Your Trip to Sicily: The Complete Guide (Part 2)

Sicily is full of interesting historical and cultural sites and you can spend weeks exploring all it has to offer.

If you are planning a trip to Sicily and you are not sure where to go, this Sicily Travel Guide, the best places to visit in Sicily, is for you.

While the list of the best places to visit in Sicily is long and there are many of the best things to do in Sicily, here are the best!

We hope you enjoy watching this video about Best Places to Visit in Sicily, Italy

Source: MultiCityTrips

What to Eat and Drink in Sicily

For millennia, Sicily has been influenced by cultures from all over the Mediterranean.

These influences are still felt today in his cuisine, which is a mix of Italian, North African, Arabic and Spanish cuisine, largely based on the bounty of the sea.

Fried street food is popular in Sicilian cities and bustling markets, and lots of couscous or seafood pastas appear on seaside menus.

Inside, eggplant-based caponata and eggplant Parmesan are staples. Desserts range from light, refreshing slushies to sweet, thick favorites like cannoli and cassata.

Sicilian wine, once considered a regional drink, was reborn several decades ago, and the island is now home to many notable varieties.

Many wineries are clustered in mineral-rich soils on the slopes of Mount Etna, where Etna Bianco and Etna Rosso wines originate.

Nero d'Avola red grapes produce healthy table wines, while Marsala, passito, and muscatel are long-lasting dessert wines.

Get to know the best wineries in Sicily, the best foods to try and the best restaurants in Sicily.

Where to Stay

Across Sicily, accommodation options range from luxurious five-star hotels to functional three-star beachfront properties that don't have to go to great lengths to exhaust their rooms.

There are campsites, glamping options and chalet rentals near the coast.

Inland, farm stays offer inns that range from rustic to luxurious, generally offering food grown on the property.

You will also find "holiday villages" in Sicily, usually near a popular beach, these are large complexes offering accommodation, restaurants, swimming pools and activities.

Many offer all-inclusive services, but book in advance if you want to stay in one during the peak summer season.

Wherever you stay in Sicily, from May to October, follow our advice and book an air-conditioned room.

Summer temperatures are sweltering and air conditioning isn't always a given.

Read more about your accommodation options with our guide to the best hotels in Sicily.

Getting There

Sicily can be reached by plane or ferry. Its main airports are in Catania and Palermo, with smaller airports in Trapani and Comiso.

Frequent ferries make a quick trip across the Strait of Messina from Villa San Giovanni on the mainland to Messina.

Other ports on the mainland include Rome-Civitavecchia, Naples, Salerno, Reggio-Calabria and, more seasonally, Livorno and Genoa.

Note that not all ferries accept vehicles, so check in advance if you plan to bring a rental car to the island.

Trains from the mainland also arrive in Messina and travel to Palermo, Catania and Syracuse, with stops along the way.

Please note that if you book a train directly from the mainland, the wagons will be loaded onto a ferry in Messina to cross the Strait of Messina.

Culture and Customs

Visitors to Sicily may find the population to be more reserved and conservative compared to mainland Italy, especially when it is away from the big cities.

However, greeting the Sicilians with a friendly "buongiorno" will go a long way towards breaking the ice.

Here are some other Sicilian cultural norms to keep in mind:

• Sicily is more religious than the mainland, and religious holidays and festivals are piously observed.
• Dress modestly to enter churches anywhere in Sicily.

This means that the legs should be covered above the knee and the shoulders should be covered with a scarf or a shirt with sleeves.

Men are also advised to remove all hats.

• Don't be in a rush at lunch or dinner. Things happen more slowly here, so relax and enjoy the languid pace. If you are in a rush at lunchtime, buy street food.
• The Sicilian mafia is still very present here, 3 although tourists are likely to be unaware or affected by it.

Still, it's best not to try to start an argument with the locals about the mob, not even as a joke.

Tips to Save Money

Many tips for saving money in Italy also apply to Sicily. These include:

• Travel out of season: shoulder, spring, and fall seasons are cheaper than summer peak season.

If you don't mind the warm weather and you don't mind a little rain, winter is the cheapest time to visit Sicily.

• Eat street food: Not only is it authentic and delicious, but Sicilian street food, including pizza, arancini (stuffed fried rice balls), and all kinds of sandwiches, are some of the best bargains in the country.
• Get things done for free: some of the best Sicily sightseeing tours cost nothing.

It's free to sit in a plaza and people-watch, walk the boardwalks, and explore the colorful local markets.

State museums are free to everyone on the first Sunday of each month.

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