A trip to beautiful Sicily will never disappoint big and small guests. What can you do and see in Sicily with the youngest guests?
Active volcanoes, temples steeped in history, adventurous gorges, diving to explore the colorful underwater world? The sea, myths and stories such as the Cyclops and the Odyssey from ancient times and small islets that are in front of Sicily and some of them are at the height of Africa.
First off, Sicily is a wonderful and extremely child-friendly destination for families. Everything a bit slower and more relaxed. Whether delicious food (generally valid for Italy, but Sicily has the many influences of the island's former conquerors), the finest sandy beaches and, above all, a mild climate all year round. The season starts early and ends late on the island. Bathing weather until the beginning of November is not unusual.
Volcanoes - donkey rides to Etna and boat trip to Stromboli
How about a donkey ride to the summit of etna on the back of a donkey that kids love very much. With a local guide, a safety helmet and together with their parents, the donkeys trot towards Etna, and you have the impression of moving away from the world below the volcano; an unforgettable experience for young and old. If you like it a bit more leisurely, you can of course also take an off-road vehicle to the edge of the crater with a guide and also explore the volcano's underground caves. Not to forget and great fun for children is the Alcantara Gorge, which lies north of Etna. A swimming hot spot - there, the river has eaten through lava rocks from the nearby Etna volcano and created steep walls up to 50 m high.
https://eng.tiowo.com/sicily-excursions/etna-donkey-trek
In addition to Etna, there are also the small offshore islets of Sicily - the Aeolian Islands. You can go island hopping there or take a boat trip to see the Stromboli volcano with its flowing lava flowing towards the sea, an experience of nature and a journey into a fairytale world.
https://eolieexcursions.it/
Not far from Catania and Mount Etna, there is Etnaland for kids. A cable car, a prehistoric park, cable car and a water park with slides and crocodile rapids.
The largest adventure park in southern Italy is in Milo near Catania, which Scarbaglio Park. Whether it's ropes stretched between the trees and two climbing walls, children can test their desire for adventure there.
https://etnaland.eu/en/
https://www.parcoavventuraetna.it/
Lively Palermo - Sicilian pupi and mummies in the catacombs
What would a vacation in Sicily be without palermo? Palermo offers such a wide range of highlights that you could spend your entire vacation there. The city is the synthesis of what was founded by the Phoenicians almost 3,000 years ago, under the influence of their conquering peoples. There are still street names in Arabic today. Among the things to do in Sicily, we recommend two activities in this lively and multi-faceted city with children.
Our first tip is a visit to the International Puppet Museum; to make your own little puppets (Sicilian marionettes), and for the brave, the Capuchin catacombs. A spectacle of mummies that never come back to life awaits you there.
Vendicari - a natural paradise not far from Sicily's most beautiful baroque city - Noto
Just over an hour's drive south of Catania is Noto - UNESCO World Heritage and the most beautiful baroque city in Sicily. In the evening, stroll with almond granita or pistachio cookies amidst the illuminated honey-yellow façade of the magnificent buildings in the center. Granita is crushed ice cream and is traditionally served as breakfast in Sicily with a warm brioche. There are a variety of flavors for young and old: almond, coffee, lemon, mulberry, pistachio; preferably with a portion of cream under or on the granita... mmmmh delicious!
Just a few kilometers from Noto, there is one of the island's most pristine natural treasures. Would the youngest children like to see flamingos and many other rare bird species? Wonderful coastal trails in the Vendicari Nature Reserve, where the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean unfolds before your eyes. Discover the underwater meadows of Posidonia oceanica on a picturesque path with sea views and practice birdwatching with your little ones, over 250 migratory bird species such as flamingos in their natural habitat. Finally, a trip to the pristine beach of Calamosche, a hidden gem of unparalleled beauty. A short adventure trip into the untouched nature of Sicily!
Just a few kilometers from Noto, there is one of the island's most pristine natural treasures. Would the youngest children like to see flamingos and many other rare bird species? Wonderful coastal trails in the Vendicari Nature Reserve, where the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean unfolds before your eyes. Discover the underwater meadows of Posidonia oceanica on a picturesque path with sea views and practice birdwatching with your little ones, over 250 migratory bird species such as flamingos in their natural habitat. Finally, a trip to the pristine beach of Calamosche, a hidden gem of unparalleled beauty. A short adventure trip into the untouched nature of Sicily!
Sicilian culinary - cooking classes and visits to a fattoria
What would Sicily be without the intense aromas and culinary highlights of the island. Sicily's cuisine is a world apart. A visit to a farm is the best trip for younger guests to explore the facets of the island.
Whether a guided tour of the animals (rabbits, geese, turkeys, Girgentane goats - a typical Sicilian breed with twisted long horns, donkeys) and get to know the habits and peculiarities of the life of each individual animal. This is followed by the preparation of some typical regional delicacies (whether cookies, pizzettes or a typical fresh pasta) with their own hands. After this sensory activity, children can (remotely!) Observe the ape nera (black bee), a typical bee in Sicily, and learn what role a queen bee and all her little helpers play.
https://tenuteartemisia.com/de/padagogischer-bauernhof/
https://www.fattoriaspezia.it/en/lafattoria
Sicily's white gold - Trapani salt mills and island hopping on the Egadi Islands
Watchtowers and old windmills, endless white spaces and one of the most incredible landscapes in the entire Mediterranean region. The vast salt fields of 1000 hectares of trapani With its ancient mills, there are also those in beautiful Sicily. Guided tours are offered there during the week, and I had heard that they were described as one of the most beautiful places in the world, even though I only imagined salt flats. But you and your little ones will see how much a place can surprise us. Illuminated by the sun, the place is already fascinating, but at the end of the day, the magic unfolds. Try it out!
From Trapani port, hydrofoils connect the Egadi Islands. White houses with blue shutters, the turquoise blue sea, dolphins and sea turtles. An archipelago of small islets, the Butterfly Island (so called because of its shape) Favignana The largest of the islets is. A little experience awaits the children on Favignan. Observe sea turtles up close. The center is located in the former premises of Stabilimento Florio. Sea turtles that were found in the marine reserve and had an accident and are nursed there again are cared for here.
The small island of Marettimo is also wonderful for hiking... on the highest peak of the island, you can look out over Africa.
The butterfly reserve in Sicily
A magical place unique in southern Italy, rich in over 100 butterfly species. Monte Serra Park in Viagrande near Catania is a natural oasis. The little ones learn a lot about the wonderful world of butterflies. Children will be amazed and fascinated by their bright colors and graceful flight. The butterfly house in Monteserra, the only facility of its kind in southern Italy, is a real “open-air museum” where children and their families can dive into their natural habitat surrounded by over a hundred tropical butterflies. Thanks to a dedicated guide, you will also discover the “background” and all the secrets of insect breeding.
https://www.casadellefarfallemonteserra.it/
And all of Sicily's little treasures can be explored as a family with children from our Antica Masseria Iblea. An ancient masseria with exceptional holiday apartments, delicious breakfasts and sweeping sea views.
