by Giada Zampano Why go? With an almost ideal climate and beaches to rival anything you’ll find in the Caribbean, Sicily should be at the top of any new couple’s list for their first vacation. Did I mention the food, which alone is reason to go?
Best Ideas: Take a tour around Mount Etna or give into who you are and do a food-and-wine tour, stay in an aristocratic palazzo, then try out a modern take on traditional Sicilian food at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Good to know: At the height of tourist season in the summer, Sicily is full of tourists. And as with any popular tourist destination, you’ll have to keep your wits about you in case of the usual scams or minor crimes.
“To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all.” — Wolfgang Goethe
Goethe wrote that Sicily was the key to Italy, and he was right. This sumptuous island, the largest in the Mediterranean Sea, boasts the finest surviving Doric temples and theaters from the ancient Greek world and provided the setting for much of Homer’s Odyssey. As well as being known for its excellent food, the smoking craters of Mount Etna, gently faded baroque palaces, and dramatically positioned clifftop villages, Sicily has endless stretches of relatively undiscovered, wild beaches with crystal-clear waters. It’s an immense, open-air museum at the crossroads between Europe and Africa, ready to reserve you a unique stage for your romance.
The island offers all-year-round appeal, thanks to a perfect blend of mild climate, history, good cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and a warm and family like atmosphere. Plus, there’s something for everyone: the historic cities of Palermo, Catania, and Siracusa; the Etna region with its volcanic landscapes, fertile wine country, and picture-perfect Taormina; Ragusa, Modica, and the other honey hued baroque towns of the south; the Greek temples of Agrigento, Selinunte, and Segesta; and miles of sandy beaches and secret rocky coves, all making it a perfect honeymoon destination. And don’t get me started on the food — from the couscous of Trapani to the pastries of Noto — it’s a reason to visit by itself. Now that all the stress of your wedding is over, you and your spouse can finally have some time to yourselves in one of the most life-affirming and lovely islands on earth.
Traveling & Getting Around in Sicily
With parts of the island on the same latitude as the North African coast, Sicily has a mild climate that makes it an attractive destination for much of the year. Spring and autumn are a sheer delight, and though high summer temperatures really do soar in July and August, sea breezes in coastal areas take the edge off the heat.
There are four main airports in Sicily. Palermo and Catania are served by flag-carrier and low-cost airlines, while Trapani and Comiso — the latter opened to commercial aviation in 2013 — specialize in low-cost European flights. Palermo Falcone e Borsellino Airport, also known as Punta Raisi, is 19 miles west of the city center. Comiso Airport is located nine miles from Ragusa, while Trapani Birgi Airport is located halfway between Trapani and Marsala, about 10 miles from each. Both are served by Ryanair, connecting Sicily with other European destinations. Sicily’s bus and train networks offer direct services on main intercity routes but are not as efficient as their Italian mainland counterparts. If you want to cover proper ground, a car is essential — and the best way to see the many pretty towns and villages dotted throughout its rugged hills.
Honeymooning in Sicily: Pros & Cons
The Pros:
- Its location in the middle of the Mediterranean also means the island is blessed with beautiful beaches and dotted with glamorous seaside resort towns.
- Experience Sicily’s natural and historical beauty in the unspoiled countryside and smaller cities like Taormina, Agrigento, Siracusa, and Selinunte.
- Divide your days between sightseeing and sun-soaking, and spend your evenings feasting on the region’s mouthwatering cuisine and local wines, a real recipe for romantic bliss.
The Cons:
- The island’s main attractions (especially the archeological sites) can be overrun with tourists during the summer months, forcing you to deal with long lines and crammed places.
- As with every popular destination, Sicily poses some minor risks to tourists, from overly expensive tourist traps to low-quality restaurants and bars.
Sicily Regions
Sicily offers you Caribbean-like beaches alongside lunar volcanic landscapes; baroque cities and hilltop villages, wild paths and sophisticated villas — in short, an itinerary for any taste.
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Palermo
Palermo, Province of Palermo, Italy
Let’s start with the heart of Sicily: the capital, which is also the island’s largest city. Palermo is crowded, loud, and very unkempt in most areas, and driving here can take 10 years off your life. But its outstanding artistic and architectural gems, like Norman Palace, the Palatine Chapel and the Quattro Canti, convey the elegance and grandeur that once reigned here and show how Sicily was a crossroads for many different cultures. Its historical markets will give you a peek at everyday life in the city.
Pretty much every guidebook will tell you to go to Vucciria, but all you’ll find there are English-speaking tourists paying too much for Castelvetrano olives. Head instead to Ballarò, the fish and farmers market winding through alleys and tiny piazzas just north of the city center. The place is an urban circus of vendors squawking the prices of whole baby sharks and eggplants to those passing by, halal butchers carving up carcasses, and mounds of divine Sicilian pistachios and almonds. The tastiest snack is right at the end, where stands sell traditional fried chickpea fritters, called panelle, for one euro. They pair brilliantly with the cold beer on tap at the outdoor bars nearby.
Not too distant from the center of Sicily, take in sweeping views of the city from Monte Pellegrino or head to the beach in Mondello. A short distance away is Monreale, its exquisite cathedral adorned with some of the best mosaics in the Western world. (Photo of the Gulf of Mondello courtesy of Visit Sicily)
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Catania
Catania, Province of Catania, Italy
The second-largest city in Sicily is more industrialized than Palermo, and some say its proximity to the mainland is the reason why. There’s no denying that Catania is loud and brash. Old Catania still lives on in places such as the daily fish market. Its architecture is certainly homogeneous: Forced to rebuild from the ground up after a devastating earthquake in 1693, it developed its own twist on the baroque, the Late Sicilian Baroque, which defines not only Catania but all of southeastern Sicily. The Roman Amphitheater and Odeon are vestiges of Roman domination, but it’s the harmonious style of the buildings post-earthquake that define the city. Worth visiting also are Sant’Alfio, to see the oldest tree in continental Europe, and Bronte, to taste the delectable pistachios. (Photo of Catania Market courtesy of Cattan2011)
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Mount Etna
Mt Etna, 95031 Adrano, Province of Catania, Italy
Overshadowing the eastern areas and visible from as far away as Erice and Calabria on the mainland, Europe’s highest and most active volcano has determined the history, architecture, and agriculture of its environs for centuries, if not millennia. The cooled lava has been used to rebuild many of the cities after earthquakes, and the lava-rich soil produces the blood-red oranges that are unique to this part of the island. Thick vegetation surrounds the foothills, creating a microclimate of flora not seen anywhere else in Sicily. Treks up to the craters are possible, depending on weather and volcanic activity. Dress warmly, even in the summer. (Photo of Mount Etna courtesy of Dean Hochman)
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Agrigento and the Southern Coast
92100 Agrigento, AG, Italy
The southern coast, known for fishing and agriculture, has some of the most stunning landscapes on the island. As you wind your way down the coastal road, you’ll encounter vineyards, citrus orchards, wheat fields, and the odd shepherd or two who sees nothing wrong with leading his flocks along state roads. As can be expected, the beaches are sandy and go on forever, with the one extraordinary exception of the Scala dei Turchi, a white, rippled limestone and clay cliffside carved by the elements. History surely left its mark in the region, symbolized by the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and in other Greek colonies such as Eraclea Minoa and Gela, though, sadly, the latter is in poor condition. (Photo of Agrigento courtesy of Ste)
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Ortigia
Island of Ortigia, Italy
If one had to nominate a cover star for the New Sicily, it would be Ortygia, the old town of Siracusa (Syracuse). An isthmus divided from the city’s more modern districts by a canal, Ortygia was the capital of Greek Sicily, the colony that challenged its motherland and won, routing a huge Athenian fleet in 413 B.C. Since then, Siracusa has been used and abused by Romans, Byzantines, Normans, and Aragonese, to name only the most prominent of its overlords, sending Ortygia into a decline that was only briefly reversed by some vigorous Baroque rebuilding after the 1693 earthquake. Until as recently as 1990, parts of Ortygia were virtual no-go areas, especially after dark. Two things have turned the tide: injections of EU restoration money, some of which has miraculously ended up where it was needed, and the adoption of Ortygia as a more bohemian, salty version of Taormina by a varied group of Italian and international movers and shakers. (Photo of Ortigia, Siracusa, Sicily, courtesy of Cattan2011)
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Trapani and the West
91100 Trapani, Province of Trapani, Italy
The Arabs called the area Val di Mazara, and it is emphatically wine, salt, and olive country. Alcamo wine is produced in and around the town of Alcamo, and the equally famous sweet Marsala wine is made in and around the city of the same name. The prized olives grown in the area are used to make some of the best olive oils in the world, and sea salt is still harvested as it was in Carthaginian times using centuries-old windmills. The waters along the coast are crystalline and have either rocky (Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro) or sandy (San Vito Lo Capo) shores, while the town of Mazara del Vallo is one of Italy’s fishing capitals. The region has its fair share of history and monuments as well: The Doric Temple and Greek Theater of Segesta, the ruins of Selinunte, and the Carthaginian stronghold of Motya, to name just a few. (Photo of Selinunte in Sicily by Sicillianmama)
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Ragusa and the Deep South
Free municipal consortium of Ragusa, Italy
South of the delicate and ethereal baroque town of Noto there’s a part of Sicily that only the most intrepid tourists discover — and long may it stay that way. One of the joys of the baroque towns cradled inside the southernmost tip of the Sicilian triangle is that those who do make it this far down have the place pretty much to themselves.
First-timers should head straight for Ragusa Ibla, the old town of Ragusa, a honey colored renaissance and baroque marvel that would be one of Italy’s top visitor destinations if it had the decency to move a little farther north. Instead, it’s here in an ancient landscape of deep cave-pocked ravines, twisted olives, and drystone-walled fields of carob and prickly pears on the same latitude as Tunis, Tunisia. It may not have quite the same dramatic mountain-spur location, but for me, Ragusa’s near neighbor, Modica, with its glorious baroque churches, weathered noblemen’s residences, and characterful lower town, which flows down one side of a steep river gorge, is just as impressive. (Photo courtesy of Visit Sicily)
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Best Attractions & Activities in Sicily
Here’s my personal list of some of the best attractions offered by this surprising island, with a special appeal for romantic and sporty couples.
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From Catania: Mount Etna Half-Day Tour and Wine Experience
Mt Etna, 95031 Adrano, Province of Catania, Italy
Start your exploration of Mount Etna by discovering some craters on a trek led by an expert, multilingual nature guide. Admire the ancient lava flows and breathtaking landscapes and explore a lava cave with helmets and torches. After that, discover the increasingly famous wines of the region, notable for the distinct characteristics given by the fertile, mineral-rich soil surrounding the volcano. The tour offers a wine tasting coupled with a typical Sicilian lunch made with local products. It lasts eight hours and starts from $105 (94 euros) per person, great couples who want to get in some exercise but also like to relax. (Photo courtesy of Get Your Guide)
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Taormina: Food and Wine Walking Tour
98039 Taormina, Province of Messina, Italy
Are you and the missus the types to think food and not running or racing when you hear the word “course”? This excursion offers a full experience of Sicily’s old food traditions in a 2.5-hour walking tour of Taormina. You’ll be able to meet local chefs and food heroes at three different venues and immerse yourself in the local foodie scene. Try fresh seafood such as pepata di cozze (mussels in sauce) or alici alla beccafico con pesto trapanese (stuffed anchovies with pesto) paired with white wines from the region. Indulge with a variety of bruschetta and other appetizers including cold cuts, soups, cheese with honey, and marmalade and caponata (a traditional eggplant dish). Local red wines such as Nero d’Avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria will be a perfect match for the food extravaganza, ending with a tasting of local pastries and liquors. From $84 (75 euros) per person. (Photo courtesy of Get Your Guide)
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Agrigento: Valley of the Temples E-Scooter Tour
92100 Agrigento, AG, Italy
This tour lets you explore the Valley of the Temples using modern electric scooters, which are both eco-friendly and easy to drive. You’ll visit the entire archaeological area along Via Sacra, admiring ancient temples and other interesting places along the way. You also have the option of a one- or two-hour tour to suit your schedule. Ride along green routes, specially designed so that you can experience the beautiful nature of the surrounding countryside, dotted with almond trees and ancient olive groves. Here you can explore ancient Roman roads such as Cardo I, the remains of an ancient Greek theater, and the ruins of the necropolis. Prices start at $65 (50 euros) per person. It’s perfect for couples who love nature and being eco-conscious. (Photo courtesy of Get Your Guide)
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Val di Noto
Cda Piano Della Pace, 96012 Avola SR, Italy
Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa, and Scicli are the eight towns in southeastern Sicily that make up the fascinating Val di Noto. Since 2002, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site representing a “considerable collective undertaking, successfully carried out at a high level of architectural and artistic achievement.” A must-see destination in this part of Sicily, Val di Noto is characterized by little but gorgeous towns and historic centers comprised almost entirely of crumbling baroque palaces, churches, and houses. It’s a wonderful place to go for a stroll hand in hand. (Photo courtesy of Visit Sicily)
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Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
92100 Agrigento, AG, Italy
Best known as the City of Temples, Agrigento is on the southern coast of Sicily. Just south of the modern city and nestled among olive trees on a ridge near the sea, you’ll find some of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. Valley of the Temples is a magnificent collection of seven temples from the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. Agrigento boasts not only ancient and fascinating ruins but baroque architecture, sparkling beaches, marvelous islands, and crystal-clear waters. (Photo courtesy of Visit Sicily)
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Salt Pans of Stagnone
Via Torre Sances, 390, 91025 Marsala TP, Italy
The area around Trapani is still strongly identified with its iconic salt pans, now far fewer in number than in the past but still retaining the distinction of being the oldest and last remaining in Sicily. Dating as far back as the Phoenicians around 2,700 years ago, when salt was fundamental for preserving food, the salt pans were at their most prosperous under Aragonese rule and numbered around 40 at the end of the 1800s, when over 100,000 tons of salt were produced each year. Today, there are 10 or so salt pans with two main areas of production at Nubia and at the Stagnone, the largest lagoon in Italy to the north of Marsala. The salt pans at Stagnone offer a dramatic landscape, punctuated by windmills and views across to the Egadi Islands. The Salt Museum between Trapani and Marsala is highly recommended for its complete history of the salt pans and their development. And don’t miss the chance to take a ferry over to Mothya, a Phoenician archaeological site, on Isola San Pantaleo. (Photo courtesy of Jbdodane)
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San Vito Lo Capo and Zingaro Natural Reserve
91010 San Vito Lo Capo, Province of Trapani, Italy
Known as the Sicilian Caribbean, the beautiful beach of San Vito Lo Capo lies on a bay between spectacular mountains that appear to be sinking into the sea. It’s not by chance that it’s popular with local climbers. This great beach is an homage to the Mediterranean: white sand, stunning crystal-clear waters, and amazing views of the surrounding Zingaro Natural Reserve. Shaped by nature over the centuries, the reserve was Sicily’s first protected area, created in 1981. It’s a real paradise for the great variety of natural environments that characterize its 1,600 hectares — and a challenge for trained walkers with its panoramic paths. (Photo of San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily courtesy of AudreyH)
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Selinunte
91022 Selinunte, Province of Trapani, Italy
This is an ancient Greek city situated on the southwestern coast, home to one of the most famous archaeological sites in Sicily and the largest in Europe. While many buildings were damaged by earthquakes during the Middle Ages, the remaining ruins stand out with their white colors against the blue sky and blue sea just opposite the site. You can mainly find the sculptures, from the excavations of Selinunte, in the National Archaeological Museum of Palermo. (Photo of Selinunte ruins in Sicily courtesy of SuperDealer100)
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Erice Medieval Village
91016 Erice, Province of Trapani, Italy
While Trapani City itself isn’t a major point of interest of Sicilian tourism, it is an ideal starting point for visiting Erice, a small medieval town built at an altitude of 750 meters on the rocky cliffs overlooking Trapani. You can of course get there by road (good luck finding a parking space in summer!) or go for for something more original: the cable car. From Trapani, a return trip by cable car costs $10 (9 euros) and the views are breathtaking. This is where you’ll have the perfect moment to squeeze your sweetie tight.
Once at the top, check out Erice Castle, from where you will have a beautiful view of Trapani, Monte Cofano Reserve, San Vito Lo Capo, and the 14th-century medieval church. Don’t forget to stop by Maria Grammatico pastry shop, an Erice institution, where you and the missus can reward yourselves for all the walking by feeding each other Sicilian-style cannolis. (Photo of courtesy of Paul Davies)
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Isola Bella Beach
Isola Bella, Italy
A small pebble beach with crystal-clear water located at the foot of Taormina, this beach is ideal for snorkeling, with lots of small fish to observe. (Photo courtesy of Gnukx)
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Scala dei Turchi
Stair of the Turks, 92010 Realmonte, AG, Italy
Consider this the most romantic beach to enjoy the sunset in Sicily. Turquoise water + limestone cliffs getting orange and pink tone = the perfect combination! (Photo courtesy of Cattan2011)
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Riserva Naturale Torre Salsa Beach
Strada Provinciale 75, 92010 Siculiana AG, Italy
A large, fine sandy beach with very shallow water. It’s a great place to spend the day with your lover, far from everything else. Just be aware of two things: The road to get here isn’t very good, and it’s extremely important not to leave anything in your car, as the parking lot is a known target of thieves. (Photo courtesy of Philippe Hemmel)
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Best Hotels, Resorts & Airbnbs in Sicily
As for everything else, Sicily offers a wide range of accommodations, from romantic bed & breakfasts and Airbnb rentals to splendid villas and elegant boutique hotels. Here’s a selection of the best-valued solutions, from five-star accommodations to simple but warm places to stay.
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Hotel Gutkowski, Ortigia
Lungomare di Levante Elio Vittorini, 18, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
Occupying two 19th-century palazzi with evocatively faded pastel façades set on the romantic Lungomare Levante, this grand hotel looks out to the open sea and sky. The style is unique, a seamless fusion of urban minimalism, beachcomber chic, designer retro, and up-cycled brico. There is also a lovely roof terrace. Rooms from $111 (100 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Hotel Gutkowski)
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Palazzo del Sale, Ortigia
Via Santa Teresa, 25, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
You’ll find spacious rooms in this former salt merchant’s palazzo, which feels more like a private home than a hotel. Expect to see mellow wooden floors, architect-designed beds, and neo-beachcomber touches like driftwood headboards and lamps made of shells and sea glass. Rooms from $89 (80 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Palazzo del Sale)
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Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea, Taormina
Via Nazionale, 137, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Immaculate, understated luxury comes with what began a century ago as a Cornish engineer’s Sicilian seaside villa. It’s surrounded by subtropical gardens on a beach below the historic hillside resort of Taormina, an ideal choice for anyone who wants to combine days on the beach with sightseeing, culture, and nightlife. Rooms from $557 (500 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea)
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Seven Rooms Villadorata, Noto
Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 53, 96017 Noto SR, Italy
The term boutique hotel may have lost its meaning, but Seven Rooms Villadorata is a real, devastatingly gorgeous feast for the senses housed in a wing of the most extravagant baroque palazzo in Sicily. Rooms from $488 (438 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Seven Rooms Villadorata)
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Casa Talìa, Modica
Via Exaudinos, 1/9, 97015 Modica RG, Italy
As inspired transformation of a cluster of stone cottages, cave-rooms and cisterns into one of Sicily’s most architecturally engaging boutique hotels, with breathtaking views over the incredible cityscape of baroque Modica. Rooms from $178 (160 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Casa Talìa)
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Palazzo Planeta, Palermo
Via Principe di Belmonte, 68, 90139 Palermo PA, Italy
Seven spacious, fully equipped luxury apartments in the Palermo palazzo belong to the Planeta family, who are among Sicily’s leading winemakers. It’s a good choice for foodies who want to cook at home, and perfectly located for sightseeing, shopping, and eating out. Rooms and suites from $78 (70 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Palazzo Planeta)
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Asmundo di Gisira, Catania
Via Gisira, 40, 95121 Catania CT, Italy
Asmundo di Gisira, in the heart of Catania, is an interesting choice for contemporary art lovers looking for an inspiring city break. Italian and international artists have made their own personal statements in a selection of art rooms within this 17th-century aristocratic palazzo. Rooms from $167 (150 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Asmundo di Gisira)
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Giuggiulena, Syracuse
Via Pitagora da Reggio, 35, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
This chic but family-friendly clifftop villa is in a neighborhood on the brink of gentrification, offering transfixing views of turquoise and indigo waters and sea-sculpted golden rock through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the spacious lobby. Each room is different, but all have views of the sea. Rooms from $170 (153 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Giuggiulena)
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Masseria Degli Ulivi, Noto
SS287, 96017 Noto SR, Italy
Simple rooms are what you’ll find in this beautifully maintained, pink-washed Sicilian manor house set on an olive estate in pretty countryside outside the baroque town of Noto. It is excellent value for money, with a large pool and spa that make it a cut above the average agriturismo. Rooms from $80 (72 euros) per night. (Photo courtesy of Masseria Degli Ulivi)
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Mandranova Resort
92020 Palma di Montechiaro, AG, Italy
Surrounded by a huge property and nicely isolated in the countryside of Palma di Montechiaro, Mandranova Resort offers a relaxing holiday, full of privacy and tranquility. The staff loves to surprise and entertain its guests with pieces of design and hosting art exhibitions. Perfect for couples of all ages who want to live the natural life, prefer bio cuisine without giving up the comfort, and yearn for the charm of an elegant country residence. Rates from $1,113 (1,000 euros) per week. (Photo courtesy of Mandranova Resort)
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Villa Robazza
92020 Palma di Montechiaro, AG, Italy
An old winery built of stone and plaster houses two ground-floor bedrooms, a living room, a small kitchen, and a third bedroom in the turret, from where it is possible to enjoy a wonderful view of the sea. The villa has a private pool and sun terrace and self-catering is available on request, with the possibility of using the services of the hotel. A dream solution for you, honeymooners, with rooms from $167 (150 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of Airbnb)
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B&B Le Biciclette
Via Chiaramont Gulfi, 3, 91010 San Vito Lo Capo TP, Italy
Here in San Vito Lo Capo, the owner, Giovanni, lends out bikes so you can take a tour around the village and, if weather permits and he has time, lets offers an incredible private boat tour you’ll never forget. A wonderful part of the stay here is the breakfast on the romantic terrace overlooking the sea — ask for a special treat with cannoli and pane cunzato. It’s not only the view, but the special way Giovanni and his lovely wife Camila take care of you, just like you were friends having breakfast at home. The location is close to the less touristy part of San Vito Beach, too. Rooms from $111 (100 euros) a night. (Photo courtesy of B&B Le Biclicletti)
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Best Restaurants & Bars in Sicily
Sicily has everything from slow food-style organic snack bars to creative trattorias, country restaurants, and high-end Michelin-starred establishments that are setting a new agenda for la cucina siciliana. Many of Sicily’s best eats come in the form of its street food, or rather, from food that can be eaten in the street. Starting the day with an espresso is a must, and it’s best followed by something to eat from the market or taken away from one of the ancient bakeries that open early. A day in Sicily is not complete without gelato: Try it served on a golden brioche bun like local kids do. Being surrounded by the Mediterranean means you can enjoy impossibly fresh seafood at every meal, should you so desire. Spaghetti con vongole, grilled sardines, shiny black mussels or seared steaks of crimson tuna — try it all. With a view of the ocean and a bottle of the local wine, a better meal could not be had.
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Kisté
Via S. Maria de Greci, 2, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
An excellent easy gourmet restaurant overseen by Michelin-starred chef Pietro d’Agostino. Here, wonderful prime ingredients make for extremely fresh dishes — like spaghetti with baby calamari, mint and lemon zest — that can surprise and intoxicate the palate. (Photo courtesy of Kisté)
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Principe Cerami
Piazza S. Domenico de Guzman, 5, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
At San Domenico Palace Hotel, Principe Cerami is another Michelin-starred restaurant with refined Sicilian cooking — the Omaggio allo sfincione Palermitano is a version of the Sicilian pizza made with the catch of the day, onion, tomato, and bread crumble. A table on the panoramic terrace makes the food taste even better. (Photo courtesy of San Domenico Palace Hotel)
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I Pupi
Via del Cavaliere, 59, 90011 Bagheria PA, Italy
A Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in a thoroughly contemporary take on Sicilian cuisine, using only the very best ingredients, like seared fish filets on spits. (Photo courtesy of I Pupi)
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Alle Terrazze
Viale Regina Elena, 90149 Palermo PA, Italy
A restaurant that made history in Sicily for its frequent visits by aristocrats and royalty, complete with an impressive terrace on the sea, smart service, and traditional Sicilian recipes. Try the salmon on black citrus rice. (Photo courtesy of Alle Terrazze)
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Osteria dei Vespri
Piazza Croce dei Vespri, 6, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy
One of the most acclaimed restaurants in Palermo, offering a modern, original menu with temptations like melting egg filled with truffle cream and black truffle flakes. It’s on the ground floor of the historic Palazzo Gangi. (Photo courtesy of Osteria dei Vespri)
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La Madia
Corso Re Capriata F., 22, 92027 Licata AG, Italy
Pino Cuttaia is regarded by many as the most talented chef working in Sicily, and he has earned two Michelin stars. True gourmets flock to this restaurant that is decidedly off the tourist trail. A modern take on Sicilian cuisine, with clever combinations of ingredients that seem entirely natural only after you have tasted them, like a beef filet smoothed with ash oil. (Photo courtesy of La Madia)
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Fior di Sale
Contrada Dara, 36A, 91025 Marsala TP, Italy
In Saline Ettore e Infersa, Fior di Sale is recommended for its good food and service, views over Mozia and the Stagnone and, from June to mid-August, for exceptional sunset views. They also serve pizza. (Photo courtesy of Fior di Sale)
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Don Camillo
Via della Maestranza, 96, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
One of the best restaurants in Siracusa, Don Camillo is considered an institution, with an interesting menu of fish dishes and an excellent wine list. (Photo courtesy of Don Camillo)
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Antica Dolceria Bonajuto
Viale Vittorio Veneto, 49, 95127 Catania CT, Italy
Great pastries and cakes. Take a tour and try their fantastic chili chocolate. It’s located in front of Duomo di San Pietro. (Photo courtesy of Antica Dolceria Bonajuto)
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Gelati DiVini
Piazza Duomo, 20, 97100 Ragusa RG, Italy
A great wine bar with a wonderful ice cream selection, including Malvasia wine and Passito varieties. The cioccolato con peperoncino is a must-try. (Photo courtesy of Gelati DiVini)
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Bar Vitelli
Piazza Fossia, 7, 98038 Savoca ME, Italy
You’ll recognize this bar from a famous scene in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece, The Godfather. The doorway with its graphic font, the collection of rattan chairs and round tables are exactly the same as in the movie. Sit under the vines, take the cannoli (but leave the gun, har har), have a strong cup of coffee, and enjoy this slice of Sicilian village life. Savoca, close to the resort town of Taormina where Bar Savelli is located, is listed as one of Italy’s most beautiful borgos (suburbs). (Photo courtesy of Bar Vitelli)
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Bottom Line
Now you are ready to design your own, romantic tour of this amazing island, to be explored with all five senses. Just surrender to all its temptations, and enjoy the experience to its fullest. This is your honeymoon after all. You’ve earned it.
