Sicily (/ ˈsɪsᵻli / siss-i-lee; Italian: Sicilia [siˈtʃiːlja], Sicily: Sicily) is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It forms an autonomous region of Italy together with the surrounding smaller islands, officially known as Regione Siciliana (Sicilian Region in Italian). Sicily lies in the central Mediterranean Sea south of the Italian peninsula, from which it is separated by the narrow Strait of Messina. Its most famous landmark is Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, currently 3,329 m high and one of the most active in the world. The island has a typical Mediterranean climate. The earliest archaeological evidence of human activity on the island dates back to 12,000 BC. By 750 BC Sicily had three Phoenician colonies and a dozen Greek colonies and was the scene of the Sicilian Wars and the Punic Wars for the next 600 years, ending with the destruction of Carthage by the Roman Republic at the Battle of Carthage (c. 149 BC). Sicily changed hands frequently after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD and was ruled by the Vandals, Ostrogoths, Byzantine Empire and the Emirate of Sicily in the early Middle Ages. The Norman conquest of southern Italy led to the creation of the Kingdom of Sicily, which was later ruled by the Hohenstaufen, the Capetian House of Anjou, Spain, the House of Habsburg and finally united under the House of Bourbon with the Kingdom of Naples as the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It became part of Italy in 1860 after the Expedition of a Thousand, an uprising by Giuseppe Garibaldi during Italian unification and a referendum. Sicily was given special status as an autonomous region after the Italian constitutional referendum of 1946. Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially in terms of art, music, literature, cuisine and architecture. It is also home to important archaeological and ancient sites such as the Necropolis of Pantalica, the Valley of the Temples and Selinunte. Playing golf in Sicily is an exceptional pleasure, because you have a very beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea or the neighbouring mainland from almost everywhere. If you want to play a golf course in Sicily designed by a star designer, then golf in Sicily has a lot to offer. But you can also taste the extensive cultural heritage, beautiful cities like Palermo and typical Sicilian food and wine. So you should definitely visit Sicily to play golf! A golf holiday in Sicily is also easy to reach with the international airports in Palermo and Catania. The most popular golf clubs and golf resorts in Sicily are: Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa and I Monasteri Golf Resort. In Sicily you can play golf all year round. Even in winter, golf in Sicily is very nice with pleasant temperatures. April to June and September to October are the best times to play golf in this region.
Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel page
20.07.–27.07. —
7 nights, DBL Standard room (double bed only), BED AND BREAKFAST
No doubt: this resort you will stay at the foot of Mount Etna, the undisputed king, towering above the whole region. Thanks to the beneficial effects of the volcano on the climate and the breeze blowing down its flanks, even the hottest summer days will become mild and pleasant and golfers will be sheltered from the scorching summer heat. Nothing was left out to pamper guests: a swimming pool with waterfalls, many relaxing spots and a fully equipped spa. The rooms are coloured in light hues and boast a relaxing view of the resort. A warm welcome at the Il Pìcciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa and the most varied, delicious meals at the resort’s restaurant will do their bit, making your stay unforgettable. You shouldn’t possibly miss out on two excursions: a walk on the craters of Mount Etna and a visit of Taormina, Sicily’s gem. We offer another highlight for the golfers: the course Il Picciolo is the oldest one in Sicily and can boast many hazards requiring tactical know-how and physical effort. During the game, you might as well spot the natural reserve’s “inhabitants” in a luxuriant natural setting.
more details
No doubt: this resort you will stay at the foot of Mount Etna, the undisputed king, towering above the whole region. Thanks to the beneficial effects of the volcano on the climate and the breeze blowing down its flanks, even the hottest summer days will become mild and pleasant and golfers will be sheltered from the scorching summer heat. Nothing was left out to pamper guests: a swimming pool with waterfalls, many relaxing spots and a fully equipped spa. The rooms are coloured in light hues and boast a relaxing view of the resort. A warm welcome at the Il Pìcciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa and the most varied, delicious meals at the resort’s restaurant will do their bit, making your stay unforgettable. You shouldn’t possibly miss out on two excursions: a walk on the craters of Mount Etna and a visit of Taormina, Sicily’s gem. We offer another highlight for the golfers: the course Il Picciolo is the oldest one in Sicily and can boast many hazards requiring tactical know-how and physical effort. During the game, you might as well spot the natural reserve’s “inhabitants” in a luxuriant natural setting.
Il Picciolo Etna Golf Club
Golf club page
23.07. — green fee per player: Green Fee 18 Holes Hotel Guest 2026 (10:00)
Mount Etna is a magnificent presence on this 18-hole course created by architect Luigi Rota Caremoli in 1989 on the slopes of the volcano and nestled between the homonymous park, the Nebrodi Park and the Alcantara River Park. This presence does not limit itself to being simple scenery to be admired from afar: dark lava stone, a result of the frightening 1916 eruption, remains in many points, in particular on the back nine, complicating play for golfers, fascinating and intimidating at the same time. Caremoli was able to optimally exploit the 44 hectares of hilly land, masterfully inserting technical hazards in the context, so as to give the idea of a completely natural course. It was the first golf course opened on Sicilian soil. The first holes pass through an old hazel grove, then proceed through groups of weaver’s broom, forsythias and clusters of daisies until it reaches an area where the volcanic terrain takes over. Hole 18 ends right in front of the clubhouse, a large pink home, the traditional color of the manor houses standing on the shoulders of the volcano. The view from the terrace sweeps toward the peak dark with lava and the green of the Nebrodi mountains. Gentle vineyards that have made this place famous for producing a wine honored with the title of Etna D.O.C. extend around the area. One of the advantages of the Picciolo is that it can be enjoyed year round. The land does not freeze in the winter and in the summer, the 650 meters of altitude and the proximity to the sea, about 30 kilometers away, alleviate the climate which in other places burns the island. Technical details Course : 18 holes, Par 72, 5881 meters Architect : Luigi Rota Caremoli Topography : hilly, steep, a lot of trees Distinctive features : the fairways are almost always hilly, and have some water and sand obstacles Pro’s Comments A true golfing jewel of Sicily, Il Picciolo has the advantage of an ever-changing landscape. Covering only 44 hectares, it is 30 kilometres from the sea and very close to the volcano Etna. The first holes go through an old hazelnut tree and pass through broom and daisies to reach the black part occupied by volcanic stone. A real palette of colours and scents! The course is not the longest, but precision is sometimes essential.
more details
Il Picciolo Etna Golf Club
Golf club page
25.07. — green fee per player: Green Fee 18 Holes Hotel Guest 2026 (10:00)
Mount Etna is a magnificent presence on this 18-hole course created by architect Luigi Rota Caremoli in 1989 on the slopes of the volcano and nestled between the homonymous park, the Nebrodi Park and the Alcantara River Park. This presence does not limit itself to being simple scenery to be admired from afar: dark lava stone, a result of the frightening 1916 eruption, remains in many points, in particular on the back nine, complicating play for golfers, fascinating and intimidating at the same time. Caremoli was able to optimally exploit the 44 hectares of hilly land, masterfully inserting technical hazards in the context, so as to give the idea of a completely natural course. It was the first golf course opened on Sicilian soil. The first holes pass through an old hazel grove, then proceed through groups of weaver’s broom, forsythias and clusters of daisies until it reaches an area where the volcanic terrain takes over. Hole 18 ends right in front of the clubhouse, a large pink home, the traditional color of the manor houses standing on the shoulders of the volcano. The view from the terrace sweeps toward the peak dark with lava and the green of the Nebrodi mountains. Gentle vineyards that have made this place famous for producing a wine honored with the title of Etna D.O.C. extend around the area. One of the advantages of the Picciolo is that it can be enjoyed year round. The land does not freeze in the winter and in the summer, the 650 meters of altitude and the proximity to the sea, about 30 kilometers away, alleviate the climate which in other places burns the island. Technical details Course : 18 holes, Par 72, 5881 meters Architect : Luigi Rota Caremoli Topography : hilly, steep, a lot of trees Distinctive features : the fairways are almost always hilly, and have some water and sand obstacles Pro’s Comments A true golfing jewel of Sicily, Il Picciolo has the advantage of an ever-changing landscape. Covering only 44 hectares, it is 30 kilometres from the sea and very close to the volcano Etna. The first holes go through an old hazelnut tree and pass through broom and daisies to reach the black part occupied by volcanic stone. A real palette of colours and scents! The course is not the longest, but precision is sometimes essential.
more details
Il Picciolo Etna Golf Club
Golf club page
26.07. — green fee per player: Green Fee 18 Holes Hotel Guest 2026 (10:00)
Mount Etna is a magnificent presence on this 18-hole course created by architect Luigi Rota Caremoli in 1989 on the slopes of the volcano and nestled between the homonymous park, the Nebrodi Park and the Alcantara River Park. This presence does not limit itself to being simple scenery to be admired from afar: dark lava stone, a result of the frightening 1916 eruption, remains in many points, in particular on the back nine, complicating play for golfers, fascinating and intimidating at the same time. Caremoli was able to optimally exploit the 44 hectares of hilly land, masterfully inserting technical hazards in the context, so as to give the idea of a completely natural course. It was the first golf course opened on Sicilian soil. The first holes pass through an old hazel grove, then proceed through groups of weaver’s broom, forsythias and clusters of daisies until it reaches an area where the volcanic terrain takes over. Hole 18 ends right in front of the clubhouse, a large pink home, the traditional color of the manor houses standing on the shoulders of the volcano. The view from the terrace sweeps toward the peak dark with lava and the green of the Nebrodi mountains. Gentle vineyards that have made this place famous for producing a wine honored with the title of Etna D.O.C. extend around the area. One of the advantages of the Picciolo is that it can be enjoyed year round. The land does not freeze in the winter and in the summer, the 650 meters of altitude and the proximity to the sea, about 30 kilometers away, alleviate the climate which in other places burns the island. Technical details Course : 18 holes, Par 72, 5881 meters Architect : Luigi Rota Caremoli Topography : hilly, steep, a lot of trees Distinctive features : the fairways are almost always hilly, and have some water and sand obstacles Pro’s Comments A true golfing jewel of Sicily, Il Picciolo has the advantage of an ever-changing landscape. Covering only 44 hectares, it is 30 kilometres from the sea and very close to the volcano Etna. The first holes go through an old hazelnut tree and pass through broom and daisies to reach the black part occupied by volcanic stone. A real palette of colours and scents! The course is not the longest, but precision is sometimes essential.
more details
€
€
€
€
€
Fr
€
