Sicily is a melting pot of cultures, shaped by a variety of civilizations that sought to rule the island throughout its history. Many of Sicily's major attractions can be found in or near its historic cities of Catania, Taormina, Palermo and Agrigento. Avoid crowds and the worst of Sicily's summer heat and humidity by visiting from April through June, or late September through October, when the weather is ideal for appreciating all that the island has to offer.

Mount Etna

Dress in layers and be prepared for changeable weather when visiting Mount Etna since the weather tends to be as volatile as the volcano itself. Mount Etna is in Etna Park, or Parco dell'Etna ( just north of the city of Catania; it is Europe's tallest, most active volcano. The park features many points of interest including the Silvestri Mountains, which formed after the volcano's eruption in 1982 and more than 200 caves, each formed by lava streams. The most famous caves include Gelo, Lamponi, Palombe and Tre Livelli.


You can see the top of Mount Etna from the town of Taormina in northeastern Sicily. It has been a resort town since 1787 when German artist, J.W. Goethe first discovered it. Major attractions include the Fountain in Piazza Duomo and the Greek-Roman Theatre. The fountain was constructed in 1635 from local marble and features several figures and statues in addition to the city's coat-of-arms. The Greek-Roman Theater offers panoramic views from Mount Etna to the Bay of Naxos. The exact date that the theater was built has not been established, and there is an ongoing debate as to whether it was built by the Greeks or the Romans. Several pebbled or sandy beaches are accessible by shuttle or cable car.


Palermo is the bustling regional capital, with its streets filled with motorcycles. The city has many attractions, including Quartiere della Kalsa, the area designed by Arab rulers and now home to the churches of Santa Teresa all Kalsa and Chiesa dela Santa Trinita. Palermo is also home to several museums including Museo Acheologico Regionale (no website; Piazza Olivella 24; Palermo, Sicily; 011-091-611-6805), with its cloisters, mosaics and sculptures such as Satyr Filling a Drinking Cup. Wander among human ruins in the catacombs under the Capuchin Monastery in Palermo. Catacombe dei Cappuccini (no website; Capuchins Monastery; Palermo, Sicily, Italy; 011-091-212117) houses at least 8,000 mummified corpses throughout the dark, dank corridors.


Agrigento is situated on the southern coast of the island and features a historical city center. The ancient city is most famous as the home of Valle dei Templi, or Valley of the Temples, (, an extensive collection of ancient Greek ruins, temples, houses and streets. Concord's temple is the most intact, with 13 columns still standing. The Valley of the Temples is a Unesco World Heritage Site, designated as an area with outstanding universal value to humanity. Guided tours are available during the day and at night.

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