Top 5 Must-See Places in Sicily for Couples: Ultimate Travel Guide

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The island of Sicily offers couples a journey through 27 centuries of history. Since the 5th century BC, Sicily has been a crossroads of civilizations. Visit Catania, Taormina, and Palermo for ruins, beaches, and delicious cuisine. The landscape, shaped by invaders and Mount Etna’s eruptions, boasts exceptional architecture and great wine. Here are the top five must-see sights in Italy, featuring both natural and man-made wonders– perfect for couples visiting Sicily.

Table of Contents

• The Cathedral of Catania
• The Valley of the Temples
• Villa Romana del Casale
  • Piazza Armerina
• Taormina
• Teatro Antico di Taormina
  • Setting the Stage: A Greek Tragedy
• Mount Etna
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The Cathedral of Catania

Italy offers many romantic spots for couples, but one of the top five places to visit in Sicily is Catania’s old town. This historic square houses the Catania Cathedral, originally built in 1078 atop the ruins of Roman Baths. After several earthquakes, the cathedral has undergone multiple restorations.

The cathedral’s front façade features grey stone and ornate statues of religious figures. Inside, a large domed basilica sits at the back of the main aisle, adorned with beautiful frescoes at the main altar and decorative artwork. The tomb, carved by Bellini, showcases Greek scrolling, Roman reliefs, and Baroque columns.

In the same piazza, you’ll find the Elephant Obelisk, a striking symbol of Catania, along with a charming fountain and other stunning architectural pieces. The combination of historical depth and visual beauty makes Catania’s old town a perfect destination for couples seeking romance and cultural enrichment in Sicily.

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The Valley of the Temples

Sicily boasts some of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world, even surpassing those in Greece or Rome. The city of Agrigento, founded by the Greeks in the 6th century B.C., is a must-see and definitely in the top five sights in Sicily.

Modern-day Agrigento looms above the archaeological park, the largest in the world. I paid 15 Euros to visit the temples, gardens, and museum, while my 15-year-old grandson Kamren entered for free.

It takes about an hour to walk through the entire park. Grab a map or an audio guide at the entrance to help navigate and understand the park, as some temple ruins are in better shape than others. It was a very romantic experience, perfect for couples visiting Sicily, Italy.

Villa Romana del Casale

Piazza Armerina

The town of Piazza is very old. But people became a popular historical site when a very refined mosaic floor was discovered. Honestly, I was expecting to be blown away, but I was. We arrived on an afternoon when the light cast a magical glow over the city.

Taormina

Alas, Taormina gets pretty busy with tourists. The community garden in Taormina, Sicily, is a public park where locals and visitors can find a little shade, take a break from the crowds with loved ones, and enjoy the ocean breezes and blue-green water below.

There are many interesting structures, statues, trees, and fountains with benches to sit and take it all in. Unfortunately, parking in that area is also limited so consider adding it to your evening stroll.

Teatro Antico di Taormina

Setting the Stage A Greek Tragedy

Many of the sights in Sicily are ancient. The dramatic venue set the stage for musical and theatrical performances. The Teatro Antico di Taormina, a Greek theatre, was built in the 3rd century BC.And Mount Etna looms in the background. However, experts believe Romans actually built it, as it features brick construction rather than stone, despite its Greek style.

I sat down under the burning sun. Surrounded on three sides by the sea to contemplate the efforts in building, let alone attending a show centuries ago.

Admire the centuries-old architecture and feel the pulse of history with every step you take in these timeless Italian medieval towns.

Mount Etna

You can only see Sicily with a visit to Mt Etna. The lava and smoke make quite the first impression when flying into Sicily. Hence, it’s just a little unsettling to be living at the base of the largest active volcano in Europe. As a result, Mount Etna has devastated Catania more than once over the city’s centuries-old existence. Therefore, most of Catania’s architecture is Baroque. In addition, many parts of the island still have Greek and Roman architectural remnants. The last eruption was way back in March. So it’s a real consideration.

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