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Sicily: choose your regional route

Sicily brings Byzantine mosaics, Arab-Norman architecture, Greek ruins, baroque towns, volcanic landscapes and island life into one large Mediterranean journey. Give Palermo, the western archaeological coast, the volcanic east, Syracuse and the Aeolians their own rhythm instead of treating the island as a checklist.

In a nutshell: From Southern Italy, treat Sicily as a set of routes rather than one checklist. Start with the Sicily overview to match your days and pace, then use Practical Sicily for seasons, arrivals, transport, driving and bases. Choose Palermo, Monreale and Ustica for markets, Arab-Norman monuments and a northwest escape; West and Central Sicily for salt roads, Greek ruins and hill towns; or Eastern Sicily for Catania, Etna, Taormina, Syracuse and the baroque southeast. Add the Aeolian Islands only when ferry time can be part of the trip, and use Food and volcanoes to connect markets, vineyards and living landscapes to every regional route.

Choose your Sicily route

Sicily overviewRead →Choose regions, pace and a workable island-wide route before fixing every stop.Practical SicilyRead →Plan seasons, arrivals, transport, driving, safety and sensible overnight bases.Palermo, Monreale and UsticaRead →Explore Arab-Norman Palermo, market life, Monreale, Mondello and the island north of the city.West and Central SicilyRead →Link ancient sites, salt pans, western coast roads and the interior's hill towns.Eastern SicilyRead →Build a route around Catania, Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, Noto and the Ionian coast.Aeolian IslandsRead →Give volcanic islands, black beaches and ferry connections the unhurried time they need.Food and volcanoesRead →Use markets, local produce, wine and volcanic terrain to deepen every stop on the island.

Sicily: choose your regional route

Choose one or two regions, leave room for the sea and long meals, and let Sicily set the pace.