Forget Rome: Tourists Are Flocking To These 3 Lesser-Known Destinations In Italy

Rome is the number one destination on the minds of nearly all tourists going to Italy, and can you really blame them? It is, after all, the home of the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican City, and countless more world-renowned landmarks.

If you're a faithful Travel Off Path reader, however, you know by now Rome is merely the tip of the iceberg: Italy has so much more to offer, and if you're looking beyond the most obvious hotspots, you can find the odd hidden gem yet to be spoiled by mass tourism.

That is the case with Sicily, which, believe it or not, is still largely unexplored, despite having featured heavily in the media lately.

Italy's largest island, lying just off the southwestern tip of the Italian boot, it's packed full of perfectly preserved Baroque towns and golden-sand beaches hugged by turquoise seas—and if we may add, it's also home to 3 of the country's trendiest destinations right now:

More Americans Flocking To These Sicilian Hotspots Than Ever Before

#According to the latest figures published by ENIT, Italy's National Tourism Agency, Sicily was visited by 2.9 million tourists in 2025 so far this summer, a 2.4% growth over the previous high season.

The main foreign markets continue to be France, with a market share of 25%, and Germany, contributing with 20%, but the United Kingdom is coming hot on the heels of their European counterparts (15%), and Americans are right behind them (10%).

When it comes to Americans, the rise in visitors is attributed to both Sicily's rising popularity across the pond—we have the White Lotus to thank for that—and the introduction of direct flights to the island, which have made it easier for travelers to get there from across the pond.

Sicily's a big island, though, so if you're wondering where they're going, these are the top 3 most-visited spots and why:

Catania

• Percentage of foreigner visitors: 30–35%
• Average expenditure per day: $98–110
• Average duration of stay: 4-5 nights

With a foreign visitor share of 30–35%, Catania is the third most highly sought-after coastal getaway in Sicily: the island's second-largest city, and a metropolitan zone over a million people call home, it is wedged between the thunderous Mount Etna and the Mediterranean Sea.

Via Etnea is Catania's main vein, and a busy thoroughfare lined with elegant buildings and upscale trattorie atop rooftops, and it leads straight to Piazza del Duomo, a pedestrianized square dominated by a Baroque cathedral.

If you're here for the ancient culture, don't miss out on Catania's Roman Theater, dating back to the 2nd century AD, Castello Ursino, a moated citadel originally built on the coast, and now pushed inland, and the imposing Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena, one of the largest in Europe.

Looking for the nearest beach instead? La Playa di Catania extends for a whopping 11 miles along warm, azure seas, and it's just south of the downtown zone, easily reachable by bus (just look the nearest AMTS stop and hop on line D).

Palermo

• Percentage of foreign visitors: 35–40%
• Average expenditure per day: $104–115
• Average duration of stay: 4-5 nights

The Sicilian capital, and one of Italy's most vibrant cities, with a diverse cultural offer and a growing population already standing at over 1.2 million, Palermo is the second busiest tourism spot on the island this summer.

Similarly to Catania, its historic center revolves around a monumental cathedral: combining not only Baroque, but also Norman, Arab, and Gothic elements, a reflection of the melting pot that is Sicily, it is where several medieval kings, and even Holy Roman Emperors, are interred.

Other must-sees in Palermo include Palazzo dei Normanni, a 12th-century Norman palace, best known for its richly decorated Cappella Palatina, said to rival the Sistine Chapel in beauty.

Whether you're here for the medieval charm, the Godfather filming spots, or the beaches, you won't be disappointed, and the bustling Ballarò Market, where you can sample different arancini, seafood fritters, and fresh panini, and still not spend over $5.

For the movie buffs out there, Teatro Massimo is not only the largest opera house in Italy, but also a location featured on The Godfather Part III, and should you ever need a beach break, of the fine white-sand, turquoise-water kind, Mondello Beach is a short 20-minute drive from the center.

Syracuse

• Percentage of foreign visitors: 40%
• Average expenditure per day: $110–127
• Average duration of stay: 4-5 nights

Leading the trio with a certified 40% of foreign tourists in short-term rentals this summer, Syracuse is Sicily's, not to say Italy's next hot thing at the minute: it's somewhat off-the-beaten-path, but not quite if you're an Italophile, food is great, and it just oozes Old World charm.

It's primarily known as the birthplace of Archimedes (yep, the Eureka! guy), though visitors are likely drawn to its picturesque Old Town, an island baptized Ortigia, connected to the mainland via a string of bridges, and ringed by a scenic lungomare (or coastal walk).

Ortigia is a maze of narrow, cobbled alleys lined with old stone townhouses, family-owned trattorie serving pasta alla norma at decent prices, and ornate church portals—if you want to totally wow your taste buds, make sure you add A Putia Delle Cose Buone to your list.

On top of that, Syracuse is way smaller than Catania or Palermo, with a resident population of around 117,000, and none of the hectic traffic of the latter two.

Needless to say, it feels comparatively more peaceful despite the rising popularity.

Heading to Italy this summer and unsure what to expect, including how much you should tip at local restaurants? Use our recently-launched Traveler Tools to get started.