Mount Etna, Catania, Taormina, Syracuse, Agrigento, and Palermo are the main tourist destinations in Sicily. Visiting all these cities during a week-long holiday is a challenge, especially if you still want to spend another day or two lying on the Sicilian beach. Of course, all the tourist attractions listed above deservedly earned their popularity. However, if you spend a little more time exploring Sicily, you can visit many places that are lesser-known, but no less interesting.
Pantalica
Tourists rarely bypass Syracuse, but infrequently stop in nearby Pantalica. The Pantalica necropolis is about 5,000 tombs located on the slopes of a huge canyon. From a distance, the tomb looks like tiny windows carved into the rocks. Although this park covers quite a large area, which would hardly be enough to explore for one day, it is definitely worth stopping for a short time and walking along the trail. Here, archeology and nature intertwine. The eyes will rejoice in the clear waters of the river, the green vegetation, and invite you to slip into the caves.
Villa Romana del Casale
Located just outside Piazza Armerina, the villa is another gem for history, archeology, and art enthusiasts. Villa Romana is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What is so special about this specific, villa if the whole island of Sicily is full of them? Archaeological excavations at the villa have revealed one of the richest, largest, and most diverse collections of Roman mosaics in the world, dating back to the 4th century. Most impressively, despite the passing of the ages, these mosaics are still incredibly well preserved. This is due to a landslide that covered the villa for decades.
Andromeda Theater
Farmer Lorenzo Reina built a 108-seat open-air theater of extraordinary beauty between the hills and valleys of Sicily, representing the constellation of Andromeda. His work was appreciated not only among the locals but also received recognition at the Venice Biennale. To understand, and feel the magical aura that surrounds this architectural masterpiece, you must go there. And if you still take an interest in the events that take place there during the warm season, and get into one of them, you can consider yourself very lucky.
Selinunte
Do you know where the largest archeological park in Europe is? Yes, it is in Sicily, but no, it is not the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. On the southwest coast of the island is the wonderful Selinunte Archaeological Park, which covers an area of as much as 270 ha. The park is located on the site where 650 B.C. was a Greek city, later destroyed by the Carthaginians. Here you will find both well-preserved ancient temples and their ruins. Additionally, you can also admire views of the sea from the Acropolis.
Segesta
Just half an hour from Trapani, you will reach another lesser-known archeological park. During the 4th century, B.C. was an ancient city. Now, only remnants of a surviving amphitheater and an unfinished temple remain. Nevertheless, both of these architectural heritage sites have survived well to this day. The amphitheater is located just above the temple (for those who do not want to climb uphill, there is a tourist bus) and offers a charming Sicilian landscape. Events at this theater are still taking place.
Bagheria
Located just outside Palermo, this coastal city is famous for its luxurious villas. In the second half of the 17th century, one of the first villas was built here. Since then, Bagheria has become a favorite place to meet for summer elite residences. To this day, quite a few of them have survived. Some of them are private residences, others have been converted into luxury hotels or restaurants. However, the two most beautiful – Pallagonia and Valguarnera – are still open to visitors. The first villa is the most important example of suburban Baroque architecture in Sicily, while the second impressed the fashion houses of Dolce&Gabbana so much, that they filmed one of their commercials right there.
Archipelagos
From Sicily, it is easy to visit one of the small islands, easily reached by regular ferries. The most popular Italian archipelagos are the Aeolian and Egadi. The first archipelago has 7 inhabited islands. It is worth visiting Stromboli, where you can climb the still-operating volcano, and Vulcano, where you can enjoy the open-air mud spa. The Egadi archipelago consists of three main islands. The most popular of them is Favignana, famous for its fabulous beaches. Renting a bike for the day can take you easily around the island, stopping along the way to admire the coast.
