Tour guides Italy > Sicily

5 ideas for guided tours in Sicily

• Etna

  

  On Sicily’s eastern coast, Mount Etna dominates the landscape—its secondary cones, black lava flows, and villages clustered at its base. You approach it step by step, the road climbing steadily, occasional whiffs of sulfur in the air. Clouds sometimes cling to the summit, then suddenly break apart.

  From the Rifugio Sapienza, marked trails lead to ancient craters. The Valle del Bove opens into a vast mineral amphitheater, its walls streaked and the silence heavy with ash. You walk carefully, the ground warm in places, the air carrying a metallic scent.

  Back down, Catania brings you back to life at the volcano’s foot—noisy markets, façades carved from dark lava stone. The shadow of Etna is everywhere, in the smoky fish sizzling on grills, in the somber churches, in the rhythm of the streets.

• Cefalù

  

  Located on Sicily’s northern coast, Cefalù is one of the island’s most renowned seaside resorts. Its entire setting makes it a favorite base for visitors—with its fishing harbor full of brightly colored boats and a medieval-style old town where narrow streets lead to the main shopping street, the Corso Ruggero, and a splendid cathedral, the Duomo, blending Norman, Arab, Byzantine, and Romanesque styles—a testament to the region’s rich history of cultural exchange.

  Not far from there, near the Renaissance Palazzo Martino, you can reach the old medieval washhouse via a slightly steep pine-lined path. Climb the rocky cliff of the Parco della Rocca; at the top, you’ll find the ruins of an old castle and a breathtaking view.

  Cefalù also draws visitors for its many beaches. The most central is Porta Pescara, but the Lido is where you’ll find the most activity and day-and-night celebrations. For more peace and quiet, escape a few kilometers away to the pebble beach of Caldura or head to the large Capo Raya beach, a favorite spot for surfing and sailing enthusiasts.

• The natural reserve of Zingaro

  

  A visit to the Zingaro Nature Reserve is an absolute must. This park stretches along the coast for 7 kilometers in the Gulf of Castellammare, between San Vito Lo Capo to the north and Scopello to the south.

  It offers countless opportunities for hiking through wild landscapes and along the seashore. The area has remained untouched, with only a few scattered rural farmhouses. Cars are not allowed inside, which makes it an especially peaceful place.

  Follow the trails that lead you from cove to cove, with stunning views and stops in the charming villages of Scardina and Cusenza. The Zingaro Reserve offers the perfect escape, home to a rich variety of plant species and many emblematic birds, such as the peregrine falcon and Bonelli’s eagle.

• Syracuse

  

  Syracuse is a city like no other, one that has managed to preserve its poetry and charm. A true open-air museum, it was founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC. Over the centuries, it was inhabited by Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, and finally Italians.

  For this reason, countless traces of these civilizations can be found, especially on the island of Ortigia, a marble-adorned gem in the historic center, reached via the Darsena Canal.

  Highlights here include the Temple of Apollo and, just beside it, the lively daily market. Don’t miss the Arethusa Fountain, the Piazza del Duomo that surrounds it, and the Castello Maniace with its sweeping views. Wander through Syracuse’s narrow lanes to discover a quiet way of life where every stroll feels like an enchantment.

  Just outside the modern city lies the Neapolis Archaeological Park, home to a Roman amphitheater, a massive Greek theater, and the Altar of Hieron, once used for animal sacrifices.

• Taormina

  

  Taormina is one of Sicily’s true gems. Perched on a 200-meter-high cliff on the edge of Mount Tauros, it sits about an hour’s drive from both Catania and Messina.

  Begin by exploring the pedestrianized town between its two historic gates, walking along the ever-popular Corso Umberto. Don’t hesitate to wander through the narrow side streets to admire every house façade, every small square, and the many painted murals.

  A narrow sandbar, accessible on foot despite the tides, leads to the beautiful beach of Isola Bella, surrounded by lush vegetation. To rest after strolling through Taormina’s flower-filled lanes, stop by the Gardens of the Villa Comunale, located just below the remarkably well-preserved Greek Theater. The park is filled with a variety of plants, fountains, and open-air sculptures, all laid out along wide paths that follow the cliff’s edge with the sea far below.

  These gardens offer a space of serenity, far from the town’s bustle. If Taormina is a jewel of Sicily, try to visit outside peak tourist seasons—you’ll find it quieter and easier to truly appreciate its beauty.