Sicily Geography

This is the largest Mediterranean island with a basically triangular shape where the capes Boeo (or Lilibeo), Passero, and Punta del Faro (or Peloro) are the corners of the triangle. The island is almost entirely covered by hills and mountains (a continuation of the Apennine range) and Mount Etna at 3,261 m / 10,700 Feet, in the east, is the highest point of the island. Etna is a still active volcano.

The only wide valley on the island is the fertile plain of Catania in the east, mostly located along the lower Simeto River. There are also narrow coastal strips in the south and west, and a small fertile plain (the Conca d'Oro) near Palermo in the northwest.

Sicily has many lovely sandy beaches and a wealth of holiday resorts with typical Sicilian accommodation in the forms of villas and apartments. Some of the best beaches are around the Giardino-Naxos area on the East coast. Situated on the waterfront near Taormina, Giardini-Naxos is one of the most sophisticated seaside resorts in Sicily. The sandy beach is one of the best on the island and lies between Capo Taormina in the north and Capo Schiso in the south.

Residents of Palermo, on the north west of the island, flock to Mondello Lido on hot days with its wide, sandy beaches which extend for 2km (1 1/4 miles) from Monte Pellegrino to Monte Gallo.

The best beaches in the north east are found around Mortelle which lies 12km (7 1/2 miles) north of Messina at the northeast tip of the island. The area has many good sandy beaches.

There are also great resorts along the northern coast of Sicily reaching from Trapani and the island of Favignana in the west, past Castellamare, Palermo and along to Cefalu and Gioiosa Marea.

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