The best Sicily holiday ideas for 2022

As the world starts to peer cautiously round the corner, just the thought of booking a summer holiday for 2022 is one that fizzes with excitement. Where to book? The sunny shores of the Mediterranean are tantalizingly close, but perhaps something that promises a little more activity or culture might be more appealing. A city break perhaps? Or an away-from-it-all destination where you can delve deep into the local culture or natural world? The good news is that Sicily ticks all these boxes, so read on for inspiration.

The family holiday

Pick somewhere close to the beach, then buddy up with some friends and get ready for a week or two of sunning and swimming. There’s plenty of opportunity to make the most of the outdoors at the newest addition to our collection, Gemma, which is just 150m from the sandy beach at Santa Maria del Focallo. Several patios and furnished terraces mean that you can pick your spot in the sun or the shade while the kids storm the pool and trampoline tucked away at the end of the garden. In the evenings, rustle up a meal in the outdoor kitchen and the super cool barbecue area then dine al fresco under the poolside pergola.

Just for two

You want the option of the beach or a pool, yet don’t feel completely comfortable with the idea of staying in a hotel. The pretty little cottages on the Le Case di Tindari estate may be just the answer. Each with their own independent entrance, the four one-bedroom cottages have been tastefully restored, using high quality local materials and providing spacious interiors. The seven properties share a stunning 18m pool, with sun decks and dramatic views over the coast and the Sanctuary of Tindari.

The city break

Feeling a little starved of culture? Wherever you stay in Sicily, you can be sure of being fairly close to a town or city packed with interesting sights but you may prefer to stay right in the heart of the action. Palermo and Cefalù are the obvious choices but Syracuse and Ragusa are also big hitters, crammed with fascinating art and architecture. At Ragusa Ibla, you can spend days visiting magnificent baroque churches and evenings wandering through the mass of narrow lanes or people-watching at cafés in the piazzas. Stay in an Sicilian apartment that overlooks Ragusa Ibla’s main piazza and enjoy your morning cappuccino and evening aperitivo on the balcony facing the extraordinary Duomo di San Giorgio. When you want to feel the sand between your toes, head for the sandy beaches around Marina di Ragusa.

On the beach

However, if a summer holiday without the sound of the sea and touch of the sand is simply unthinkable, you’ll welcome the selection of beachfront villas to choose from in Sicily. While Cefalù in the north of the island attracts the crowds, the string of beaches around Sciacca in the south tend to be a more relaxed affair. The narrow beaches and shallow waters at Capo San Marco are great for families with younger children or make tracks for the sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters that border the Torre Salsa nature reserve. Check into a seafront villa in Sicily with direct access to the beach where getting organised for a day on the beach involves little more than wandering down a 400m path from the end of the lawn to the water’s edge. Added to that, sundowners come with sea breezes and, in the case of Dedalo, bath-time with magnificent sea views.

Off-the-beaten track

Sicily’s Nebrodi mountains have an almost mystical quality, featuring rugged landscapes dotted with sleepy medieval villages. Be prepared for the unexpected – the mountain range is also home to the extraordinary Fiumara d’Arte, a collection of spectacular contemporary sculptures in an open air setting. This is a world far removed from the beach towns and cities we associate with Sicily. In the captivating village of Castel di Lucio, you can join the locals for a traditional ‘brioche con gelato’ breakfast and enjoy the festivities at two traditional summer food festivals. Stay at Villa Olmo where rooms feature antique furniture and original tiled floors while outside, the vast lawned garden and pool provides mesmerising views over the surrounding hills.