The American travel magazine Condé Nast published a ranking, placing Sicily in third place among the most beautiful islands in the world. This result came from a survey conducted by the publishing house among its readers, asking them which island they preferred to spend their vacation on. Third place is a very valuable position, considering the global tourism landscape.
In first place are the Maldives, second place is occupied by the Greek Islands, and then comes Sicily, followed by the Balearic Islands, Seychelles, Capri, Barbados, Mauritius, and Malta. Many are the characteristics of the island that are appreciated: natural and scenic beauties, from the sea to the mountains, the millennia-long history that has left marks of art and culture in every century, the cuisine with all the flavors, colors, and aromas of local products, and then an authentic charm intertwined with stories, myths, legends, and traditions. All these qualities, combined with the island’s central position in the Mediterranean, create a strong tourist appeal from all over the world. In 2018, nearly 15 million tourist arrivals were recorded, marking a true tourism boom.
Sicily is not just an island but also a continent that holds and preserves history from the ancient Greeks to the Romans, from the Saracens to the Normans. To tourists and visitors who choose Sicily, a vast array of opportunities is offered to experience their vacation according to their needs and passions.
The options are many: one can choose from the more glamorous locations like Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Cefalù, the Aeolian Islands with its seven islands, the Egadi Islands, with luxury hotels and resorts, or less crowded but very charming destinations.
Among these, we must remember the 19 Most Beautiful Villages of Italy present in Sicily. These small towns, spread across all the provinces of Sicily, have been awarded this title for their beauty, culture, history, monuments, churches, and, above all, the charm of the ancient. Among these, we remember Erice, Salemi, Palazzolo Acreide, Sperlinga, Novara di Sicilia, Castelmola, and Montalbano Elicona.
Not to mention cities like Palermo, Catania, Siracusa, Trapani, Agrigento, Messina, and the Val di Noto, where history, culture, art, and traditions meet in every square and on every street.
A special mention should also go to our typically Mediterranean hospitality, which not only offers our most ancient and traditional dishes, perhaps revisited with products made from ancient recipes, but also presents itself with manners and forms that set us apart.
Surely, every visitor who arrives in Sicily will find what they are looking for and what they want. In Sicily, beauty is cultivated.
Have a great vacation