“Italy without Sicily leaves no image in the spirit. It is in Sicily that we find the key to everything… The purity of the contours, the softness of everything, the yielding exchange of colors, the harmonious unity of the sky with the sea and the sea with the earth.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself. With these words, Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe really encapsulates how the island of Sicily feels. 

To live Sicily like a local, I’ve compiled what, in my biased opinion, is your ultimate, comprehensive guide to Sicily, divided into Part 1: Western and Central Sicily, Part 2: Eastern Sicily, and Part 3: The Islands. I’ve provided tips on where to sleep, where to eat, and what you absolutely can’t miss. You can mix and match any of these suggested stops as you like, whether you’ve got a long weekend in Palermo or a three-month summer vacation to rove around the whole island.