Things to do in Sicily

Why go to Sicily

• Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

  One of the world's best-preserved Greek temple complexes, glowing gold at sunset over the sea.

• Mount Etna

  Europe's most active volcano offers crater hikes, lava caves, and otherworldly landscapes you won't find anywhere else in Europe.

• Palermo's Ballarò Market

  A roaring, aromatic street market where ancient Arab-Norman churches loom over vendors selling spleen sandwiches and fresh swordfish.

• Taormina & the Greek Theatre

  A hilltop Greco-Roman theatre with jaw-dropping views of Etna and the turquoise coastline below.

• Syracuse & Ortigia Island

  A baroque treasure-island with a Greek amphitheatre, crystal-clear sea swimming, and winding medieval lanes all within walking distance.

Good to know in Sicily

• Transit: Trains connect Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse but are slow; intercity buses (Flixbus, SAIS, Interbus) are faster and cheaper at $5-12 per leg. Rent a car for rural areas, local agencies like Autonoleggio Salvo undercut multinationals.
• Tipping: Tipping is not expected in Sicily. Rounding up €1-2 at a sit-down restaurant is generous; never tip at bars or street food stalls.
• Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink in most cities, though locals in some rural areas prefer bottled. Ask 'l'acqua del rubinetto è potabile?' if unsure.
• Free-entry days: Italian state museums (including Valley of the Temples) offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month, plan major site visits around this to save $10-15 per person.

Trip essentials