There is a Sicily known to all, that of the crystalline sea, the sunsets of fire, the millenary temples and the food among the best in Italy.
Then there is a Sicily on which mass tourism has not yet turned the spotlight: it is that of the inland villages and the villages on the coast that still live on fishing and artisan traditions.
It is the Sicily of the clothes hanging in the sun, of the houses with balconies overlooking the sea, of the alleys and stairways, of the children playing in the street and of the elderly standing at the doorstep.
Places where there is little to do, life goes by slowly and the little joys of everyday life are appreciated.
The most beautiful villages in Sicilia.
Sicily is a very large island and only part of it is explored by tourists. With the exception of Etna and a few other naturalistic areas of attraction, the mountain areas are almost completely ignored; the same fate also happened to many fishing villages that have not become famous seaside resorts.
Visiting these villages is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the most authentic soul of Sicily, breathe healthy air deeply, taste genuine goodness prepared with local ingredients and discover a warm hospitality.
Wherever you go, north, south, west or east, there is a small town in Sicily that deserves to be explored.
Our list of the 15 most beautiful villages in Sicily will take you to the must-see places mentioned in all tourist guides and pearls still unexplored. You can admire artistic masterpieces of international appeal or dedicate yourself to the art of dolce far niente, join groups of tourists armed with selfie sticks or take refuge in an oasis of peace all to yourself.
Erice.
Erice is not the Sicily you would expect: this enchanting town perched on a hill 751 meters high will surprise you with its medieval beauty that recalls a village in Central Italy, but is deeply Sicilian in its origins and atmosphere.
Founded in ancient times, it was for centuries the center of the cult dedicated to Venus (Aphrodite for the Greeks), the goddess of fertility and the protector of sailors; the temple dedicated to her is now a luxury hotel.
The town can be reached with a fascinating cable car ride from the center of Trapani and is wonderful to visit even in winter.
The top for a couple's holiday in Sicily is Cefalù, an enchanting village along the northern coast of the island (province of Palermo) where romantic views abound at every corner.
Its narrow beach bordered by a row of characteristic pastel-colored houses behind which stands an imposing fortress is one of the best-known images of Sicily.
It is the ideal place to let your gaze get lost on the horizon, to admire the sky that turns pink at sunset and to enjoy the sea breeze from a terrace overlooking the sea. But it is also a city rich in history and artistic masterpieces, including a splendid Arab-Norman Cathedral declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Noto
/b>is an unmissable stop for all art lovers: this town in the Syracusan hinterland is universally considered the capital of the Baroque in
The origin of its fame is a tragic event, the earthquake that devastated the south-eastern part of the island in the seventeenth century.
Like many other cities, Noto was razed to the ground and rebuilt according to the elegant and opulent taste of the time.
Its stately homes, fountains, arches and other splendid buildings in the historic center built with local white stone, characterized by sinuous shapes, convexities that create artistic chiaroscuro and sumptuous decorations are exceptional photographic subjects.
Modica.
One of the greediest villages in Sicily 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 processing stages; the other themed attraction is the historic Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate shop in Sicily.
In addition to taste, Modica will also satisfy your sight: it is a multi-layered city, located at the confluence of two rivers, a particular to see.
Its houses leaning against each other are built using natural cavities in the rock and create a truly spectacular overall effect.
Modica is also an unmissable stop on any literary tour of Sicily.
Sciacca.
The town of Sciacca concentrates the different souls of Sicily: the splendor of the baroque palaces, the fascinating chaos of the Arab medinas, the colors and smells of the fishermen's boats, the bars with outdoor tables where you can happily laze for hours.
It is a characteristic amphitheater-shaped town in the province of Agrigento, halfway between the Valley of the Temples and Selinunte.
Perfect as a base to visit some of the most famous attractions along the south coast of Sicily or as a stop to break a long drive.
Marzameni.
The small village of Marzamemi rises in a very particular point, where the Ionian Sea meets the Mediterranean Sea (province of Syracuse).
With such a position, with a profound symbolic meaning, it was inevitable that this quiet fishing village would become a tourist destination with a strong appeal.
You can easily find traces of a not so distant past in which fishing was the only important economic activity in the boats and in the artisan workshops for processing swordfish and tuna scattered around the village.
To these have been added the restaurants for tourists, charming b & bs and other services for an exclusive and not exactly cheap tourism. Fortunately, the charm of Marzamemi is still intact.
Isola delle Femmine.
Among the seaside villages of Sicily, one of the most beautiful is located a short distance from the chaotic city of Palermo.
It is Isola delle Femmine , once a quiet fishing village and today a well-known but still quiet seaside destination, ideal for those who want to enjoy the sea and nature without the frills of worldliness.
The attractions of the village are its characteristic harbor, perfect for walks in the early morning or at sunset, and the islet that rises in front of the main beach, home to a reserve of the Italian Bird Protection League.
Punta Secca.
A scene by Inspector Montalbano set in Punta Secca Punta Secca is perhaps not among the most beautiful villages in Sicily but it has become one of those that everyone wants to see. Is it very old?
Does it arise in a particular position?
Does it have any noteworthy cultural attractions? No: it is the seaside village of Inspector Montalbano.
The elegant white villa overlooking the beach which is the home of the protagonist in the famous television series is located here, in Punta Secca (a hamlet of Santa Croce Camerina, province of Ragusa).
You can also sleep in it if you want: it is a luxury b & b. Or you can admire it from the outside and then take an example from the character played by Luca Zingaretti: take a nice swim and treat yourself to a succulent fish-based lunch in the chalet restaurant, renamed “Enzo a Mare” in the television series.
Aci Trezza.
Aci Trezza is a village along the eastern coast of Sicily (province of Catania) which over the centuries has been a source of inspiration for famous poets, writers and directors.
Its symbolic attraction are eight stacks of dark lava rock that emerge from a sea of a splendid blue color.
According to the Homeric myth they are the boulders thrown by the Cyclops against the fleeing ships of Ulysses. Centuries later, it was Giovanni Verga who set one of his most famous works in this fishing village and later still Luchino Visconti came here to shoot the most important scenes of his film "La Terra Trema" inspired by Verga's masterpiece.
Although today a very popular seaside resort, especially among those who love diving, Aci Trezza has not changed much from the quiet town taken up in the 1940s by Visconti's cameras.
Gangi.
For some it is the pearl of the Madonie (a mountainous ridge in northern Sicily), for others Gangi deserves the nickname of "town of belvedere". Located in the hinterland of the province of Palermo about 120 km from the capital, it is a classic medieval village that rises on the slopes of a mountain and is enclosed by a wall. What makes it unique is its particular position on Monte Barone, facing Etna. From whichever side you turn your gaze you will be presented with a magnificent view that can be the gigantic Mount Etna, the cascade of roofs of the historic center or a very green valley. To fall madly in love with Gangi, follow the Via degli Odori, a sensory itinerary in the historic center that allows you to get drunk with the scent of 30 different aromatic and medicinal plants.
Petralia Soprana.
Another jewel of the Madonie is Petralia Soprana, a medieval town that rises to over 1100 meters high.
From a distance it looks like a Norman stronghold, but once you enter the historic center you will find elegant stone buildings expertly adorned by the skilled craftsmen of the area.
Immersed in unspoiled nature and rich in architectural and artistic treasures, it has strangely escaped the attention of mass tourism.
Take advantage of it to experience hours of total relaxation: just stroll through the cobbled streets of the historic center and breathe pure air, you don't need anything else to be happy!
In the nearby hamlet of Raffo there is a huge rock salt mine from which the famous Sicilian salt is still extracted today.
Milazzo.
The name of Milazzo is known to many travelers who, in love with the beautiful sea, regularly choose Sicily as their holiday destination, yet this village on the north coast (province of Messina) never falls into the list of Sicilian places to see: for everyone it is only the port for the Aeolian Islands.
Reverse the trend and stop in Milazzo for half a day or more. Start your visit from the Castle : it is actually a fortified citadel that extends over 7 hectares and represents one of the most important fortified complexes in Europe.
Perched on top of a rocky spur overlooking the Milazzo peninsula, it is an exceptional vantage point from which to admire a splendid view of the sea.
A few kilometers away is another attraction not to be missed: the Sanctuary of Sant'Antonio da Padova, a building with a pink facade built close to a splendid bay.
Continue on foot and you will immerse yourself in a nature trail that is a riot of colors and scents.
Menfi.
Nestled in a valley formed by two rivers, it is located just 10 km from enchanting beaches of fine sand bordered by dunes and Mediterranean shrubs. Blue sea, green but also culture: the center of Menfi is full of beautiful buildings, historic churches and towers that recall the distant times when Sicily had to defend itself from pirates. From here in a short time you can reach some of the top attractions of Sicily such as the Valley of the Temples, the archaeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte, the Zingaro reserve and the village of Erice.
This tiny village of 30 inhabitants on the island of Stromboli (Aeolian archipelago) can only be reached by sea: no road or path connects it to the other two villages on the island. It is nothing more than a handful of houses in typical Aeolian style overlooking the sea or the volcano (the lucky ones have both views!).
Where there is very little to do besides the ecstatic contemplation of nature; there are essential services, two restaurants and a few rooms for rent for tourists who want an experience of total peace. No cars, goods are transported by boat and on donkeys. A true paradise for those seeking tranquility!
Sperlinga.
If few tourists reach Ginostra, even fewer venture to Sperlinga , a
village located in the province of Enna , one of the least visited by tourists. It is worth abandoning the most popular itineraries to see something unique and discover an authentic corner of Sicily.
Obtained from a large sandstone, the village of Sperlinga is characterized by numerous caves and houses that look like a natural cavity in the rock; some caves have been preserved as evidence of peasant living conditions.
There is also a castle carved out of the rock: it is very old (dates back to the 11th century) and is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.In addition to admiring a very special village, in Sperlinga it is possible to take splendid walks in the woods of the area and enjoy genuine food prepared according to ancient recipes and with simple local ingredients.
