Why Sicily is the perfect holiday destination for families
Italy is often touted as a wonderful holiday destination for families with plenty to keep all ages entertained however, a Sicily family holiday potentially offers the very best that Italy can offer when it comes to days out ideas, beaches, culture and cuisine and therefore can certainly lay claim to being the most family friendly destination in Italy.
So what is there for children to enjoy on Italy’s largest island? Here are our top 10 favourite days out in Sicily suitable for all ages, from toddlers to strapping teenagers!
1. Make a splash at the waterpark
Sicily can boast over 250 days of sunshine each year, with temperatures in the 70s as early as April and as late as October. With such a long Summer to make the most of on the island, it won’t come as a surprise to find that Sicily has its fair share of waterparks in which to cool off. One of the largest is Etnaland, home to Europe’s largest wave pool as well as a host of water slides and rides, all in the shadow of Mount Etna which looms in the background. Other water parks worth trying include Acqua Verde and Acquapark Conte but there are many more smaller parks dotted around the island to enjoy as well.
2. Brave the rides at Sicily’s scariest theme park
Etnaland is not just home to a waterpark. It is also where families will find a fantastic theme park with plenty of hair-raising rides to test the bravery of even the most fearless amongst your children! Don’t worry if you have younger children…. there are plenty of more sedate rides on offer for younger family members too.
3. Fire up the adrenalin with some adventurous activities
Sicily is also the ideal place to try your hand at some outdoor pursuits for the first time. Rock climbing is extremely popular on the island. The largest site is at Monte Pellegrino in Palermo but beginners and younger family members may find the San Vito climbing area near Trapani has better routes to start off with. Alternatively, canyoning is on offer in the Alcantara gorge as well as other locations on the island, giving you the chance to abseil, jump and slide your way from the top of a canyon, river or valley to the very bottom. Adventurous activities on offer aren’t just confined to land either. There are numerous water sports on offer along Sicily’s 1000 km of coastline. Whether you want to try your hand at water skiing or kite surfing, canoeing or paddle-boarding, there is plenty on offer. Or why not head underwater to try your hand at diving in one of the many excellent dive spots, many of which lie in the Zingaro Nature Reserve.
4. Spend the day at the beach
Sicily has plenty of stunning beaches to enjoy. You’ll find long stretches of white sandy beaches, perfect for building sandcastles, as well as plenty of pebbled coves. Some of our favourites include the family friendly San Vito Lo Capo Beach, the beach at Isola Bella which is brilliant for snorkelling and the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve Beach which is again perfect for families since it boasts long stretches of pale sand and shallow waters perfect for little legs.
5. Monkey around in the tree-tops
All family members can enjoy testing their abilities (and bravery!) on a tree-top assault course in Sicily. There are a number to choose from, with most offering different courses based on your age and ability. Situated in the South East of Sicily, Parcallario is the first of these. Here, you can choose between 3 levels of difficulty – beginner, medium and advanced. The park also has a number of zip slides to choose from as well as the option to go climbing up a tree trunk or ‘dough-nutting’ down the hillside. Other adventure parks include Nebrodi Adventure Park, the Monti Rossi Adventure Park in Catania and the more newly opened Adventure Park Casaboli.
6. Explore Sicily’s wildlife
For those who have children with an interest in animals, you must head to the Bio–Park of Sicily. It’s a superb zoo, with conservation, training and education very much at the heart of what it does. It also offers the chance to see a wide variety of animals, reptiles, birds and even dinosaurs thanks to its collection of life-sized prehistoric beasts including the Tyrannosaurus Rex! Alternatively, head to the Butterfly House in Viagrande. With a wealth of butterfly species to spot, it’s the perfect stop to fill an hour or two. If you want to get as close as possible to these beautiful insects, then wear lots of bright colours which will encourage the butterflies to land on you! Or to see wildlife in its natural habitat, you only need to explore some of the most beautiful parts of Sicily. Flamingoes can be spotted in the Vendicari Nature Reserve whilst the Zingaro Nature Reserve in the North West is incredibly unspoilt and has a wide range of amazing flora and fauna.
7. Climb Mount Etna
One of Sicily’s most famous attractions is its volcano. This active volcano never fails to capture the imagination of children however, little feet may find a walk to the summit far too tiring. To avoid the moans and groans, why not consider exploring Mount Etna in a more novel way on a donkey trekking tour. Or if you’re not keen on a serious trek and don’t fancy making your way up the mountain on a four–legged friend, then make the most of the funivia that runs from Rifugio Sapienza up the mountainside. A minibus can then take you from here to the crater area avoiding the possibility of tired little feet.
8. Enjoy a hands-on history lesson
Sicily has an incredibly rich history and is home to some of the most spectacular Greek and Roman remains anywhere in the world. Arguably the most famous of these is the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi), an enormous archaeological site which contains both Roman and Greek remains. The latter include the Temple of Concord as well as the Temple of Juno. Children can wander amongst these and learn what life would have been like in ancient times. Other ancient sites on the island worth a visit include the Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina, (the world’s largest collection of Roman mosaics) and the incredible Roman amphitheatre in Siracusa where children can learn about the battles which would have taken place here between gladiators and wild beasts.
9. Enjoy a show at the puppet theatre
Puppetry has a long and rich history in Sicily going back over 200 years. The theatre in Siracusa is certainly the most famous of the puppet theatres on the island. Here, visitors can enjoy a walk around the puppet theatre museum to learn more about its incredible history as well as enjoying a show – ‘opera dei pupi’. Puppeteers will perform plays using handmade wooden puppets in exquisite costumes, which never fail to fire up the imagination of young children.
10. Hire bikes for the day
Sicily is a great island for cycling and there are plenty of great cycling routes to follow. Either opt for a full or half day organised excursion with a guide or simply hire bikes, pack a picnic and explore on your own. Mountain bikes, road bikes and even e-bikes (for those teens who can’t quite summon up the energy!) are all available for hire. The scenery is incredible and all members of the family will love the chance to explore on two wheels, through olive groves vineyards and orchards, through idyllic villages and even along the stunning Sicilian coastline.
And of course, all these family days out in Sicily have to feature the obligatory daily gelato… or two! There are even reasons to claim that Sicilian gelato will be the best in Italy. After all, many argue that ice cream and sorbet were actually invented on the island when a group of runners brought snow down from the white-capped peaks of Etna to Palermo and Catania where it was flavoured with either honey or sugar and fruits. Seems like a good enough excuse to us to savour all the flavours on offer in the local gelataria!
And, if we’ve whetted your appetite enough, then take a look at the phenomenal apartments and villas in Sicily available to rent for your next holiday through award winning villa rental company, Bookings For You.
