If looking for a breathtakingly beautiful and culturally rich destination, Sicily is definitely the place to visit. This Italian Island located in the Mediterranean Sea has something to appeal to every kind of traveler, whether it is to experience a buzzy city on a backpacker’s budget or an upmarket resort for a restful coastal vacation.

Sicily is easily accessible through two international airports situated in Palermo, the capital city, and Catania.  Within a couple of hours of the airport it is possible to enjoy the sights and sounds of city life, soak up the sun on the many stunning islands or retreat to the mountains.

Historians will be spellbound by the immense scale of the Ancient Greek ruins of Agrigento and Selinunte. Geologists will be enthralled by Sicily’s volcanic mountains and archipelago. Food lovers will have plenty to feast on, locals are fiercely proud of their local produce including wines, cheeses, lemons, almonds and pistachios and specialties like arancini, granita and brioche, and caponata.

For holidays makers seeking sunshine during shoulder season in spring or summer, Sicily is ideal as it enjoys a mild climate for much of the year. Catch some late summer or early autumn sun on the beach once the tourists have returned home. For the remainder of the year, while it may not be sunbathing weather, conditions are perfect for sightseeing. This means a medium suitcase filled with a lightweight jacket, warm layers, and good walking shoes is all that is required. If visiting Sicily, here are five of the most stunning places to take in during a trip at any time of the year:

Palermo

Palermo, the Sicilian capital, is famous for its Norman architecture, baroque churches and cathedrals, and beautiful natural parks. Palermo is a youthful, edgy city creating a unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else, making it a great city to visit. It is also home to a vibrant food scene that highlights some of the traditional Sicilian dishes like caponata, a stew made with eggplants, tomatoes, onions, celery, olives, and raisins, and cannoli, a sweet pastry filled with sweetened ricotta cheese. Popular tourist attractions in Palermo include the Church of Santa Chiara, the Royal Palace of Palermo, and the Cathedral of Monreale.

Favignana

Located off the coast of the western coast of Sicily, Favignana is a picturesque town with a beautiful coastline made up of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. The town is also known for having some of the best beaches and scuba diving spots in all of Italy. One of the best beaches to visit in Favignana is the Spiaggia di Mare. Check out some of the most popular dive sites in Favignana including Punta Fuori Dal Mare and Cala dell’Elefante. There are many restaurants in town that serve delicious fresh seafood dishes and nice bars to relax and unwind at the end of the day.

Agrigento

Agrigento is one of those places that is overlooked a lot of the time by travellers to the island of Sicily, but it shouldn’t be. There are plenty of sights here to see, especially the ones under the ground. There is a wealth of historical artefacts to be discovered with Ancient Greek ruins and a maze of catacombs. After a morning of sightseeing stop off and enjoy a little refreshment at the café on the Piazza della Signoria. They make some of the best ice cream and granita on the island.

Noto

Noto is known as the “Jewel of Baroque Sicily”. This city is a living museum of architecture which is full of stunning examples of classical Sicilian style. Visitors have the chance to explore some beautiful buildings including the Duomo di Noto, the Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata and the San Giovanni Battista church as well as exploring some of its other attractions such as the Viale della Libertà promenade with its views of the coast.

Ragusa

Ragusa is a beautiful city with ancient ruins, churches and palaces. It is a great place to visit for its culture and history. The city has a lot to offer tourists, including the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II which is the main shopping street and a must-see for visitors to the town. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to stop to eat, as well as beautiful architecture and fabulous views from the rooftops of the city. There are Roman mosaics to see in the churches, and some great hiking trails in the surrounding areas. When visiting Ragusa don’t miss out on a visit to the spectacular Greek-Roman theatre. This is a pretty spectacular sight, particularly in the summer when performances take place in the evenings. There is a walking trail which leads up through the hills and offers beautiful views over the city and the surrounding area. It is the perfect blend of countryside calm with plenty of beaches and life nearby.