Viewpoints in Sicily

The best-known viewpoints in Sicily are Erice above Trapani, Segesta, Tindari, the megaliths of Argimusco and La Guardiola near Piraino. They sit on high ground in the north and west of the island and open up views of the coast, the sea and, from Argimusco, Mount Etna. This page presents the viewpoints from the guides, with the panoramas they open up.

Which viewpoints are there in Sicily?

• Erice: hill town at about 750 m with a medieval center and a wide view of Trapani and the coast.
• Segesta: ancient site with a Doric temple from the 5th century BC and a theater, set in the hills of the west.
• Santuario di Tindari: pilgrimage church with the Black Madonna on a headland on the north coast; next to it the ancient theater of Tindari.
• Megaliths of Argimusco: high plateau near Montalbano Elicona with rock formations and a view of Mount Etna.
• La Guardiola: viewpoint near Piraino in the province of Messina, high above the north coast.
• Mount Etna: the highest active volcano in Europe; its slopes open views across the east coast.
• Parco Museo Jalari: park and museum near Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto in the province of Messina.

Which viewpoint suits which wish?

If you want a town with a panorama, go to Erice. If you want to photograph a temple in the landscape, go to Segesta. Tindari suits coast and pilgrimage site, Argimusco rock formations with a view of the volcano. You go to La Guardiola near Piraino for the view over the coast.

When is the light best at the viewpoints?

Erice and Segesta lie in the west of the island. In the late afternoon and evening the sun stands low in the west there, and the light is softer than at midday. You only see Etna well from Argimusco in clear air.

What should you know before you go?

Segesta and Tindari are archaeological sites as well. Admission prices and opening hours are set by each operator and do change, so look them up before the drive. Erice and Argimusco lie high and are usually cooler than the coast, so a jacket is useful. Several places involve paths on uneven ground, and sturdy shoes help.

In which provinces are the viewpoints?

Erice and Segesta belong to the province of Trapani in the west. Tindari, Argimusco, La Guardiola and the Parco Museo Jalari lie in the province of Messina in the northeast. Etna stands in the east, in the province of Catania, and is known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a winter sports area. Beaches nearby are listed under beach, more places under province of Trapani and province of Messina.