Cruise ships and ferries mainly use the ports of Palermo, Catania, Messina and Syracuse, which are excellent starting points for exploring the whole island. The resort of Giardini Naxos, at the foot of Etna near romantic Taormina, is also very popular. The most important historical sights include the famous Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites of the ancient world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History lovers can also visit Roman villas, the Baroque towns of south-eastern Sicily or the historic centres of Palermo, Catania and Syracuse. The island’s colourful history blends Arab, Norman and Spanish influences, creating a unique atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else in the Mediterranean.
Among the island’s biggest attractions are its beautiful beaches washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The loveliest beaches in Sicily include San Vito Lo Capo, Isola Bella near Taormina, Scala dei Turchi, Cala Rossa on the island of Favignana and the beaches around Cefalù. If you are wondering what to see in Sicily, besides Etna and the Valley of the Temples it is also worth visiting the Zingaro nature reserve or the picturesque Aeolian Islands. Sicily thus offers an ideal combination of sightseeing, relaxation and time by the sea.
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