Where to Go in Sicily During Festival Season

The gorgeous Italian island of Sicily is a true jewel in the Mediterranean Sea. Abundant with culture and history, it is overrun by celebrations each year. Nicknamed 'God's Kitchen', the island offers those who wish to visit the best of Italian cuisine, from wines to pastries, and from pasta to seafood. While its welcoming shores are inviting all year round, the ideal way to enjoy this vibrant place is to come during festival season, when the streets are alive with partying and local products, fireworks light up the night sky, and festivities go on for days. By staying in villas in Sicily close to the action, visitors can get front-row access to these events.

Sagra dell'Olio in the Nebrodi Mountains

Blessed with breath taking mountain ranges and incredible beaches, the island offers the best of both worlds. Travellers who prefer a mountain view can go to the local town of Funari, located in the Nebrodi Mountains. Booking in to villas in Sicily here on the last week of July will reward tourists not only with a fantastic view, but also an unforgettable experience. The Sagra dell'Olio, or the Festival of the Olives, is celebrated in Funari every July. The festival starts as locals gather to showcase locally produced olives, olive oil, and wine by setting up tents and stalls, and ends with a party filled with music, good food, and good wine.

Fruits of the Sea Festival in Marsala

The island is also an incredible place to visit for fresh seafood - after all, it is ideally located in the Mediterranean Sea. Visitors can take advantage of this by staying at the heart of celebrations, in one of the many holiday villas. In Sicily, there is an abundance of family accommodation in Mazara del Vallo, Marsala, the home of the largest Mediterranean fishing fleets. It is also where the La Sagra del Mare Festival, or the Fruits of the Sea Festival, is held every August. The culinary festival's highlights involve locals cooking seafood dishes in gigantic pans to serve guests, and culminates in a grand celebration of dancing, fireworks, and wine.

PizzaFest in Seccagrande, the Summer Haven

No visit here is complete without sampling the best local pizza! Located in of Agrigento, Seccagrande has a sprawling beach that gets packed with tourists during summer. At night, the beach comes alive with bonfires and dancing, especially during PizzaFest, when locals set up stalls selling pizza and other traditional food, and visitors staying in nearby villas in Sicily come out and celebrate with one another. PizzaFest is celebrated annually at the height of summer, every second week of September.

If visitors tire of the superb beach and delicious pizza at Seccagrande, they can roam around Agrigento for a different kind of view on Italian life. The city is also known for the Velle dei Templi, a UNESCO Heritage Site consisting of the archaeological relics of seven temples - namely Temple of Juno, Temple of Concordia, Temple of Heracles, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Vulcan, and Temple of Asclepius.

Looking for your perfect home away from home in Italy? Mark Slaviero is a Director of Holiday Homes in Italy, a company specialising in finding the holiday home, villa or apartment of your dreams. For the ideal villas in Sicily and accommodation in Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Lakes, ski resorts and more, we offer the best in every region.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.