Travel Tips about Sicily
1) Do you suggest I rent a car?
Yes, renting a car is the ideal way to visit Sicily. Trains and buses link up the towns and cities and places of greatest interest (archaeological sites and some beaches), but a car offers greater freedom of movement and means you can visit the lesser known tourist destinations – those off the beaten track and less crowded.
2) What’s the weather like in Sicily? What are the average temperatures?
Sicily has a Mediterranean climate, but due to its mountain areas, the climate varies based on altitude and predominating winds (Mistral, Sirocco and less frequently Libeccio). In the coastal areas the influence of the sea is predominant (dry summers and mild winters), while in the interior the climate is more continental or even alpine based on altitude.
Average temperatures in Sicily by month:
January – Min 5°C Max 22°C
February – Min 5°C Max 22°C
March – Min 10°C Max 26°C
April – Min 12°C Max 27°C
May – Min 16°C Max 28°C
June – Min 18°C Max 30°C
July – Min 22°C Max 36°C
August – Min 26°C Max 42°C
September – Min 25°C Max 35°C
October – Min 15°C Max 22°C
November – Min 8°C Max 20°C
December – Min – 5°C Max 22°C
January – Min 5°C Max 22°C
February – Min 5°C Max 22°C
March – Min 10°C Max 26°C
April – Min 12°C Max 27°C
May – Min 16°C Max 28°C
June – Min 18°C Max 30°C
July – Min 22°C Max 36°C
August – Min 26°C Max 42°C
September – Min 25°C Max 35°C
October – Min 15°C Max 22°C
November – Min 8°C Max 20°C
December – Min – 5°C Max 22°C
3) Which are the most attractive and popular beaches in Sicily?
Sicily’s coastline is long – no less than 1500 km – and its beaches are many and varied. Spread throughout the island’s provinces, you will find both free beach areas and well-equipped bathing lidos with bars and other services. Answering the question which beaches are not to be missed depends very much on the type of holiday you’re looking for: for snorkelling and diving we suggest the small islands and the archipelagos; for a stay allowing visits to some interesting historical centres and archaeological sites we suggest Palermo, Agrigento and Syracuse; if you’re travelling with children, we suggest the beaches awarded the Blue Flag by the FEE.
Below is a general list of the top ten beaches. Click here for the map of the Top 50 beaches in Sicily not to be missed.
Isola Bella, Taormina
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa
San Vito Lo Capo, Riserva dello Zingaro
Fontane Bianche, Syracuse
Vendicari, Noto
Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte
Lungomare di Cefalù
Mondello, Palermo
Cala Rossa, Favignana
Lago dello Specchio di Venere, Pantelleria
Isola Bella, Taormina
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa
San Vito Lo Capo, Riserva dello Zingaro
Fontane Bianche, Syracuse
Vendicari, Noto
Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte
Lungomare di Cefalù
Mondello, Palermo
Cala Rossa, Favignana
Lago dello Specchio di Venere, Pantelleria
4) Where can I find the best nightlife?
Almost all the big cities on the sea – first and foremost Palermo and Catania – and the surrounding tourist resorts offer vibrant night life during the summer months. If you’re looking for a perfect blend of sea, restaurants and night clubs, go for the areas of Mondello, Cefalù, San Vito Lo Capo or Marsala. We also recommend most of Eastern Sicily: Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Syracuse and Marina di Ragusa.
5) Which hotels in Sicily have the best facilities for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility?
Many hotels throughout Sicily have rooms for guests with disabilities, but in some the process of upgrading services to make them fully usable by guests with reduced mobility is still under way. We suggest you check the progress of works against the planned date of your vacation.
6) Which is the best area for a quiet, relaxing – and not crowded – vacation in Sicily?
Pure relaxation is guaranteed at the following structures, all situated on the smaller islands and sheltered from mass tourism:
7) Where can I find the best golf courses in Sicily?
The best golf courses in Sicily are four in number. Visit the page dedicated to these exclusive structures and discover full details on the Picciolo Etna Golf Resort and Spa, I Monasteri Golf Resort, Verdura Golf and Spa Resort.
8) Which Hotels welcome small pets?
Below are some of the hotels of the CharmingSicily group which welcome animals. Check on costs and availability when planning your vacation:
Hotel Villa Enrica – Lipari
Eremo della Giubiliana – Ragusa
Villa del Lauro – Ragusa
Monaci delle Terre Nere – Zafferana Etnea
Hotel Villa Neri Resort and Spa – Linguaglossa
Zash Country Boutique Hotel – Riposto
Planeta Estate La Foresteria – Menfi
Hotel Signum – Malfa Salina
Il Cuore di Dioniso – Castelvetrano
9) Hotels in Sicily with en-suite Jacuzzi
A private en-suite Jacuzzi is the hallmark of pure relaxation and creates an intimate ambience during a romantic weekend. We have listed the hotels with rooms and suites with Jacuzzi.
Hotel Plaza Opéra (Palermo) – the Superior and Deluxe rooms have a Jacuzzi tub in the en-suite bathroom, the Suite has a lounge area with a double Jacuzzi.
Hotel Imperiale (Taormina) – the Junior Suite Intimate Terrace Spa, the Pool Suite and the Terrace Suite have a panoramic terrace with a stone hot tub.
Donna Carmela – the Garden/Etna view Annex offers a private garden with a small outdoor Jacuzzi with hydro-massage.
La Plage Resort (Taormina) – De Luxe Suite Sea View with outdoor Jacuzzi, Deluxe Bungalow Overlooking the Sea with outdoor Jacuzzi, Bungalow Sea Side with outdoor Jacuzzi.
Anime a Sud (Modica) – the Residenza Hortus has a garden with hydro-massage tub.
Suite Beach Hotel (Marsala) – the Deluxe rooms have a bathroom with hydro-massage tub.
Villa Enrica (Lipari) – All room types have en-suite bathroom, some with hydro-massage tub or shower.
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort (Sciacca) – the Presidential Suite has a pool and hydro-massage tub
Hotel Principe di Villafranca (Palermo) – some of the Junior Suites have Jacuzzi.
10) How do I reach the Aeolian Islands, Favignana and Pantelleria?
How to reach the Aeolian Islands
Catania Fontanarossa, Palermo Punta Raisi, Trapani and Reggio Calabria are the airports closest to these islands.
Airport – Port shuttle: At those airports you will find either private shuttle bus services or you can choose Giuntabus which is a bookable seasonal public service (+39 090673782).
By Sea: The Aeolian Islands can be easily reached either by hydrofoil or ferry from the ports of Milazzo, Messina, Reggio Calabria, Palermo and Naples (www.siremar.it or www.usticalines.it). Milazzo is the nearest port with ferry and hydrofoil departures every hour. Vehicles can be embarked at Milazzo and Naples. The last ferry departing Milazzo is the NGI leaving at 21:00 h. Naples is the nearest port for those coming from Northern or Central Italy; during the summer, two daily runs in hydrofoil are available, plus two ferry runs per week. Once you reach the island, there are several taxi services to take you to your hotel.
Car/Motorbike: In August, only cars and motorbikes belonging to tourists staying for at least one week are allowed on board the ferry. If you wish to take your car/motorbike, please advise your hotel well in advance so that a pass can be requested.
How to reach Favignana
Take the hydrofoil from Trapani directly to Favignana – a trip of about 30 minutes.
The companies operating hydrofoil services are Ustica Lines and Siremar (www.siremar.it or www.usticalines.it). We strongly recommend – especially in high season – that you make your hydrofoil bookings well in advance – during the summer months they are often completely sold out.
On Favignana in the summer months driving private vehicles is allowed for residents only while visitors’ vehicles are subject to restrictions. We suggest you avoid boarding your car, as you would need authorisation to use it on the island. We suggest you rent a moped on the spot – the best way of touring the island.
How to reach Pantelleria
By plane
Daily flights with stopover at Palermo and Trapani operated by Meridiana
Charter flights from Bergamo and Bologna and other connections also available.
From 15 June – 15 September (dates may vary) many other routes direct from Italy with Blue Express.
By Ferry
A daily ferry service operates from the ports of Trapani and Mazara del Vallo, operated by Siremar and Usticalines (www.siremar.it or www.usticalines.it).
Catania Fontanarossa, Palermo Punta Raisi, Trapani and Reggio Calabria are the airports closest to these islands.
Airport – Port shuttle: At those airports you will find either private shuttle bus services or you can choose Giuntabus which is a bookable seasonal public service (+39 090673782).
By Sea: The Aeolian Islands can be easily reached either by hydrofoil or ferry from the ports of Milazzo, Messina, Reggio Calabria, Palermo and Naples (www.siremar.it or www.usticalines.it). Milazzo is the nearest port with ferry and hydrofoil departures every hour. Vehicles can be embarked at Milazzo and Naples. The last ferry departing Milazzo is the NGI leaving at 21:00 h. Naples is the nearest port for those coming from Northern or Central Italy; during the summer, two daily runs in hydrofoil are available, plus two ferry runs per week. Once you reach the island, there are several taxi services to take you to your hotel.
Car/Motorbike: In August, only cars and motorbikes belonging to tourists staying for at least one week are allowed on board the ferry. If you wish to take your car/motorbike, please advise your hotel well in advance so that a pass can be requested.
How to reach Favignana
Take the hydrofoil from Trapani directly to Favignana – a trip of about 30 minutes.
The companies operating hydrofoil services are Ustica Lines and Siremar (www.siremar.it or www.usticalines.it). We strongly recommend – especially in high season – that you make your hydrofoil bookings well in advance – during the summer months they are often completely sold out.
On Favignana in the summer months driving private vehicles is allowed for residents only while visitors’ vehicles are subject to restrictions. We suggest you avoid boarding your car, as you would need authorisation to use it on the island. We suggest you rent a moped on the spot – the best way of touring the island.
How to reach Pantelleria
By plane
Daily flights with stopover at Palermo and Trapani operated by Meridiana
Charter flights from Bergamo and Bologna and other connections also available.
From 15 June – 15 September (dates may vary) many other routes direct from Italy with Blue Express.
By Ferry
A daily ferry service operates from the ports of Trapani and Mazara del Vallo, operated by Siremar and Usticalines (www.siremar.it or www.usticalines.it).
