Sicily has been a popular holiday spot for holidaymakers from the US and Canada for many years and recent TV series such as the White Lotus and Netflix’s The Leopard have further boosted the island’s popularity. But if you’re wondering whether it’s a good destination for seniors or want to know how to get the very best out of a holiday here, read on for inspiration.
Spring and Autumn Are the Best Seasons to Visit Sicily
If you can, try to avoid the months of July and August when temperatures soar and Sicily is at its busiest. From April to June, temperatures hover between 20-29°C (68-84°F), with plenty of sunshine each day, so you can enjoy meals outside and sightsee in comfort.
The hills and countryside are awash with spring flowers and mini mountains of fresh asparagus and glistening cherries appear on market stalls. Temperatures return to this level in September and October when the big draw is the sea, still warmed by the heat of the summer sun.
Top tip: Visit in spring or autumn for quieter beaches and attractions as well as cheaper prices.
Planning Your Sicily Holiday
Think hard about whether to spend your whole holiday in one place and travel around or to split your stay between two, or even more, locations. Of course, it will depend partly on what you want to see and how long you’re staying for.
If possible, try to go for two weeks so that you can fit in plenty of relaxation time – after all, it is a holiday! If you can manage two weeks, then splitting your holiday between two different locations – for example, the island’s northwest and southeast – is a good idea. You certainly won’t want to spend too long in the car and getting around can take longer than you think.
Top tip: For one week holidays, a base in south east Sicily gives you easy access to the towns of the Val di Noto, gorgeous Syracuse and some of the island’s best beaches.
Dive into Sicily’s History, Culture, Art, Architecture and Gastronomy
Yes, Sicily really does appeal to everyone! The difficulty, however, particularly for first time visitors, is prioritising what to see and do. My advice is that unless you have a particular interest or hobby, try to create an itinerary that incorporates a mix of things.
For example, include one ancient site or Greek temple, such as the temple at Segesta, instead of trying to visit all of them; take in one big city – Palermo, Catania or Syracuse – rather than all three; and visit just one or two of the eight baroque towns of the Val di Noto.
Top tip: Throw in a couple of fun hands-on activities that will also enhance your cultural understanding of the island, such as wine tasting or a cooking class.
Explore Sicily on a Guided Tour
As an older and possibly seasoned traveller, it’s tempting to skip the guided tour and explore independently. But for a quick initial overview, it’s definitely worth organising one or two tours by local experts. Firstly, if you’ve just arrived in the city, a tour is the quickest way to get to know its rough layout and key points of interest. You may not get to spend as long as you want in some places but you can return to those at leisure.
A tour is also a brilliant way of getting to grips with the local culture. As well as communicating information about the various sights, a good guide will provide insight into their historical context and their relevance to the city today. A street food tour in Palermo is the best way we know to dive deep into the city’s culture!
Top tip: If you’re visiting several towns in one day, it’s far less stressful if someone else takes care of the driving and parking.
Swap Driving for Train Travel
You may be slightly daunted by the prospect of driving overseas but actually, driving in Sicily is fine – although you may want to avoid Palermo city centre! However, if you prefer not to drive, staying within easy reach of a train station will give you much more flexibility. The main towns and cities of Palermo, Syracuse, Catania and Taormina are all well connected by train, and the baroque towns of Noto, Ispica, Scicli, Modica and Ragusa are all accessible from Syracuse.
Top tip: For a more laidback beach holiday, the little town of Finale Pollina is linked by rail to many of the seaside towns along the north coast, including Cefalù.
Ways to Keep Active in Sicily
Seeing new things will definitely keep your brain active while you’re away. But if you’re used to a regular fitness routine, you won’t want to abandon that. Provided you’re not visiting during the hottest months, you’ll find plenty of ways to keep physically active.
The northern stretches of Sicily are characterised by two national parks, the Madonie and Nebrodi Mountains. Just walking up and down the steep paths through the pretty villages may be as energetic as you want them to be, but hiking, cycling and horse riding are other options.
Top tip: if you’re staying in eastern Sicily, don’t miss the trail through the Pantalica Nature Reserve, a vast canyon that houses around 5000 cave tombs.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you ever been to Sicily? What was your favourite place? Can you share some of your memories of the island with our readers?
