Highlights of Sicily

Cefalù

A charming seaside resort. The name, Cefalù, comes from the Greek for head (Cephalus), given to the craggy rock resembling a head that towers over the town. The Norman cathedral, built in the reign of Roger II in 1131, took 100 years to build and contains some fi ne examples of Byzantine mosaics.

Monreale Cathedral

The greatest of all the monuments of the Norman kings in northern Sicily. While the outside of the cathedral is predominantly plain, the interior is adorned with stunning mosaics, reputedly one of the world’s largest displays of this art.

Cannoli

A typical Sicilian dessert made up of a thin shell of crunchy fried pastry dough and filled with locally produced ricotta cheese – simply heavenly!

Taormina

Perched on a series of high terraces overhung with semitropical gardens and surveying a breathtakingly beautiful coastline, Taormina has an elegance and style created by a rich history in which the Greeks, Romans and Spaniards all had a hand.

Erice

Perched 750m above sea level, west of Palermo, this well preserved medieval town’s origins are shrouded in mystery, part fantasy and part reality. Surrounded by ancient walls, the town is reserved and quiet and has magnificent views over the Egadi Islands.

Selinunte

One of the most impressive ancient Greek cities in Sicily since the ruins have never been built over. This ancient site retains an air of tranquillity and mystery and is set in rolling countryside, on cliffs above the sea. A popular seaside resort, Selinunte boasts some good stretches of rock and sand beaches.

Agrigento

Home to the impressive archaeological site ‘The Valley of the Temples’. There are six Greek Temples including the Temple of Concord which is one of the best preserved Doric Temples of the ancient world.

Palermo

Graceful centuries-old palaces and villas contrast dramatically with modern fl ats and apartments. The Palace of the Normans – an imposing 12th century cathedral, the gardens of Villa Giulia and the superb archaeological museum should not be missed.

UNESCO World

Heritage sites The baroque sites at Noto (Noto Cathedral); Villa Romana del Casale; the towns of Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa and Scicli; the Aeolian Islands; Syracuse and the Necropolis of Pantalica; and Mount Etna.

Nebrodi National Park

A unique and wonderful ecosystem, marked by thick woods, high pastures, lakes, rivers and natural springs. This lush mountainous region also attracts the great beauty and elegance of the Nebrodi Griff on and Golden Eagle.

Marsala

Famed for its sweet desert wine, Marsala is an attractive town with arcaded courtyards, high ageing buildings and two excellent museums. Visit Museo degli Arazzi with its wonderful hand-stitched wool and silk tapestries depicting the capture of Jerusalem.

Best Beaches

Six Sicilian beaches have been awarded blue flag status for their water being among Europe’s cleanest. They are: Porto Paolo (Menfi ); Pozzallo (Ragusa); Ispica (Ragusa); Fiumefreddo-Cottone (Catania); Spiaggia Bianca (Lipari); Marina di Ragusa (Ragusa).

Mpanatigghi di Modica

These typical cakes from the Ragusa province, traditionally made during Easter, are filled with Modica chocolate and fi ne mince meat! Unusual but delicious. For chocaholics, a visit to the ‘Antica Dolceria Bonaiuto’ cake shop in Modica is a must.

Inspector Montalbano

Follow in the footsteps of Sicily’s most famous TV detective, Inspector Montalbano. The stories unfold in the picturesque baroque south-eastern corner of Sicily.

Syracuse

Syracuse retains ancient Roman ruins, one of the largest Greek Theatres in the world and a fascinating array of classic monuments and Baroque façades. The city is set in breathtaking natural surroundings with the stunning backdrops of Mount Etna and the Iblea Mountains.

Enna province

Home to significant archaeological sites: Villa Romana del Casale, containing the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world; Castello di Lombardia home to the largest (25,000 sqm) castle in Sicily; and Morgantina, an ancient site dating back to the Bronze Age.