The stunning island has been named ‘best in the Med’ – it has over 300 beaches

AN island in Europe has been named the “best in the Mediterranean” – and it has a whopping 300 beaches.

There are a number of amazing islands just a few hours from the UK, so choosing the best one can be hard.

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A panel of travel judges at the Telegraph named Sicily as the “greatest island in the Mediterranean,” looking at factors such as the weather, hotels, restaurants attractions and beaches.

The study looked at 10,000 islands, breaking it down to the top 10 which included Ibiza, Majorca, and Santorini.

The study said: “We took into account experiential markers like five-star hotels, museums and Michelin-starred restaurants, plus PADI diving spots and ancient ruins.

“Weather is obviously crucial for a summer escape, so we also studied sea temperatures, rainfall and average summer highs.”

Here’s everything else you need to know if you’re planning a holiday to Sicily.

Why Sicily?

The island of Sicily, found off the south of the Italian mainland, is surrounded by 900 miles of coastline with more than 300 beaches.

It’s easy to get to, with direct flights from the UK taking just three hours.

Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air all fly to the island, with prices from just £40.

Sicily also has more than 350 sunny days a year, with temperature highs of 38C in the summer – so you may want to avoid the peak July and August months.

Is eating and sleeping in Sicily affordable?

Even though the country uses the euro, it’s an affordable destination for Brit holidaymakers.

Food and drink is cheap with a bottle of beer costing as little as £1.10 while a meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost £15.

Family-run and budget-friendly restaurants are known as “osterias” and “trattorias” will be cheaper than tourist traps with plates of pasta often costing around £10.

Coffees like an espresso or a cappuccino can be purchased for £1 if they’re drunk at the bar or counter, so drink like a local and avoid taking a seat if you can.

Meanwhile, a traditional Sicilian breakfast of “brioche con gelato” (ice cream in a brioche bun) can be snapped up for as little as £2 with a refreshing granita (a flavoured ice drink) costing the same price.

Steer clear of fancy cocktails and be sure to order a bottle of house wine, which cost around £5 per bottle.

Hotels are affordable too with a night at a budget bed and breakfast costing as little as £39 per night based on two people sharing a room.

What is there to do in Sicily?

Some of Sicily’s best beaches include San Vito Lo Capo, Mondello near Palermo, and the Scala dei Turchi near Agrigento

Many also head to the capital Palermo for walking tours and attractions.

On the eastern side of the island is arguably Sicily’s most well-known attraction, Mount Etna.

While visitors heading to the volcano don’t need to book a guide, it is highly recommended.

Tours start from £30 and can take three hours as tourists are taken through volcanic summits and icicle caves below the volcano.

If Mount Etna hasn’t satisfied your volcanic appetite, then you can also visit the Aeolian islands.

By far the most famous is Stromboli, where tourists can book to see the eruptions for as little as £20 per person.

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As well as volcanoes make sure to visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.

The archeological site is the ruined city of Akragas and has several temples dating back hundreds of years.

Tickets cost €10 (£8.82) for a full-paying adult.

Away from the volcanoes and world-heritage sites, there are plenty of picturesque towns to discover on the island like Taormina and Syracuse.

There’s also Modica, which is famous for its baroque architecture and Aztec-style chocolate that doesn’t melt in the Sicilian heat.

Other activities on the island also include boat trips to the smaller island chains like the Aegadian Islands, scuba diving, and snorkelling in Isola Bella marine park.

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