Family Holidays: Sicily family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

If the Greeks provided the earliest influences on art and architecture, the successive invasions of Romans, Arabs, Normans, French and Spanish each added another layer to make this such a fascinating island to visit. Coupled with beach resorts that range from fishing villages to hotel villagio development, Sicily is for those families that are willing to do a bit of exploring. Nowhere is Sicily's exciting past more evident than in its capital city, Palermo, with a jumble of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Medieval, Baroque and Art Nouveau. Taormina, in the South East is Sicily's grandest resort, with Etna as a backdrop and its very own Greco-Roman theatre and mediaeval town centre. Catania, the second city of Sicily, opens onto the Gulf of Catania. One of the oldest cities of Sicily, it dates from the 8th century B.C. Sicily also controls a string of offshore islands, including Ustica; the Aeolians (mainly Stromboli, Vulcano, and Lipari) where you can enjoy a family mud bath; and the Egadis, lying off the west coast.

Top left: Ancient theatres
Top middle: Wonderful architecture
Top right: Secret Gardens

Bottom left: Cathedrals
Bottom right: Castles

When

Sicily is all year round destination and afficianados will each have their favourite times to visit. March and April see the end of the winter rains, with the island at its greenest and interesting Easter festivals to discover. May and June are perfect before the island gets too hot but with pools and the sea inviting you to swim. The peak summer months bring the most tourists and will test your enjoyment of the passeggiata as you join the great hot squeeze in Taormina’s Corso Umberto. Autumn stays warm so is as good a time as any for combining a swim with sightseeing – the perfect October half-term destination for the cultured family.

How

There are several charter flights to Catania from Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester with fewer to Palermo. British Airways started its Gatwick to Catania service with fares from £98 return including taxes, while Ryanair’s low cost flights to Palermo have opened up access to the western end of the island. Find the best flight deals with partners Opodo.

Stay

There are tons of options for families in Sicily, and a lot depends on your budget, and how much you want to explore. You can choose a base and stay put, or hire a car and stay at a selection of hotels or B&Bs. Taormina can be a terrific base, and is certainly popular with families looking for a beach resort holiday. We suggest the rather marvellous Villa Belvedere for a off-the beaten-track holiday, or for a resort holiday Kamarina Village, from Club Med, with terrific facilities and of course great childcare, (from age 2 yrs). Partners Active hotels have some great deals for family hotels in Sicily, click here to take a look at our favourites.

Do

Visit the terrific temples at Agrigento, Segesta, and Selinute.

Take a ride down the cable car from Taormina to the beach at Mazzaro.

Stroll the atmospheric alleyways in Cefalu and Siracusa.

Take a boat trip to the Aeolian islands; Making sure you all enjoy an icy granita in the Lipari’s port.

Take a trip to the morning fish market in Trapani and the panoramic view from Erice.

Just laze with the kids by the sea or pool before dressing up in famiglia for your evening entry in the Passegiata.

Click here for an up to date family friendly events guide to Sicily.

Eat

Sicilian cuisine is naturally dominated by seafood, plus vegetables such as aubergines and fennel. Try typical Sicilian dishes such as Pasta con le Sarde – pasta with sardines, fennel, pine nuts and raisins, Involtini di pesce spada – grilled rolls of sword fish with a herb stuffing – or Spaghetti a la Norma – a sauce made from aubergines, ricotta cheese, basil and tomato. And if that’s too adventurous for your children, there are all sorts of good sandwiches and many varieties of pizza.

Cost

A week's family holiday in Sicily can cost less than £500 per adult including flights and car hire, sharing an apartment or villa in low season. At peak times prices can rise to £700 and more, depending on the standard of accommodation. Hotels and B&Bs can be a truly cost effective option from as little as £30 per night.