Villas in Sicily

1. Taormina

One of the most popular summer destinations for Italians, this picturesque resort town on Sicily’s east coast is straight out of a postcard. Perched on the side of a mountain overlooking Sicily’s bright blue coastline, Taormina is famous for its ancient Greek theatre dating back to the third century. Today, the theatre still hosts dramas, concerts, symphonies, operas and ballet performances, and music festivals in the summer. A cable car ride takes you down to the glittering beaches below, caves and hidden coves aplenty.

2. Catania

The ancient port city of Catania lies on Sicily’s east coast at the base of Mount Etna. The city centre is relatively compact, so it’s easy to get around on foot and explore some of its best sights like the Piazza Duomo and cathedral, Ursino Castle and Monastero dei Benedettini. Get lost in the hullaballoo of the famous fish market La Pescheria, sampling the catch of the day at the nearby seafood restaurants.

3. Palermo

With endless things to see and do, you could easily spend your entire trip in Sicily’s picturesque capital. Palermo is ideal for those who like to wander; it's a maze of streets lined with ornate buildings and hidden squares to relax in. There are plenty of museums, galleries, theatres and religious buildings to see, and the city’s markets—Capo, Ballarò and Borgo Vecchio—are packed with delicious local specialities.

4. Val di Noto

Located in southeastern Sicily, the Val di Noto area comprises a series of eight towns—Caltagirone, Catania, Militello, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa and Scicli. These baroque-style towns offer endless historical and architectural gems, from Noto’s Cathedral of San Nicolò to Caltagirone’s delightful enamelled ceramics. Many of the towns are also home to ancient Greek theatres, temples, and prehistoric settlements.

Relax at the beach Engulfed by the Mediterranean, Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, Sicily is the ultimate beach destination. There are endless sandy beaches where warm, clear waters lap gently against the shores. The undeveloped Torre Salsa lies within a WWF nature reserve and is a great spot to snorkel and scuba dive. In the northwestern part of the island, the idyllic San Vito Lo Capo is sheltered by a towering headland and backed by swaying palm trees.

Island hopping Embark on an island-hopping adventure for picture-postcard views. The magical Aegadian Islands, just a short ride from Trapani, are an excellent spot for relaxing, hiking and discovering the archipelago’s magical underwater world. To the south of Sicily lie the Pelagie Islands, where you won’t be able to resist spending long, lazy days on the secluded beaches. Finally, heading north of Sicily, you’ll find the UNESCO-protected Aeolian Islands, which offer everything from trekking hissing volcanoes to sipping Malvasia wine.

Visit ancient sites Sicily is packed with so many historical sites that it may as well be an open-air museum. One of the most famous spots is the sprawling Valley of Temples, the largest archaeological site in the world. Located just outside Agrigento, these eight temples date back as far as 500 BC and are some of the world's most perfectly preserved Greek ruins. Other fascinating sites include the temples of Segesta and Selinunte and the Greek temples of Syracuse, Palazzolo Acreide, Tyndareus and Taormina.

Discover natural wonders Sicily is a beautiful place to return to nature, with many dramatic landscapes waiting to be explored. Orientata dello Zingaro nature reserve consists of a mountain chain and a long coastline, where you can hike through the park and along the coast. There are plenty of pristine little bays where you can take a cooling dip after your hike. The Alcantara Gorge is another natural wonder created centuries ago by flowing magma. Take a stroll along one of the trails to see the waterfalls, or kayak your way down the rapids.

Our cancellation policies are unrivalled. In the very rare event that your host cancels 48 hours after your booking, we will do all we can to find you a Plum home up to 20% more expensive than the original. Within 5 days of check-in, it’s up to 50%.

We believe in total transparency. At Plum Guide we refuse to hide anything from our guests, preventing any unwanted surprises. We offer honest snippets of information that will help you find the best home for your requirements. Located in a remote area of Sicily? Patchy wifi? It’s mentioned in our home truths.

JULY High 30°C/86°F Low 22°C/72°F

AUGUST High 30°C/86°F Low 23°C/73°F

SEPTEMBER High 27°C/81°F Low 20°C/68°F

OCTOBER High 23°C/73°F Low 17°C/63°F

NOVEMBER High 19°C/66°F Low 12°C/54°F

DECEMBER High 16°C/61°F Low 9°C/48°F