Sicily is a region located in the South of Italy with a pleasant climate and some of the best shores in the country.

It’s the biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the southernmost place in Italy, with temperatures among the hottest in the country throughout the year.

We can’t wait to walk you through its wonderful landscapes, cities, its vibrant traditions, delicious recipes and stunning golf courses.

Let’s briefly explore this wonderful region together:

 

Sicily Curiosities and History

The island of Sicily, floating just off the shores of southern Italy, has a long, rich and multicultural history as one of the most coveted prizes in the Mediterranean Sea. For more than 3,000 years, myriad civilisations discovered, conquered, and made their mark on Sicily’s shores, from the Ancient Greeks and the Roman Empire to the Norman and Arabian rulers that thought to cultivate Sicily’s lands.

In the 12th and 13th centuries the island formed a part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (or Naples), and in the 18th century Sicily was ruled by the Bourbons.

During the 19th century the island was a major center of revolutionary movements: in 1860, as a result of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s revolt, it was liberated from the Bourbons and in the following year was incorporated into the united kingdom of Italy. In 1947 Sicily gained regional autonomy.

 

Sicily Landmarks

Looking for the best attractions and monuments in Sicily?

Here’s a short landmark list curated for short stays and for golfers, in order to achieve the most out of the available time and to enjoy the local culture.

Palermo: Cattedrale di Palermo, Norman Palace, Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, Catacombe dei Cappuccini and Palazzo Conte Federico

Siracusa: Duomo di Siracusa, Teatro Greco, Piazza Duomo, Fonte Aretusa and Chiesa di San Giovanni alle Catacombe

Taormina: Ancient Theatre of Taormina, Corso Umberto, Piazza IX Aprile, Chiesa Madonna della Rocca and Chiesa di San Giuseppe

 

 

Food & Wine in Sicily

Sicily, as one might imagine, is rich in culinary and winemaking traditions.

Here are our best recommendations for our beloved golfers and travelers:

Caponata: A Sicilian dish consisting of chopped fried eggplant/aubergine and other vegetables, seasoned with olive oil, tomato sauce, celery, olives, and capers, in a sweet and sour sauce.

Pasta alla Norma: A delicious pasta dish with fried eggplant, tomato sauce and basil. Rich in flavor and energy, it’s a great first course for any meal.

Arancini: The iconic Sicilian street food consisting of rounded balls of cooked rice with savory fillings that are coated with bread crumbs and deep-fried.

Cannoli: Tube-shaped Italian dessert that consists of fried pastry dough stuffed with a sweet, creamy cheese filling.

Nero D’Avola: This deep colored, heavy bodied red wine features dark fruit notes and flavors. A strong and tasty pairing for many recipes, especially for red meats. 

Etna Rosso: This elegant yet powerful red wine features notes of red fruits, good acidity and high tannins. A refreshing pairing for any recipe and meat dish. 

 

What to do in Sicily

Wondering what are the best activities - besides golf - and excursions you can enjoy in Sicily?

Here are our top 3:

Tour Etna & Wine Tasting: Discover the symbol of Sicily when you book this tour of Mount Etna that includes a wine tasting on the volcano’s slopes. Join a small group and drive to the summit of the volcano where you can explore ancient lava tunnels and walk along the craters. Then, visit one of the small, local wineries in the surrounding lands, which produce low quantities of extremely good and prestigious wines.

Boat Tour in Mondello Bay in Sicily: Sailing is the most beautiful way to experience a splendid day at the sea. Seeing Palermo from the sea is a privileged perspective. An excellent way to get out of the heat and chaos of the city.

Markets and monuments: walking tour and street food in Palermo: The ideal introduction for first-time visitors, this small-group walking tour of Palermo covers the highlights of the picturesque seaside Sicilian capital. Cover top attractions like Massimo Theater, the Cathedral, and the Quattro Canti square. Then observe a slice of local life with a peek at the Capo Market where you can sample Palermitan specialties at a small cost.

 

Best Golf Courses in Sicily

This region is home to great golf courses.

Here are some of the best:

 

 

Verdura Golf Club:

Warmed by the Mediterranean sun and refreshed by the sea breeze, the courses are free from any buildings, offering uninterrupted views of the azure waters from the undulating greens.

Home of the European Tour’s Rocco Forte Sicilian Open, Verdura provides golf on a grand scale, with the personal service and attention to detail more usually associated with a private club. Designed to challenge golfers of all levels, the courses are built on spectacular playing surfaces to provide golfing conditions of the highest level.

 

Borgo di Luce I Monasteri Golf Club:

The 18-hole, par-71 course stretches 6,520 yards over verdant terrain surrounded by white limestone hillsides. Designed to thrill with every shot and awarded BVGA 5-Star status in 2023, it stretches across a flat but varied terrain capable of keeping the adrenaline high for the duration of the game. Between swings, close your eyes and be delighted by the aromas of lemons, oranges and prickly pears that line the course.

 

Picciolo Etna Golf Club:

Sicily’s first ever 18-hole golf course! On the slopes of Mount Etna, in an unrivaled location, the Il Picciolo Golf Club course is the first 18-hole, 72-par course built in Sicily.

Developed in 1989 by the renowned architect Luigi Rota Caremoli, this superb course with holes fashioned from the characteristic lava stone of Mount Etna, covers 5,870 metres, with a driving range, putting and pitching green.

 

Sicily Travel Package - Featured Golfing Trips in Sicily

Looking for the best way to experience Sicily and to play golf on its finest courses?

Check out our dedicated packages for the best golfing trips in the region!

 

Syracuse, a Mediterranean paradise

 

In case you have special requests or different needs for your golfing trip, do not hesitate to contact us or request a custom Golf Tour here.

 

Sicily Italy Golf: Is it the destination for you?

Whether you’re looking for a solo golfing trip to play as much as possible or to experience Italy with your friends and family while being able to play golf, this region has lots to offer. Check out our golf travel packages above and find your golfing inspiration in Sicily!

Alternatively, if you’re interested in booking a golfing trip here or anywhere else, you can email us at: info@golftourexperience.com and allow us to meticulously arrange all the services you might need and desire.

See you there!