Travelling with a family at times can be challenging but rest assured that Sicily offers many attractions that can be enjoyed by families with children of any age at any time of the year.
SICILY’S ART-SCENE
Art in Sicily is not only the classics, this region offers extraordinary contemporary installations…
and in some of the most unexpected places!
CONTEMPORARY ART
Sicily is home to some of the most surprising and audacious art installations, a great touristic opportunity to please both adults and children of various ages.
The numerous sculptured faces of Filippo Bentivegna’s Enchanted Castle; Alberto Burri’s Crack, a giant labyrinth built on the old town of Gibellina, destroyed in the Belice Earthquake; Andrea Lo Presti’s wacky Hotel, come Museum, the Atelier sul Mare and Mauro Staccioli’s 38° Parallelo, a giant Piramide in the Fiumara Art district; are just a few of the numerous fantastic family friendly locations to visit.
STREET ART
Murales can be found just about anywhere in Sicily.
The little town of Graniti, close to Taormina even hosts guided tours around its streets boasting artists from near and far.
It’s a fun way to get children involved while visiting the more historical sites.
Vivèmu Sicily can assist you in finding the best murals in these cities or even book an expert guide.
FOOD
EATING SICILIAN-STYLE
Some of the most delicious and ready
to eat food comes from Sicily and is locally known in Italian as ‘tavola calda’.
Just think of famous morsels such as arancini and cannoli! These are just two of many other mouth watering treats that are easy to find and of great quality just about everywhere you go, perfect for on the go snacks and so tasty that even the most difficult eater will be star truck.
HOME MADE
Food is a big part of the Sicilian experience so why not try for some hands-on activities!
Many agriturismo, holiday farms, around Sicily offer the opportunity to watch the process of goat, sheep or cow cheese making; the discovery of local plants and herbs.
Cooking lessons, specifically for children, are common around the Island allowing curious little ones to try their hand at such things as pizza, bread or even pasta making.
OPERA DEI PUPI
Pupi, Sicilian Marionettes, and the Opera dei Pupi; puppet theatre; productions emerged in Sicily in the beginning of the 19th Century.
The puppets and the theatre production are considered masterpieces of oral and intangible heritage of humanity, UNESCO listed.
The principal puppet theatres can be found in Palermo and Catania.
MUSEUMS
From WWII to Phoenician salt grinding Windmills, antique wine making instruments to ancient Greek vases, archeological artefacts to the history of cinema. Sicily offers many fabulous museums for families to learn about its rich and vast history but also about the region in modern times. Teenage travellers may also be interested in visiting the mafia museum that gives a non romanticized insight to this challenging side of Sicily.
ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES in SICILY
The ancient Greek temples that can be found in Sicily are the most important examples to be found in Europe.
Mythological stories to be read before visiting these locations may assist in making the visit even more interesting for your little ones.
During the summer months many ancient theatres and other historical locations are the setting for operas, theatre productions and even the concerts of local and international bands. An alternative way to visit these beautiful sites.
SAGRE & FESTIVALS
In Sicily most towns and villages have their very own sagra, to celebrate the fruits of their labours and to show off their local produce. There is a sagra or festival just about every day of the year. Cheese rolling in Novara di Sicilia; the Flower Festival of Noto, the cous cous festival in San Vito lo Capo, Sagra of Pistachio in Bronte; in short something for all tastes and children are no exception.
NATURE & SPORT
There are few places that offer such a diverse range of landscapes, as those that can be found in Sicily. Europe’s highest active volcano offers trekking in the summer and snow activities in winter months. Abundant natural reserves surround the island; donkeys, sheep, goats and cows are easily found in even some unexpected locations and walking along the beach you may just bump into a turtle or two. Easy trekking to discover ancient ruins or natural water reserves such as the Gole di Alcantara; kite surfing lessons for active teenagers, a glass bottom boat cruise to view antique columns, children’s sailing lessons or even a Safari! Hire a quad to explore the Monoliths of Montalbano Elicona or the black slopes and forests of Etna. The options are endless!
SICILIAN BEACH LIFE
For the most part the beaches around Sicily are sandy with shallow water that is very child friendly. In other cases, the beaches are made up of pebbles, the water, however, is generally calm; perfect for children with floaties or older children wishing to try a stand-up paddle board or explore the coast in a kayak. It is often possible to hire these directly at your lido; some of the lido even offer beach service with food and drinks delivered directly to your umbrella.
THEME PARKS
It is worth mentioning that there are numerous parks in Sicily with different themes, for families looking for a more structured family day trip.
Get in touch if you are thinking about or ready to plan your next family holiday!
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