Limoncello and lazy days in the sun: our Sicily travel guide
15 December 2022
Sicily luxury villas
The perfect stay
in Sicily, Italy
Sicily is a land of history, unique culture, fine cuisine and endless sunny days, where the limoncello is sweet and the sunsets are magnificent. Our Sicily Villas give you the chance to experience the best of this unique island, with ocean views, those distinctive terracotta roofs, and a welcome as warm as the summer sun.
Sicily is a large island with a complex history that’s resulted in a uniquely diverse and fiercely independent character. With UNESCO World Heritage sites that celebrate both the natural wonders and the culture of this enchanting island, sleepy harbours filled with bobbing fishing boats, and Greek and Roman temples galore, it would take more than one stay at a villa in Sicily to see everything.
Sicily is a large island with a complex history that’s resulted in a uniquely diverse and fiercely independent character. With UNESCO World Heritage sites that celebrate both the natural wonders and the culture of this enchanting island, sleepy harbours filled with bobbing fishing boats, and Greek and Roman temples galore, it would take more than one stay at a villa in Sicily to see everything.
The food is divine, with fresh fish dominating the menus around the coasts. Local cuisine makes use of a much wider palette of spices than on mainland Italy – a reminder of the island’s Arabic and Spanish influences. Sicily also has more vineyards than any other Italian region, so gastronomes will be in heaven here. Long, sunny days on the beaches merge effortlessly with languid evenings under the stars, where good food, good wine, and good company are the only things that matter.
Things
you can’t miss in Sicily
- Enjoy the beaches - Sicily boasts hundreds of miles of Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian coastline with some of the bluest waters imaginable.
- Explore The Valley of the Temples, a historic spot enveloped by olive trees, citrus groves and vineyards that stretch down to the sea
- Take a trip to the capital of Palermo, where you'll find an intoxicating blend of history and culture, including Moorish palaces, Byzantine castles, Renaissance churches and Baroque mansions.
Our insider tips for Sicily
Limoncello and lazy days in the sun: our Sicily travel guide
15 December 2022
A love letter to Italy
24 August 2022
Sicily villas you will love
Our villas for rent in Sicily
Villa Maude
8 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
4 Bathrooms
Nitta
10 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
3 Bathrooms
Dione Villa
12 PEOPLE -
6 Bedrooms -
5 Bathrooms
Villa Ata
6 PEOPLE -
3 Bedrooms -
4 Bathrooms
Aieri
6 PEOPLE -
3 Bedrooms -
3 Bathrooms
Sibene
8 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
4 Bathrooms
“I’ll always treasure the memory of my first visit to magnificent Sicily. Worlds apart from the rest of Italy, this unique island is a captivating blend of Italian, Arabic and Spanish influences amidst bountiful natural beauty.”
Florence Crawley
Why stay with us?
Curated and inspected homes, villas & chalets
Luxury linen and toiletries
Round the clock support
Complimentary weekly clean
Dedicated concierge
Earn & redeem Accor ALL loyalty Reward points
Personal Meet & Greet
Complimentary medical support in partnership with AXA
Enhance your Sicily stay
Book additional services to make the most out of your trip. Add services at the time of booking or with your concierge before the stay.
Essential Sicily information
When to visit Sicily
JAN
53F
FEB
53F
MAR
57F
APR
60F
MAY
68F
JUN
73F
JUL
78F
AUG
80F
SEP
75F
OCT
69F
NOV
62F
DEC
57F
Please note: these are the average temperatures reported but can vary greatly due to weather conditions, such as heat waves etc. We kindly invite you to contact us for more information, including confirmation that your chosen villa has air conditioning, to ensure a comfortable stay.
Best time to go
During spring: with the dunes and beaches of Sampieri deserted and wild, clouds of cherry blossom and almond flowers filling the air with a delicate fragrance, and the weather warming with every day that passes, spring in Sicily is enchanting. It’s the perfect time to explore the trails and hiking tracks through the mountains and the crocus-filled fields of the island’s nature reserves, or charter a boat and go sports fishing off the coast.
During summer: with the temperatures climbing into the 30s°C (around 86 - 90°F), summer in Sicily is the perfect excuse to try as many different flavours of granita as you can, which legend has it was originally made from the snow from the peak of Mount Etna and fresh fruit syrups sweetened with honey. The beaches beckon, with warm water for snorkelling and diving, or just lie back on the sand and watch the local fishing boats further out, catching octopus and fish for the harbour restaurants.
During autumn: the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are a delight in Sicily and the perfect time to book a rental villa to see the natural wonders in all their glory. The colours take on a softer hue, with rich golds and blazing red foliage bringing a burst of colour to the forests. The Madonie Mountains are spectacular at this time of the year, or take a trip to the high-altitude lakes of the Nebrodi Ridge for endless autumn walks underneath a clear blue sky.
During winter: while the ocean waters may have cooled, winter in Sicily still sees average daytime temperatures of between 11 – 16°C (53 – 60°F), with only an occasional brief shower. With a quieter atmosphere, this is the perfect time to visit archaeological sites, stroll through charming villages, and explore at your own pace. Winter festivities bring a lively spirit to the island, especially around the festive season when every town and village celebrates with Christmas markets and carnivals.
How to get there
Make the journey as memorable as the arrival. Your dedicated concierge can arrange transportation from the closest airport or train station to your Sicily villa.
By plane
Sicily’s two main air transport hubs are at Palermo and Catania. The majority of flights arrive at Catania, and there are also facilities for private charter flights and jets. The island’s third airport at Trapani is steadily increasing in popularity and accepts both domestic and international flights from Italy and Europe. Your Sicily villa rental concierge will be able to arrange transfers or car hire on your arrival.
By train
Sicily is linked to the mainland’s train network via the rail ferry that crosses the Straits of Messina and continues onto Palermo and Catania. The trip takes around eight hours from Naples and ten hours from Rome and is a wonderful way to see both the Italian mainland and Sicily from a different perspective.
By boat
Sicily is a cruise liner's haven with many Mediterranean cruises stopping here during the summer. Ferries run from mainland Italy and link Palermo with a host of Mediterranean destinations including Sardinia, the Aeolian Islands, Tunis, Naples and Malta. The main route to the island from Italy is via the Straights of Messina, with around 20 hourly ferries running during the high season. For a faster trip, hydrofoils run between Messina and Reggio de Calabria.
Local tips
- Most of Sicily’s land is hilly - come prepared with comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a sun hat.
- Driving is by far the most convenient way to get around Sicily as the public transport options can be pretty irregular.
- Sicilian breakfast is always sweet - a traditional breakfast here is a lemon or coffee granita (which is similar to ice cream) paired with a hot brioche.
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