9 Best Cities to Visit in Sicily [Top Lesser-Known Destinations]

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is rich in ancient history, boasts beautiful buildings, offers clean beaches, and serves up delicious food. Many tourists go to the same popular places, but this beautiful Italian island has many hidden treasures that are just waiting to be found. In fact, Sicily's cities each have their own interesting stories to tell, from baroque masterpieces to seaside fishing villages, volcanic landscapes, and ancient Greek ruins.

This guide will take you to both well-known cities and lesser-known places that show off the real heart of Sicily. You'll find the right Sicilian town for you if you want to do things with your family, travel alone, or relax on the beach.

Why Visit Sicily?

Sicily isn't just another Italian destination; it's a world in its own right. According to Tourism Review , Sicily welcomed more than 21.5 million tourists in 2024. In the first three months of 2025, there was even more growth, with a 23% increase in tourist traffic compared to the same time last year.

Additionally, according to ENIT's summer 2025 forecast , nearly 19 million people from other countries are expected to arrive at Italian airports, highlighting the popularity of Sicily.

This fantastic island should be at the top of your travel list for these reasons:

• Rich Cultural Tapestry: Sicily's strategic location in the Mediterranean has made it a crossroads of cultures for thousands of years. The island has buildings and cultural influences from Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish rulers, making it a unique mix that can't be found anywhere else.
• Unique Historical Sites: Sicily is an open-air museum of human achievement that spans 3,000 years. It boasts the best-preserved Greek temples outside of Greece, stunning Byzantine mosaics, and baroque cities that were rebuilt after devastating earthquakes.
• Exceptional Cuisine: Sicilian cuisine differs from that of mainland Italy. It has intense flavors, fresh seafood, North African influences, and famous desserts like cannoli and granita. Every city has its own unique foods.
• Diverse Landscapes: Sicily has a lot of different landscapes on one island. You can explore active volcanoes, golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, rolling countryside, and charming hillside towns.
• Authentic Italian Experience: You'll find genuine Sicilian hospitality, traditional ways of life, and communities where tourism hasn't overtaken local culture, especially in lesser-known cities.
• Value for Money: Sicily is an excellent destination for those seeking to save money on accommodations, meals, and activities without compromising quality. It's better than northern Italy and other Mediterranean destinations.

How to Get Around Sicily

When traveling in Sicily, planning is essential. The way you get around on the Island is very different from the big cities compared to the rural areas.
By Car: Renting a car gives you the most freedom and is the best way to see several cities and off-the-beaten-path places. The roads along the coast have amazing views, but the roads in the mountains can be twisty. In older city centers, you may need to get creative with parking, and in larger cities, people often drive aggressively.
By Train: Trenitalia operates trains that connect major coastal cities, including Palermo, Catania, Syracuse, and Messina. Train travel is affordable and scenic, but there are few trains that serve areas in the middle of the country. The views from the roads around Mount Etna are wonderful.
By bus: Regional bus companies fill in the gaps in the rail network, connecting smaller towns and places farther inland. The leading providers are AST and SAIS. Service may not be available on weekends and holidays, so please check the schedule and arrive early.
Private Transfers and Tours: If you prefer not to drive or if public transportation doesn't reach your destination efficiently, you can easily find private transfers and organized day tours, especially in major cities.
Within Cities: The historic centers of most Sicilian cities are small and best seen on foot. Palermo and Catania are two large cities with local bus systems, but they can be challenging for tourists to navigate. In big cities, you can get taxis and ride-sharing services.
Inter-City Buses: FlixBus connects major cities in Sicily with comfortable and affordable bus service. This offers a good alternative to trains.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Sicily

The Mediterranean climate in Sicily makes it a year-round destination, but each season has its own benefits:

During Sicily's busiest months (July and August), you need to book your stay 2 to 3 months in advance. Spring and fall are better times to travel because they are more flexible and have better rates. People who travel in the winter can often find last-minute deals.

For a stress-free booking experience, consider using PlaninGo, an AI-powered travel planning tool, to match you with the perfect accommodation based on your preferences and budget.

9 Best Cities Overall

After all the information above, here’s an interesting part of the guide: the best cities you might add to your bucket list.

1. Palermo:

The lively capital of Sicily is full of energy, disorder, and centuries of cultural exchange. Palermo is a must-see because of its Arab-Norman architecture, busy street markets, and great street food.

The historic center of the city is home to amazing buildings like the Palazzo dei Normanni with its sparkling Cappella Palatina, the impressive Cathedral, and the one-of-a-kind Norman palace of La Zisa.

You shouldn't miss the famous markets of Ballarò and Vucciria, where you can try street food favorites like arancini, panelle, and sfincione. Palermo is a real, exciting city that is unlike any other in Sicily, even though it has some rough edges.

2. Siracusa (Syracuse):

Syracuse, once the most powerful Greek city in the Mediterranean, is a beautiful place that combines ancient history with the beach. Ortigia, the historic center of Syracuse, is a maze of baroque churches, medieval streets, and waterfront cafés that is easy to walk around.

The Greek Theatre in the Neapolis Archaeological Park is still used for performances after 2,500 years. The Ear of Dionysius cave and the Roman Amphitheatre are also part of this amazing archaeological area. Syracuse is a great place to explore culture and relax by the beach. It has great seafood restaurants and a manageable, walkable size that makes it feel less overwhelming than bigger Sicilian cities.

3. Taormina:

Taormina has been a popular tourist destination since ancient times because it is dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna in the background.

The Greek Theatre, which is in a beautiful location, may be the most beautiful place in the world to see a performance. Taormina is a popular tourist destination because of its natural beauty, upscale atmosphere, and great restaurants.

The streets from the Middle Ages are lined with nice stores, the public gardens have great views, and the beaches nearby are great for relaxing by the sea.

Taormina is a great place to start exploring eastern Sicily because it is close to Mount Etna, the Alcantara Gorges, and coastal villages.

4. Catania

Mount Etna, which has destroyed and shaped Catania many times throughout history, casts a literal shadow over the city, which is Sicily's second-largest.

After the terrible earthquake in 1693, the city rebuilt itself in the baroque style, which is what gives Catania its unique dark, powerful look with its dramatic volcanic-stone buildings.

The city has a lot of energy, great food markets (the fish market near Piazza del Duomo is the best), and a lively nightlife thanks to its large student population.

Prices are also much lower than in Taormina. Catania is the perfect place to start a trip to Mount Etna and experience real urban Sicilian life.

5. Noto:

Noto, the jewel of Sicily's baroque cities, was completely rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake in a single architectural style that makes the city look like no other in Europe.

The golden limestone looks amazing in the late afternoon sun, and the city's beautiful palaces, churches, and wide streets make it feel like a baroque theater in the open air.

The Cathedral of San Nicolò stands out in Piazza del Municipio, and the ornate balconies on Via Nicolaci are a treat. Noto is small, so the best way to see it is to walk around slowly, stop at cafés for granita, and enjoy the details of the buildings. It's perfect for a day trip from Syracuse or a peaceful night away.

6. Cefalù:

This lovely coastal town is the perfect place to relax on the beach and learn about the culture. The Norman Cathedral, with its beautiful Byzantine mosaics, is the most important building in the town center. Behind it, the huge La Rocca cliff offers hiking trails and stunning views.

Families like Cefalù because it has a long sandy beach, which is rare in rocky Sicily. The medieval streets are home to great restaurants and artisan shops. Even though a lot of tourists come to the town, it still feels like a real fishing village.

It's also small enough that you can relax for a few days. Cefalù is a good place to go for a day trip or to stay while you explore northwestern Sicily. It is between Palermo and the Aeolian Islands.

7. Ragusa:

Ragusa is two cities in one: the baroque lower town of Ragusa Ibla, which was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, and the modern upper town. Ragusa Ibla is the real treasure.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage site with atmospheric stone streets, beautiful churches (especially San Giorgio), and real local life.

The town has stayed refreshingly uncommercial, with family-run restaurants serving traditional Ragusan food and artisan shops selling goods made by locals.

The Hyblaean Mountains are the countryside around here. They have steep limestone gorges, old farming traditions, and other baroque gems like Modica and Scicli nearby. Ragusa is a great place to start exploring southeastern Sicily because it rewards slower travel.

8. Agrigento:

Most people who go to Agrigento do so to see the Valley of the Temples, which is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the world.

It has Greek temples that are very well preserved and are set in a beautiful hillside setting. The medieval town center on the hill above is also worth a visit.

Its streets, cathedral, and authentic atmosphere are all worth seeing. The Scala dei Turchi, a striking white limestone cliff formation nearby, has a unique coastal view.

You can either go to Agrigento for the day to see the temples or use it as a base to explore Sicily's southern coast, which includes nearby beaches and smaller archaeological sites.

9. Trapani:

Trapani is a working port city with a beautiful historic center, great seafood, and easy access to some of Sicily's most interesting sights. It's often overlooked in favor of more famous places.

The old town is on a narrow peninsula that sticks out into the sea. It has baroque churches, atmospheric squares, and waterfront promenades.

Trapani is the way to get to the Egadi Islands, the medieval hilltop town of Erice, and the old ruins of Segesta. The city is known for its salt pans, which make strange landscapes and produce some of the best sea salt in Italy. Couscous (which shows North African influences) and fresh tuna dishes are some of the best local foods.

Sicily City Destinations: Family & Solo Travel Comparison

Before diving into the next destination, it's not a bad idea to check the list of the best romantic hotels in Italy to avoid missing any details about this beautiful country.

Lesser-Known Cities Worth Visiting in Sicily

As we mentioned earlier, Sicily has numerous destinations, but fewer people are aware of them. Below, we introduce some of them:

Modica:

This baroque gem in southeastern Sicily is known for two things: its stunning location on two hilltop ridges connected by steep streets, and the fact that it makes chocolate in a way that no one else does.

Spanish rulers brought the ancient Aztec recipe for Mesoamerican chocolate, which makes a grainy, intensely flavored treat that is unlike any other chocolate.

San Giorgio and San Pietro are two beautiful Baroque churches in the upper and lower towns. The streets are full of character, and the food is great. Modica doesn't get as many tourists as Noto, but it has just as beautiful buildings and a more authentic way of life.

Scicli:

Scicli is another UNESCO baroque gem. It is in a valley where three gorges meet, making for a stunning natural setting.

The town became famous around the world as a filming location for the TV show Inspector Montalbano, but it hasn't been commercialized at all.

The baroque churches and palazzi are beautiful, and the caves carved into the surrounding cliffs add to the area's interest. The beach at nearby Sampieri is a great place to escape to the coast. Scicli is a great place to explore without a map, where you can find hidden courtyards and bakeries.

Marsala:

Marsala is known all over the world for its fortified wine, but the city has a lot more to offer than just wine tasting. The beautiful historic center has Punic ruins (Marsala was close to the ancient Carthaginian stronghold of Motya), a beautiful cathedral, and a lively evening passegiata along Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

The salt flats to the north of town, which are blown by the wind, make strange landscapes with shallow pools that reflect the sky and abandoned windmills that add to the otherworldly feel.

You can use Marsala as a base to visit the Egadi Islands and Motya, an interesting archaeological site on an island in the lagoon.
Enna:

Enna is a very different place to visit in Sicily. It is on top of a mountain in the middle of the island, almost 3,000 feet above sea level. This medieval town is in the middle of Sicily and is known as the “navel of Sicily.”

It has amazing views of the whole island. The Norman castle, cathedral, and tower stand out against the sky. The cool mountain weather and lack of tourists make the area feel peaceful and real.

When driving through the middle of Sicily, Enna is a great place to stop. It also gives you access to the beautiful Roman Villa del Casale in nearby Piazza Armerina.

Food and Culture in Sicilian Cities

Sicilian food is one of Italy's most unique regional cuisines. It has been shaped by many different cultures over the years, and the island's rich produce, seafood, and traditional farming methods.

• The Culture of Street Food:
  Palermo and Catania are two Sicilian cities renowned for their exceptional street food traditions. Pani ca meusa (spleen sandwich), arancini (fried rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), and sfincione (Sicilian pizza) are all must-try foods in Palermo. Catania is known for its horse meat dishes, cipollina (pastries filled with onions), and arancini. Street food is a great way to get real, tasty meals at very low prices.
• Seafood and Coastal Cuisine:
  Coastal cities have the best seafood, like swordfish and tuna steaks, pasta con le sarde (with sardines, wild fennel, and pine nuts), fresh red prawns from Mazara del Vallo, and a lot of different ways to cook anchovies, squid, and octopus. Catania, Syracuse, and Trapani all have fish markets that show off the daily catch and the local food culture.
• Interior and Mountain Cuisine:
  Cities in the interior, like Ragusa and Enna, have heartier foods like slow-cooked meat dishes, lamb dishes, wild mushrooms, ricotta-based dishes, and pasta with meat sauces. The food is based on farming traditions and the cooler weather in the mountains.
• Desserts and sweets:
  The desserts in Sicily are heavily influenced by Arab culture. Some examples are cassata (ricotta cake), cannoli (fried pastry tubes filled with ricotta), granita (more flavorful than sorbet, less creamy than ice cream), marzipan fruits, and many sweets made with almonds. Every city says it has its own special versions. In the summer, Sicilians eat granita for breakfast with brioche.

Sicily's Top Coastal and Beach Destinations:

A beach destination always matters for travelers who want to enhance their relaxing travel experience and make special memories. With clean, clear water, it's not bad to review beach destinations together.

Now, you know a lot of destinations for each type of travel. For better planning, you can search in the hotel list in PlaninGo, to find the best place for each of the above destinations in Sicily.

Travel Tips for Visiting Sicily:

To wrap things up, we’d like to share some valuable travel tips from our years of experience as travel planners. We’ll cover everything you need to know for a worry-free vacation, including how to book flights , plan a great itinerary, and book places to stay.

For travelers looking to find affordable flights to Europe , consider flying into major European hubs like Rome, Milan, or Frankfurt, then catching a connecting flight or taking advantage of budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, or Volotea to reach Sicily. Booking flights several months in advance typically yields the best prices, especially for summer travel. Additionally, here are some critical points you should consider:

Safety and Transportation Tips

Sicily is generally safe for tourists, but it's always a good idea to stay alert. Keep your valuables safe because petty theft can happen in busy places. Driving can be crazy because locals drive fast, and parking is scarce in historic centers. If you're renting a car, make sure to plan. Between major cities, trains and buses are reliable, but in rural areas, schedules may be limited, especially on weekends. Always look at the schedule ahead of time.

Language and Local Etiquette

The primary language is Italian, but Sicilian dialects are also spoken. You can find some English in tourist areas, but it helps to learn a few Italian phrases, such as "thank you" and "please." People from Sicily are friendly and welcoming. When you go to a church, dress modestly and say hello to shopkeepers and locals. Also, respect the afternoon riposo (siesta hours) when many businesses close.

What to Pack for Your Trip

Bring light, breathable summer clothes, a hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the intense Mediterranean sun. You need comfortable shoes to walk on cobblestone streets and at archaeological sites. Bring layers and a light jacket for the cooler evenings in the spring and fall. Bring a scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders if you plan to attend church.

Bring warmer clothes and waterproof gear for winter trips, especially if you're heading to Mount Etna or into the interior.

Final Words:

Sicily's cities have something for every kind of traveler. Palermo is full of energy, Noto is elegant in a baroque way, Cefalù is charming by the sea, and Catania is dramatic because of its volcanoes.

You'll find an island full of history, culture, natural beauty, and some of the best food in the world, whether you stick to the well-known places or go to less well-known ones like Modica and Scicli. Spend some time wandering aimlessly, talking to locals, and enjoying long meals. Let Sicily's magic work on you. This is an island that gives back to those who take their time and have open hearts.