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Voted No.1 in 2024 and No.2 in 2025 by Travel+Leisure Separated by a narrow stretch of sea, Sicily is worlds apart from the mainland. It’s the kind of island where stress feels out of place, helped along by the stunning scenery in every direction, full of mountains, searing blue seas and flaxen sands. The island itself was ruled by many nations over the years, influencing everything from architecture to the cuisine, and Greek temples sit next to perfectly-preserved Baroque paintings and glittering Arab-Norman mosaics. Whenever the opportunity arises, take a moment to sample the island’s signature dishes including caponata, gambero rosso (raw red prawns) and cannoli filled with creamy ricotta – and in Palermo, pay a visit to one of the many markets, piled high with swordfish, citrus and arancini. Inland, almond trees and pistachio groves abound and a visit to the adored hillside town of Taormina and nearby Noto is a must. And then there are the hotels. You’ll find sprawling five-star residences that are every bit as White Lotus as they sound, designer boutiques and guesthouses that will thrust you into the heart of Sicilian family life (and the cucina).
Sicily’s capital is a study in contrasts. There are crumbling piazzi and gorgeous sunlit courtyards, Norman domes and extravagant Baroque churches, and centuries of Arab, Spanish and Italian influence carved into stone. Much of the architecture is in varying states of disrepair, yet it all adds to the charm and (slightly faded) grandeur. Begin a day of wandering with an espresso and a brioche at a pavement café, before tackling one of the many markets, as much for the people-watching and atmosphere as for the purchasing! In the afternoon, admire the Byzantine mosaics in the Norman Palace and browse Sicilian art at the Palazzo Abatellis art gallery, or visit the nearby town of Monreale and its impressive cathedral. Then, after an aperitivo and a plate of zucchini fritti, spend the evening at the opera at Teatro Massimo, Europe’s third largest opera house, and revel in the delights of this enthralling, confusing town.
Set high on Sicily’s jagged cliffs and peering out over the Mediterranean Sea, Taormina is an adored hillside town, chock-full of history and with a charm that has been thousands of years in the making. The Greco-Roman amphitheatre is the town’s showpiece, its stone tiers framing the sea and Mount Etna in one of Italy’s most irresistible views. Along Corso Umberto, boutiques, gelaterie and chic aperitivo bars spill out, while narrow lanes lead towards Chiesa Madonna della Rocca for even wider and more wonderful vistas. Below is teeny-tiny Isola Bella, a nature reserve once home to English conservationist Florence Trevelyan and now reached by a ribbon of sand (walk, swim or cable car across) that appears and disappears with the tide. At the end of the day, grab a seat on a sunset terrace and watch the sky turn apricot, a perfectly chilled martini by your side...
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