Written by Sofia Di Stefano
photography by Yeelen Tavilla
modified 7 February 2025
7 min. read
Sicily is a place that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve gone, like the taste of salt on your skin after a swim. Bigger than the maps would have you believe, it unfolds like a story to read, one page at a time. This isn’t the Sicily of crowded tourist spots or busy piazzas. This is a Sicily that breathes slowly, in golden light and quiet streets, in the spaces where history presses up against the present. This guide will take you off the beaten path to explore Sicily’s hidden gems, from honeyed baroque towns to secret coves, this is where the island pulls you closer and lets you in.
NOTO: A BAROQUE CITY OF GOLDEN LIGHT
In Noto, everything glows. Its golden baroque architecture, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, captures the sunlight and transforms the town into a warm, sepia-toned dream. Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main thoroughfare, feels like stepping back in time, where every corner invites a pause to admire its beauty.
In spring, Noto becomes even more magical during the Infiorata, a festival where the streets are transformed into vibrant carpets of flower petals, blending art and nature into something unforgettable. Noto’s beauty extends to its tables. Le Quattro Sorelle Palmeri, in the heart of the city, blends the charm of the historic center with a modern interior. The food is outstanding—made even more impressive by the fact that everything, from the pasta to the sauces, is made in-house. Pair it all with their excellent wine selection, and you have a dining experience that’s both sophisticated and deeply satisfying. And then there’s Caffè Sicilia, where every detail is a small act of reverence—for tradition, for flavor, for the simple joys of life. The granita is impossibly smooth and fragrant, the almond cakes rich but never heavy, each bite balanced with a delicate sweetness.
There’s a quiet magic here, where everything feels simple and impossibly refined. Beyond Noto’s enchanting streets lies Vendicari Nature Reserve, a haven for wildlife. Here, flamingos move like pink shadows across shimmering salt pans, and the turquoise sea stretches further than the eye can see. Nearby, the fishing village of Marzamemi feels like a watercolor painting coming to life, with sunsets washing the sky in hues of gold and lavender. At Cortile Arabo in Marzamemi, dining becomes an extension of the landscape. Each dish is plated like a work of art, almost too beautiful to touch. But the real beauty lies in the taste—a balance of flavors that feels effortless, a harmony that stays with you long after the meal is over. And then there’s the view—a sweeping panorama of the sea that seems to echo the elegance of the food.
For those craving adventure, the Cavagrande del Cassibile canyon offers emerald pools tucked within its carved landscape, a secret oasis waiting to cool you under the Sicilian sun.
RAGUSA: TWO CITIES, ONE HEART
Ragusa is two cities in one. Down below, Ragusa Ibla is all baroque — San Giorgio Cathedral rising in commanding beauty, its curved steps drawing you upwards like an invitation. The alleys twist and turn with unpredictable paths. In the heart of Ragusa Ibla, Cucina Sincera - Chiacchiere e Pancia Piena feels like slipping into someone’s warm, welcoming kitchen. The dishes are simple and heartfelt, rooted in authenticity and a love for comfort. It’s the kind of place where good food and good conversation flow naturally. Up above, Ragusa Superiore hums with quieter energy: practical, modern, but always tethered to the weight of its history. This is a place where life slows down, bakeries smell like scacce, and afternoons stretch endlessly in the shade of quiet piazzas.
Perched above the rooftops of Ragusa Ibla, just above the Church of Santa Maria delle Scale, Scale del Gusto offers stunning views and an intimate, elegant ambiance. The concise menu focuses on a few expertly crafted dishes, combining modern presentation with the finest local ingredients. Each bite reflects the superb quality and care that defines Ragusa’s culinary heritage. To make the most of this exceptional experience, be sure to reserve a table in advance.
Beyond the city, Modica offers a taste of its famed chocolate, a grainy, rich indulgence tracing back to the Aztecs. Unlike most chocolates, it’s cold-pressed, its texture rough and unrefined, with distinctive flavors wrapping the past in the sweetness of the present. In Scicli, ornate palaces hide along quiet streets that radiate an unassuming elegance, while the Irminio River Reserve beckons with its serene landscapes, where the land meets the sea in a gentle, harmonious embrace.
SIRACUSA AND ORTIGIA: A JOURNEY THROUGH MYTH AND SEA
In Siracusa, history whispers from every corner. The ancient Greek Theatre, carved into the hillside, still seems to echo with the voices of actors long gone. Close by, Ortigia floats like an afterthought, connected to the mainland but feeling like its own world. Its streets are a maze of sun and shadow, its markets vibrant and chaotic, filled with the smell of sundried tomatoes mingling with the salt of the sea. And in this city, food becomes its own form of storytelling.
At Trattoria O’Scinà, the menu feels like a love letter to Sicilian flavors. Their Pasta alla Siracusana is a standout—a rustic dish where plump anchovies meet lemon zest, breadcrumbs, and pine nuts. The carbonara di mare, meanwhile, is a creamy, seafood-infused twist on the classic. And the tuna in a pistachio crust is a tender and nutty grand finale.
For something more casual but no less unforgettable,Caseificio Borderi serves sandwiches that are nothing short of iconic. Bursting with the best of Sicily, they’re stacked with creamy local cheeses, fresh cuts of meat, vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, and house-made preserves.
Outside the city, the ruins of Akrai sit tucked into the hills of Palazzolo Acreide as a quiet testament to a time long past. Along the coast, the Plemmirio Marine Reserve unveils a kaleidoscope of underwater life. Inland, the Pantalica Necropolis is hidden within a lush valley, and whispers of ancient civilizations in a green setting feel untouched by time.
AGRIGENTO: THE ETERNAL VALLEY OF TEMPLES
Agrigento feels eternal. Its Valley of the Temples is like a living dialogue between the past and the present. The Temple of Concordia stands in the golden light as though time itself has paused to admire it. At dusk, the temples glow against the sky, their silhouettes sharp and resolute, reminders of Sicily’s ancient ties to Greece and its enduring resilience. Beyond the temples, the Scala dei Turchi, a striking white limestone cliff, cascades into the sea, offering views that make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a world where nature and history hold equal sway.
CEFALÙ: COASTAL CHARM BENEATH THE ROCCA
Cefalù is a town caught between mountains and the sea, with a Norman Cathedral demanding attention and beach curves shaped in golden arcs. Above it all, La Rocca beckons you to climb, promising a view that seems to stretch on forever, the Tyrrhenian Sea below shimmering like liquid sapphire.
For a memorable food experience, at Sutt’a Ravia, Cefalù’s coast comes alive on your tongue. Start with their caponata — a perfect balance of sweet and tang, the kind that makes you linger over every bite. Then there’s the seafood pasta, where briny, tender morsels of the day’s catch are tangled in al dente spaghetti. Make sure you also pay a visit to Bastione in Cefalù, a restaurant where the sea meets the plate, and you can savor both traditional and reimagined Sicilian dishes.
Inland, the Madonie Mountains reveal a rugged, untamed beauty that feels worlds away from the coast. In the medieval town of Castelbuono, tradition weaves itself into everyday life, from the winding streets lined with stone houses to the rich local flavors born from the Madonie Mountains: wild herbs, mushrooms, manna, and the famed provola cheese. Along the coastline, hidden coves await discovery, each turn of the road revealing another stretch of open sky and shimmering water.
WHY EXPLORE SICILY’S GOLDEN GEMS
The corners of Sicily are where you find the island's soul, in the moments that stretch and soften, in the places where history clings to the air, and the present feels just a little less urgent. Whether it’s wandering golden baroque streets, diving into sapphire waters, or tasting the past in every bite of a dish, these experiences will stay with you. Sicily doesn’t just show you its beauty, it lets you feel it. And when you leave, you’ll carry it with you, tucked somewhere deep inside.
Do you also want to discover Sicily? Have a look at our holiday villas in Sicily here.
Sofia Di Stefano & Yeelen Tavilla
Sofia and Yeelen are a creative duo deeply inspired by Sicily’s rich culture, flavors, people, and stories. They blend their expertise in brand storytelling and evocative imagery to craft narratives that leave a mark. Their work is a love letter to their roots and Sicily’s vibrant soul.