Our guide to the very best historical sites in Sicily.
Deciding on our shortlist for the top historical sites in Sicily is no mean feat! Of course, Sicily has some real big hitters in the archaeological world. But there are also some less well known historical sites and experiences which we think are also worthy of a visit. As Italy’s largest island, measuring more than 25,000 square kilometres wide, we strongly recommend that you hire a car. If you plan to see many or even all of these historical sites in Sicily in one trip, you will need more than a week and more than one base.
It takes several hours to drive from one side of the island to the other and public transport is neither regular nor reliable! For this reason we have split this guide into sites in the east and west of the island. That way, you can explore in a logical and time efficient order.
Sicily’s climate is mild well into the autumn months and also has wonderfully warm springs. The summer is hot. Often very hot. So, for this reason we recommend making your trip to Sicily in the shoulder season. This way you can use the whole day to explore Sicily’s finest historical sites. Another piece of advice is to save some time at the end of your holiday to relax. While the island is most famous for its historical treasures, Sicily also has some magnificent beaches. What’s more, we have a stunning collection of villas on the island. These can make a great base from which to explore. Equally they can also serve as the perfect luxury retreat to recuperate some energy after a week of exploring the best historical sites in Sicily.
Historical Sites in Sicily: the West of the Island
Segesta, Trapani
Once one of the major cities of the Elymians, the Doric temples at Segesta stand on the peaks of Mount Barbaro. Thanks to its rural setting, you will often find fewer tourists here than at some of the more popular historical sites in Sicily. Dominated by two acropolises, these sit alongside a stunning temple. Additionally the park has a carefully preserved theatre dating back to the middle of the second century BC.
At more than 270 hectares wide, we recommend allowing at least 2 – 3 hours for your visit. The park provides a shuttle service to the theatre which can help speed things up and make it more accessible for those who are less mobile. Skip-the-line tickets are also available which can be most welcome if you plan to visit in the warmer months. Get your entrance ticket here.
The Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
Perhaps the ‘poster girl’ of historical sites in Sicily, the The Valley of the Temples watches over the coast at Agrigento as it has done since 510 BC. Whatever time of day you approach the area, you will see the collection of 8 temples standing proudly atop the hillside. However I think they look especially stunning at night, when each temple is tastefully lit creating a wonderous image on the darkened hillside. To the east, the temples of Concordia, Juno and Hercules tower above the ridge, overlooking the sea. Whereas on the western side of the park, you will find the remains of the temple of Jupiter, Dioscuri and Vulcan, along with the ruins of the Sanctuary of the Chthonian.
The park itself is more than 2km wide and we would recommend allowing around 3 hours to see it all. You will need good walking shoes (not sandals!) as the terrain is rough in places. While touring the park during the day is a wonderful, if you have the opportunity to join a night tour it really is a magnificent experience. We had the pleasure of a wonderful local guide, Ilaria, who gave us the most engaging and informative tour of the park. It really is a good investment to join a tour with a guide, many of whom are archaeologists themselves and have a wealth of knowledge to share. These must be booked in advance. Click here for more information.
Archaeological Park of Selinunte, Castelveltrano
Not only is this one of the best historical sites in Italy, the archaeological park at Selinunte is also in a stunningly beautiful spot. Perched above the azure Mediterranean sea, Doric temples and Roman ruins are dotted amongst the wild clifftop landscape. So beautiful is the setting that visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy long lazy lunch breaks with the magnificent backdrop of the temples. What’s more there is even private access to a lovely beach below the park. Here you can take some time to relax and even enjoy a swim in the sea on a warm day.
The temples are incredibly well preserved. Unlike the Valley of the Temples, visitors are allowed to explore inside these temples themselves; this is a real privilege. Once again we had a very informative guide who explained the history of the temples. And she did so while also keeping us engaged and entertained. Again, this needs to be booked in advance by clicking here. It’s also worth noting that the park provides golf style buggies for those with mobility issues. Finally, there is an excellent cafĂ© next to the museum section of the park. I’d recommend their home made granita – the perfect refreshment after exploring the park on a hot day.
Museum of the 5 Senses, Sciacca
Sciacca is not somewhere you will often see included in a typical guide to the best historical sites in Sicily. There are no temples and you won’t see coach loads of tourists jostling for a selfie with a Roman statue. Instead, Sciacca is an immersive experience which this ancient town has embraced to be able to share its rich history with more curious travellers.
There are five gates which act as entrances into the walled area of the town. Inside, you’ll find a series of lively streets filled with fruit trees and colourful ceramic creations. Shops double up as museums and exhibition centres where proprietors tell stories and provide demonstrations of the local traditions. Visitors can join workshops in cooking, ceramics, stone carving and much more.
Sciacca is a perfect pit stop if you’re travelling east from Selinunte towards Agrigento or beyond. Enjoy some lunch and allow yourself time to make the most of the wonderful Sicilian hospitality.
Staircase of the Turks, Realmonte
Sandwiched between two stunning white sand beaches, this historical site in Sicily can easily also be taken as a beauty spot. The contrast of the pure-white limestone, lapped by the turquoise water below creates a magnificent kaleidoscope of colour. However, this stunning stretch of coast has also played a significant role in the history of the region, which many visitors are unaware of.
As far back as the 1500s, scores of Saracen pirates used the steps as naturally formed shelters as they made land and raided the nearby settlements. Locals named the imposters ‘Turks’ and so the name Scale dei Turchi was born. In order to preserve the soft limestone, visitors are no longer allowed to walk on the steps. However, you can get close enough to both admire the formation and take in the stunning scenery too.
For those also interested in Roman history, just east of the Scale dei Turchi you will find the remains of a Roman villa. Here you’ll find wonderful and rare mosaics from the second century BC. The sea-shore position of this perhaps also slightly unsung historical site in Sicily makes it even more of a pleasure to discover.
Historical Sites in Sicily: the East of the Island
Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina
As one of the best preserved Roman villas in the world, arguably this is one for the most important historical sites in Sicily. Until I visited for myself, I had not realised the sheer size of this site. Nor had I correctly recognised the magnitude of the architecture and artwork it housed.
Dating back to the 4th century BC, almost every room is decorated in the most magnificent artwork. These are widely believed to the most impressive collection of Roman mosaics in Europe. Despite a significant flooding event in 1000 AD, the mosaics have been painstakingly recovered and restored. Without the expertise of such a knowledgeable guide, I’m not sure that I would have enjoyed the experience as much nor would I have gained such a good understanding of the stories hidden amongst the history at this site. Book your guided tour in advance here.
Aidone & Morgantina
A more off the beaten track destination. However, if you enjoy the path less travelled, these are great places to discover on your journey east across the island. Aidone’s archaeological museum is now home to the Goddess of Morgantina, after it was returned from the Paul Getty museum in Los Angeles in 2011. The museum also houses many interesting artefacts, including many ‘treasures’ of gold and silver coins. There are several local guides, who are also archaeologists, available to give tours of the museum.
The archaeological area of Morgantina is just a few miles down the road. Here you’ll find the remains of a Greek and Roman settlement which is well off most tourists’ radar. The whole area occupies a significantly elevated position so you’ll also get some stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Greek Amphitheatre, Syracuse
The archaeological park at Syracuse always ranks highly on Sicily’s ‘must see’ historical sites. The Greek theatre dominates the park and it is important to note that it is still a working theatre today. As a result, it’s not unusual to see more ‘modern day’ construction around the site, as I did following a visit from the G7 delegates who had enjoyed a show the night before. The amphitheatre itself is magnificent and has been wonderfully preserved. In its day, up to 15,000 audience members could enjoy some entertainment here and I was quite taken back by the size of the structure.
Above the amphitheatre, you’ll find a series of small caves which are also worth visiting, one of which houses a waterfall. From this elevated position, there are great views stretching over the city to the sea. A final tip is to also take some time to visit the Roman Amphitheatre. While smaller in both size and magnitude than its Greek neighbour, I still enjoyed a stop here. Much of the original stone was moved by Spaniards in the 16th century to build Ortiga’s city walls so it has significant historical value in the area.
Ear of Dionysius, Syracuse
This has to be one of the few ‘interactive’ historical sites in Sicily. It’s widely believed that Dionysius used this clever excavation to listen in on his prisoners conversations. Visitors to the ‘ear’ can have great fun re-enacting these message sending rituals. You’ll often find people whispering or singing their messages form one side to the other. As part of the bigger quarry complex these caves and nooks can also provide some welcome shade on a hot day!
Again, you’ll get the most out of all the sites in the park if you join a tour with an experienced guide. Click here to book yours in advance.
Ortiga, Syracuse
It seems apt to finish this journey of historical sites in Sicily, from west to east, at one of the most easterly points of the island. Ortiga is the ‘old town’ area of Syracuse and was once one of the most important Greek cities in the region. Ortiga’s enchanting alleys are a joy to wander around and the Baroque architecture is equally impressive. This island is connected to the more modern city by two bridges and is surrounded by the beautiful turquoise Mediterranean sea.
Ortiga is special because every stone in this city comes with a story which is part of its history. Historians believe that the site could have been first inhabited as early as the year 14th century BC. Visitors can see this journey through time most aptly on the city’s Duomo (cathedral). The magnificent Baroque building stands on the former site of a Greek temple. Fascinatingly, on one side of the building you can still see the remains of the Greek columns incorporated into the building as it still stands today.
Tips for Visiting Historical Sites in Sicily
- Don’t over schedule. Be realistic, not how much you can fit in into one day, but think more about how much you can enjoy in one day.
- Remember to book tour guides in advance.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The archaeological parks are definitely not sandal-friendly!
- Factor in some down time to relax or book a villa for some r&r after your time exploring.
- Rent a car. Sicily is much bigger than most people realise!
- Check the weather forecast. It rarely rains in Sicily but it can be very hot especially in July and August.
This certainly isn’t an exhaustive list of historical sites in Sicily. However, we hope we have found a good selection of ‘bucket list’ sites and less well known places for you to explore. If you would like more information about Sicily, click here to read everything you need from city guides to street food experiences. And to see our stunning collection of Sicily Villas click here or contact us at Bookings For You where we’re always ready to help you plan your next Italian adventure.
Looking for something else to do in Sicily? Fancy a food tour or a trip to Mount Etna? Click here to see our favourite tours an activities in Sicily.