There’s a Sicily that everyone knows about – the one with crystalline seas, fiery sunsets, ancient temples and some of Italy’s finest food. Then there’s a Sicily that mass tourism hasn’t yet turned its spotlight on: that of the villages nestled inland and coastal hamlets that still live by fishing and traditional craftsmanship.
This is the Sicily of laundry drying in the sun, houses with balconies perched above the sea, narrow alleyways and steep staircases, children playing in the streets and elderly folk standing in their doorways. Places where there’s little to do, life moves slowly and you come to appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
Sicily is a very large island and tourists only explore a small part of it. With the exception of Mount Etna and a few other natural attractions, the mountainous regions are almost completely overlooked; many fishing villages that never became famous seaside resorts have suffered the same fate.
Visiting these villages is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Sicily’s most authentic soul, breathe fresh air deeply, savour genuine flavours made with local ingredients and discover warm hospitality.
Wherever you go – north, south, west or east – there’s a Sicilian village worth exploring. Our list of 15 of Sicily’s most beautiful villages will take you to places that feature in every tourist guide as well as hidden pearls still waiting to be discovered.
You can admire world-class artistic masterpieces or dedicate yourself to the art of sweet idleness, join crowds of selfie-stick-wielding tourists or retreat into peaceful havens all to yourself.
Erice isn’t the Sicily you’d expect: this enchanting hilltop town perched 751 metres above sea level will surprise you with its medieval beauty reminiscent of Central Italy, yet it’s profoundly Sicilian in its origins and atmosphere.
Founded in ancient times, it was for centuries the centre of worship dedicated to Venus (Aphrodite to the Greeks), goddess of fertility and protector of seafarers; the temple dedicated to her is today a luxury hotel. The town is reached via a captivating cable car journey from central Trapani and is stunning to visit even in winter.
The perfect choice for a romantic getaway in Sicily is Cefalù, a charming village along the island’s northern coast (province of Palermo) where romantic views abound at every corner. Its narrow beach, framed by a row of characteristic pastel-coloured houses with an imposing fortress rising behind them, is one of Sicily’s most iconic images.
It’s the ideal place to let your gaze drift towards the horizon, to admire the sky blushing pink at sunset and to savour the sea breeze from a waterfront terrace. But it’s also a city rich in history and artistic treasures, including a splendid Arab-Norman Cathedral recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Noto is an essential stop for art lovers: this town in the Syracuse hinterland is universally considered the capital of Baroque in Sicily. Its fame stems from a tragic event – the earthquake that devastated the south-eastern part of the island in the seventeenth century. Like many other towns, Noto was razed to the ground and rebuilt according to the elegant and opulent taste of the era.
Its noble mansions, fountains, arches and other splendid buildings in the historic centre, constructed from local white stone and characterised by sinuous forms, convex shapes that create artistic chiaroscuro effects and sumptuous decorations, are exceptional photographic subjects.
One of Sicily’s most delectable villages is Modica (province of Ragusa), the home of quality chocolate. A museum is dedicated to this local delicacy, where you can learn about its history, ingredients and production methods; another chocolate-themed attraction is the historic Dolceria Bonajuto, Sicily’s oldest chocolate shop.
Beyond its culinary delights, Modica will also feast your eyes: it’s a multi-layered town, positioned at the confluence of two rivers, with a distinctive character. Its houses, huddled closely together, are built within natural rock cavities, creating a truly spectacular overall effect.
Modica is also an unmissable stop on any literary tour of Sicily. Poet Salvatore Quasimodo was born here and his birthplace has been converted into a museum.
The town of Sciacca concentrates the diverse souls of Sicily: the splendour of Baroque palaces, the captivating chaos of Arab medinas, the colours and aromas of fishermen’s boats, open-air bars where you can happily while away the hours.
It’s a characteristic amphitheatre-shaped town in the province of Agrigento, halfway between the Valley of the Temples and Selinunte. Perfect as a base for visiting some of the most famous attractions along Sicily’s southern coast or as a stop to break up a long drive.
The small village of Marzamemi sits at a unique point where the Ionian Sea meets the Mediterranean (province of Syracuse). With such a position, laden with symbolic meaning, it was inevitable that this tranquil fishing village would become a major tourist draw.
You can easily trace the echoes of a not-so-distant past when fishing was the only significant economic activity, visible in the boats and artisan workshops for processing swordfish and tuna scattered throughout the village. These have been joined by tourist restaurants, charming bed-and-breakfasts and other facilities catering to an exclusive and not particularly budget-friendly kind of tourism. Fortunately, Marzamemi’s charm remains intact.
Among Sicily’s charming fishing villages, one of the loveliest sits just a short distance from chaotic Palermo. It’s Isola delle Femmine, once a quiet fishing hamlet and now a well-known but still peaceful seaside destination, ideal for those wanting to enjoy the sea and nature without the trappings of high society.
The village’s attractions are its characteristic little harbour, perfect for early morning or sunset strolls, and the small island off the main beach, home to a nature reserve run by the Italian Bird Protection League.
Punta Secca may not be among Sicily’s most beautiful villages, but it’s certainly become one that everyone wants to see. Is it ancient? Does it occupy a unique location? Does it boast significant cultural attractions? No: it’s the seaside hamlet of Commissario Montalbano.
The elegant white villa overlooking the beach that in the famous television series is the protagonist’s home is located here, at Punta Secca (a hamlet of Santa Croce Camerina, province of Ragusa). You can even stay there if you wish – it’s a luxury bed-and-breakfast. Or admire it from outside and then follow the example set by the character played by Luca Zingaretti: take a lovely swim and treat yourself to a succulent fish-based lunch at the beach restaurant, renamed “Enzo a Mare” in the television series.
Aci Trezza is a village along Sicily’s eastern coast (province of Catania) that has inspired famous poets, writers and directors for centuries.
Its iconic attraction is eight sea stacks of dark volcanic rock rising from brilliantly blue waters. According to Homer’s mythology, they are the boulders hurled by the Cyclops at Odysseus’s fleeing ships. Centuries later, Giovanni Verga set one of his most famous works in this fishing hamlet, and much later still, Luchino Visconti came here to film the key scenes of his film “La Terra Trema”, inspired by Verga’s masterpiece.
Although today it’s a very popular seaside resort, particularly amongst diving enthusiasts, Aci Trezza hasn’t changed much from the quiet village captured in the 1940s by Visconti’s cameras.
For some, it’s the jewel of the Madonie (a mountainous ridge in northern Sicily), for others Gangi deserves the nickname “village of viewpoints”.
Situated inland in the province of Palermo about 120 km from the capital, it’s a classic medieval-style village perched on the slopes of a mountain and encircled by ancient walls. What makes it unique is its particular position on Monte Barone, with views towards Mount Etna. Whichever direction you look, you’re greeted with stunning vistas – whether it’s the gigantic Mount Etna, a cascade of rooftops tumbling down the historic centre, or a lush green valley.
To fall head over heels for Gangi, follow the Via degli Odori, a sensory trail through the historic centre that lets you inhale the scents of 30 different aromatic and medicinal plants.
Another gem in the Madonie is Petralia Soprana, a village with medieval urban planning perched over 1,100 metres above sea level. From a distance it looks like a Norman fortress, but once inside the historic centre you’ll find elegant stone mansions expertly adorned by the skilled local artisans.
Immersed in unspoilt nature and brimming with architectural and artistic treasures, it has oddly escaped mass tourism’s attention. Make the most of it to experience complete relaxation: simply wandering the stone-paved streets of the historic centre and breathing pure air is all you need to be happy!
In the nearby hamlet of Raffo you’ll find an enormous rock salt mine from which Sicily’s famous salt is still extracted today.
The name of Milazzo is familiar to many travellers who regularly choose Sicily for their seaside holidays, yet this coastal village (province of Messina) rarely makes it onto anyone’s list of Sicilian must-sees – to most, it’s simply the port for the Aeolian Islands.
Buck the trend and spend at least half a day or more in Milazzo. Start your visit at the Castle: it’s actually a fortified citadel spanning 7 hectares and represents one of Europe’s most significant fortress complexes. Perched atop a rocky spur dominating the Milazzo peninsula, it’s an exceptional vantage point from which to enjoy magnificent sea views.
A few kilometres away lies another unmissable attraction: the Sanctuary of Saint Anthony of Padua, a building with a pink façade built right beside a beautiful bay. Continue on foot and you’ll immerse yourself in a nature trail that’s a riot of colours and scents.
The town of Menfi is an ideal base for exploring southern Sicily. Nestled in a valley formed by two rivers, it lies just 10 km from enchanting sandy beaches with fine, powdery sand, bordered by dunes and Mediterranean shrubland. Turquoise sea, lush greenery and culture too: Menfi’s town centre is brimming with beautiful palaces, historic churches and towers that hark back to the days when Sicily needed to defend itself against pirates.
From here, you can reach some of Sicily’s top attractions in no time, such as the Valley of the Temples, the archaeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte, the Zingaro nature reserve and the village of Erice.
If you want to feel cut off from the world, there’s nowhere better than Ginostra. This tiny hamlet of just 30 inhabitants on the island of Stromboli (Aeolian Islands) can only be reached by sea: no roads or paths connect it to the island’s other two villages.
It’s nothing more than a handful of houses in typical Aeolian style with views of the sea or the volcano (the lucky ones have both!), where there’s little to do beyond gazing in wonder at nature; there are basic amenities, two restaurants and a few rooms to rent for tourists seeking complete peace and quiet. No cars – goods are transported by boat and donkey.
A true paradise for those seeking tranquillity!
Whilst few tourists venture to Ginostra, even fewer make their way to Sperlinga, a small village in the province of Enna, one of Sicily’s least visited areas.
It’s worth straying from the beaten path to see something truly unique and discover an authentic corner of Sicily. Carved into a vast sandstone formation, the village of Sperlinga is characterised by numerous caves and houses that appear to be natural rock cavities; some caves have been preserved as testimony to peasant living conditions. There’s also a castle hewn from the rock: it’s extremely ancient (dating back to the 11th century) and is considered one of the finest in Europe.
Beyond admiring this extraordinarily distinctive village, Sperlinga offers wonderful walks through the surrounding woodlands and the chance to savour authentic food prepared using age-old recipes and simple local ingredients.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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