Cultural traditions of Sicily represent a unique phenomenon, which has found expression in the most interesting folk festivals and customs. During the year, the island celebrates a variety of festivals dedicated to numerous saints and the patron of the city. Locals also honor important historical events and organize interesting secular celebrations. A true symbol of the island became a holiday called Carretto Siciliano, the name of which literally translates as ‘The Sicilian cart.’
The trip around cities of Sicily will be an unforgettable experience, because each of them has its amazing sights. The most important historical monument in Palermo is the Palace of the … Open
Beautiful beaches, fabulous nature reserves, modern entertainment centers, and numerous shopping centers don’t cease to attract many travelers to Sicily. Beaches of Catania are … Open
The most interesting holiday of February is the Carnival, which is celebrated in Acireale. This colorful and noisy celebration would be interesting for both adults and children. As for less significant and large-scale events, then they are represented by numerous fairs and gastronomic festivities. They are held on the island all year round, so fans of shopping and gastronomic tourism certainly won’t be bored.
1. Going on a trip don’t forget to bring an Italian phrasebook with you, as not all of locals speak foreign languages. It's worth noting that much of the indigenous population speaks … Open
Those that have a craving for sugar will be glad to visit Sicily, precisely the city of Modica (near Ragusa), during the celebration of the Chocomodica festival, which falls on the beginning of December. The traditions of making chocolate here seem to be passed on from infancy – the locals still employ the old method of production, which makes the delicacy unique. During the festival, visitors can not only enjoy the magic taste of chocolate but also listen to music and attend cultural events (for example, thematic excursions) held under the umbrella of the event. In late June, lovers of Mediterranean cuisine will be fascinated when they visit Trapani, where the festival dedicated to tuna and Sicilian cuisine in general, is held. Master classes are also conducted on the selection and preparation of fish. There are as well tastings and thematic excursions. All these, however, are only a small part of what is offered to visitors during the festival.
Many travelers associate beach vacations in Sicily with the picturesque coastline of Palermo. Palermo's most popular beach is Mondello covered with amazing white sand making water to look … Open
Gastronomic festivals are held not only in summer and autumn but also in winter and spring. These seasons are also suitable for gourmets. Consequently, February in Sicily is the perfect time to enjoy granita, melons, almonds, as well as tangerines. This can be done, for example, at the colorful festival dedicated to almond, in Agrigento (Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore ad Agrigento). The event is accompanied by an interactive program, colorful processions, exhibitions, and cultural performances. Since the holiday also marks the beginning of spring, the Miss Spring contest is held at this time. It is worth visiting Cassibile or Buscemi in April – especially for fans of strawberries or ricotta respectively. A large-scale farm holiday also takes place at this time in Pachino.
Sicily has more than 3,000 accommodation places and each of them is unique. Many local hotels are real historical attractions, the lovely hotel Villa Athena is among them. This luxurious … Open
Another bright carnival that will amaze guests of Sicily takes place in late February or mid-March in Sciacca. The peculiarity of this colorful festival is that at the head of the procession you can see Peppe Nappa – the King of Carnival, whose costume is made from papier-mâché. Like the three wise men during the celebration of Epifania, he throws treats into the crowd – only instead of candies, there are sausages, drinks, and sweets. In addition to the cheerful parade, guests of the city will be able to enjoy live music right on the streets. There will be colorful fireworks, art installations, and a gastronomic program as well. The apogee of the festival is the burning of stuffed Peppe Nappa. This is however not because people do not like him. On the contrary – the tradition is akin to throwing a coin into a fountain – it is believed that only then will your wish come true or you will return here the following year.
The island of Sicily is practically the only place in Italy that has managed to preserve and save the imprints of many ages and epochs. Many years ago Sicily attracted a large number of … Open
Among the religious holidays in Sicily, Easter (Pasqua) is especially respected, during which bright events with scenes from the Bible take place in different parts of the island. In Trapani for example, you can witness a parade led by a participant depicting Jesus Christ led to Golgotha, while in Ispica a plot from the procession is usually a scene of the resurrection of the son of God, and in Prizzi, Easter is celebrated in an original fashion, with participants gathering on the central streets of the city, dancing “Ballo dei diavoli” (“dance of the devils”). In any case, Easter is a favorite holiday of the locals, at which time you can get acquainted with the traditional dishes of the island, listen to musical concerts, watch theatrical shows, as well as enjoy the fireworks, which mark the end of the celebration.
The main feature of Sicilian cuisine is its versatility. Culinary connoisseurs can easily recognize typical Greek, Spanish and Arabic features; their harmonious combination determines the … Open