Which are the best places for a holiday in Sicily

So you’ve decided on Sicily and have heard of Palermo, Catania and Taormina but don’t really know much about the rest of the island. The trouble with researching that perfect holiday is that one person’s idea of a dream holiday might be quite different from another’s. Want to stay right by the best beach on Sicily? Keen to hike or cycle? Eager to explore ancient temples? Clearly, context counts but these six destinations are a good starting point for planning your holiday to Sicily.

1. Best for families

Firstly, it’s worth knowing that Sicily is a great destination for a family holiday. Sandy beaches, sunshine, restaurants that welcome the ‘bambini’ with open arms, and as much pizza and gelato as anyone can manage all work a treat. The question is, which bit of Sicily is best for families? Actually, the best holidays are often the simplest ones and particularly when kids are involved, so having a pool and being able to walk to the beach will often be all you need for a really memorable family holiday.  However, the coastline to the south of Syracuse, around Lido di Noto and Fontane Bianche, includes a string of sandy child-friendly beaches with lido-style facilities. Plus you can get your culture fix in Syracuse or Noto. Get the best value for money by joining up with another family to share a larger villa such as Oasivera, 200m from the beach and with a vast garden with an infinity pool.

2. Couples holiday in Sicily

With its incredible beaches, great food and wine, romantic backdrops and mythical tales of lovestruck Greek gods and goddesses, Sicily is ideal for a couples holiday, whether you’re planning a honeymoon or a simple away-from-it-all break for two. The coastline between Taormina and Catania is perfect for couples, particularly if you’re visiting the island for the first time, with several interesting and attractive towns to visit and, of course, the wonder of Mount Etna.

However, if you’ve been to Sicily before and can stretch your holiday by a few days, consider a 2-centre holiday which combines city sightseeing with time to relax on the beach. An ideal itinerary might include a few days in Syracuse where you can take in some of the island’s most remarkable ancient sites, followed by 4 or 5 days in a studio apartment on the beach near Scicli where you can relax in a private jacuzzi looking out over the waves.

3. Best places in Sicily for a beach holiday

With around 1,000km of coastline, you’re never too far from a beach in Sicily. One of the most popular options for a beach holiday here is finding self-catering accommodation in Cefalù and the small seaside towns that lie to its east on Sicily’s north coast. Just an hour or so from Palermo airport, Cefalù has a great sandy beach with shallow water and plenty of classic lidos so there’s no need to worry about shade. Just behind the beach lies the town’s medieval historic centre, home to a UNESCO World Heritage cathedral, narrow streets and pretty piazzas with a great choice of gelaterias and restaurants. Smaller neighbouring towns such as Finale Pollina make for a slightly quieter base, and, if you prefer to self-cater, offer the real possibility of staying in a beachfront holiday villa with a private pool, something you’re unlikely to find closer to Cefalù.

4. Best for large group celebrations in Sicily

There are all sorts of considerations if you’re planning to make Sicily the base for a special celebration. For a start, good transport links from the airport are a bonus if people are arriving at different times. Then there’s the question of how guests want to spend their day, whether sightseeing or on the beach? And think carefully about meals. Although getting in a local chef at least once is definitely worth organising, you may want to eat out on a couple of evenings, in which case it’s easier if you can walk to a restaurant.

Rather than staying in a rural location where you’ll need transport, consider accommodation in Noto where Aurispa 143 offers a super luxurious stay for up to 10 people. Noto is packed with restaurants and sightseeing opportunities, guided tours can be organised to Ragusa, Modica and Syracuse, and the beach is close by.

5. Best for sightseeing in Sicily

If it’s your first visit to Sicily, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to cram everything into the one trip. You’ve heard about Palermo’s street markets, the Valley of the Temples, and the extraordinary Greek sites in Syracuse, but aren’t quite sure how to fit it all in. The truth is that unless you’re doing a whistlestop tour of the island, it’s probably better to focus on one area – that’s way, you’ve always got a good excuse for a return trip!

Nevertheless, in terms of fitting in as much as possible without overdoing things, checking into accommodation on Ortigia, Syracuse’s historic centre, works well. From here, in addition to covering all there is to see in Syracuse, you can easily get to the baroque towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa, and just about reach Catania, Taormina, and, at a stretch, Mount Etna. Plenty to fill a week or two!

You’ll need a rental car to get around so choose an apartment or villa in Syracuse close to Ortigia’s main car park, such as Stella in Ortigia, to reduce journey times.

6. Hiking and outdoor activities in Sicily

But there’s more to Sicily than city sightseeing. The island has four regional parks and multiple nature reserves, including the best known Vendicari and Zingaro Nature Reserves. However, some of the best hiking on Sicily is in the Madonie and Nebrodi parks, in the north of the island. Stay close to the town of Acquedolci for great views over the Nebrodi mountains and easy access to some superb hiking and mountain biking. Acquedolci is also a short drive from Milazzo; take a boat trip from here across to the volcanic Aeolian Islands for more extraordinary natural beauty.

First time to Sicily? If you want to know more, read our guide for first timers to find out the best time to visit, what to eat and drink, the top things to do and much more.

Where to stay in Sicily