49 Best Sights in The Tyrrhenian Coast, Sicily

There's no doubt that the highlight of Castel di Tusa is its beaches, which stretch out from the beginning of the Tusa Cape in the east and end on the other side of the town at the Lungomare di Tusa. The beaches here vary from rocky, pebbly ones to golden sandy ones. Generally, Sicilian beaches are rustic with minimal facilities. Sicilians like to find a secluded spot to swim and sunbathe and might bring something for a picnic along with a simple beach umbrella. The same can be said for Tusa beaches: very basic but with crystal clear waters. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; walking.

This late-Roman villa was accidentally unearthed during construction work for the nearby autostrada in the early 1980s, and the archaeological area has since recovered a complete Roman aristocratic home. The villa is filled with fascinating details, including mosaic tiled floors, walls, and doors.

Capo d’Orlando has a long strip of beachfront to explore, stretching out in both directions along the coast. The lungomare is the town's main strip, with plenty to entertain tourists in the high season, including restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and kiosks where you can buy anything needed for a day on the beach. The promenade is especially popular in the cooler post-sunset hours, when locals and tourists alike enjoy a passeggiata, bike ride, or jog. At the eastern end near the lighthouse, the path ends, but you can carefully walk by the road as far as San Gregorio, famed for the 1960s smash hit "Sapore di Sale," and its eponymous gelateria. Farther on is the sleek but soulless marina, which opened in 2017 and is lined with some interesting vessels, a motel, and a handful of uninspiring shops and eateries.

Located high above Mistretta are the ruins of this Arab-Norman castle. At over 3,000 feet above sea level, the location offers some spectacular views out to the coast and the highest peaks of the mountains from Santa Croce down to Santo Stefano di Camastra. The remaining structure of the castle gives you an idea of its original dimensions, which were built to defend the city and look out all along the coast. The castle was also connected to an extended walled perimeter that encircled the original town.

The exterior of this church may seem a bit run-down, but take a step to see the intricate details and explosions of excessive ornamentation. The old monastery dates back to 1450 and is a testament to the wealth derived from the lands and agricultural wealth of Polizzi Generosa. The church is filled with elaborate stonework and intriguing canvases, most strikingly San Benedetto in trono fra i Santi Mauro e Placido by Giuseppe Salerno (1573--1633). Of particular note is the exquisite floral ironwork in the upper choir, a 15th-century statue of Santa Margherita replete with dragon's tail by Domenico Gagini, and a well-preserved and vibrant majolica tile floor.

For lovers of ceramics, this local museum is the best place to learn about the ancient art that has been practiced here since the Greeks colonized Sicily. It has a fantastic, if rather eccentrically curated, collection of ceramics from throughout this history as well as original pieces from local artisans. The museum is housed in the sadly decaying Palazzo Trabia, an aristocratic palace acquired by the local government and converted especially to house these extensive ceramic exhibitions.

This interesting museum is housed in a beautifully restored palace that belonged to the Mastrogiovanni Tasca family. It displays an array of local artifacts that testify to the long and complex history of Mistretta and Sicily. Among these is a collection of various archaeological finds from the area on the ground floor, including items from the Roman period up until the Middle Ages. The local historical library's collection of rare and ancient books is located on the mezzanine level and includes volumes recovered from the town's Franciscan convents. The building also hosts the local historical archives. In the halls of the main floor, a series of local religious paintings recovered from the Capuchin convent includes one attributed to the Flemish master Matthias Stom.

This local museum is dedicated to several significant historical periods, with the collection divided into three parts. The first and second floors focus on travel and local folk traditions, with many objects and artifacts derived from the personal collection of a local aristocrat who devoted his life to traveling the world. There is also a selection of local folk art and traditions, including Sicilian marionettes and decorative Sicilian carts from the 19th century. The other sections are dedicated to the period of Italian unification in the late 1800s.The building housing the collection is also noteworthy, featuring a historic bell tower and clock dating back to the 1800s; you can climb up and see the intricate clockwork, hear the donging bells, and even see the oil can and tools used to keep it running smoothly the local town council.

This museum displays the private collection of Baron Enrico Pirajno di Mandralisca, a member of a local aristocratic family. Throughout his life, Mandralisca collected antiques, artwork, fossils, ancient ceramics, and various other geological and natural history objects to form this extensive collection. His library and other items were eventually donated to the town and became this museum. The most significant piece of art here has to be the Portrait of an Unknown Man by Antonello da Messina. Sometimes called the "Sicilian Mona Lisa," the portrait of a mysteriously smirking man is one of the early Renaissance artist's masterpieces.

This civic museum is housed in a spectacular golden stone palace, typical of Gangi's architectural style. The friendly, informative staff may point out the symbolism among the 96 colorful paintings depicting Gangi's landscape and life by honorary cittadino Gianbecchina (1909--2001), a maestro of "Lyrical Realism." The upper floors hold various objects excavated from local archaeological sites as well as eclectic items related to local history, including a fascinating, if unsettling, array of firearms from around the world.

Begun in 1906, the Targa Florio car race weaved its way through the picturesque towns and villages of the Madonie Mountains every year until it was stopped in 1977 for safety reasons; today the same route is driven as part of the annual Italian Rally Championship. Collesano has been an important stage of the race since its inception, and today the city is home to a museum dedicated to the history of the car race. In a detailed exhibition, you can learn of its origins and participants, including some of the most famous drivers that Italy has ever produced. It's an excellent museum for those who love racing and cars.

The Castello di Milazzo is home to this museum founded by Sicilian marine biologist Carmelo Isgro who recovered the remains of a sperm whale that died after it was caught in an illegal fishing net off the Aeolian Islands. Isgro reconstructed the whale's skeleton, and it became the central figure of the museum along with other exhibits that highlight the relationship between man and the sea and how it can be improved. While the museum is free, you still have to book your ticket online at least 24 hours in advance.

The best way to experience Gangi is by walking through its historical center and evocative ancient streets. Walk along the Corso Umberto I and Via G.F. Vitale until you get to this late-18th-century palace constructed by the Bongiorno family, the barons of Cacchiamo. The three-story court is filled with decorative frescoes, various artworks, and royally sumptuous details.

This adventure park is located inside the Parco delle Madonie and offers several activities, including archery and obstacle courses, through the forest and above the trees on rope ladders. There are different levels of varying difficulty, which are designed for children and adults alike. You can also rent a tree house or glamping accommodations to spend the night suspended 20 feet above the ground.

This secluded natural sea pool is located at the end of Milazzo's long, wild cape. A meandering rustic path will take you on a 20-minute walk down to the unique natural rock formations that create pools of variable depths. You're able to swim in them, but there are no changing rooms, toilets, or places to buy food or drinks so be sure to bring everything you need.

Located in the geographical heart of the Parco delle Madonie about a half-hour north of Petralia Sottana, the hamlet of Piano Battaglia makes a good day trip for anyone hoping to have a true mountain experience. This is where locals, and many Palermitani, come to enjoy the mountains, whether it's skiing in the winter or picnicking in the summer. The visitor center is a good place to find out about any number of summer and winter activities, including snow tubing, sleighing, skiing, mountain biking, and hiking excursions, and to have a snack at Café Fun Park.

This square is the civic center of town and is home to the local town hall, a neo-Gothic style palace that was once a Carmelite convent. Surrounding the piazza, there are important aristocratic palaces, including the Palazzo Pottino, which contains the grand, frescoed, 19th-century Salone Delle Feste, which hosted a dinner dance for Umberto di Savoia, Crown Prince of Italy. The palazzo is open to the public on various Sundays.

This central square houses an elaborate 18th-century Baroque water fountain whose mountain water source has been vital for centuries. The Fontana dei Quattro Cannoli was once the social and commercial heart of the medieval city.

This church is located high above town, reachable by walking up the zigzagging road along the Strada Provinciale 147, or the signposted path at Via Libertá 87, by the candy store. Once you get up the steep hill (and it will be a bit of a workout), you can admire the breathtaking views along the coast; you can even see the peak of the Madonie above Palermo in the distance. The church itself houses the statue of the town's patron saint, the Madonna Maria Santissima, taken in a procession around the streets as part of feast day celebrations in October.