Coasts, islands and mountains lend themselves to year-round sporting activities. You can hike in the hills and mountains, explore the undersea world, quad bike on Etna, wade through gorges and explore offshore islands. For the adventurous there are hikes up active volcanoes – with nightly fireworks in the case of Strómboli. Along with skiing and hiking, Etna now offers gorge-trekking, mountain-biking, motorbiking and bone-shaking jeep ascents.
Trekking in the Alacantara gorge, near Etna
Photoshot
Beaches
Unlike Sardinia, Sicily is by no means overrun by swathes of soft sand – some of the best bathing is from coves or rocks, with deep water for diving. The offshore islands have lovely, often volcanic beaches, notably on Ustica, the Egadi and Aeolian Islands. Beaches south of Siracusa are wild and unspoilt, while those between Catania and Taormina tend to be rocky and exciting – though not ideal for swimming or young children. The sea is delightful from May to October, but out of season (November to March) rough waters may bring debris ashore. In high season the easily accessible beaches in the main resorts, particularly on the north coast, are invariably packed.
Hiking up on Vulcano
Neil Buchan-Grant/Apa Publications
Water Sports
Rich in flora and fauna, the coasts are excellent for diving and snorkelling, especially off the rocky shorelines on the smaller islands and along the northern coast.
Ustica, home to a natural marine reserve, has spectacular diving in deep water around the remains of a wreck. Isola Bella, a tiny island off Taormina, as well as Marettimo on the Egadi Islands, are favourites with snorkellers and divers. The Aeolian Islands are perfect for sailing, but mainland Sicily is not well equipped for sailors. The best spots for windsurfing are on the south coast where a strong, dry wind often blows.
Hiking
Sicily’s rugged terrain is well suited to hiking, though there are relatively few established trails. Increasingly popular regions are the Nebrodi and Madonie mountains, both of which offer challenging hikes. In the Madonie trails ascend to the peak of Pizzo Carbonara (1,979m/6,495ft), and the mountains here have rich limestone flora with many rare species.
The Riserva Naturale dello Zíngaro (for more information, click here) is the most well-designed reserve, with trails along the coast via tiny coves with crystal waters, and paths cutting through forest-covered mountainsides. The volcanic landscapes of Etna exert an obvious pull for hikers, but it’s advisable to take a guide and to wear sturdy shoes. (For more information, click here for information on exploring Etna.) The Alcantara gorge also provides fascinating hiking adventures, both in-water and around the gorge itself, whose geometric rocky formations were formed by runoff from Mount Etna. The Aeolian and Egadi islands offer excellent opportunities for hiking, from climbing the craters of Vulcano and Strómboli to off-the-beaten track exploration of remote Filicudi or Maréttimo. Summer heat often becomes unbearable from 11am, so hikers should start early in the morning.
Skiing
Sicily is not renowned for skiing, but its highest peaks have lifts and other facilities. Recent eruptions from Etna, especially in 2012, have caused the skiing areas to close, but the season normally runs from December to March.
Etna’s ski resorts are Linguaglossa on the northern side and Nicolosi on the southern side. Both resorts are suitable for intermediate and expert skiers, but Linguaglossa is the better choice for beginners. The views are spectacular, and of course there is an element of bravado in the idea of skiing on a live volcano.
In the Madonie mountains, the main ski resort is the alpine village of Piano Battaglia.
Cycling
Leisure cycling has yet really to take off on mainland Sicily, but demand has risen from visitors in recent years. Typical bike tours offered by agencies include Etna, the Val di Noto, the Marsala coast or the offshore islands, where cycling is particularly popular (perhaps because it’s flatter) and reflects the slower pace of life.
Specialist UK cycle tour operators, such as Headwater (www.headwater.com), offer self-guided and group guided tours. Most of the offshore islands have mountain bikes to rent at the ports.
Golf
Sicily has a handful of golf resorts, the most luxurious of which is Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, near Sciacca (www.verduraresort.com). The most established club, Il Picciolo (www.ilpicciologolf.com), is an 18-hole, par-72 course on the slopes of Mount Etna. The terrain is pretty challenging, and play can be suspended if lava flows threaten to reach the course.