Cefalù and Taormina among the 20 Best Destinations in Europe for 2026

Let’s start with Cefalù (PA), ranked 15th on the international list. Nestled on the northern coast of Sicily, this fishermen’s village enchants visitors with its monumental historic center, at the heart of which stands a jewel: the Cathedral of Cefalù, which, together with the Cathedrals of Palermo and Monreale, is one of the must-see stops on the UNESCO itinerary dedicated to Arab-Norman architecture in Sicily. Among The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, Cefalù is one of the most evocative destinations on the entire island. Towered over by the rock on which the Temple of Diana (9th century BC) stands, the historical district lies in the shadow of the bastion surrounded by the megalithic city walls, traces of which remain along the Giudecca Cliff (Postierla) and Piazza Garibaldi (Porta Terra). Among the historic buildings not to be missed are Palazzo Maria and the Osterio Magno. Here you’ll find a medieval washhouse powered by the Cefalino River, accessible via a lava-stone staircase (a “lumachella”). Looking for a taste of Baroque? Check out the facades of the Monte della Pietà (1716) and the Church of Purgatory (1668), which preserve several mummies inside. Among the museums, the Mandralisca Museum is definitely worth a visit; it houses the Portrait of an Unknown Man by Antonello da Messina. Foreign tourists love to end their day in Cefalù with a “seaview” dinner in the fishermen’s village, on the pier facing the illuminated cliffs, where you can enjoy the delicacies of the local seafood-based cuisine.

Taormina (ME) closes the “Top 20” list of destinations most loved by international tourists, showcasing its renowned Ancient Theater, located within the Naxos and Taormina Archaeological Park, one of the most visited sites by foreign tourists in Sicily. It’s very easy to fall under Taormina’s charming spell: just stroll down Corso Umberto, passing through the stone arch of Porta Messina, to find yourself at the heart of a vibrant nightlife scene, filled with art shops and trendy cafés, yet one that doesn’t overlook the beauty carved into the stone of historical buildings and monuments, such as the Cathedral of San Nicolò di Bari with the Quattro Fontane fountain right next to it. In a nutshell, it is a destination that embodies the Mediterranean style and the “slow life” so beloved by foreigners in Italy. The must-see spots in Taormina? Palazzo Corvaja, a medieval fortress converted into an art gallery; the Naumachia, used by the ancient Romans to simulate naval battles; Piazza XXV Aprile, at the opposite end of the Corso, toward Porta Catania, a viewpoint overlooking Mount Etna surrounded by the churches of St. Augustine and St. Joseph, with the double staircase leading to the Clock Tower. Just a few minutes from the square stands La Villa, Taormina’s famous 19th-century garden—one of the most beautiful and unexpected places—whose history is linked to Lady Florence Trevelyan and another local landmark: Isola Bella. The islet, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of gravel, is now an environmental conservation center managed by the University of Catania.