12 Best Sights in The Tyrrhenian Coast, Sicily

A visit to this fantastic castle, the biggest in Sicily and one of the grandest in all of Italy, is like stepping into the Middle Ages, complete with a well-stocked medieval armory, creepy dungeon prison, and elegant upper-level rooms decorated with detailed woodwork carving and majolica ceramic floors. The castle was the property of the Chiaramontes, once a powerful Sicilian aristocratic family. The views of the Rosamarina artificial lake and valley below are breathtaking.

This impressive castle fortress was built in 1316 by the Ventimiglia family. With its four imposing watchtowers, it was once the center of Castelbuono and helped the town become the administrative and defensive capital of the Ventimiglias' vast kingdom. Later it also became the prestigious residence of the family. In 1684, the interior was renovated to accommodate the family, and a new chapel was added and filled with decorative stucco embellishments by Sicilian master sculptors Giuseppe and Giaconoo Serpotta and Antonello Gangini; the chapel is now the town's grandest wedding venue. Other parts of the complex house various collections of the civic museum, including rooms dedicated to the history of the castle and town, archaeological finds, sacred art, modern and contemporary art (1905--2017), and often thought-provoking changing exhibitions. One intriguing room displays 40 works by the Castelbuonese artist Paolo Cicero (1885--1931), containing allusions to his relationship with infamous English occultist Aleister Crowley, who established a spiritual center in Cefalù.   

This imposing 1337 Norman tower is attached to the facade of Gangi's "Mother Church," the Chiesa di Saint Niccolò of Bari, with a square bell tower built upon three levels and arabesque arched windows. It was part of the feudal kingdom of the Ventimiglia family, who left marks of their wealth and dominance all over the island. After an extensive renovation, it now houses a permanent exhibition of local artists and Christmas nativity models. The church itself is filled with artwork from the 17th and 18th centuries, including eye-catching sculptures by Filippo Quattrocchi (1738--1813). Descend into the crypt and the macabre catacombs to meet the mummies of 60 priests from Gangi.

Polizzi is full of churches, each one filled to the brim with fascinating artworks, but this one is probably the most gorgeous of all. Its Norman-era foundations have been built upon several times since, including Gothic-era additions by the Ventimiglia dynasty. The centerpiece is an astonishing Renaissance triptych of the Madonna and Child (late 1400s)  by an anonymous, though possibly Flemish, artist. It's sometimes attributed to (though more likely influenced by) the celebrated Flemish painter Rogier Van Der Weyden (1399--1464). As astonishing as it is to see this priceless work of art from northern Europe housed in a church in Polizzi Generosa, its presence gives you a sense of how much wealth was brought to the town thanks to its royal patrons.

Cefalù is dominated by a massive headland—la rocca—and a 12th-century Romanesque Duomo, which is one of the finest Norman cathedrals in Italy. Roger II began the church in 1131 as an offering of thanks for having been saved here from a shipwreck. Its mosaics rival those of Monreale. (Whereas Monreale's Byzantine Christ figure is an austere and powerful image, emphasizing Christ's divinity, the Cefalù Christ is softer, more compassionate, and more human.) At the Duomo you must be respectfully attired—no shorts or beachwear permitted. Three themed tours explore the Duomo complex, taking in the museum, cloisters, roof, and towers (from €10).

Not far from Termini is the hamlet of Buonfornello, a fascinating archaeological site that includes the remains of the ancient city of Himera, founded by Greek settlers in 648 BC. Hannibal later destroyed ancient Himera in 409 BC, and the surviving population moved to the nearby thermal springs, which later became Termini Imerese. The outdoor archaeological area houses the ruins of many Roman temples and buildings. The more important items recovered from the excavations are housed in the on-site museum and in another rather neglected museum located across the SS113 road. Artifacts include bronze and ceramic vases and intricate artworks made with other precious metals.

Cefalù's old stone port and beach make it the town's most wonderful spot to spend time, although it can get very busy with happy snappers. Wander around the pier with its look-out niches for spectacular views of Spiaggia del Vecchio Molo, the picturesque beach backed by the old town's hodgepodge of buildings. White-foamed waves often crash against the rocks and walls, making themselves inviting subjects for fun photographs. For the adventurous and sure of foot, there's a rudimentary concrete path among the shoreline rocks from Largo Eroi del Mare (dedicated to brave men lost to the sea in 1951) as far as Bastione di Capo Marchiafava (with panoramic terrace) and the new port.

A natural salt deposit that was once one of the largest salt mines in Europe has been converted into the town's Museum of Contemporary Art. Aside from browsing the artwork, you can also visit the underground mining caves and see how the salt has been carved into a kind of underground cathedral filled with sculptures. The museum is open sporadically and mainly during the summer months, so be sure to check the website for upcoming dates and book your tickets in advance to ensure your spot.

One of Sicily's most stunning national parks is filled with mountain landscapes, charming lakes, and vivid evergreen forests. The area is easy to navigate thanks to well-kept roads, multiple picnic areas, and the 24 picturesque towns that are found within the park itself. Outdoor experiences throughout the park abound, and you can drive up to Floresta, the park's highest point (and the highest town in Sicily), to see some impressive views of Mount Etna.

Castelbuono is located just outside this 80,000-acre regional park of the Madonie Mountains, which means it is a perfect spot to explore the splendid natural reserve. There are walking paths, camping areas, horse riding, mountain biking, and caving activities to experience. You can even simply take a scenic drive out into the park for a picnic.

Don't be put off by the drab, modern municipal building, which houses the fascinating Capo d'Orlando's contemporary arts center, archive, and gallery. A changing exhibition space staffed by a friendly and informative team displays works by dozens of Italian and international artists who have held residencies as part of an ongoing program that stretches back to 1955 called "Life and Landscape of Capo d'Orlando". One of these first visiting artists was Tono Zancanaro (1906--1985), a Padua native who fell in love with Capo's landscape and people and returned regularly thereafter, leaving a captivating and eclectic documentary collection of his work and Sicilian life.

A very old place of worship, the Santuario di Tindari has been an important place for religious pilgrims since the Middle Ages, after a mysterious statue of the dark-skinned Madonna was retrieved from a nearby beached ship and claimed to be a miraculous image by locals. Today Tindari is still popular with religious visitors and the clergy in general; Pope John Paul II even visited to perform mass in the 1980s. The stunning modern cathedral has been built around the original tiny medieval church, and you can access the old church from a side gate near the front altar. The newer church is filled with mosaic art, stained-glass windows, an impressive church organ, and an elaborate building that still houses the famed Madonna statue.

Located high up in the mountains, Tindari has lovely views along the coast in both directions. Along a side road from the church, past a collection of tourist shops, you will find the archaeological area that includes an ancient Roman theater and several ruins of bathhouses and villas that once accommodated Roman visitors. The small museum here houses five rooms filled with fascinating finds from the site, including a massive sculpture of Emperor Augustus's head excavated in the basilica ruins. 

Below the Church of Tindari, there are also the natural lakes of Marinello and the pristine Spiaggia Mongiove, which are popular places for local beachgoers to explore. Even though the beaches are devoid of facilities, the spot is secluded and quite stunning.