Sicily: A Feast For Your Senses

Noto is a charming Sicilian Baroque town.

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Famous for its exquisite fusion cuisine, passionate people, geographical wonders and rich history, Sicily truly engages all of your five senses.

Smell of Nature

Plenty of sunshine, fresh sea air and the rich volcanic soil are all reasons why sweet-smelling Mediterranean shrubs, aromatic herbs, zesty lemons and blood oranges thrive in Sicily. Throughout the island, somewhat salty, slightly tangy, but definitely ocean fresh fragrances permeate the air.

There’s the wonderful smell of cannoli too - wander down the cobbled streets of the towns and you’re sure to get a whiff of this cream-filled pastry sold in local pasticcerias.

Zesty lemons are abundant in Sicily.
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A Taste of the Exotic

Sicily’s location as an island in the Mediterranean means fresh seafood dominates the menu. A must-try is fish couscous, which originates from Trapani, the closest point of the island to North Africa, and arancini, deep fried risotto balls filled with mozzarella and a meat and tomato sauce.

Although Sicily’s culinary traditions are heavily influenced by the country’s Greek, Norman and Arab heritage, there’s also a touch of Spanish and Greek; like the rest of Italy, the focus is on high-quality, seasonal, local produce. Pasta is as popular a dish here as it is on the mainland, and a classic dish is pasta alla norma, with roasted eggplant, fresh tomato sauce and ricotta cheese.

In Sight of the Mighty Mount

Dominating the landscape of eastern Sicily, the formidable Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe, known to have erupted over 200 times since 1500 BC. Vineyards on the lower slopes produce exceptional wines.

The Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) just outside Agrigento is a must-see. This is where eight ancient Greek temples and haunting ruins sit in the largest archaeological site in the world.

The formidable Mount Etna.
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A Touch of Finesse

For centuries, Sicilian marble has been used to build grand palaces and churches around the world, including St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. In Syracuse, sit on the stones of the ancient Greek theatre once used by famed playwrights like Euripides.

It is no secret that Sicily has beautiful beaches too, with soft pale sands and turquoise water that transforms into a deeper shade of indigo as it expands out into the Mediterranean Sea.

Expect warm blue water and plenty of sunshine in Sicily.
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Hear the Sound of Happiness

Unsurprisingly, Sicilian folk music also has Greek, Arab and Spanish influences, and instruments unique to the island include a version of the flute, accordion and bagpipes.

The musical Sicilian dialect is distinct from mainland Italian and has its own expressions and proverbs. In Catania, hear the happy chaos of patron saint holidays like the Feast of St Agatha or St Rosalia in Palermo. On these days, cheers echo through the city as parades march through the town in celebration.

Keen to explore Sicily? Get Your Sicily has excellent excursions and tour packages that allow you to experience the real magic of Sicily yourself.