Why go to Sicily? The 10 good reasons to go Sicily
Incredibly beautiful cities
Palermo, Syracuse and Catania, but also Ragusa, Noto, Cefalù, are historical jewels.
Greco-Roman temples to visit
Especially in Agrigento, the monumental Valley of the Temples is incredible.
Islands frozen in time
Charming and picturesque, the Aeolian Islands have remained on the fringe of the city's tumult.
A gastronomy full of flavours
Sicily is a land of epicureans and slow food enthusiasts, and offers a plethora of local recipes.
Active volcanoes to watch
Etna and Stromboli, volcanoes in eruption with incandescent lava, are easily observed.
Unique mineral wines
Wines from Marsala, Nero d'Avola, Etna and the Aeolian Islands are all highly reputed.
Dream beaches
Favignana, Syracuse and the Zingaro reserve boast wonderful turquoise beaches.
A charismatic, jovial people
Sicilians are friendly, joking and talk with their hands!
An affordable and nearby destination
One plane ride and you're there! The low cost companies serve Palermo as well as Catania.
Contrasting landscapes
Their diversity is rich, the surroundings of Etna have nothing to do with the rest of the island.
What to visit Sicily?
Interview: My Sicily
With Camille GRIFFOULIÈRES, author of the guide
Journalist reporter, IPJ graduate and author for the Petit Futé for more than 13 years, Camille comes to Sicily every year to discover new details. Fascinated by its long history and its architecture, she likes to see its museum collections again and again, to discover new paths and new talented restaurants, to taste the festive and urban atmosphere as well as to get lost in the villages and islands.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Sicily
Timetable
The opening hours of museums and tourist offices are similar to those in France. The same goes for churches and cathedrals. Many cultural institutions are closed on Mondays.
To be booked
The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the archaeological park of Neapolis in Syracuse are the two historical sites that should be booked online in advance to avoid waiting in line for the entrance. It is strongly recommended to book a guided climb or excursion to Mount Etna and Mount Stromboli, especially in high season, as the guides are very busy.
Budget & Tips
Admission generally varies from €2 to €10. Discounts are available for under-18s from all over the European Union, over-65s and students. What's more, since 2015, most museums have been taking part in the ministerial #DomenicalMuseo initiative, which offers free admission to museums (but also archaeological parks, monuments, galleries and gardens) every first Sunday of the month.
Main events
Heritage Days, a Europe-wide event that opens the usually closed doors of historic monuments and buildings to the public, are known in Italy as "Giornata FAI di Primavera" in June and "Giornata FAI d'Autunno" in October.
Guided tours
Etna and the Aeolian Islands are the main destinations for treks that require a guide and logistic organization. Indispensable for volcano ascents.
