Sicily Travel Guide

Best Time To Visit Sicily

The weather conditions of Sicily are affected by a typical Mediterranean climate that can be characterized by hot, dry summers, as well as mild and wet winters. For example, August is the hottest month of the year; the average temperature of this period can reach up to 30 °C. In turn, the winter temperatures vary between 14-19 °C. Therefore, people are welcomed to visit this island all year round. However, if you want to enjoy beach vacations without crowds of people and high prices, it is recommended to come here either from May to June or from September to October.

Interactive Map of Sicily

Towns And Resorts

In spite of your main goal in Sicily, you can be sure that the island will satisfy all your expectations. The combination of beautiful beaches, interesting activities, and historical heritage makes this place a paradise for millions of tourists.

Catania

Located in the eastern part of the island, this town is the second largest place on Sicily. In the past, it was affected by a huge volcanic eruption, As a result, the main part of the town was ruined. Nevertheless, Catania offers many opportunities for tourists today. For instance, it is the place where you can climb Mount Etna, visit Teatro Romano, and get acquainted with the life of Italians.

Palermo

The capital of Sicily is widely known as the center of the economic, industrial, and cultural life of the island. Once you arrive in this region, pay attention to the cathedral, the Palazzo dei Normanni, and the Palazzo Abatellis. Furthermore, the city has numerous restaurants with local and international dishes; therefore, it is recommended to end your walk across the corners of Palermo in one of the restaurants or cafes.

Best Beaches

Whether you are looking for the remote beach or the one with various nightclubs, cafes, and restaurants, you will still be able to find the vacation spot based on your preferences.

Mondello

Located near Palermo, this beach is famous for its soft white sand and crystal turquoise water. In addition, you can find many changing facilities, showers, and cafes nearby. People usually prefer tasting seafood pasta meals there. You can reach this tourist destination either by car or the 806 bus.

Isola Bella

If you choose Taormina for your stay on the island, you should consider a vacation on this beach. In fact, it is surrounded by craggy boulders and crystal waters of the Ionian sea. Besides, this beach can be characterized by lush vegetation and magnificent views of the sea. Subsequently, it is the place where tourists are offered the opportunity to get esthetic pleasure and high-quality services.

Mazzaro

In addition to sunbathing and swimming, this beach is famous for boat trips that begin here. For instance, if you want to explore the caves like the famous Grotta Azzurra, you should head to this beach. Tourists have the opportunity to reach this place with the help of spectacular cable railway. Furthermore, you can rent umbrellas and sunchairs there.

Spiaggia de Coniglio (Rabbits Beach)

This beach is tremendously known as one of the best beaches not just in Italy but in the entire world. Situated on the island of Lampedusa, this beach serves the functions of a remote destination where people can enjoy the sound of waves in the company of nature. Thus, if the lack of people is your first priority, it is advised to come here.

Attractions And Activities

There is no doubt that Sicily is mainly visited in order to relax on beaches and sunbathe. However, in addition to a beach vacation, guests can visit a variety of interesting attractions, including museums, churches, and ancient buildings.

Climb The Etna Volcano

It is impossible to come to Sicily and ignore this attraction, as Etna is one of the main symbols of the island. For example, you can join an excursion to this volcano, which includes transport, equipment, and guide. You will definitely remember this day forever.

Visit Noto, Modica, And Ragusa

Admirers of Baroque architecture mainly tend to visit these places, as they represent this cultural period to the fullest extent. As a result, these towns belong to the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is difficult to highlight specific buildings that should be visited in these towns. In turn, it is recommended to walk across the streets of these towns with icecream or a cup of coffee.

Head To The Valley Of The Temples

When it comes to archeological attractions, this object is the first thing that comes to mind in Sicily. This construction includes 8 temples, although there are 2 main temples that are best visible: the temple of Concorde and the temple of Hera. Hence, you can walk between the temples on foot and enjoy the most impressive complex of ancient Greek buildings outside Greece

Explore Scala dei Turchi

If you are an admirer of aesthetics, you should definitely consider this local attraction. The mix of a white limestone cliff, turquoise color of the sea, and the fine sand beaches is the most considerable advantage of this place. Additionally, this attraction is widely known due to majestic views of the sunset.

Visit The Regional Archaeological Museum

If you are stuck in the hotel room on a rainy day, you should pay attention to this museum.

Located in Palermo, it aims to provide information regarding the development of archeology from the Phoenician to the Roman and Saracen periods. Simultaneously, it is here that you can spend time with children and improve their knowledge in this area.

Traditional Dishes And Drinks

Nowadays, Italian cuisine is significantly affected by Italian culture and food. For instance, there is no secret that Sicily is the island where you can taste different kinds of pasta, olive oils, wines, and seafood.

At the same time, this island is famous for its unique dishes that encourage thousands of people to come back here year by year.

Arancini is a local dish that can be described as a ball of creamy risotto rice that's breaded and deep-fried, whereas caponata is a traditional dish that consists aubergines, pine nuts, raisins, and plenty of vinegar. Nowadays, these dishes are tremendously popular among residents of the island and tourists, although there is a variety of other dishes that deserve attention as well. For example, raw red prawns, pasta alla norma, sardines, and cannoli play an essential role in Sicilian cuisine.

When it comes to drinks, people usually highlight the importance of wines and liquors. Taking into consideration that the island is Italy’s third-largest wine-producing region, there is no wonder why restaurants and cafes offer such a considerable number of wines. Once you arrive at Sicily, pay attention to Marsala wines, Zibibbo, Moscato, and Passito.

Best Ways To Get To Sicily

Sicily is one of the main tourist destinations in the Mediterranean sea, which is why there is a variety of ways to get to the island. For instance, this region is served by 4 airports, including the ones in Palermo and Catania, as well as 2 airports in Trapani and Comiso. If you make the decision to land in the Palermo airport, it is essential to remember that the airport is situated 19 miles west of the city center, whereas Catania airport is just 3 miles from downtown Catania.

Besides, people have the opportunity to reach the island with the help of ferry services from Genoa, Naples, Salerno, and Reggio Calabria on the Italian mainland. You can also get to Sicily by ferry from Tunis in North Africa and the islands of Sardinia and Malta. Moreover, the island can be reached by train, as Sicily is connected with Rome and Naples in this way.
It is also advised to pay attention to bus services and sailing, as these types of transportation can be used in order to get to the island from the majority of European regions.

Transport

As everywhere else in the world, it is recommended to take into account car rental in order to explore Sicily from different sides. If you don’t know any credible rental companies on the island, pay attention to Locauto, Sicily By Car, Firefly, Goldcar, and Alamo. These organizations provide high-quality services to individuals with different tastes. Nowadays, the average price for renting a car on the island varies from $26 to $56.

The transport network of the island is represented by buses, trains, and boats. Firstly, it is essential to note that buses are as quick, convenient, and frequent as trains. Therefore, it is up to you to choose specific transport. For example, blue buses usually connect cities, whereas the orange ones provide local services. In turn, trains are often chosen by tourists for specific routes (from Palermo to Cefalu). Accordingly, it is advised to choose the transport according to your current location and final destination.

A vast number of people use taxi services in order to reach a specific point on the island.

Most frequently, the price for these services is standard (it only depends on the day/night and length of the trip). However, it is recommended to negotiate the price for your route (itinerary) before entering.

Accommodations and Hotels

Sicily is tremendously famous for numerous kinds of hotels that provide services to guests of different social status. Therefore, despite your budget, you will be able to find some cozy place to stay on the island.

● Located in two 19th-century palaces, Hotel Gutkowski attracts thousands of tourists by its contemporary style combined with ancient traditions. Moreover, in spite of the fact that it is a 3-star hotel, it provides high-quality services.
● Hotel Borgo Pantano is widely known as a rural boutique hotel that serves guests during the hot season.
● Scilla Maris is the hotel named after a flower which is found in Vendicari Nature Reserve. The hotel has an outdoor pool, spa, restaurant, and sauna.
● If you are looking for exceptional services, head to Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo situated in Taormina.
● San Domenico Palace Hotel is the place that combines historical heritage with modern technologies, thereby becoming a fascinating destination.

No matter what, you can book any hotel that you want with the help of HotelFriend.