Sicily has three airports — the choice depends on your travel region: Catania Fontanarossa (CTA) Sicily's largest airport and the best connected. Direct flights from numerous German cities with Ryanair, Eurowings, Wizz Air, and Condor. Well-served year-round. Ideal for the east coast (Catania, Taor

Arrival by Ferry & Train

Sicily is connected to the mainland via the Strait of Messina — by ferry (a bridge does not yet exist despite decades of planning). Ferry across the Strait of Messina The shortest connection to the mainland: Ferries shuttle every 20–30 minutes between Villa San Giovanni (Calabria) and Messina. Trav

Rental Car — The Best Option A rental car is the most flexible way to explore Sicily — especially for the west coast, the interior, and smaller towns. The highways (A19 Palermo–Catania, A29 Palermo–Trapani, A18 Catania–Messina) are toll-free and in good condition. Country roads vary — some are excel

Sicily is a safe travel destination — violent crimes against tourists are extremely rare, medical care is good, and the Mafia is absolutely irrelevant to visitors. The biggest risks: sunburn, heat exhaustion, and the creative driving style of the Sicilians. Medical Care Hospitals: Well-equipped ho

Communication & Internet

Sicily is technologically well-equipped — there is fast internet in cities and tourist areas, but it can be patchy in the interior and on smaller islands: Mobile & Internet Thanks to EU roaming, you can use your German phone in Sicily without additional costs. Network coverage is good in coastal ci

Packing List & Practical Tips

What you absolutely must have with you in Sicily — and what you need to know: Essentials Sunscreen SPF 50 — The Sicilian sun is brutal, especially in the south and on Mount Etna (altitude radiation!). Comfortable walking shoes — Sicily's old towns have cobblestones, and the archaeological sites re

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Travel Guide Sicily

Your Complete Travel Guide to Sicily

Capital:Palermo

Language:Italian, Sicilian

Currency:Euro (€)

Best Travel Time:May–Jun / Sep–Oct

Flight Time:2–2.5 hours from DE

Visa:Not required (EU/Schengen)

Last updated: 20 March 2026 · 11 Chapters · 37 Sections

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Route Suggestions

Grand Tour of Sicily

14–18 days

The entire island counterclockwise — from Palermo along the east coast and the baroque south to the west coast. Best with a rental car, starting and ending in Palermo. For those who really want to get to know Sicily.

PalermoMonrealeCefalùÄolische InselnTaorminaÄtnaCataniaSyrakusNotoRagusaModicaAgrigentMarsalaTrapaniEriceSegestaSan Vito Lo CapoPalermo

East Coast & Baroque

7–10 days

The best of the east and south in one week: Etna ascent, Taormina's theater, Catania's street food, the ancient splendor of Syracuse, the baroque towns of Val di Noto, and the Valley of the Temples. The perfect Sicily trip for first-time visitors with a flight to Catania.

CataniaÄtnaTaorminaSyrakusNotoRagusaModicaAgrigent

Culture & History Intensive

7–10 days

For history and culture fans: From the Arab-Norman palaces of Palermo to the Doric temple of Segesta and the Valley of the Temples to the Roman mosaics and baroque towns. 3,000 years of history in one week. Best in the off-season.

PalermoMonrealeSegestaAgrigentPiazza ArmerinaSyrakusNotoCatania

Food & Wine Sicily

10–14 days

Sicily's culinary highlights: Street food in Palermo and Catania, Etna wine tasting, chocolate in Modica, Marsala wine, fish couscous in Trapani, granita everywhere. Combined with the main sights for a comprehensive experience.

PalermoCefalùCataniaÄtna (Weine)Modica (Schokolade)MarsalaTrapaniSan Vito Lo Capo

All Chapters

Planning· 3 Chapters

Chapter 1

Welcome to Sicily

4 Sections

Chapter 2

Best Travel Time & Climate

3 Sections

Chapter 3

Budget & Costs

3 Sections

Regions· 4 Chapters

Chapter 4

Palermo & the Northwest

4 Sections

Chapter 5

East Coast — Catania, Taormina & Etna

4 Sections

Chapter 6

Southeast — Syracuse, Noto & Agrigento

4 Sections

Chapter 7

West — Trapani, Marsala & Aegadian Islands

4 Sections

Understanding· 2 Chapters

Chapter 8

History & Culture

3 Sections

Chapter 9

Food & Drink

2 Sections

Practical· 2 Chapters

Chapter 10

Arrival & Transport

3 Sections

Chapter 11

Practical A–Z

3 Sections

Discover More Travel Guides

Regions at a Glance

Palermo & Northwest

Sicily's fascinating capital with Arab-Norman palaces, the best street markets in Europe, and a street food culture like no other. Plus the golden cathedral of Monreale, the medieval Cefalù, and the mountain village of Erice above the clouds.

Cappella PalatinaStreet Markets Ballarò & CapoMonreale Cathedral (gold mosaics)Cefalù+1

Palermo

East Coast — Catania, Taormina & Etna

The most dramatic region of Sicily: Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, the picturesque town of Taormina with its Greek theater, the baroque energy of Catania, and the volcanic Aeolian Islands off the northern coast.

Etna (3,357 m)Greek Theater TaorminaCatania & La PescheriaAeolian Islands+1

Catania Taormina

Southeast — Syracuse, Noto & Agrigento

The cultural epicenter of Sicily: Syracuse, once more powerful than Athens, the golden baroque towns of the Val di Noto (UNESCO World Heritage), the legendary Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, and the Roman mosaics of the Villa del Casale.

Syracuse & OrtigiaNoto (Baroque UNESCO)Valley of the Temples AgrigentoRagusa Ibla+1

Syrakus Agrigent

West — Trapani, Marsala & Aegadian Islands

Sicily's underrated side: The salt pans of Trapani with windmills and flamingos, the legendary Marsala wine, the solitary temple of Segesta, San Vito Lo Capo's Caribbean beach, and the wild Aegadian Islands.

Salt Pans of TrapaniMarsala WineriesTemple of SegestaSan Vito Lo Capo+1

Trapani

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