Licata Holidays

Tucked along Sicily’s southern coast, right where the Salso River meets the sea, Licata sneaks up on you. At first glance, it’s a laid-back seaside town with 20 kilometres of coastline, sandy stretches to the east, rugged reefs to the west, and even a few pebbly coves if you like your beaches with a little crunch. But look closer, and you’ll see layers of history stacked like lasagne: Bronze Age roots, Phoenician traders, Roman ships, Arab fortresses, Norman castles, pirate raids, and even WWII landings. No wonder it feels like every alley and piazza is whispering stories.

Licata’s mood? Think sunny Mediterranean ease with a bit of grit. Think fisherman’s nets drying in the Borgo Marina, baroque churches standing stubbornly after centuries of fires and raids, and art nouveau villas winking at you from leafy boulevards. One minute you’re gazing at ancient acropolis ruins, the next you’re devouring a plate of arancini the size of your fist. Whether you’re into ruins and relics, sultry sunsets by the sea, or just letting robust Sicilian wine carry you away, Licata gives you plenty of reasons to linger.

Come for the beaches and seafood, stay for the unexpected –  a Liberty-style theatre, a miraculous “Black Christ” chapel, WWII tunnels under a medieval castle, and enough history to keep amateur archaeologists busy for weeks.