City: Sicily
Top Things to do in Sicily
The 10 Best Historic Sites in Sicily, Italy
Sicily (/ˈsɪsɪli/ SISS-i-lee; Italian: Sicilia [siˈtʃiːlja], Sicilian: Sicìlia) is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an autonomous region of Italy, in Southern Italy along with surrounding minor islands, officially referred to as Regione Siciliana.
Restaurants in Sicily
1. Ex Stabilimento Florio delle Tonnare di Favignana e Formica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,277 reviews
Reviewed By jamespF355 - Carshalton, United Kingdom
We’d been looking the the Stabilimento for a couple of evenings before we visited. Very informative about the history of the way that Tuna has traditionally been caught and processed.
2. Palazzo Conte Federico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 787 reviews
The palazzo is in the center of the old city only a few steps away from the Norman Palace. the Cathedral and the Market Ballarò. The oldest part of the palace is an Arab-Norman Tower of the 12th century. You can observe verious architectural styles, high painted ceilings of the 15th century, baroque ceiling frescoes by Vito D'Anna and Gaspare Serenario, various collections and original furniture. Since Count Federico's family, which can be followed back to the Hohenstaufen Emperor Friedrich II, has lived in this palace for centuries, the personal atmosphere makes a visit to this historical building a unique experience.
Reviewed By debm224
Small group tours with a member of the Federico family, who have lived in this fascinating historic building for many generations. A Norman tower from the original Palermo city wall is incorporated into the palazzo, and the history of the city is demonstrated with examples from renovations and additions. This is also a family home, with the cat’s climbing frame, portable heaters etc sitting alongside old treasures. We were welcomed by one of the sons, who was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share the family history - it was a highlight of our visit to Palermo.
3. Norman Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,972 reviews
Reviewed By Sunshine631869
I didn't bother with the full visit. Just focused on the Capella Palatina which is enough, to be honest, because every inch is covered in lavish Byzantine mosaics illustrating biblical scenes. There's also plenty of Arabic influence, particularly in the geometric patterning of floor and wall tiles. You could study it for hours and you wouldn't begin to take it all in. Absolutely glorious! There's also an exhibition about the history of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Norman Palace on the ground floor. It's a bit haphazard and the English translations on the interpretation boards are absolutely shocking. It's almost impossible to follow them. You'd think they'd get native speakers to approve them but no, they just print up nonsense. Get what you can out of it but go for the mosaics. They are the real deal.
4. Villa Imperiale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
5. Scavi Archeologici di Campanarazzu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
6. Palazzo Steri - Chiaramonte - Carcere dei penitenziati
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 716 reviews
Reviewed By nelliebly722018 - Sicily, Italy
Guided tour, some given in English, of the Palazzo of one if the most important families in Sicily as well as graffiti by prisoners held there afterwards when it was used as a prison by the Spanish Inquisition. The tour is very informative - great way to learn more about the very layered history of Palermo - originally the center when it was an active Arab trading port, a ruling family’s palazzo with a private chapel, then repurposed as a prison. Restoration design was started/planned by Carlo Scarpa and completed by others after his death.
7. Oratorio di Santa Cita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 676 reviews
Reviewed By conrad57 - Ieper (Ypres), Belgium
A must see in Palermo. Religious baroc architecture, overwhelming beauty of religious / historical sculptures and baby figures. Take a brocure or a guide to read and know more details about the figures and art, it will for sure make your visit more interesting and detailed
8. San Giuseppe dei Teatini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 610 reviews
Reviewed By AlexSwallow - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Palermo has lots of stunning churches, but of the ones I saw this is the standout for both architecture and atmosphere. Really worth a visit.
9. Castello Normanno
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,012 reviews
In a corner of the most beautiful coastline of Catania, four platforms hovers above the rocks offering an elegant relax corner.
Reviewed By alexintaormina - Taormina, Italy
Awesome Castle on black lava rock cliff above the ionian sea. From here was possible see enemy from sea and from land. Today is one place don't forget to see. From the top the view is fantastic. Second my preferences it will be awesome during the storm days when the big waves hit the rock and the little drops of water nebulizer on the air making the atmosphere under the light more mystical
10. Duomo di Cefalu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,291 reviews
An amazing trip in the Beauty! Visit the Cathedral, explore the Itinerary with the Towers, the Roofs, the Treasure and the Canonical Cloister! Live the Beauty! • VISIT ITINERARIES ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED •
Reviewed By SallyF906 - Northampton, United Kingdom
Situated at the top of the Piazza Duomo, the cathedral was built in 1131 by King Roger II after he was saved from a storm at sea and safely landed in Cefalu. It is built in complex architectural style - Norman but carried out by Arab and Byzantine craftsmen. The facade is flanked by two large bell towers which can now be visited for a small fee - something I wish we had done. Entrance to the cathedral is free but you can also pay to get closer to the mosaics and to visit the cloister - worth the money. The entrance doorway is within three arches at the top of a flight of stone steps. The interior has 3 naves separated by columns made of granite and marble. The wooden ceiling has painted beams with an Islamic influence. High up in the apse is the most famous feature - the Byzantine mosaic Christ Pantocrator - this is stunning and definitely worth paying a few euros to get a more close up view. This work predates the mosaics in Monreale cathedral by 20 to 30 years. Surrounding this are mosaics of the Virgin Mary, Archangels and Apostles. You can now also visit the recently restored cloisters and you pass through several rooms before you reach this which are full of interesting paintings and religious artefacts.
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