School Trips to Sicily
The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily’s rich cultural heritage and volcanic landscape make it a fascinating school trip for students of all ages, particularly those studying geography or classical history.
A school trip to Sicily gives students a chance to visit one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mt. Etna. This is a prime case study which is guaranteed to bring elements of physical geography to life outside the classroom.
For history students, few places on Earth can claim to have been ruled by so many varied external powers. Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Norman, Spanish and French empires have all claimed Sicily at one time or another, before the island finally unified with Italy in the 19th century. Comparing the lifestyles, architecture and cultural impact of these civilisations is a unique opportunity for any class.
Whatever your focus, NST plan out bespoke itineraries to meet the needs of your class and ensure that your Sicily school trip is an unforgettable experience for both students and teachers alike.
Browse our most popular Sicily school trips
Why choose NST?
Here's why thousands of teachers choose NST each year...
- Unrivalled school trip knowledge
Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their trip planning knowledge and expertise to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.
- Making it easier for you
Your own trip organiser, travel app, free classroom packs and trip promo resources.
- Free group leader inspection visits
Visit your chosen destination free of charge and plan with confidence.
- Value for money, always
We work hard to make every penny count.
- Over 55 years’ experience
With NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.
- Aligned to your learning outcomes
Every trip can be built around your specific goals — from the latest GCSE and A level curriculum requirements to particular themes, interests or visits you want to focus on.
- Risk assessment guidance
Clear, practical support to help you manage group safety including our free guide.
- Offsetting carbon emissions
Through our partnership with Carbon Footprint, we're committed to offset one tonne of CO2 emissions, and plant a tree on school grounds in the UK, for every trip booked.
Sicily highlights - our groups love...
Mount Etna
A visit to Mount Etna - Europe’s highest and most active volcano – will open up a variety of study opportunities for your students. For geography groups the themes of plate tectonics and eruptions, land use, tourism and much more can be investigated here. Over the course of a full day your group will be transported by coach to 1,900 metres above sea level, then by cable car and jeep to reach 2,500 metres.
Lipari & Vulcano Islands
Sail along admiring the islands’ coastlines, before passing Punta Castagna. After docking, explore the town of Lipari or spend time in the town centre. You’ll then sail to the island of Vulcano. Here your group can explore the black beaches, hot springs and sulphur mud baths, which you can experience yourself for a small fee. Next, set sail around the Aeolian Islands where you’ll see an array of fascinating landforms including the Faraglioni, the Papa Giovanni rock and the Grotta degli Angeli.
Alcantara Gorges
Formed by the volcanic activity of Mount Etna, this stunning basalt formation known as the Alcantara Gorge lies on the Alcantara River about 20 minutes’ drive south west of Taormina. Etna’s geological influence on the surrounding countryside has created a beautifully scenic site encircled by small luscious green woods.
Strait of Messina & Tindari Lake
The Strait of Messina is a narrow passage between the eastern tip of Sicily and the southern tip of Italy which connects the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. The intense currents and characteristic chemistry of the waters of the Strait determine an extraordinary ecosystem with a high abundance and diversity of species.
In Tindari groups can visit the Black Madonna Sanctuary situated high on the cliff tops. Hear how the statue of the Black Madonna is said to have been created at the base of the cliffs. You will also have a fantastic viewpoint over this ‘linguetta di sabbia’ (tongue of sand), which stretches 1.5km into the sea, defiantly resisting the destructive, relentless raids of the Tyrrhenian.
Taormina & Giardini Naxos
The medieval town of Taormina is popular with tourists, groups can vsit the Greek theatre reconstructed in the second century AD with its unforgettable view of Mount Etna. The seaside resort of Giardini Naxos has many churches and archaeological park where groups like to spend some free time.
Etna Land Theme Park
A popular Sicily attraction, which is embarking on a transformation from water park to a theme park. Groups can enjoy a full day at this exciting amusement park.
Palermo
In this beautiful and historic capital the classical tradition can be followed in the mosaics of the Norman Palatine Chapel and the cathedral of Monreale made by Byzantine craftsmen. Visit the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti and pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum with its intriguing Selinunte finds.
Segesta & Selinunte
Segesta is one of the best preserved Greek archaeological sites. Groups can examine the unfinished Greek temple alone on the hillside with its columns still unfluted and lifting bosses still in place. A well-preserved Hellenistic theatre is also here which can be reached via a short shuttle bus ride.
Selinunte has one of the earliest and one of the largest Greek temples. One temple has been helpfully reconstructed to enable students to visualise the site. The quarries at Rocca di Cusa provide evidence for how the stones for the temples were cut from the rock.
Valley of Temples, Agrigento
Classicists can examine the remarkable Valley of the Temples. The Archaeological museum set among the remains of Roman and Hellenistic ruins contains one of the giant telamones from the temple of Zeus. A comfortable overnight base before continuing to Noto, Sicily’s ‘Baroque City’.
Piazza Armerina
Famous for its Roman mosaics in the Villa Romana del Casale, the town also has a range of significant architecture.
Sicily school trip experts
Many groups travel with NST to Sicily every year, and members of our team regularly visit Sicily to really get to know the ins-and-outs of the area, from logistics and visits to our range of student-friendly accommodation.
Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their knowledge of Sicily to create an itinerary that’s tailor-made, perfectly timed and meets your exact school travel needs. They’ll be able to share their first-hand experience, suggest options you might not have considered and give you insight into the feedback other teachers have given us too.
