12 Best Things to Do in Sicily With Kids

Sicily offers incredible family adventures that’ll captivate kids of all ages. You can explore Mount Etna’s volcanic craters via cable car, swim in Alcantara Gorge’s crystal-clear natural pools, and discover 2,000-year-old Greek theaters in Taormina. Your children will love spotting flamingos at Vendicari Nature Reserve, splashing at Etnaland Theme Park, and taking hands-on pizza-making classes. From wildlife encounters at Bioparco di Sicilia to exploring historic Syracuse, this Mediterranean island promises unforgettable experiences that blend education with pure fun.

Explore Mount Etna’s Active Volcano Adventures

Start with easy treks around Monti Sartorius or Silvestri Craters, where soft volcanic ash makes walking comfortable for little legs. The Funivia cable car whisks families up to 2,500 meters, eliminating strenuous hiking while delivering spectacular views.

Specialized operators run “Jeep + short walk” combinations perfect for everyone, turning lava fields into outdoor classrooms. These family adventure tours typically last around 2 hours and include engaging activities like games, experiments, and storytelling to keep children entertained while learning. Don’t miss exploring lava caves with provided helmets and torches—guides share fascinating stories about how these underground tunnels formed, making geology come alive through hands-on discovery.

Cool Off at Alcantara Gorge’s Natural Pools

After exploring volcanic landscapes, you’ll want to cool down in the crystal-clear waters of Alcantara Gorge’s natural pools. These stunning turquoise pools were carved by the Alcantara River through ancient lava flows from Mount Etna, creating perfect swimming spots for families.

The Alcantara Gurnes offer five natural pools with milder temperatures than the main gorge, making them ideal for kids. You’ll find shallow areas perfect for splashing and deeper sections for confident swimmers.

The Lake of Venus stands out as the most charming pool, surrounded by dramatic basalt walls. The columnar basalt formations were created when rapid cooling occurred as the ancient lava flows met the river water thousands of years ago.

Located just 25 kilometers from Taormina, these pools provide free access via a short trail. Pack a picnic to enjoy waterfall views while kids play safely in the crystalline waters. It’s a revitalizing adventure combining natural beauty with family-friendly swimming.

Discover Ancient Taormina and Its Greek Theatre

Where else can your family step into a 2,000-year-old theatre while enjoying sweeping views of Mount Etna and the sparkling Ionian Sea? Taormina’s Greek Theatre offers exactly this magical combination.

Built in the 3rd century BC and later transformed by the Romans, this ancient venue once hosted dramatic performances and gladiatorial games.

Your kids will be amazed by the theatre’s massive scale – it seated up to 11,000 spectators and ranks as Sicily’s second-largest ancient theatre. The stone seating tiers are carved directly into Monte Tauro’s rock, creating natural acoustics that still work perfectly today.

After exploring the ruins, treat your family to gelato in Taormina’s charming pedestrian streets. The town’s child-friendly cafés make this historic adventure both educational and deliciously memorable. The theatre continues to serve as an active cultural venue, hosting modern events like the renowned Taormina Film Festival.

Splash Around at Etnaland Theme Park

Sicily’s largest amusement park delivers the perfect antidote to hot Mediterranean days with over 25 water attractions spread across 280,000 square meters at the foot of Mount Etna. You’ll find everything from wave pools and lazy rivers to thrilling waterslides that’ll keep kids entertained for hours.

The dedicated children’s pool area features shallow water and scaled-down slides perfect for toddlers, while older kids can tackle the 100-foot Jungle Splash drop.

Beyond water fun, thirty dry attractions include colorful hot air balloons, mini karting, and gentle carousels for mixed-age families. The park is conveniently located between Paterno and Misterbianco, making it easily accessible from various parts of Sicily. Don’t miss the prehistoric park’s dinosaur trail and ancient civilization themed zones that blend education with entertainment.

Extended summer evening hours mean you can visit during cooler temperatures.

Wander Through Historic Ortigia Syracuse

Two thousand years of history come alive on the tiny island of Ortigia, where ancient Greek temples stand beside baroque churches and mythological fountains bubble with stories your kids will love.

Start at the Temple of Apollo, Sicily’s oldest Doric temple from the 6th century BC. Kids can count the 46 visible columns from the sidewalk and imagine ancient Greek ceremonies.

Next, explore Syracuse Cathedral in Piazza Duomo, where original Greek columns from the Temple of Athena peek through baroque walls – it’s like a building inside a building!

Don’t miss the Fountain of Arethusa, where swans and ducks splash in a mythological spring. Kids love feeding the birds while you share the nymph’s escape story. Look for the unique papyrus plants growing naturally around the fountain, creating an exotic atmosphere that feels like a mini adventure.

End at Fountain of Diana in Piazza Archimede for perfect family photos.

Challenge Yourselves at Parco Avventura Madonie

When your family craves outdoor adventure beyond ancient ruins, Parco Avventura Madonie delivers heart-pumping thrills in Sicily’s stunning mountain wilderness. This first-of-its-kind adventure park offers tree-top acrobatic courses with suspension bridges, zip lines, and rope ladders tailored for every skill level—even your youngest daredevils can join the fun.

You’ll find courses ranging from beginner-friendly routes to challenging nighttime adventures for brave kids.

Beyond the canopy action, your family can enjoy archery lessons, off-road Land Rover tours reaching 800 meters altitude, and controlled Powerfan jumps that simulate parachute drops.

The park’s cozy tree houses let you extend the adventure overnight, while equipped picnic areas provide perfect lunch spots. Nestled within the Madonie protected natural area, this adventure paradise also serves as home to rare local flora and fauna species. With friendly staff and dog-friendly policies, it’s an unforgettable family experience.

Hike the Coastal Trails of Lo Zingaro Reserve

If your family prefers coastal adventures over mountain thrills, Lo Zingaro Reserve offers Sicily’s most spectacular seaside hiking experience. This 7km coastal trail stretches between Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo, perfect for families with its easy-moderate difficulty rating and well-marked paths.

You’ll discover seven stunning pebbly beaches along the way, each accessible via short steep paths. The turquoise waters at Cala Capreria, Cala del Varo, and Cala dell’Uzzo are ideal for cooling off between hiking segments.

Plan 6 hours including beach stops and pack 3 liters of water per person since shade’s limited. The reserve was established in 1981 as Sicily’s first natural reserve, created after successful protests prevented a coastal highway from destroying this pristine landscape.

The trail’s firm sandy terrain handles kids and dogs well, while orange-tinted limestone cliffs provide Instagram-worthy backdrops. Combine hiking with swimming for the ultimate Sicilian family adventure.

Climb the White Cliffs of Scala Dei Turchi

Sicily’s most Instagram-famous natural wonder awaits your family at Scala dei Turchi, where brilliant white limestone cliffs create a stunning natural staircase down to turquoise Mediterranean waters. Your kids will love exploring these marl formations that wind and water carved over thousands of years into perfect stepping stones.

You’ll need timed tickets for 2025 visits between 10am-7pm, so book ahead. The designated paths make it safe for families to descend the natural stairs to the beach below. Pack swimsuits – the sheltered bay offers calm waters perfect for kids to splash around.

Don’t forget your camera! The white cliffs against deep blue sea create magical photos, especially at sunrise or sunset. Nearby beach clubs like Lido Scala dei Turchi provide convenient facilities, shade, and food for families. Combine this with nearby Valley of the Temples for an unforgettable day trip.

Spot Flamingos at Vendicari Nature Reserve

Where else can your family witness elegant pink flamingos feeding in crystal-clear lagoons while Mediterranean waves crash nearby? Vendicari Nature Reserve offers this magical experience along Sicily’s southeastern coast.

You’ll find greater flamingos year-round in brackish lagoons like Pantano Grande, with December and spring months delivering peak sightings.

The reserve’s observation huts let kids watch these graceful birds without disturbing them. Plan early morning or late afternoon visits for active feeding and better lighting.

Sandy trails connect viewing platforms to nearby beaches like Calamosche, perfect for combining birdwatching with beach time. The complete beach-to-beach walk from Eloro to Calamosche covers 5.60 km and makes an ideal full-day adventure for active families.

Pack water, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes since facilities are limited inside the reserve.

Your children will spot herons, storks, and stilts alongside flamingos, making this Europe-Africa migration stopover an unforgettable wildlife adventure.

Experience Wildlife at Bioparco Di Sicilia

Just 20 minutes from Palermo, Bioparco di Sicilia transforms a typical zoo visit into an exciting educational adventure your kids won’t forget. This 60,000-square-meter park houses over 57 animal species from multiple continents, including playful lemurs, zebras, and hippos.

Your children can interact with friendly farm animals like Sicilian grey donkeys and guinea pigs in the dedicated children’s farm area.

The park’s evolution-themed pathway leads through fascinating exhibits, while the Land of Dinosaurs zone features 20+ life-size dinosaur models that’ll captivate young paleontologists. Kids can also explore the impressive aquarium featuring both freshwater and saltwater species for an underwater adventure.

Three outdoor play areas with swings, slides, and a giant chess set provide perfect breaks between animal encounters.

Pack water and visit early morning during summer, as shade is limited throughout the spacious grounds.

Take a Pizza-Making Class in Taormina

Nothing beats watching your kids’ faces light up as they knead pizza dough and create their own edible masterpieces in Taormina’s charming cooking schools. These 2.5-4 hour classes are perfect for families, with professional pizzaiolos teaching authentic Sicilian techniques in English and Italian.

Your children will learn proper dough preparation, creative topping combinations, and watch their pizzas bake in traditional stone ovens.

Classes typically include welcome snacks, drinks, and dining on your homemade creations. Kids receive certificates and personalized aprons as keepsakes. Families can also take home a Sicilian recipe book filled with traditional recipes to recreate the experience at home.

Most venues offer wheelchair accessibility and accommodate dietary preferences for picky eaters. Book through major platforms with instant confirmation and free 24-hour cancellation.

Located in Taormina’s historic center, these hands-on experiences combine culinary education with culture.

Enjoy Wine Tours Near Mount Etna’s DOC Vineyards

After mastering the art of pizza-making, you’ll discover that Sicily’s Mount Etna region offers surprisingly family-friendly wine experiences that captivate kids through volcanic science and stunning landscapes.

Etna DOC wineries like Gambino, Benanti, and Donnafugata provide 60-90 minute tastings with non-alcoholic options for children and spacious gardens for safe exploration.

Your kids will love touching volcanic ash-rich soils and learning how Europe’s most active volcano creates perfect growing conditions.

Historic palmento buildings showcase traditional farming tools, while terraced vineyards demonstrate centuries-old land management techniques.

Choose eastern-slope estates near Viagrande for easy access from Taormina and Catania, or venture to northern slopes around Randazzo for scenic drives. Pioneering estates like Passopisciaro offer specialized contrada-based wine production that highlights how different lava flows and soil compositions create distinct flavors across vineyard plots.

The cooler mountain temperatures at 500-900 meters elevation keep everyone comfortable during daytime visits.

The Sum Up

You’ve got incredible adventures waiting in Sicily! From exploring volcanic craters to splashing in natural pools, your kids won’t stop talking about these experiences. Pack comfortable shoes for hiking, bring swimwear for water activities, and don’t forget your camera for those flamingo spotting moments. Sicily’s perfect blend of history, nature, and fun activities means every family member stays engaged. Start planning now – these memories will last a lifetime!