Airports

The four major airports are Palermo-Falcone Borsellino Airport, Trapani Vincenzo Florio Airport, Catania Vincenzo Bellini Airport, and Comiso / Vincenzo Magliocco Airport. All four airports service international visitors but direct flights are at limited availability, with many flights connecting at Rome.

Trains

One of the easiest ways to travel to Sicily is by train. All major Italian cities offer trains services to the island; travel from Milan, Venice, Rome or Naples and expect anything up to 15 hours’ travel time.
Ferries

Ferry

There are eight ferry ports in Sicily alone; Catania, Messina, Milazzo, Palermo, Palermo Termini Imerese, Porto Empidocle, Pozzallo and Trapani. So getting to Sicily from mainland Italy is extremely convenient. For those looking to drive from London, a 20 hour ferry ride from Genoa to Palermo can help to break up the journey. There are also ferry links with Malta and Tunisia.

Weather & Climate

Sicilian climate has moderate temperatures and fantastic dry summers, which makes the destination enjoyable all year round. Positioned right in the middle of the Mediterranean climate zone, you can expect summers to be hot and winters to be comfortably mild. Temperatures of 30°C are not uncommon in the summer season, with the hottest months expected to be July, August and early September. January is the coldest month of the year but with temperatures barely dipping below 10°C, January is still a good time to visit.
The best time to go swimming in the sea is between July-September when the sea temperatures are at their most warm and wonderful. When the summer heat starts to wane in autumn, the sea is still a glorious 20-25°C. Summers are usually dry so rainfall is very low from May to September. December and November have the highest levels of rainfall.

Regional Food & Wine

Sicilian cuisine can be defined by its unique fusion of the worlds. With Greek, Spanish, French and Arab influences, no other Italian cooking is quite like Sicilian. If you like Italian food with a twist, Sicilian food is for you. When eating in Sicily, you can expect everything to be fresh and grown locally on the island. In fact, the only imported foods are bananas and pineapples – so you can be guaranteed garden-fresh dishes wherever you go. What goes hand in hand with local ingredients is the seasonality of some dishes; remaining true to what Mother Nature provides is the beauty of Sicilian food.

Must Try Dishes in Sicily

Arancini is quite possibly the most famous local dish in Sicily; these creamy risotto balls filled with meat and cheese make a comforting street food and they are enjoyed by many travellers. Sicilian pastries also make great street food snacks; try delicious Cannoli or Granita e Brioche.

For a taste of the sea, a plate of Linguine ai Frutti Di Mare is the perfect lunch time dish and washes down well with a glass of white. Arabic influences are palpable in the delicious mixed seafood medley of Cous Cous al Pesce. And a fine example of local ingredients from both land and sea can be enjoyed in the Pesce Spada alla Ghiotta. For non seafood lovers, try Sicily’s most iconic pasta dish, Pasta alla Norma, a Catania speciality which is made with fresh aubergine, juicy tomatoes and ricotta cheese.

Wine in Sicily

Whether it’s Dionysus God of Wine who blessed Sicily with its wine-making talents or the benefits of having volcanic soil from Mount Etna, it’s no secret that the Sicilian wine industry is booming. Whether you have a penchant for red or white, Sicilian soil provides the perfect melting pot for both tastes. Try the Guigal St Joseph Vignes l’Hospice Rouge which is one of the most highly rated reds of the region or the Stemmari Syrah for its Eastern flavours. If you want a delicious white to pair with your seafood, ask for a glass of Regaleali.

Annual Events

Sicily is a melting pot of culture, world-class cookery and some of the finest wine in Europe. And as the largest island in the Mediterranean, it really is no surprise that there’s always so much to celebrate. The vast island of Sicily offers a colourful calendar of events and festivals – and here are just a few of our favourites.

Almond Blossom & Folklore Festival (February)

Sicily is a fusion of nationalities; to soak in this unique culture, which is unlike anywhere else in Italy, head to Agrigento in February to watch the traditional parades and peruse the craft exhibitions. Let the festival take you back in time and learn more about the Sicilian people.

Sagra della Ricotta e del Formaggio (April)

For cheese lovers, festivals really don’t get better than this. Head to Sicily’s oldest food festival in the town of Vizzini (near Siracusa) and celebrate with the locals to rejoice in producing one of the world’s tastiest cheeses. Try the freshly made ricotta in the form of a tasty Cassata or Cannoli.

Inycon a Menfi Wine Festival (June)

Menfi is a small commune in Agrigento and every June a prestigious wine festival is held here. Taste the finest wines of Sicily whilst enjoying the concerts and shows available around town. There will also be a chance to taste some of the local olive oil and other tasty food products.

Feast of Saint. Rosalia (July)

Head to the capital to enjoy this lively celebration of the patron of Palermo, Santa Rosalia. Watch the dramatic street procession and enjoy the celebratory food of Pasta con le Sarde or Babbaluci Snails served in venues across the city.

Cous Cous Festival (September)

The delicious grain of cous cous is not as abundant anywhere else in Italy as it is in Sicily. Taking Arab influences, cous cous is a major part of Sicilian cuisine and the Cous Cous Festival in Trapani celebrates Sicily’s unique gastronomy with six whole evenings of music and dance – and of course plenty of cous cous to go around.