Top-Rated Things To Do in Sicily, Sicily travel guide

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What to expect

A calm, low-key tasting room and a working cellar. Hosts explain grape varieties, fermentation choices and how Etna’s soils influence flavour. Expect small-group tastings with a chance to buy bottles to take away.

Plan your visit

Book in advance to secure a tasting slot and to ask for a vineyard walk if available. Dress in layers, because temperatures change quickly near the volcano. Tell the host if you prefer a longer tasting or a focused flight of red or white wines.

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What to expect

A compact menu focused on coffee, pastries and light savoury dishes. Seating is a mix of indoor tables and a few outdoor seats on the square. Staff work at a steady pace, and the atmosphere is low-key and practical rather than formal.

Plan your visit

Aim for a morning stop to catch freshly made pastries. Order at the counter if you want a quick takeaway, or sit down for a relaxed drink. If you have dietary needs, ask staff for simple substitutions; menus tend to be short and flexible.

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What to expect

Rooms and installations that bend perspective, mirror effects and visual puzzles. Most exhibits are designed for touch and for taking photos that highlight the illusion. Expect clear explanatory panels and staff on hand to demonstrate how some effects work.

Plan your visit

Book tickets ahead if you visit at weekend, bring a charged phone or camera and a small tripod if you want steadier shots. Travel light so you can move easily between displays. Check accessibility details with the venue before you go if mobility is a concern.

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What to expect

A modest stone tower you can admire from ground level and from the nearby quay. The site has limited facilities, so plan for an outdoor visit. Look for weathered masonry, simple battlements and clear sightlines across the water and neighbouring roofs.

Plan your visit

Combine this stop with a walk along the seafront or a visit to nearby historic areas. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection, especially in summer. Bring a small lens for close-up details, and allow time to pause and take in the harbour views.

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What to expect

A small paved viewpoint with railings and short steps. Mostly open air with little shelter, so weather matters. The visit is visual rather than activity-based: view, photograph, then move on to nearby sights or a coastal walk.

Plan your visit

Include the lookout as part of a walking route between Taormina town and the coast, or stop briefly when driving the local road. Wear comfortable shoes for short steps and uneven pavements. Take water and sun protection in summer. Parking is limited in high season, so consider a local bus or taxi.

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What to expect

A single gate set within an open square, easy to view from all sides. Expect a short, mostly outdoor visit with room to pause, take photos and read nearby plaques if present. There are no visitor facilities at the structure itself.

Plan your visit

Make it a brief stop on a walking route through central Catania. Wear comfortable shoes for cobbles and traffic crossings. Combine the gate with nearby cafés or a short stroll through the surrounding streets to get a sense of the neighbourhood.

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What to expect

Uneven stone steps and narrow footpaths with occasional handrails. Sea-level viewpoints and rocky ledges rather than long sandy stretches. Basic facilities are limited near the path, and some sections involve a steady descent or ascent. The route suits fit families, solo walkers and groups who can manage stairs and rough ground.

Plan your visit

Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and sun protection. Start from Taormina town or the seafront, and plan for a return uphill. Combine the walk with a stop at the pebble beach or a short coastal stroll. Check local signs and maps before setting off, and allow extra time if you want to linger at viewpoints.

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What to expect

Open-air site with bronze statues mounted on stone plinths and carved inscriptions. Surfaces and paths are uneven, with no visitor facilities on site. Parts of the monument and surrounding walls show graffiti, so approach with respect for its commemorative purpose.

Plan your visit

Include the monument as a short stop on a walking route that explores Siracusa’s seafront. Wear flat shoes for the short uphill sections and allow time to move around the plinths. Carry water and sun protection in summer. Keep noise to a minimum and do not climb on the sculptures.

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What to expect

Outdoor seating from several cafés and bars, steady local foot traffic, and a mix of visitors and residents. The square is more about atmosphere than formal attractions. You can grab a coffee, sit and watch the street, or use it as a meeting point before continuing to nearby streets.

Plan your visit

Combine a stop here with a walking route through the historic centre. Aim for a short break rather than a long visit. Bring comfortable shoes for cobbles and expect terrace seating to be the main draw. If you want a quieter experience, visit earlier in the day and save the aperitivo for later.

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What to expect

You’ll board a compact tour boat and travel close to the shoreline, passing cliffs, sea caves and coastal neighbourhoods. The crew points out features of interest and arranges one or two swim stops in calm water. Facilities are basic: bring your own towel and sun protection, and be prepared for some steps or low gangways when boarding. The experience is active but low‑stress, with room for photography and short swims rather than long beach time.

Plan your visit

Book morning departures in advance, especially in summer. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and shoes with a good grip. Carry water and any personal snacks you need, plus ID and a small card or cash for extras. Tell the organiser about mobility or medical needs before you book. Give yourself extra time to reach the meeting point and to check in before boarding.

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What to expect

Shared common spaces where guests gather for meals and planning days out. Simple, functional accommodation with options for shared and private sleeping areas. Staff tend to focus on local recommendations and practical support rather than luxury services.

Plan your visit

Book ahead during high season and aim to arrive in the morning for an easier check-in. Bring a padlock for lockers and layers for variable evenings. Join communal meals or lounge time to meet other travellers and get tips on local sights. Ask staff for walking routes and nearby transport options.

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What to expect

Shaded paths and open lawns punctuated by tall palms and specimen trees. You will find Victorian-style glasshouses, small ponds and beds of succulents and Mediterranean shrubs. Signage identifies many species, and the atmosphere is more academic than theme-park. Surfaces include gravel and compacted earth, so expect some uneven ground.

Plan your visit

Allow time to move slowly between sections and to read the plant labels. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection, and bring water in summer. Keep to marked paths, avoid trampling beds and respect research areas. Pair the visit with a short walk or coffee in the nearby city centre after you finish.

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What to expect

Skipper-led trips on compact boats, with multiple swim stops and close views of the coastline. Tours focus on coastal scenery, sea caves and quiet coves rather than long-distance sailing. Snorkel gear may be available on request, and crews typically assist with boarding and safety briefings.

Plan your visit

Book ahead in summer to secure your preferred time. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a waterproof bag for valuables. Wear non-slip shoes or trainers for boarding. Check with the operator about lifejackets and snorkel availability, and tell them about mobility needs when you book.

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What to expect

Expect straightforward rooms and shared facilities rather than boutique finishes. Evenings tend to be the liveliest time, when guests swap tips and organise outings. Staff are practical and helpful with local directions and suggestions for nearby sights and eateries.

Plan your visit

Book ahead for the summer months, and note that nights are when the hostel feels most social. Bring earplugs and a small padlock for lockers if you prefer extra privacy. Ask reception for quick walking routes or reliable local restaurants; the staff can point you to quieter streets if you want to avoid the busiest areas.

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What to expect

A focused selection of handcrafted sweets and confections. Expect visible chocolate displays, jars of pistachio paste, pre-packed gift boxes and staff who invite you to try samples before you buy. The shop leans premium, so items aim more at quality than bargain prices.

Plan your visit

Go with a little time to taste before you decide. Samples help you choose between chocolate varieties and pistachio specialties. If you want souvenirs, choose packaged items that travel well and bring a small reusable bag for purchases. Combine a quick stop here with a stroll along Corso Umberto.