Gardens to visit in Sicily
Sicily is famous for its volcano, but there’s so much more to discover, from vibrant botanical gardens and beautiful landscapes of olive groves, vineyards and citrus orchards
I have to admit that before visiting Sicily, my knowledge of the Mediterranean’s largest island was sparse. Of course, I knew about Mount Etna and had grown up with all the cultural cliches about Siciliian mafia families. But what really surprised me was just how green, fertile and picturesque the island was – even in November. Towering mountains give way to agricultural plains and much of what we saw seemed to be given over to vineyards, olive groves, and orchards full of citrus fruits, nuts and peaches.
My partner and I took a short trip and found it an ideal getaway from the grey British weather with pleasant temperatures that were even warm enough for a (very brief!) dip in the sea. We flew into Catania, a city on the east side of the island, and took a couple of hours to visit The Botanical Garden of Catania. This free public garden is a quiet, charming spot with several themed sections including a Sicilian garden that acts as a mini assemblage of some of the island’s key native plants. Make sure to visit the Tepidarium too which houses over 160 plant species.
Most of our trip was spent further west on the Agrigento coast where we stayed at the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA. The hotel is situated on the edge of a nature reserve, and we found it to be a great base to explore some of Sicily’s natural beauty, either via hikes or bike rides. The hotel has been beautifully landscaped, and the kitchen garden is full of vegetables and herbs: be sure to book a guided tour. Much of what you see will end up in that evening’s dinner, paired with one of the islands great wine options.
We loved using the top-notch spa facilities and, brilliantly, guests can easily whizz down to the beach in one of the hotel’s golf carts that regularly beetle up and down.
Our next stop was directly across the island to the capital, Palermo. Descending the winding mountain road down into the coastal city feels exciting and just a little unnerving as drivers seem to fly out from every direction. We were lucky enough to be staying in the beautifully restored Bella Palermo, a family-owned Palazzo right in the heart of the old city. You can book the entire property if you like but you may struggle to leave as it has been filled with antiques and feels like staying in a (comfortable) movie set. There are also many public Palazzos that operate as museums and art galleries to explore and the atmosphere throughout the winding streets is fantastic. It’s easy to spend hours getting lost down historic side streets, discovering unique shops and climbing up to rooftop vantage points to admire the city’s terracotta-roofed skyline.
Although we had left the countryside behind, nature was right outside our window in the form of an enormous fig tree standing proud in the courtyard. Palermo is well known for its impressive array of figs (Ficus carica) dotted throughout the city. The most impressive one of all is an enormous specimen located in The Botanical Garden of the University of Palermo, thought to be Europe’s largest tree. Make sure you set aside plenty of time to explore this huge botanic garden, it’s a wonderful place to spot even more native, tropical and subtropical species. There are glass houses, ponds and a great collection of succulents.
There are many more gardens and so much history, culture and beautiful scenery to explore in Sicily – not to mention the delicious food – that I’m sure I’ll be back soon.
More info
Visit in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds. However, the island has something to offer all year round.
Try Adler Resorts for a luxurious stay in the south, with beautiful grounds and a kitchen garden you can take tours of. In Palermo, La Bella Palermo is a truly special place to stay and convenient for lots of the city’s best sights.
Best gardens to visit
1. Orto Botanico di Catania
This free, charming garden in the heart of Catania is well worth a visit if you are flying in or out of the city. Founded in 1858 by botanist Francesco Tornabene, Orto Botanico di Catania spreads around neoclassical buildings which create a striking backdrop for the diverse plant collections.
What surprised me most was the variety packed into this little urban oasis. The garden features themed sections including a dedicated Sicilian garden where native species thrive. Don't miss the Tepidarium – a greenhouse housing over 160 natural species that transports you to different climates in just a few steps.
As I wandered through collections of succulents, palms, and endemic plants, I appreciated how the garden serves both as a research facility and a conservation site for rare species like the endangered Zelkova sicula.
It's open Monday to Friday until 19:00 and Saturday until 14:00. Guided tours are available.
2. Giardino di San Giuliano
This seven-acre paradise belongs to Marquis Giuseppe Paternò Castello di San Giuliano and was lovingly created over 25 years with his late wife Fiamma Ferragamo.
The Giardino di San Giuliano gardens unfolds like chapters in a book – a terrace fronting the house, ornamental trees creating natural rooms, and a striking cactus bed by the front gate featuring agaves, aloes, and prickly pears. The lower garden, affectionately called giardinetto, showcases Mediterranean plants interspersed with subtropical and tropical varieties.
It has been planted for year-round interest – from spring alliums, narcissi and Dutch iris to summer roses and autumn dahlias. Eight different species of palms create dramatic silhouettes against Mount Etna in the distance, while the water features host exotic specimens like Victoria cruziana and Nymphaea 'King of Siam'.
The garden is open by appointment only.
3. Orto Botanico di Palermo
I spent several hours exploring this 25-acre wonderland, home to Europe's largest ficus tree – a truly awe-inspiring sight. Established in 1789 by Léon Dufourny, this garden was once a major botanical research centre, and that scientific heritage remains evident today.
The garden is organised following both Linnaean and Engler classification systems, creating a living library of plant species. I particularly enjoyed the medicinal and aromatic plant section.
Entry costs €7, and an audio guide is available. Make sure you also visit the adjacent Villa Giulia park (free entry) with its marble sculptures and peaceful resting spots.
More garden travel inspiration:
Exclusive Gardeners’ World Reader Event at Ridgeview Wine Estate
Thursday 28 August 2025, £185pp.
