Sicily — the largest island in the Mediterranean — is not just a part of Italy; it's a civilization unto itself. Colonized by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, it has accumulated 3,000 years of temples, castles, and cathedrals. With Europe's tallest active volcano, the finest Greek ruins outside Greece, beaches that rival the Caribbean, and a cuisine that is arguably Italy's best, Sicily is the Mediterranean at its most intense.
Getting to Sicily
By air: Palermo (PMO) and Catania (CTA) airports have direct flights from across Europe. By train: Yes, trains cross to Sicily — at Messina, the train rolls onto a ferry! (From Rome: 9-11 hours, but the ferry crossing is magical.) By ferry: From Naples to Palermo (overnight, from €50).
Mount Etna — Europe's Mightiest Volcano
Etna (3,357m) is Europe's tallest and most active volcano — it erupts almost constantly. You can take the cable car from Rifugio Sapienza to 2,500m (€30), then a 4x4 bus to 2,920m, and hike with a guide to the summit craters. The landscape is otherworldly — black lava fields, fumaroles, and views stretching to North Africa on clear days. On the eastern slopes, vineyards produce exceptional wines from volcanic soil.
Valley of the Temples — Greek Sicily
Agrigento's Valley of the Temples is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world — a ridge of seven Greek temples from the 5th century BC, including the perfectly preserved Temple of Concordia, one of the finest Greek temples anywhere. At night, the temples are illuminated, creating a scene of haunting beauty. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Palermo & Cefalù
Palermo is Sicily's wild, beautiful capital — Arab-Norman churches, Baroque squares, the opera house that inspired The Godfather Part III, and street markets (Ballarò, Vucciria) where you eat arancini, panelle, and sfincione from stalls. The Cappella Palatina — with Byzantine golden mosaics — is one of Italy's most breathtaking interiors.
Cefalù, an hour east, is everyone's dream Sicilian town — a crescent beach, a Norman cathedral with golden Christ mosaic, and a towering rock fortress behind.
Practical Tips
- Best base: Catania (eastern Sicily, near Etna) or Palermo (western Sicily, Arab-Norman heritage)
- Rent a car: Essential for exploring — public transport is limited outside cities
- Food: Pasta alla Norma (aubergine), cannoli, granita with brioche (breakfast!), fresh seafood
- Beaches: San Vito Lo Capo, Scala dei Turchi (white cliffs), Isola Bella (Taormina)
- Taormina: Stunning hilltop town with ancient Greek theatre and Etna views
Bring Sicily Home
The volcanic drama of Etna, the golden Greek temples, the turquoise beaches — Sicily is the Mediterranean distilled to its essence. Our MemBoards souvenir cutting boards capture the island's extraordinary beauty.