Sicily

[VPS]

Any thoughts on Sicily as a destination in February? I would like to stay in the same place for a week but others have suggested that I should move around. I'm happy to drive but others have suggested not a good idea.

I did a search on AFF and it appears @Flashback @MARTINE @Anna have all been there

I'll be travelling alone

All feedback appreciated

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Watching with interest - thinking May for us - must be seaside base if not moving around?

TIA

 

[Brissy1]

I like food and wine, so +1 watching

 

[Flashback]

Weather will be a bit cool, but should be sunny/clear skies generally.

Taormina is nice if you're not planning to move around if you fly into Catania, otherwise somewhere near Palermo on the other side.

Watch the 2nd season of The White Lotus for some inspiration....

Driving is doable, but can be a bit hairy. Parking is a pain! Roads can be narrow with all the cars parked when in the cities, then you have 2 directions of traffic trying to drive....... bit of good fun though and cruisy once you hit the main roads.

 

[drron]

I have only visited Sicily on a cruise ship but my sister married an English geology professor who always had a spring excursion to Taormina in Sicily and loved it. He was always there before cruise ship season which begins the middle of March so February should be fine.

 

[Flashback]

I'd recommend hiring one of these, it's a good way to get around


Also, don't overlook Catania. It's worth a night or two. And if you do hire a car.. make the trip out to Etna, only 45 minutes or so from Catania.

 

[Anna]

I went in September 2006 I think. Flew to Catania, Sicily's least attractive town. Rented a car. I can't remember all the details now (should do my own search to see what I wrote before ) but I think I stayed in Siracusa in a cute place down near the harbour at Ortigia (I maybe got a bus to Siracusa? I think I remember an airport bus stop and being jet lagged in the hotel there, and maybe I didn't get the car until a bit later after the jet lag wore off?), in Taormina at Jim Kerr's lovely place with stunning views of Etna and also of the man himself in his dressing gown in the early morning Taormina was v crowded with day trippers. Also stayed in Agrigento and in Mazara del Vallo (beautiful resort hotel there), in Palermo and in Enna in the centre of the island not too far from an ancient site I wanted to see. Hated Palermo mainly cos of awful hotel and the weird road system that nearly got me killed crossing the road (traffic is one way - except buses go the other way - I so nearly stepped out in front of a bus because I was focusing the wrong way ). But overall amazing scenery and beautiful ancient ruins, and I enjoyed the trip. So many amazing memories. Noto and Ragusa, gorgeous views. I saw most of the island but didn't get to the north east coast. Would like to go back one day to see Cefalu and Messina, and to go inside St Lucia's church in Siracusa (I ate dinner in the piazza overlooking the church while there was a wedding going on, and I've always regretted I didn't have time to go back later to go inside). I would happily spend more time anywhere on the coast except Catania and the capital.

 

[RB]

We visited in May 2009- before I started doing trip reports. We used public transport-driving would be fine in many areas with some challenges in Catania & Palermo. We enjoyed time in Taormina, Syracuse and Palermo (which we really enjoyed) and did day trips out from those bases. I would think staying in just 1 place would be a mistake. Certainly didn't experience anything that would make solo travel a worry.
Cefalu



Monreale


I always enjoy it when this photo pops up in my screensaver- Palermo



In May there had been a fire onboard this ferry as it made its way to Palermo from Naples-all evacuated safely

 

[Cossie]

Haven’t been to Sicily for a long time, but I wouldn’t expect driving to be a big issue outside of places like Palermo.
We got a ferry from Tunis to Trapani, stayed there a few days then caught a train to Palermo, which had a convenient stop at the Greek Segesta Temple.
Went along the north coast, to Messina, it was late March /early April and was cold and wet. Then down to Taormina and Syracuse, a place I had wanted to go after doing ancient history in high school.
We mostly went by train, but hitchhiked as well, we were young, now days I would have no problems renting a car. I have spent a reasonable amount of time in Sardinia, I think it would be similar, parking in cities can be an issue.
This looks to be an interesting site.
Segesta and Selinunte | Visit Sicily official page and Sicily Holiday, your travel guide to Sicily - Sicily-Holiday.com

 

[Anna]

+1 for Segesta and Selinunte - I visited both sites. So much history.

I also went to Monreale, by local bus from Palermo, and although I remember seeing a beautiful church my main recollection of the day is nearly getting yelled at by a mean bus conductor because I didn't understand the ticketing system (buy your ticket in advance at a tobacconist, and then validate it in a machine at the bus stop before boarding) but I was saved by a chivalrous local man who could see I was a clueless tourist and stepped in to protect me!! And wouldn't accept anything other than verbal thanks in return.

I think I must have returned the rental car after arriving in Palermo, and then later flew back to the mainland from there. I remember having to ring my travel agent back in Australia and begging her to get me an earlier flight because I hated Palermo so much (and having to wait until Aust business hours to be able to ring. One of the last occasions I used a travel agent!). It was before the days of smart phones, and I'd used the agent to get a good CX J deal which also got me upgraded to F on the FCO-HKG leg which was amazing. I still have the CX F PJs

 

[Spongbob]

Taormina!!

 

[jbman]

Anyone been to Sicily in 2024? Any new tips or ideas?

Cheers

 

[Longtoo]

I had about 10 days in Sicily last month. A bit of driving around the eastern part of the island (Taormina, Catania, Syracuse, Noto and Ragusa) and a few days in Palermo without a car. A bit of research in advance is useful to tailor to your need. It is best to avoid driving in Palermo and Catania. A car would be useful elsewhere.

 

[MARTINE]

Agree re:Taormina/ Been six times/ lunch at the Fours Season Hotel restaurant Anchovi will mean spectacular view and thats where they all ate breakfast in White Lotus 2 - many waiters were extras. Unless you can afford $2000 night its the closest you get to the White Lotus Hotel.
Agrigento - intact temple ruins
Roman mosaics at Piazza Amerina
No car driving in Palermo (must see stunning Arab-Norman Unesco site). Visit city hall in Palermo - if you are a fan of Ortigia products- you will see the original frescos that adorn the products from 1000 years ago.
I would choose Lipari as an Aeolian island - there are historical artefacts going back thousands of years
Happy to provide other tips - many already covered

Taormina!!

 

[dxwell]

Taormina in January was one of the most beautiful places I have been to.
I just did a 1-1 cooking school at a villa in Parma with a lady who recommended the Aeolian islands, she said they go there every year and splurge on amazing food and wine.

 

[Flyinfish]

I traveled to Sicily earlier this year as part of a trip to southern Italy. Used train and bus which was easy but a car would give more options. Visited Palermo, Ortigia (Siracusa) and Taormina. Enjoyed them all. Not sure why some don't like Palermo. It's a bit gritty but so much to see, and the Moorish influence makes it special, the Norman Palace a must see. Ortigia and Taormina both beautiful. I made the mistake of only staying a couple of days in Taormina thinking it would be packed with tourists. It was, but so spectacular! The food and wine in Sicily is amazing too, do try the local wines. I had some great meals and can recommend Clandestino ad Ortigia if you're in Siracusa.

 

[MARTINE]

We last went to Taormina Sept/Oct 22
Still beautiful and sunny - not too crowded either - and no cruise ships on a Wed.
Palermo really is a must
We love the ‘snooker ball’ Arab Norman church of San Cataldo from 1154!

 

[ellen10]

Lots of great information here. We will be in Sicily mid September next year for the first time.
Trying to decide how long to stay and where. Unsure about hiring a car. Probably looking at visiting Malta after Sicily.

 

[Coops1]

Lots of great information here. We will be in Sicily mid September next year for the first time.
Trying to decide how long to stay and where. Unsure about hiring a car. Probably looking at visiting Malta after Sicily.

Note: If anybody has any idea how to reduce the instagram link to just the URL let me know

Re Sicily:

We only spent 4 nights on Sicily, Catania (for Mt Etna) and Palermo (to get back to Naples)

Stayed in a B&B in Catania and the Grand Hotel Wagner in Palermo (locvely and central), and great public transport

I have hired a car a few times in Italy, but thank god I didn't in both Catania or Palermo. The driving is insane. If I had of hired a car, we would have been lost getting to Etna on the mainly one way roads, and diversions across suburbs and levels! Rely on public transport/taxis!

In Catania, Mt Etna is a must. Take the cable car up from the base area. expensive but worth it. You can do a 4WD tour, or you can do the lower levels just above the cable car by yourself. Great views. Was a good day, even with the Etna clouds

View this content on Instagram

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Cefalu, an hours train ride from Palermo, was beautiful, a worthy day trip or a nights stay even. See insta real here

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For rooftop bars in Palermo, see here

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Must dos in Palermo -
- the Norman Palace
- depends on your bend, but also went to the Falcone tree, just to say we had!
- the Ballaro market. Loved it
- if your into tiles goto the Majolica Tile museum at 4pm for a tour. I am not the one into tiles, but enjoyed it!

The far west of Sicily looks great, as well as Agrigento and the southern area. Maybe next time for us.

Also have a look at VPS's Malta thread.

 

[Flashback]

Note: If anybody has any idea how to reduce the instagram link to just the URL let me know

Re Sicily:

We only spent 4 nights on Sicily, Catania (for Mt Etna) and Palermo (to get back to Naples)

Stayed in a B&B in Catania and the Grand Hotel Wagner in Palermo (locvely and central), and great public transport

I have hired a car a few times in Italy, but thank god I didn't in both Catania or Palermo. The driving is insane. If I had of hired a car, we would have been lost getting to Etna on the mainly one way roads, and diversions across suburbs and levels! Rely on public transport/taxis!

In Catania, Mt Etna is a must. Take the cable car up from the base area. expensive but worth it. You can do a 4WD tour, or you can do the lower levels just above the cable car by yourself. Great views. Was a good day, even with the Etna clouds

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Cefalu, an hours train ride from Palermo, was beautiful, a worthy day trip or a nights stay even. See insta real here

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

For rooftop bars in Palermo, see here

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Must dos in Palermo -
- the Norman Palace
- depends on your bend, but also went to the Falcone tree, just to say we had!
- the Ballaro market. Loved it
- if your into tiles goto the Majolica Tile museum at 4pm for a tour. I am not the one into tiles, but enjoyed it!

The far west of Sicily looks great, as well as Agrigento and the southern area. Maybe next time for us.

Also have a look at VPS's Malta thread.

Conversely, I found driving around Catania, Mt Etna etc. very simple!

Grab a train down to Toarmina, though and then a bus from the station up to the town; unless you're keen on a long walk uphill.