Is East or West Sicily best?

Given the distances to be traveled, short-term visitors to Sicily might prefer to stick to either side of the Island – not me. There is no right or wrong, but it's the east coast home to Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe, the second most active on earth, and the Island's most prominent landmark.



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Some of the best beaches in Sicily are to be found south of Syracuse, at Vendicari Nature Reserve and around the point on the south coast, where seemingly endless stretches of sand follow the coast through Pozzallo, Marina di Modica, Sampieri, Donnalucata, Marina di Ragusa and Punta Secca.

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Taormina - The prettiest town in Sicily. One of the most famous and touristy towns in Sicily and not for nothing, a picturesque and colorful town, surrounded by two mountains and a close view of the volcano Etna.

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Enna. Enna in one of Sicily's best-kept secrets. The city, which lies in central Sicily, is rarely visited by tourists, as most prefer to focus on the coastline or larger towns. It's a truly wonderful setting, situated 3083 feet above sea level and filled with rolling green hills and tiny clusters of houses.

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If you travel with your family, including young children, either destination could work for you, but Sicily is probably a better choice. We traveled as a family to Sicily and the Amalfi Coast (with children ages 3 and 1) and had a great time in both places. However, we found Sicily better equipped for travel with kids.

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Some of the best unspoiled shoreline in all of Italy is on Sicily's southeastern coast. This is also one of the most popular zones for vacation rentals on the island, thanks to the combination of beaches and cultural offerings nearby.

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Summer in Sicily On Sicily's drier, hotter west coast, summer-strong Scirocco winds sometimes blow in from North Africa and can quickly ruin a day at the beach. The northern and eastern coasts of the island see less wind but are still hot and dry in the summer.

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1. San Vito Lo Capo, Trapani. Situated in Sicily's north-western corner, San Vito is famed for its fine white sands and crystalline waters, set against the striking scenery of Monte Monaco.

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Both Palermo and Catania are great choices for a short 2-4 day visit. Palermo has more attractions in the historic center so we recommend at least 3 days to see everything in Palermo. On the other hand, Catania's historic center can be explored in 2 days.

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On Sicily's drier, hotter west coast, summer-strong Scirocco winds sometimes blow in from North Africa and can quickly ruin a day at the beach. The northern and eastern coasts of the island see less wind but are still hot and dry in the summer.

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Located in the northwest part of the island, Palermo is the capital of Sicily and it is the best place to stay if you are visiting for the first time. Here you will discover amazing baroque buildings built by kings, historical churches, charming palaces, museums, and art galleries.

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Why Visit: Taormina is the jewel of Sicily and one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in the world, making it is the island's most loved town. Its dramatic coastline, beautiful beaches, stunning views, endless entertainment and strategic position, make Taormina the ideal base for a wonderful Sicilian holiday.

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The west coast is packed full of must-visit treasures and is popular with tourists the world over, while the less-known east or Adriatic coast has retained an off-the-beaten-track feel, being a favourite of the Italian locals.

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As a city, Naples has a much richer cultural history than Sicily and more of a modern art, music and theatre scene as well. If you're looking for plenty of cultural experiences on your Italian vacation then Naples is the best choice of the two locations.

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Although Taormina and Palermo are popular destinations, Palermo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palermo is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Taormina attracts visitors for its resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty.

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Italy is noted for its colourful and culture-rich cities, rolling hillsides and vineyards, beautiful coasts and beaches. Yet Sicily possesses some truly unique landscapes and terrain that is hard to find anywhere else in the world.

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The best part of visiting Sicily without a car is that you don't need to think about parking, either understand where you can park, money for parking, insurance for the vehicle, money for the gas, and then the many crazy drivers on the narrow streets of Sicily. Public Transportation arranges that for you.

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Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities:
  • 4 days: Palermo (with half-day trip to Monreale for its cathedral) and Siracusa.
  • 6 days, add: Agrigento.
  • 8 days, add: Mount Etna and Taormina.
  • 10 days, add: Villa Romana del Casale and Cefalù


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