The Best Places to Visit in Sicily: A First-Timer’s Guide

Oh, Sicily! Where do I even start?

I was lucky enough to spend six blissful weeks exploring this magical Mediterranean island this past summer and I loved every minute of that trip. Honestly, when it came to choosing where to go in Sicily, I felt a bit overwhelmed. There’s just so much to see and do – it’s impossible to fit it all into one trip. So I figured I’d put together a little guide to the very best places to visit in Sicily to help you with your trip planning.

As a part-time digital nomad, I spent the first month living and working in Palermo before embarking on a two-week road trip around the island. So this guide will start in Palermo and retrace my steps around Sicily – from the northwest, along the southern coast, and ending in Taormina in the northeast!

Palermo: for food, culture & architecture

Tucked away on the northwestern coast of Sicily, Palermo stands proud as the island’s vibrant capital city. Some people love it and others hate it (something I can’t fathom!), but after spending a month in this truly amazing city, I argue that Palermo absolutely belongs on every Sicily itinerary.

• Visit Palermo Cathedral: Touring this 12th-century cathedral is a must, and don’t miss out on the views from the rooftop.
• Eat at Ballarò Market: This winding outdoor farmers’ market is the place to pick up local products – from olive oil to fresh cheeses, pastas, and produce.
• Marvel at Quattro Canti (Four Corners): Take your time admiring the Baroque architecture and intricate details of this iconic 17th-century piazza.
• Tour Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace): One of the top things to do in Sicily is to glimpse Palatine Chapel’s gilded Byzantine mosaics inside the Norman Palace.
• Day trip to Monreale: Spend an afternoon visiting the historic hilltop town of Monreale and touring the famous Monreale Cathedral.

Helpful Palermo Articles

• Visiting Monreale from Palermo: The Cathedral + Other Cool Things to Do!

Cefalù: for the medieval old town and beach

Cefalù is easily one of the most charming places to visit in Sicily. It’s super easy to reach from Palermo via a one-hour train ride, making it a great place for a day trip. However, if you’ve got the time, it’s well worth spending a few days in this medieval seaside town.

Things to do in Cefalù

• Go inside Cefalù Cathedral: It’s worth paying to go inside this UNESCO World Heritage site to see the Byzantine mosaics, golden Christ Pantocrator, and views from the rooftop.
• Swim at Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio: If you’re visiting in the summer, take a dip in the beach’s blue waters and admire the old city while floating in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
• Hike La Rocca: Hike up La Rocca to see the castle ruins and get unreal views of Cefalù and the sea below.
• Stroll down Corso Ruggero: This is the old town’s main drag and it’s lined with shops selling everything from Sicilian pottery to chic clothes, pistachio products, and handmade jewelry.
• Snack at Sfrigola: You simply have to try some handmade arancini from this popular takeaway restaurant.

Helpful Cefalù articles

• Charming Cefalù, Sicily: Things to Do, See & Eat!

Trapani: for beaches, islands & the old town

Located just 90 minutes west of Palermo, Trapani is a historic port city on the far west coast of the island. This is one of the best places to visit in Sicily if you want an easy jumping-off point to the Aegadian (Egadi) Islands. It’s also where to go in Sicily if you’re dreaming of combining beaches and islands with a charming Old Town and excellent trattorias.

Things to do in Trapani

• Visit the Old Town: Get lost in the historic Old Town and you’ll stumble across magnificent cathedrals and churches, as well as cool shops, restaurants, and wine bars.
• Eat the local specialties: When in Trapani, you simply must try the Pesto alla Trapanese and the Fish Couscous.
• Take a day trip to the Aegadian (Egadi) Islands: It would be a shame to come so close to the Aegadian Islands without at least taking a boat tour.
• Visit Erice: You can take the cable car up to the historic hilltop town of Erice to get lost on the cobblestone streets and take in bird’s-eye views.
• Go to the Salt Pans: Here you can glimpse the highly photogenic salt pans, while also bird-watching and visiting the Salt Museum to learn about the area’s salty history.

Favignana: for Aegadian island living

Visiting Sicily in summer? You simply have to take the time to explore the stunning Aegadian Islands. This group of five wild and rugged islands is located about an hour off the coast of Trapani in western Sicily. Trust me when I say you have never seen water this blue in your life! You can either take a boat trip to the islands from Trapani or stay for a few days on the main island of Favignana, which I highly suggest if you’ve got the time.

Things to do in Favignana

• Rent a bike: Cycling around the island and just seeing what you can find is one of the most popular Favignana pastimes.
• Rent a boat: You can even rent your own boat (without a license) to see the islands’ most famous gems, including Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, and Bue Marino.
• Hike to Santa Caterina Castle: Sure, it’s a bit of a grueling 45-minute hike but the views at the top are insane.
• Tour the old Tuna Factory: Take a tour of this retired tuna factory for a fascinating glimpse into the island’s history.

Agrigento: for the Valley of the Temples and beaches

Many people choose to visit Agrigento on a day trip with the sole purpose of seeing the spectacular ancient Greek ruins that are scattered around the Valley of the Temples. But stay a few days and you’ll be rewarded with a hilltop Centro Storico, some of the best beaches in southern Sicily, and sweeping ocean views around every turn.

Things to do in Agrigento

• Valley of the Temples: Brimming with well-preserved ancient Greek ruins, this UNESCO World Heritage site is easily one of the most iconic places to visit in Sicily.
• Scala dei Turchi: You’ve probably seen these cool limestone formations on Instagram. To conserve the “stairs,” you now have to purchase tickets to visit. (Click here for ticket options.)
• Wander the Old Town: Up at the very top of the hill is where you’ll find Agrigento’s charming Old Town. Wander around and you’ll come across beautiful cathedrals, cool boutiques, and plenty of restaurants.
• Go beach hopping: Agrigento is surrounded by incredible beaches, including Scala dei Turchi, San Leone, and Riserva Naturale Orientata Torre Salsa, to name a few.

Modica: for Baroque churches and chocolate

Ah, Modica. This is one of my favorite places to visit in Sicily. Modica is one of 8 UNESCO World Heritage-listed cities that are located in the Val di Noto, and it is as charming as they come. This place is known as the “City of 100 Churches” – and trust me when I say the historic churches here are beautiful. But get lost around the serpentine streets, and you’ll stumble across excellent restaurants, cool cafes, and plenty of chocolate shops!

Things to do in Modica

• Try Modica chocolate: You can get free samples of Modica’s famous Aztec-style chocolate from Antica Dolceria Bonajuto.
• Go church hopping: Duomo di San Giorgio, Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista, and Duomo di San Pietro Apostolo are just three must-see churches.
• Eat at Osteria Ricotta & Co.: This place is known for dishing out items made with Modica’s famous ricotta. Try the Ravioli di Ricotta Burro e Salvia!
• Get views from Pizzo Belvedere: Hike from Modica Bassa to Pizzo Belvedere in Modica Alta for panoramic views over the city.

Helpful Blog Posts:

• A Guide to Magical Modica: Things to See, Eat & Do!