In spite of its dubious mafia connections Sicily is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination with more and more visitors discovering the alluring Italian island each year. It’s a traditional and rustic place with a rich culture and a heady mix of architecture, arts, cuisine, literature, music and history.
Is Sicily worth seeing?
In case you’re wondering whether it’s still worth visiting Sicily, my answer is a resounding YES. Sicily redefined what Italy could be, in my mind. It has a delightful mischief that I found tough to find in other parts of Italy, and I want to recapture that joy again.
Is Sicily crowded?
Sicily is one of the few European destinations that is open year-round. March through June and October are ideal, with few crowds, lots of festivals, and mild weather. … Bring plenty of layers, and be prepared for cooler inside temperatures, as Sicilians don’t heat their houses the way Americans do.
Is Sicily dangerous for tourists?
Like anywhere, Sicily has some opportunist criminals that will indulge in a spot of pickpocketing if they get the chance. Their number is very small, and you are far less likely to become a victim of petty crime in Sicily than most other parts of Italy, and even the rest of Europe!
What should I know before traveling to Sicily?
10 Things you should know before traveling to Sicily
- There’s breakfast and then there’s Sicilian breakfast! …
- Forget the “don’t eat after 6 o’clock rule”! …
- You’ll catch up on your sleep! …
- You’ll re-learn the time. …
- Learn some Italian words/phrases. …
- Cash is king! …
- Tipping is optional. …
- Getting round.
Which is the nicest part of Sicily?
1) Taormina
Even if it is a small town on the east coast of Sicily, Taormina is one of the most visited touristic resorts in all of Italy. Perched up on a hill about 250 m above the sea, Taormina is about midway between Messina and Catania, a good base for day excursions in eastern Sicily.
What is the prettiest town in Sicily?
13 of the most beautiful villages and towns in Sicily
- The beautiful village of Savoca in Sicily. ( Photo by Marc Rauw/Getty Images)
- Scicli, Sicily, Italy. ( …
- Gangi, Sicily, Italy. ( …
- Cefalù, Sicily, Italy. …
- Ortigia, Sicracusa, Sicily, Italy. ( …
- Erice, Sicily, Italy. ( …
- Modica, Sicily, Italy. ( …
- Savoca, Sicily, Italy. (
What is the best month to visit Sicily?
The best time to visit Sicily is from May to June or September to October. These late spring and early fall months offer hospitable temperatures in the 70s and low 80s, which are ideal for temple gazing, beach lazing or hiking.
Does it get cold in Sicily?
In Sicily, winter cold spells, which come from the Balkan Peninsula, usually only last two or three days, and are typically not intense along the coasts, where cold records are around 0 °C (32 °F), and snowfalls are very rare (occasionally, it can snow in Palermo and Messina, on the north coast, while on the south …
How expensive is Sicily?
You should plan to spend around €81 ($96) per day on your vacation in Sicily, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €26 ($31) on meals for one day and €10 ($12) on local transportation.
What should you not miss in Sicily?
- Palermo Cathedral.
- The picturesque Cefalu.
- View on Isola Bella from Taormina.
- Etna eruption – Sicily.
- A fisherman in Syracuse.
- Noto, a beautiful baroque town in Sicily.
- The best conserved temple in the valley of the Temples.
- The Scala dei turchi.
Is Sicily cheaper than Italy?
Sicily is relatively cheap compared to Northern Italy. If you must, it is possible to get by on 35 EUR per day as long as you have a tent and stay on a camping site and buy your food from local shops. (But 50 EUR per day and person are a far more sensible budget.)
How much time should I spend in Sicily?
Sicily can be experienced in as little as 3 to 5 days if you are short on time and interested in a quick coastal retreat. However, it’s much better to spend at least a week discovering this Mediterranean paradise. If you have 7 days you can explore a meaningful section of the island.
What is Sicily famous for?
Sicily is famous, among other things, for its food and Palermo, its biggest city, regularly features as one of the street food capitals of the world. Sicilian food has been influenced by the many civilizations that lived on the island.
Which is better to visit Palermo or Catania?
Palermo “may” have the edge on markets, but overall, Catania is better for shopping – You would find boutique shopping on via Etnea, as well as hypermarkets all around Catania. There are beaches in Catania and beaches easily reached by public bus from Catania towards the airport – Mondello is Palermo’s beach.
Is Sicily pretty?
Sicily is beautiful, but Palermo and Cartania are the two largest cities. There are no beaches in Palermo. Palermo is a port city. And although there are beaches in Catania near the airport, Catania is a city and not a beach resort.