Romantic Sicily: try these cheap flights, tips for accommodation and activities

Sicily, known as the pearl of Italy, is for many people the most attractive island in the Mediterranean sea. The diversity of nations that have inhabited Sicily in the past have left their mark, and that’s why Sicily’s towns and villages will be a feast for your eyes. The subtropical climate and the fact that the island is surrounded by three seas, make this corner of Italy the perfect holiday destination for everyone. There are countless reasons to love Sicily. The island will take you away with its natural beauty, narrow, romantic streets at almost every turn, beautiful historical towns with their magnificent buildings that will tell you the history of Sicily and its cuisine, which offers a selection of traditional dishes, cakes and fine wines. We offer you affordable flights, accommodation tips and trip inspiration that will make you want to return to Sicily again.

From where? With whom? When? Tips from Pelipeckers + cheap flights Sicily

• Where from? You can get to Sicily from Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Rome, Milan, London (Gatwick), Frankfurt, Barcelona, Paris (CDG), Amsterdam, Brussels, Madrid, Zurich.
• With whom? Alitalia, Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Iberia, Vueling
• When? The island has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, short winters. A good time to visit Sicily is practically all year round, but the high season is from May to October, when summers are dry and hot, with almost no rain. The hottest place is on the southern coast, where temperatures can reach up to 40°C in the summer months. The water temperature is often higher than the air temperature, so you’ll really enjoy your holiday.
• What’s included? Return flight, all taxes, hand luggage (mostly low-cost airline) and checked in luggage

Sicily and accommodation: Trapani, Catania and other cities at affordable prices

The island of Sicily is really diverse in a matter of prices and types of accommodation. You will find hotels, guesthouses, hostels, villas, private houses and apartments here. Prices for accommodation in Sicily start from 20 euros per night for two people.

Check prices and book a hotel through Pelikan. Find accomodation on this handy map:

Sicily: what to do, see and experience on the island? Here are our tips

Catania and its romantic streets

Catania is Sicily’s second largest city and certainly has a lot to offer to visitors, from dazzling historical centre with pretty Baroque monuments, diverse markets to narrow streets packed with restaurants and bars. Right from the start you will be captivated by the Piazza del Duomo with the Duomo di Sant’Agata, the Dell’Elefante, fountain with elephant made from black lava, the Roman Theatre and many other sights and museums. You surely shouldn’t miss the long sandy beaches just a short distance south of central Sicily. There are also private beaches lining the coast, with an average price of 6€ per person, that usually offer sunbeds, an umbrella and guarantee a clean beach. You may end the evening by strolling the streets of the city centre and soaking up the atmosphere of Catania while sipping Sicilian wine.

The ancient cities of Syracuse and Ortigia

These world-famous towns, located in south Catania, will immerse you in the ancient times when Sicily was colonised by the Romans and Greeks and show you a piece of history. Ancient Syracuse will give you a perfect introduction to the monuments concentrated on the mainland in the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis. As you walk through the park, stop at the so-called “Ear of Dionysus”, a man-made cave, and also the Grotta dei Cordari. Along the way through the park, you will be able to admire the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre. A walk through Syracuse will take you over a bridge to the small island of Ortigia, which is crammed with spectacular monuments and with more than 2500 years of history. End the day with dinner in the quiet streets with beautiful sea view and enjoy the romantic touch of a magical city.

The medieval town of Taormina

Spend a day in the stunning town of Taormina, where you can get by bus from Taormina-Giardini train station. Taormina will amaze you with its historical centre full of stunning streets, the Roman Theatre hidden in the gardens of the Giardino Pubblico and also breath-taking view on the easily accessible Isolla Bella islands with beaches reached by cable car from Funivia Mazzaró. You can enjoy the sea view in one of the several restaurants that are located on the Piazza del Duomo. Enjoy traditional Sicilian specialities, with the still-active Mount Etna volcano in the background, creating the romantic atmosphere.

Relax on the beaches of Giardini Naxos and Messina

Giardini Naxos, a town just outside Taormina, is one of the most sought-after resorts on the island. You’ll love it for quiet location, long sandy beaches and spectacular views of Mount Etna. You can hop on a train at the Giardini Naxos train station, which will take you along the beach-filled coastline to the port town of Messina. The modern look of this town is a result of the 1908 earthquake. Don’t miss sights like the Fontana di Orione, the Annunziata dei Catalani church or the Regionale Museum.

Experience the sunset in Cefalù

You’ll love every corner of the impressive town of Cefalù, whether for its clear beaches with turquoise water, or its atmosphere hidden in the old streets that lead you to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the town. If you still have enough energy, head to the top of La Rocca and Saline di Saraceni.

Explore the historic city of Palermo

The capital and largest city of Sicily will enchant you with its sights. In the 1860-70s it was the symbol of the Sicilian Mafia, but today it boasts an atmosphere influenced by the mixture of nations that have inhabited Sicily throughout history. Palermo is over 2,700 years old, what is evidenced by its amazing culture and architecture. Set aside at least two days to explore Palermo, because there are lots of attractions to see. Start your morning with a cup of good coffee and traditional pastries and then head to La Vuccaria or Ballaró market. Discover Palermo’s most important sights such as the Baroque buildings, the famous cathedral, the Massimo Theatre and the fountains. Palermo is very famous for its streetfood, typical for delicious seafood. Tasty food in the beautiful streets lined with ancient buildings and the temperament of the Sicilians will blow you away so much, that you won’t want to leave Palermo. In the end of your trip, enjoy the panoramic view of the whole city from the Church of Santa Caterina, which will give you a completely different perspective of Palermo. Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of a city where time seems to have stood still.

Sicily is particularly attractive in summer, but we also recommend it in spring and autumn

Sicily is located in the subtropical zone. It has a typically mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, short winters with a light rain. The average annual air temperature is 17 degrees. Interestingly, in high season the water temperature is often higher than the air temperature.

Spring and autumn are definitely perfect seasons to visit this beautiful island, especially months like May and June or September and October. Fewer tourists, better prices, still very good weather and water temperature.

Transport: if you want to experience a lot, Sicily requires a rental car

For getting around Sicily, you can choose between two options: renting a car or travelling by train and bus. If you want to explore Sicily’s coast and interior, renting a car is the ideal option, which we recommend you arrange online before your trip, so you may have a wider choice of cars and better prices. Car hire starts at €45/day, also a deposit is required at most car rental companies, so a credit card is needed. It is worth checking which insurance is included in the price and also insure your car to avoid unnecessary inconveniences. Fuel is more expensive than in Slovakia. Petrol costs on average €1.60/litre and diesel €1.45/litre.

Railway transport

Most of the rail lines are operated by Ferrovie dello Stato (trenitalia.com). This form of transport is relatively cheap, reliable, comfortable and fast enough. The east and north of the island have the best connections, so exploring the area is easy and convenient. You can buy a train ticket directly at the station, in the vending machines that are at each station or online. Be sure to mark your ticket at the station before boarding on the train. When purchasing your ticket, be sure to distinguish between the more affordable Regional trains and the pricier IC trains.

Bus transport

Bus lines are the fastest public type of transportation around Sicily. There are many intercity companies that connect the major Sicilian cities with the interior and the coast. The cheap SAIS company (saistrasporti.it) will take you reliably from Palermo to Catania, for example, for a ticket costing €14 and taking just 3 hours. Other transport services are provided by AST (aziendasicilianatransportit.it), Interbus S.p.A., Etna Transporti (etnatrasporti.it), etc. You can always buy tickets either online or at the transport station offices.

Larger cities have a great network of city buses. You can buy tickets in small shops or at kiosks that are marked with the company’s logo. Prices for transportation vary from city to city. Bus stops are at every turn and properly labeled.

In Palermo, the transport is provided by AMAT. 90 min. ticket = 1,40€, all day = 2,5€, the ticket is also valid for trams.

In Catania you will be transported by AMT. 90 min. = 1€, all day = 2,50. In Catania you can also use the metro. It is also possible to take a bus directly from Catania airport to the centre, called ALIBUS, where you may buy the ticket directly from the driver for 4€.