Hotels in Sicily

Sicily is the Mediterranean's largest island and an autonomous region of Italy, separated from the toe of the peninsula by the 3 km Strait of Messina. The island spans 25,711 square kilometres of mountains, vineyards, archaeological sites, and roughly 1,500 km of coastline. Mount Etna - Europe's most active volcano at 3,357 m - dominates the eastern skyline, while Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse anchor a network of historic cities shaped by Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, and Spanish rule.

A trip to Sicily pairs serious archaeology with modern beach life. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento preserves some of the best-surviving Doric architecture outside mainland Greece, the late-baroque towns of the Val di Noto form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Aeolian Islands deliver volcanic hiking, black-sand coves, and cliff-edged swimming. Sicilian food is a destination in its own right - arancini, pasta alla Norma, fresh seafood from Catania's fish market, and pistachio specialities from the village of Bronte.

Two main airports serve the island: Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO) on the west coast and Catania Fontanarossa (CTA) on the east. A rental car is the most flexible way to explore beyond the major cities, since regional trains and buses can be slow. Spring and autumn deliver the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, while summer is busy and hot but ideal for the beaches, the Aeolians, and the Egadi Islands off the western coast.