The gorgeous Italian island of Sicily in the heart of the Mediterranean offers visitors a truly tempting treat of stunning scenery. From the towering Mount Etna (one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes) to craggy mountains and sparkling seas, there is plenty to feast your eyes on in this beautiful corner of the world. Delve into the island’s historic cities from Agrigento and Selinunte on the south-western coast, to some of the finest Greek ruins in Europe and the charming capital of Palermo in the north. Visit the hilltop town of Taormina for hiking trails up the neighbouring Mount Etna and hop across to the far less well-known Aeolian Islands, a collection of tiny gems well loved by Italians, but rarely heard of elsewhere. The island of Lipari is a particular gem, with its pretty, pastel-coloured seafront and bustling port. Sicily holidays will leave you feeling well and truly relaxed and with a camera full of envy-inducing photos.

Sicily holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

  • One Country Italy - Sicily - Palermo

    A Short Break in Palermo - Discover the Rich History and Culture of Sicily

    Enjoy a weekend break in Palermo, sampling the Sicilian lifestyle through its historic landmarks and culinary delights

    4 days, from £2100 to £3100

  • One Country Italy – Ragusa – Syracuse – Taormina

    Ragusa, Syracuse & Taormina - The Most Beautiful Places in Sicily

    Explore Sicily by road, from charming Ragusa and ancient Syracuse to the stunning coastal views of Taormina

    7 days, from £2350 to £3200

  • One Country Italy – Sicily – Milan – Naples – Taormina – Syracuse

    Escape to Sun-Baked Sicily - London to Italy by Train

    Embrace slow travel on this nine-day rail adventure through Italy’s cities, coastlines and ancient wonders

    9 days, from £2500 to £4050

  • One Country Italy – Sicily – Palermo – Trapani – Realmonte – Ragusa – Milo

    Slow Sicily - Ancient Monuments and Agrotourism

    Relax and unwind with this 11-day meander through Sicily’s lush landscapes and charming historical sites

    11 days, from £2700 to £3900

  • One Country Italy – Sicily – Aegadian Islands – Favignana – Agrigento – Palermo

    A Serene Sicilian Escape - Palermo and the Aegadian Islands

    Set sail on a serene Sicilian escape, soaking in sunlit coastlines, hidden coves and the island’s timeless charm

    8 days, from £2750 to £4050

  • One Country Malta – Italy – Valletta – Sicily – Syracuse – Riposto

    Mediterranean Gems - The Rich History of Malta & Iconic Sights of Sicily

    Explore the cultural highlights of Malta and Sicily on a relaxed journey through history, cuisine and coastlines

    10 days, from £3750 to £4850

  • One Country Italy – Catania – Salina – Stromboli – Taormina

    Islands and Volcanoes - Enchanting Landscapes in Sicily

    Experience the rugged splendour of Sicily’s most dramatic landscapes on this eight-day island adventure

    8 days, from £4100 to £5300

  • One Country Italy – Sicily – Palermo – Marsala – Agrigento – Ragusa – Syracuse – Riposto

    From Palermo to Mount Etna - A Grand Tour of Sicily

    Hit the road for 13 days across Sicily, from Palermo to Mount Etna, following the island’s dreamy coastline

    13 days, from £4450 to £5750

  • One Country Italy – Milan – Rome – Sicily – Florence – Bologna – Verona

    From Buzzing Cities to Golden Coastlines - An Italian Rail Adventure from North to South

    Embark on this epic 25-day train journey through Italy, city-hopping from the Alps to Sicily and back

    25 days, from £7900 to £10500

Italy testimonials

30 reviews
4.7 / 5
"Emily really understood what mattered to us and created a trip that felt completely personalised and thoughtfully organised. We had time to relax in Naples after each excursion, our transport provider was friendly and always on time, and it was a pleasure to be looked after by a local, who added an authentic touch to the whole trip. Visiting Herculaneum and Pompeii was a particular highlight - our guide was truly exceptional, making the visits truly memorable with an excellent command of English and an impressive knowledge of world history as well as the sites themselves."
L - UK
Published on 23rd February 2026
"Our Concierge was brilliant and super helpful - we'd recommend travelling with Original Travel based on her help alone! The Concierge was a new thing for us as previous travel companies did not have this feature, and we thought this was invaluable. We particularly enjoyed the food tour in Ragusa, seeing Mount Etna, driving in Ortigia and the sunset in Marsala. It is the first time we have used Original Travel and we were very happy with the service."
M - UK
Published on 29th September 2025
"Emily really listened and understood what I was looking for, and developed a fantastic itinerary based on that. The personalised tour of Siena was a real highlight - I had asked if we could see some James Bond filming locations, and our guide took a lot of time to review the films and take us to the exact streets, balconies, doorways and squares seen in the films. We all loved it, especially our boys, who are James Bond enthusiasts."
G - UK
Published on 29th September 2025

Who is Sicily best for?

Beautiful and varied, Sicily is overflowing with delightful spots that are guaranteed to delight any kind of traveller: charming hilltop villages packed full of architectural treasures; pristine, windswept beaches and bustling fishing ports. A true cultural hub, Sicily boasts plenty of historic cities, ancient sites, honey-hued churches and grand palaces that are sure to thrill history lovers. For families, Sicily holidays have something for everyone: beaches galore for sandcastle-loving children and plenty of museums for culture-appreciating parents.


Which experiences is Sicily best for?

Experience the wonderful variety of Sicily as you travel across the island. Stay in a secluded boutique in the romantic countryside with views of rolling hills peppered with olive and citrus groves. Head to the coast for toes-in-the-sand beachside bliss and inject plenty of culture into your trip as you visit heaps of historical sites and admire the architectural treasures dotted everywhere.


The best ways to discover Sicily

For a long weekend getaway, head to the city of Palermo. Home to Italy’s biggest opera house and well as an ever-increasing number of eateries and bars, this cultural haven will immerse you in authentic Sicilian culture. If you’ve got more time on your hands, rent a car and wind your way across the island, spoiling yourself with beaches and hilltop towns aplenty.


Unique experiences on a trip to Sicily

- Rent a car and travel across the island from tip to toe. Delve into the most remote corners and go wherever your fancies carry you.
- Climb the mighty Mount Etna and enjoy an eagle-eyed view of the four corners of the island from the summit
- Hop across to the Aeolian Islands and stay in a luxury spa hotel where you can indulge in a nourishing range of natural treatments infused with Sicily’s aromatic scents of orange blossom and lemon
- Admire the colourful Byzantine mosaics adorning the walls of the church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio in Palermo