Sicily | Road Trip Along the West Coast
Our trip to Sicily was one of the most unforgettable, even though I’ve traveled quite a bit and thought there was little left that could leave me speechless. Sicily managed to do it. This island can only be described in superlatives: the most beautiful, the wildest, and the most fascinating part of Italy. In short: If you’ve had enough of calm, relaxed vacations and are craving an emotional kick and are open to surprises, then Sicily is exactly what you need. But not the touristy eastern part of the island — I’m talking about western Sicily, where it’s most authentic and wild.
Although Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy, it differs so much from the rest of the country that it almost feels like a different land. This is because Sicily lies between two continents—between Europe and Africa—and is influenced by both worlds. Sicily is full of contrasts, shaped by several cultures over the centuries. From the first minutes you spend here, it quickly becomes clear that the island has its own character: headstrong, open yet wild, sunny yet windy, and incredibly diverse. Anyone who visits Sicily once will never forget it. And while not everything in Sicily is beautiful, you will always want to return. Why it’s so easy to fall in love with Sicily and what you absolutely have to see in western Sicily, I’ll tell you here.
The city of Mazara del Vallo is a living museum, a fascinating mix of historical relics and modern flair. Founded in the 9th century BC, it has undergone a rich history shaped by various civilizations such as the Romans, Arabs, and Normans.
Another must-see in Sicily is the Tonnara di Scopello — a picturesque bay with crystal-clear turquoise waters and old stone fisherman’s houses. This place dates back to the times of Roman and Arab rule. Here, time seems to stand still, everything is as it was decades ago — the magical charm of the Italian coast from days gone by. It feels like stepping into a postcard scene, and it’s no wonder that it’s a beloved photo location for every blogger.
SICILIAN CUISINE: THE BEST OF MANY CULTURES
Like the entire island, Sicilian cuisine is influenced by various cultures. In ancient times, Sicily was first settled by the Greeks and later ruled by Arabs and Normans. You can find Spanish, Greek, Arab, and even African culinary traditions in Sicilian cooking. The Arab influence shows in the use of citrus fruits, saffron, melons, cinnamon, and nutmeg in dishes. The Greeks brought fresh vegetables, olives, and fish. The influence of African cuisine can be seen in couscous. But the true highlight of Sicilian cuisine is the desserts! No matter which village you visit or which café you order cake from, it will be an unforgettable experience!
SIGHTS IN SICILY
One city I definitely recommend is Marsala, founded by the Carthaginians, where Norman architecture has been well preserved. On the road from Marsala to Trapani, you’ll find one of the most famous sights in western Sicily: white salt pans with colorful water basins and old windmills, where salt is still harvested the traditional way. The small but sweet town of Trapani reminded me of Mykonos — white houses, blue sea, and shining sun. And I especially loved the town of Mazara del Vallo. Its historic center looks like a labyrinth of narrow streets, with walls adorned with mosaics.
A true highlight in Sicily is Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are more temples here, and they are in better condition than those on the Acropolis in Athens. Covering an area of 1,300 hectares, there are 10 well-preserved temples. I couldn’t believe my eyes as we drove past. Imagine this: you’re driving through Sicily on a country road, everything looks as usual — fields, olive trees, barns and suddenly, out of nowhere, you see a giant temple, not a ruin but perfectly intact.
Our hotel Hotel Giardino di Constanza Resort was a bit away from all these cities, but not too far, and I think it was one of the best hotels in western Sicily and highly recommended. The breakfast there was fantastic — you know my love for delicious breakfasts. The buffet had everything: from classic continental breakfast to various kinds of Italian cakes. I could hardly tear myself away, and only the thought of the locations still waiting for me could drag me away from the breakfast table.
It’s not just the cities in Sicily that are spectacular. The landscapes are so stunning that they sometimes seem almost unreal. On our drive through western Sicily, we passed so many picturesque landscapes with huge poppy fields, rolling hills, and sparse olive groves. Originally, we wanted to visit the town of Corleone, made famous by the Mafia family trilogy from Francis Ford Coppola. And by the way, not only did this famous family come from the town, but Al Pacino, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role as Michael Corleone, has roots in Corleone.
SICILY: A PARADISE ON EARTH
The sights in Sicily are not limited to ancient cities or Greek temples. One of Sicily’s greatest attractions is nature itself. By springtime, everything here is in bloom. I’ve never seen such vast flower fields as I did here! They stretch across the hills as far as the eye can see! Sicilian landscapes have something very primal about them. Sicily resembles a paradise on earth: everywhere you find orange groves, olive orchards, and endless flower fields. You can already experience the scent of wild herbs and the chirping of crickets in March! If you want to see the most beautiful parts of western Sicily, drive through the countryside from village to village, slightly off the highways. Only here will you find such idyllic villages, rolling hills, beautiful gardens, and flower fields stretching to the horizon.
I fell in love with the Sicilian coast, the wide meadows, and the endless Sicilian sky. But every love story has its dark sides and sad moments. Three days after our arrival, I was on the verge of canceling everything, exchanging my flight ticket, and flying back. Sicily shocked me with things I hadn’t expected. Many cities and suburbs along the west coast are very poor, unattractive, and full of abandoned construction sites. But for those who don’t let themselves be put off by the less attractive sides and don’t rush home too soon, Sicily will slowly reveal its true character, and you will be enchanted.
Sicily is a world of its own and vastly different from the rest of Italy. Once you’ve seen Sicily, you’ll never forget it: endless flower fields, olive orchards, vineyards, an incredibly delicious cuisine, and the warm Sicilian hospitality. Sicily is warm not just because of the climate and sunshine but also because of its warm-hearted people. Everywhere in Sicily, we were initially looked at skeptically as strangers, but then bid farewell with a big, warm smile. I can’t wait to fly back to Sicily to see the coast, the wide meadows, the endless blue sky, and the colorful flower fields again.
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