3 Best Sights in Sicily, Italy

This imposing 1337 Norman tower is attached to the facade of the church Chiesa di Saint Niccolò of Bari, with a square bell tower built upon three levels and Arabesque arched windows. It was part of the feudal kingdom of the Ventimiglia family, who left marks of their wealth and dominance all over the island. After an extensive renovation, it now houses a permanent exhibition of local artists and Christmas nativity models. The church itself is filled with artwork from the 17th and 18th centuries and its mysterious and macabre catacombs contain the mummies of 60 priests from Gangi.

If the other palazzoli in Scicli simply hint at the luxury of the town's golden age, then this is a full-on assault on the senses. The exterior is covered by stone-carved statues, including representations of mythical creatures and enslaved people that serve as an essential reminder of the town's role in the region's slave trade.

A moderately easy hike across the beach at Zimmari and up a stepped stone path brings you to Punta Milazzese, the rugged headland along the southern coast. There you'll find the remnants of an ancient Bronze Age village that was inhabited between the 13th and 15th centuries BC. The outlines of the 22 stone huts, discovered in 1948, are clearly visible. During the excavation, examples of Mycenaean pottery were discovered and are now on display in Lipari's archeological museum. A set of steps lead down from the village to Cala Junco below, a rocky cove with clear water that's popular with snorkelers.