Sicily Hotels

Sunseekers and history buffs flock to Sicily to explore ancient ruins, hills of olive groves and the black volcanic hulk of Mount Etna. The jagged coastline is dotted with bustling beach resorts and secluded bays, and everywhere you'll find fresh seafood and mouth-watering Sicilian delicacies.

Take the cable car from Taormina to trendy Lido Mazzarò or head south to the bustling Marina di Ragusa. At the southernmost tip, discover Capo Passero's secluded coves. Families love Cefalù's sandy shores while Palermo locals head to Mondello Lido. For a unique experience, visit the black sand beaches on the Aeolian island of Vulcano.

Discover ancient Sicily at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Visit the museums, markets and squares of buzzing Palermo and admire nearby Monreale Cathedral. Scale moon-like Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, and head inland for mountaintop Enna and Piazza Armerina's Roman Villa mosaics.

Sail to the Aeolian islands north of the mainland and find sheltered coves and volcanic beaches. Go walking in the Madonie Mountains south of Cefalù, and inland, discover a different Sicily of mountain villages and family farmhouses. Hike along lava tunnels, caves and valleys in Etna National Park.

See Mount Etna from a new perspective with an exhilarating four-wheel drive tour. South of Cefalù, climb the rock promontory of La Rocca, home to the Temple of Diana. Go scuba-diving off the island of Ustica, hike the black sand paths of Stromboli island and cycle around the Marsala vineyards of western Sicily.

Mediterranean and North African flavours combine to create Sicilian cuisine. Try seafood specialities like cuttlefish pasta and fish couscous in Catania and Trapani. At Palermo's markets, snack on arancini (fried rice balls) and thirst-quenching granita (iced fruit drink). Round off your meal with cannoli (ricotta-filled pastries).

Find buzzing beach bars and street cafés everywhere from Taormina to Cefalù. In Catania , locals meet at popular Scalinata Alessi before heading to Via Crociferi's bars. In Palermo , bar-hop around Piazza Castelnuovo and Piazza Verdi and visit the trendy bar and cultural centre, Kursaal Kalhesa near the Botanic Garden.

Take home the flavours of Sicily. Stock up on capers, olive oil and Trapani salt in local markets like Palermo's La Vucciria. Buy Marsala dessert wine from Marsala on Sicily's west coast. Find ceramics in World Heritage town Caltagirone or at roadside shops selling colourful folk pottery.