Forget Rome: Tourists Are Flocking To These 3 Lesser-Known Destinations In Italy

Rome is the number one destination on the minds of almost all vacationers going to Italy, and might you actually blame them? It’s, in any case, the house of the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Metropolis, and numerous extra world-renowned landmarks.

Should you’re a devoted Journey Off Path reader, nonetheless, by now Rome is merely the tip of the iceberg: Italy has a lot extra to supply, and in the event you’re trying past the obvious hotspots, you could find the odd hidden gem yet to be spoiled by mass tourism.

That’s the case with Sicily, which, imagine it or not, continues to be largely unexplored, regardless of having featured closely within the media these days.

Italy’s largest island, mendacity simply off the southwestern tip of the Italian boot, it is packed full of perfectly preserved Baroque towns and golden-sand seashores hugged by turquoise seas—and if we might add, it is also house to 3 of the nation’s trendiest locations proper now:

Extra People Flocking To These Sicilian Hotspots Than Ever Earlier than

#Based on the latest figures revealed by ENIT, Italy’s Nationwide Tourism Company, Sicily was visited by 2.9 million vacationers in 2025 thus far this summer time, a 2.4% progress over the earlier excessive season.

The principle overseas markets proceed to be France, with a market share of 25%, and Germany, contributing with 20%, however the UK is coming sizzling on the heels of their European counterparts (15%), and People are proper behind them (10%).

In relation to People, the rise in guests is attributed to each Sicily’s rising recognition throughout the pond—we have now the White Lotus to thank for that—and the introduction of direct flights to the island, which have made it simpler for vacationers to get there from throughout the pond.

Sicily’s an enormous island, although, so in the event you’re questioning the place they are going, these are the highest 3 most-visited spots and why:

Catania

• Share of foreigner guests: 30–35%
• Common expenditure per day: $98–110
• Common length of keep: 4-5 nights

With a overseas customer share of 30–35%, Catania is the third most extremely sought-after coastal getaway in Sicily: the island’s second-largest metropolis, and a metropolitan zone over one million individuals name house, it’s wedged between the thunderous Mount Etna and the Mediterranean Sea.

Through Etnea is Catania’s primary vein, and a busy thoroughfare lined with elegant buildings and upscale trattorie atop rooftops, and it leads straight to Piazza del Duomo, a pedestrianized sq. dominated by a Baroque cathedral.

Should you’re right here for the traditional tradition, do not miss out on Catania’s Roman Theater, courting again to the 2nd century AD, Castello Ursino, a moated citadel initially constructed on the coast, and now pushed inland, and the imposing Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Enviornment, one of many largest in Europe.

On the lookout for the closest seaside as a substitute? La Playa di Catania extends for a whopping 11 miles alongside heat, azure seas, and it is simply south of the downtown zone, simply reachable by bus (simply look the closest AMTS cease and hop on line D).

Palermo

• Share of overseas guests: 35–40%
• Common expenditure per day: $104–115
• Common length of keep: 4-5 nights

The Sicilian capital, and one in every of Italy’s most vibrant cities, with a various cultural supply and a rising inhabitants already standing at over 1.2 million, Palermo is the second busiest tourism spot on the island this summer time.

Equally to Catania, its historic heart revolves round a monumental cathedral: combining not solely Baroque, but in addition Norman, Arab, and Gothic components, a mirrored image of the melting pot that’s Sicily, it’s the place a number of medieval kings, and even Holy Roman Emperors, are interred.

Different must-sees in Palermo embrace Palazzo dei Normanni, a Twelfth-century Norman palace, greatest recognized for its richly embellished Cappella Palatina, stated to rival the Sistine Chapel in magnificence.

Whether or not you are right here for the medieval allure, the Godfather filming spots, or the seashores, you will not be upset, and the bustling Ballarò Market, the place you’ll be able to pattern completely different arancini, seafood fritters, and recent panini, and nonetheless not spend over $5.

For the film buffs on the market, Teatro Massimo just isn’t solely the biggest opera home in Italy, but in addition a location featured on The Godfather Half III, and do you have to ever want a seaside break, of the positive white-sand, turquoise-water form, Mondello Seashore is a brief 20-minute drive from the middle.

Syracuse

• Share of overseas guests: 40%
• Common expenditure per day: $110–127
• Common length of keep: 4-5 nights

Main the trio with an authorized 40% of overseas vacationers in short-term leases this summer time, Syracuse is Sicily’s, to not say Italy’s subsequent sizzling factor on the minute: it is considerably off-the-beaten-path, however not fairly in the event you’re an Italophile, meals is nice, and it simply oozes Old World charm.

It is primarily generally known as the birthplace of Archimedes (yep, the Eureka! man), although guests are possible drawn to its picturesque Previous City, an island baptized Ortigia, related to the mainland by way of a string of bridges, and ringed by a scenic lungomare (or coastal stroll).

Ortigia is a maze of slim, cobbled alleys lined with outdated stone townhouses, family-owned trattorie serving pasta alla norma at first rate costs, and ornate church portals—if you wish to completely wow your style buds, be sure to add A Putia Delle Cose Buone to your record.

On prime of that, Syracuse is means smaller than Catania or Palermo, with a resident inhabitants of round 117,000, and not one of the hectic visitors of the latter two.

Evidently, it feels comparatively extra peaceable regardless of the rising recognition.

Heading to Italy this summer time and not sure what to anticipate, together with how a lot you must tip at native eating places? Use our recently-launched Traveler Tools to get began.