Sicilian Memories

As the summer holidays are drawing closer, I’m wallowing in memories of my last trip to Sicily in March. While the weather in Germany didn’t feel like spring at all, the Mediterranean island offered warm temperatures and spring flowers. Those were the perfect conditions to explore the cultural and natural highlights of Sicily.

As my trip went around the north and east coast, I’ll take you on a visual journey through my personal highlights of these regions.

Palermo 

As the capital of Sicily Palermo has a lot to offer. Even in March the lively old town was full of tourists, who enjoyed the typical architecture and delicious Sicilian specialties in the street cafes. The places I enjoyed most in this impressive city were the Palermo cathedral and the park Giardino Garibaldi with its unique Moreton Bay figs.

Palermo Cathedral

Baroque Buildings at Quattro Canti Square

Moreton Bay fig in Giardino Garibaldi

Madonie

The regional natural park Madonie is perfect to explore and enjoy Sicilian nature beside the coastlines. It offers charming mountain villages and enchanted woods, where cattle runs around freely. My personal highlights in the Madonie were the village Castelbuono with its amazing view from the castle and the typical Italian narrow streets. The cork oak woods I took a walk through might have been the set of horror movie, if it weren’t for the sunshine I enjoyed that day.

 View on the steeets of Castelbuono from the entrance to the castle

Views from the castle on Castelbuono and the Madonie

Corck oak wood

Taormina 

Probably the most famous Sicilian town is located on a mountain, so while you’re there you can enjoy breathtaking views over the island and the sea next to the amazing historical sites. While wandering through the historical center and the ancient theatre, I couldn‘t even chose a favourite place or view.

Taormina cathedral

Streets of old town Taormina

View from old town Taormina onto the sea and the rest of the town

View from the top rows of the ancient theatre Taormina

Etna 

The impressive volcano and symbol of Sicily overlooks (almost) the entire island, so you can enjoy breathtaking views of lava fields, woods and the sea from the top of its craters. As it is 3323 meters high, there’s still snow on top of Etna in March and the temperatures are below 10°C. Of course, I was not prepared for this kind of weather on a hand-luggage-only-spring-holiday, so I only went to the crater Monte Silvestri Inferiore at about 2000 meters. Still the view over the island and onto the sea and the feeling of walking on lava rock are unique experiences I’ll never forget and definitely a highlight of Sicily.

View on Etna from the South-West

View on Monte Silvestri Superiore

View from Monte Silvestri Inferiore over the island

Syracuse 

Syracuse offers a historical old town, as well as an archaeological site divided into a Greek and a Roman area. My absolute favourite place in the old town was the cathedral, with it’s impressive facade and the airy cathedral place surrounded by other beautiful buildings. In the Greek space of the historical site I enjoyed a walk through a citrus garden to some impressive caves, while the Roman area offered a look at an authentic amphitheatre.

Cathedral place with the cathedral on the right

The cathedral‘s gorgeous facade

Ear of Dionysius cave

Roman amphitheatre

I highly enjoyed my trip to Sicily. It was a great opportunity to explore the island and take a break from every day life and German weather. Sicily is the perfect Mediterranean destination for hiking through woods and on volcanoes, wandering through ancient ruins or just enjoying a beach holiday.