The magic of the town of Noto in southeastern Sicily becomes clear around sunset. The many baroque buildings take on a warm, golden glow. It almost looks like a movie set (and it turns out it actually is). In this blog, I’m sharing the 10 best things to do in Noto, Sicily.
Syracuse is probably my biggest surprise on my Sicily trip. It’s a town on the southeastern coast of Sicily, and I’d never heard of it before. Without any expectations, I step onto the Ortigia peninsula, and I’m completely smitten. The old center is car-free, packed with charming terraces, and along the narrow streets are typical Italian buildings in warm, earthy tones featuring elegant balconies. In Syracuse, it’s easy to lose track of time.
Catania in Sicily may be located on the coast, but it’s Mount Etna that steals the show. From here, you can easily take a trip to Etna, but Catania itself is definitely worth visiting too. The city center is on the UNESCO list for good reason, and the food culture will make you want to stay at least another month.
Etna is Europe’s most active volcano, and you can actually see it up close. So, if you’re in Sicily, you absolutely must reserve some time to see Etna. You can ski there, hike there, and drink wine. I’m happy to share my tips for visiting Etna, plus how I experienced my sunset Etna tour and wine tour.
Taormina is absolutely for the rich and famous, but also for you! This coastal town in Sicily is wonderful to wander through—not just the streets but also the attractions. The Greek theater is impressive because of its location, and then there’s the little island Isola Bella: wow, the perfect picture. So, definitely plan a day for Taormina.
Most tourists skip right past Enna. Honestly, I’m fine with that because it means I get to have this Sicilian mountain village almost all by myself. But you should consider going there too: the mountain town offers a welcome change from the typical sun-sea-beach vacation. So go ahead and book a night in Enna, and I’ll gladly tell you what you can do there.
The water of the Alcantara river is freezing cold, and I mean FREEZING cold. But that doesn’t stop me from wading further into the gorge, because shuffling along the lava walls is a unique experience. Well, maybe not as unique as I’d like to think, since quite a few people know about this gorgeous gorge in western Sicily.
Okay, what do you REALLY need to eat in Trapani? Put couscous alla trapanese on your list, as well as a Pinsa Siciliana. And definitely a cornetto with pistachio filling. And, and, and… I could go on, but which restaurants and bars can you experience all these delicious things at? I’d love to give you tips for food and drink in Trapani.
