SICILY

ABOUT SICILY

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with a total length of around 1,000 km. The island resembles the shape of a triangle and was therefore named Trinakria in ancient times. The closest point between Sicily and mainland Italy is at Messina which is only 3 km. Sicily includes as well small island groups like the Egadi Islands in the West and the volcanic Aeolian Islands in the North. Further, the two bigger islands of Ustica and Pantelleria are also considered Sicilian.

 

The landscapes of Sicily are absolutely diverse. Mountains and hills cover about 80% of Sicily. Inland you find various mountain ranges: the Nebrodi and Madonie Mountains, and in the southeast there are the Iblei Mountains. All of them are perfect for hiking & biking and horseback riding tours. In the Northwestern corner sits The Zingaro Natural Reserve with a balanced mix of pristine beaches, elevated hiking trails with spectacular sea views, and a rich variety of flora and fauna! The Alcantara River is finding its way in the deep Alcantara Gorges and a playground for adventure activities from canyoning and hiking to climbing and rafting!

Sicily is also home to a variety of beaches. The rugged northern coast is interrupted by numerous small bays while the South of Sicily is known for its long sandy beaches.

 

One of the icons of Sicily is the impressive Mount Etna (3.345m), the most active and highest volcano in Europe. Mount Etna invites adventurous travelers to many activities: hiking, MTB, skiing, but also horseback riding, quad bike tours and wine tasting at the local wineries on the fertile slopes. On the Aeolian Islands, there are two more activevolcanoes: the fire-spitting Stromboli and the sleeping Vulcano. You can climb to the crater top and above enjoy the views of the sea.

 

Sicily is as well rich in culture and history as the island was occupied by various cultures including the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, the Normans, and the Spanish. The result of this moving history is evident in its buildings and monuments. Sicily’s baroque towns in the Southeast are probably the best example. Since 2002 part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Siracusa, Noto, Modica, and Ragusa are gorgeous little towns, and their historical centers consist of a stunning selection of baroque palaces, churches, and houses. Besides you can find some well-preserved Greek temples in Siracusa, Agrigento, and Segesta. But also authentic villages, local festivals, traditional dances, and of course Sicilian cuisine are to be experienced on this unique island.

 

WHEN TO TRAVEL

It is possible to visit Sicily all year long, but the best times to travel are May, June, September and October. Summer is lovely, but it can get very hot over July and August and the seaside resorts and towns can become crowded.

While the weather is quite changeable and sometimes rainy in spring, the summer months are arid and temperatures can go as high as 34 degrees. Once the temperatures fall in autumn, the rainy period begins. Temperatures fall further over the winter months, but apart from the higher areas, most of Sicily hardly ever experiences temperatures below freezing.

The northern and particularly the northeastern parts of Sicily get the most rain over the year, which is mainly down to the more mountainous terrain. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall during the warm summer months are common, especially in the areas East of Mount Etna. The flatter plains in the southern and southwestern part of Sicily get relatively little rainfall throughout the year.

 

HOW TO TRAVEL

The international airports in Sicily are Trapani in the west, Palermo in the northwest, Catania in the east and Ragusa in the southeast of the island. International connections within Europe are good and Sicily is served by all major and some regional European airlines. Direct long-haul connections from outside Europe are rare, in this case it is easiest to connect in mainland Italy like Milan or Rome.

It is possible to take flights from mainland Sicily to the island of Pantelleria from Trapani or Palermo.

The other islands can be reached by ferry. The hydrofoils for the Aeolian Islands leave from Milazzo to Lipari, from where it is then possible to connect to the other islands. As connections are not always frequent and perfectly timed, you should plan the whole day for traveling if you plan to connect from Lipari to another island. The Egadi islands can be reached by hydrofoils from Trapani. Sailings take place frequently over the day and the trip takes less than one hour.

Sicily has a good network of motorways and national roads, making it easy and fast to get around. Infrastructure tends to be a bit more remote in the south, center and mountainous areas. Toll is required on the A18 and A20 motorways.

 

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Travelling in Sicily with children is easy and Sicilians love children. Hotels, restaurants and bars are eager to accommodate families and children. Menus don’t usually serve a dedicated kids menu, but offer smaller or half portions.

Siesta plays an important way of life in Sicily and shops close between 1 and 5pm. Dinner time in Sicily is usually not before 9pm and especially over the summer months kids are out and about until midnight.

Not all activities are suitable for small children, but Sicily has plenty to offer if you are looking for a fulfilling trip for the whole family. Kids will love to explore the cobbled ancient streets of the historic towns, will be fascinated by the volcanic heritage and of course love the outstanding Sicilian food. The sandy beaches in the south are perfect for a couple of relaxing days and farms and agri-tourism accommodation especially cater for families and offer activities centered around nature and the outdoors.

 

WHAT TO BRING

If you are travelling to Sicily between May and September, prepare for warm, sunny and dry days, so light summer clothes, light shoes, swimming gear, sun lotion, sunglasses and sun cover should all make it into your luggage. For those heading to Sicily's mountains and volcanoes, steady hiking boots, a headlight/torch, warm jumper and a rain and windproof jacket are advisable. Also mosquitos tend to annoy people over the summer months, so an insect repellent will do no harm. Some of the churches and religious buildings require covered shoulders, so bring a scarf or t-shirt.

While casual leisure wear is totally fine during the day, you should pack a nice outfit for going out in the evenings. There is no dress-code in most bars or restaurants, but clubs might be a different story. Sicilians like to dress to impress at nighttime, so unless you want to stand out, you might want to do the same.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

You can describe Sicily as a “low risk” destination - there are no rare illnesses requiring vaccines, foodstuffs and tap water in all towns and Sicily's cities is safe. If you are traveling over the high summer months, limit your exposure to the sun, especially during the first few days and over lunchtime between 11am and 4pm when the sun is strongest. Be sure to bring sun lotion, a sun hat and sunglasses. 

In case of emergency, the number for the police is 113, who can also call an ambulance for you. Many doctors in Sicily speak English and hotels and resorts will be able to recommend a doctor if needed. You are eligible for free emergency care under the Italian health care system, but be prepared to pay costs erasing from hospital admittance or medical consultation. The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is widely accepted in Sicily to cover for minor and emergency treatments, though private travel insurance is always recommended.

Pharmacies are open during the week, often closing for lunch and then open late until 9 or 10pm. There is a rota for emergency opening hours, so you will always find a pharmacy open over the siesta or after hours. That information is usually displayed at the door or the window.

The mafia is the probably the first thing that comes to many people’s mind when thinking about Sicily, but the mafia does not bother tourists and it’s highly unlikely that you would run into anything connected to the group. Chances are higher that you might encounter pickpockets, thieves and purse-snatchers and caution is always advisable when in more crowded areas.

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All EU / EEA nationals will not  need to present more than an identification document to enter Sicily and Italy, due to the common travel area of the Schengen Zone.

Non-EU/EEA travelers wishing to visit Sicily and Italy will need to present a valid passport or travel document issued within the last ten years and valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure date from the Schengen area. British passport holders are exempt from the criteria of passport validity and issuance date.

A visa is required for nationals arriving from a non EU/EEA country that has not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states or if you were previously rejected from entering Italy or any other Schengen country.

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ELICTRICITY

Electricity current in Sicily is 220V and plugs have two or three round prongs.