Things to do in Sicily

Taormina and Mount Etna from Cefalù

Set off from Cefalù on a full-day excursion to two of Sicily's most renowned destinations – Mount Etna and Taormina. It's a day of contrasts as you walk among the iconic slopes of Etna and then wind your way through the charming streets of Taormina, which was made even more popular in recent years as the setting for hit TV show, The White Lotus. At Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, you'll discover a dramatic volcanic landscape shaped by lava flows, with striking contrasts of black and red terrain. There's the opportunity to reach heights of up to 2,900 metres above sea level, offering impressive views across the surrounding area.The tour then continues to Taormina, a picturesque hilltop town known for its winding medieval streets, boutiques and cafés. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the historic centre and admire the famous Greek Theatre, spectacularly positioned above the coastline with views over the Ionian Sea.

Sicily Godfather tour

'We're going to make you an offer you can't refuse'. Well, this used to be Mafia country, after all. In fact, Hollywood descended on this part of the world to film scenes for the Godfather trilogy, so this tour will take in two Sicilian mountain villages that made it onto the silver screen and to relive some of the the most famous scenes.

Mount Etna tour from Taormina

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a true icon of Sicily. This is your chance to venture either 1,900 or 2,900 metres above sea level to check out the lunar-like landscapes of the volcano's craters.You'll be driven from Taormina up the slopes of Mount Etna, where – if you've chosen to go up to 2,900 metres – you'll continue further up the mountain to reach the main crater for a guided walk and some epic views. If you opt to stay at 1,900 metres, there's free time to explore the nature trails around the Silvestri Craters, along with souvenir shops, cafés and a small museum that tells the story of the mountain's past.Either way, you'll want your camera to catch shots of the snow-capped, steaming slopes of this giant.

Full-day Syracuse guided heritage tour

The past comes to life in Syracuse – a city packed with classical heritage as well as flamboyant Sicilian baroque architecture. You'll visit the Greek theatre, go into the Ear of Dionysius and explore Ortygia island, the heart of the old town and location of baroque gems such as the cathedral.

Full-day Valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi tour

Two of Sicily's highlights are in the spotlight on this full-day tour. You'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of the Temples, an archaeological site that's loaded with what's left of seven 2,500-year-old shrines, including the Temple of Concordia – it's ranked as one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Afterwards, you'll head to one of the top ten most unique coastlines as named by TripAdvisor – Scala dei Turchi. Giuseppa, one of our expert local guides, says “the Valley of the Temples is landscaped with lots of flowering almond trees, another staple of Sicily, that will really add something extra to the photos you take here.”First up is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world, the immense Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. It packs in the remains of seven temples perched on a high ridge, all of which you'll see, including the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and Concordia Temple at the end of the Sacred Way. The temples here are over 2,500 years old, so there are a lot of pages in the history books to uncover. You'll be given headphones to hear your guide, too, so you won't miss any details.Afterwards, you'll make your way to the bright white Scala dei Turchi, a natural limestone staircase that is dug into the cliffs and weaves its way down to the sea. You'll have some time to unwind and go for a swim before heading back to the hotel.

Palermo walking tour and Monreale Cathedral visit in Sicily

Sicily's beaches are some of the best in Europe, but there's more to this stylish island than its standout shorelines. Its history and architecture for example, in typical Italian fashion, are showstoppers in their own right. This tour shows off this side of Sicily by ticking off a pair of particularly pretty spots – the capital, Palermo, and the town of Monreale. One of our expert local guides, Rosaria, says “Palermo is the biggest city on the island, so you get to see Sicily's bustling side. But Monreale is a smaller mountain town, so you get to experience a nice mix of atmospheres while visiting some really incredible landmarks.”There's a visit to Palermo, where you'll follow your guide around the city's winding streets during a walking tour. Pretty public squares, temples, fountains – you'll see the lot during your laidback tour. There's some free time scheduled here, too, so you can branch off on your own for a bit.During the trip, you'll also stop in the town of Monreale, which is nestled on the slopes of Monte Caputo, a 764-metre-tall peak not far from Palermo. The town looks out over the Conca d'Oro Valley, which is known around Sicily for its orange, olive and almond groves – you'll be able to see them all from Monreale's vantage point. The star of the town is Monreale Cathedral, a 900-year-old temple that's decked out with bronze doors, a gold-painted interior and a Norman exterior. Entry to the cathedral is included, and your guide will tell you a bit about its history.

Castelbuono visit and Sicilian dinner in the Madonie Mountains

Swap Cefalu's buzzy seaside scene for the simple pleasures of hill-top towns and farm estates in the Madonie Mountains. The beaches and coastline blur into olive groves and rural valleys as your bus makes the scenic journey to Castelbuono in the late afternoon. Mirco, an expert local guide, explains the significance of the town, “Castelbuono has always been a crossroads between the mountains and the sea — which is why you'll see so many layers here, from Norman walls to Baroque churches, all wrapped into a living town.”You'll have around an hour and a half to wander the narrow stone streets, where every archway frames another impressive view of this Medieval town. Among the palazzos and historic churches, though, the crowning glory of Castelbuono has to be the 14th-century fortress, Castello dei Ventimiglia. It's now open as a museum, so as well as taking time to appreciate the slower pace of the town and perhaps grabbing a gelato, you can take a look around the castle's exhibits of timeworn treasures and contemporary art collection. Mirco adds, “The Ventimiglia family built this castle to control the mountain routes. Today, it tells a very different story – from ancient archaeology to modern Sicilian artists.”Then, you'll head to Tenuta Luogo Marcese, a rural, agritourism-style farm estate. Sit on the terracotta-tiled terrace and enjoy a relaxed three-course lunch of seasonal Sicilian dishes, all prepared with local ingredients. Best of all, lunch is served with sweeping views of the Madonie hills and the surrounding Sicilian countryside.

Mount Etna 4x4 wine-tasting tour with local lunch

Europe's highest active volcano looms large over everyday life in Sicily. On this thrilling tour, you'll hop on a 4x4 off-road Safari to explore some of the hardest-to-reach parts of the north slope of Mt Etna. Carmelo, one of our local expert guides, explains, “The 4x4 cars take routes that're planned around the health and safety of the local environment.” You'll visit the Sartorius Craters as well as lava fields and caves, and also drop into a winery for a tasting.You'll begin your adventure with both on-road and off-road exploration on a 4x4, visiting the impressive 2002 lava front, a testament to the volcano's power. Then, you'll traverse through the dense woodland to reach the Sartorius Craters, formed during Mt Etna's eruptive episode in 1865 that reshaped the northern slopes of the volcano. Along the way, you'll learn about what life is like living next to an active volcano, whilst witnessing the resilient vegetation that thrives in that environment.There's time for a walk amid the unique landscapes. At 1,750 metres above sea level, you'll get some great views of the sprawling volcanic surroundings. You'll round off with a short hop to visit a lava cave before ending the tour at a local winery. Here, you'll sample some of their wines during a tasting session along with a selection of typical products of Etna, like artisanal cheeses, locally grown olives and honey. A light lunch is also included with a typical rustic appetizer. A great way to end a day of exploration.

Guided Corleone mafia resistance tour with lunch

Corleone was once a town once infamous for its mafia ties, but today it is a beacon of resistance and justice. The panoramic drive through the mountains sets the stage for an enlightening day ahead. Vincenzo, one of our expert local guides says, “This fascinating, insightful tour is designed to educate and debunk Hollywood's glamorised portrayal of mafia life, offering instead a genuine glimpse into the courageous fight against organised crime. This is an important tour for our town." First up is The Godfather's House Museum, a grand 19th-century residence that takes you on a journey through time, exploring the birth of both the mafia and anti-mafia movements. Next, delve deeper into this complex history at the CIDMA Antimafia Museum, home to an extensive collection of documents and exhibits chronicling the dark past and brave resistance against the mafia. After a walking tour of Corleone's historic streets, you'll be whisked off to a local restaurant near the Royal Palace of Ficuzza for a classic Italian lunch, surrounded by natural beauty. Finally, sit back and relax on your return journey to Cefalù, taking with you a deeper understanding of Corleone's transformation from a mafia stronghold to a place that local people are proud to call home, a place with a future free from the clutches of organized crime.

Panarea & Stromboli Boat Tour from Taormina

The volcanic islands of Stromboli and Panarea are the stars of the show on this full day excursion. You'll explore these island beauties just off the coast of Sicily with plenty of free time to sightsee at your own pace and witness the famous active lava flow by night.

Mount Etna guided sunset tour with Sicilian dinner

Watching the sky light up with shades of orange and then burn out into darkness while standing atop a volcano is a special sensation. This drama-rich tour takes you to Mount Etna – a must-visit when in Sicily. You'll head to an altitude of almost 3,000 metres to catch the sunset and then relax over a traditional meal to round off your adventure. You'll go by bus to Etna, then, as the terrain becomes rockier, you'll switch to a 4x4 vehicle. As you make your way to 2,900m above sea level – the highest point that's safely reachable – there'll be stops to take in the harsh, lunar landscape and the lava-smothered flanks of this towering mountain. Make sure you're wearing comfortable walking shoes and warm layers – it gets cold at high altitude. After admiring the views from near the summit, an expert alpine guide will take you to a less exposed 2,500m, where you'll watch the sunset in a more comfortable location. Then on the way back, you'll stop at a chalet restaurant for a typical Sicilian dinner.

Mount Etna and Taormina tour from Syracuse

Perched on a clifftop overlooking sweeping bays, Taormina is home to some of the best-preserved historic landmarks in the world. And on this tour, you'll not only see the famed ‘pearl of Sicily', but you'll also see the highest active volcano in Europe. Journey up to 1,900 metres for the grandstand views atop Mount Etna, before spending free time in Taormina and tasting the local Sicilian Arancino.