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

Rome is the primary vacation spot on the minds of practically all vacationers going to Italy, and might you actually blame them? It’s, in spite of everything, the house of the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Metropolis, and numerous extra world-renowned landmarks.

If you happen to’re a trustworthy Journey Off Path reader, nonetheless, you understand by now Rome is merely the tip of the iceberg: Italy has a lot extra to supply, and in case you’re wanting past the obvious hotspots, yow will discover the odd hidden gem but to be spoiled by mass tourism.

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

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

Extra Individuals Flocking To These Sicilian Hotspots Than Ever Earlier than

#In response to the latest figures printed by ENIT, Italy’s Nationwide Tourism Company, Sicily was visited by 2.9 million vacationers in 2025 to this point this summer time, a 2.4% development over the earlier excessive season.

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

In relation to Individuals, the rise in guests is attributed to each Sicily’s rising reputation throughout the pond—we now have 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 a giant island, although, so in case 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 period of keep: 4-5 nights

With a international 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 1,000,000 individuals name residence, it’s wedged between the thunderous Mount Etna and the Mediterranean Sea.

By way of 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.

If you happen to’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.

In search of 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 international guests: 35–40%
• Common expenditure per day: $104–115
• Common period of keep: 4-5 nights

The Sicilian capital, and one among Italy’s most vibrant cities, with a various cultural provide 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 middle revolves round a monumental cathedral: combining not solely Baroque, but additionally Norman, Arab, and Gothic parts, 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 embody Palazzo dei Normanni, a Twelfth-century Norman palace, finest identified for its richly embellished Cappella Palatina, mentioned to rival the Sistine Chapel in magnificence.

Whether or not you are right here for the medieval attraction, 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 totally different arancini, seafood fritters, and contemporary panini, and nonetheless not spend over $5.

For the film buffs on the market, Teatro Massimo will not be solely the biggest opera home in Italy, but additionally a location featured on The Godfather Half III, and must you ever want a seaside break, of the nice white-sand, turquoise-water type, Mondello Seaside is a brief 20-minute drive from the middle.

Syracuse

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

Main the trio with a licensed 40% of international vacationers in short-term leases this summer time, Syracuse is Sicily’s, to not say Italy’s subsequent scorching factor on the minute: it is considerably off-the-beaten-path, however not fairly in case you’re an Italophile, meals is nice, and it simply oozes Previous World attraction.

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

Ortigia is a maze of slender, cobbled alleys lined with previous 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 checklist.

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

For sure, it feels comparatively extra peaceable regardless of the rising reputation.

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

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Journey Off Path, has over 60+ nations beneath his belt (and at present weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that may have you ever packing your luggage.