Sicily Overview

The Sicani tribe was the earliest demographic known to live on the island of Sicily, with excavations uncovering Sicani cave paintings as old as 10,000 years. The ancient Greek historian, Thucydides, traces the history of this tribe to the Iberian Peninsula, though there is no direct archaeological evidence to corroborate this. Two other tribal groups, first the Elymians and later the Sicels, migrated over from the Italian mainland in subsequent millennia. more...

Sicily Activities

From the towering heights of volcanic Mt Etna to the low-lying coastal areas that flank the island, Sicily is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Many visitors are surprised to learn that there are just as many facilities for skiers and snowboarders on Sicily as there are for avid beachgoers. In between, there are numerous hiking trails and nature parks waiting to be explored on foot or on board chartered four-wheel drive jeeps and minibuses. For a more leisurely outdoor experience, there is a cable car that lifts passengers from the sun-soaked beaches to the wind-swept heights of the volcano. more...

Sicily Events and Festivals

Sicily is favoured with a rich and diverse cultural landscape that draws on a mixture of Christian and early Pagan roots. Every town regardless of size has a patron saint with at least one special day set aside to honour this figure. These events are enhanced with local expressions of pride such as traditional dance, local dishes and vibrant displays of art. Virtually all of Sicily’s major festivals are religious in nature. more...

Sicily Sightseeing

Once the capital city of Sicily's Greek settlers, the city of Siracusa boasts more than 2,700 years of history. Syracuse has numerous ancient structures, including the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Apollo, the latter of which was converted to a Christian church under Byzantine rule. Also of note are the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the old town situated on Ortygia Island. Dozens of cathedrals and several fortified castles were built during the past 600 years. An open-air market in the old city deals in handicrafts, specialty food products and souvenirs. more...

Sicily Transport

There are two primary airports that service the entire island. Catania-Fontanarossa Airport handles the largest throughput of domestic passengers between Sicily and the mainland, while the slightly smaller Palermo Punta Raisi Airport sees a mixture of domestic connections and international budget connections to neighbouring countries. Beyond these two primary contenders are several highly-regional airports that field flights from around the island. These include the airports at Trapani, Lampedusa and Pantelleria. more...

Sicily Travel Tips

Greetings in Sicily consist of a simple handshake, while close friends may exchange a kiss on each cheek (left first, then right). Those accustomed to the rules of etiquette in northern Italy may that Sicily is home to a slightly more conservative demographic. This is especially true in rural areas where locals are less likely to have regular contact with international tourists. more...