Things to do in Sicily

You can’t really ignore Sicily’s long history; it’s dotted across the island, in the form of ancient architecture left by Greeks and Romans, Phoenicians and Carthaginians. The amphitheatre at Syracuse, the beautifully preserved Concordia temple in Agrigento and the monumental ruins of Selinunte are three of the island’s most celebrated ancient sites, and this classical heritage is complemented by architectural gems from more recent history. In Palermo alone you can see Norman palace walls, Arab arches and Byzantine mosaics. Down in the southeast of the island, Sicilian baroque architecture dominates the UNESCO World Heritage towns of the Val di Noto in gorgeous style – think grand palaces, lavish cathedrals and sculpted balconies. Inland, meanwhile, the island is peppered with the ruins of Arab and Norman castles.

Obligingly, most of Sicily’s best historic highlights are clustered around the coast and a week or so is enough to execute a circuit of the entire island to take them all in. Guided small group holidays that emphasise Sicily’s history will also dip into its cultural treats, with wonderful food, wine tasting, hikes through nature reserves and exploration on Mount Etna.

Cycling in Sicily is a joy, with good roads forming fantastic week long circuits in the southeast or northwest. Expect some long ascents and freewheeling descents, so you’ll need to be reasonably fit, but pretty much anywhere you pedal, you’ll find Greek and Roman ruins, Baroque beauty and gorgeous landscapes to stop off at. Pack swimmers in your panniers, too, so you can grab a cooling coastal dip.