Aside from being the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is also known for its numerous ancient sites, panoramic views, black and white beaches, and Sicilian cuisine. It is home to over 5 million people, and its capital city is Palermo. Sicily has something for everyone. Whether you like big cities, small towns, or striking countryside sights, Sicily has covered your first visit.
Sicily has a huge cultural heritage. Each city and small town each have its traditions, history, and architectural designs. It is a very diverse region with a mixture of Greek, Spanish, French and Arab influences, predominantly visible in the architecture and cuisine.
For those making their first visit to Sicily, here are a couple of tips to ensure your visit is smooth, marvelous, and memorable.
Best time to travel to Sicily
This is a place where you can travel any time, but if you’re not a fan of big crowds and hot temperatures, I suggest visiting from March to June and October to November. This will be during the spring or fall time.
Try visiting in late July, August, or September if you prefer higher temperatures. There’ll also be larger crowds, meaning many hotels and resorts will be at their busiest. I suggest planning your trip earlier to avoid missing out.
Traveling around Sicily
Make sure you logically plan your sightseeing routes so that you don’t waste a lot of time traveling. I would highly recommend renting a car to move around the island. It will give you much freedom and flexibility during your stay in Sicily. During the road trip, remember to visit the Aeolian Islands.
Climbing Mount Etna
This is the highest active volcanic mountain in Europe. If you are ready for an adventure, book a full day, bring some warm clothes and go hiking in Mt Etna. During winter, you can ski down. For those that can’t go hiking, you can still see the best breathtaking view of the Mountain from the ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina or busy Via Etna street in Catania. The mountain can still be visible even from the highways.
Cuisines to try
With a blend of different cultures, local Sicilian cuisine is something that is a must-do in Sicily. You can understand and appreciate other people’s cultures by sampling their food. You should try granita-a frosted dessert with water, sugar, and other flavourings, sfincione-a rustic Sicilian-style pizza, polpo bollito-a boiled mini-octopus, and arancina-deep-fried saffron rice ball coated with bread crumbs.
Activities in Sicily
When you are through exploring ancient sites, there are thrilling water activities that can be done on the island of Sicily. Canoeing, surfing, jet skiing, and even rafting in the rivers. You can never get bored.
To get more tips about your first visit to Sicily, contact us today.