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

Rome is the number one destination on the minds of almost all vacationers going to Italy, and may you actually blame them? It is, in spite of everything, the house of the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican City, and numerous extra world-renowned landmarks.

If you are a devoted Travel Off Path reader, nevertheless, you understand by now Rome is merely the tip of the iceberg: Italy has a lot extra to supply, and in the event you’re wanting past the obvious hotspots, yow will discover the odd hidden gem yet to be spoiled by mass tourism.

That is the case with Sicily, which, consider it or not, continues 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 full of perfectly preserved Baroque towns 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:

More Americans Flocking To These Sicilian Hotspots Than Ever Before

#According to the latest figures revealed by ENIT, Italy’s National Tourism Agency, Sicily was visited by 2.9 million vacationers in 2025 to this point this summer time, a 2.4% progress over the earlier excessive season.

The most important international markets proceed to be France, with a market share of 25%, and Germany, contributing with 20%, however the United Kingdom is coming sizzling on the heels of their European counterparts (15%), and Americans are proper behind them (10%).

When it involves Americans, 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 an enormous island, although, so in the event you’re questioning the place they are going, these are the highest 3 most-visited spots and why:

Catania

• Percentage of foreigner guests: 30–35%
• Average expenditure per day: $98–110
• Average 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.

Via Etnea is Catania’s most important 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 are right here for the traditional tradition, do not miss out on Catania’s Roman Theater, relationship 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’Arena, one of many largest in Europe.

Looking for the closest seashore 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

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

The Sicilian capital, and certainly one of Italy’s most vibrant cities, with a various cultural supply and a rising inhabitants already standing at over 1.2 million, Palermo is the second busiest tourism spot on the island this summer time.

Similarly to Catania, its historic heart revolves round a monumental cathedral: combining not solely Baroque, but additionally Norman, Arab, and Gothic components, 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.

Other must-sees in Palermo embody Palazzo dei Normanni, a Twelfth-century Norman palace, greatest recognized for its richly embellished Cappella Palatina, mentioned to rival the Sistine Chapel in magnificence.

Whether you are right here for the medieval attraction, the Godfather filming spots, or the seashores, you will not be dissatisfied, and the bustling Ballarò Market, the place you may pattern completely different arancini, seafood fritters, and recent panini, and nonetheless not spend over $5.

For the film buffs on the market, Teatro Massimo just isn’t solely the biggest opera home in Italy, but additionally a location featured on The Godfather Part III, and must you ever want a seashore break, of the fantastic white-sand, turquoise-water variety, Mondello Beach is a brief 20-minute drive from the middle.

Syracuse

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

Leading the trio with an authorized 40% of international vacationers in short-term leases this summer time, Syracuse is Sicily’s, to not say Italy’s subsequent sizzling factor on the minute: it is considerably off-the-beaten-path, however not fairly in the event you’re an Italophile, meals is nice, and it simply oozes Old World charm.

It’s primarily often known as the birthplace of Archimedes (yep, the Eureka! man), although guests are doubtless drawn to its picturesque Old Town, an island baptized Ortigia, related to the mainland by way of 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 respectable 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 listing.

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 site visitors of the latter two.

Needless to say, 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 is best to tip at native eating places? Use our recently-launched Traveler Tools to get began.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ nations beneath his belt (and presently 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.