Best Sicily
The Teatro Antico di Taormina is an ancient Greek-Roman theater located in Taormina, Sicily, originally constructed by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC and later rebuilt and expanded by the Romans. Built into the hillside, the theater utilizes the natural landscape to frame its stage and offers a pa...
The Cathedral of Monreale is a Norman Roman Catholic cathedral located in the town of Monreale in Sicily, Italy. Construction was initiated by King William II of Sicily around 1174, resulting in a prominent example of Norman and Arab-Byzantine architectural fusion. The interior is heavily decorated...
The Royal Palace of Palermo, also known as the Palazzo dei Normanni, is a historical palace in Palermo, Sicily, that served as the seat of the Kings of Sicily during the Norman rule. The structure was built upon earlier Arab fortifications and significantly expanded in the 12th century by Roger II....
The Valley of the Temples is an extensive archaeological site in Agrigento, Sicily, encompassing the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Akragas. Established in the 6th century BC, the site contains a series of exceptionally preserved Doric temples constructed primarily during the 5th century BC. Not...
The Temple of Concordia stands as one of Greece’s finest surviving examples of a Doric temple. Constructed around 450 BC in Agrigento, Sicily, it represents a remarkable achievement in ancient architecture. Its exceptional preservation offers invaluable insight into Greek religious practices and arc...
Located in northwestern Sicily, Italy, the Ancient Theatre of Segesta is an archaeological site situated on Mount Barbaro. It was constructed in the third century BCE during the Hellenistic period, reflecting Greek architectural influence. The semi-circular seating area, or cavea, is divided into tw...
The Targa Florio was an open-road endurance race held on the island of Sicily, making it one of the oldest motorsport events in the world. Founded in 1906, the race competed over grueling public mountain roads in the Madonie region. It evolved into a premier sports car race before safety concerns en...
The Valley of the Temples represents one of Greece’s most complete ancient temple complexes. Located in Agrigento, Sicily, it contains remarkably preserved Doric temples dating primarily from the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The site offers insight into Greek religious practices and architectural achie...
The Theatre of Taormina is a remarkably well-preserved ancient Greek amphitheater located in Taormina, Sicily. Built around the 3rd century BC, it’s notable for its exceptional acoustics and stunning views overlooking Mount Etna. The theater served as a venue for dramatic performances and public gat...
The Necropolis of Pantalica is an extensive complex of rock-cut tombs in the limestone valleys of southeastern Sicily, Italy. Nearly 4,000 burial chambers were excavated into cliff faces, principally between the 13th and seventh centuries BC, alongside remains associated with prehistoric settlements...
Benanti is a Sicilian wine estate established in 1988 on the slopes of Mount Etna. The winery is recognized for working with the volcano's indigenous grape varieties, including Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Carricante. Benanti was among the producers that contributed to the revival of vi...
Agrigento is an archaeological site on the southern coast of Sicily, Italy, containing the remnants of the ancient Greek city of Akragas. Founded around 580 BCE by Greek colonists, the site is most famous for its Valley of the Temples, a ridge featuring well-preserved Doric temples. These monumental...
The Theatre of Syracuse is a remarkably preserved ancient Greek amphitheater located on the island of Sicily. Constructed by the Hellenistic ruler Hieronymus I in the 3rd century BC, it remains one of the largest theaters ever built, boasting a diameter surpassing 450 feet. Its impressive semicircul...
Cala Rossa is a cove located on Favignana, the largest of the Aegadian Islands situated off the western coast of Sicily, Italy. The beach is named for the reddish, iron-rich limestone cliffs that surround the shoreline and provide a backdrop for the swimming area. The site lacks sandy expanses, feat...
The Theatre of Segesta is a remarkably well-preserved ancient Greek amphitheater situated on Sicily’s Monte Barbaro. Constructed in the 2nd century BC, it represents an early example of Greek theater design and offers insights into performance practices of the time. Its dramatic location and largely...
The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is a remarkably preserved Greco-Roman amphitheatre located in Sicily. Constructed initially by the Greeks around 320 BC and significantly expanded during the Roman period, it remains one of Europe’s best-preserved ancient theaters. Its unique setting overlooking Mount...
Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples preserves remarkably well-preserved remains of Akragas, a significant Greek city established in Sicily around 580 BCE. The site features a collection of Doric temples dating primarily from the 5th century BCE, representing an important example of ancient Greek archi...
San Vito Lo Capo Beach is a renowned white-sand coastline located in northwestern Sicily, Italy. Its notable feature is its pristine waters and expansive beach area adjacent to Monte Monaco. The beach is particularly popular with families seeking recreational activities and is closely associated wit...
Giusto Occhipinti is a Sicilian winemaker renowned for his pioneering work with COS winery. Established in 1980, COS utilizes natural winemaking techniques and innovative aging methods like amphora vessels to produce distinctive wines from the frappato grape of Sicily’s Cos region. His focus on terr...
The Greek Theatre of Syracuse is an ancient theater located in the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse, Sicily. Carved into the rocky hillside, it dates from the 5th century BCE and represents one of the largest Greek theaters from antiquity. The theater follows the standard Greek design of...
Frank Cornelissen is an Italian wine producer based on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. Established in 2001, the estate is recognized for its strict adherence to natural and minimal-intervention winemaking practices. Cornelissen cultivates indigenous grape varieties such as Nerello Masca...
George Balanchine’s *Palermo* is a ballet exploring complex familial dynamics set in late 19th-century Sicily. The work features a predominantly male company executing sharp, deliberate movements that convey intense emotional conflict and social unrest within an aristocratic household. It's notable...
Marco De Bartoli is a renowned Italian winemaker specializing in Marsala fortified wine from Sicily. He’s notable for his dedication to time-honored winemaking techniques using indigenous Zibibbo grapes. His methods prioritize quality and traditional production, appealing to those seeking authentic...
The Messina Cathedral clock tower stands beside the cathedral in Messina, Sicily, and contains a large astronomical clock built by the Strasbourg firm Ungerer. Inaugurated in 1933, the mechanism combines clock and calendar displays with gilded automata representing religious and civic subjects. Its...
Cala Azzurra is a coastal inlet located on the southeastern shore of Favignana, the largest of the Aegadian Islands in Sicily, Italy. The beach features pale sand mixed with smooth pebbles and is bordered by rocky formations. It is named for its distinct turquoise and blue-green waters, which remain...
Sabadì creates artisan chocolate bars emphasizing Sicilian tradition. The company produces its entire range of bean-to-bar chocolate in Italy, utilizing organic cacao beans and a Modica-style process that involves conching the chocolate with sugar for an extended period. This technique develops a un...
Planeta Winery produces wines from Sicily, Italy, recognized for its innovative approach to viticulture since 1995. The family-owned estate manages several vineyards, focusing on quality and showcasing the region's diverse grape varieties. Planeta’s wines are appreciated by those seeking distinctive...
The Battle of Syracuse was a pivotal siege during the Peloponnesian War. Athenian forces attempted to capture the strategically important city in Sicily around 415 BC. This ambitious expedition ultimately failed disastrously, resulting in significant losses for Athens and reshaping the course of the...
The Norman Palace in Palermo, Italy represents a significant historical landmark. Originally constructed as an Arab fortress, it evolved into the residence of Norman kings and later served various roles within the Kingdom of Sicily. Its most famous feature is the Palatine Chapel, a stunning example...
Donnafugata is a premium Italian winery located on Sicily's Ragusa Ibla estate. Established by the Rallo family in 1983, it’s notable for its dedication to indigenous Sicilian grape varieties like Zibbibo and Grillo. The winery produces distinctive wines from Pantelleria and other Sicilian DOC regio...
