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Adventure Holidays in Sicily

A Mediterranean Paradise of Thrills and Traditions

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a land of breath-taking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and a perfect destination for adventure holidays. With its diverse array of outdoor activities, unique local experiences, and family-friendly adventures, Sicily promises to leave you with cherished memories. Dive into the exciting world of adventure holidays in Sicily and discover the perfect blend of outdoor thrills, cultural depth, and the warmth of its people.

Our Sicily Adventure Holidays

Find inspiration in our complete adventure holiday packages to Sicily or let us know your wishes and we will be happy to plant your perfect adventure holiday to Sicily with you!

Places to go ...

Things to do ...

Sicily's adventure holidays combine thrilling outdoor activities, rich cultural immersion, and family-friendly experiences to create an unforgettable vacation. As you explore the island's picturesque landscapes, savor its gastronomic delights, and connect with its warm-hearted people, you'll be captivated by the beauty and charm of Sicily. Whether you seek a family retreat, daring escapades, or cultural enrichment, this Mediterranean paradise guarantees an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories. Pack your bags and set your course for Sicily - a land of thrills and cultural wonders awaits in every corner.

For families

For families

Adventure fun for the whole family

Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures

Discover the great outdoors

Local experiences

Local experiences

Local gems, gastronomy and traditions

Outdoor Adventures - an adventure playground for thrill seekers and nature enthusiasts

Thanks to it's wonderfully rugged volcanic terrain, Sicily is a true paradise for hiking and trekking. Explore the stunning landscapes of the Madonie and Nebrodi mountain ranges, or venture up the famous Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano.
With its crystalline Mediterranean waters, Sicily is ideal for water sports. Enjoy activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, and sailing along the picturesque coasts of Cefalù and Taormina.
For a more off-beat outdoor experience, explore the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago featuring stunning natural beauty. Visit Lipari, Vulcano, or Salina to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in a tranquil Mediterranean paradise or take up the challenging hike up to Mount Stromboli at sunset to witness the frequent small volcanic eruptions up close.

Family Adventures in Sicily - volcanic adventures for the whole family

Sicily is an ideal destination for family adventures, offering various activities to entertain visitors of all ages.
For family-friendly hiking, venture around the Zingaro Nature Reserve's rugged coastline, offering pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters and the opportunity to explore the local flora and fauna.
You will also find some trails which are suitable for smaller legs around Mount Etna and the Aeolian Islands. A trip around Mount Etna on the historic circumetnea train is a great experience for the whole family to take in some of the stunning beauty of Sicily's mighty mountain.
Discover some of Sicily's marine life on kayaking tours off the Sicilian coast at the beautiful kayaking spots at Taormina, Syracuse / Ortigia Island or the Egadi Islands. Boat tours around the Aeolian Islands tka eyou to the best spots to witness some of the ongoing volcanic activity in the area!
For truly relaxed family fun, visit Etnaland near Mount Etna, a family-friendly theme park offering water slides, roller coasters, and a variety of attractions that cater to children and adults. And of course, enjoy the island's beautiful sandy beaches. Among the most family-friendly are Mondello Beach in Palermo, Marina di Ragusa, and San Vito lo Capo, where you can build sandcastles and paddle in the crystal-clear waters.
Sicily offers some of the best and most varied cuisines of Italy and engaging your children in the art of pizza-making guarantees a great time for children and adults alike . Sicily is renowned for its delectable pizzas, and many pizzerias offer workshops where your family can learn to create traditional Sicilian pizza.

Local Experiences in Sicily - immerse yourself in Sicilian culture

Sicily features some of the most impressive baroque architecture, which can be explores in cities like Ragusa, Noto, and Modica, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These towns showcase the intricate designs and grandeur of Sicily's cultural history.
Stroll through the colorful markets in Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse. Here, you can savor local gastronomy, such as arancini (rice balls) and cannoli, while engaging with vendors and experiencing daily Sicilian life.
Indulge in Sicily's ancient history and visit the well-preserved ancient ruins of Agrigento's Valley of the Temples or the Greek theatre in Taormina, allowing you to delve into the island's history and cultural heritage.

Get inspired - travel bonanza, tours and stories

About Sicily

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with a total length of around 1,000 km. The island resembles the shape of a triangle and was therefore named Trinakria in ancient times. The closest point between Sicily and mainland Italy is at Messina which is only 3 km. Sicily includes as well small island groups like the Egadi Islands in the West and the volcanic Aeolian Islands in the North. Further, the two bigger islands of Ustica and Pantelleria are also considered Sicilian.

The landscapes of Sicily are absolutely diverse. Mountains and hills cover about 80% of Sicily. Inland you find various mountain ranges: the Nebrodi and Madonie Mountains, and in the southeast there are the Iblei Mountains. All of them are perfect for hiking & biking and horseback riding tours. In the Northwestern corner sits The Zingaro Natural Reserve with a balanced mix of pristine beaches, elevated hiking trails with spectacular sea views, and a rich variety of flora and fauna! The Alcantara River is finding its way in the deep Alcantara Gorges and a playground for adventure activities from canyoning and hiking to climbing and rafting!
Sicily is also home to a variety of beaches. The rugged northern coast is interrupted by numerous small bays while the South of Sicily is known for its long sandy beaches.

One of the icons of Sicily is the impressive Mount Etna (3.345m), the most active and highest volcano in Europe. Mount Etna invites adventurous travelers to many activities: hiking, MTB, skiing, but also horseback riding, quad bike tours and wine tasting at the local wineries on the fertile slopes. On the Aeolian Islands, there are two more activevolcanoes: the fire-spitting Stromboli and the sleeping Vulcano. You can climb to the crater top and above enjoy the views of the sea.





Sicily is as well rich in culture and history as the island was occupied by various cultures including the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, the Normans, and the Spanish. The result of this moving history is evident in its buildings and monuments. Sicily’s baroque towns in the Southeast are probably the best example. Since 2002 part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Siracusa, Noto, Modica, and Ragusa are gorgeous little towns, and their historical centers consist of a stunning selection of baroque palaces, churches, and houses. Besides you can find some well-preserved Greek temples in Siracusa, Agrigento, and Segesta. But also authentic villages, local festivals, traditional dances, and of course Sicilian cuisine are to be experienced on this unique island.

Travel Tips

When to travel
It is possible to visit Sicily all year long, but the best times to travel are May, June, September and October. Summer is lovely, but it can get very hot over July and August and the seaside resorts and towns can become crowded.
While the weather is quite changeable and sometimes rainy in spring, the summer months are arid and temperatures can go as high as 34 degrees. Once the temperatures fall in autumn, the rainy period begins. Temperatures fall further over the winter months, but apart from the higher areas, most of Sicily hardly ever experiences temperatures below freezing.
The northern and particularly the northeastern parts of Sicily get the most rain over the year, which is mainly down to the more mountainous terrain. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall during the warm summer months are common, especially in the areas East of Mount Etna. The flatter plains in the southern and southwestern part of Sicily get relatively little rainfall throughout the year.

How to travel
The international airports in Sicily are Trapani in the west, Palermo in the northwest, Catania in the east and Ragusa in the southeast of the island. International connections within Europe are good and Sicily is served by all major and some regional European airlines. Direct long-haul connections from outside Europe are rare, in this case it is easiest to connect in mainland Italy like Milan or Rome.
It is possible to take flights from mainland Sicily to the island of Pantelleria from Trapani or Palermo.
The other islands can be reached by ferry. The hydrofoils for the Aeolian Islands leave from Milazzo to Lipari, from where it is then possible to connect to the other islands. As connections are not always frequent and perfectly timed, you should plan the whole day for traveling if you plan to connect from Lipari to another island. The Egadi islands can be reached by hydrofoils from Trapani. Sailings take place frequently over the day and the trip takes less than one hour.
Sicily has a good network of motorways and national roads, making it easy and fast to get around. Infrastructure tends to be a bit more remote in the south, center and mountainous areas. Toll is required on the A18 and A20 motorways.

Travelling with children
Travelling in Sicily with children is easy and Sicilians love children. Hotels, restaurants and bars are eager to accommodate families and children. Menus don’t usually serve a dedicated kids menu, but offer smaller or half portions.
Siesta plays an important way of life in Sicily and shops close between 1 and 5pm. Dinner time in Sicily is usually not before 9pm and especially over the summer months kids are out and about until midnight.
Not all activities are suitable for small children, but Sicily has plenty to offer if you are looking for a fulfilling trip for the whole family. Kids will love to explore the cobbled ancient streets of the historic towns, will be fascinated by the volcanic heritage and of course love the outstanding Sicilian food. The sandy beaches in the south are perfect for a couple of relaxing days and farms and agri-tourism accommodation especially cater for families and offer activities centered around nature and the outdoors.

What to bring
If you are travelling to Sicily between May and September, prepare for warm, sunny and dry days, so light summer clothes, light shoes, swimming gear, sun lotion, sunglasses and sun cover should all make it into your luggage. For those heading to Sicily's mountains and volcanoes, steady hiking boots, a headlight/torch, warm jumper and a rain and windproof jacket are advisable. Also mosquitos tend to annoy people over the summer months, so an insect repellent will do no harm. Some of the churches and religious buildings require covered shoulders, so bring a scarf or t-shirt.
While casual leisure wear is totally fine during the day, you should pack a nice outfit for going out in the evenings. There is no dress-code in most bars or restaurants, but clubs might be a different story. Sicilians like to dress to impress at nighttime, so unless you want to stand out, you might want to do the same.

Adventure Holidays Destinations

Click below for more useful and practical information on traveling to Sicily.

Adventure Holidays Destinations

Adventure  Holidays Destinations

Fjord and Mountains view | The Small Adventure Company | Travel Agency for Adventure and Family Holidays in Europe

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From our own experience, no two holidays are the same. Talk to us and we will create your own individual adventure holiday just for you.

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