The 6 Shows in Sicily That Are Worth the Money

1.Sicilian Puppet Show with visit behind the scenes

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 49 reviews · 1.5 hours Our pick

Watch a traditional Italian-language Opera dei Pupi in Syracuse, with sword fights, dragons, music, and medieval drama. Then join an English or Italian guided backstage visit, where you can see the stage mechanics, learn the craft, and try moving the wooden puppets yourself.

“A very interesting and authentic experience! The show was dramatic with several different scenes featuring different puppets. The show itself was in Italian but we were presented with a brief overview of the plot in advance in English, which was helpful. The behind the scenes tour and discussion took place after the show, in English, and featured a fantastic and informative guide Pietro. He explained in detail all aspects of puppetry to us, and we even had a chance to try to navigate the puppets! It is not easy! Highly recommend this experience!”

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2.Sicilian puppets in Syracuse: show with behind-the-scenes visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $21Top rated

At Syracuse’s Teatro dei Pupi, you’ll watch a traditional Sicilian puppet show and, with the proper option, tour backstage with guides such as Pietro or Paulo. Learn how puppets are made, costumes prepared, and epic Carolingian tales brought to life. The show itself is in Italian, but a short introduction helps you follow the plot.

“We did the behind the scenes and then the show. It was such a wonderful and fascinating experience. Well worth it!!”

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3.Museum Guided Tour with Sicilian Puppet show

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 27 reviews · 1.5 hours

Enter Syracuse’s Opera dei Pupi theatre for a traditional Sicilian puppet performance based on tales such as The Song of Roland and Orlando furioso. Depending on your booking option, you will also receive a guided theatre and museum visit in English or Italian. The show itself is in Italian.

“Mi sono presentata alle 18:45 come da accordi. Non c era nessuna guida sul posto. Mi hanno detto che potevo visitare il museo in autonomia pagando 1 euro extra a testa. Ma alle 19 iniziava lo spettacolo e terminava alle 20 passate e il museo alle 20 chiudeva riaprendo tre giorni dopo. Io l indomani sono partita e non potevo riandare. Dunque in realtà ho visto solo lo spettacolo che è stato molto bello. Però il titolo è fuorviante non è così”

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4.Dining Experience at a local’s Home in Campofelice di Roccella with Show Cooking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Spend about two and a half hours in a private Sicilian home near Campofelice di Roccella. Watch show cooking, learn about family recipes, and sit down to seasonal dishes, fresh pasta, a second course, and dessert. Rosa Maria in Cefalu is one named host.

“Rosa Maria in Cefalu was awesome and excellent. She was well prepared and very kind and pleasant. The food experience was excellent also!”

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5.Dining Experience at a local’s Home in Bagheria with Show Cooking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Spend about two and a half hours in a Bagheria home with a local host such as Rosalia or Francesca. Watch fresh pasta being made, taste seasonal Sicilian dishes and dessert, and share a private meal in English with only your group.

“This was a wonderful experience! My mom and I came to Rosalia's beautiful home and received the best authentic meal! 4 course meal with a bottle of wine and the dessert at the end was perfect. She made so much food, the two of us could not possibly eat all of it. Both her and her husband were lovely people.. They went above and beyond helping us after an awful taxi ride we had. Highly reccomend booking her if you are in Bagheria , we will definitely book again next time we are in town. You will not be disappointed!”

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6.Visit to the Museum and show of Sicilian puppets in Syracuse

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $18Best value

The Vaccaro brothers lead you through Syracuse’s puppet museum, where you’ll see puppets, props, and stage sets, then try handling marionettes before taking a reserved seat for an Italian-language tale of knights, ladies, sorcerers, and monsters.

“Très joli théâtre, nous sommes arrivées en retard, donc je ne peux rien dire sur le musée, mais le spectacle est prenant, même s'il était en italien. Très original . Les marionnettes sont extraordinaires et les manipulateurs aussi.”

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