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Tips on Sicilia Warnings or Dangers – Stay Safe!

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Sicilia Warnings and Dangers

The beautiful Mediterranean isle of Sicily, or Sicilia, may seem like paradise on Earth to visitors. However, there are a number of dangers that can potentially ruin a vacation if a traveler is not careful and does not prepare appropriately.

While it may seem mundane, the traffic throughout much of Sicily is so erratic and unorganized that it can be dangerous for someone driving there without any experience. Unless you want to travel over the island, take taxis to get from one spot to the other.  If you do decide to rent a car, be certain to drive defensively and give other motorists a wide berth. Finally, be aware of sidewalks (or lack thereof) when you’re walking about — some areas do not have sidewalks and drivers will not stop or slow for pedestrians.

Summer Temperatures

While the southern part of Italy is beautiful year-round, the temperature can quickly approach dangerous levels at the height of summer. Do as the locals do a plan for a siesta from around noon to four (most shops will be closed anyway) and bring lots of water if you’re outside during midday to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.

Pickpockets

In general, the risk of pickpockets is slightly lower in Sicily than it is in other big Italian cities like Rome, Naples, and Florence. However, big crowds attract thieves. If you want to visit a major tourist site, use a traveler’s wallet to keep your money and goods away from prying hands. Don’t wear flashy jewelry, watches, or clothing to attract the wrong kind of attention.

Editor’s Note : The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Sicilia.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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• Places and cities
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• LIVING SICILY
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SICILY authentic emotion

• Where to go? Everywhere Acireale Agrigento Aidone Alcara Li Fusi Avola Bagheria Borgo Parrini Bronte Buccheri Burgio Butera Caccamo Calascibetta Calatafimi Segesta Caltagirone Caltanissetta Capo d’Orlando Castelbuono Castellammare del Golfo Castelmola Castelvetrano Castiglione di Sicilia Castroreale Catania Cefalù Cinisi Egadi Enna Eolie Erice Etna Favara Ferla Gangi Gela Geraci Siculo Giardini Naxos Gibellina Grammichele Gratteri Ispica Lampedusa & Linosa Licata Marsala Marzamemi Mazara del Vallo Messina Milazzo Militello in Val di Catania Modica Mondello Monreale Montalbano Elicona Monterosso Almo Naro Nicosia Noto Novara di Sicilia Paceco Pachino Palazzolo Acreide Palermo Pantelleria Parco Archeologico di Selinunte Patti Petralia Soprana Piana degli Albanesi Piazza Armerina Porto Empedocle Ragusa Randazzo Realmonte Salemi Sambuca di Sicilia San Cono San Marco d’Alunzio San Vito lo Capo Santo Stefano Quisquina Savoca Sciacca Scicli Siracusa Sperlinga Sutera Taormina Terme Vigliatore Termini Imerese Terrasini Trapani Troina Tusa Ustica Zafferana Etnea
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HIGH LIGHTS

Discover unique proposals to consult on the fly

STATES-GENERAL OF CINEMA IN SICILY

The “States General of Cinema” will take place from 12 to 14 April 2024 at the Maniace Castle in Syracuse, on the island of Ortigia.

Event Sport and adventure

Water Festival

Three days of sun, sea, sport, fun, music and relaxation. In Mondello, at the Ombelico del Mondo, from 3 to [...]

GET  INSPIRED

EXPERIENCES TO BE LIVED

How many times have you yearned to enjoy a fully relaxing holiday, to contemplate a beautiful landscape while breathing in clean air and sipping a good glass of Etna DOC?

To stroll through a piazza with open-air bars and get lost in a maze of narrow streets, with your nose in the air, wandering between flowery windowsills and bell towers, noble palaces and rounded balconies, peering into courtyards?

Dreams and desires can come true: it’s time to visit Sicily’s beautiful villages.

These small towns by the sea, surrounded by greenery, nestled in the hinterland or perched on the mountains will offer you what you are looking for, with small curiosities and new discoveries, such as houses carved out of the rock that were inhabited until the last century, or the most famous film set of all time.

In each of the nine Sicilian provinces, you will find the right village for you and, nearby, many other places that may be less renowned but will remain forever in your heart.

These people-friendly places and holidays can be experienced in company and in safety, where the watchword is “unspoiled”, just like your chosen village.

Unmissable flavors

The flavours, shapes, scents and colours of Sicilian food have become symbols of overwhelming pleasure all over the world.

The outstanding desserts include cannolo   and cassata , which bring out the freshness and authenticity of local ricotta. Granita , which does not include ice here, reveals itself in all its creaminess. It can be difficult to choose between the many flavours and it is so delicious it can even give the best homemade ice cream a run for its money. Never alone: it should be accompanied by an aromatic hot brioche , and strictly with a “tuppo” (nobble).

Almonds , another of the island’s points of pride, are used to make the paste that is often chosen as a sweet souvenir by those visiting a distant friend. It is also the basis for a thirst-quenching and sumptuous milk and the choreographic creations of martorana fruit , which add life to the windows of the pastry shops and amuse tourists and passers-by.

In Sicily there are many delicacies rooted in tradition and faith , which become beloved symbols before they being consumed.

Bridging sweet and savoury, the juiciest red oranges  come from the countryside most beloved by the sun, while the most famous pistachios , those from Bronte, now dominate the culinary scene thanks to their gastronomic flexibility, which ranges from their use as sweet cream in desserts to the intense pestos that bring together ancient grains [link to Sicilian Ancient Grains] in the form of inimitable first courses.

A treasure trove of flavours: from Bronte’s green gold to the finest red gold , Saffron , which seduces the palate and inspires you to dream. And digging in the undergrowth, precious jewels and nuggets emerge: mushrooms and truffles .

An icon of Sicilianness, arancin*  has a name that divides people but its taste brings everyone together: it is a rice-based wonder, an essential fried delicacy and the pinnacle of Sicilian street food .

Sicily is the cradle of the Mediterranean diet , which has always been the healthiest and most varied approach to food. It also brings out the best of fish and vegetables through caponata and parmigiana , as well as pickles and infinite speciality dishes, in which the Pachino tomato reigns supreme .

In Sicily, the dinner table becomes a “stage” for exhilarating flavours: one case in point is pasta alla Norma , made with tomato sauce and fried aubergines, and so named because it is considered sublime like the work of the same name by the “Swan”, the composer Vincenzo Bellini.

Meat from historic farms, such as the Nebrodi black pig, rounds off rich and surprisingly impeccable menus.

The price of Sicilian wines is rising rapidly, as the product becomes increasingly sincere, intoxicating and versatile. It serves as an invitation to savour this island in small sips, with a glass in your hand and lightness in your heart.

Walking along the nostalgic paths of taste  you will find that even dipping bread in oil  proves why you will never have enough of Sicily.

Visiting the local markets will be the best way to deeply discover the tasty, spicy and most authentic flavours of Sicilian street food. Sicilian street food is among the most celebrated, and its main symbol is the arancin * of contention, which is loved and appreciated all over the world.

Sicily is the cradle of the Mediterranean diet and will surprise you witha thousand combinations of poor ingredients that enrich vegetarian menus.

And if you are wondering whether Sicily is the right destination for you, you will find the answer in a glass of local wine .

Discover all the flavours of your happy island.

Traveling you learn

In Sicily, you can visit the majestic volcano Etna , the Valley of the Temples , the Greek Theatre of Taormina and the one of Syracuse . You can learn more about Quasimodo, Verga, Il Gattopardo and the Rape of Persephone . Close your geography, science and art history books. Forget everything you learned at school and get ready to live a new experience.

You can follow the verses and passages of the greatest writers in world literature, from Sciascia to Camilleri, from Tomasi di Lampedusa to Pirandello . Travel along the literary routes that will lead you to discover an unusual side of Sicily.

Discover the roots of the fascinating myths and legends . These stories take inspiration from an extraordinary nature whose shapes and colours influenced the course of history itself. All tales reveal one truth: Sicily has always been a place loved by the Gods .

Travelling through Sicily, you can learn what rare botanical wonders live around the island. You can visit corners of paradise such as the Bioparco di Sicilia , or you can choose to follow the footsteps of Charles V around Sicily’s most beautiful cities . Spend some time watching hundreds of colourful kites soar through the sky, then taste and discover the history of real Aztec chocolate .

Travelling is the best way to learn something new and unique about Sicily.

Tourism Commitment

There are stories of men , perspectives, voices and hands that come together and, with commitment, give life to new hopes. They are the symbols of a Sicily that rises from its ashes.

Discover the Sicily that doesn’t give up.

The part of Sicily that does not want to be forgotten creates memorials. Palermo Ecomuseum promotes projects related to shared social responsibility, participatory care of the territory and sustainable tourism. The local community plans cultural, touristic and educational initiatives.

A terrible earthquake destroyed the town of Gibellina . Today its existence echoes through the work of its rebirth: Burri’s Cretto . There is a part of Sicily that shouldn’t be forgotten and abandoned. In Favara , from the greyness of a neighbourhood destined to decay, Florinda and Antonio created the Farm Cultural Park . Today it is one of the world’s most vibrant cultural centres. With Fiumara d’Arte, Antonio Presti has proclaimed the salvific power of beauty, creating one of the largest and most evocative land art parks in Europe. The inhabitants of the small and enchanting Borgo Parrini transformed the town into one of the most evocative places on the island, a virtuous example of urban regeneration.

There is another part of Sicily that does not surrender to fate. It pursues its dreams and reaches for the stars. One example is the shepherd poet Lorenzo Reina , who shapes the Andromeda Theatre in Santo Stefano Quisquina with his bare hands.

We cannot mention the part of Sicily that does not surrender to the Mafia . With infinite gratitude for the men who gave their lives to protect their land, it keeps their memory alive and educates the new generations to fight with messages of peace.

Discover the beautiful stories that Sicily has to tell. Prepare yourself for an exciting journey that will enrich your soul: this is what committed tourism is all about.

Sicily is the perfect and unique destination for those who want to spend a holiday surrounded by art, history and culture.

Let’s discover the cities and small towns of Sicily. Noto is the capital of Sicilian Baroque. In Caltagirone , we will be surprised by the blaze of colours of its ceramics. Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a walk through its streets will take you back in time. In Modica , the Duomo di San Giorgio’s great beauty (the Baroque icon in Sicily) will leave you speechless. In Marsala , you can admire the most beautiful sunset in the world, which makes the atmosphere of the Stagnone surreal. We then arrive in Piana degli Albanesi , a tiny Albania in the heart of Sicily, ready to welcome you with its lake teeming with life.

You will get to know such a wide and varied territory that you may wonder whether you are still in the same Region. Sicily seems to be the gateway to another dimension. Heaven and hell make peace in the Etnean landscape. Gods and nymphs weave love stories, unbridled passions and jealousies through forests, rivers and springs. But don’t forget to visit the smaller islands.

In Lipari , you can taste the worldwide famous Malvasia. Panarea is the most exclusive and popular destination. You can explore the Island of Alicudi on the back of a donkey. Don’t miss visiting the characteristic Island of Vulcano , renowned for its mud baths. Stromboli is pyrotechnical, while, in Salina , you can see the home of the poet Neruda, set of Massimo Troisi’s unforgettable movie “ Il Postino ”.

Then there are the Egadi Islands , Pantelleria , Ustica , Linosa and Lampedusa . They are all surrounded by a wonderful sea, and each Island has its palette of reflections, from deep blue to the turquoise sky. You will be completely captivated by the colours and atmosphere of these places.

There is too much to see, and it is hard to choose where to start. Do not waste time then: get ready to go. Sicily is waiting for you!

Spirituality

There is increasing demand for holidays that take us away from crowded places and daily stress, where the body and mind can find rest and meditation.

Excursions lead us to places where nature and silence reign, with monasteries, hermitages and shrines where it is possible to find religious devotion by retracing the paths of Saints and beatified people, as well as a secular moment of serenity.

The Sacred Paths are routes that have been travelled by pilgrims since ancient times, and have now become itineraries with great attraction for tourists. Some are a few dozen kilometres long, others hundreds. Discover the itineraries along the ancient roads of the Via Francigena or along the most beaten religious paths, and get ready to walk through the most enchanting places in Sicily.

Sicily is ready to offer an interesting network of religious routes that allow you to discover bright gems that are still little known, alone or with the help of local nature associations.

Spa and Wellness

Sicily offers a wide range of natural treatments to regenerate the body and mind.

If relaxation, sensory well-being and immersive pleasure are your top travel priorities, when you visit Sicily, you will discover that it is an amazing open-air spa .

It is not a matter of destination or length of your holiday: you will find out that the simplest and most natural things have extraordinary power over your health.

Breathe deeply and find your balance using the wisdom of the centuries-old forests and the energy of the frozen waterfalls . Surround yourself with sunshine and beauty. Relax on the salt crust in the unique setting of the Stagnone . Explore and rest in the natural caves , places of the Gods in the minor islands .

To treat yourself to some relaxation, spend a day in Vulcano’s mud baths . They are a true elixir of life. The thermal waters scattered throughout Sicily supply some of the best facilities in Italy .

Let your wellness journey begin. You deserve the best: you deserve Sicily.

Sea in Sicily

A quick look at the beaches, lidos and coves on the wonderful Sicily sea, with surprising transparency and richness of colours.

We’ll start from the coast on the south of this incredible island, going from Capo Passero in Syracuse to Capo Granitola in Trapani , which proudly reveals its golden sand with an exotic flair.

Marina di Ragusa, Pozzallo, Punta Secca in the territory of Ragusa , the Torre Salsa Reserve near Sciacca, the island of Lampedusa and the Scala dei Turchi in Agrigento have very long beaches that are usually not crowded, and which blend the “off-grid” harmony and relaxation we all seek.

This sandy coast extends to Mazara del Vallo and Marsala and continues with the Via del Sale, the Stagnone Reserve and Mozia in Trapani . Here we find out how salt is produced in the museums dedicated to it. Riserva dello Zingaro and the white, fine sandy beach of San Vito lo Capoe need no introduction and open up to the Tyrrhenian coast, characterised by a succession of beaches and cliffs.

The island of Ustica , Cefalù and Mondello in the Palermo area, the Aeolian Islands , Capo d’Orlando and Tindari in the province of Messina and the Egadi Islands in the Trapani region all overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea, where the blue of the sea is intense and snorkelling is very enjoyable.

The eastern coast starts after Messina with the lava rocks and pebble beaches of Taormina and Giardini Naxos, the Acireale Timpa Nature Reserve and the cliffs of Aci Trezza. The sand then returns in the Gulf of Catania , Syracuse , the Vendicari Reserve , going up to Marzamemi and the Isola delle Correnti, the precise point where the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea meet.

Also discover the child-friendly beaches and those that have been awarded the blue flag in 2023 !

The climate and landscapes allow you to pursue many outdoor sports activities in Sicily, combining wellness and fun: you will be spoilt for choice.

If you love the sea, you can dive and snorkel, experiencing the thrill of contact with the most awe-inspiring fauna and flora and discovering the “Divers’ paradise” on the bottom of Ustica, in the heart of Italy’s first marine reserve. You will behold images and colour combinations that you thought were pure science fiction with your own eyes.

On the surface, however, the sea works together with the wind to playfully push you towards kitesurfing: try it in the beautiful setting of Stagnone in Marsala!

The Sicilian natural scenery offers an original and fully comprehensive solutions for any level of fatigue, for all ages and for previous background of physical activity, from those who want to get fit to those who want to push their limits. Choose between a walk with your children   and the extremes of climbing and ski mountaineering. There are challenges with a very wide range of difficulty levels, from golf, which you can play in both the west and east of Sicily, to a highly evocative bike trip, from a day spent feeling truly free on a sailing boat to a horseback ride on Etna or crossing the Argimusco.

The hinterland of Sicily is the heart of the island, it is a little-known area. Here time flows naturally, and the contact with the locals is wonderful. It is a land rich in cultural expressions, millenary traditions, archaeological, architectural and naturalistic treasures. Many places make you want to stay forever.

Let’s discover the slopes of Mount Etna or the Simeto Nature Reserve : this area is rich in lava caves, waterfalls, rapids and small lakes. The Piana degli Albanesi Lake , on the other hand, is an area teeming with life. From the Bosco Della Ficuzza , we find ourselves in the heart of the Parco delle Madonie , dotted with small towns where time flows slowly and quietly.

Enna is the highest town in Italy, and from here you can enjoy a panoramic view over the whole island. Caltanissetta has a historical centre full of Renaissance and Baroque monuments.

Sutera is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The Teatro di Andromeda in Santo Stefano Quisquina is a magical place surrounded by the pastoral landscape of the Monti Sicani .

Despite being in the centre of Sicily, far from the coast, you can enjoy the incredible and unique view of the Aeolian Islands . You will feel like you have just completed a journey into the most unusual and authentic Sicily.

Families and Children

Sicily is the perfect place to spend a carefree and fun holiday with your family and children.

Here you can travel and walk with children in total comfort and safety , discovering beautiful and unexpected natural settings . You can travel on foot, by bicycle or on the back of friendly donkeys . There are many ways to discover a land rich in hidden treasures, observing fauna and flora of rare beauty.

We recommend the best beaches to enjoy the wonderful Sicilian sea and spend your days among sandcastles, velvet seabeds and curious little fish. If you are lucky enough, you may even see a specimen of Caretta Caretta turtle !

In the Valley of the Temples , children can become budding archaeologists. They will be provided with the right equipment and guided by experts in discovering ancient remains. The Ludum is the first science museum in Sicily where you can learn what laws regulate the Universe.

You can discover the rare botanical wonders hidden around the island together with your family. You can visit corners of paradise such as the Bioparco di Sicilia . Or you can test your courage in the Adventure Parks , suspended in the air amidst the greenery.

Another unforgettable experience is driving along the writers’ road . Follow in the footsteps of Charles V on a historical route. Have fun with the children by flying colourful kites and tasting Aztec chocolate . Be inspired and choose the experience that perfectly suits you and your family.

Art and Culture

Some treasures do not need to be touched to perceive their rarity. However, in this triangular and evocative region, you will constantly come across the signs left by history, the passage of man and his creativity.

Get ready to discover how Sicily can amaze you. Sicily will surprise you when you least expect it. As you stroll along the streets, you will come across the works of contemporary street art : it is intense, immediate and universal. Looking out, over the infinity of the Sicilian hinterland, from the Andromeda Theatre, you will see a mystical and ancestral place. You will feel like floating in sidereal space. You have the chance to visit artisan’s workshops , guardians of traditions handed down from father to son.

Some customs are very ancient, such as the working of obsidian or the unique and precious Mediterranean coral . These traditions keep alive arts and knowledge of inestimable value, they are World Heritage Site. This heritage also includes the Sicilian puppets , protagonists of the Opera dei Pupi . Or the art of dry stone walls that embellish landscapes with their ancient beauty.

And what about archaeological sites ? Of Sicily’s 7 UNESCO sites , some are among the most beautiful archaeological sites of all time. Examples, Pantalica , the Valley of the Temples  and the magnificent Theatre of Taormina . They all bear witness to a glorious past in bright colours just waiting to be discovered. In Sicily, you will find countless places of culture , beautiful theatres and museums, artistic routes and endless opportunities to breathe in art en plein air. You will cherish this journey in the depths of your heart, along with your most precious memories.

DISCOVER THE  AREA

Things not to be missed

Vulcano Aeolian Islands

Grammichele, tusa e castel di tusa.

SICILY, UNIQUE IN THE WORLD

to the discovery of an immense and always surprising heritage

EXPERIENCES AND  ITINERARIES

Travel tips and advice

Sailing Sicily: cruise to Trapani, San Vito Lo Capo, Egadi Islands

Underwater archaeology routes, southern castles between syracuse and ragusa, the friars walk, charles v in sicily, tour of western sicily, archaeological parks between catania and taormina, one or two days at sclafani bagni.

UNESCO HERITAGE IN SICILY

From the seven wonders of the ancient world to the seven diamonds

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT – SICILY

Via Notarbartolo, 9 – 90141 – Palermo

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Exploring The Travel Restrictions In Sicily: What You Need To Know

• Last updated Nov 12, 2023
• Difficulty Beginner

• Category United States

Imagine strolling through the charming, winding streets of Sicily, indulging in exquisite Italian cuisine, and soaking up the warmth of the Mediterranean sun. But wait! Before you pack your bags and jet off to this enchanting island, it's important to understand the current travel restrictions in place. Don't worry, we'll guide you through the necessary information, ensuring a smooth and unforgettable journey to Sicily.

What You'll Learn

What are the current travel restrictions in sicily due to the covid-19 pandemic, are there any specific requirements or documents needed for travelers entering sicily, are there any quarantine measures in place for travelers arriving in sicily, are there any specific restrictions on intercity or international travel within sicily, are there any exceptions or exemptions to the travel restrictions in sicily.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, travel restrictions are being implemented to control the spread of the virus. Sicily, a popular destination in Italy, has also put in place certain travel restrictions to ensure the safety of its residents and visitors. Here is an overview of the current travel restrictions in Sicily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Entry Requirements:

• COVID-19 Testing: All travelers entering Sicily, regardless of nationality, must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours before arrival. This applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
• Vaccination Proof: Travelers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must provide proof of vaccination. This can be in the form of a digital EU COVID-19 certificate, a vaccination certificate issued by an authorized healthcare provider, or an equivalent document from the traveler's country of residence.
• Quarantine: As of now, fully vaccinated travelers are not required to quarantine upon arrival in Sicily. However, unvaccinated individuals may be subject to quarantine measures based on the prevailing regulations at the time of travel.

Restrictions within Sicily:

• Curfew: A curfew is currently in place in Sicily from midnight to 5 am, during which time movement is restricted, except for essential reasons such as work, medical emergencies, and returning home after attending a religious ceremony.
• Face Masks: It is mandatory to wear face masks in all public spaces, including outdoor areas where social distancing cannot be maintained. This includes streets, squares, parks, and any other crowded spaces.
• Social Distancing: Travelers in Sicily are expected to maintain social distancing of at least one meter from others who are not part of their household or group.
• Public Transportation: Public transportation services are operating in Sicily, but there may be capacity restrictions to provide adequate spacing between passengers. It is advisable to check the specific guidelines of the transportation provider before planning any journeys.
• Gatherings: Gatherings and events, both public and private, may have limitations on the number of participants. It is essential to adhere to the guidelines set by local authorities and avoid any gatherings that exceed the permitted limits.

It is important to note that these travel restrictions are subject to change based on the evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the guidance of health authorities. Travelers are advised to stay updated with the latest information and guidelines provided by the Italian government and local authorities in Sicily before making any travel plans. Additionally, it is crucial to follow all health and safety measures, including practicing good hygiene, wearing masks, and getting vaccinated to protect oneself and others while traveling.

EUCOM Implements Travel Restrictions in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

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If you are planning a trip to Sicily, it is important to be aware of any specific requirements or documents that may be needed for entry into the region. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, it is essential to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork in order to avoid any complications or delays upon arrival.

Valid Passport:

The first and most important document you will need is a valid passport. Make sure that your passport is not expired and has at least six months of validity remaining from the date of your arrival in Sicily. It is also a good idea to make a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the original, in case it gets lost or stolen during your travels.

Depending on your country of origin, you may need to obtain a visa before traveling to Sicily. It is crucial to check the visa requirements and apply well in advance to ensure that you have it in hand before your departure. The visa application process may vary depending on your nationality, so make sure to research the specific requirements for your country.

COVID-19 Restrictions:

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there may be additional requirements or restrictions in place for travelers entering Sicily. These requirements can vary and may include proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, a vaccination certificate, or completion of a health declaration form. It is essential to stay updated with the latest travel advisories and guidelines issued by the local authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Travel Insurance:

While travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for entry into Sicily, it is highly recommended. Travel insurance provides coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and other unforeseen events. It is crucial to choose a travel insurance policy that provides adequate coverage for your specific needs and verify that it includes coverage for any COVID-19 related expenses.

Additional Documents:

In addition to the above-mentioned documents, it is always a good idea to carry other supporting documents such as proof of accommodation reservations, return flight tickets, and travel itineraries. These documents help establish your purpose of travel and demonstrate that you have made proper arrangements for your stay in Sicily.

It is important to note that the requirements for entering Sicily may change periodically, especially during times of heightened security or health emergencies. Therefore, it is recommended to stay updated with the latest travel advisories and guidelines issued by the embassy or consulate of your country of residence and the Sicilian government.

Finally, it is also advisable to consult with a travel agent or immigration lawyer to ensure that you have all the necessary documents and have completed all the required formalities before your trip to Sicily. This will help ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience, allowing you to fully enjoy your time in this stunning region of Italy.

Germany Implements New Travel Restrictions Amid COVID-19 Surge

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact travel worldwide, many countries and regions have implemented various quarantine measures to help control the spread of the virus. Sicily, a popular destination in Italy, is no exception. Travelers arriving in Sicily must adhere to specific quarantine measures to protect public health and safety.

One of the primary quarantine measures in place for travelers arriving in Sicily is the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test result. Prior to departure, travelers must have a molecular or antigen test taken within 48 hours of their arrival in Sicily. The test result must show that the traveler is not infected with the virus. This requirement aims to prevent individuals with active infections from entering the region and potentially spreading the virus further.

Upon arrival in Sicily, travelers may be subject to further screening and testing. This additional screening helps identify any potential COVID-19 cases that may have been missed by the pre-departure testing. Depending on the results, further quarantine measures may be required.

If a traveler's test result is negative, they are not required to quarantine upon arrival in Sicily. However, it is still essential for all individuals to follow general preventive measures, such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and maintaining good hand hygiene, to minimize the risk of contracting or spreading the virus.

In some cases, travelers may be selected randomly for a rapid antigen test upon arrival. This test, which provides quick results, helps identify any potential immediate infections. Travelers selected for this test must cooperate and follow the instructions given by the testing personnel.

If a traveler's test result is positive, they will be required to quarantine for a specific period. The duration of the quarantine may vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and the guidance from local health authorities. During the quarantine period, individuals must isolate themselves from others to prevent further transmission.

It is essential to note that quarantine measures in Sicily may change over time as the situation evolves and new information becomes available. Therefore, it is crucial for travelers to stay updated on the latest regulations and requirements before planning their trip.

In conclusion, there are quarantine measures in place for travelers arriving in Sicily. These measures include pre-departure testing, potential screening upon arrival, and quarantine for those with positive test results. Travelers should be prepared to comply with these measures and follow the guidelines provided by local health authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of themselves and others. By taking these precautions, we can all contribute to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of the community.

Exploring Travel Restrictions for Individuals Facing Bankruptcy

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact travel worldwide, it is essential to stay informed about any specific restrictions that may be in place for intercity or international travel within Sicily. These restrictions are put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and visitors. Here are a few important points to consider if you are planning to travel within or to Sicily:

Intercity Travel Restrictions:

Intercity travel within Sicily is generally not restricted; however, it is essential to follow any guidelines and regulations set forth by the local authorities. This may include wearing a mask in public spaces, maintaining social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings. It is advisable to check with local authorities or travel agencies for any specific restrictions that may be in place during the time of your visit.

International Travel Restrictions:

International travel to Sicily is subject to the regulations set by the Italian government. As of now, travelers entering Italy from certain countries may be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 and quarantine upon arrival. Additionally, travelers may be asked to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within a specified timeframe before their departure. It is recommended to check the latest travel advisories and guidelines from both the Italian government and your home country before planning your trip.

Air Travel:

If you are planning to travel to Sicily by air, it is important to check with your airline for any specific requirements they may have in place. Many airlines require passengers to wear masks throughout their journey and may have additional measures such as temperature checks or health declaration forms. It is also advisable to check the status of any connecting flights or layovers to ensure smooth travel.

Public Transportation:

Public transportation within Sicily, such as trains and buses, is generally operational but may have reduced frequency or capacity. It is important to follow any guidelines set by the transportation authorities, including wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and using hand sanitizer. It is advisable to check the latest schedules and any specific requirements before using public transportation.

Tourist Attractions and Accommodations:

Tourist attractions, hotels, and accommodations within Sicily are gradually reopening with safety measures in place. This may include limited capacity, advanced reservations, and enhanced cleaning protocols. It is recommended to check the official websites or contact the attractions and accommodations directly to inquire about any restrictions or guidelines they may have.

In summary, while intercity travel within Sicily is generally unrestricted, it is essential to stay informed about any specific guidelines or regulations that may be in place. International travelers should check the latest advisories and guidelines from both the Italian government and their home country. Adhering to these regulations will help ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience within Sicily.

Understanding Quebec's Welfare Travel Restrictions: A Comprehensive Overview

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact travel around the world, various regions and countries have implemented travel restrictions to control the spread of the virus. Sicily, one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy, is no exception. Travel restrictions have been put in place in Sicily, limiting entry and imposing quarantine requirements on travelers coming from certain countries or regions. However, there may be exceptions or exemptions to these travel restrictions in certain circumstances.

It is important to note that travel restrictions and exemptions can change frequently based on the evolving situation of the pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial to always refer to the latest information provided by official sources, such as government websites or travel advisories.

In general, travelers coming from high-risk areas or countries are subject to the travel restrictions imposed in Sicily. These restrictions may include mandatory quarantine upon arrival or the requirement of a negative COVID-19 test. The specific rules may vary depending on the risk level of the country or region of origin.

While many travelers are affected by the travel restrictions, there are a few exceptions or exemptions that may apply. These exceptions are typically based on essential travel or specific circumstances. Some common exceptions or exemptions to travel restrictions in Sicily may include:

• EU Citizens and Residents: European Union citizens and residents, regardless of their country of origin, are usually exempt from certain travel restrictions. However, additional requirements such as testing or quarantine may still apply.
• Essential Workers: Individuals who work in essential sectors such as healthcare, transport, or critical services might be exempted from some travel restrictions. Proper documentation or proof of their employment may be required.
• Diplomatic Travel: Diplomats and government officials traveling for official purposes are often exempt from travel restrictions. They are usually subject to separate protocols and procedures.
• Medical Treatment: Travelers seeking medical treatment or those accompanying someone for medical treatment may be exempt from certain restrictions. Proof of medical appointments or medical documentation may be necessary.
• Emergency Situations: In case of emergencies, such as family emergencies or humanitarian reasons, travelers may be exempt from travel restrictions. It is crucial to provide proof or documentation supporting the emergency situation.

While these exemptions may exist, they are subject to the discretion and decision of border authorities and officials. Travelers should contact the relevant authorities or consulates for detailed information and guidance regarding their specific situation.

It is important to note that even if exemptions apply, it is essential to follow all health and safety measures, including the use of masks, practicing social distancing, and adhering to local regulations and guidelines. The COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving, and it is vital to stay informed and updated on any changes or developments that may affect travel to Sicily or any other destination.

The Latest Travel Advisory: Restricted States for Your Next Trip

Frequently asked questions.

Yes, there are currently travel restrictions in place for Sicily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Italian government has implemented various measures to control the spread of the virus, and this includes restrictions on travel within the country and from other countries.

As of now, individuals traveling to Sicily from abroad are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours before their arrival. Travelers may also be subject to quarantine or additional testing upon arrival, depending on their country of origin. It is essential to check with your airline or local authorities for the most up-to-date information on travel restrictions and requirements.

Yes, you can travel within Sicily once you arrive, but there may still be some restrictions in place within the region. It is crucial to follow any local guidelines or restrictions regarding movement and ensure you are aware of any limitations or regulations on attractions, accommodations, and public transportation. It is also advisable to monitor the situation and stay updated on any changes to travel restrictions during your stay in Sicily.

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8 things to know before going to Sicily

Mar 1, 2024 • 5 min read

Sicily has a ton of personality and a few unique quirks – here's what you need to know © Jimena Roquero / Stocksy

Sicily is an island of mythic proportions, highly regarded for its natural beauty and the deep well of history it embodies in its ancient archaeological sites and luxe palazzos. A proud triangle, the island has three coastlines and two island chains and is home to the most active volcano in Europe, the indomitable Mount Etna .

In pursuit of claiming my Italian citizenship, I spent five summery months living in the Sicilian heartland, exploring the coast and ruins and immersing myself in the daily life of small-town Sicily. Preceded by its mafia history (both the fictional and the real), it is often misunderstood by visitors coming to the island with Godfather-inspired expectations, but there is a lot more to discover in Sicily beyond the stereotypes.

Here’s what you need to know before visiting.

1. Fly in and out of two different airports

The most efficient way to plan a tour through Sicily is to fly into Palermo and leave from Catania , or vice versa. Palermo and Catania are the island’s two largest cities and are located at opposite ends of the island. Each has its own airport with direct flights to the mainland and other European cities. There is also a small airport in Trapani, on the west coast – ideal if you want to visit the Egadi Islands – but here you’ll only find flights to and from mainland Italian airports.

2. Public transport in Sicily is not for the weak

Traveling by train through Sicily is convenient if you stick to the coasts and plan to travel out of main hubs like Palermo, Messina or Catania. However, the schedules are not always reliable, so you should plan plenty of buffer time into your itinerary if you choose to do Sicily without a car. Many of Sicily’s major destinations, like beachy San Vito Lo Capo and the historical hilltop town of Erice , are inaccessible by train, but you can get there by bus. Forgoing a car rental in Sicily is doable, but your trip will be much easier with a set of wheels.

3. Plan to move around

Sicily’s major attractions are dispersed throughout the island, so you will feel limited if you choose one city as your base for the whole trip. There are so many wonderful towns and islands, beautiful hotels, charming bed-and-breakfasts and a vast array of sights – from the ruins of Agrigento to the volcanoes of the Aeolian Islands , and all the historical villages and sunny vineyards in between. 

4. Understand the real history of the mafia

Sure, you can buy plenty of Godfather merchandise when you get to Sicily, but you will have a deeper appreciation of the reality of the island’s mafia history if you take the time to understand it as a tragic story, not one to be idealized. 

In Palermo, there is a free museum at the No Mafia Memorial , which details the history of organized crime in Sicily and tells the story of Falcone and Borsellino, two heroic judges who were assassinated during the mafia wars of the 1990s. In Corleone – not actually where the movie was filmed – you can also visit CIDMA , a documentation and education center that dives deeper into the saga of the Maxi Trial, a three-year criminal trial that convicted over 300 people involved in organized crime.

5. Italy’s dining dogmas still apply, but one popular breakfast will surprise you

If this isn’t your first time in Italy, you probably already know where Italians stand when it comes to pineapple on pizza, cappuccinos after lunch and chicken in pasta – they will not hear of it. Sicily follows these same rules, but one tradition is likely to delight your inner child: ice cream for breakfast. Italian breakfasts are always sweet, but Sicilians take it to the next level by enjoying either gelato or granita, a type of shaved ice, sandwiched between a fluffy brioche bun first thing in the morning.

6. Sicily’s multicultural history makes it a unique destination

Separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina, this region of southern Italy has its own cultural identity thanks to its long history of being conquered and influenced by rulers from all over the world. Each culture, from the Greeks and Romans to the Arabs and Crown of Aragon, left its mark in some way. These influences can be found in food – like Sicily's love of couscous – and urban planning and architecture. Whether you’re walking in a city with ancient Greek foundations like Ortigia or delighting in the Baroque streets of Noto , you’ll feel the difference in style but an overall ambiance that is still distinctly Sicilian.

7. You can drink the tap water

Like the rest of Italy, you’ll find many public fountains with free water that is safe to drink unless otherwise marked as “non-potable.” Unless you're advised otherwise, tap water in Sicily is good to drink, but you will find many locals prefer the taste of bottled water. Like elsewhere in Italy and Europe, if you ask for water at a restaurant, they will bring you a bottle and charge you for it. However, if you order an espresso at a cafe bar, it usually comes with a small cup of water on the side to cleanse your palette before you sip.

8. Sicily is the frontier of Europe’s migrant crisis

Ever the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Sicily is one of the main arrival points for refugees seeking asylum in Europe. This is a particularly large issue for the distant Italian island of Lampedusa , which is closer to the coast of Africa than it is to Sicily. The high number of arrivals has at times overwhelmed select areas of Sicily, but in my experience, the effect on the tourism industry has been minimal. Still, it’s wise to educate yourself about these current events before you arrive.

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On our Sicily and Its Isles tour, get to know Addiopizzo . This anti-Mafia nonprofit supports locals who refuse to pay the Mafia’s protection fees. Travelers will be on location where some turning-point Mafia attacks happened, and you’ll meet people directly affected by the Mafia’s despicable actions.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

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Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Italy. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Italy.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

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Italy is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

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Tick-borne Encephalitis

For travelers moving or traveling to TBE-endemic areas

TBE vaccine is recommended for persons who will have extensive exposure to ticks based on their planned outdoor activities and itinerary.

TBE vaccine may be considered for persons who might engage in outdoor activities in areas ticks are likely to be found. 

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Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• Avoid Bug Bites

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Italy, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although Italy is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Italy include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Italy’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Italy, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Italy, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Italy .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Italy for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Italy travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: April 26, 2024 11:55 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, italy - take normal security precautions.

Take normal security precautions in Italy

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Petty crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs, and tourists are frequently targeted.

Organized groups of thieves often use distraction techniques and are particularly active:

• at tourist sites and attractions
• in hotels, restaurants and bars
• on public transportation
• at airports and railway stations

While you’re in Italy:

• ensure that your belongings, including your passport, are secure at all times
• don’t keep your passport and other types of ID at the same place and carry a photocopy rather than the original when you’re out
• avoid showing signs of affluence
• avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables
• pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in crowded and tourist areas
• be wary of unsolicited offers or advice from strangers

On the road

The theft of items from vehicles is common, and thieves often target rental cars. They may use distraction techniques or simulate accidents. Thefts can occur at gas stations, highway service areas, and parking lots.

Be especially vigilant when stopped at traffic lights. Thieves on scooters or on foot often snatch bags from passenger seats.

• Keep your windows and doors locked at all times
• Keep your belongings out of reach
• Use secure parking facilities, especially overnight
• Never leave belongings unattended in a vehicle, even in the trunk

On public transportation

Thefts on public transportation and passenger trains are common, particularly on those servicing major tourist sites, main cities and airports. Thieves will often steal your belongings while you’re asleep or distracted and may hassle or crowd you.

Keep your valuables secure and out of sight.

Home break-ins

Home burglaries occur mainly in main cities and coastal areas and sometimes affect holiday rental accommodation.

Whether staying in private or commercial accommodation, make sure you lock windows and doors at night and when you are away.

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Victims of crime

If you are a victim of a theft, go to the nearest police station (Carabinieri or Polizia di Stato) to report it. Keep a copy of your report, as you may need it to make a claim to your insurance provider.

It’s possible to file a preliminary complaint online, in Italian, for certain types of minor crimes, such as theft of belongings. This could help speed up the process at the police station.

If you are a victim of sexual assault:

• seek medical assistance, whether or not you appear to have been physically harmed
• contact the local police immediately and ensure they file a report
• inform consular officials at the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate

Useful links

• Online preliminary complaint - Arma dei Carabinieri (in Italian)
• Closest police station - Polizia di Stato, Italy’s national police (in Italian)
• Advice for women travellers

Credit card and ATM fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs.

When using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Cybercrime occurs. Criminals may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.

• Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks
• Avoid making purchases on unencrypted websites
• Be cautious when posting information on social media
• Be particularly vigilant when contacting or meeting individuals known over the internet

Overseas fraud

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.

The Government of Italy maintains a public alert system on terrorism. Alert level changes are communicated mainly through local media. Enhanced security measures are also deployed in various strategic locations and transport hubs.

Expect an increased presence of police and military forces during holidays and in public places, including tourist locations and major landmarks.

Demonstrations and strikes

Demonstrations and strikes occur regularly, particularly in larger cities and often with little notice.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to significant disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations
• In case of a transportation strike, contact your provider or tour operator to make alternate arrangements
• Information on planned strike action - Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (in Italian)
• More about mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Swimming and water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Always take into account warning flags at beaches.

In the fall and winter months, be cautious when walking on the shore, as waves can be unpredictable, breaking further than expected and causing strong undertows.

• Avoid visiting beaches or coastal areas during periods of severe weather warnings
• Look out for signs warning of cliff erosion and falling rocks
• Don’t dive into unknown water, as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death
• Exercise caution and follow the advice of local authorities

Water safety abroad

Mountain activities

If you intend to go hiking, mountaineering or skiing:

• never do so alone
• consider hiring an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re properly equipped
• stay informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes or ski slopes before setting out
• do not venture off marked trails or slopes

Information on avalanche risk - Meteomont, Arma dei Carabinieri

Stray dogs are common in certain areas.

Don’t approach or feed them as they could be aggressive.

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety vary throughout the country.

City streets can be narrow and congested. Signage, traffic lights and road markings may not be visible, especially in the southern areas of the country.

In mountainous areas, roads are often winding and narrow. Weather conditions can make driving conditions dangerous. Avalanches or landslides can occur and block access routes to small isolated towns. In northern Italy, particularly in winter, fog can substantially reduce visibility.

Drivers do not always respect traffic laws. They may drive at excessive speeds and be reckless.

• Be cautious when using pedestrian crossings or where there are no sidewalks; drivers may not see you, especially where street lights are limited
• Pay close attention to motorcycles and electric scooters
• Monitor local news and weather forecast
• Refrain from driving during or immediately after severe storms
• Follow the advice and warnings issued by local authorities

Public transportation

The quality and availability of public transportation vary across the country.

In urban areas, buses can be over capacity during rush hours, impacting your transit time. Metro stations are sometimes closed for maintenance. Strike actions may also affect train service.

The inter-city train system is extensive, well-connected and reliable.

In Italy, drivers start the meter at the point of departure rather than at pick-up. Ride-sharing services are available but may operate differently.

Use only officially licensed taxis from a stand or requested by phone or app.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Italian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

• Schengen area

Italy is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period Business visa: not required for stays up 90 days Work visa: required Student visa: required

Information for foreign nationals - Polizia di Stato, Italy’s national police

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Declaration of presence

If you plan to spend fewer than 90 days in Italy for visits, business, tourism or study, you don’t need to apply for a residence permit. However, you must report your presence in the country. Commercial accommodations will generally file the declaration on your behalf, but you are responsible for making sure it's done. Request a copy of this record.

If you’re staying in a non-commercial accommodation and:

• arriving from a Schengen country, you must file a declaration of presence with the local police office within 8 days of arrival
• arriving from a non-Schengen country, make sure border officials stamp your passport upon arrival, as this is the equivalent to a declaration of presence

Failure to comply with this regulation could result in expulsion.

Entering Italy - Polizia di Stato, Italy’s national police

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in some areas of this destination. It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or occasionally when unpasteurized milk products are consumed.

Travellers to areas where TBE is found may be at higher risk  during April to November, and the risk is highest for people who hike or camp in forested areas.

Protect yourself from tick bites . The vaccine is not available in Canada. It may be available in the destination you are travelling to.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

• In this country, risk of  dengue  is sporadic. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue fever.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is available throughout the country. However, hospital services may be limited in rural areas and medical staff may not be able to communicate in English or French.

Medical treatment and emergency room visits are free of charge but only for life-threatening emergencies, as determined by the treating physician. Hospitals charge upfront for any convalescence or follow-up care.

There are also numerous private clinics and hospitals that cater to foreign travellers.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Italy are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Italy to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Italy authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Public behaviour

Certain municipalities, particularly those with a high number of visitors, such as Rome, Florence and Venice, have adopted strict public conduct rules. Certain behaviours are illegal and may include:

• sitting, eating or drinking on a monument or an archaeological landmark
• bathing in fountains or canals
• walking in an urban setting in swimwear or without a shirt/T-shirt
• feeding the pigeons
• putting locks on bridges or monuments
• dropping litter or using single-use plastic

Comply with public notices about conduct, which are usually found in and around tourist areas in major cities. You may be fined if you fail to do so.

Counterfeit merchandise

Buying counterfeit merchandise, such as sunglasses or purses, is illegal. You may receive heavy fines if you’re caught buying counterfeit merchandise.

Natural objects and flora

Removing pebbles, shells, or sand from the beaches in Sardinia and other coastal regions is prohibited.

In mountainous areas, it’s illegal to cut certain types of endangered flowers.

Avoid removing natural objects and flora from their natural setting. You could be fined if you do.

Photography

Photography of military installations and critical infrastructure is regulated.

Request permission from local authorities before taking photographs of such installations.

Recreational and commercial flying of drones is regulated.

You must register your drone to use it across the European Union. If you don’t comply, you may be fined and your drone confiscated.

• Civil drones - European Union Aviation Safety Agency
• Use of drones - Italian Civil Aviation Authority (in Italian)

Identification

Authorities may request to see your ID at any time.

• Carry valid identification or a photocopy of it at all times
• Keep a photocopy of your passport in case it’s lost or seized

Hotels and other commercial accommodation providers must provide the Italian authorities with personal details on their guests. As such, you’ll have to present a passport upon check-in.

Wait at the reception until the hotel staff has taken the required from your passport.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Italy.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Italy, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Italy.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Italy, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Italian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Italy to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

You may drive for up to one year with a valid Canadian driver’s licence and an international driving permit or a certified translation of your Canadian licence.

You must also have an international car insurance plan.

If driving a foreign car, an adhesive sticker indicating country of origin must be displayed on the back of the car. It’s illegal to drive a vehicle registered abroad for more than 60 days. If you plan to stay in Italy for more than 60 days, you must obtain Italian plates.

Vehicles must be equipped with safety equipment, including a warning triangle and reflective jacket.

Local authorities may request immediate cash payment for minor traffic violations.

Limited traffic zones and low-emission zones

Historic centres of many Italian cities have restricted traffic zones marked as ZTL, which stands for “Zona Traffico Limitato”, or low-emission zones, to reduce air pollution.

You need a special permit to access limited traffic zones. This permit is usually issued to residents. To be granted access to a low-emission zone, your car must meet certain environmental standards. Authorities may use cameras to record the licence plate of vehicles that violate these restrictions.

If you enter these zones without a permit, you could be fined. If your vehicle is rented, the rental agency could receive the fine and provide your contact details to the local authorities.

Some municipalities use the services of a private company to collect the fines abroad. You could receive traffic tickets by mail several months after returning to Canada.

• Pay close attention to street signage
• Obtain instructions from your hotel on how to access it by vehicle if it’s located in a ZTL

Seasonal and regional regulations

Rules on the mandatory use of snow tires or snow chains differ regionally. Pay attention to road signage in mountainous regions or other parts of the country prone to snow.

Certain islands restrict or prohibit the entry and use of vehicles belonging to non-residents during the high tourism season and holiday season. These include:

• the Aeolian Islands (Alicudi, Filicudi, Lipari, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli, Vulcano)
• the Aegadian Islands (Favignana)
• the Campanian Archipelago (Capri, Ischia, Procida)
• the Pelagie Islands (Linosa)
• the Tuscan Archipelago (Giannutri, Giglio)

Other islands could enforce similar regulations. Confirm before travelling.

On route 163 of the Amalfi Coast, between Positano and Vietri sul Mare, it’s prohibited to use campervans or large recreational vehicles.

• Driving in Italy - European Commission
• International Driving Permit

You must purchase bus, metro and tram tickets in advance at kiosks in stations or at tobacco shops and validate them at machines located on board or in the station.

If you don’t validate your ticket, you may receive a fine requiring immediate payment.

The currency of Italy is the euro (EUR).

Payment in cash is restricted to transactions under €1000.

If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the European Union. It includes sums in:

• banknotes and coins
• bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders
• bonds, shares
• gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %
• gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %
• any other convertible asset

This does not apply if you are travelling within the European Union or in transit to a non-EU country.

EU cash controls - European Commission

Forest and maquis fires often occur during the summer months, particularly in Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia.

The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a major fire:

• stay away from the affected area, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel, including evacuation orders
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation

Storms and flooding

In fall and winter, strong rainfall and winds may cause landslides and flash flooding, resulting in significant damage in coastal regions and certain cities such as:

• Campania (Amalfi Coast)
• Liguria (Cinque Terre)

The Italian Civil Protection Department publishes weather alerts on its website.

• Monitor local news and weather reports regularly
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders

Latest alerts - Italian Civil Protection Department

Venice is subject to tidal flooding (acqua alta), particularly during fall and spring. During episodes of severe flooding, some streets and squares become impassable, and certain businesses and landmarks may temporarily suspend their activities. Local authorities typically install raised pedestrian platforms to facilitate crossing in strategic locations.

The city of Venice warns citizens and tourists of episodes of high tide through a system of acoustic alerts.

In case of high tide:

• follow the instructions of local authorities
• contact your hotel, travel agent or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel arrangements
• Tidal forecast - City of Venice (in Italian)
• Interpreting tidal forecast - City of Venice
• @ICPSMVenezia - Tide Forecasting and Reporting Centre (in Italian)

In mountainous areas, avalanches present a risk. They can make roads impassable and cause power disruptions. These conditions can affect access to isolated areas, including tourist resorts, and limit the ability of emergency services to respond.

If you plan on skiing or mountaineering:

• stay informed of weather and safety conditions

Seismic activity

Italy is located in an active seismic zone. Even minor earthquakes can cause significant damage. Volcano eruptions occur.

Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano. Periods of high activity can bring significant ash fall, earthquakes and emission of harmful gases.

The Stromboli and Vulcano islands are active volcanoes. Eruptions, ash fall and lava flow occur regularly.

Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields in the Naples area are active volcanoes. They are both located near densely populated areas and are continually monitored by the local authorities.

There are several other dormant volcanoes throughout the country.

If you’re travelling near an active volcano or are practising volcano tourism:

• closely monitor volcanic activity levels through local media and official sources
• ensure that you’re well informed about conditions that may pose a hazard
• follow the advice of local authorities
• Earthquakes - What to Do?
• Information on active volcanoes - Italian national institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (in Italian)
• Information on seismic activity in Italy - Italian Civil Protection Department

Local services

Dial 112 for emergency assistance.

Consular assistance

Albania, Malta, San Marino

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada in Rome and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

30 Super Useful Sicily Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Visiting Sicily for the first time? You will love it! To make your trip absolutely amazing, here are my 30+ super handy Sicily travel tips you need to know before embarking on the Sicilian adventure. 

I travelled around Sicily twice so far (and I am pretty sure I will be coming back). During my two road trips (one and two weeks respectively), I got familiar with local culture, the best ways to get around, what to see, and also how to plan a great Sicily road trip .

Whether you are going for a day, a week, or a month, let me guide you through some practical travelling in Sicily tips, as well as share some inspiration on why you should visit Sicily.

In this Sicily guide, you will find the most important topics and questions answered about Sicily travel: when is the best time to go to Sicily , how to get to Sicily and the best way to travel around Sicily (public transport or driving), how many days in Sicily and which part of Sicily (east or west) to choose for nature, history and architecture, as well as insights into culture, food, and Sicilian lifestyle . 

• Related reads: 21 practical tips for driving in Sicily stress-free .

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). This helps to keep my blog running and growing by creating more awesome free content for you.

30+ essential tips for travelling in Sicily: plan your perfect visit

Sicily travel essentials.

• My TOP TIP : The best way to explore Sicily is self-driving. Rent a car at the best rates at Discover Cars .
• Best flight deals: Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest and fastest flights to Sicily from your location.
• Sleep: find your perfect accommodation in Sicily on Booking.com .
• Peace of mind: always remember to get travel insurance to be on the safe side. Get a quote at World Nomads or SafetyWing .
• Local SIM Card: Get a tourist pack of local data and calls at TIM or Vodafone. Advisable to purchase from a local store in town as airport costs are much higher.
• Learn Italian: take a fun interactive online course Rocket Italian which will help you learn spoken and written Italian language quickly. Study at your own pace either on a desktop or using a mobile app, lifetime access, and a free trial available upon signing up.

GETTING TO KNOW SICILY

1. there is italy and then there is charismatic sicily.

Kicked by the toe of mainland Italy, the volcanic island of Sicily developed its own identity with a distinct character. Sicily has delightful mischief that you won’t find anywhere else in Italy. 

Sicily, although part of Italy, could easily be a country on its own (historically it used to be the Kingdom of Sicily before it became an autonomous region of Italy). Locals proudly call themselves Sicilians and even get offended if you refer to them as Italians.

Indeed, everywhere you go you will see Sicilian flags stretched between the balconies. Meanwhile, colorful Sicilian ceramics are a statement of Sicilian house decor. However, the most obvious way to understand Sicilian identity and witness the pride of being Sicilian is while interacting with locals.

We stayed in different parts of Sicily during our road trip. Every host we met was raving not only about how wonderful Sicily is but also pointing out that the area they are from is the best on the island.

And trust me, the way Sicilians describe their hometown will make you excited to explore it. We got particularly lucky in Palermo with our host Mario whose passion for the town and food made us fall in love with the underrated capital of Sicily.

In short, when the place has a distinct character and identity of its own ready to be explored, it makes traveling way more fulfilling than just scratching the surface of main tourist sights. And Sicily definitely has the charisma!

2. Sicily has some of the most diverse histories in Europe

Sicily has been invaded dozens of times by Arabs, Spaniards, Normans, Greeks, and Romans, to name a few major ones. Therefore, if you have an interest in history, discovering Sicily’s layered and diverse past through many remaining historical sites will definitely keep you busy.

Today’s Sicily is like a living museum, a historical artwork celebrating and commemorating some of the most powerful cultures and civilizations. 

With a history that stretches over thousands of years, you will find out about the ancient Greek settlements in Agrigento and Syracuse, learn about Baroque architecture in Val di Noto, Roman cultural influence in Villa Romana del Casale mosaics, Arab and Norman impact in Palermo, as well as discover frozen in time medieval villages of Madonie mountains. 

To sum up, Sicily is a perfect place to travel back in time and get acquainted with its turbulent history. 

3. Is Sicily worth visiting? 

Sicily is a must-visit place in Italy. You can expect to have a very different travel experience even if you have already been to other parts of the country.

You may already know that Italy is very diverse, with different regions having distinct landscapes, architecture, and even cultural nuances. But even if you have been all around Italy, and think that there is just so much more you can expect from yet another region, you will be pleasantly surprised how different from other parts of the country Sicily is.

Sicily can satisfy any kind of traveler as it has everything- fantastic beaches, nature reserves , mountains with hiking trails, some of the most impressive architecture (Syracusa, Val di Noto, Palermo), important historical sights like the valley of temples in Agrigento, frozen in time mountain villages of Madonie , and even wonderful low-key Egadi and high-end Aeolian islands you can easily catch a ferry to. 

But above the scenery and cultural sights, Sicily’s highlight is the locals. To me, Sicilians appeared to be some of the friendliest people compared to other parts of Italy. Locals in Sicily are genuinely happy to see you and are very welcoming, curious, and outgoing.

• Make sure to also check my post about 21 must-visit places in Sicily .
• Find The most beautiful small coastal towns and fishing villages in Sicily.

4. Is it safe to travel to Sicily – the birthplace of the Mafia?

Travelling in Sicily is very safe. From my personal experience everywhere we went felt extremely safe in Sicily. People are very welcoming, kind, and genuinely curious about travelers. 

Leaving the luggage in the car was probably my biggest safety concern while road tripping in Sicily . Leaving bags in the car was heavily advised against on other travel blogs, but in reality, it wasn’t an issue at all. Of course, there is no need to irresponsibly display your digital camera, laptop, or wallet on the seat which could seduce some robbers. But even if you left some of your belongings in the back seat, it doesn’t mean someone will definitely break into your car. 

The only place I was looking over my shoulder was when we walked in the Ballaro neighborhood in Palermo. Later on, however, our local host explained that there was nothing to be worried about. Apparently, Mafia owns many hotels and restaurants in the capital of Sicily. That means tourism is one of their main businesses and travelers are sort of looked after. Thus, small criminals don’t dare to touch a tourist. 

Regardless, I would still suggest keeping your guard up in busy areas of Palermo as pickpocketing certainly happens. Just make sure to keep your wallet and phone somewhere safer than the back pocket of your jeans when walking in crowded areas of Palermo, or Catania. 

WHEN TO TRAVEL TO SICILY

5. the best time to visit sicily-when should you go.

The best time to visit Sicily is from May to the beginning of June, and from September to the beginning of October. These are shoulder seasons when the weather is great both on the coast, in the towns, and in the mountains. Also, around these months tourists either haven’t arrived yet or already departed.

If you love beaches, September will be better than May as the water in the sea is still warm as opposed to slightly chilly late spring temperatures.

If you don’t care much about the beaches and swimming, and prefer cultural activities, like wandering UNESCO-listed towns and small villages, then any time of the year is a good time as Sicily has a pleasant island climate all year round. You might encounter some fogs and rain if you visit during autumn/winter. On the bright side, it may add to the mysterious atmosphere and interesting photography scenarios.

I would suggest avoiding July and especially August when the majority of Italians are on vacation. Prices of accommodation and car rental shoot up, while beaches and towns are packed with people- not the greatest time to travel to Sicily.

Nonetheless, if you only have summer months, you can still have a great time and pick some less visited places around the Island. Sicily has plenty of hidden gems waiting to be explored. 

• READ MORE: Planning on hiring a car in Sicily? Here are my 21 Useful Tips for Driving in Sicily, Italy.

6. Go before it is too late! 

Is Sicily very touristy? Yes and no, depending on which place and when you choose to go.

In recent years Sicily has definitely seen a quick increase not only in local but also in foreign tourism. The rough towns like Palermo which used to be considered a bit dangerous, are now completely tourist-friendly and adapted to serve the foreign visitor.

Meanwhile, even remote villages are slowly but steadily opening up cozy B&Bs and getting completely booked out during the peak season.

While many popular beach towns are packed with sun-seekers and local holidaymakers during summer, still there are enough places on the island where you can have an authentic Sicilian experience without crowds. But don’t wait too long, as with social media being so proactive, Sicily is getting on tourist radar pretty fast. Some of the seemingly remote places I have discovered on Instagram!

GETTING TO AND AROUND SICILY

7. three ways of getting to sicily: airplane, ferry, or train.

Sicily is an island separated from the mainland of Italy by the narrow strait of Messina. The good news is that Sicily is very well connected not only to mainland Italy but also to the rest of Europe and even other parts of the world.

Getting to Sicily by air

As expected, most travelers come to Sicily by air. There are 3 airports in Sicily-one in the capital Palermo in the West North, one in Catania in the East, and one in Trapani in the West of the island.

If you are flying from Europe, sometimes you can get insanely cheap deals to land in Sicily.  Search for the best flight deals using KIWI flight search aggregator .

Getting to Sicily by ferry

Another also quite popular option to reach Sicily is taking a ferry, both nationally and internationally. 

Nationally, the main places from where you can reach Sicily are Rome, Naples, Salerno, Genoa, and San Giovani in Calabria (southern Italy-the toe of the boot).

The overnight ferries from Naples, Salerno, Genoa, and Rome arrive in Palermo. Meanwhile, if you are traveling by land from Southern Italy, you can take a 30 min ferry from Villa San Giovani to the port town of Messina, Sicily. This is precisely what we did on our combined Sicily and Calabria road trip. 

Internationally, you can reach Sicily from Malta and Tunisia. 

Top tip: Ferries to Sicily also accommodate various vehicles. Therefore, if you travel by car, instead of driving long distances, you can “jump” onto the ferry.

• You can easily search for the ferry schedules from your selected departure place using the Directferries website.

Popular ferry routes to Sicily

• Palermo-Naples: 10.5- 11.5 hours; from 50 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Palermo-Rome (Civitavecchia): 14.5 hours; from 60 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Palermo-Genoa: 19.5-20.5 hours; from 45 or 75 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Messina- Salerno: 9-10.5 hours; from 52 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Messina- Reggio Calabria (South Italy) : 30 minutes; from 10 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Catania- Valletta (Malta): 4 hours 45 minutes; from 80 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here
• Palermo-Tunis (Tunisia): 10.5 hours; from 85 EUR one way (foot passenger); book tickets here

Getting to Sicily by train

The third way is taking a train from the mainland of Sicily. There are train departures from Rome (12 hours) and Naples (9 hours) to Palermo. The train also has routes heading to East Sicily and stops in Taormina, Catania, and Syracuse.

Question- how on Earth does this train get through the water? Apparently, there is a special ferry which transports, yes, the train! This could be an interesting and fun travel experience.

• You can find a train route and book tickets from Italy to Sicily using Omio train search aggregator.

8. Driving is by far the best way to explore Sicily

I am a huge fan of road trips, and Sicily is a perfect place to go on one (check out my 2-week in Sicily Itinerary ).

I am sure you have heard that driving in Sicily might be challenging, which is partially true (if you don’t know what to expect).

However, driving is by far the most convenient way to get around Sicily as you don’t have to rely on irregular and not frequent public transport schedules. Also, hidden gems are only accessible by car (well, in some cases by boat-like Favignana island ). Finally, you will be able to travel at your own pace and get from place to place much faster than with a train or a bus. 

Therefore, I strongly recommend renting a car if you are planning to see more than just bigger towns like Catania or Palermo (those places don’t require a car). 

Important: book your car well in advance to get the best deal! We booked 3 months ahead to secure a good deal (20 EUR per day). If you leave it to the last minute, chances are, the car rental rates will be much higher.

I found the best car rental prices for my road trip in Sicily with DiscoverCars.

Rent a Car in Sicily

Look for the best rates for your rental car at Discovercars.

9. Getting around Sicily with public transport

Public transport in Sicily connects main destinations and more popular tourist towns like Palermo, Catania, Agrigento, Taormina, Messina, and Trapani. If you are not willing to drive you might be able to find your way around using only busses, or trains. Also, you can join organized day trips to places like Taormina, Etna Volcano, and Agrigento.

When it comes to using public transport in Sicily, buses are known to be the most complicated to deal with. I have read stories of buses having completely unreliable schedules, lack of accurate timetables online, needless to say not the most frequent service.

All this makes travelling and planning your time quite tricky. Although, larger companies like Interbus are pretty good. However, regional buses, unless you have unlimited time in Sicily, you can forget about. More often than not, you will have to rely on asking around for accurate information when travelling between smaller towns.

I personally would avoid using buses, except if you are planning to get between main towns and are not going to explore beyond the main tourist destinations. Even some of those places do not always have a guaranteed regular connection.

Trains mainly connect the coastal part of Sicily but are not available for the inland due to its mountainous terrain. Trains as far as I have researched are quite efficient and run according to schedule.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR SICILY ROUTE

10. how many days do you need in sicily .

You need at least 2 weeks and at least 5 different overnight bases to explore the whole perimeter of the island at a medium pace .

To see all the highlights plus some hidden gems of Sicily you will need at least 3 weeks, ideally a month. Having this amount of time, you can slowly drive all around the island discovering different parts of Sicily. Those would include beaches, mountains, archeological sites, baroque towns, fishing villages, Etna volcano and you can even squeeze in a trip to Egadi or Aeolian islands.

Do not try to see the whole island of Sicily in one week. Sicily is bigger than it looks at a first glance. Driving time from West to East of the island is around 4.5 hours.

Understandably, not everyone has a month worth of time to allocate for their vacation. Still,  as a bare minimum, I would recommend 10 to 14 days in Sicily . However, you will have to be strategic about how and where you spend your time. You will definitely have to trim down the long list of places of interest in Sicily leaving only what excites you the most. 

If you have only around one week in Sicily, the best is to focus on one side of the island. For example, highlights of the west and northwest part, or highlights of the east and southeast part of Sicily, depending on which airport you land at. Definitely don’t try to move all the way from west to east as you will end up spending most of the time in a car. 

• Check my two-week road trip itinerary for inspiration and help to you plan your own vacation in Sicily.

11. Choose West Sicily and the hinterlands for a more authentic experience and wild nature

If you are landing in Palermo or Trapani, you are for a treat of wild beaches and nature, the unfiltered lifestyle of Palermo, sleepy Madonie mountain villages, and a slow-paced Favignana island. Western and Norther parts of Sicily are less touristy than the Eastern part. This means you will have a very authentic travel experience wherever you choose to go.

12. Choose East Sicily for Baroque and Greek architecture, Etna volcano, and famous archeological sites

If you are landing in Catania on the Eastern part of Sicily, then you are getting a treat of unparalleled architectural gems-Val di Noto baroque towns like Ragusa, the Greek amphitheater of Taormina, the valley of temples in Agrigento, spectacular Syracuse with Ortigia at its heart, and mighty Etna volcano which you can explore up close by hiking .

Note, that the Eastern part of Sicily is more touristy (due to its cultural wanders and a large number of UNESCO heritage sights which indeed made Sicily famous).

13. The best beaches in Sicily are on the northwestern side of the island. 

If you are seeking the sun and going to Sicily mainly for the beaches, then head to the North West. Here, you can find crystal clear waters and some of the most spectacular beaches in Sicily.

The mountainous backdrop characterizes the northwest of the coast. There you will find a perfect natural combination of mountains and the sea offering an array of hiking and swimming activities in one place.

You can find exactly that in Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve . To me, it was the best nature spot with the most incredible beaches in the whole of Sicily.

If you love sandy beaches, then San Vito Lo Capo at the northwestern tip of the island is a place to be. If you are looking for great city vibes with a close-by beach escape then Mondelo beach is just 30min drive from Palermo.

Finally, Favignana islands on the West side of Sicily will surprise you will azure waters and wild beaches to lay your towel at. Read my post about visiting Favignana island for more details.

14. Mix up big cities, small towns, and the seaside for a diverse experience in Sicily

To get a real taste of Sicily, plan on visiting a mix of different parts of the island. To understand daily hustle and bustle as well as admire impressive historical buildings, aim for a few days in the biggest towns (Palermo, Catania, Ortigia Island in Syracuse), for the beach scene, go to smaller seaside towns (Cefalu, Castellammare del Golfo), you will find UNESCO listed Baroque architecture in Ragusa, Modica or Noto, for the important archeological treasures head to Agrigento, while for chilled island life- to Egadian islands, for raw nature – to Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, and to get the sense of the frozen time drive up to medieval villages in Madonie mountains. 

15. Get used to sweating up the hill-mountainous terrain of Sicily

Sicily’s climate and terrain can be very unforgiving in summer. It might become overwhelming if you are not used to almost African heat and hiking. Many Sicilian towns are located in mountainous areas. Getting from landmark to landmark on foot will require broken-in shoes, a hat for shade, lots of sunscreen, and good stamina. Indeed if you are planning to visit some of the small mountain tows, be ready to burn a few calories (which is great considering the carbs intake you will have while in Sicily).

ACCOMMODATION – WHERE TO STAY IN SICILY

There is no shortage of accommodation in Sicily. Depending on your budget, you can pick a room in a boutique hotel, stay in a dorm or in a fancy timeless hotel, rent a cozy apartment or opt for a homestay. Bigger towns like Palermo and Catania or Trapani will have all these options. Meanwhile smaller villages may only offer homestays and boutique hotels. In remote locations, you may not always find dorms in Sicily.

The only type of accommodation I have not seen (gladly) was monstrous seaside hotels. Okay maybe a couple of ugly ones in Cefalu were ruining the scenery, but they weren’t nearly as massive as the ones you can find in the UAE or Turkey, for example. And I hope it will stay this way.

16. Stay in homestays for the best local experience in Sicily

I always aim to support local small businesses when travelling, and one of the best ways to do so is to stay in a family-run B&B. Not only do you bring business to a local family but in return, you get more personal and warm treatment as opposed to the very formal approach in regular hotels.

Finally, Sicilians are very knowledgeable about their local area and they are more than happy to share some tips for sightseeing, the best places to eat, and sometimes they even cook for you!

For example, we were very lucky with our host in Palermo who was extremely passionate about his town and Sicily overall. He shared some insider tips, and fantastic stories about Palermo, and gave some great insights about Sicily. It enriched our travel experience and helped us understand the local culture much better. 

17. Book your stays in popular destinations in Sicily early in advance

Some of the towns in Sicily receive way more visitors than the others during the high season (July/August). Therefore, booking early is strongly recommended.

The most popular places which get booked out are Cefalu, Taormina, Syracuse and Ortigia, Favignana (Egadi islands), and Trapani.

For example, even at the beginning of May, accommodation in Cefalu seemed to be 70 percent occupied when I looked it up on the booking site. So I can imagine it can be pretty tough finding a place to stay in summer, let alone getting a reasonable deal.

Alternatively, if you are driving, there are countryside guesthouses called Agriturismo- those are usually fantastic family-run getaways not too far from the main towns.

Book Accommodation in Sicily

Look for the best rates and perfect places to stay on Booking.com

18. Make sure to check if the parking is available and is not in the ZTL zone

If you are driving, parking is one f the factors you will be making your decision about whether or not you should book a place. Often in towns like Cefalu, there won’t be any parking included in accommodations located in the historic center. Thus, you might have to look for a place to stay outside but close enough to the historic center.

Also, in case you manage to find a place to stay which offers parking in the historic center, double-check with your host if it doesn’t fall under ZTL (Zona Trafico Limitato) , which only permits registered vehicles. You can read more about sneaky ZTL zones in my post about driving in Sicily .

GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH SICILIAN CULTURE

19. travel to sicily just for food.

You could travel to Sicily just for the food.  From the famous Pasta alla Norma , tuna burgers, couscous with fish, all sorts of arancini , pizzas to ricotta-filled pastries with cannoli being the king of all, brioche with ice cream, and many more- eating Sicilian specialties can keep you busy all day long. Just looking at the menu in trattoria you can quickly realize that Sicilian cuisine adopted the crossroads of civilizations. There are flavors from Europe and Africa on one plate.

Moreover, Sicily’s capital Palermo is worldwide famous for the best street food. Therefore, forget about fancy restaurants, and go try the fast food- it is fresh and delicious.

20. Breakfast is not the main meal of the day, but in Sicily, you can fuel up with ice cream in a bun

Sicilian breakfast (as common everywhere in Italy) is always sweet. But having ice cream in brioche is something unheard of and probably only to be found in Sicily.

I know that eating an omelet in the morning sounds bizarre to Italians, but come on, ice cream with bread?! This is whole another level of weird…

Nonetheless, this combination is a guaranteed energy boost and is extremely filling. I have tried brioche with ice cream but decided to stick to the regular pastry and coffee.

Note: when you see breakfast included in your accommodation booking, do not expect English breakfast with sausages and beans. Usually, you will only get coffee and pastries. On a rare occasion, you may find B&Bs offering some panini (sandwiches with ham and cheese). Continental breakfast is only common in bigger hotels.

21. Catch up on your sleep during riposo – understanding Sicilian time (aka siesta) 

You probably have heard of siesta in south European countries. Unlike any other timing-related matters, Sicily is taking the midday nap very seriously.

Shops, museums, and restaurants close for so-called riposo or siesta at around 12-1 pm and re-open at around 3-4 pm or even later. Siesta’s starting time is always on the dot while the finishing time is sort of flexible.

Longer siestas are very common in smaller towns. We have struggled to find a place to eat lunch in Madonie mountain villages-everything was closed, and there was no live soul to be seen in the afternoon. Taking into account Sicilian summer heat, having a power nap in the middle of the day is probably the best thing you can do. 

Sundays are usually days off and shops and museums, and even some restaurants are also shut for the whole day.

However, in bigger towns like Palermo and Catania, as well as touristy places like Cefalu, Taormina, or Syracuse you can find quite a lot of cafes and gelaterias, and casual eateries which are open during siesta hours and even on Sundays.

22. There is time for aperitivo and then there is time for dinner

Restaurants and trattorias usually open at around 6-7 pm, however actual dinner time is around 8-9 pm in Sicily and Italy. Therefore, it is recommended to reserve a table to avoid the disappointment of having to wait for an even later meal.

However, before heading out for dinner, you should not miss aperitivo which is a time between late afternoon and dinner when people head out for a drink and a small snack before they actually go to have a proper meal.

23. What is coperto – tipping culture and service fee in Sicily, Italy

Coperto (or servizio ) in Italy and also Sicily is a fixed service fee that you pay per person for being served at a restaurant. The amount you must pay varies from place to place but usually it ranges between 1-2 euros. Some more expensive restaurants may charge 2.5-5 euros for coperto per person.

The amount of coperto is usually indicated on the menu. It is a fixed charge and doesn’t depend on how much or little you eat or how long you spend at a table. 

If I pay coperto , do I have to leave a tip? 

If you love the service and food, the tip will be highly appreciated but it is not a must in Sicily, Italy. 

24. Coffee price at a bar vs at a table. 

Note that you may have to pay coperto in some coffee shops/bars if you choose to have your cappuccino at a table rather than at a bar, as most Sicilians do. Most likely the cost of being served coffee at a table will range from 20 euro cents to one euro.

This doesn’t apply to all coffee shops though. Charging extra for a coffee at a table is more common in touristy and popular areas or famous fancy coffee places. For example, I have been to places in Venice, Rome, Amalfi Coast , and Naples where we had to pay extra for having our cappuccini at a table. Smaller and more casual bars and coffee shops do not collect this fee.

LANGUAGE AND INTERACTION WITH LOCALS

25. few italian phrases will go a long way but be ready for the sicilian language.

Sicilians barely speak English. Most of the locals don’t speak a word, especially in smaller towns and villages. I can count on my one hand fingers how many fluent English speakers we met on our road trip (when I think of it, probably only 3 or 4 people were very well versed in English and those guys were our hosts at the B&B). Nonetheless, you can still meet younger generation people working at bars and restaurants who can speak some basic English, but not as much as you may expect.

Moreover, even information in museums, churches, and even parking signs are in Italian! Therefore, learning some basic survival phrases in the local language will go a long way.

After many years of thinking about it, I finally signed up for an online Italian course just 3 months before my Sicily road trip. I could not be happier about dedicating some time to learning Italian. It really came in handy in Sicily and South Italy.

It seemed that Sicilians really appreciated my effort to speak in Italian, even if it was a very basic conversation. It also helped me to understand simple daily things related to accommodation questions and directions. And don’t worry if you don’t know how to say something properly, Sicilians will always try to help you out when you are lost in translation.

Nonetheless, there was a bit of a catch. Sicilians apparently often speak the Sicilian language (it is a language, not even a dialect). Although they do speak official Italian, there were times when they spoke in Sicilian and it sounded like a totally different language- I couldn’t catch a single familiar word!

However, this didn’t happen often. Most of the time people spoke regular Italian and if you are lucky- even a few English words.

If you are thinking of learning some Italian basics, the best interactive course that I found online is Rocket Languages. Rocket Italian course is a set of audio conversations, grammar, and written and oral practice. You can have it on an app on your phone or your laptop, and learn at your own pace, come back to it whenever you want to repeat something or skip ahead.

Subscribing to the course gives you a 2-week free trial, lifetime access, and also 60-day money-back guarantee if you don’t find it useful (I definitely find it super useful and I still continue to study after my trip).

Learn Italian

Sign up for Rocket Italian language course before your Sicilian trip

26. Make sure to meet the locals

Interact with locals. 

Sightseeing is amazing, but the true joy is in those short (or long) conversations and cheerful interactions with the local people. Sicilians are very outgoing and friendly (I think I already mentioned that before).

Even if you don’t speak Italian, don’t shy away from the hand language. I am sure the minimum you can learn is a friendly ‘ciao’ when you meet a person on the street. Trust me, they will happily respond. Sicilians are often curious to know where you are coming from-‘ di dove sei? ‘.

Usually, their guesses revolve around the most well-known destinations such as UK, Germany, France, or America (apparently people from these countries are frequent visitors). Sicilians were extremely delighted to find out that we came all the way from the UAE to their beautiful island. In fact, many of them confessed that Dubai is their dream destination to travel to. To this, I always joyfully replied, that yes indeed it is a beautiful place to see and live, but there is no place as wonderful as Sicily (I do have a very soft spot for Italy- a perfect place to move to one day). 

27. Avoid the “M” word

Sicily is often associated with the birthplace of the Mafia. Thanks to Hollywood films that have glorified organized criminal groups in the movies such as Godfather, there are a lot of misconceptions about past events. In reality, Sicilians had to deal with horror created by the local mafia and face consequences until today.

Therefore, this is a sensitive subject to bring up when talking to locals. It is not advisable to joke about it as you never know whose family member has actually been a victim of organized crime in Sicily.

Although the local mafia in Sicily still exists and operates today. In some places, business owners still pay a second tax that goes to organized crime and so-called protection. 

However, as a tourist, you are not likely to come across any of these mafia-related aspects. Let alone experience any violence or dealings with the Mafia. Interestingly, in Palermo some hotels are owned by Mafia, while some actually set themselves free and signed anti-extortion charters – there is even a “pizzo-free” map with the list of these accommodations, in case you want to avoid supporting the bloody businesses. 

MONEY, INTERNET, SIM CARD, GROCERIES

28. is sicily expensive to travel to  .

Sicily is still less expensive to travel around than, for example, northern and central Italy. Especially if you go to smaller and less known towns like Castellammare del Golfo, you can find great accommodation deals. When it comes to food, you can get some bargain deals for street food in Palermo, amazing pizzas, and an unlimited supply of pastries everywhere.

You can check the budget breakdown on my Sicily Road Trip Itinerary post HERE to get an idea of what it costs to travel in Sicily.

29. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in Sicily but always have some small change

Contrary to what I have read online before traveling to Sicily, debit and credit cards were widely accepted across the island. Even in smaller restaurants and shops. We paid for all our accommodation by card and very rarely needed to use cash (usually the possibility to pay by card is indicated on booking, or it is an automated advance charge prior to arrival).

Nonetheless, I still advise having some emergency cash for small spending. Not all the shops will have card machines, and even if they do, sometimes they may say it is not working so they can collect cash (as we learned from a local).

Some self-service petrol stations might also have card issues- which happened to us- and in this case, you definitely want to have cash.

Also buying small things like souvenirs or paying for toll gates is usually more convenient in cash.

30. Get a local sim card for cheaper data

If you are travelling for a couple of weeks in Sicily, it is well worth getting a local sim card with data and calls. It would usually be much cheaper than roaming. Tourist packs are available to purchase from TIM or Vodafone-those providers are offering pay-as-you-go tourist packages with the best coverage.

31. Be ready to allocate a couple of hours to sort out SIM card

Okay, there is a catch when it comes to sorting out the local SIM card in Italy, and also Sicily. It is probably one of the most complicated places when it comes to getting a data plan. The tricky part is that you may not be able to get SIM card at the airport which is the most convenient way when starting your journey in a foreign country.

Instead, you may have to look for a local TIM or Vodafone store in the town. If you are renting a car at the airport, the best way is to look up the nearest store and pre-download its location on Google Maps.

Be aware of your arrival time- if it is during working hours or not. Also, take siesta time into consideration (stores close from around 1-2 PM till 4-5 PM). Luckily, this might not be applicable if the store is located in a bigger shopping center. However, malls are not that common in Italy.

Once you are at the store, expect around 30 minutes to sort out payment, and installation, and then add another hour for activation of the SIM.

I am sharing my personal experience here. When landed at Naples airport, there was no SIM card shop available (2022). Therefore, we pre-downloaded Google maps with the nearest mall that had TIM shop (it was open during siesta time- made sure to check it). It took around 2 hours to sort out the internet but it was totally worth it to get this out of the way for our 3 -week-long journey in South Italy and Sicily. We purchased a generous 70GB plan for around 20 EUR, which was valid for 30 days, local calls included.

32. Big supermarkets are less popular than local specialty shops and markets

When travelling to Sicily, and also Italy, you may notice that big supermarkets are not that common. Thus, whenever you want to do grocery shopping, it might not be as per your usual habit of buying everything in one spot.

In Sicily, people still love using markets and specialty shops where they buy a specific product. There are separate pescaterias (fish shop), paneterias (bakeries), cheese, meat, fresh pasta, and vegetable shops. Those are the best places to get fresh produce.

Certainly, you can find mini-markets in every town where they sell the basics- milk, eggs, canned stuff, a small selection of cheese and sausages as well as some cleaning and shower products, detergents, and whatnot.

Talking about mini markets, we had a fun experience in Castellamare del Golfo. We were looking for a small bottle of olive oil to use for breakfast, but all shops had only 1-liter bottles which we couldn’t carry around and it would have been a waste of buying one. A lady working at one of the mini-markets in town understood our situation, and literally pulled out a bottle of olive oil and poured some of it into a small plastic cup for us to take away (at no extra cost). It was very kind of her and something you are not likely to experience in big shopping centers.

33. Covid – 19 in Sicily requirements

Today you can travel to Sicily and Italy by air for tourism purposes. All Covid-19 regulations have been lifted for travel to Italy. For more information about the requirements related to covid- 19 refer to this page .

Masks are still being worn inside supermarkets, churches, and museums. It was a strict requirement to wear a special medical mask (sold at the coffee shop at the port in case you don’t have one) on the Trapani-Favignana ferry. I have noticed that many elderly people still wore masks outside, and even in small towns. Knowing that Italy was one of the countries hardest hit by pandemics, it comes as no surprise.

Have you ever been to a destination where traveling felt challenging, or on the contrary- a complete breeze? Share your experience in the comments below. Also, if you have more questions about traveling to Sicily, please feel free to get in touch.

More Italy travel guides and resources

Sicily travel guides.

• Useful Tips for Renting a Car in Sicily and Driving Stress-Free
• Renting a car in Catania, Sicily
• Renting a car in Palermo: what you need to know
• Epic Road Trip for 2-weeks in Sicily itinerary
• Essential Sicily Travel Tips .
• 21 spectacular places to visit in Sicily 
• How to visit Favignana island, Sicily
• Guide to hiking Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve
• Visit Gangi mountain town in Sicily
• The most beautiful small coastal towns and fishing villages in Sicily.
• The most charming mountain towns in Sicily .
• Which is better: Amalfi Coast or Sicily?

General Italy travel guides

• Browse all my  blog posts about Italy   HERE .
• Looking for romantic road trip ideas in Italy? Check my list of  15 Best Road Trips in Italy.
• The ultimate guide to renting a car in Italy
• Tips for driving in Italy for the first time
• Thinking of renting a car in Rome? Read my guide to  How to rent a car in Rome .
• Best coastal towns in southern Italy.
• Explore Calabria- the least visited region in Italy.
• Visit Sicily- the biggest island in Italy.

Italy travel resources

Here are links to essential travel resources and services I always use when organizing my trips.

• HIRE A CAR : Rent a car at the best rates at Discover Cars .
• CHEAP FLIGHTS: find the cheapest and the best flight combinations with Skyscanner .
• ACCOMMODATION: find your perfect stay on Booking.com .
• VISA: apply for a Schengen visa easily at iVisa . Use OneWayFly to reserve dummy flight tickets/hotels if required for your visa application.
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: get 5% off your insurance by using my link on Heymondo , a travel insurance provider. For the cheapest travel insurance on the market check SafetyWing .
• eSIM CARD: Stay connected before you land. Airlo offers an eSIM card with up to 20 GB (7 to 30 days) data packages for Italy and Europe for reasonable rates.
• GUIDED TOURS:  Find the best day tours in Italy on  GetYourGuide , outdoor tours and activities with Manawa .
• PRIVATE TRANSFER: Book a private transfer to any location in Italy with GetTransfer .
• FLIGHT GOT CANCELLED OR DELAYED? You may receive compensation of up to 600 EUR. Consult and get support from AirHelp or Skycop .

Hi! I am a freelance photographer & videographer as well the creator of www.theroadreel.com. Born in Lithuania, and currently residing in the UAE, I have been traveling around the globe independently for over a decade. I created The Road Reel to share my passion for travel and photography through detailed road trips and city itineraries, and hiking guides, along with regular and drone photogragraphy tips.

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Full-Day Etna Jeep Tour from Taormina Including Lunch

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Mount etna day trip from taormina, aeolian islands day trip from taormina: stromboli and panarea, half-day pizza making class in taormina, taormina food and wine walking tour (small group), taormina and isola bella day tour including a boat tour, the 9 prettiest paradise beaches in sicily, the 7 most instagrammable places in palermo, 6 most touristy places in sicily and where to go instead, best places to get your sicilian food fix in palermo, 7 big ideas for the best vacation in sicily, the best farm stays in sicily, join on social media, for even more exclusive content.

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Streaty – palermo street food walking tour, etna, wine and alcantara tour – small groups from taormina, one day boat tour in the egadi favignana and levanzo, top 9 must-do activities in syracuse, the best places to stay on the aeolian islands, private monreale, cefalù & castelbuono tour, from palermo area, cooking class with seaview & taormina’s market with chef mimmo, quad tour excursion from the castle to the sea, private 6-hour tour of three etna wineries with food and wine tasting, sicily on a budget: how to experience luxury without breaking the bank, our new digital guide ‘an insider’s guide to northwest sicily’ is here, where to stay and what to do in sicily with kids, mazara del vallo: 6 reasons why you should visit this hidden gem, the 8 best things to do in catania, 9 best date ideas in palermo, 6 amazing things to do in sicily when it rains, an insider’s pocket guide to sicily: islands edition, an insider’s guide to sicily: beaches edition, the best beaches in sicily that are suitable for kids: the “bandiere verdi 2022” awards, 7 underrated places to visit in sicily.

The Best Hotels In Cefalù

The best locations where to stay in sicily, the best boutique hotels in sicily, the best hotels in taormina, the best hotels in palermo, 20 things that scream “i’m not italian” in italy, chiara ferragni’s luxurious first evening at villa igiea of palermo, 16 pictures that show how different palermo was     .

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Palermo Food Blog: Sicilian Arancine

Etna countryside food and wine lovers tour (small group), elevate your travel photos with our new lightroom presets ‘the colors of sicily’, faq – before you buy our presets, on march 8 women can visit museums for free, an important travel magazine chose sicily as the 11th best island in europe, strong explosion of the stromboli volcano: fear among the inhabitants, the 11 sicilian beaches awarded for the quality of the sea, fresh stories, browse our editor's hand picked articles, an insider’s pocket guide to sicily: spring edition.

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Sicily travel guide — the fullest sicily tourist guide for first-timers.

Referring to Italy, in addition to the powerful and mighty of Rome, the rich culture of Tuscany or the vibrant of Naples, surely the name Sicily or Sicilia will evoke lot of emotions to anyone. Sicily, not only has famous for the novel ‘The Godfather’, ‘specialty’ Mafia and Separatism but also owns a lot of great things that no other land in Italy can match, including the rich and diverse culture of the land with the oldest history in Italy after Rome. In terms of landscape, cultural identity and geographical location, Sicily is not inferior to any other place in Italy, but what has made this land stray from the image of a prosperous Europe that people often imagine? This Sicily blog not only shares with you Sicily travel experiences, but also provides a part of the social picture of the evil land in the pages of Mario Puzo’s books. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Sicily — The largest island of Italy for the first-time? Let’s check out our Sicily travel blog (Sicily blog) with the fullest Sicily travel guide (Sicily guide, Sicily tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

• Trapani blog — The Trapani travel guide & what to do in Trapani, Sicily
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If you have read the world famous novel ‘The Godfather’ by Mario Puzo, you will surely know the legendary land of Sicily of Italy which is also the beautiful southernmost island with tradition of producing wine for more than a thousand years. Not only being the “land of Mafia”, this place also contains many interesting and strange things.

Unlike many other large cities and regions in Italy, Sicily is not dense with monumental or massive, majestic or high-rise buildings, but it has many palm trees and other rare trees and plants that evoke the feeling of being in a country of Middle East or North Africa. The streets of cities or towns in Sicily are also small, and there are many more flea markets, shops right on the streets, diverse markets from food markets selling meat, fish and vegetables, to clothing stalls, Chinese game electronics, to gas stoves and ovens.

Sicily travel guide: Overview of Sicily

Where is sicily.

Well, if you imagine Italy as a boot or a high-heeled shoe, Sicily is like a kicked ball. Indeed, this image ironically compares Sicily’s position in the heart of Italy: Backward and isolated. Despite the distance from the mainland (ie Italy) to the port of Messina of Sicily is only 6.6km, but Sicily is already considered a remote island of Italy.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with an area of up to 25,711 km² and a population of over 5 million (2022), it is separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina, is one of five autonomous regions, officially known in Italian as Regione Siciliana. The most prominent landscape of the island is Mount Etna, the most famous volcano in Europe with the most frequent and powerful eruptions.

Sicily is 3km from Calabria (in mainland Italy), 160km from the coast of Africa, and to this day, it is still impossible to confirm whether Sicily was once attached to Africa or mainland Italy. Due to its geographical location, Sicily is the most important island in Mediterranean Sea.

A brief history of Sicily

Since the appearance of the first inhabitants, the ancient people of Sicanians, there have been many peoples to occupy, successively inhabiting this hilly and rich in flora and fauna island. After the primitive civilization of the Sicanians came the civilization of the people of Sicels (the origin of the name Sicily), then the people of Elymians originated from West Asia (now Turkey), and then continued to be assimilated by Greek army. For hundreds of years, people jostle against each other to occupy this vast and majestic island, Sicily was handed over from the Greeks to the Carthaginians, to the Roman Empire, to Arabia, to Norman, to France, to Spain, to Austria… until Giuseppe Garibaldi unified Italy and regained Sicily in 1860.

Due to its prime location with hundreds of years of changing thrones, Sicily is the cultural exchange of many different cultures, the Sicilian people are famous for their multi-racial diversity and colorful culture. Coming to Sicily, you can see a blending of ancient indigenous civilizations such as Sicanians, Sicels, Elymians, to the civilizations of invaders such as Roman, Greek, Arab, Norman, Albania, France, Spain. A lot of people in Sicily today are of Albanian origin because this people have occupied and settled here since the 16th century…

The Greeks also invaded the southern Italy and Sicily, so Sicily is so heavily influenced by Greek culture and its civilization, so there are a lot of Greeks here, more Greek-style temples than in Greece itself. The language of the Sicilian people therefore also has a lot of foreign elements mixed (there are even some Albanian-influenced communities who have occupied here since the sixteenth century and to day they still speak the ancient Albanian language). Even the eye color and hair color of a large number of people in Sicily (red hair and blue eyes) are also considered traits they inherited from the Normans. In addition, there also are many people with Arab surnames. So, many Italians sometimes joke that Sicily isn’t Italian, and many Sicilian themselves also don’t identify themselves as Italian.

Sicily travel guide: Is Sicily safe?

There is no country is absolutely safe but actually in Sicily you will be surprised because the security here is better than you think. I lived for a year in Sicily and have never been pickpocketed, stolen or cheated while in Rome I was scammed as soon as I arrived at the airport. The proud Sicilian are sincere, generous and respect to foreigners. What about the mafia? I didn’t see the influence of this criminal organization on the daily life here. However, you should not be too casual when talking about this topic or discuss it with natives because it is a rather complicated topic.

Generally, fewer pickpockets than other famous tourist cities such as: Rome, Barcelona, ​​Paris… also not as many robbers as Naples, Sicily is much safer. There is also absolutely no gunfight like in the movies, probably because civilians, tourists are not the object of interest of mafia gangs. However, you should also be careful when wandering around in slums or suburbs, which may not be as safe as in downtown areas.

What about poverty and backwardness? Indeed, Sicily has poorer infrastructure than northern regions and high rates of unemployment, ghost towns and abandoned cities when young people move to the North to finding jobs that makes the cities become deserted, full of elderly people but in general people still have a comfortable life.

Sicily travel blog: When to visit?

Sicily is endowed with a mild Mediterranean climate, warm winters, cool summers, and little rain. The average temperature in winter is about 6-7 degrees Celsius, 18-20 degrees Celsius in summer.

The golden rule when traveling to countries with sea and islands is to go in sunny summer, even if it’s the peak season with higher costs. Summer in Italy is similar to Vietnam, lasting from the end of May to the end of August. The Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and due to its geographical location close to North Africa, summer in Sicily is hotter than other European regions. However, the European summer is very pleasant compared to the summer in the North or Central Vietnam.

You can also come to Sicily in spring with lush green trees, flowers blooming everywhere, it will be more beautiful but not as crowded as in summer, especially for ocean lovers. However, many hotels and restaurants only open in the summer when tourists flocking here.

Sicily travel guide: How to get to Sicily?

The simplest and most efficient way to get to Sicily is by plane. The island has two international airports: Palermo and Catania, connecting to many major cities in the world and the most famous airline is Alitalia – the national carrier of Italy.

There are no direct train routes from mainland cities to Sicily because there is no bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Due to the distance is too far from other regions of Italy, so taking a bus will takes a lot of time, so I do not recommend you to choose this option.

Traveling by boat also is a option to reach Sicily. There are many ferry companies such as Alicudi Palermo Ferry, Alicudi Milazzo Ferry, Civitavecchia Palermo Ferry, Civitavecchia Palermo Termini Imerese Ferry, Favignana Trapani Ferry… which are operating routes to Sicily, you can directly buy tickets at ticket counters at ferry piers or buy online in advance, refer to departture points, routes and timetables here .

Sicily guide: Getting around Sicily

Unlike other developed regions or cities in Italy, public transport in Sicily is even more backward. Usually, in order to save time and make the most comfortable, tourists often choose to travel by coach (passenger car) between tourist destinations on the island. You can refer to the website of the Etna Travel Service Company here or via Facebook , the web is not available in English, so please use Google Translate. According to my experience, you should look up the departure time on the website and then follow the address that listed on the website to buy tickets right on the spot, because online payment also is not available.

For trains you can book and pay online here . However, not every city in Sicily has a train station and the frequency of trains is not as much as that of passenger cars.

Self-driving

However, you should rent a private car if you want to freely explore the tourist attractions on the island. It is recommended to rent in advance online, especially to avoid the holidays or special occasions. The car rental price for a week ranges from €250 to €500. Large rental companies often offer better prices, should not be rented from small firms, they often offer cars with poor quality, prices are not fixed. All car rental companies have offices at the airports and in major cities in Sicily.

Sicily travel guide: What to do and where to go?

Trapani – marsala, salt flats and ancient windmills.

Since ancient times, salt has always played an extremely important role in human life. People get rich from salt, war for salt, even in Italy there are many roads named “Via Salaria” – Salt Route.

The hot winds from Africa, the long sunny summer days, the saltwater coastal lands are all the perfect conditions for the birth of immense salt fields. Here, natural sea salt is still crystallized from the evaporation of water, just as the ancient Phoenicians did 2,700 years ago. Salt was sold throughout the Mediterranean, as far away as the Nordic countries. Thanks to salt, in the mid-16th century it was one of the most important ports in Europe. Today, although there are many different substitutes, the salt here is still preferred by culinary experts because of its purity, no preservatives and the salty taste of natural sea salt.

Leaving the highway, driving along the highway from Trapani to Marsala you will encounter salt fields along both sides of the road. The scene of salt fields is adorned by scattered ancient windmills on the horizon. The first windmills were built in the Middle Ages, today most people use mechanical pumps, but sporadically, there are still 1-2 windmills that continue to lead into and drain water out of the salt fields.

Not available in Sicily tours, and if you want to go, you also have to rent a private car to get there, so not many tourists know this place. But if you have an opportunity to get here, remember to visit the Museum of Salt and the restaurant Trattoria del Sale. You can both visiting, admiring artifacts and documents regard the salt industry in Trapani, and you can also enjoy dishes using salt according to local recipes. And of course, you should also take advantage of buying a few bags of sea salt to use and give as gifts to friends.

Isola Di Vulcano – The Island of Volcanoes

The ancient Greeks named the island Thérmessa, meaning “Source of Heat”, and in Greek mythology it was known as the forge of God Hephaestus (Vulcano in Roman, the god of fire, blacksmiths, and craftsmen). The small island of only 21 square kilometers, 25 kilometers off the northern coast of Sicily, is the closest island to Sicily in the cluster of eight Aeolian Islands. From the main island of Sicily, there are many ports to catch a boat or ferry to the island, but you should go to the port of Messina, the port closest to the island cluster, from there, you can take ferries or boats to reach the island. Buying ticket is simple, just go to the port to see which boat preparing to depart, then go to its ticket counter right on the street and then get on the boat, it only takes 40 minutes to get to the island.

Currently there are 3 volcanoes on the island, of which the Gran volcano is still active. Rated as the most impressive attraction on the island, the scene of the crater is truly breathtaking. The smoldering columns of white smoke, the strong smell of sulfur. However, you should not reach too close, might will be suffocated.

Due to the volcanic terrain, an interesting place to visit is the natural hot mud bath area of ​​Fanghi. The mineral mud here contains very high sulfur content (the smell is quite concentrated), especially good for people with rheumatism and skin diseases (oily skin, acne, psoriasis).

In addition, due to the formation of lava flows, there are many volcanic black sand beaches on the island. The best way to go around the island, stopping at any beach you like is to rent a motorbike, or an ATV, the rental price for a day is not too expensive, about 15-25 Euros depending on the season.

Besides tourist services, people on Vulcano island mainly live by goat farming and hunting. So there are also great local cheeses like goat ricotta, and traditional dishes like fried ricotta, pasta with ricotta, seasoned with local specialties including herbs and spices.

The medieval fishing village of Cefalu

With narrow winding cobblestone streets, small beaches and a lovely harbor, Cefalu is one of Sicily’s most beautiful and most popular medieval fishing villages. The most impressive thing in Cefalu is the Lavatoio – a public laundry area that dates back to the 16th century in the Middle Ages. The laundry area was built where the Cefalino estuary empties into the sea. A special thing is that this river originates in the mountains next to Cefalu, flows underground, slips under the small houses in the village before emptying into the sea. Legend has it that this murmuring stream is the tears of the river goddess, who mourns her beloved husband day and night. From the main street, gracefully curving stairs lead down to the laundry area carved out of monolithic blocks with cool water designed to flow into 22 small faucets, of which 15 are designed in the shape of a dragon’s head which still well preserved to this day.

Until the 60s and 70s of the last century, Cefalu women loved to gather to do laundry here, especially in the hot summer days of the southern Mediterranean because they loved the cool water here due to underground flow through several kilometers before being exposed and flowing into the sea.

Located on the Mediterranean coast, Palermo – the capital of the island of Sicily, is famous for its fresh food and the enthusiasm, generosity, hospitality and kindness of the coastal people. Visitors can return to the past and riding around streets on unique horse-drawn carriages that will not be disappear even when the most modern vehicles appear. Most Palermo people are proud to talk about their homeland, a peaceful coastal city with bold classical European architecture.

And having come to Palermo, it is impossible to ignore its markets. All you need is to walk along the Vucciria market (Mercato della Vucciria) to experience local life. This is a place where locals and tourists come to buy fresh fruit, seafood and fresh cheeses with the enthusiastic, soulful sales style of the Mediterranean people.

Aeolian Islands

Aeonlian Islands is a must-go destination on the journey to Sicily, it is a volcanic archipelago of Sicily, Aeolian not only has pristine coastlines, volcanic black sand beaches, caves and cliffs, but also has a full range of amenities and tourist facilities such as mineral hotspring resorts, water sports, interesting relaxing fishing service.

Don’t miss the beautiful scenery in the town of Marzamemi which is one of the friendliest destinations for a summer vacation. If you want to relax, enjoy beautiful space, experience ancient Italian style, nice climate all year round and saving memories with your family, then Marzamemi is a good choice.

The town of Gangi was built on a small hill in central Sicily, about 80 kilometers to the southeast of Palermo, like a giant tortoise shell. About several years ago, very few people outside of Italy had heard of this village. Considered as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, this 12th-century old town had a population of about 16,000 in the 1950s but today only 7,000 remain.

Sicily Valley

Located next to a mountainside outside the city of Agrigento, the valley of Sicily possesses seven Greek temples, so it is called the valley of the temples. The Temple of Concordia, built in the 5th century BC, is the best preserved in the valley and is one of the largest and best preserved Doric temples still standing. Doric columns with 7 m high, 1.3 m in diameter. Other temples include the Temple of Juno, used for wedding ceremonies, and the Temple of Heracles, the oldest temple in the area.

Town of Piazza Armerina

The people of Piazza Armerina speak a different language than in other parts of Sicily. Here, visitors have the opportunity to visit beautiful Gothic works and buildings, especially the Villa Romana del Casale, a palace built in ancient Roman times in the middle of the 4th Century AD with the extraordinary mosaics decoration.

This town located in the southeast of Sicily is known as the “town of Baroque culture”. The Baroque structures in Val di Noto were remodeled in 1693 after a terrible earthquake and were recognized by UNESCO in 2002. The best time to visit Val di Noto is spring, when there are many festivals are held.

In Greek mythology, Etna is the place where Zeus imprisoned the monster Typhon, ending the war that is considered the most terrible in the history of Greek mythology. Currently, Etna is one of the most active and powerful volcanoes in the world, each time the volcano erupts Italians often joke that it is the wrath of the monster Typhon to escape the captivity of Zeus. Etna is also considered a symbol of Sicily, if you are a person who likes challenges and adventure travel, you cannot miss the opportunity to witness firsthand this great volcano.

Taormina is an extremely famous mountain town in Sicily. From Taormina you can see ravishing pebble beaches below, the beautiful Isola Bella island as its name suggests, the old streets for walking and shopping.

You can get to Taormina by bus and if you want to go down to the pebble beaches at the foot of the mountain, you can choose the bus or cable car, in the peak seasons you can go early to get a seat or access to the private beaches of restaurants. Entrance fees will be charged per person.

In addition to beautiful beaches, Taormina is also famous for its Greek theater, this is a theater built by the Greeks in the 2nd century BC. You can also take a walk in the old town of Corso Umberto – a shopping and culinary paradise to explore every corner of Taormina.

The port city and economic center in Eastern Sicily. Although not as famous as the capital of Palermo, Catania is a city worth visiting due to its location right at the foot of Mount Etna – Europe’s largest active volcano. Due to its proximity to the volcano, the structures, buildings and houses here are built mainly of lava rock, creating a slightly sad gray color for the whole city.

Tourist activities of the city are concentrated along the Via Etnea avenue, where you can visit the Cathedral and Badia of Sant’Agata, the Central Square, the University of Catania – one of the oldest universities in the world, shopping street, fruit market, fish market and Ursino fortress. Just walk along the avenue and turn sideways and turn along the directions of the map. Catania is quite small, so it only takes one afternoon to visit its center. From afar, do not forget to watch the Etna volcano, which is still growling day and night to release smoke into the sky.

This is a small city on the Ionian coast, not as famous as Taormina but as beautiful as a gentle wave of the sea. Acireale has a very small and lovely Central square, not to mention the small and narrow alleys that go forever without seeing an end. Far away is the pale blue sea. We kept walking along small alleys to find that color of blue sea, but we forgot about our tired feet. In the past, Acireale used to be quite crowded with tourists, but due to the economic downturn, today the city is gradually deserted. I listened to uncle Grazia’s story and I saw that faint blue color become sadder.

The city is named for both its culture and architecture, so the beauty of Noto is truly overwhelming. The Baroque architectural style is famous for its sharp shapes, high contrast of colors and delicate curves of sculpture. In Noto, those elements are pushed to an astonishing level of sophistication and exquisition. I have visited many Baroque buildings in Vatican, Naples but Noto really is the most elegant. The cathedral here is not grandiose and the streets here are also small, but it is the honey yellow color of the stone that makes Noto really unique. We originally planned to go to Siracusa, the city where the famous Malena movie was set, but uncle Santi said Noto was equally beautiful without being touristized. Indeed, when traveling far, you have to ask the locals to know the real good places.

Ragusa Ibla

The last city before parting with Sicily and also the city with the most memories for me. Since I lived for 8 months in Ragusa Ibla, this is really my second home. Ragusa is also close to the southernmost point of the island, traveling so far away to meet my Italian friends when I was a student. I was really surrounded by the kind people of Sicily and taught me many things. Ragusa Ibla rose to prominence a few years back as the setting of an Italian TV series. From an average tourist city, it has become a trending destination for Italians. The city is located on a mountain, so just go from the lowest point to the highest peak to enjoy the beauty of the romantic mountain town.

Diving in Lampedusa

Lampedusa is voted by many travel sites as the most beautiful coast in Europe with a long coastline, many beautiful beaches with clear and blue sea water. This is also a very suitable spot for those who love diving and watching coral. In addition, you can also witness turtles come ashore to lay eggs in the evenings of early September, this must be an extremely interesting experience.

Whisper your secrets at the Ear of Dionysius cave

Even if you talk in a whisper in the Ear of Dionysius cave, be careful because any of your secrets can be exposed whether those around you are near or far away.

The Ear of Dionysius man-made rock cave located in the city of Syracuse (southern Sicily), has been designed so that even the slightest whisper is clearly amplified. Legend has it that this cave was created by Dionysius I – the famous abuser of Syracuse to eavesdrop on the whispers of prisoners locked inside.

Rafting and trekking in Gole Alcantara

Gole Alcantara is a botanical and geological park 40 minutes by car from the town of Taormina, Sicily. This park is an interesting destination for locals and tourists instead of crowded beaches, everyone enjoys spectacular gorges, towering cliffs with strange structures, even water can freeze even in summer time. In addition to activities such as rafting, group boating, water parks, etc. Adventurers can also try challenging adventure sports such as mountain climbing, canyoning, etc.

Tasting Sicilian fine wine

This beautiful island with a typical Mediterranean climate, fertile soil is very suitable for growing grapes, and this is the region with the oldest winemaking tradition in Italy with famous wines such as DOCG, DOC, white wine Moscato di Noto and other famous red wines.

Sicily travel guide: What to eat?

Sicily has many dishes using local products such as cheese, olive oil, tomatoes, especially the seafood here is very fresh and quite cheap. If you have time, you should visit the local markets as well as tasting specialties here with full of fresh vegetables and local produce such as Vucciria Market in Palermo or La Pescheria fish market in Catania.

Due to influenced by Arab cuisine, Sicily is flooding with pastries. First, you must try Arancina (Arancini), rice balls that are stuffed with, cheese and tomato sauce then coated with bread crumbs and deep fried. Next is Cannolo (Cannoli), an extremely seductive cream-filled pastry consisting fried pastry dough, stuffed with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta. It has crispy crust with sweet ricotta cream, soft at every bite. Don’t forget to try the almond milk from the province of Agrigento as well. In Catania, don’t forget to try grilled horse meat.

Smorgasbord is the popular type of serving here with many delightful mixing dishes which are influenced by Arabic, Greek, French, Spanish and North African with an Italian twist, giving it a speacial flavor and style that you should try!

Sarde a beccafico – The famous Sicilian stuffed sardines here.

The restaurant we dined in in Catania was Trattoria Da Zia Tanina (Address: Via Plebiscito, 428, 95122 Catania CT, Italy/Hours: 12–3:30PM, 7PM–12AM; Monday: 7PM–12AM) , which specializes in horse meat dishes. There is another restaurant specializing in Sicilian cuisine called Giaca Ristorante Pizzeria (Address: Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 245, 95029 Viagrande CT, Italy/Hours: 6PM–1AM; Wednesday:Closed) , in the town of Viagrande near Catania. Here we tried pizza and pasta for dinner. If you spend the night in Ragusa Ibla, you can dine at U Saracinu and Da Nito Titos , two popular restaurants in the region.

Sicily travel blog: What to buy?

Definitely the world famous Marsala red wine. In addition, Caltagirone ceramics is also the pride of this dangerous land.

Sicily travel guide: How should I combine my Sicily travel itinerary?

Normally, tourists after finish their journeys to exploring famous destinations in the North of Italy such as Rome, Venice, Florence and then they will going to the South or making another trip to return Italy for the second time and want to explore more deeply the beauty of the boot-shaped country.

Because the island of Sicily is quite large and possesses so many tourists attractions as introduced above, so it will take at least a week or two week to explore all famous places here. For those of you who just want to explore the most famous places, there are two itinerary you can refer to as follows:

Explore the western part of the island:

• Day 1: Arrive in Palermo – Visit the capital city of Palermo
• Day 2: Traveling to Cefalù, a beautiful seaside city near Palermo
• Day 3: Traveling to Erice, a lovely little city and then return to Palermo, ending the trip.

Explore the eastern part of the Island

• Day 1: Arrive in Catania – Visit the port city of Catania
• Day 2: Traveling to Taormina – the most beautiful tourist city in Sicily – Traveling to Acireale – a lovely small city and back to Catania.
• Day 3: Traveling to Noto – A city that representing a school of architecture – Traveling to Ragusa Ibla, the emerging tourist city in Siclia – Return to Catania.

The East and West of Sicily has significant differences in landscape, culture and architecture, so choosing only one of the two is definitely not enough to fully understand this beautiful island. However, due to limited time, I chose the Eastern itinerary, also known as the Val di Noto journey to explore Sicily.

Sicily travel guide: Where to stay?

Check out top ratings and best accommodation, hotels, apartments on Agoda , Booking or Airbnb.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Sicily you can refer to

• Catania: Mount Etna Day Trip with Tasting and Cave Trip
• Etna: Summit Craters Trekking
• Lipari and Vulcano: Day Trip from Milazzo
• Mount Etna Summit and Crater Trek
• From Tropea: Day Tour to the Aeolian Islands
• Palermo 3-Hour Street Food and History Walking Tour
• Catania: Mount Etna Sunset Jeep Tour
• Syracuse and Noto Day Tour from Taormina

Are you looking for more top things to do in Sicily: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And Italy travel guide here .

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Italy Travel Advisory

• Southern Europe
• Italy Travel Advice

We advise caution when travelling to Italy

Local situation: 3.0 / 5.

We advise caution when travelling to Italy. We detected travel advisories from 7 sources for this specific country.

Regional Situation: 3.7 / 5

Italy shares a land border with 6 neighbouring states. For this region of countries (including Italy), the Advisory Index is 3.7 (average value over all countries). All countries have some reported advisories: San Marino (5), Vatican (5), Switzerland (4), Austria (3), France with 3 and Slovenia with 3 (of 5).

Current informationen on Covid-19 in Italy

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Italy. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET).

There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Italy.

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu

Advice scoring history for Italy

Chart of the risk level over that last 200 days. This is the daily calculated travel risk for Italy.

Chart of the number of sources over that last 200 days. This is the daily number of advisory sources (of any rating) that have been active on that day.

Note: Changes happening on the 28th/29th of July 2019 are related to a change in the software and number of sources processed.

Rating Details (single travel warnings)

These are the individual advisories published by other countries about the destination Italy from a travellers perspective. The scoring of all messages combined is the foundation for the current rating 3.0 out of 5.0 .

This is the general advisory usually covering the country as a whole.

Advisory issued by: Canada

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy

Advisory issued by: New Zealand

Exercise increased caution in Italy (level 2 of 4).

Source: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/italy

Advisory issued by: United States

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Italy. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places ...

Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/italy-travel-advisory.html

Advisory issued by: Finland

Iaktta normal försiktighet - Tryggt resmål. Se upp för ficktjuvar. Demonstrationer förekommer. Undvik folksamlingar.

Source: https://um.fi/resemeddelande/-/c/IT

Individual rating changes for Italy

This is the recent history of individual changes of travel advices that affected the total asessment of Italy. Most recent events first.

Changes from September 18th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 3.2 to 3.6 . Here are the influencing details:

The Irish government increased their existing warning for Italy to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 1.0 (by +3.0).

Changes from July 22nd 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 3.6 to 3.2 . Here are the influencing details:

The Irish government decreased their existing warning for Italy to 1.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by -3.0).

Changes from June 27th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 3.7 to 3.6 . Here are the influencing details:

The Danish government decreased their existing warning for Italy to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by -1.0).

Changes from June 11th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 3.9 to 3.7 . Here are the influencing details:

The Austrian government decreased their existing warning for Italy to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 5.0 (by -2.0).

Changes from June 9th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 4.1 to 3.9 . Here are the influencing details:

The Finnish government decreased their existing warning for Italy to 2.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by -2.0).

Changes from May 15th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 4.2 to 4.1 . Here are the influencing details:

The Irish government decreased their existing warning for Italy to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 5.0 (by -1.0).

Changes from March 28th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 4.3 to 4.2 . Here are the influencing details:

The Finnish government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 4.0.

Changes from March 27th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 4.2 to 4.3 . Here are the influencing details:

The Finnish government removed their warning for Italy with a previous rating of 0.0.

Changes from March 18th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 4.1 to 4.2 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government increased their existing warning for Italy to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 11th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 3.7 to 4.1 . Here are the influencing details:

The Irish government increased their existing warning for Italy to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +2.0).

The Austrian government increased their existing warning for Italy to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +2.0).

Changes from March 10th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 3.1 to 3.7 . Here are the influencing details:

The Canadian government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 4.0.

The Danish government increased their existing warning for Italy to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

The New Zealand government increased their existing warning for Italy to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 2.0 (by +2.0).

The Australian government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 4.0.

Changes from March 9th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 3.0 to 3.1 . Here are the influencing details:

The Finnish government increased their existing warning for Italy to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 4th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 2.7 to 3.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Irish government increased their existing warning for Italy to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 1.0 (by +2.0).

Changes from February 29th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 2.4 to 2.7 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government increased their existing warning for Italy to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 2.0 (by +2.0).

Changes from February 27th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 2.3 to 2.4 . Here are the influencing details:

The Cypriot government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 3.0.

Changes from February 26th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 2.2 to 2.3 . Here are the influencing details:

The Danish government increased their existing warning for Italy to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 2.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from February 25th 2020

The total rating for Italy changed from 1.8 to 2.2 . Here are the influencing details:

The Finnish government increased their existing warning for Italy to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 2.0 (by +1.0).

The Austrian government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 3.0.

Changes from September 25th 2019

The total rating for Italy changed from 0.0 to 0.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 2.0.

The Danish government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 2.0.

The Finnish government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 2.0.

The Irish government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 1.0.

The New Zealand government issued a new warning for Italy with a rating of 2.0.

About Italy

Italy with its capital Rome is a country in Europe (Southern Europe), slightly larger than Arizona (301,230 km²). The country is located Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. The climate can be described as predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south. The landscape is mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands. With a population of about 58.15 million citizens.

Italian flag

Introduction Video

Basic Statistics and Facts

Environmental problems and natural hazzards.

These are problems Italy is facing. Environmental issues refer to damages of the nature due to industry and society. Natural hazzards refer to potential dangers originating in nature.

Environmental problems

• acid rain damaging lakes
• air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide
• coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents
• inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities

Natural hazzards

• land subsidence in Venice
• regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding
• significant volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m), which is in eruption as of 2010, is Europe's most active volcano; flank eruptions pose a threat to nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius, which remains a threat to the millions of nea

Top Industries and Agricultural Products

These are the main product industries and agricultural products of Italy. This list indicates what this country is good at producing.

• food processing
• motor vehicles

Agriculture products

• dairy products
• sugar beets

Italian Imports and Exports

These are the main product categories of imports and exports to and from Italy.

Export products

• engineering products
• nonferrous metals
• production machinery

Import products

• energy products

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current travel advisory for italy.

Italy is currently rated at 3,0 out of a possible 5.0. Collected from 7 official sources. We advise caution when travelling to Italy.

Is it safe to travel Italy in 2024?

Visiting the country Italy is usually fine. The score is at 3,0 Just keep an eye open, obey local rules and you'll most likely be fine.

How many travel advisories do you know for Italy?

We currently evaluate 11 official sources each morning. Today, we know of active advisories from 7 individual sources for Italy.

What is the current Corona virus situation in Italy?

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Italy. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET). There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Italy.

What is the size of Italy?

Italy has a size of 301,230 km² or 116,306 mi² which is slightly larger than Arizona.

Common Frequently Asked Questions

For non-country specific questions, please check our global F.A.Q.

Travel safety map for Italy and bordering countries.

If you want to embed Italy travel warning information into your website or application, check out these tools.

• Is Italy safe to travel?
• What's the safety situation in Italy?
• Are there security warnings for Italy?

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

• English (EN)
• Español (ES)
• Português (BR)

Is Catania Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Italy : Safety by City

• Vatican City

Catania is a city located on the eastern coast of Sicily at the foot of Mount Etna, the biggest volcano in Europe.

It is the second-largest city in Sicily with the metropolitan area reaching one million inhabitants, a major transport hub, an economic center and a university city where you will enjoy a busy downtown and an active nightlife.

Travelers come here to see particular baroque architecture and urban design.

The downtown area is a World Heritage Site.

Tourists are exciting landmarks that are easily accessible from this city: large fish market and bustling food and clothes, Mount Etna, The Elephant Fountain, and La Plaja, sandy beaches south of the town along the bay.

• Warnings & Dangers in Catania

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Skating is safe enough for tourists. However, you should especially monitor your belongings, bags, and wallets. Valuable items and jewelry will certainly attract thieves. If you are a road user - turn your head 360 degrees - the traffic here is a little crazy.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Public transport is reasonably comfortable and safe, but you need to keep an eye on your pockets, especially on crowded buses. If you need a taxi, you can usually find one in taxi ranks at train and bus stations or by telephone for one. If you book a taxi by phone, you will be charged for the trip the driver makes to reach you.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Don't wear expensive jewelry. Be sure your bags (purse and camera) are slung across your body and do not carry with you a lot of cash. Be alert and aware of pickpockets, and motorcycle-riding snatch thieves targeting handbags, wallets, and mobile phones. Generally avoid walking at night and take a taxi, like around the train station.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Catania lies in the middle of the eastern Sicily coast, one of the most seismic and tsunami-prone areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the region is prone to earthquakes and floods. Read weather information before visiting this region.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

Armed attacks and robberies are frequent in Catania. Avoid being on the streets of the city late at night and do not walk in poorly lit streets. It is also better to travel in groups and not attract the attention of robbers with expensive things and values.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Terrorist attacks in Italy can’t be ruled out. Since terrorist attacks often occur in Europe, especially in large or tourist cities, there is also the possibility of terrorist attacks in Catania.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

In skating, fraud with overpriced prices for everything for tourists is common. Also, make sure that you have agreed on a price for the service/excursion/purchase in advance - otherwise, you may be deceived. Take only licensed taxis and require the inclusion of a taximeter.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Women traveling alone can safely be in Catania. Follow common sense, do not wander the streets late at night, do not attract too much attention, putting on immodest clothes, do not wear a lot of jewelry on yourself, and you will be safe.

• So... How Safe Is Catania Really?

Catania is quite a tourist city.

However, it should be borne in mind that the crime index is high and growing every year.

The main problems are related to car theft, picketing, robbery, and corruption.

Mainly you need to keep track of your bags and wallets.

There are many cases when thieves ride scooters and grab bags from the hands of tourists.

If you need to carry a bag with you, consider bringing one that has a long strap you can cross over your body.

Cross-body purses are harder to get away from you.

You can also make yourself less likely to be targeted by keeping any valuables at home.

You must also be careful at pedestrian crossings and on the road as a whole.

Drivers here are not very neat; they rarely let pedestrians pass at the crossing.

And if you will be driving, then you will encounter crazy traffic: in Catania, they rarely follow the rules of the road and locals behave very aggressively on the road.

Some residential areas can be unsafe at night; travelers should avoid the area around Castello Ursino.

Stay in the main tourist areas around piazza Duomo and via Etnea.

• How Does Catania Compare?
• Useful Information

Italy is a member of the Schengen Area. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land, or sea without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa either upon arrival or in transit. A valid passport is a must.

The Euro is the official currency for Italy. A sign is €; code: EUR. The euro is divided into 100 euro cents. Italy uses the “lira” as its currency before adopting the euro in 1999.

The best times to visit Catania for ideal weather are April to mid-June or September to the end of November. The temperatures feel very nice much of the year but hot in the summer and cold in the winter, with a meager chance of rain or snow throughout the year.

Catania–Fontanarossa Airport also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, is an international airport 5 km southwest of Catania, the second-largest city on the Italian island of Sicily. It is the busiest airport in Sicily and the fifth busiest in Italy.

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The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.

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Ratings are very helpful, thank you. But scales seem very flawed. For example, Catania which has mostly medium to high risks in all categories has a higher safety score than Florence which has mostly low to medium risks.

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• Catania : Safety by City
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• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
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• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
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If i drop Bus option what are the other ways to travel. Is train advisable? How much would a taxi cost?

Could you please perhaps do a search, because this information is already posted.

For example just today...

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187886-i343-k14752857-Palermo_cefalu_Taormina_how_best_to_get_around-Sicily.html

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U.S. issues travel warning for major European country: ‘Terrorist groups keep planning attacks’

• Updated: May. 04, 2024, 12:12 p.m. |
• Published: May. 03, 2024, 12:50 p.m.

(AP Photo/Michael Probst) AP

• Dr. Gracelyn Santos | [email protected]

The U.S. State Department has issued a new advisory urging travelers to Europe to be extra vigilant when visiting Germany due to concerns about potential terrorist activity.

The advisory, a Level Two – which suggests heightened caution— was released on May 1 and highlights ongoing threats from terrorist groups in Germany, cautioning travelers to remain alert as attacks could occur with minimal warning, noting that “terrorist groups keep planning attacks in Germany.”

The advisory states: “They target tourist locations and transportation hubs. They also target markets/shopping malls and local government facilities. They target hotels, clubs, and restaurants. They also attack places of worship, parks, and major sporting and cultural events. They target schools, airports, and other public areas.”

For reference, Level Three (Reconsider Travel) and Level Four (Do Not Travel) advisories represent more critical levels. However, Germany’s Level Two advisory is noteworthy, given its significant size in central Europe, robust economy, and second-largest population after Russia.

Over the past year, the most severe travel advisories in Europe were primarily linked to the conflict in Ukraine. Do-not-travel advisories were issued for Ukraine (May 2023), Belarus (July 2023), and Russia (September 2023) due to the ongoing hostilities.

If you must travel to Germany, the State Department recommends:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for Germany.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

OTHER TRAVEL ADVISORIES ISSUED BY U.S. IN 2024

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This American bought a $1 home in Italy and spent $35,000 renovating it: ‘It's much easier to be happier here'

By jennifer liu,cnbc • published may 5, 2024 • updated 6 hours ago.

When Rubia Daniels heard a town in Italy was selling off abandoned homes for 1 euro each (or roughly $1.05), she had to take a look herself.

The Berkeley, Calif., resident booked her first flight to Mussomeli, Sicily, in 2019 and quickly ended up buying not one, not two, but three crumbling properties at a bargain price.

Daniels, 50, has a construction background and envisioned three dream projects: a vacation home, a restaurant and a wellness center. So far, she's spent about $35,000 working with a local crew on her vacation home.

Despite the stress of renovating a home across the world through the pandemic, Daniels says the Mussomeli lifestyle has brought more happiness into her life.

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Making friends in Sicily

One of the biggest reasons why Daniels decided to buy in Mussomeli was how welcome she felt when she visited.

The real estate agent who sold her the houses, Nathalie Milazzo, took Daniels around to restaurants, cafes and other parts of Mussomeli to really get a sense of what it's like to live in the town. Daniels now considers her "like a sister."

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Mussomeli is tiny, with just about 9,900 residents, but Daniels says many people have strong bonds.

"It's much easier to make friends in Sicily than it is to make friends back in California," Daniels says. "In Sicily, the social life is very important. Everybody has time to talk to you, to know you, or to share a cup of coffee."

Daniels became fast friends with Katerina Montagnino, a local, who has become like family. Daniels hosted Montagnino and her husband during a recent trip to California, and she's even godmother to their 2-year-old son, Leo.

That's not to say that Daniels' California neighbors aren't friendly, but the pace of living is different. "Typically back home, people are always in a rush" shuffling between work and home, she says, and they don't have time for social activities.

Fewer money problems and less stress overall

Sicilians approach leisure time much differently from Americans. For one, most Sicilians take part in a daily lunch and nap break from noon to 4 p.m. when most of the town shuts down. Big family dinners are common and can last from 9 p.m. until midnight. And it's both easy and affordable to travel around Italy and the rest of Europe.

The cost of living is low for a high quality of life by American standards. A nice meal out might be 10 euros ($10.50) or less, while a round-trip flight out of Italy can be less than 50 euros ($52.50). As far as housing goes, roughly 90% of Mussomeli residents already own their homes, if not multiple properties through inheritance laws, so rent is less of a concern.

It's a big difference from the high cost of living in the U.S., especially in the Bay Area where Daniels lives, where a typical family of four needs a household income of more than $300,000 to live comfortably .

Daniels sees a direct relation between high living costs and high stress, which leads Americans to overwork and means less time to invest in friendships and other passions.

"It's a much more stressful way of living," Daniels says.

Now that she lives in Mussomeli for part of the year, "it's much easier to be happier here than it is to be happier back at home," she says.

Each visit is another example of how lower financial stress, more social time and moderate physical activity (many people walk in the hilly town) can lead to better health outcomes, despite some persistent vices.

"People here, they consume a lot of alcohol, nicotine, carbs, and they  live longer  than most places," Daniels points out. "I believe it's because the level of stress is so low and [the fact that] the community is so active that that gives them longevity."

"The biggest challenge for me over here in Sicily is just the amount of carbs that they consume," Daniels says jokingly. "Other than that, life is beautiful."

Conversions from euros to USD were done using the OANDA conversion rate of 1 euro to 1.05 USD on Oct 18, 2023. All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.

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WEATHER ALERT

A river flood warning and a flood advisory in effect for Columbia and Glynn Counties

Jacksonville travel agent gives advice on booking cruises during hurricane season.

Ashley Harding , Reporter/Weekend Anchor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With hurricane season going on, you may be wondering, is it really a good idea to book a cruise in that time frame? Is it going to be canceled?

RELATED: Hyperactive hurricane season expected by top forecast group

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Luckily, as we know, hurricanes are easy to track, so your chances of your cruise being impacted by a storm during hurricane season are slim. Changes to your itinerary may be possible, so you need to be flexible and have a plan in place.

Family vacations -- and even cruises may be on your agenda – as school is about to let out. But with hurricane season set to last through the summer, safety is always key.

Scott Lara, a travel agent, talked about safety on cruise ships during hurricane season.

“A lot of people are concerned about traveling during hurricane season because of winds and rough weather, but the good news is the cruise lines spend billions of dollars to make sure the ship, the crew, and the passengers stay safe,” Lara said.

Lara said state-of-the-art technology is in place to stay ahead of the storm and cruises are able to avoid problem weather.

“Corporate like in Miami will let cruise lines know, ‘hey there’s something in the area, turn left, turn right’ to keep passengers safe,” Lara said.

He also said one thing you should not overlook is travel insurance. When selecting a policy, make sure there’s coverage for weather-related disruptions. But also, don’t forget to read the fine print.

“There’s lots of things that can be involved. Like, what if you lose your bags, what if you miss a flight...but more importantly, what if you fall and hurt your arm or your leg? You want to be reimbursed for any kind of injuries you may have. So travel insurance is important, I advise everyone I know to purchase it,” Lara said.

Even though a ship may be outsailing a storm, that doesn’t mean you won’t run into some rougher than usual conditions. Lara says it’s a good idea to pack your sea-sickness meds before you board.

“Those products on the ship are going to be very expensive,” Lara said. “So, if it’s Dramamine or the patch behind the ear, maybe some Pepto Bismol just in case you get a little nauseous. But the technology on these ships, especially the large ones, like Icon of the Seas, Scarlet Lady, Oasis of the Seas, they have stabilizers to prevent the ship from going back and forth and up and down.”

As for having the best cruise time, Lara recommended-- contrary to popular belief-- try not to book your cruise at the last minute. Chances are, if you do that, all the best cabins will be booked up. And as always, just be aware of what’s happening with hurricane season and have a plan.

Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Ashley harding.

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.

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U.S. reissues Level 2 travel warning for Germany. Here’s what you need to know before your next trip

• Updated: May. 04, 2024, 10:10 a.m. |
• Published: May. 04, 2024, 10:00 a.m.

The U.S. State Department has reissued a Level 2 travel advisory for Germany due to fears of terrorism. AP

• Katherine Rodriguez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The U.S. State Department has reissued a Level 2 travel advisory for Germany due to fears of terrorism.

The State Department issued the advisory on Wednesday, ranking the travel advisory on a scale of two out of four. This means that those traveling to an area must “exercise increased caution.”

“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning,” the State Department noted.

The agency added that terrorists could target tourism and transportation hubs, as well as shopping destinations, hotels, clubs, restaurants, local government facilities and major events.

The State Department noted on its website that for those who do decide to travel to Germany, travelers should pay attention to their surroundings , follow the instructions of local authorities, be aware of the latest breaking news in the area and adjust your plans, if necessary. The organization also urges travelers to Germany to create a contingency plan for emergency situations as well as sign up for the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive alerts and make it easier for the State Department to locate you in case of an emergency.

The U.S. Department of State has issued several travel warnings this year with those most recently centered around the Caribbean.

One was a Level 4 “do not travel” warning against traveling to the country of Haiti due to kidnappings and gang violence.

Another warning from the State Department cautioned travelers to “reconsider travel” to the country of Jamaica after 65 people were murdered in one month.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at [email protected] . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .

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