Sicily: apartments and holiday homes

Volcanic landscapes and nature

Sicily’s distinctive geological character is impressively showcased by Mount Etna. The volcano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its volcanic activity has been documented for at least 2,700 years. Etna includes summit craters, cinder cones, lava flows, lava caves and the Valle de Bove depression. The Aeolian Islands form another volcanic landscape. They preserve evidence of the formation and destruction of volcanic islands as well as ongoing volcanic phenomena. They also provide examples of volcanic eruptions of the Vulcanian and Strombolian types, which have been studied there since at least the 18th century.

Away from the volcanoes, Sicily also boasts an exceptional diversity of plant and animal species as well as mountain landscapes of particular scientific interest. The mountain Monte Zimmara is located in the immediate vicinity of Sicily, while Monte Altesina is situated in the surrounding area of Sicily. Spiaggia Lampare beach is located in the wider regional surroundings of Sicily. Thus, the landscapes reviewed bring together volcanic formations, mountains, coastline and species-rich nature.

Culture and history

The historical evidence reaches far back into the past. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento contains the most important Doric temples of the ancient polis and an extra-urban necropolis. Agrigento also preserves remains from its Greek colonial period as well as from the Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian eras. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto comprises eight towns in southeastern Sicily; their historic centres reflect the reconstruction following the devastating earthquake of 1693.

In Palermo, the cultural heritage site Arab-Norman Palermo represents nine religious and civic buildings from the period of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily. It is an outstanding example of the architectural and artistic fusion of Western, Islamic and Byzantine cultures, whose expression spread throughout the Mediterranean region. In addition, Sicily’s archaeological park system extends across the entire region and comprises 14 parks.

Further historic sites are located in different regional contexts. Castello di Sperlinga is situated in the surrounding area of Sicily. Castello di Lombardia, the Soprintendenza Archeologica museum and the Museo della civiltà contadina e fattoria didattica Sant'Andrea museum are located in the wider regional surroundings of Sicily. The Landscape from Piazza Crispi viewpoint is also located in the wider regional surroundings of Sicily.

Trails, crafts and regional impressions

A historical and cultural route through Sicily uses clearly recognisable signs and QR codes. These provide interactive access to information, maps, videos, virtual tours and audio guides. In workshops in Caltagirone, visitors can learn to make ceramics as part of an organised activity.

The Circumetnea Wine Tour combines a train journey with visits to wineries and wine tastings in the area around Mount Etna and starts in Riposto. For long-distance routes through the landscape, the Sicilian section of the Sentiero Italia is listed as 373 kilometres long and highly difficult. This section crosses the island in 19 stages from Trapani to Messina; there are also mountain variants with stays in CAI mountain huts.

The sustainable travel route in question includes panoramic paths, nature observation points and scattered accommodation. Another nature experience lies south of Syracuse: the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area offers divers and snorkellers underwater canyons, Posidonia meadows and a diverse marine environment.

Regions of Sicily

The regional names lead to different parts of the island and its surroundings: Agrigento, Aeolian Islands, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Syracuse and Trapani.

To travel to the east, direct long-distance bus services run from Catania Airport to large parts of eastern Sicily without passing through Catania city centre. This means that, alongside the island’s historic and scenic attractions, its different regional contexts are also visibly presented side by side.

For the overarching travel overview: Italy.