Sicily Holidays

Italian island

If you look at a map, Sicily’s the big island in the Med being kicked by Italy’s boot. It’s technically part of it, too, but it’s got a whole personality of its own – and whatever you do, don’t call the locals ‘Italians’. They’re proud to be Sicilian and we don’t blame them. The island’s got a lot of clout and is constantly being name-checked on travel award shortlists. It serves up a mix of volcanic landscapes with textbook beaches, and towns so aesthetic that the Amalfi Coast’s jel, plus ancient ruins that could make Rome quake in its boots. And if one island’s not enough for you, the Aeolian Islands give you seven more to work with.

A bit of everything

The island is like the perfect picky-bits lunch – you get a taste of loads of stuff in one trip. Live the dolce life on dreamy beaches, hike up Mount Etna – Europe’s tallest volcano – and get your ancient history on at the Valley of the Temples. And nothing screams ‘main character’ more than sipping an espresso and soaking up the chic vibes in one of Palermo’s piazzas. Bellissimo.

History for days

With Sicily looking this fine, it’s no wonder everyone’s wanted a slice of it over the centuries. The Greeks, Romans, Normans and Spanish have all left their mark, as well as the island’s OG inhabitants – the Sicanians. Head to Taormina to see a classic Greek amphitheatre, and the Roman version in Siracusa. The city on the east coast was the place to be back in the day, with big names like Plato, the ancient philosopher, showing their face here.

Beaut beaches

Sicily’s coastline had to one-up everyone else too, ofc. It’s got every kind of beach going, from Taormina’s rocky coves and Cefalu’s sandy sweep to boujie lidos in Giardini Naxos. Wherever you pick, you’re guaranteed a backdrop of colourful towns or lush hills, and some spots have their own little islands just off the shore. From Milazzo and Messina, on the north coast, you can catch a ferry over to the Aeolian archipelago and spend the day hopping from island to island.