Top Things to Do in Sicily
12 must-see attractions and experiences
Sicily is not merely an Italian island. It is a world unto itself. A layered land where the air smells of salt and volcanic dust, where the light has a particular golden clarity. That light sharpens the edges of baroque facades and ancient ruins. To visit Sicily is to engage with a place that has absorbed and transformed every wave of history. Greek temples overlook the sea. Norman cathedrals glitter with Byzantine mosaics. The first-time visitor should understand that Sicily operates on its own rhythm. You will find that cadence in the echoing calls of the fishmongers at the Ballarò market. You will find it in the slow, deliberate pace of a coffee taken standing at a bar. Its personality is forged from contrasts. The cool, dark interiors of palazzos against the blinding white of a midday piazza. The raw power of Mount Etna against the tranquil turquoise of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The question of where to stay in Sicily is central. Your base shapes your encounter. Palermo has a thrilling, cacophonous immersion into street life and layered architecture. Taormina provides a more curated, panoramic perspective from its cliffside perch. The southeast, around Syracuse and the Val di Noto, places you amid honey-colored baroque towns. The western coast near Trapani grants access to salt flats and Egadi islands. The food of Sicily is a direct expression of its sun-baked earth and surrounding waters. A cuisine defined by the tang of sun-dried tomatoes. The crunch of fresh sardines in pasta. The sweet cream of a cannolo filled to order. The weather in Sicily follows a Mediterranean logic. Long, parched summers are good for the beaches of Cefalù and Scopello. Mild, sometimes damp winters see snow dusting Etna's peak while citrus trees heavy with fruit scent the coastal air. Crafting a Sicily itinerary requires accepting you cannot see it all. Choose a quadrant to examine. Connect the dots between archaeological sites, hill towns, and a reserved table at a trattoria where the menu is spoken, not written.
Hand-Picked Experiences in Sicily
The best of every kind, whatever you're in the mood for
Food & Drink
Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view
Take a cooking class in a villa with a Palermo view.
Insider tip Go to the garden before or during the lesson to see where most products come from.
From market to Table Cooking lesson with a local in Sicily
Enjoy a cooking lesson from market to table with a local in Sicily.
Insider tip Expect to learn secrets of Sicilian cuisine from a local family and eat together.
Olive Oil Tasting and Experience (The Original in Sicily)
Experience the original olive oil tasting and experience in Sicily.
Insider tip This full immersion covers From the olive grove to the bottle, including tasting and Pairing.
On the Water
Private Tour explore Vulcano Island by Kayak & Coasteering
Explore Vulcano Island by kayak and coasteering on an Easy, medium, or difficult but always spectacular private tour.
Insider tip Choose the tour level that suits you best, from novice to expert, for adventure and relaxation.
Full-day catamaran tour in Palermo: boat experience with lunch
Join a full-day catamaran tour in Palermo for a boat experience with lunch.
Insider tip Begin with a welcome refreshment and expect a traditional Sicilian lunch prepared by the crew.
Private charter Egadi Islands
Charter a private charter for the Egadi Islands.
Insider tip Expect a new, well-maintained fleet with friendly and reserved skippers to meet your needs.
Day Trips Further Afield
Transfer package from Trapani airport to Favignana (transfer + hydrofoil ticket)
Use a transfer package from Trapani airport to Favignana with hydrofoil ticket.
Insider tip We take care of everything, including the transfer to the port and your hydrofoil ticket.
Taormina & Castelmola: Private Shore Excursion From Messina Port
Take a private shore excursion from Messina port to Taormina and Castelmola.
Insider tip Expect direct pickup at the cruise terminal and a guaranteed on-time return to your ship.
Palermo Airport transfers to/from Palermo city center (One-way)
Book Palermo Airport transfers to or from Palermo city center.
Adventure & the Outdoors
Hiking Etna North
Go Hiking on Etna North.
Insider tip The Group is limited to 10 for a friendly atmosphere and personalized advice from the Guide.
Etna Grantour - 4x4 & trekking - Private tour with lunch included
Experience the Etna Grantour, a private 4x4 and Trekking tour with lunch included.
Insider tip This tour lets you know 3 slopes of Etna Park in one day for the most complete visit.
Guided Trekking to Cavagrande del Cassibile in Sicily
Take a guided trekking to Cavagrande del Cassibile in Sicily.
Insider tip This spectacular canyon is one of the wonders of Sicily, created by water's erosive action.
Culture & History
Guided tour of the historic center Palermo
Join a guided tour of the historic center Palermo.
Insider tip You will visit an ancient market, elegant streets, and Unesco heritage monuments like the Cathedral.
More to Explore
Even more of the best of Sicily
Photoshoot Experience in Palermo
Guided ExperienceMove beyond smartphone snapshots and have the winding alleys, sunny courtyards, and grand monuments of Palermo become the backdrop for a professional portrait session. A local photographer knows the angles where the light falls just so, guiding you to photogenic corners away from the main tourist streams.
Half day with lunch in luxury private tour
Private TourThis luxury private tour distills the essence of Sicilian indulgence into a single, easy half-day. Traveling in a premium vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide, you set the agenda. Whether that means a deep focus on the Byzantine mosaics of Monreale, a wine tasting at a well-known vineyard in the countryside, or a curated shopping session for local ceramics and crafts.
Syracuse Private Walking Tour with Traditional Lunch and Wine
Walking TourExperience Syracuse not just as an archaeological site. But as a living city with a continuous culinary tradition dating back to its Greek founding. A private walking tour leads you through the ruins on the mainland and across the bridge to the island of Ortigia, where you'll see the majestic Cathedral built around a Doric temple and hear the splash of the Fountain of Arethusa.
Planning Your Visit
Practical tips for getting the most out of Sicily
Explore more experiences in Sicily
Browse live availability and pricing.
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Sicily.
See All Sicily Tours on ViatorReady to plan your trip to Sicily?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.