Tourist attractions

ETNA

Etna has been called the "queen" of European volcanoes, and is Europe's largest and most active volcano. Etna is 3329 meters above sea level and the crater is up to 40 km large. The volcano has more or less constant activity and is the volcano in the world whose eruptions have been documented for the longest time, actually going all the way back to the 16th century. Steam regularly erupts and glowing rock is ejected from the main crater. Etna is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of Sicily's most popular tourist destinations. Around the volcanic mountain is the Parco dell'Etna nature reserve, which offers paths and hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. During the winter months, several ski resorts offer the opportunity to practice skiing with spectacular views.

TAORMINA

Taormina is one of Sicily's most popular destinations and has been a favorite tourist magnet since the 19th century. This charming town is located on a cliff high above the sea and has a fantastic view over the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna. Here there are car-free narrow cobbled streets, charming squares, cozy cafes and exclusive fashion shops. Taormina oozes soul and charm. The city was founded in 400 BC. as a Greek colony and one of the most spectacular sights is an ancient Roman amphitheater built in the Greek style, the Teatro Greco. The amphitheater hosts numerous events and concerts of international repute. The small bay of Isola Bella below Taormina is perfect for relaxing beach life. A cable car connects the town with the beach.

SYRACUSE

Syracuse is Sicily's fourth largest city and in antiquity was one of the leading states in the Mediterranean world. During the Greek colonial period, Syracuse's greatness surpassed even that of Athens. In the old town of Ortigia you will find many historical sights, palaces and a multitude of narrow alleys full of shops and elegant piazzas. Piazza del Duomo with its beautiful cathedral is considered one of Italy's most beautiful squares. At the far end of Ortigia is the fort Castello Maniace with a great view of the historic harbor bay. The city has a lively atmosphere, a large selection of good restaurants and good opportunities for shopping. The city's patron angel is Santa Lucia, who was born in Siracusa, and whom we celebrate on St. Lucia's day on

NOTO

The beautiful limestone town of Noto is a masterpiece of the Sicilian Baroque style, with beautiful aristocratic palaces and opulent cathedrals. Many believe Noto is the most beautiful city in Sicily and the city stands together with other baroque cities such as Ragusa and Modica on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The heart of Noto is Piazza Municipio in front of the city's magnificent cathedral, the Duomo. The famous Infiorata flower festival is held in Noto every spring and attracts thousands of visitors. An entire street is covered with floral creations created by famous florists from all over the world.

RAGUSA

Ragusa is an impressive city known for its beautiful buildings and rich culture. The city is divided into two parts; the modern district, Ragusa Superiore, and the old town of Ragusa Ibla. The Old Town oozes charm with a maze of narrow cobbled streets, beautiful baroque churches and palaces, architectural masterpieces and a magical atmosphere. Ragusa Ibla has at least 50 baroque churches. About 20 kilometers from the old town is the seaside town of Marina di Ragusa, which with its golden sandy beach is one of the most popular beach towns in Sicily.

AGRIGENTO, THE VALLEY OF THE TEMPLE

Agrigento is known to have been one of the most important cities in ancient Greece, and is one of the oldest Sicilian cities. The city was founded by Greek colonists in 581 BC. and in Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, Valle dei Templi, one finds large archaeological areas with seven magnificent temple ruins. The Concordia Temple is among the best Greek temples in the world and one of Sicily's biggest tourist attractions. The temples are not located in a valley as the name might suggest, but on a ridge surrounded by olive and almond trees with a magnificent view of the beautiful Sicilian countryside.

THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS

The Aeolian Islands, also called Aeolian Islands, consist of several small volcanic islands off the northeastern coast of Sicily. Due to the great volcanic activity, the archipelago is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This archipelago is known for its beautiful coastlines and beaches, small resort towns and leisurely pace - and is a popular day trip destination. Lipari is the main island, but perhaps the most famous is the island of Stromboli with the volcano that has small eruptions about every half hour. In the evening, the volcanic eruptions produce a spectacular light show as the sun sets. The Aeolian Islands are perfect for Italian island hopping.

SAVOCCA

For those interested in the mafia and movies, Savoca is an absolute must. It was this small, beautiful village that Francis Ford Coppola chose for the filming of the legendary film trilogy The Godfather. Here you will find the church where Michael Corleone got married, and "Bar Vitelli" where Corleone sat with his friends. Here you can enjoy a cappuccino or the famous granita di limone and see the many pictures from the film and various props. The place gives you the real authentic Sicilian feeling.

Sicily's most famous destinations can be found along the east coast