The 5 Best Destination Wedding Venues in Sicily

The charming island of Sicily is a long-time favourite destination of mine, so planning weddings there is an absolute joy. It combines a huge list of potential wedding venues (hundreds, in fact) with the intimate, old world vibe you can only find in the Med, and whether you’re looking for volcanic vistas, historic ruins (of the Greek or Roman variety) or some of the most iconic Italian foods available, Sicily is sure to tick your boxes. If you’re wondering where to start narrowing down the perfect location for your wedding on the island, I’ve got you – these are the 5 best destination wedding venues in Sicily, including all the important details at a glance.

Getting married in Sicily

There are countless things to love about weddings in Sicily, including (but, importantly, not limited to)…

• The landscape. Or should I say landscapes? Sicily, you are really spoiling us! Magnificent Mt. Etna and the classic countryside views you’re probably expecting are just the beginning – you’ll also find beautiful beaches, vineyards and olive groves and some dramatic coastline, all of which photograph really well!

• Speaking of that dramatic coastline, some areas of Sicily are reminiscent of Italy’s Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre (think picturesque but rugged fishing village vibes), but you can often make your budget go just that bit further on the island. 

• If you’re into history, you’ll love Sicily. There are influences from many different cultures on the island, including Arab and Norman, and the island is stippled with historic ruins, castles, Baroque architecture and antiquated charm. If you saw all the goings-on in Taormina on The White Lotus, you’ll know exactly what I mean already!

• Some of Italy’s most famous foods are said to have originated in Sicily, including cannoli, arancini, pasta alla norma and granita, one of my personal favourites. I have to believe that everyone who gets married in Italy does so partly (entirely!) for the culinary experience!

• Accessibility is something you should always consider when planning a destination wedding, and Sicily manages to retain the intimacy of an island while being easy to get to from most major hubs – it has 3 airports, which is quite a lot for a small place!

The 5 best destination wedding venues in Sicily

Belmond Sant Andrea

Need to know:

Located in Taormina Mare, Belmond Sant Andrea can host up to 180 people on their terrace with beautiful bay view. It also works wonderfully for more intimate events; we’ve hosted a wedding for 50 here before in their glorious gardens and it was so special!  And most importantly they have wet weather options that still enjoy glorious sea views, so even plan B is stunning! (However, you are in Sicily so fingers crossed for sunshine!) Additionally, there are 69 beautiful rooms on site to accommodate you and your guests.

Why you’ll love it:

In case ‘private beachfront’ wasn’t enough, Sant Andrea has plenty of other gorgeous features. It’s located just a cable car ride down from central Taormina (perfect for day trips for you and your guests), and the whole venue feels high-end and stylish. T&R’s wedding there last year took place in the subtropical gardens complete with vibrant, zesty florals, and they dined with a view of the sea – what more can you ask for, for the best dinner party you’ll ever host?

Coming soon – T&R’s Sicilian wedding.

Belmond Timeo

Need to know:

In the heart of Taormina, my favourite town in all of Italy, the Belmond Timeo is Sant Andrea’s inland sister and can host up to 250 guests. On site you’ll find 70 stunning rooms, and they’re certainly not shy about those panoramic volcano and sea views.

Why you’ll love it:

The views, the views and the views! The scenery around Timeo is absolutely gorgeous, with Mt Etna in the distance and the charming streets of Taormina all around. Despite being incredibly well located, it still feels exclusive and tucked away, and the granita they make there is hands-down the best I’ve ever tasted. Other highlights include the ancient Greek theatre just opposite, and the gelato shop at the end of the road. Who wouldn’t want all this just a stone’s throw from their wedding venue?

Monaci delle Terre Nere

Need to know:

Set on an organic farm in Catania’s Zafferana Etnea, Monaci delle Terre Nere is situated at the foot of Mt Etna and makes the perfect weekend buyout. You can host up to 300 guests if you’re marrying outdoors, and up to 97 of them can stay on site. 

Why you’ll love it:

It’s gorgeous, for one thing, and feels really exclusive with the most beautiful surroundings. But if you’re a wine lover, you’re really going to enjoy it here. Normally I’m a die hard red wine girl (the only exception being a spritz on a sunny day), but the white wine at Monaci really had me questioning my loyalty…I even left with a bottle to take home! With great wine must come great food, and Monaci delivers on that in equal measure. On top of all that delicious food and wine, the olive groves and surrounding gardens are just so unequivocally Italian that you’ll truly be living your dolce vita wedding dreams!

Castello San Marco

Need to know:

Located in Calababiano in Catania, you’ll find the next on my list of the best destination wedding venues in Sicily. With spaces that can easily hold your entire guest list and 29 suites in the gardens, it’s a lovely option for a full buyout. 

Why you’ll love it:

I mentioned earlier that Sicily boasts a lot of castles, and this is just one of them – and a fine example, at that. Castello San Marco’s gardens are beautiful, it’s right on the beach and it has an absolutely gorgeous courtyard for dining. It looks and feels like the 17th century castle it is, sympathetically updated so it offers all the luxury you’re looking for with that authentic Sicilian atmosphere.

Visit my Portfolio to see one of my real Sicilian weddings.

Baglio Siciliamo

Need to know:

Finally, we come to Baglio Siciliamo with indoor spaces that can hold up to 200 guests, and outdoor spots for even more. It has 19 rooms on site to accommodate your nearest and dearest, and is located in the little town of Noto – White Lotus fans, did your ears prick up at that?

Why you’ll love it:

The atmosphere is that of a traditional Italian farmhouse but with all the modern luxuries you could want, including lovely warming rooms. It’s possible to exclusively rent the whole place and have it to yourselves, making use of its gardens and swimming pool, quaint little courtyards and proximity to the local Baroque town.

A special mention to a bonus venue recently added to our list of Sicilian must-visit venues is Tonnara di Scopello. Boasting a stunning coastal location and just the dreamiest of backdrops for dining, it’s another gem to add to your Sicilian Shortlist!

I may have said it one or two times already, but if you’re looking for the best destination wedding venues in Sicily you are truly spoilt for choice. When you work with us we’ll help you find the perfect location for your celebration, whether that’s from this list or somewhere else we source especially for you. To get started planning your dream Italian wedding, get in touch. I’m already excited for the next time I set foot on beautiful Sicily.