Sicily

Understand

Sicily is one of the country's 20 regions, and it is separated from the mainland region of Calabria by the 5-km Straits of Messina. Sicily has a long history of foreign domination, from the Phoenicians to the Greeks and the Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Catalans. The result is a mixed culture where every single domination left something to see, to taste, and to hear. One of the most recognizable cultural symbols of Sicily is the Triskelion, also known as the Trinacria, which appears on the island’s flag. The emblem depicts a three-legged figure radiating from a central head, traditionally identified as Medusa, and is often accompanied by ears of wheat symbolizing fertility and agricultural abundance. The design reflects Sicily’s triangular shape and its ancient Greek heritage. The tourist season peaks in the summer months, although people visit the island all year round. It can get very hot during the summer, so it is better to visit during spring and autumn, while it is still quite pleasant during winter. The Sicilians are a proud people. Though most are somewhat conservative, they are open-minded to visitors.

Climate

Being the overall hottest region in Europe, Sicily has a Mediterranean climate, with very hot, long and dry summers and very mild to warm winters. Sicily is very sunny, even in winter. Most cities only receive 40 days of precipitation throughout the year (with the exception of the quite rainy Messina) and when it does rain, it usually happens in winter. Humidity is generally low. The only exception to the stereotyped climate of Sicily is the little city of Enna (as well as some villages in the mountains), which is foggy and relatively cold in winter. This is due to the altitude of the city, the highest in Italy for a provincial capital (931 m). Enna is also the foggiest city in Italy, with about 140 foggy days a year on average.

Tourist information

Visit Sicily website

What's inside

Sicily is divided into nine administrative areas corresponding to the former provinces. While three are now officially designated as metropolitan cities, the province-based divisions remain useful for travellers and are used here for clarity.

Archipelagos

Sicily’s nearby archipelagos are listed separately due to their distinct geography and travel appeal, though they are administratively part of mainland provinces.

The most visited towns and cities in Sicily, listed for their cultural, historical, or scenic appeal.

Getting there

By plane

Sicily is served by two major international airports:

Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) – The island’s busiest airport, with flights to major cities across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, including seasonal intercontinental connections. It is a major hub for low-cost and charter airlines. Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO) – The second-largest airport, offering a wide range of European connections, mostly on budget carriers. There are also two smaller international airports:

Trapani–Birgi Airport (TPS) – Served by Ryanair and other low-cost carriers, mainly with connections to Italy and central Europe. Comiso Airport (CIY) – A small airport near Ragusa, with a few seasonal European flights. For island access:

Getting around

Getting around Sicily is possible by car, train, bus, and ferry. Car is the most flexible option, but public transport connects all major cities and towns.

By car

Driving is the most convenient way to explore the island, especially if you want to visit rural areas or the interior.

Sicily has four main motorways (autostrade): A18 – Messina to Catania (toll) A19 – Palermo to Catania (free) A20 – Messina to Palermo (toll) A29 – Palermo to Mazara del Vallo, with a branch to Trapani (free) Smaller roads through the countryside and mountains can be scenic but slow. Parking in city centers may be limited, so check ZTL (limited traffic zone) regulations. Snow chains are required around Mount Etna in winter (Dec–Mar).

See

Sicily’s layered history is visible everywhere — from vast ancient ruins and elegant Baroque towns to atmospheric hill villages and bold contemporary art. Whether you’re following in the footsteps of the Greeks, wandering medieval lanes, or admiring sculptural landscapes, the island offers cultural experiences as rich and varied as its terrain.

Archaeology

Sicily boasts some of the most significant archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is home to soaring Greek temples, while Selinunte and Segesta showcase other sprawling ancient cities. In the east, Syracuse and Akrai preserve classical theatres and sanctuaries, while the Neapolis Archaeological Park holds layers of Greek, Roman, and early Christian ruins. Further inland, the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina is famed for its vast Roman mosaics. The cliff-carved necropolis of Pantalica (Syracuse), the Phoenician island city of Mozia (Trapani), and prehistoric cave dwellings like Grotta Mangiapane (Custonaci) illustrate Sicily’s continuous human habitation stretching back millennia.

Architecture

Each wave of conquest and rebirth has left its own distinct imprint on Sicily's landscape and culture. Norman-Arab cathedrals in Palermo, Cefalù, and Monreale blend Islamic and Romanesque motifs and are UNESCO-listed masterpieces. The island’s post-1693 reconstruction gave rise to the spectacular Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, including Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Noto, and Palazzolo Acreide — a theatrical fusion of light, stone, and town planning. Medieval towns like Erice (Trapani), Castiglione di Sicilia (Catania), and Troina (Enna) preserve fortified castles and Gothic churches, while rebuilt towns like Gibellina (Trapani) showcase avant-garde architecture and monumental land art after earthquake devastation.

Do

Hiking

Sicily is one of the best hiking destinations in southern Europe, offering trails through volcanoes, forests, canyons, and along spectacular coastlines. For volcanic adventures, Mount Etna (Catania) and the Aeolian Islands (Messina) are top picks. Inland, the Madonie and Nebrodi mountain parks (Palermo, Messina, Enna) offer forested ridges, wildlife, and village-to-village hikes, including parts of the long-distance Sentiero Italia CAI and the Via dei Frati pilgrimage route. If you're interested in coastal walking, head to the dramatic sea cliffs and coves of the Zingaro and Monte Cofano reserves (Trapani), or stroll through the quiet lagoons and dunes of Vendicari (Syracuse). Canyon lovers should explore the steep limestone gorges of Cavagrande del Cassibile and Pantalica (Syracuse), or the atmospheric Cava d’Ispica (Ragusa). For forest hikes near hill towns, head for Erice or try Monte Bonifato in Alcamo (Trapani). There are also oak woods at Bosco della Ficuzza (Palermo). Most trails are scenic and peaceful, but signage varies, so carry a GPS map and avoid hiking in the midday summer heat.

Skiing

Sicily may not be known for skiing, but in winter, Mount Etna offers a truly unique experience: skiing on an active volcano with views of the sea. There are two small ski areas, both typically open from January to early March, depending on snow and volcanic conditions. The southern slopes Etna Sud (Messina) are accessed via Rifugio Sapienza, where you'll find chairlifts, gear rental, and cafés. The northern side Etna Nord, (Messina) is based at Piano Provenzana, a quieter area surrounded by forests and lava flows, also offering cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Both areas are best reached by car. Snow cover varies, so check conditions locally before planning a trip.

Fishing

Fishing in Sicily is more than a sport — it’s a way of life that still shapes many of the island’s coastal communities. Visitors can experience this culture firsthand by joining local fishermen for boat-based excursions, learning traditional techniques, or simply casting a line from the shore. The west coast, particularly around Trapani and the Aegadian Islands, offers some of the most authentic experiences, including net fishing and seafood lunches aboard small boats. On the southeast coast, villages like Marzamemi and Portopalo di Capo Passero (Syracuse province) offer relaxed outings and connections to old tuna fisheries (tonnare). Along the Ionian coast, Aci Trezza and Acireale (Catania province) provide scenic fishing trips near lava cliffs and marine reserves. Casual shore fishing is possible almost anywhere, especially at dawn and dusk, while spearfishing and trap use are regulated. Inland fishing is limited but possible in a few lakes in Enna and Caltanissetta.

Eat

Making the most of its island coasts, Sicily has one of the world's best cuisines to offer. Much of the island's food is made with creatures of the sea. Unlike in the northern parts of Italy, cream and butter are hardly used for typical dishes in Sicily. Instead, the natives usually substitute tomatoes, lard (rarely) or olive oil. The cuisine uses many spices, and has a number of unique flavours. Sicilians cultivate a uniquely Sicilian type of olive tree, which they affectionately call the "saracena". The food is typically Mediterranean but there are strong hints of Arabic and Spanish flavour (Sicily was conquered by many peoples during its long history). Sicilians like spices and have particular affinity for almond, jasmine, rosemary, mint and basil. Sicilians notoriously have a sweet tooth and are among the best dessert-makers in Italy. Try 'cannoli' (tubular pastries filled with sweet ricotta cheese), 'granita' (ices mixed with real crushed fruit and juices), and their most famous export, 'cassata' (Arabic-inspired cake). Make sure to try the very popular pine-nut and almond biscuits. 'Arancini' (sometimes Arancine), fried rice balls with fillings, is a Sicilian fast food that is relatively cheap. They can be hard to find outside Sicily, so try them while you're there.

Drink

Sicily has a rich and evolving wine culture. The island is home to more vineyards than any other Italian region and has transformed its wine industry in recent decades—from mass-market production to a focus on quality, terroir, and native varietals. Wine in Sicily is broadly divided into three key regions:

Val di Mazara Wine Region – A rural and coastal district that includes the historic wine zones around Marsala, Menfi, Salaparuta, Erice, and Trapani. Known for its DOC vineyards, agrotourism, and pioneering producers. Marsala wine originated here, alongside robust reds like Nero d’Avola and crisp whites such as Grillo and Catarratto. Val Demone Wine Region – Vineyards stretch along the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, where the elevation and lava-rich soils produce some of Italy’s most complex wines. Look for minerally whites from Carricante and structured reds from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Val di Noto Wine Region – Around Noto, Ragusa, and Vittoria, the sun-drenched southeast produces elegant wines, including the DOCG-rated Cerasuolo di Vittoria, a blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato. The area is also known for late-harvest Muscat from Noto. Notable wines and grapes: Marsala, Nero d'Avola, Bianco d'Alcamo, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Etna Rosso, Etna Bianco, Grillo, Frappato, Carricante, Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria), Malvasia, Inzolia. Sicilians also enjoy regional liqueurs such as lemony Limoncello, sweet Amaro Averna (from Caltanissetta), and locally produced digestifs flavoured with herbs, citrus, and almonds.

Local customs

Even if it's constantly decreasing, the Mafia is still active in some parts of Sicily, causing many problems and damaging the region's economy. Most Sicilians know that and are very upset about it; they are also very aware of the mafia-related crimes that have happened in the region. Many organisations, like AddioPizzo and Libera, have been founded specifically to fight the mafia. Do not make jokes about the mafia, and never say that all Sicilians are "mafiosi", even if it's a joke. In general Sicilians are quite conservative and religious, although most young and educated people are becoming fairly liberal, especially in big cities. However public displays of affection between LGBT couples are best avoided: even in big cities, stares and whispers are almost always guaranteed, and sometimes something more can happen. Shorts and clothes showing much skin are OK everywhere but in churches. Although quite common in the centre and north of Italy, blasphemy is definitely not cool in Sicily. Most people in Sicily are Catholic and expect visitors to respect their religion.

Stay safe

Most of Sicily's small/middle-sized cities and villages are completely safe. Big cities like Palermo, Catania and Messina are also safe but you should be aware of pickpockets and scammers in touristy areas. Some suburbs of Palermo (Zen, Brancaccio, Borgo Nuovo) and Catania (San Cristoforo, Librino) are quite dangerous, but are almost never visited by tourists. The well-known mafia, which is also present in most parts of Italy, is almost never involved in crimes against visitors. Driving habits in Sicily (and in most of the south of Italy) are very different from what you may be accustomed to, especially in big cities. Turn signals are not used, and parking is haphazard. Driving outside the big cities is OK, especially in highways (Autostrade) and in the main roads in general. Provincial roads in the interior of the island can be in bad condition. On trains, especially during the night, keep your wits about you, and try to stay with other passengers.

Go next

Why not explore neighbouring Sardinia? You have the chance to visit the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. You can also explore more of what Southern Italy has to offer.

More pictures of Sicily

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.