The Best of Sicily: Sun-Kissed Shores & Timeless Charm

Palermo

The energy here is palpable, and the capital of Sicily makes a fitting bookend to your tour. Feast your eyes on the stunning Norman Royal Palace, discreet aristocratic residences, and the Palatine Chapel… then immerse yourself in bustling street markets, stroll along the waterfront, and cross the Quattro Canti to better understand Palermo’s cosmopolitan and artistic identity.

Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel, is a 19th-century palazzo that harks back to an era of grandeur with its Art Nouveau interiors. The lull of the seaside and tiered gardens offer a welcome respite from the buzzing cityscape. The Igiea Terrazza Bar—a sandstone vault adorned with original frescoes—provides a refined yet relaxed setting to sip Sicilian spritzes and sample Fulvio Pierangelini’s locally inspired plates. Live music drifts through the balmy summer evenings.

To get even deeper into the local culture, your private guide can take you through lesser-known corners of the city, such as underground catacombs, family-run pastry shops, or even a traditional puppet theatre where Sicily’s storytelling heritage is preserved in vibrant colour and craft. These immersive moments reflect the best of Sicily’s enduring character—where the past is not only remembered but actively lived.

South Coast

The drive along Sicily’s south coast reveals natural poetry at its finest—tracing ancient winemaking traditions through Menfi, the surreal white sands of Porto Palo and Eraclea Minoa, the meringue-like cliffs of Realmonte, and the thermal baths of Sciacca. In Agrigento, the imposing Valley of the Temples is a marvel of classical preservation, while laid-back fishing villages and endless beaches add layers of charm to the journey.

Stay at Rocco Forte’s Verdura Resort, a countryside retreat blending spa serenity and world-class golf with panoramic views. The resort’s Culinary School offers intimate, garden-to-table experiences—from foraging in the organic vegetable garden at La Casetta nell’Orto to cooking classic dishes like maccheroncini alla Norma or aubergine caponata. For families, the three-bedroom Acacia Suite opens out to private terraces perfect for dining under the stars.

Travellers looking for the best of Sicily often fall in love with this region’s slower rhythm. It’s the ideal place to pause for a few days and indulge in the Mediterranean lifestyle—long lunches, golden light over olive groves, and seaside aperitivos as the sun dips below the horizon. Nearby, guided visits to historic vineyards and olive oil estates offer a sensory insight into Sicily’s agricultural heritage.

Ragusa

Dating from 1693 and rebuilt after an earthquake, the magic of Ragusa Ibla lies in getting lost within its maze of quiet alleys dotted with over 50 baroque churches. Food lovers delight—this gourmet capital serves up rich local flavours: pastieri (savoury pies of minced goat and lamb), broad bean macco, caciocavallo cheese, Modica’s famed chocolate, and almond affucaparrinu biscuits.

After an innovative Michelin-starred tasting menu at La Locanda Don Serafino, retreat to its intimate hotel, where luxury suites have been carved into the stone itself for a stay deeply rooted in place. Nearby wine tastings, cooking classes, and rustic farm visits bring you even closer to the land.

The best of Sicily often lies in the details: the gentle clink of glasses during a vineyard lunch in the countryside, or the feel of warm stone underfoot as you explore honey-hued palazzi at golden hour. In Ragusa, these moments come together beautifully—especially when guided by those who know the land best. Meet local producers whose families have lived here for generations, or join a private chocolate-making workshop in Modica to trace the island’s Aztec-influenced techniques.

Taormina

Arriving in idyllic Taormina is a rite of passage. The serpentine road up the rocky promontory reveals a timeless tableau—Mount Etna rising behind the Teatro Antico, elegant piazzas, and bougainvillea-clad balconies, with sweeping views over Naxos Bay. Once a key stop on the Grand Tour, this inspiring town continues to lure writers, artists, and directors in search of Sicilian soul.

Just across town, the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace offers a monastic beauty. Set in a former Dominican convent, its cloistered calm and panoramic infinity pool feel almost otherworldly. By day, explore hidden gardens or linger over lunch at Rosso, shaded by citrus trees. By night, dine by candlelight at the Michelin-starred Principe Cerami before retreating to suites that have quietly inspired creatives, including some familiar faces from The White Lotus.

You’ll also be spoiled for choice with Belmond’s Villa Sant’Andrea, down by the water’s edge, exuding faded Riviera glamour with private beach cabanas and subtropical gardens, while above, Grand Hotel Timeo is a classically romantic hideaway with magnificent views and alfresco dining overlooking the Ionian coast—not to mention one of the world’s most photogenic Dior Spas.

In Taormina, the best of Sicily reveals itself in moments of cinematic grandeur and exquisite calm. Explore Mount Etna with a volcanologist, or enjoy a wine tasting in an ancient lava-stone winery. Whether you’re seeking adventure or serenity, Taormina offers both with effortless charm.

Aeolian Islands

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and often considered a local’s secret, these ‘seven pearls’ in the South Tyrrhenian Sea offer rare authenticity and arresting beauty. From the raw drama of Stromboli and Vulcano to the vineyard-covered hills of Salina and the black beaches of Panarea, each island tells its own story.

Sail by private yacht from one volcanic bay to the next. Soak in Vulcano’s therapeutic mud springs, savour Malvasia wines and salt-kissed capers, snorkel crystalline coves, and wander Lipari’s historic citadel. Time feels elastic here—dictated only by the sea and the scent of wild herbs on the breeze.

To truly experience the best of Sicily, few experiences match drifting through the Aeolian Islands on your own schedule, with a local skipper and chef aboard to guide your journey. Wake to the sound of gentle waves in secluded anchorages, spend afternoons exploring lava rock formations and archaeological ruins, and toast each day with a glass of crisp white wine as the sun melts into the sea.