Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, with more than 1,000 km of coastline washed by three seas and separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina, Sicily is not only an island but also the largest region in Italy. It includes numerous islands and archipelagos such as the Aeolian Islands, the Aegadian Islands, the Pelagie Islands, Ustica and Pantelleria.
Sicily is a vast natural area that attracts thousands of visitors every year with its breathtaking landscapes: from the volcanic areas of the Etna Park and the volcano of the same name, to the hills and numerous nature reserves. From the wonderful historical cities and numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites to the coast and its beaches, among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, Sicily is the right place for every type of holiday.
Every year, more than 2.5 million tourists choose Sicily as their holiday destination, a figure that has almost doubled in recent years.
🛥️ Most of the country consists of hills, separated from Italy only by the Straits of Messina, which are crossed by the ferries and hydrofoils of Caronte & Tourist shipping company, making the Messina Villa San Giovanni route.
Sicily is a region that can be visited at any time of the year and will enchant you with its beauty, its wonderful beaches, the highest active volcano in Europe or the impressive ruins that testify to the centuries of Magna Graecia that Sicily has experienced.
However, Sicily is not only made up of beautiful beaches and islands, but also of history and culture. It experienced a moment of great splendour during the rise of Magna Graecia, in fact there are several UNESCO World Heritage sites, one of which is the archaeological area of Agrigento. The Aeolian Islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000.
A trip to Sicily can satisfy any traveler; its territory ranges from the sea to the mountains, from cities of art to charming seaside villages.
⚓ The main ports:
The main port in Sicily is Palermo, the regional capital, which is considered one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean, both in terms of size and passenger traffic. The port of Palermo offers year-round connections with Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Genoa, Salerno, Ustica and the Aeolian Islands. Thanks to its strategic position, it also connects some cities with the Tunisian coast.
Trapani is another of the most significant ports in the region and is the main port of call for those wishing to visit the Aegadian Islands and Pantelleria.
The ports of the Egadi Islands, Favignana, Marsala, Levanzo and Marettimo, are all connected to each other and to the port of Trapani. Every year, about 1 million passengers choose to travel by ferry from Trapani.
Other major ports in Sicily include Messina, Termini Imerese, Milazzo, the Aeolian Islands and, south of Ragusa, the port of Pozzallo, which has daily connections to Malta.
⚓ The shipping companies:
Sicily is well-connected by sea to the rest of the Italian peninsula, thanks to the major shipping companies that maintain active maritime links.
🚢 You can reach this beautiful island by ferry from ports in northern, central and southern Italy, as well as from Sardinia, Tunisia, and the island of Malta, using the routes operated by the 7 ferry companies:
• Grandi Navi Veloci
• Grimaldi Lines
• Tirrenia
• Caronte & Tourist
• Virtu Ferries
• Siremar
• Liberty Lines
Sea connections are guaranteed all year round, linking Sicily to the rest of Italy and the neighboring islands, making the Sicilian region one of the most popular holiday destinations.
If you decide to visit Sicily, you cannot miss the traditional cuisine, a gastronomic heritage known all over the world. Some of the most famous dishes are Sicilian arancino, pasta alla norma, the famous Sicilian cannolo, brioche with ice cream or Passito di Pantelleria.
🏖️ There is no best time to visit Sicily, it will manage to surprise you in all seasons. Of course, if you want to enjoy the beautiful beaches and its 1500 km of coastline, we recommend a visit in summer. If, on the other hand, you are a lover of history and culture, we suggest you visit in spring or autumn, when the temperatures allow you to visit without any problems.