The 10 best places to visit in Sicily

Ustica is a romantic little town and promises an unforgettable stay to those looking for a relaxing break in a real corner of paradise: beautiful seas await you in the peaceful town of Ustica and there's something to please young and old. And what's more, you will certainly eat like a king! You'll also get to appreciate the incredible beauty of its caves, including 'Grotta Azzurra' and 'Grotta Verde', and the beautiful spectacle offered by the colourful fish in the marine reserve will delight fans of underwater diving. The Torre Santa Museum is also worth visiting.

Trapani offers the best places and conditions for practicing water sports such as snorkelling, diving and windsurfing. The Trapani province has a rich variety of activities and things to see, including, to name but a few, the San Lorenzo cathedral, the Peponi Regional Museum, the Annunziata Sanctuary, the Dome and its superb Gothic porch, the Cordici Civic Museum, the Segesta archaeological area, the Whitaker Archaeological Museum etc.

The Ortigia peninsula is an attractive destination in it's own right. Tourists can marvel at the stunning buildings, temples, churches, ruins, alleyways and squares and enjoy visiting the Castello Maniace and Arethuse's Spring or walking along the Adorno pathway. There are plenty of other places to see too, including the Greek Theatre, the Paolo Orsi regional archeological museum, the Anapo valley natural reserve and the village of Palazzolo Acreide. Those who enjoy boat trips can visit the Capo Meli, della Pillirina and del Gambero caves. Syracuse is also reputed for its beaches and crystal-clear waters..

Segesta is an ancient Greek city and now an archaeological site, located on Mount Barbaro. It includes a Doric temple from the 5th century B.C., a sanctuary and a Greek theatre that hosts a range of entertainment. Nearby, tourists can also travel back to to medieval times thanks to the castle, church, mosque ruins and Islamic-style alleyways.

The town of San Vito Lo Capo is situated next to one of Sicily's most beautiful seascapes. It can almost be likened to the Caribbean due to its fine white sandy beaches. As a result, it has become a well-known beach destination, especially during the summer months. Boat trips are recommended to enjoy the "Zingaro Nature Reserve" and the coastal village of "Scopello". This is a tip of the island that deserves a detour at the very least.

A Baroque Sicilian town, Ragusa is the perfect place to spend a quiet holiday and enjoy the beautiful surrounding Baroque architecture. Start your visit of the city with the Santa Maria delle Scale church, the cathedral and the Church of the Purgatory. The Chiesa del Palazzo Cosentini and the Chiesa di Santa Maria (churches) are also worthy of a visit. But what makes Ragusa especially famous is the pretty Marina di Ragusa beach, the best beach resort in this part of Sicily.

If you're thinking of staying in Palermo, then make sure to make the most of its two beautiful beaches, Mondello and Sferracavallo, perfect for diving, windsurfing and a host of other water sports. The thermal spas in Termini Imerese and Sclafani Bagni also offer something a little different while the local nature reserves will give you the opportunity to enjoy long and beautiful walks along the Madonie mountain range. If you still have time, then there are many monuments deserving of a visit, including, amongst others, the Palazzo dei Normanni, the San Giovanni degli Eremiti Church, the Dome, the San Domenico Church etc.

Overlooked by a sheer cliff, that once housed the 'temple of Diana', Cefalù is a town steeped in history. It boasts both Norman and Byzantine influences and is home to beautifully-preserved mosaics from the Middle Ages. Narrow cobbled streets lead to a huge and beautiful Arab-Norman-style cathedral.

Taomine, the most famous beach resort in Sicily, boasting a spectacular unique landscape, with Mount Etna as a backdrop and lapping turquoise waters. Its magnificent Greek-Roman theatre attracts an unprecedented amount of attention and there are many other ancient remains dotted around the town. Not far away, you can enjoy a trip to Mazzaro beach, with its warm crystal-clear waters.

Agrigento is crisscrossed by small narrow streets dating back to medieval times. To really immerse yourself in the heart of its past splendor, you need to visit the Valley of the Temples. Every evening at sunset the site turns a magnificent shade of red. The temples give thanks to many Greek deities, and it is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site.