The Mafia is not Sicily's only attraction though. The capital, Palermo, is a bustling city with an enviable collection of Norman art and architecture and Baroque churches. Taormina, a chic beach resort perched on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, and the lava-built city of Catania, nestled near the craters of Mount Etna are other must sees. To the south, the greatest draw is the grouping of temples at Agrigento, the best of the island's Greek remnants. Anytime is good in Palermo.
Winters are mild, summers are hot.
Tourists tend to visit during peak beach weather in July and August. Prices and crowds rise accordingly during those months. The 12th century Monreale Cathedral and Gardens, the Palermo Cathedral, the Capuchin Catacombs and the Cappella Palatina are just some of the historic and religious buildings in Palermo. Taormina's Greek Theater and Duomo are also worth checking out. Museums tend to be of the smaller, regional variety.