 8^th and the 6^th century B.C. The historical part of the city is a fusion of Arabic and Viking influences, reflected in the medieval buildings from the 11^th and 12^th centuries. Palazzo dei Normanni is perhaps the best sample of this style and is featured in any trip adviser to Sicily.

Catania

Catania is situated in one of Sicily's most fertile areas, on the half way between Messina and Syracuse, at the foots of the active volcano Etna. Catania lives mainly from the production of citrus fruits, vegetables and cereals. Sheep and goat farms can be also found in surroundings. Catania is the second largest city of Sicily and features some interesting monuments like Chiesa di San Nicola and the Benedictine Monastery, which is today residence of Facolta di Lettere e Filosofia (Faculty of Letters and Philosophy). Interesting points of interest are also Chiesa di San Giuliano, a symbol of Baroque architecture named Chiesa di S. Maria di Gesu, the Cathedral, founded in 1078, and Chapel of Saint Agata, dedicated to the patron saint of the city.
Great spots are also Castello Ursino, built in 1239, that hosts the Picture Gallery, Belliniano museum, and the Roman Amphitheater from the era of emperor Augustus.

Mount Etna

Mount Etna can be seen from almost anywhere and perhaps the best gateway to climb it is city of Taormina. Holiday makers who take ascensions there should wear warm clothes even in summer, because the altitude and the cold wind make the environment very chilly!

Taormina

Taormina is one of the top holiday resorts in Sicily, belongs to province of Messina and, together with the beautiful Aeolian Islands and the ancient city of Milazzo, is included in almost all tours in Sicily. This tourist resort is a very popular travel destination amongst vacationers since the 19^th century. It has beautiful beaches on the shores of the Ionian Sea and offers high quality accommodation in luxury hotels and rental properties.

Messina

Messina is the third largest city in Sicily and the capital of province of Messina. It is located near the north-eastern corner of Sicily, at the Strait of Messina. As many other Sicilian cities, it features many tourist attractions and is included in any Sicilian trip adviser.
The ancient Zancle (the old name of the city) existed as a native Sicilian settlement before the arrival of Greeks in 756 BC. The city developed to a port during the Greek colonization and after that Messina remained an important trade center for centuries. Messina was uder Saracen the northern and eastern limit of the Muslim dominion.
In the Middle Age, Messina has been the most important port of departure for European knights on their way to the Holy Land. In 1190 king Richard the "Lion Heart" of England and king Philip II of France visited the city. Messina remained the second most important city of Sicily until the seventeenth century, when its position was challenged by Catania. In the history of the island were periods when Messina's economical and political power rivaled even with Palermo.
Annunziata dei Catalani, on Via Garibaldi, near Via Cesare Battisti, is one of the main attractions in Messina. Church Santa Maria Alemanna is located just at a few blocks from the train station, into a part of the city where usually vacationers don't go at all. Its construction was started probably around 1194, when emperor Henri VI arrived in Messina to ascend on the throne of Sicily.
The abbey Santa Maria della Valle is a another rare example of true Gothic architecture. Hidden on a street between Via San Martino and Via Garibaldi, the church is settled below the ground level and is rarely open for the public.
The Cathedral, where Richard the "Lion Heart" was in visit in 1190 on the route to a crusade, was erected during the 12^th century. Most of the present cathedral is actually a reconstruction, the original building being almost entirely destroyed by earthquakes.

Cefalu

Cefalu is an ancient city in the province of Palermo, located on the northern coast and one of the major holiday spots in Sicily. The main points of interest include the Roman baths, an old cathedral and splendid beaches.

Enna

Enna is also a great Sicilian travel destination, the Holy Thursday from Enna being particularly stirring. Three thousand of participants marching in silence in and out of churches. Enna offers convenient accommodation and can be a good base to take trips to the entire region.

Ragusa

Ragusa is a very good location to start the exploration of the ancient city of Siracusa and temples from Agrigento.

Agrigento

Temples in Agrigento are included in all travel guides to Sicily. This place is one of the most important archeological sites in the world and was classified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many remains of Greek temples, settled just outside of the city, from which the most spectacular are Temple of Hercules, Temple of Zeus and Temple of Concord.

Syracuse - Siracusa

Siracusa was an ancient Greek town. The Greeks arrived there in 734 BC and named the small island of Ortigia as Siracusa. They built various temples, such as Temple of Apollo, located in Piazza Pancali, and Temple of Athena. They built also the Arethusa Fountain (named after a legendary nymph) and the biggest theater in Sicily.
Syracuse is situated on the eastern coast of Sicily and is one of the main travel destinations due to the numerous attractions and historical heritage. The oldest part of Syracuse is on located on island of Ortigia. Ear of Dionysus, an artificial limestone cave, with an extremely good acoustic, is the third largest Roman amphitheatre in Italy! Tourists can enjoy there festivities dedicated to Santa Lucia, the patron saint of the city. Travelers who are interested in military constructions are advised to visit the Maniace Castle, built in the first half of the 13^th century, named after the Byzantine general who defended in 1038 Ortigia by Arabs. In Piazza D'Armi are held many exhibitions and cultural events.
No visit to Syracuse is complete without enjoying the comfortable resort areas from Arenella and Fontane Bianche, flanked by the typical sandy beaches of the Ionian Sea. Syracuse and the entire province attract holiday makers with high quality services, awesome beaches, and valuable historical remains. Some of the most famous localities in the region are Noto, Avola, apo Passero, Fontane Bianche, Arenella, Marzamemi, Brucoli and Angone Bagni.

Ustica Islands

Although Sicily is not known as a top destination for diving vacations, there is still present a great holiday spot for this water sport - the Ustica Islands. Ustica Islands feature incredible aquatic sceneries, but offer also a very relaxing environment for spending great beach holidays in Sicily.
The Mediterranean Sea, where lying Sicily and Ustica Islands, has very clear and warm waters (sometimes compared to waters from Caribbean) that provide a great environment for divers to explore the marine life.
Ustica Islands feature two main spots, Ustica and Linosa. Linosa is known as the less contaminated area in the Mediterranean Sea, providing a very natural and clean environment to vacationers. Ustica is worldwide popular due to the amazingly rich marine life, especially the Natural Marine Reserve attracting visitors who wish to observe some of the most interesting aquatic species!

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