If you’re dreaming of a trip to Sicily this year, you’re not alone. The island’s popularity has soared this year thanks to its appearance in the hit HBO series “The White Lotus,” as well as one of its most luxurious stops, San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel, where the show was filmed.
As part of a larger trend towards ‘set-jetting’ – the phenomenon whereby films and TV shows inspire travel itineraries – Sicily has dominated social media and Google searches this year. Hopper reported that Palermo was one of the most popular destinations for airfare searches this summer, with a 90% interest spike.
While many travelers flocked to Sicily this year to live out their White Lotus fantasies – facilitated by new luxury resorts like Rocco Forte’s Ville Igiea in Palermo and of course the aforementioned San Domenico Palace in Taormina – its distinctive culture and traditions transcend of Sicily by far the moment in media attention.
The largest island in the Mediterranean has long been something of a hidden gem that European jetsetters know about. It’s home to beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed villages, dazzling beaches, a wine and cuisine scene that easily rivals mainland Italy, and even the volcano Etna. Sicily is one of the best places in Europe to rent a car and explore without a prescribed agenda.
From the baroque towns of Val di Noto to villages with medieval castles and quaint beachside fishing communities, Sicily’s vast diversity of cultural and natural treasures fascinates travelers who want to experience the more authentic side of one of Europe’s most popular destinations.
Scicli
Scicli is dramatically situated in a valley wedged between rock walls. Located in the southeast of the island, it is one of the seven famous Baroque towns of Val di Noto.
Like many towns in the Val di Noto, it was severely damaged by the 1693 earthquake and rebuilt in the Baroque style. It is affectionately known as the setting for the popular Italian television series ‘Commissario Montalbano’.
Plan to explore the city on foot, starting at Via Francisco Mormino Penna, a street lined with several Baroque palaces and churches, all built in local white stone. Don’t miss the emblematic Baroque Palazzo Beneventano, an ornate 18th-century palace (the original building dates from the Middle Ages) with a courtyard hailed as the most beautiful in Sicily.
Walk
Draped over Mount Marone and dramatically framed by Mount Etna, Gangi is often called Italy’s most beautiful village. The charm of the town, crowned by the 14th century Ventimiglia Castle, lies in its authentic Sicilian atmosphere and its evocative medieval alleys, photogenically lined with two- and three-storey stone houses.
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At San Nicolo Church you can visit the rather macabre ‘tomb of dead priests’ (or fossa de parrini), where a crypt contains niches containing around 100 mummified priests believed to have lived in Gangi between 1720 and 1850.
Cefalu
Cefalu, one of Sicily’s most famous seaside resorts, has more than just golden sand and azure water.
Visit the 12th-century cathedral, complete with Renaissance sculptures and Byzantine mosaics. If you have some energy left, climb the enormous Rocca Mountain that towers over the city until you reach the ancient castle remains. It may seem vaguely familiar: this former fishing village was the setting for the Oscar-winning film ‘Cinema Paradiso’.
Ortigia
This beautiful island, once inhabited by Greeks, is filled with ancient monuments and historic churches. The picturesque squares are lined with elaborate palazzi and the labyrinthine streets are lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
Connected to mainland Sicily by two bridges. It is best to park your car in Siracusa and walk to the old town of Ortigia. Don’t miss Piazza del Duomo, with its impressive Duomo, the oldest church in Europe.
Another highlight is the city’s vibrant food markets (get some pistachios – Sicily has thousands of hectares of pistachio trees). Fresh swordfish is a local delicacy found on chalkboard menus in many restaurants.
Erice
Erice’s claim to fame is the Venere Castle, which sits atop the legendary mountain peak of Ertz and offers sweeping views of the Sicilian countryside and the sea.
Within the city’s 12th-century walls you’ll find an array of churches – nicknamed the ‘city of 100 churches’. The best known is the imposing Norman Cathedral of Erice, built with stones from the Temple of Venus in Rome; it is notable for its free-standing bell tower and intricately carved vaulted ceiling. The church dates from 1314, but was rebuilt in the current Gothic style in 1865.
The city’s greatest delights are found in its streets, with antique shops, craft shops, restaurants, cafes and bakeries (almond pastries are famous here).
Modica
The second of what will be a pair of Val di Noto’s iconic UNESCO-designed Baroque villages on this list are the endless roofs of Modica that stretch along the surrounding hills. Before the 1693 earthquake, the medieval old town was carved into the rock face. Now built atop the ridge, it is an evocative maze of beautiful Baroque facades, extravagant churches and beautiful palaces connected by stairs.
Be sure to visit San Giorgio Cathedral, and for an afternoon snack, sample some chocolate. The age-old recipe uses special grinding methods at low temperatures without cocoa butter for a grainy and bold flavor.
Savoca
North of Taormina in the province of Messina, Savoca is located between the aquatic waters of Sicily and the Peloritani Mountains. It is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
Another cinematic backdrop: iconic scenes from Francis Ford Coppola’s film “The Godfather” were shot there – most memorably the wedding of Michael Corleone and Apollonia in the Church of San Nicolo. Fans of the film should also visit Bar Vitelli (another famous filming location) for a glass of local wine.
Ragusa Ibla
Nestled between steep mountain peaks, Ragusa’s Old Town (Ragusa Ibla) is one of the most spectacular places to view from a distance.
The striking city sits on a hilltop, complete with blue-domed churches and pink and yellowed crumbling Baroque buildings. With its charming warren of streets and elegant squares lined with gray stone houses and palaces, Ragusa is one of the best places on the island to simply relax and watch Sicilian life unfold.
The city is divided into two distinct parts: Ragusa Superiore is the more modern enclave of the city with a more prosaic atmosphere, while Ragusa Ibla is the beautifully preserved historic center of the city that unfolds along the hillside. Sights not to be missed are the Church of San Giorgio and the Cathedral of San Giovanni.
Sperlinga
Sperlinga is built into the stone of the surrounding mountains and looks suspiciously like the word speleology – caving. As you might guess, there are numerous caves carved into the stone throughout the village, and you can explore them all. Find the best views by walking to Sperlinga Castle, which overlooks the village.
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Novara of Sicily
Novara di Sicilia is located between the two mountain ranges Nebrodi and Peloritani and offers spectacular views from almost every angle. Most of the village dates from the 17th century and is built of local sandstone beneath the remains of an old castle. The oldest building is the small and modest 13th-century St. Francis Church.
If you are lucky, you will visit during one of the many food festivals that this village organizes throughout the year, dedicated to local products such as hazelnuts, Maiorchino cheese and bread. If not, you can simply wander through the magical streets of the village.
The city is steeped in myths; according to legend, Cyclops once lived in Novara di Sicilia.
San Vito Lo Capo
The shoulder season (May-June and September-October) is the best time to visit San Vito Lo Capo, one of Sicily’s most beautiful beach villages, to beat the crowds and still have perfect weather. You might not associate couscous as a Sicilian specialty, but the village hosts an entire festival dedicated to the food every September.
Castiglione di Sicilia
Overlooking the Etna volcano, this village is similar to many other Sicilian towns in that it has a distinctive 12th-century castle and many churches. One of the most notable is the Santa Domenica Chapel, a small stone structure built by Byzantine monks.
Marzamemi
This small fishing village is known for its tonnara or tuna. It is also a popular beach spot for tourists and locals alike in the summer when the population increases exponentially. People watching over a spritz in the main square, Piazza Regina Margherita, is the favorite activity for a warm, summer evening.
In short
With so much to see and do in a beautiful country like Italy, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. But if you end up in Sicily, the best way to explore the island is by car.
Taormina may have stolen the spotlight this year thanks to the “White Lotus” effect, but once you get off the beaten track you’ll find beautiful villages with timeless cultural traditions everywhere. Be sure to add a few to your Sicilian vacation trip.
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