FAMILY
Start in Palermo and head west for a family adventure featuring street food, ancient ruins and a magical night tour of the city
Palermo by night
To beat the heat of the Sicilian capital in summer, try venturing into town after dusk for a guided night tour, when Palermo’s landmarks are magically illuminated. The walk can take in city highlights such as the medieval Kalsa district, the Arabesque domes of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Norman cathedral of Monreale and UNESCO-listed Zisa palace. getyourguide.com
Gangster’s paradise
Unpick the island’s deep-rooted connection with the Sicilian Mafia, known locally as Cosa Nostra, at Palermo’s No Mafia Memorial museum. It explains the origins of the crime cartel and the government’s efforts to quash the organisation after the Second World War. If you’ve got more time, there are also Mafia-related tours taking in the eastern villages of Savoca and Forza d’Agro, which were key filming locations for The Godfather —a good bet if you’ve got any movie-mad teens in tow. nomafiamemorial.org
Street-food specialities
Sicily’s original thick-crusted pizza is a must try. There’s a topping for every palate so picky eaters are bound to find something they like; the more adventurous should go for the classic, which includes anchovies, herbs and strong cheese on a passata base. For dessert it’s cannoli, deep-fried pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta, that take centre stage. Arancini —fried risotto balls —are another favourite for a cheap meal on the go. A Palermo streetfood tour is a fun way to explore for those whose kids love to try new dishes.
Sicily’s sweet-making centre
With its sloping cobbled streets and crowning castle, Erice —around 70 miles west of Palermo —has a fairytale quality. But in Sicily this town is best known for its almond pastr
