City: Sicily
Top Things to do in Sicily
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do 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. Museum of tiles Stanze al Genio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 581 reviews
Reservations required!! The museum is open year round for a visit but you must book your visit by email or phone. For reservations just call a few hours before the appointment and agree to the tour. The visits are carried out only in Italian / english.
Reviewed By 344lindag - Province of Arezzo, Italy
I'm not sure how a museum can be so unassuming from the outside yet is a real gem inside. There is only a small name on the buzzer to enter but what lies inside is wall to wall ceramic tiles and also displays of vintage pieces and furniture. Entrance fee included a personal guided tour in english or italian. A wonderful experience.
2. Gambino Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 818 reviews
On the eastern side of the Etna volcano, in the woods of the National Park and facing the sea of Taormina, the Gambino vineyards are a pleasure for your senses and for your heart. A Pleasure for your sight, because they represent one of the best models of Etna vineyards of high altitude: in an exclusive natural environment, at 800 meters above sea level, the vineyards lay on sunny and airy terracing that have a breathtaking panorama. A pleasure for your sense of smell, for the unmistakable perfumes of the volcano vegetation. A pleasure for your heart, because the vineyards and wine are great passion that, for over twenty years, involves and guides the Raciti Gambino family.
Reviewed By oceaneyyes - Corona, United States
Set at the foot of Mount Etna, this winery was a great place to sample some excellent Sicilian wines. Along with our tasting, we were served some incredible nibbles (roasted peppers and eggplant, olives, a great selection of cheeses, bread, etc.) We were given several glasses of wine to taste, and each one was delicious. We were told about the history of the family vineyard and the various types of wines that Sicily produces. It was a fantastic visit!
3. Grotte bue marino
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,030 reviews
Reviewed By yamikokhan - Geneva, Switzerland
Absolutely gorgeous!!! Sit amongst the caves and rock formations with a view on the bluest water in Favignana. Deep blue water full of life.
4. Mulino ad Acqua - Museo Cavallo d'Ispica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 437 reviews
The watermill “Cavallo d’Ispica” is an original piece of jewellery of rural art of the 18th century, situated on the northern part of the archaeological valley of Cava d’Ispica, few kilometres from Modica, centre of hyblean baroque as well as hometown of poet Quasimodo and famous for its renowned chocolate.
Reviewed By CeriWilliams123 - London, United Kingdom
We loved our visit to Mulino ad Acqua. Each unique space gives you a great insight into the history of the area and how people lived there. Seeing the mill in action and operated the latest in many generations of millers who have worked there is really fascinating.
5. 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.
6. Museo del Giocattolo Sciacca
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 197 reviews
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. Chiesa del Gesu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,250 reviews
Reviewed By edinburgher2 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Tucked away in a side street in old Palermo and in close proximity to Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria and Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (La Martorana) so very easy to visit all three. We didn’t visit the crypt or the museum, only paid the E2 to visit the church interior. Entering inside, expect one of these “jaw -dropping moments” as the interior is almost overwhelming. The more you look at individual carvings, the more detail you see and the skill of the carvers is obvious. Hours could be spent here. Cannot recommend this enough. The high ratings are totally justified.
9. Oratorio di San Lorenzo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 583 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This is a tiny but stunning chapel to the left of St Francis’ church. I might have overlooked it but I was intrigued by the story of the stolen Carravaggio painting that was taken from the altar of the small chapel one night in 1969. Listed on the FBI’s list Top 10 Art Crimes, the nativity scene is the most valuable still-missing work of art in the world. Who stole it remains a mystery and it’s never been recovered. To add to the poignancy, it was one of the last paintings Carravaggio did. A year after completing it, he had died in unknown circumstances at just 38 years old. A life-size copy hangs in its place instead. Although it was the art-heist story that drew me in initially, the oratory really was very beautiful. Splashes of gold around the altar highlight the pure white of the rest of the oratory. The interior is entirely covered with snowy white stucco ‘putti’ (cherubs) and scenes from the lives of St Frances and St Lawrence. I’ve heard it called the cave of white coral. It really does look a lot like that. It is only small (just the one room) but the decoration is so detailed that we spent some time there. The cherubs are a playful tangle of chubby limbs and baby wings and are just gorgeous. It struck me that it would be impossible to concentrate on prayer and not be distracted by these fanciful, lively creatures. Other details include the exquisitely detailed mahogany pews, patterned with mother-of-pearl and ivory and the gruesome scene of St Lawrence who was painfully and slowly martyred by being tied to an iron grill over a fire of coals. In a brilliant display of bravado, he is supposed to have said before dying, “I am well done. Turn me over”. TIP - the ‘Circuito del Sacro’ ticket gives you a discount off the entry price for this and a dozen or so other churches. Just ask for it at the first church you visit.
10. Palazzo Mirto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
Reviewed By ClaudLondon - London, United Kingdom
I loved this Palazzo. The visit is like travelling back in time and see how the aristocracy used to live 250 years ago in Europe. Silk wall coverings to every room, fine furniture, murano crystal chandeliers, precious finishes, exotic porcelains...A mix of rococò, neoclassic and Empire styles. They even have period carriages on display on the ground floor. The visit is self guided. The visitors are supplied with a guide translated in many languages and the staff is very kind. Ticket is as cheap as €6. Would recommend it!!
TAGS
