As one of the 20 regions in Italy, Sicily is the largest island in the whole Mediterranean! It sits just off the “toe” of Italy and is a foodie lovers paradise. Whether you are traveling to experience the history or incredible culture of this Italian town, there is something here for everyone. How do you get to Sicily? The most effective way is to fly into one of the island’s two airports: Catania Airport (CTA) or Palermo Airport (PMO). Which airport to use depends both on the convenience of the flight and of the destination airport, because Palermo is in eastern Sicily and Catania is in the western part of the island.

Best Times to Visit: The best time to visit Sicily is from May to June or September to October. These late spring and early fall months offer hospitable temperatures in the 70s and low 80s, which are ideal for temple gazing, beach lazing or hiking.

Things to do:

Take a day trip to the Aeolian Islands. These gorgeous islands are located near Messina and composed of seven main islands, which were created by active volcanoes. These are home to incredible sites like a Greek acropolis, a Norman cathedral, clear beaches, and even active lava running into the sea. Popular ways to reach the islands include hydrofoil, ferry or helicopter rides from various cities in Sicily.

Visit the Greek Theatre of Taormina. Calling all history buffs: this one is for you! The theatre was built in the third century B.C. and at its peak could hold thousands of people attending ancient performances and gladiatorial games.

Explore the Valley of Temples. Located in southwest Sicily, the Valley of Temples is more than 2,000-acre archeological site that dates back to fifth century B.C.. This site includes the remains of numerous Greek temples, including Temple of Concordia, which is known as one of the greatest remaining Doric temples. It is also home to remains of aqueducts, mosaic floors and a tomb.

Enjoy a day at Mondello Beach. This one is for our beach loving travelers! Mondello is a popular beach in Palermo. This gorgeous beach is filled with art nouveau villas, colorful cabins, and brightly-colored boats to enjoy while basking in the Italian sunshine. Pro tip: you can rent umbrellas and chairs for the day!