The choice of guided tours available in Sicily is incredibly wide, with luxury and exclusive proposals. In the region, there are dedicated tours to major cities, archaeological sites, and Mount Etna, and there are also more customized solutions such as food and wine or “themed” tours.
Thanks to the region’s splendid climate, guided tours in Sicily are generally available at all times of the year.
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What is the most beautiful part of Sicily?
Sicily is a vast region of great beauty, so whichever area of the island you choose for your guided tour you will certainly not be disappointed: between nature, culture, food and activities to enjoy, there is a great deal on offer.
The city of Syracuse and its province are renowned for archaeological and natural beauty, such as the Necropolis of Pantalica, the small lakes of Avola Antica, and the sparkling Fontane Bianche Beach. In Neopolis Park it is also possible to visit the Greek Amphitheater and the famous Ear of Dionysus.
Sicily’s crown jewel, as far as ancient history is concerned, is definitely Agrigento, near which is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world: the Valley of the Temples, a key testimony to the island’s Hellenic past.
Another popular destination in Sicily are the Aeolian Islands, with Lipari, Vulcano and the romantic Stromboli. This is an archipelago of volcanic origin, very suitable for trekking in an atmosphere of great beauty.
The capital Palermo is an important destination to visit for those who love history and culture: along with its museums, Cathedral and Teatro Massimo, nearby Cefalù and Monreale can also be visited.
Taormina and Isola Bella (known as “the Pearl of the Mediterranean”) are another beautiful area of Sicily, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and archaeological wealth.
How many days do you need to see Sicily?
Given the immense richness of the island, it is not possible to visit Sicily in a complete way having only a few days at one’s disposal. One possibility is to choose a single area, to which one can devote oneself in depth.
Within a weekend one can devote oneself to a single province, such as Palermo and its surroundings, or Catania, Acireale and Aci Trezza, or even the area of Agrigento.
Those who have an entire week at their disposal can make a complete and satisfactory tour of the eastern area or the western area.
Wanting instead to visit all of Sicily and its attractions, the ideal would be to devote at least twenty days, if not a whole month, to the tour.
Guided tours of Southern Italy and Sicily
For those who have little time to spend vacationing in Italy but wish to have a good overview of southern Italy and Sicily, there is the possibility of amalgamating several destinations into one guided tour.
An essential guided tour of southern Italy and Sicily should include at least four key stops: Bari and environs, Naples and environs (including Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast), Palermo, and Syracuse.
Another possibility is to take a guided tour starting in Naples, go down to the Amalfi Coast, and from there travel to Messina, which can be an excellent “springboard” for visiting the rest of the island.
Escorted tours to Sicily from the UK
Escorted tours of Sicily are also possible from the UK. An organized tour will ensure savings in time and resources, even starting from afar.
Major UK airports are served by direct flights to Catania and Palermo, covering the distance in about two hours time, and at very affordable prices.
A convenient option, which also leaves a certain amount of freedom for tourists, is the “fly and drive” option: with this system, a direct flight from London or Edinburgh is combined with a tour of Sicily carried out with the help of an English-speaking car rental service with driver.
Best guided tours of Sicily
A good tour of Sicily should last at least a week.
Within seven days, one can take part in a grand guided tour that includes the island’s main tourist destinations.
Starting in Palermo, a tour of some level should include at least, in addition to the capital, the Taormina area, an excursion to Mount Etna, a complete visit to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, and a stop in Syracuse.
A guided tour lasting a couple of weeks can also include an extended stop at a seaside resort or a trek to Mount Etna Park or the Taormina area.
Among the best guided tours of Sicily are certainly those that also include the Egadi Islands, Lampedusa or the Aeolian archipelago.
Also worth experiencing is a guided tour of Sicily with a food and wine theme, including the discovery of regional specialties, street food and perhaps even cooking classes.
Sicily tour packages
Visiting Sicily through comprehensive tour packages is certainly a good option to leave nothing to chance and relax completely, delegating all concerns of timing and logistics to the agency.
The tour packages available for visiting Sicily are for all tastes: some focus on history, art and archaeology, others on the natural beauty of the island, such as archipelagos, the sea and volcanoes.
The most suitable tour packages for the “undecided” are certainly the grand tours, which we briefly described above and which allow you to visit the main tourist attractions of Sicily.
The choice of a tour package should be made taking into account several factors, primarily the free days available, individual preferences and the place of departure. Also not to be overlooked are the characteristics of sustainability and accessibility, to which Sicilian tourism is gradually adapting.
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