Sicily is blessed with a varied landscape, and each area of the island has its own personality and style. Which part of Sicily is right for you? What do you want to do on your next Sicilian holiday? There are so many options! Whether you are looking for art and culture, quiet beaches, vibrant towns, or unspoilt nature, Sicily has what you are looking for. Don’t forget that a villa holiday is the best way to really get to know Sicily. Luckily, we have amazing villas all over the island! Find out which part of Sicily is right for you today; a Sicilian holiday is just around the corner.
East and Northeast Sicily
East Sicily is a wonderful choice for a holiday where you can explore outstanding nature and get to know chic towns. Don’t miss Catania with its beautiful cathedral, colourful fish market, great shops and outstanding restaurants. Messina is another larger town with views over to the mainland and a unique astronomical clock tower! The foothills of Mount Etna have some characteristic small towns such as Trecastagni that show off real Sicilian life. There are also many traditional seaside towns like Giardini Naxos and Letojanni on the Ionian coast. Or, pick Capo d’Orlando on the north coast which buzzes with bars and a long sandy beach. Whichever town you choose as your home during your Sicilian holiday, you’ll be delighted by what you find.
If getting out into nature is your thing, then east Sicily is a great choice too. Mount Etna is an imposing presence, and is a great choice for a day trip; take the cable car up the volcano and then hike up to the summit. You can enjoy amazing views, unique scenery with lava flows, and unusual flora and fauna in an otherworldly environment. The nearby Alcanatara Gorges are also a natural wonder with the cool Alcantara river running though basalt gorges. It’s magical! East Sicily also boasts some beautiful beaches. Choose from sandy La Playa in Catania, the protected marine area near Acireale, Blue Flag Santa Teresa di Riva, and many more.
West and Southwest Sicily
Sometimes overlooked, western Sicily is a treasure trove of pretty towns, great beaches, and amazing culture. The coastline in this part of Sicily is diverse and has something for everyone, whatever style of beach you love; San Vito lo Capo has one of Sicily’s best sandy beaches that seems to never end, whilst the Lo Zingaro Nature reserve is a series of unspoilt rocky bays that can only be reached on foot or by boat! West Sicily is also home to the Egadi islands where you can experience snorkelling in crystal-clear waters surrounded by mesmerising sea life. This part of the island is also a paradise for water-sports and has many areas where you can kite-surf or wind-surf if you want a dose of adrenaline during your Sicilian holiday!
West Sicily has small picturesque villages, as well as larger cultural towns, and historic sights. The ancient temples of Segesta and Selinunte, as well as Medieval hilltop Erice will charm history lovers. If you prefer great wine and food, then you must visit Marsala which is world-famous for its sweet wine. This area also has the best sunsets around; visit the sultans for a unique landscape a jaw-dropping colours as day turns to night. Trapani is a small town that is the gateway to the Egadi Islands, but also has a wonderful food culture with pesto alla trapanese as a highlight. Mazara del Vallo is another unique town with a strong north-African culture and a busy working port. Finally, Agrigento is one of the most important classical sites in Europe; The Valle of the Temples archaeology park has some of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Plus, Agrigento town itself is delightful, as are the local beaches.
South and Southeast Sicily
From Baroque towns to beautiful beaches, this part of Sicily is a dream come true, and is a holiday destination like no other. This part of Sicily has some truly exceptional beaches. For wild sandy beaches, the Vendicari Nature reserve will always top the list thanks to its unspoilt nature and clear waters. Fontane Bianche has a lovely sandy beach with lidos where you can treat yourself to renting sunloungers and umbrellas. Santa Maria Focallo is a charming beach, and there are several other small bays close by. For astoundingly clear water, the Plemmirio Nature Reserve is everything you could dream of! Pozzallo is a haven for watersports where you can even learn to windsurf! Brucoli’s small town vibes, pretty restaurants, and azure waters are charming, as are the family-friendly beaches near Marina di Modica, Ispica, and Punta Secca – the home of Montalbano in the hit TV series.
If you prefer to visit towns and villages during your Sicilian holiday, then south and south-east dooes not disappoint. Syracuse (and especially its historic town centre, Ortigia) is a wonder; the main piazza and cathedral, the Fountain of Arethusa, the Greek theatre, there’s just so much to see! Then the towns of the Val di Noto are also worth visiting. Rebuilt following an earthquake in unmistakable Sicilian Baroque style, these towns such a Modica, Ragusa, Scicli, and Noto are jewel-like in their beauty and have excellent food and wine on offer!
North and Northwest Sicily
Sicily’s north and northwest are enchanting Palermo – Sicily’s buzzing capital city – is found in this area. With amazing food culture, too many churches to count, great restaurants and bars, and interesting museums, Palermo is a city like no other. Make sure you include a day at this fascinating city during your Sicilian holiday. Another very popular town is Cefalù. It’s clear why Cefalù has been a holiday hot spot for centuries; there’s the large sandy beach, the impressive Arab-Norman church, the charming town centre, and the imposing La Rocca to climb up where you’ll be met with some astounding sea views. This area is also full of seaside towns perfect for chilling out and enjoying the lazy Sicilian holiday vibes. Visit Mondello for chic Palermitan beach life and a Caribbean-like beach. Or, head to Balestrate, Terrasini, or Santa Flavia for small town life.
If you are looking for beaches in this area, then there are many to choose from. Mondello’s beach is a sandy paradise, as is the beach at Cefalù. Pebbly beaches like Finale del Polina or Castel di Tusa offer crystal-clear water to swim in. The Tonnara di Scopello is one of the most famous beaches in Sicily, with its stunning backdrop of sea stacks . Families will love the relaxed atmosphere at Isola della Femmina or Balestrate where you can easily rent sunloungers at a local lido.
A Sicilian Holiday at a Sicilian Villa
We have villas all over the island. Pick your favourite area of Sicily, and then find your dream villa exactly where you want it! Our villas have private swimming pools, sea views, luxurious touches, and fabulous style that you will love. They are also homely and welcoming and you will never want to leave as soon as you arrive!
To make your Sicilian holiday dream come true, visit our website and look through our villas. Or get in touch directly with our team who will gladly help you pick the perfect villa according to your needs. Make this year the year you decide to visit Sicily; you’ll want to come back again and again.
