Things to do in Sicily

Palermo walking tour and Monreale Cathedral visit in Sicily

If ancient cities, holy monuments and a touch of the macabre are your thing, then this two-in-one tour is a must. First up is UNESCO-listed Monreale Cathedral where you'll marvel at the architecture before a guide gives you the history of its pure-gold mosaics. You'll then stop by Palermo for a walking tour of some of the best-preserved historic landmarks in the world. After, you can take time to sip a cappuccino, browse the market, or grab some lunch in the famous Piazza Verdi.

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.

Sicily tour with Randazzo Market and wine-tasting by Mount Etna

With the popularity of TV shows like White Lotus, Sicily has upped the ante as a must-see destination for set-jetters – that's people inspired by TV and film set locations to me and you. You'll find plenty of sights to capture for yourself on this full-day tour that takes in the town of Randazzo, just north of Mount Etna, and a winery where you'll get to taste the fruits of the volcanic landscape. Francesca, a local guide, says “I love the start of this tour, as we drive through one of Sicily's best kept secrets – the Alcantara Valley. You'll see hillside villages, gorges and the mountainous panoramas that Sicily is famed for.”The bustling town of Randazzo is your first stop, sitting on the north-west fringe of Etna National Park. It's one of the only towns to remain untouched by Etna's historic eruptions, so a lot of the classic Sicilian architecture of the churches and houses is still in its original form. Every Sunday is about one thing here – the local market, which you'll get free time to explore. Seek out regional specialities here, like sweet cannoli and local olives and mushrooms, or snack on arancini rice balls as your browse delicate ceramics on the stalls. Round off your experience with a trip to a top-tier vineyard for a tasting session on the slopes of Mount Etna. The volcanic soil is super fertile here and delivers crisp, citrusy whites and earthy, cherry reds. You can buy a few bottles to take home as a reminder of the taste of Sicily.

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.

Sites & Bites: Catania city food tour with arancini and cannoli

This half-day tour takes you through the heart of Catania, hitting all the must-see spots. Start your adventure at Piazza Duomo, where you'll stop by Catania Cathedral – it's dedicated to the city's patron saint, St Agatha. Don't forget to snap a pic of the Elephant Fountain while you're here, too.Next up is the fish market for a nosey around the stalls, piled high with the freshest seafood. Then, it's off to the Greek-Roman Theatre, a slice of Catania's past nestled right in the city centre. This ancient site boasts two open-air theatres – the larger Roman theatre and the smaller, semicircular Odeon. Both were designed with seats rising along the hillside, making the most of the sea views.From here, you'll stroll along Via Etnea, a popular shopping street, but the real highlight is the view of Mount Etna as you head to Piazza Stesicoro. Your guide will tell you about the Roman Amphitheatre near here, before your final stop at O'Luni Market. This local favourite is packed with fresh produce, meats and cheeses, and you'll have some free time to pick up any Sicilian treats that catch your eye.Throughout the tour, you'll sample some of the city's tastiest street food. Crispy arancini, AKA deep-fried rice balls, are a must-try. They're usually stuffed with fillings like ragu, mozzarella, or mushrooms – perfect for a quick snack. And, let's not forget the creamy cannoli, a classic Sicilian dessert. These tube-shaped pastry shells are fried to perfection, giving them their signature crunch. Then, they're filled with sweet, creamy ricotta, often mixed with chocolate chips and sometimes candied fruit or pistachios.

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.

Isola Bella Mini-cruise

Sicilians like to be direct. So when it came to naming the tiny islet of Isola Bella – it means ‘Beautiful Island' – there was only ever going to be one option. This morning cruise from Giardini-Naxos allows you to take in the amazing coastal views – with Mt Etna in the background – en route to Isola Bella.

Pizza Cookery Class in Giardini Naxos

Meet your professional pizza chef Maurizio for your 2-hour pizza making lesson. Learn the tricks of the trade from the real deal, a Sicilian Pizzaiolo in a local pizzeria. Chef Maurizio will explain the magic involved in turning simple ingredients into a mouthwatering pizza, and at the end of the session you will sit down to enjoy your pizza with a glass of local wine.

Pizza Cooking Class in Taormina

Make traditional Sicilian Pizza with a real 'pizzaiolo' - the Italian word for pizza chef. Learn the secrets of perfect pizza from an expert as you prepare the dough and the toppings for flash baking in a searing hot pizza oven. Take the skills and knowledge home with you to recreate authentic pizza whenever you like. You'll get a certificate and souvenir apron, too.

Wine Tasting and Castelbuono Tour from Cefalù

Rugged, peaceful and not on the tourist trail, the Madonie Mountains are real back-to-nature stuff. Locals here have been living off the land for years, and they've been making wine since Roman times. Combine medieval villages, ancient wineries and local food on this half-day tasting tour.

Arancino Making Class in Taormina

The classic Sicilian arancino is a plump croquette of rice coated in breadcrumbs and served hot and crisp. There are a number of traditional fillings such as ragu, mushrooms, prosciutto or spinach - but the most popular in Sicily is a meat sauce with peas and mozzarella. Join a professional chef to learn the secrets of making these perfect little Sicilian snacks.

Taormina City by See Bus Ticket - Blue or Red Line

See the sights around Taormina with the freedom to hop-on and hop-off all day long with just one ticket. Travel between Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Isola Bella, Letojanni and Castelmola on both the Red and Blue Lines. There's a multilingual audio commentary, and the frequency is hourly for both lines. At the Castelmola stop, enjoy a complimentary tasting of almond wine.