5 Things to See and Do in Northern Sicily
5 AMAZING THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN NORTHERN SICILY
A ride through the countryside of northern Sicily
I dare say, Sicily is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Apart from the bigger cities like Palermo and Catania, not many people know about the treasures that this Mediterranean island has to offer. I guess the Italians and Sicilians would like to keep a slice of the cake for themselves considering that most other parts of Italy get so many visitors each year.
There is so much to be seen and done in Sicily. From its heavenly clean, blue seas, to its volcanoes and Islands, there is something for everyone here!
Being from Siracusa (Syracuse in English), Pietro and I share our time between Malta and Sicily so we know a lot about the area. Northern Sicily on the other hand, is new to us and so we decided that for our very first motorcycle road trip, we would explore the North.
Northern Sicily is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions on the Island. From its mountain ranges to waterfalls and beaches for miles, the region has so much to offer. It starts from Tindari in the northeast to Palermo in the northwest. Our top suggestions for things to see and do in Northern Sicily besides the usual culprits include:
- Visit Milazzo – A medieval town with a Norman castle with fantastic views of the coast.
- Visit Tindari- A small town boasting a Greek acropolis and a sanctuary for pilgrims.
- Ride to the Parco Dei Nebrodi – Sicily’s largest national park.
- Swim in the cool lakes of the Catafurco waterfalls.
- Eat fresh, local produce in Nebrodi Park.
- Lodge in an agriturismo establishment.
Why Northern Sicily?
The charm of northern Sicily to us, is the diversity of its landscapes, people, and, best of all, food!
I like taking short hikes and discovering lakes and such while stopping to admire little things like strange-looking leaves or the likes (this sometimes exasperates Pietro). So the mountains and their parks do that for me. On the other hand, Pietro is more of a seaman A few hundred meters out, we’re in the crystal waters of the Tyrrhenian sea.
Win-win for us both!
So in July of 2021, just after the Covid restrictions were partially lifted, we decided that exploring Pietro’s motherland might be a safer idea since it was close to home. Turned out to be the best decision for that solemn year!
We had been taking weekend trips around Sicily for years now but this was going to be our first long trip, and one to show our “defiance” to the whole situation.
Pietro got right into the planning while I made my research on things to do, and places to stay. He got the bike road ready, created maps, and prepared our Treasures of Northern Sicily Itinerary. I, on the other hand, was worried more about our luggage. You see, I’m quite fashion conscious (not a fashionista though) and I just love to have my favourite things with me, as well as extras in case of emergencies. This means that 75% of the contents in our combined motorcycle luggage belonged to well, me!
The best time to visit Northern sicily.
Being on the Mediteranean, the Sicilian weather is one of the best in Europe, with short winters (around 2-3 months). Meaning that you could practically visit Northern Sicily at any time of the year. Avoid the months of December and January though, as they are the wettest months.
Summers are hot – 29 °C- 33 °C degrees, so if you’re not crazy about hot summers, we suggest Spring and Autumn since the temperatures will be bearable towards the coast, but might get cooler towards the mountains. We went in July and it was ok for us (we’re Sicilian, remember?).
For more information about the climate, rainfall and sunshine read this post.
What to pack
If you’re travelling on a motorcycle as we did, take your summer riding gear and light, breathable clothes. But if you’re anything like me, take a light jacket if you’re visiting in autumn or spring. In winter, take enough warm clothing. Practical shoes and sunscreen are also a must.
The same applies if you’re traveling with a vehicle or a tour. Very importantly though, don’t forget your swimwear!
How much it costs
Sicily is a relatively cheap island to visit. Compared to mainland Italy, the cost of living is lower and so, more affordable.
It is made up of a few big cities and for the most part, smaller towns and villages. This means, there’s a lot of farming. More farming means lower prices of food products.
On average, a modest 3-star bread and breakfast will cost you between as low as 40 Euros to 120 euros a night, with breakfast included.
Meals are super affordable like I mentioned earlier, and portions are huge so having just a main course is sufficient. An added bonus is the great wine. Make sure you request for “vino di casa” aka house wine as they’re usually less expensive, fresh, and not to mention, really good too. A good meal will cost between 20 and 40 euros depending on whether you’re having wine (and how much wine!) or seafood, which is usually a bit more expensive.
1. Castello di Milazzo (MilazzoCastle)
Milazzo is a city in Northern Sicily towards the east and extends into a peninsula with spectacular views of the Aeolian Islands.
The medieval Castle of Milazzo sits atop a promontory in the peninsula part of Milazzo. Its walls take on that imposing look that is characteristic of the Roman era.
Marvel at its grandiose gates. Get immersed in its rooms and walls. Check out the Benedictine monastery, and then climb up to the roof to enjoy the breathtaking views of Milazzo city below, the sea on both sides of the peninsula, and the Aeolian islands on the horizon.
The tickets cost 5 Euros from which you’ll get to visit the museum at the entrance with modern and pre-historic relics before continuing to other areas of the castle.
- How to get there
Depending on what direction in Northern Sicily you’re coming from it would take a few hours.
- From Messina, take the SS113 road which will cross inland, and then continue on the coast with lots of “wow” moments along the way. This takes about 48 minutes (38.1km).
- From Palermo, take the E90 and connect to the SS113 in San Filippo del Mela. This route will also take you through the coastal roads.
- Renting a motorcycle or car would also greatly heighten the experience as you can stop and find those Instagram-able moments at your own pace
- Other options would be to take the Itabus from both cities or go with an organized tour.
2. Tindari
Tindari, aka Tyndaris in ancient Greek, is a small town on the coast of Northern Sicily. We really loved how it made us feel like we were tucked away in a safe corner of the world where nothing bad happens. The most interesting things to see are;
- The Sanctuary of Tindari. One of the most unmissable monuments as you drive by, this church contains a very special relic known as “La Madonna Nera” aka the “Black Mary”. She’s also carrying a black baby Jesus in her arms. Legend has it that the statue arrived on the island from the sea and was taken to the highest hill where a church already existed. From then on, it carried on a holy significance and subsequently attracts pilgrims from around. Read this to find out more about the story.
- The Archaeological Park of Tindari. What better way to see an archaeological site than with a backdrop of the sea? That’s what you get in this part of Northern Sicily. You can walk around the ruins and see evidence of the history of Sicily as a whole. Mosaic floor tiles with the famous Sicilian symbols and others are very well preserved around the sight. The ruins show evidence of the paleolithic era, all the way to the bronze age.
- How to get there
From whatever direction, you need to connect to the SS289 to the park. There are also day trips from towns and cities around, including from Messina and Tindari.
We suggest you rent a motorcycle or car and head out at your own pace. If you want to see how we got there, here’s a look at our
3. Nebrodi
Imagine leaving the clear, blue beaches of Northern Sicily behind and riding up winding, narrow roads, with cattle grazing on the hills, and the occasional herd of goats crossing the road and holding you up for miles. The road leading up to Nebrodi park is an adventure in itself.
The park is the largest of its kind in Sicily, spanning 856.87 km². It has several hiking trails which you can access on its official site. Keep in mind that you can ride your motorcycle through the park until it gets narrower and more rugged (basically, off-road). Then it gets to a point where you will have to park and walk the rest of the way.
The park is free but you might need a guide or a local to help you navigate to the best spots. The trails are moderate intensity so, most people can manage them. There are several activities to do like-
- hiking
- bird watching
- taking perfect wildlife and nature photography
- swimming in its several lakes and waterfalls
The highlight for us was hiking up one of its trails for about 3km, to find the Catafurco waterfalls, pictured above. An added bonus was that there were very few people there (all Italians too!). We were able to swim for a bit because the water was cold even in July. This is because it is nestled in a cave-like surrounding of rocks.
Another interesting part of the trail is a niche set in a corner of the waterfalls with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Its position gives it the appearance of a stream of tears as water drips down slowly but continuously from the top of the rocks. Quite impressionable.
- How to get there
To get to the park, you need to find and connect to the SS289 road. We suggest renting a motorcycle or car to maximise the experience. However, you could also go with a tour from any of the cities nearby like Messina or Tindari.
To see how we got there, read our Treasures of Northern Sicily Itinerary
4. Eat fresh, local produce in Nebrodi Park
Northern Sicily, like the rest of Italy, has incredibly great food. However, what makes it even more special here is having the sea and the mountains, so that one can basically have the best of both worlds including when it comes to food.
We always hunt down local food wherever we go so we didn’t pack any lunch for the journey. Just before the entrance to the park, there is a car park with a wood kiosk that serves simple, basic meals. On our way back we stopped for lunch, and boy was it tasty! Simply grilled beef and nothing else.
There are very few restaurants around the park so this is practically the only option.
5. Lodge in an Agriturismo Establishment
If you want to get the most out of your stay in Northern Sicily, You have to stay in one of the establishments called “agriturismo”. Simply translates to “Agricultural Tourism”. They are often regarded as B&Bs but they are much more than that.
We stayed at a place called “Villa Ginevra”, high up on the hills close to the Nebrodi park, and from there, we made day trips to Tindari, Milazzo and the Nebrodi park.
Given that it was just the beginning of the re-opening of Italy after Covid, we basically had the entire place to ourselves during our stay, which was heavenly! After long rides, we would arrive and head straight for the pool at any time of the day. We also had breakfast each morning outside with an amazing view of the coast including the Aeolian islands, and make as much noise as we wanted. Haha.
So there you have it. That’s how we propose to have a fantastic time in Northern Sicily.
Have you visited any of the places here? Is there one you’d like to see? Or are there other places in Northern Sicily you’ve been to which aren’t on the list?
Let us know in the comments below.
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A couple with a zest for all things travel, a love for motorcycles, and a voracious appetite for good food!
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Thia Place is amazing. Definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for this post
I’m going to my best friend is in Greece soon and will make sure to visit the Tyndaris. Thank you for sharing these places!
I loved Italy and want to go back. This is truly a wonderful article. Thank you so much for sharing. It makes me dream of more time there!
SOOOO super beautiful! Thanks so much for all your tips. Still have Sicily on my list, but it has definitely moved up the list now 😉
Great! I’m glad this has made you think of Sicily as worth your time. I’ll be posting more content on Sicily as there is quite a bit of untapped beauty waiting to be explored by the right kind of traveller.
What a detailed travel itinerary! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had an awesome time in Sicily.
Indeed we did, Anatureescape. Sicily is a truly wonderful place to visit.
Sicily is so beautiful. I visited Palermo a few years back and loved it. I would love to go back and explore more of the area. Milazzo castle is definitely on my list of places I want to see!
Make Sure to Include The Nebrodi Nature Reserve to that list, JJ. You wouldn’t want to miss it.
How beautiful this all is, you have added some places to my must DO things in Sicily, thank you for a great article
You’re very welcome Jeanine! I’m sure you’ll love Sicily when you visit.
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