My beloved Sicily. It’s the land of charming coastal cities like Palermo, towering volcanos such as Mount Etna, and mouthwatering arancini. But there’s much more to this Mediterranean beauty than meets the eye.
I’ve been exploring Sicily my whole life. Through my adventures, I’ve encountered some parts of the island that few get to see. I’m thinking of well-preserved villages like Randazzo and mountaintop municipalities such as Casalvecchio Siculo. And not to forget the astonishing landscapes around Capo Zafferano.
If you want to discover some hidden gems in Sicily that you can visit on your next trip, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll give you some local recommendations that have yet to be oversaturated with tourists and still hold that unspoiled allure that’s hard to come by these days.
Let’s get started!
One of Sicily’s secrets that still flies under the radar is the Labirinto di Arianna. Perched up on top of a hill separating Palermo and Messina, this fabulous open-air exhibition never fails to amaze me.
Labirinto di Arianna is a maze-like structure with a deep meaning that makes visitors question their own existence. The path is like a journey through your life; when you reach the middle, you’ll come across a tiny olive tree. This is meant to be an emblem of erudite.
Let me warn you in advance that the roads up to Labirinto di Arianna aren’t pretty. Even as a Sicilian, I found them to be quite rough, so if you’re using a rental car, be careful.
Randazzo
Get your fix of Roman, Byzantine, Jewish, Arab, Norman, Aragonese and Greek history all in one with a visit to Randazzo. Set deep in the Alcantara Valley, this is one of the best destinations in Sicily, but it doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves.
One thing I love about Randazzo is that some structures are made with volcanic stone. I couldn’t get over the pale, dark facades topped with bright Terracotta roofs.
Some of the main sights to see I recommend you check when you’re there include the Église Saint Martin and the Church of San Nicolò. These churches are truly impressive; I couldn’t but commend the preservation efforts of those who were involved.
If you’ve got time and love hiking, venture out to see Grotta del Gelo, an unusual volcanic cave filled with ice placed in the park of Mount Etna. When you think of how hot Sicily is throughout the year, this is quite phenomenal.
Casalvecchio Siculo
For anyone who really wants to get off the beaten track in Sicily, Casalvecchio Siculo is the place to go. Situated in the Agrò Valley, Casalvecchio is a mountainous settlement home to only around 1000 people. You catch some brilliant views of the Strait of Messina and Mount Etna, unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
Within the commune, you’ll find different communities spanning 20 kilometers (12.42 miles). One of my favourites is San Pietro, where the Abbazia dei Santi Pietro e Paolo d’Agro‘ is located. This magnificent church was built by the Normans in the 12th century and still stands tall to this day.
On my last visit to Casalvecchio Siculo, I ended up hiking to the top of Mount Kalfa after a recommendation from one of the people living there. When I reached the top, I was treated to unbelievable vistas of rocky summits and the tiny commune of Roccafiorita.
Sperlinga
Next up on my list of hidden gems in Sicily is Sperlinga. Funny enough, I came across Sperlinga by accident while visiting the nearby commune of Nicosia. I took a wrong turn while driving out of there and ended up in this gorgeous medieval town. It was the best mistake I ever made!
Those who are lucky enough to learn about Sperlinga come here because it has some of the best ruins in Sicily. The limelight is all on the Medieval castle, which dates back to 1000. When I first saw it, it reminded me of the way the Great Wall of China (not that I’ve been there though – ugh) is laid out and how it’s built across mountain peaks. Some of the castle’s highlights for me were the defence tower and chapel, which housed some of the fallen soldiers’ old tombs.
Below the castle, I came across a cave village. When I popped my head into one of the little grottos, I realised that there was an open-air ethnographic museum. It was all about the rural traditions and how the peasants lived there. They even had depictions of what their homes were like.
Make sure to bring some cases with you when you go to Sperlinga. I paid an entry fee of €5 to get into the castle, and the fee is still the same as the price of writing this post.
Gibellina
Struck by a horrifying earthquake in 1968, Gibellina was one of the towns in the Belice Valley that suffered extensive destruction from the catastrophic event that shook Sicily.
After years of recovering from the damage, an initiative was introduced to revive Gibellina. This was done with the help of some of Italy’s most revered architects to construct earthquake-resistant foundations with an artistic edge.
A well-known artist called Alberto Burri was brought in to turn Gibellina into a memorial named Cretto di Burri. He covered the ruined city in cement while leaving space for narrow pathways to remind those who visit about the horrors that occurred there.
I won’t lie; when I walked through Cretto di Burri for the first time, there was a real eeriness about the place. But I felt it was important to experience and learn about the tragedy.
Another nice feature of Gibellina is the star-shaped gate called Porta del Belice, which dominates the sky as you drive into the town. You won’t be able to miss it as you take the road that leads into Gibellina; it’s a symbol of the rejuvenation the town has undergone in recent times.
Capo Zafferano
One of the most beautiful places in Sicily is Capo Zafferano, a mesmerising cape which closes off the Gulf of Palermo. If you’re a sucker for dreamy landscapes like me, you’re going to love this place.
Capo Zafferano is only a 20-kilometer drive from Palermo; it sits between Aspra and Porticello. There’s so much to see and do here; you could spend a full day if you wanted. You can take a stroll out to Faro Di Capo Zafferano Lighthouse, have a dip at Spiaggia Kafara or soak up the waters at Tre Piscine.
While I think all of them things are great fun, the main reason I come to Capo Zafferano is when I want to hike up to Monte Catalfano. This peak takes off the beaten path to another level; you get a perfect view of the cape from an incredible vantage point.
The hike takes around 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your level of fitness. Personally, I prefer to take it slow because there are plenty of great scenic lookouts. Trust me, you won’t be able to stop taking pictures.
Levanzo
Pack up your bags; it’s time to leave the mainland because you’re going to Levanzo, a picturesque island off the west coast of Sicily. Levanzo is part of the Egadi Islands and has enough enchantment to rival some of Italy’s other more famous isles like Capri.
You can get to Levanzo easily by taking a ferry from Trapani; the journey only takes between 25 and 50 minutes, depending on the company you go with.
The first time I went to Levanzo, I thought I was cruising into an untouched paradise. There was such a remote feeling; barely any people were around, only a couple of fishermen, the odd tourist and some staff working at the local restaurants.
Levanzo is quite small, but I’ve easily filled a few days on my past visits. The snorkelling here is fantastic; you can book some tours on shore where you can deep dive into azure blue waters and try to spot some sea life.
Be sure to check out the Grotta del Genovese when you’re here. It’s a cave that is an archaeological site dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years. When you walk inside, you can see some fascinating rock art produced by the Palaeolithic and Neolithic people.
Those coming to Levanzo for some relaxation time will have endless beaches to lounge on. Two, in particular, I’d recommend are the Cala Faraglione and Spiaggia di Cala Minnola. I do think Spiaggia di Cala Dogana is also stunning, but it’s a bit busier because that’s where the ferries come in.
A Final Note on Hidden Gems in Sicily
There you go — that completes my list of the best hidden gems in Sicily. This island may have already secured its place on the typical Italian tourist trail, but there are so many parts of it that are yet to be found by most.
By no way have I covered all of Sicily’s hidden places; I didn’t even get to mention the island’s first Norman capital of Troina or San Mauro Castelverde. However, if you include some of these points of interest on your itinerary, I’m sure you’ll see a whole other side to my home.
Keep exploring,
Marco