Which airport is better to fly into for Sicily?
It may be best to fly to Catania Fontanarossa International Airport if you want to tour the eastern part of the island, while a flight to the Palermo airport is great for visitors wanting to tour the northwestern region of Sicily.
Catania-Fontanarossa airport – It is the main Sicilian airport and the first mayor one of southern Italy. This airport has a high volume of international air traffic from/to European and extra-European destinations. It is located 4.3 km southwest of Catania.
The nearest airport to Sicily is Comiso (CIY) Airport which is 77.4 km away. Other nearby airports include Catania (CTA) (81.4 km), Palermo (PMO) (113.7 km) and Malta (MLA) (195.6 km).
The most popular airport to fly into is Catania–Fontanarossa (CTA), which is located just outside the city of Catania in eastern Sicily, near Mount Etna. British Airways, Norwegian Airlines and TUI Airways fly here from London Gatwick (LGW) in summer, and easyJet covers the route year-round.
In general, Palermo has more tourist attractions and markets to explore as well as being a better base for exploring Western Sicily. Catania has fewer visitors and is a better base for visiting Etna and Eastern Sicily.
There are no direct flights from the US to Sicily, so travelers must change planes, either within Italy or at another airport in Europe.
Which airlines fly direct to Sicily? Currently, there are no airlines that fly direct to Sicily. But we found flights with one or more stops from $466.
| Popular in | December | High demand for flights, 0% potential price rise |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest in | March | Best time to find cheap flights, 3% potential price drop |
| Average price | $818 | Average for round-trip flights in May 2023 |
| Round-trip from | $545 | From New York to Catania Fontanarossa |
| One-way from | $223 | One-way flight from New York to Sicily |
Italy can be reached by car from Austria, France, Switzerland and Slovenia. To reach Sicily from Northern Italy you can take the A1 motorway to Naples and then from Naples continue through the A3 to Villa San Giovanni and Reggio Calabria from where you can take the ferry to Messina.
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 the prettiest part of Sicily?
- Taormina. Also called “the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea”. ...
- Etna. The highest active volcano in Europe. ...
- Ortigia. It is located on a small island connected to the mainland by three bridges. ...
- Ragusa Ibla. ...
- Valle dei Templi. ...
- Favignana. ...
- Erice. ...
- Segesta.
Its dramatic coastline, beautiful beaches, stunning views, endless entertainment and strategic position, make Taormina the ideal base for a wonderful Sicilian holiday. Taormina is located in an area with easy access to many other important and popular destinations around Sicily.
The best areas to stay in Sicily for both first time and returning tourists are Palermo, Catania, Taormina, Syracuse, Cefalù, and Letojanni. These are the most popular neighborhood for tourists that offer a wide variety of attractions and amenties.
Within Italy, many classic holiday destinations, such as Milan, Rome, Bologna, Florence, Venice, Naples, and Pisa all have higher levels of crime than the Sicilian capital of Palermo and the island's second-largest city, Catania.
The best time to visit Palermo would be late spring and early autumn due to the favorable temperature in those months. These are the peak times to visit Palermo and can be quite expensive. Palermo has Mediterranean climate, with Sirocco winds raising the temperature by several degrees.
U.S. citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. All non-residents are required to complete a declaration of presence (dichiarazione di presenza).
The best way to get around Sicily is by train, as it allows you to quickly and affordably get from the island's various cities while still enjoying the scenery. Be sure to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines. Buses are another affordable transportation method and may be your next best option.
As a whole Sicily is inexpensive for a holiday. Hotels are on average €109 per night whereas holiday rentals are around €128 per night. An average meal is around €14 with a drink and a coffee, but around €18 for a meat dish. Public transport is €2 for inner city travel and up to €23 to travel across the country.
Travelling to Sicily
You can take a direct air-conditioned Intercity train to Sicily from Rome or Naples, or connect in these cities from across Italy. It's a 9 hour journey from Naples to Palermo, or 11.5 hours from Rome. You can also disembark at other destinations in Sicily.
How far is Sicily from Rome by plane?
Rome and Sicily are approximately 260 miles (420 km) apart as the crow flies. Quick flights and overnight train and ferry routes make the trip possible for even the shortest of itineraries.
Is Sicily expensive to visit? Generally speaking, no it is not. Sicily can be quite an affordable destination to visit in Italy and you can get a great feel for the culture, cuisine and history without breaking the bank.
With so much to see and do, Palermo is a true historical treasure trove waiting to be explored. Nico's Take: Palermo, the city that just can't seem to shake off its conquerors, boasts one of the largest historic centers in all of Europe.
Sicily is one of the cheapest places in Italy, owing primarily to the fact that you don't have to worry about paying for any high-speed trains. Additionally, food at most restaurants in Sicily is generally a bit cheaper than what you'd find in cities on the Italian mainland like Rome, Florence and Venice.
As visitors, do not worry! Italian is spoken in all of Sicily and many – particularly the young – also speak other languages. It is rare to meet Sicilians who are not able to communicate in the Italian language. In general, we use dialect in informal situations: at home or with friends.
Ferry from Sicily to Italy
The fastest route between Sicily and Italy is Villa San Giovanni with a crossing duration of around 20 minutes.
- Some of the beaches are made from lava — ...
- The wine's no longer all swill — ...
- Sicily isn't all that Italian — ...
- If you meet the Mafia, you won't know it — ...
- The bikini is very old news here — ...
- Sicily rivals Greece for ancient ruins — ...
- Desserts will satisfy the sweetest tooth —
September is the busiest (and most expensive) month. But even at its liveliest, the island is far less crowded than the big, mainland Italian cities. In the off-season (roughly Nov–Feb), Sicily can be chilly (temperatures in the 40s and snow at high altitudes), but you'll have the island to yourself.
Many people wonder if Sicily is close to the Amalfi Coast. Sicily and the Amalfi Coast are 343 km (213 miles) apart and are not close to each other. However, it's easy to travel between Sicily and the Amalfi Coast. Getting between these two regions only takes a few hours.
- Sicilian dialect is different from Italian.
- Money Issues.
- Eat Granita for breakfast every day.
- Prepare to slow down and adapt to the Sicilian time.
- Visit markets in the morning.
- Don't mention the “M” word.
- Sicily is safe.
- Sicilian Opening Hours & Planning Ahead.
Where do celebrities stay in Sicily?
On the South West coast of Italy is a luxury hotel that is known for accommodating some of the biggest names from Hollywood, all who come for some R&R from the busy life of Tinseltown - it's called the Verdura Resort.
North-Eastern Sicily – Taormina
It's impossible to talk about luxury holidays in Sicily without mentioning the glamorous hilltop town of Taormina, nicknamed the Pearl of the Ionian Sea.
Some of the best beaches in Sicily are to be found south of Syracuse, at Vendicari Nature Reserve and around the point on the south coast, where seemingly endless stretches of sand follow the coast through Pozzallo, Marina di Modica, Sampieri, Donnalucata, Marina di Ragusa and Punta Secca.
Water -- Most Sicilians have mineral water with their meals. Tap water is normally potable everywhere, including at public drinking fountains. Unsafe sources will be marked ACQUA NON POTABILE. Some cities along the southern coast get their water supply exclusively from a sea-water desalinator, making it non-potable.
Most will give you great advice and help ensure you have a wonderful experience while in Palermo. Visiting bars and nightclubs at night is usually safe as long as you don't drink to excess or leave your drink unattended. Don't leave a bar or nightclub with someone you don't know.
The ferry duration from Rome to Sicily begins from Rome's nearby port of Civitavecchia to Palermo and takes around 15 hours and 45 minutes.
Palermo. Palermo is the commercial and culinary capital of Sicily. The traditional cuisine of Palermo adheres to the local and fresh ingredients of the Mediterranean diet, utilizing fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, potatoes, and legumes, pork, sheep, beef, cheeses, and olive oil.
1. TRAPANI. Located halfway between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Strait of Sicily, Trapani is home to some of the most beautiful Sicily beaches.
Modica – a hidden Unesco town
If you are looking for a beautiful Italian town entirely off the tourist radar, I highly recommend Modica in southeastern Sicily. Modica is one of Sicily's hidden gems and part of the UNESCO-listed Late Baroque Towns of Val di Noto.
Ragusa can be recommended as a first-come on the list of the safest cities in Sicily. Milazzo, Messina, Siracusa and Noto are famous destinations that a solo female traveler could visit without trouble.
Is a week enough in Sicily?
A one-week trip to Sicily is the perfect amount of time to see some of the island's highlights, but it will be impossible to see and do everything that this diverse island has to offer. Renting a car will help reduce travel times and gives you more freedom to explore one region of the island.
Catania, Sicily, is a beautiful city on the eastern coast of Italy. There are many great things about Catania that make it a popular destination for tourists and a wonderful place to live. Catania is steeping with a rich history and culture that dates back to ancient times.
Women traveling alone can safely be in Catania. Follow common sense, do not wander the streets late at night, do not attract too much attention, putting on immodest clothes, do not wear a lot of jewelry on yourself, and you will be safe.
Staying 2-4 days in Palermo is the perfect amount. With 1 or 2 days, you'll be able to fit in all the highlights, but your days will be long and busy. In my experience, 3-4 days is the sweet spot. It's enough time to get a solid feel for the city without rushing through your days.
The wettest month is November with an average of 130mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in August when the average sea temperature is 26.3°C (79°F).
Spending 4 days in Sicily is just enough to satisfy your senses, give your skin a sun-kissed look and leave you itching to book your next trip back to the island. Despite appearing on the small side when you look at a map, Sicily is in fact the largest island in Italy!
Italy can be reached by car from Austria, France, Switzerland and Slovenia. To reach Sicily from Northern Italy you can take the A1 motorway to Naples and then from Naples continue through the A3 to Villa San Giovanni and Reggio Calabria from where you can take the ferry to Messina.
First of all, you should know that – even if Palermo is the capital of Sicily – the biggest airport is Catania Fontanarossa.
Sicily Trip Cost Guide. Travellers to Sicily will find that the region will be more affordable compared to many other areas of Italy and can expect to spend roughly €55-220 per person per day.
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 the best part of Sicily to stay?
Its dramatic coastline, beautiful beaches, stunning views, endless entertainment and strategic position, make Taormina the ideal base for a wonderful Sicilian holiday. Taormina is located in an area with easy access to many other important and popular destinations around Sicily.
Taormina is undoubtedly a city with the most beautiful view of Sicily and at the same time one of the most beautiful in Europe. Ruins of the Greco-Roman theater, Etna and the sea in the background. Taormina was admired by writers, poets, and painters. It is well-deserved delight.
