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A guide to running in Sicily. The best places to run in Sicily are 'runseeing' tours and waterfront running in Palermo, Catania, Taormina, Syracuse, themed runs featuring 'Godfather' and 'Cinema Paradiso' sites, and some hilly running on Mount Etna or Monte Pellegrino.
- Cinema Paradiso
The 1988 Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award Winner...
- Catania
Catania, nestled on the eastern coast under Mount Etna, is...
- Palermo
Sicily, Italy Palermo: Parkruns Categories: Parkrun Looking...
- Rossana Maiorca Bike Trail
For a traffic-free (and mostly human-free) alternative to...
- Cinema Paradiso
- Why Visit Sicily
- Eastern Sicily
- South-Eastern Sicily
- Central Sicily
- North-West Sicily
- Northern Sicily
- Which Places Will You Visit in Sicily?
For years, the Italian mainland has been the desired destination for tourists. Seems they can’t get enough, eating and drinking their way around the triangle from Venice to Florence to Rome. Venturing to the south of Italy never occurred to tourists and didn’t seem necessary. Recently, that has changed. A switch has flipped, and the light is now sh...
Catania
First, let’s land in Catania, unsung Catania. Sicily’s second-largest city is far less touristed than Palermo, the largest. Situated in the middle of the eastern coast of the island, it is a Baroque town but also has black lava stone buildings. It is one of the few places to see Roman remains. The Cathedral that houses the relics of their beloved Patron Sant’Agata, the Benedictine Monastery (Catania University), the various churches and the Bellini Gardens that sit across from Sicily’s best a...
Mount Etna
People have talked about Mount Etnafor millennia. A volcano referred to as Mother, she provides a huge geographic area with remarkable fertility from her ongoing spurts of mineral-rich lava ash that settles on the soil. Her imposing profile is visible from miles away and in every direction. A visit up close is a must. There are various ways to experience her majesty, that begin with a visit to the extinct craters. Driving into the Etna Park, you will observe the landscape changing as you asce...
Taormina
Taorminais a small hilltop town, draped in floral displays of vibrant bougainvillea and about which great writers and romantics have waxed poetic. It is perched high above the sea, with a view to the mainland and draws hordes of international tourists to feast eyes on its unique beauty. The Greek Theateris one of the most beautiful and at the edge of town, it has exceptional views of both Mount Etna and the coastline, too. The historic center is given over to pedestrians who wander among the...
Noto
Just a short 20 minutes away from Siracusa is Noto. Built after the earthquake of 1693 destroyed the original town, it is now recognized by UNESCO for its refined Baroque architecture. The town is laid out in a grid form so the sun shines along the streets, reflecting light off the golden limestone. Perched atop a large flight of steps the Duomo is an imposing feature in the center of the main thoroughfare. Its steps are inviting to all for a sit down. The Duomo faces another beautiful buildi...
Ragusa
Ragusa is another town that was a victim of the earthquake of 1693. It combines a newer town above the historic town below with iconic images of beautifully colored domes visible from the windy road in between. Like many other places, the main area is the Piazza Duomo, where many streets converge. Here you can sit and enjoy wine-flavored gelato while gazing at Ragusa’s quintessentially Baroque Cathedral, so recognizable with its steep stairs and wrought-iron gate. The best view is from the pa...
Modica
Not too far from Ragusa is Modica. If by now you are in need of chocolate, you will find it here. Modica is chocolate central and here the chocolate is made in the same way the Aztecs did, a style brought over by the Spanish. Cooked over a low fire, the chocolate remains granular. It comes in plain or many delicious flavor varieties. There are several places that will give you a tour with samples of their chocolate bars, chocolate syrup and confections, including the traditional ‘Mpanatigghi,...
Piazza Armerina
From Catania, Piazza Armerina is a day trip, fewer than 90 minutes away. In Sicily it is always best to talk about the time to travel, not the miles because going off the main roads can be slow with lights, trucks, and sheep traffic. Piazza Armerina is a good-sized town with a beautiful church and some lunch-time eateries, but the reason to drive here is to visit the Villa Romana del Casale, just a few minutes on its outskirts. Think 4th century wealthy Romans. We don’t know exactly who they...
Caltagirone
The ceramics tradition in Sicily dates back to the indigenous peoples who used the rich clay in the area to make useful things. The Greeks advanced to firing vases and pots. Fast forward to the Arabs who brought with them a knowledge of ceramics-making from the East and they began making decorative objects, later refined further by the Spanish. History in Sicily is always complex, and all the peoples that came through left their own mark. Caltagirone is the largest of the ceramic centers in S...
Agrigento
The mother-lode of Greek ruins lies in the town once known as Akragas. It was a thriving, highly populated metropolis in the 6th century BCE. In the amazing place known as The Valley of the Temples, visitors will see 7 temples along a paved road (where it is possible to hop on a bus for a fee), among which is one of the world’s best-preserved temples, Concordia. This stunning group of temples all have similar light-colored stone now, but we know that back in the day, each temple was a colorfu...
Sciacca and Selinunte
On the windswept sea, along the Southern coastline sits Sciacca. It had thermal springs that served nearby Selinunte, a large Greek settlement in the 5th century BCE. Today Sciacca resembles a charming medieval town, built on an incline affording beautiful views of the sea. It is known for its ceramics with its own distinctive style, with many shops and workshops in town and also for its celebration of Carnevale. If you visit the town for a half day of relaxed exploring, you can spend the oth...
Mazara del Vallo
Coming up the west coast, the town of Mazara del Vallosays a lot about Sicily. As the crow flies, it is not far from Tunisia and this port town seems like a colorful extension, complete with a section of town called The Kasbah, Arabic art and signage, and the population itself often in Muslim dress. There are Mosques and couscous, the signature dish, but there is also an old Jewish Quarter, Catholic churches and a museum housing one of Sicily’s great art treasures, a Greek statue. The Dancing...
Marsala
Not far, further north and also on the sea is Marsala– Mars-Allah, the Port of Allah. The Arab influence in Sicily is distinctly felt in the West in contrast to the Greek influence in the East. This town is known for its fortified wine. Marsala was Sicily’s first DOC wine. It became famous in the mid-19th century because the wine would remain drinkable for sailors and merchants on long voyages. Although this small town is pleasant enough to explore, visiting wineries here is the thing to do....
Monreale
Perhaps one of Sicily’s top must-see sites is Monreale Cathedral. It is simply spectacular and renowned for its beauty but also because it remains a symbol of a time when multiculturalism was at its height. Begun in 1174 by William the Good, it exemplifies the best of the Arab/Norman heritage. It is an imposing Norman structure, covered in miles of brilliant Byzantine mosaics and colorful stonework with distinctly Arab motifs. It has decorated wooden ceilings, again displaying intricate Arab...
Palermo
Palermois Sicily’s capital, the largest city with roughly one million inhabitants. It has UNESCO designation for its Arab/Norman heritage, but even beyond this important history, Palermo has so much to offer! It is advisable to give yourself at least 2-3 days in Palermo to experience its variety: fabulous markets, famous for their chaos, colors, and cacophony; the historic sites, including the Palazzo Royale and its Cappella Palatina the extraordinary private chapel of King Roger II (with mor...
Cefalù
Cefalù sits on the Tyrrhenian seacoast, a small but very charming town built around its main Cathedral whose sturdy Norman spires dominate the landscape. It’s an iconic image of an unusual setting with a sandy beach at its front and the Madonie Mountains at its back. To the side of the Cathedral is La Rocca– a rocky promontory whose top can be reached on a path that leaves the center of town and after a moderate hike gifts you with stunning views of the sea, the town and the mountains. Cefalù...
The message for visitors is clear: do not miss feasting on the variety of what Sicily has to offer, on your plate, in a glass, and with your eyes. The history is layered, the contrasts are great, the landscape is stunning and the overall experience otherworldly. And this list is but a sampling, for in every town large and small, there are untold st...
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- Visit Palermo, the best thing to do in Sicily. Palermo is one of the best places to visit in Sicily, especially for its history. As with many capital cities, Palermo doesn’t have the best reputation in terms of cleanliness and security, but it’s still one of the most popular sites on the island.
- Taormina, one of the best places to visit in Sicily. Taormina is a beautiful medieval city, making it a great historical attraction in Sicily. There are lots of ancient ruins to explore here, and different areas reflect the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine empires.
- Climb Mount Etna, the best hike in Sicily. Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe at 10,990 feet. If you like hiking, a trek up this volcano is one of the coolest things to do in Sicily.
- Catania, something you can’t miss in Sicily, Italy. With so much to see and do here, Catania is one of the main attractions in Sicily you don’t want to miss.
May 22, 2021 · Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with an area of up to 25,711 km² and a population of over 5 million (2022), it is separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina, is one of five autonomous regions, officially known in Italian as Regione Siciliana.
Map of Sicily showing the best cities to visit on your vacation with information on tours, transportation and where to stay on Italy's largest island.
Nov 25, 2021 · From speakeasy coves to exhilarating sweeps of white, black or golden sand, Sicily’s emblematic paradise beaches require little introduction. Ditto for fiery Mt Etna, granita, crunchy cannoli oozing ricotta cream and its top-drawer food scene. Yet that's tip-of-the-iceberg stuff!
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Running in Sicily. You’’ll remember your vacation in Sicily forever. Find information about running routes in our Travel Guide and be sure to add your own content by using our Route Planner to publish and share your best routes with others.
