1 comment · May 17, 2020

10 fabulous places to visit in Sicily

Choosing just 10 places to see in Sicily is really difficult. History, nature, art and culture: it has it all. And although the task borders on the impossible, we have tried to put together a ranking of its wonders.

Here are the 10 places to visit in Sicily in 2020, in our opinion:

Plemmirio marine park: a protected marine area on the eastern coast of Syracuse, established in 2004, covering the stretch of sea in front of the eastern part of the Maddalena Peninsula.
Pantalica: a necropolis declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005; its small caves with square entrances bear witness to the ancient presence of pre-Greek civilisations, and they are reached along a path that offers breathtaking views.
Fiumara d'arte is an open-air museum spread across several towns in north-eastern Sicily (Tusa, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Mistretta). The museum was founded on the initiative of Antonio Presti; the works were created to blend into the landscape and to become a symbol of beauty and of Sicily's artistic rebirth. The route can only be done by car or, if you are particularly fit, by bicycle.
Argimusco megaliths: they stand just north of Etna, roughly on the border between the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountains. Here rises a fascinating group of megaliths still surrounded by a thick aura of mystery that will probably never be solved. Large quartz sandstone rocks, shaped into curious and evocative forms, tower over the plateau at more than a thousand metres above sea level. Popular tradition attributes these megaliths to prehistoric peoples.
Etna Park: certainly one of the most striking places on the whole island; it can be visited at any time of year and offers a huge range of activities. In summer you can go trekking on its many trails, while in winter you can ski inside the park, which is the island's main ski destination.
Farm Cultural Park: an explosion of colour and modern art in the heart of the oldest, most traditional Sicily. The idea for Farm Cultural Park came from a couple of intellectuals who wanted to restore a courtyard in their home town, Favara. To renovate it, they wisely drew inspiration from the shapes and colours of tourist destinations around the world.
Ragusa Ibla: one of the most beautiful Baroque towns in Sicily, on the UNESCO World Heritage list, in the middle of the Val di Noto, and a must on your next trip to Sicily. With its maze-like quarters, postcard views and panoramic staircases, a trip to Ragusa – even just for the day – is not to be missed.
Scala dei Turchi: a white limestone cliff, famous for its unusual shape: erosion seems to have carved steps that drop straight into the sea.
Noto: dubbed “the Capital of the Baroque”, its historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Just a few kilometres from the Vendicari Nature Reserve, the town of Noto is one of the places not to miss on your tour of eastern Sicily! Noto will impress you with its monuments and historic palazzi and the harmony of its forms, with an urban architecture that seems almost like a stage set! The nature trails winding through ancient Noto are also beautiful.
Aeolian Islands: the seven small islands that make up the magnificent Aeolian archipelago, north of the Sicilian coast. These seven volcanic islands rise like shards of stone from the deep blue sea, forged by fire and swept by the winds. Wild beauty and unspoilt nature are their hallmarks.