As summer draws slowly to an end, HUGE sigh, what better way to end the best season of all on a high note than by taking one final sunny trip to a stunning and exciting island? This way we'll be ready to welcome fall in a great mood, and a tan line to match!

Sicily, a Mediterranean paradise that ticks all the boxes:

It's gorgeous!
Lots of sunshine, sea, and awesome beach temperatures.
The views are spectacular and diverse! The island offers a bit of everything; from mountains and even an active volcano to valleys, green countryside, a coastline of course, and even waterfalls if you know where to look...
You can enjoy bustling cities alongside picturastic small villages, both are just full of character and history!
The food is delicious! Culinary-wise, you'll have a ball here!
The island is full of culture, history, and architecture to admire.
The fact that it's easy to travel to and easy to get around is just a bonus.

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The beautiful beach of Sicily — Beautiful Sicily

The Best Times To Visit Sicily

The best times to visit are from April to June and September to October. July-August is considered the high season, the island is not only extremely hot but it is also very very busy. Your visit would be more enjoyable in between. During spring and the end of summer is when the temperatures are still reasonable and the island is not yet crazy busy. Prices are slightly lower compared to the summer months.

Where To Stay In Sicily

The options for accommodations are, of course, endless and depend very much on personal preference and budget. We chose to stay just outside Cafelu. This is a wonderful and relatively central location. From here you can easily travel around the island either by train or hired car. The beach is right there, and you can enjoy the evenings in the lovely and cozy Cafelu. There are many restaurants, bars, and piazzas where you can enjoy a drink and a meal with a view.

Palermo, on the other hand, the biggest city, is very pretty and vibrant, it is also very busy and chaotic! If I had to pick a location to stay in, I would look for something smaller and more relaxing so to enjoy the best of both worlds. And if you plan to drive yourself, brass yourself, driving in Palermo is quite the experience! Not for the faint-hearted.

My top hotel recommendations!

Le Calette Garden & Bay

Victoria Palace Cefalu

Case Natoli - Residenze d'Epoca

Cefalù Cathedral Suite

PRO TIP! Look for hotels offering free shuttles to and from the airport. It is a great bonus.

Beautiful views with a side of pool on Sicily.

Use the search bar below to explore more accommodation options in Sicily!

Getting Around Sicily

The best way to explore the island is by hiring a car. Having said that, if you plan to drive yourself, brass yourself, driving in Palermo is quite the experience! Not for the faint-hearted. You can also use the train which was a good experience.

Top Attractions And Places In Sicily

You Can't Afford To Miss Out On!

Visit Cafelu: This is where you'll find the finest beaches alongside Arab-Norman architecture and dramatic mountains as background. This town is filled with character and charm wherever you look! The piazzas, the narrow colorful streets, and the churches are picture-perfect.

Fun fact: Did you know that the film Cinema Paradiso was in part shot here?

Cefalù street view, Sicily — Cefalù, Sicily

Climb Mount Etna: Located on the Eastern coast of Sicily, at 3,300 meters high, it is among Europe’s tallest not to mention the world’s most active volcanoes. The most recent eruptions here occurred in the spring of 2017.

It has also been declared A UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. It's a unique experience walking in actual volcanic craters and lava fields. There are hiking routes you can follow to explore higher up the mountain where fascinating views await you.

You can hike, ride a bike, or take the cable car up the mountain.

Practical Tips

Wear appropriate shoes.
Don't forget to put on sunscreen.
Bring plenty of water with you.
Have a camera to capture the magic.
Tours up the mountain leave from the major town in the area daily.

Visit Palermo: Palermo is the capital city and holds an amazing history visible in every direction. Past glory and centuries of domination by Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, and ultimately Italian powers are showcased around the city. Sicily was finally unified with the mainland in 1861.

My favorite thing to do here was to just get lost! It is great to enjoy authentic vibes, explore non-touristic areas, and interact with the local people. By wandering off the beaten path you'll discover beautiful hidden spots, architecture, and tiny piazzas off the center.

PRO FOOD TIP! Wandering just outside the heavily touristic areas inside the smaller neighborhood, you’ll find tiny restaurants where the locals eat. This is where the food is simple yet delicious and authentic!

Visit one of these fascinating markets: Capo, Vucciria, and Ballarò.

Stroll around the historic quarter of the city: Starting at the intersection of Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, you'll find Piazza Vigliena. Fountains, buildings in Baroque style, churches, and Domes...there's so much to see here! Don't miss Piazza Della Vergogna, the square of shame. You'll see why...

Stopping by the Palermo Cathedral is, of course, a must!

Golden Tip! Taste locally made ice cream! They have the craziest flavors, it was the most finger-licking ice cream I have ever tasted!

Corleone: Visiting this area in general and this village, in particular, was my favorite part of the trip! I have seen the 'Godfather' so many times so it was amazing to have it all come to life so to speak.

This small village is located right at the heart of Mafia territory, several Mafia bosses have come from Corleone; Jack Dragna, Giuseppe Morello, and Leoluca Bagarella to name a few.

Don't miss out on a visit to the local museum! Corleone was the center of a very bloody period affecting the lives of all Sicilians for a long time. The museum showcases that very real part which we normally don't consider. Here you'll be able to learn more about the organization, its customs, traditions, and laws.

The area is beautiful! The neighboring towns of Savoca and Forza d'Agro outside of Taormina were used as shooting locations for the 'Godfather' films to stay true to origin. This is where you'll find the church Michael was married in for example.

Stop by Laboratrio Della Leglita, this once belonged to most feared Mafia boss Bernardo Provenzano. Here you'll see art treasures and famous paintings relating to the Mafia.

Visit Messina: This is a harbor city known for the Norman Messina Cathedral. Nearby you'll find several marble fountains decorated with mythological figures, like the Neptune Fountain. Faro Point is worth a visit as well as a drive out to Lago di Ganzirri, a lake perfect for enjoying the outside and possibly having a picnic while taking in the views.

Visit the Valley of the Temples: An archaeological site located in Agrigento, a place where you can admire ancient Greek temples wonderfully preserved. The area was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1997 and for good reason.

Bonus Tip ~ Remember the waterfalls I mention at the start of this post? When chasing waterfalls, explore Due Rocche waterfall!

Planning to hire a car? Use the links below to find the best deal for you!

DiscoverCars.com has been named the world's leading car rental booking website in the 2020 edition of the World Travel Awards. On this website you can find, compare and rent a car globally.

QEEQ.COM is another fastest-growing online car rental platform listing over 7 million rental cars in around 200 countries.

Have a great trip and if you have tips of your own, do tell me!

Do you have any questions regarding a trip to Sicily? Email me at fromadifferentangle@gmail.com

Before you go, don’t forget to follow me on social for more amazing travel content ~ @mytrendytrail

Yours,

Diti.

Sicily Travel Guide- Top Tips To Uncover This Magical Island!