Sicily holidays

Europe’s tallest volcano and the picnic-ready countryside may have put Sicily on the map, but its beaches deserve some attention, too. They range from crumbly, sand-and-shingle numbers to long golden sweeps. Some are framed by rugged, wind-whipped cliffs, while others are backed by family-run pizzerias and gelato counters.

Families are well-catered for at Giardini Naxos Beach, thanks to the line-up of hotels, restaurants and ice-cream shops on its promenade, Via Tysandros. It’s also a big hit with locals, who tend to come down at the weekends.

If you’re after somewhere that's under the radar, make the trip to Le Salinelle Beach. This sandy sweep's about 15 minutes’ drive from Cefalu, and is often overlooked by holidaymakers staying in the main towns. So you can guarantee plenty of towel space. There are a few bars and restaurants behind the sands if you fancy a bit of lunch, too.

Ballaro Market is a big name on the Sicily’s market-stall scene. It’s got a prime location, right next to the main train station in Palermo. Stalls offer fresh fruit, fish and meat as well as a host of Sicilian street food.

Ragusa is famous for its quality embroidery, so it’s a great place to buy linen. The area's also home to farmhouses selling homemade preserves, cheese and salami. Wander the backstreets in Taormina, meanwhile, and you’ll stumble upon jewellery stores selling silver rosaries.

Walk along the elegant Via della Libertà in Palermo and you’ll pass fashion giants like Gucci and Cartier. For one-off boutique shopping, though, Catania comes up trumps. Head to the Corso Italia district for the best choice. You’ll find racks filled with silk dresses, tailored suit jackets, and good quality leather.

Taormina’s Piazza IX Aprile is the perfect place to people-watch. This pretty square overlooks the Gulf of Messina, and it’s full of open-air bars and pizzerias. Grab a bowl of pasta in one of the restaurants, and watch the street entertainers play the accordion as the sun goes down. Alternatively, head to the town’s ancient Greek theatre to catch a classical concert – the acoustics here are pretty impressive.

Palermo comes alive after dark, thanks to its lively clubs and chic bars. Head down the lanes that lead off from the piazzas and you’ll find nightclubs set in 17th-century buildings and underground lounge bars. Down by the port in Giardini Naxos, meanwhile, people mill along the seafront all night, listening to the street musicians and spilling out of the live music bars. As for Cefalu, the best clubs can be found in the Lungomare area.

Net-fresh seafood is a Sicilian staple. This local speciality consists of steamed mussels and chunks of grilled swordfish or tuna, which are tossed in a tasty broth, and flavoured with lemon, olive oil and oregano.

In this dish, baked sardines are stuffed with breadcrumbs, pine nuts, sugar and lemon juice. It’s a regional speciality, so expect a few variations of ingredients depending on where you are. It’s often served as antipasti.

You’re unlikely to find a Sicilian restaurant that doesn’t list veal in its meat section of the menu. It’s usually breaded, pan-fried or grilled, and served with a vegetable medley of aubergines, tomatoes and peppers.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you won’t be able to resist cannoli. This melt-in-the-mouth pudding comes in the form of crisp pastry-come-biscuit tubes, which are oozing with ricotta, chocolate shavings and candied fruit. Try it after dinner with an espresso or a cappuccino.

Sicily’s famous dessert wine has got a rich, smoky flavour, and it comes in sweet and dry varieties. An alcohol content of around 20% means you’ll want to sip – rather than gulp – this one. It goes perfectly with classic Italian puddings, such as tiramisu.