Licata

Dating back to the prehistoric times, Licata on the south coast of Italy has history oozing from every corner. Located at the mouth of the Salso River, the town is a major seaport of commercial importance, but it’s also a wonderful seaside resort with sandy golden beaches to the east and attractive pebbly beaches to the west. Despite its importance, Licata is a relatively small town, which is surprising with the amount of historical sites on offer. There’s the early 16th-century Renaissance-style Mother Church with an attractive painted dome, the Church of St Francis and the 17th-century Church of Sant’Angelo with notable works of art. The Licata City Museum will also keep you busy with its vast collection of archaeological finds, including those from prehistoric times, as will a visit to the Limpiados Castle – built on top of a hill facing out to sea. After much exploration, retire to the sandy shores for a spot of sunbathing or dine at one the local restaurants. Pasta with sardines anyone?