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Sicily Short Breaks

Italy
Sicily accommodation
Map

Diane Geddie, Product & Short Break Specialist

"The enchanting island of Sicily is steeped in history, with a breathtaking landscape that begs to be explored. To immerse yourself in the island’s past, head to the southwest coastal town of Selinunte, one of the best ancient archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, perched high above the sea and skirted by lovely golden beaches. Also, be sure to spend an evening at the summit of the famous Stromboli, an active volcano that treats visitors to a daily magma fireworks show at sunset."

Sicily at a glance

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a captivating blend of ancient architecture, beautiful, hidden away beaches and a bustling capital full of charisma and authentic charm. Situated at the southernmost part of Italy, this popular city break destination offers an impressive mix of stunning scenery and historic sights.

At one time Sicily was home to a number of Phoenician and Greek colonies and was later ruled by a succeeding line of nations including the Arab, Norman and Spanish empires. Today the island is home to many important archaeological and ancient sites such as the Necropolis of Pantalica and the Valley of the Temples, considered one of the best preserved collections of Greek temples in the world. 

Sicily is made up of many distinct regions, each with their own unique historic treasures and stunning natural landscape. The popular resort of Taormina, with its ancient theatre ruins and hilltop location, offers beautiful vistas, while Capo d”Orlando and Marina di Ragusa are known for their scenic beaches.


Perfect if you’re looking for:

  • Historic attractions
  • Stunning architecture
  • Beachfront attractions 

Getting around

There are a number of good bus and train options for getting around Sicily. There are also regular ferries and hydrofoils that can transport visitors to neighbouring islands.

Dining in Sicily

Fresh seafood makes up a big part of Sicilian cuisine along with exotic spices lent in part from the island’s Arabic and Spanish heritage.  Sicilians are big on sweets, with a wide range of pastries, cakes and fruit based specialties to choose from.

Must-try local dishes

  • Pasta alla Norma – pasta served with a special sauce made of tomatoes and fried eggplant with ricotta cheese
  • Arancini – fried rice balls coated with breadcrumbs and often filled with cheese or meat
  • Cannoli – a tube shaped pastry that is stuffed with a sweet, creamy filling often made from ricotta cheese

Shopping in Sicily

Shopping is pleasant in Sicily, the town centres offer designer boutiques, however it is the characterful markets that are most memorable for intriguing gifts and bargains. Sicily is not industrial in the slightest, and with this in mind there a lot of technical shops such as tailors, furniture makers, hatters and candle makers on the island, this is good news for visitors who seek anything which is one of a kind.

Get your tailor-made city break itinerary

Osprey Holidays can create a fabulous short break to Sicily designed completely around your needs. We can arrange whatever you need, including:

  • All travel and transfers on days of your choice
  • Accommodation from our handpicked range of Sicily hotels, to suit your budget and requirements

Our award-winning team can provide expert advice and recommendations, from general questions to tiny details. Contact us now for your tailor-made itinerary.

Important information
Population 5,043,480
Languages Italian
Currency Euro
Visa Information No visa required for UK citizens
Average temperatures

(monthly highs °C)

Interesting facts

Treat yourself with the amazing Italian Cannoli, a Sicilian speciality made of crispy dough and a creamy ricotta cheese filling.

Featured accommodation
Distance from airports
Catania-Fontanarossa 4 km
Railway stations
Catania Centrale

Things to do in Sicily

  • Greek Ampitheatre: Built by the Greeks in the third century BC, it is now used for summern concerts. It has excellent acoustics and spectacular views of the sea and Mount Etna.
  • Castello Saraceno: A 20 minute walk up the Via Crucis footpath takes you to the church of the Madonna della Rocca, hollowed out of limestone. Above it towers the medieval Castello Saraceno. It's worth the climb for the stunning views.

 

Tours and Excursions

Etna and Taormina

Travel from Catania to the highest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. Your guide will take you to Rifugio Sapienza at an altitude of 1920m where you can trek one of the nature paths to 2000m or purchase a ticket to take you by cableway to either 2500m or 3000m. Explore a lava cave before heading to Taormina stopping to take in the view of the beautiful Isola Bella on the way. Spend your afternoon exploring the lovely town of Taormina.

Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour

Throw yourself into Sicily’s ancient history with a day trip from Taormina to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. Built on a plateau overlooking the sea, Agrigento is believed to have been founded by the Greeks around 580 BC and is home to the temples of Hera, Concordia and Apollo. After a short break for lunch (not included) the tour continues to the historic town of Piazza Armerina famous for the Roman mosaics dating back to the fourth century AD at the Villa Romana del Casale.

Erice and Segesta Day Trip

From Palermo, discover western Sicily’s stunning scenery on this day trip to the walled mountain town of Erice and Segesta archaeological site. Take a stroll through Erice’s maze of streets and admire the views over Trapani harbour. You can also visit some of the homemade pastry shops before continuing on to Segesta where you will have the opportunity to explore the ancient ruins independently.