Italy’s Island of Paradise

Sicily is an island of volcanic coastlines, idyllic beaches, historic cities, Greek temples and Roman sites. And of course, one of the highlights is also its food: It’s also renowned for its fresh-off-the-boat seafood, with endless restaurants serving up exquisite Sicilian cooking - with generations-old recipes.

Born out of turmoil, Sicily was occupied for millennia by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and French, all of which has left a visible mark on the island. The meeting place of myriad cultures: Phoenician to Norman, Arab to Byzantine. An island of natural and manmade marvels: salt pans, holms, gorges and volcanoes; ancient Greek temples, amphitheatres and Roman mosaics. Of bustling cities: markets, architecture and the arts. And of Verdura Resort, its hundreds of hectares of coastline, countryside, spa and golf, and Villa Igiea, our art nouveau palazzo between Palermo, Mount Pellegrino and the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

Sicily's South Coast

From marvelling at the Scala Dei Turchi rock formation aboard a yacht to exploring Sciacca’s historic treasures, Sicily offers endless opportunities to get off the beaten track

Guests staying at Verdura Resort have endless places to explore right on their doorstep: Our Verdura Discovery Trek takes you along the stunning coastline beneath the historic Torre, dating from the late 1500s; Sciacca, which was founded by the Greeks as a thermal resort for nearby Selinunte in the fifth century BC, has striking sixteenth century ramparts and Norman churches; and the archaeological area of Agrigento Templi is home to the fifth century BC Temples of Concordia and Juno.

Valle Dei Templi in beautiful Sicily
Myth, legend, history, culture: the Archaeological Park of Selinunte

ISOLA LUNGA AND THE thousand-year-old salt culture

Scala Dei Turchi Sicily
Scala Dei Turchi: The Turkish Stairs
Segesta: Greek Architecture, History and Nature

Erice: The Medieval Town on top of Monte San Giuliano

Verdura Resort

Welcome to Verdura Resort: 230 hectares of sun-kissed Mediterranean coastline, countryside, spa and golf.

Olive trees, orange groves and white-sand beaches. Tennis courts, water sports, championship golf and kids’ clubs. Infinity pools, thalassotherapy and the flagship Rocco Forte Spa. Fine dining, healthy eating and world-famous local wine. Luxurious eco-architecture and organic ingredients, grown on our land. Verdura is an oasis, a centre of wellbeing, escapism and indulgence set against backdrop of charming Sicilian villages, ancient Greek and Roman sites and the beautiful, blue Mediterranean Sea.

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Rocco Forte Private Villas

Space, serenity and sea views: expansive, exclusive Rocco Forte Private Villas with the lifestyle, leisure facilities and fine dining of Verdura Resort, Sicily.

From their hilltop spot, our elegant 3 and 4 bedroom villas overlook the Mediterranean Sea and Sicilian countryside. Your home: airy, elegant interiors, peaceful courtyards, sunny swimming pools and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Your host: Verdura Resort, its award-winning spa, restaurants and services; its gardens, groves, golf courses and coast.

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Palermo

Having been under the rule of great civilisations, from Greek and Roman to Arab and French, Palermo has an incredibly rich artistic legacy. From The Palazzo dei Normanni, which was the seat of the Kings of Sicily during the Norman domination (and today houses the city council), to Monreale’s cathedral, commissioned by the Norman ruler of Sicily William II, this is a city steeped in history — and a culinary whirlpool.

Reminiscent of Arab souks, Palermo’s markets, from Ballarò, to Capo and Vucciria, are perhaps the best place to soak up its theatrical and vibrant atmosphere, with market sellers singing the merits of their wares at the top of their lungs and locals sourcing the freshest vegetables.

The Fountain of Shame on Piazza Pretoria
Enchanting view of Palermo
The Cathedral of Palermo: A treasure of Norman architecture
The Souk Like Markets of Palermo

Wander through the streets of Palermo
Ballarò: Italy's most famous street market

Palazzo Dei Normanni in Palermo, Sicily
Palazzo Dei Normanni, The Royal Palace of Palermo

San Giovanni Degli Eremiti Palermo
San Giovanni degli Eremiti, part of the Arab-Norman Palermo route

Villa Igiea

Discover history, majesty and serenity at Villa Igiea: a turn-of-the-century palazzo at the perimeter of vivid Palermo, the foot of Mount Pellegrino and the Gulf of Palermo. A long-loved seaside-meets-city sanctuary for royalty, dignitaries and Hollywood luminaries, trace their paths through tiered villa gardens that sweep down to the port and out to the Tyrrhenian Sea; on excursions to Palermo’s bustling markets, Baroque palaces and ancient sites, or yacht trips along its picturesque coast; and through Villa Igiea’s Italian restaurants, atmospheric bars and palatial Art Nouveau interior, revitalised as a Rocco Forte hotel.

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Rocco Forte Hotels
Made in Italy

Twenty-five years ago, Sir Rocco Forte and his sister Olga Polizzi joined forces to change the way we see and experience modern luxury. Born into a family that has had hospitality and entrepreneurship at its heart for generations, they had a vision for a new paradigm of hospitality: sophisticated, design-driven hotels, characterised by a unique marriage of British polish and the warmth of a Continental flair. 

The Forte Family of Rocco Forte Hotels in the Olive Groves at Verdura Resort, Sicily
The Forte Family at Verdura Resort
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