La Sicily è one of the most beautiful regions of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean. Given its large extent, it is important to choose well where to stay in Sicily and where to go on holiday based on what you want to visit, the duration of the trip and what you want to do.
If you have chosen Sicily for your next holidays, you have done very well, the island offers so many things to see and do. A trip to this beautiful island in the heart of the Mediterranean will be a unique and unforgettable experience.
The presence of ben 7 sites recognized as World Heritage Sites by Unesco testifies to the historical, natural and cultural greatness of Sicily. This island was theintersection of various cultures different that have overlapped in the various historical periods: Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Spanish and Italian.
Thanks to its strategic position, it has been conquered by many peoples, who have left a very interesting historical and cultural heritage and not to be missed. Sicily is there ideal destination for every tourist. Whether you like the beach or the mountains, whether you like the old or the modern, you can find it all on this island.
The island is located practically at the latitude of northern Africa, so it enjoys a milder climate than the rest of Italy, which makes it a good destination for travel and holidays throughout the year. The island is bathed by three seas, the Mediterranean to the south, the Ionian to the east and the Tyrrhenian to the north, which mitigate the hot summer days.
Every year, over 10 million tourists they visit the island in search of routes and circuits to discover its hidden corners, beautiful beaches, natural parks, coasts, castles and cathedrals, but also rediscovering the cities that contain a mix of cultures and admiring the wonderful landscapes natural.
Best cities to stay in Sicily
To make it easy for you to choose the area to stay in Sicily we have selected the 10 best places to sleep on the island, both because they offer more in terms of tourism, and because they allow you to easily explore the various Sicilian tourist areas. This map of the best areas to stay in Sicily will further facilitate your choice.
Palermo
Palermo it is the capital and the largest city of the island. The huge historical and artistic heritage, makes it one of the European cities with the largest cultural and artistic offer. And also one of the most visited cities on the island, thanks also to the airport with numerous daily flights to most of Italy.
Its culture, architecture, gastronomy and its history spanning over 2.700 years attracts millions of tourists every year. Stroll on foot along the alleys and narrow streets is the best way to discover the architectural beauties of the city, such as its imposing Cathedral, with a curious Moorish decoration on the facade, the church of Santa Maria dell'Almirante tomb of Emperor Frederick II or Norman Palace.
Palermo is one of the best areas to stay in Sicily, also because it allows you to easily discover the northern area of the island. To move from Palermo to the neighboring areas it is best to do it by car, or using the various tourist buses.
Palermo is a good starting point to visit Monreale and its beautiful Cathedral, the beaches of Mondello, Punta Raisi, Isola delle Femmine, and important tourist seaside resorts such as Cefalù, Castellammare del Golfo, Santo Stefano de Camastra and Bagheria.
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Catania
Catania è a bustling port city and the second largest city in Sicily. For thewide tourist offer both of the city and of the areas, it is one of the main tourist destinations in Italy. The main attraction is definitely theEtna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
In 2002, UNESCO declared Catania World Heritage Site and today many of its monuments have been restored to their former glory. Don't miss a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Agata, a masterpiece of Norman and Baroque architecture.
in coffee And in the restaurants on the squares it is possible to relax, sip a drink or eat typical Sicilian products and dishes, such as seafood and fresh fish. Catania is a lively university city with interesting night life, making it a good vacation destination for young people and boys.
On hot summer days you can cool off on the nearby Lido Azzurro beach, diving into the wonderful Mediterranean Sea. Among the main attractions the amusement park and water park Etnaland, a perfect destination for families even with very little children, but also for young people and couples.
move around the city, among the various districts, the bus is a good choice, but to visit the surrounding areas the car is certainly the best way. The city has the widest and most varied offer of accommodation on the island, with hotel structures of all kinds, both hostels, B & Bs and budget hotels as well as luxury hotels.
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Messina
Messina, for those arriving by car, bus or train, is the gateway to Sicily. The city is home to both a commercial port and a tourist port where the ferries from Villa San Giovanni and Reggio Calabria.
Founded during the XNUMXth century BC by Euboea, it has a special history and charm. His Old Town it can be easily explored on foot. There are various shops where to shop, especially along Viale San Martinola, the most important street in Messina.
Visits to the Regional Museum of Messina, where it is possible to discover the historical evolution of the area and also deserves attention Cemetery, which is said to be the most beautiful cemetery in Italy. Do not miss the piazza del Duomo where is the Fountain of Orion and Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta o Cathedral of Messina.
For lovers of cooking and taste, there are restaurants, ice cream parlors and bars of all kinds where to taste typical Sicilian dishes and products, including the famous arancini. AND a busy city, ideal for young people and not only lovers of nightlife.
Located in a strategic position, is a good choice where to stay and a good starting point to start visiting both the north and east coasts. There are numerous hotels and accommodations of all kinds, many of which are cheap.
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SIRACUSA
If it is interested in ancient history, SIRACUSA it is certainly one of the best places to visit in Sicily. Located on the east coast of the island, the city has deep Greek roots, in fact founded in 734 BC it was the capital of Magna Graecia.
It is one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean. L'Ortigia island is the historic center of Syracuse, declared World Heritage Site by Unesco and connected to the rest of the city by bridges. The Greek theater, the temple of Apollo, the castle of Maniace and the iconic Fountain of Arethusa, from which fresh water is said to have seen for more than 2.000 years, are four o'clock main attractions of the city.
The city of Syracuse is an ancient city with a rich history. Absolutely not to be missed is the visit of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, a natural area full of archaeological finds belonging to several historical periods. The site is visited by thousands of visitors every year.
For its charm and nightlife, it is a very pleasant area to stay in Sicily. There are several budget hotels in Syracuse, also on the island of Ortigia, the historic center with a rich heritage of art and history. The bus station and the train station are close to the port.
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Agrigento
Situated on a hill, near the impressive Greek temples of the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento is the most important tourist destination on the south coast of the island. Its international importance is due to the presence of the Valley of the Temples, the best known tourist attraction in Sicily, together with theEtna.
La Valley of the Temples (UNESCO World Heritage Site), owes its importance to its seven ancient Greek temples, extremely well preserved. Among other things to admire and explore we find the baroque church of San LorenzoVarious necropolis e sanctuaries, the top for lovers of history and archeology.
Syracuse is made of many alleys and narrow streets, as steep as they are picturesque. As for hotels, the lack of a beach or coastal area suitable for beach holidays makes it easy to find economic offers, especially in the city center.
The hotel offer is quite wide, there is no shortage too cheap accommodation such as B & Bs and hostels. The town is located one step away from huge beaches of fine sand, bathed by a clean and crystalline sea, including the "Scala dei Turchi“, One of the most famous beaches in Sicily.
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Taormina
Taormina is a renowned tourist resort, thanks also for the presence of a spectacular Greek theater on a rocky spur. Without a doubt, the city is one splendid seaside destination with splendid beaches, where in summer everyone is tempted to refresh everyone in a wonderful and clear sea.
The city of Taormina offers landscapes of fabulous beauty and enchanting views of the Ionian Sea. The historic center is the most suitable area to enjoy the lively nightlife. And also a good starting point to visit other important cities such as Catania, Messina and Giardini Naxos, as well as important natural attractions such as the Etna volcano and the natural park of the Alcantara Gorges
The historic center of Taormina is connected to the coastal area of Mazzarò by one funivia. The length of the cable car is over 700 meters and overcomes an altitude difference of over 170 meters. The cost of the ticket is 3 euros per person.
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Cefalù
Cefalù, located on the north coast and dominated by the Norman cathedral, is one of the largest spas of the whole island. Despite being a small town, millions of tourists visit it every year. This quiet city full of history offers beautiful beaches where you can relax and is a great base to stay in Sicily.
Classified as one of the "most beautiful villages in Italy“, Today is one famous seaside resort where to spend pleasant beach holidays and a great base to sleep in Sicily. Cefalù has awide hotel offer and of a good standard, with hotels located both on the seafront and in the city center.
In the historical center the main monuments are the Monastery of St. Catherine, the Roman baths, Cefalu Cathedral Church of St. George and the ancient and magnificent cathedral. The holiday will be enriched by good restaurants where to taste the best of typical Italian cuisine.
On hot days, a good choice is to go on Giuseppe Giardina seafront, the most important beach in the city, a stone's throw from its historic center. To get around the city there are four lines of city buses, while to reach other locations you can use the railway station from where trains leave to other Sicilian cities.
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Ragusa
Ragusa owes its fame especially to his own historic center, a splendid example of Baroque architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town has a genuine flavor and is based on a more medieval structure with narrow, labyrinthine alleys.
In the choice of where to sleep, we recommend one of the many small ones hotel structures in the historic center of the city, also to live and re-explore the typical life in the Sicilian centers. THE main monuments are the palace of Arezzo di Trifiletti, the Cathedral of San Giorgio and the palace La Rocca.
Nearby, just 15 km away, do not miss the visit of the famous city of Modica. Choosing to stay in the city of Ragusa allows you to enjoy impressive panoramic views and a unique nocturnal landscape.
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Noto
This small town in the hinterland of southern Sicily gives its name to the famous and wonderful Val di Noto, a geographical and historical region around the Iblean Mountains in southeastern Sicily. Defined the most beautiful city in Sicily, Known is the real "capital" of Sicilian Baroque.
The presence of numerous and prestigious historic buildings, including many historic churches, has led Noto to be declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. The city, located on one side of a hill, has a great density of churches, convents and grandiose palaces.
The main street of Noto is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, While the San Francisco church, with its imposing staircase, it is one of the must-see places. Every year, in the month of May, a curious flower festival, the "Infiorata of Noto“, Attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. There are ample possibilities for hiking around the hills, like the visit of the Asinaro Valley, among olive, orange and almond trees.
The attractions of Noto are not limited only to its historic center, within easy reach some of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily, such as the Lido di Noto with fine sand and crystal clear water, or the Calabernardo beach or the "Caribbean" beach of San Lorenzo. It is a great base for staying in Sicily. There are good hotels both near the beaches and in the historic center, the choice depends on tastes or preferences.
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Trapani
Trapani is a port city on the west coast of Sicily and the best city to stay in Sicily to visit the western part of the island. From Trapani you can visit important tourist destinations such as Marsala, Erice, San Vito lo Capo and Mazzara del Vallo, or leaving by ferry you can visit the splendid Egadi islands.
Il historical center is a pedestrian zone quiet where you can take pleasant walks while admiring the many Baroque palaces and monuments. The city is rich in history, but this is not the only attractive factor, absolutely not to be missed its famous salt pans or its beautiful and wide beaches.
In the city of Trapani they can be found accommodations with cheaper rates compared to other tourist areas of the island. There presence of the airport Vincenzo Florio allows you to get there easily and to start visiting the west coast and the nearby island of Pantelleria and the Egadi islands from here.
In short, the province of Trapani is one splendid area rich in natural beauty, with saline characteristics, ancient cities, wonderful islands, splendid crops of vegetables and fruit, among which great importance is the production of wine.
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