Is Sicily Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion After 2 Weeks

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

If you’re wondering “Is Sicily worth visiting?”, my answer is very simple: 100% yes.

I spent around two weeks backpacking around Sicily with my cousin, mainly staying in Palermo and Taormina, and the island completely surprised me. Before visiting, I didn’t really understand why some people stayed in Palermo for so long. After spending time there myself, I finally got it. There is so much to see, eat, drink and experience, and on top of that, Sicily can be surprisingly affordable.

But there is one thing I would change about my trip: I would absolutely hire a car.

My cousin and I travelled around Sicily using public transport, and while it is possible, our journey from Palermo to Taormina took almost an entire day. The scenery was beautiful, but the journey itself was exhausting and involved multiple changes and long waits. If you’re planning to see several parts of the island, a Sicily road trip is going to make your life much easier.

So, is Sicily worth visiting? Definitely. But whether you’ll love it depends on what kind of holiday you’re looking for.

If you’re trying to decide between public transport and driving, I’ve broken down how to get around Sicily, including trains, buses, rental cars and what I learned from travelling around the island.

So, Is Sicily Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you love good food, beautiful scenery, beaches, charming towns, warm weather and a slightly chaotic travel experience.

Sicily has a really different feeling from some of the more polished parts of Italy. It’s lively, sometimes chaotic, occasionally a little rough around the edges, but that’s also part of what makes it interesting.

I loved the contrast between places like Palermo and Taormina. Palermo felt lively and social, with markets, bars, restaurants and endless little streets to explore. Taormina was much more about beautiful views, beaches, the sea and the incredible setting with Mount Etna in the background.

And then there is the food.

Arancini quickly became one of my favourite things to eat in Sicily, and you can find plenty of inexpensive places to grab food and drinks. Add cannoli, granita, fresh seafood and an Aperol, Hugo or Limoncello Spritz, and honestly, I was very happy.

Sunset in Terrasini, Sicily

Palermo Alone Is Worth Visiting

One of the biggest surprises for me was Palermo.

Before my trip, I didn’t really understand why people would stay in Palermo for so long. After spending a week there, I completely understood.

There is actually so much to do in Palermo. You can spend your mornings exploring markets and historic streets, afternoons at the beach, evenings having drinks and nights meeting people in hostels or bars.

I loved the atmosphere of the city. It’s not necessarily beautiful in the traditional, perfectly polished Italian-city way. Instead, Palermo feels alive.

You can walk through chaotic streets, stumble across tiny restaurants, find beautiful historic buildings and end up having an Aperol somewhere you hadn’t planned to visit.

And the prices were another huge bonus. Compared with many other popular European destinations, I found Palermo relatively affordable, particularly when travelling as a backpacker.

If you want to know exactly what I did there, I’ve written a full Palermo travel guide with my favourite places to eat, drink, visit and stay.

Taormina Is Stunning, But Different

Then there was Taormina, which was probably my favourite stop in Sicily.

The setting is honestly incredible. You’ve got the sea below, Mount Etna in the distance, beautiful streets, viewpoints and historic sights all around you.

Taormina is also a very different experience from Palermo.

It feels more like a holiday destination, with people coming for the beaches, views, restaurants and beautiful surroundings. There are definitely things to do, but I wouldn’t go to Taormina expecting a city where you need a week just to see everything.

For me, that’s actually part of the appeal.

You can spend a few days exploring the town, visiting the Ancient Theatre, going to Isola Bella, taking a boat trip, heading to Castelmola and eating your way through Sicily without feeling like you need to tick off 25 attractions every day.

I’ve written a full Taormina travel guide if you want to see exactly what I recommend there.

Sunset view from Castelmola Sicily

But Please: Hire a Car in Sicily

If there is one piece of advice I would give you before travelling around Sicily, this is it:

Hire a car.

My cousin and I didn’t, and while we managed to travel around using public transport, I wouldn’t choose to do it that way again if I wanted to see a lot of the island.

The journey from Palermo to Taormina took us almost an entire day.

Was the scenery beautiful? Yes.

Was the journey memorable? Absolutely.

Was it enjoyable? Not really.

There were changes, waiting around and long stretches of travelling. When you’re trying to see several destinations during a relatively short trip, losing an entire day to transportation is frustrating.

A car gives you so much more freedom. You can stop in smaller towns, visit beaches that aren’t as easy to reach by public transport and build your own Sicily road trip instead of planning your entire itinerary around bus and train schedules.

Some places I would consider adding to a road trip include Palermo, Tonnara di Scopello, Terrasini, Cefalù, Messina, Taormina, Catania and Syracuse.

You absolutely don’t need to visit all of them. That’s actually one of my biggest tips: don’t try to see every single corner of Sicily just because it’s on the map.

Pick the places that fit your trip and enjoy them properly.

Sicily Is More of a Sun, Sea & Beach Destination

This is something I’d keep in mind when deciding whether Sicily is worth visiting for you.

Sicily is beautiful, but I wouldn’t describe it as a destination where you need endless days to keep yourself entertained with major attractions.

A lot of the appeal is the sun, sea, beaches, views, food and atmosphere.

That’s especially true around places like Taormina.

You might spend the morning exploring a historic site, the afternoon swimming or relaxing at the beach and the evening eating pasta and drinking a Spritz. And honestly, that sounds like a pretty good holiday to me.

If you’re someone who wants a packed itinerary with a new museum, attraction or activity every hour, Sicily might feel slower than you expect.

But if you like having a few things to explore while still having time to sit by the sea, eat good food and enjoy your surroundings, it’s a great combination.

Giardini Naxos beach and coastline near Taormina Sicily

How Many Days Do You Need in Sicily?

This really depends on what you want to see. I’ve also written a full guide to how many days you need in Sicily, with itinerary ideas from 3 days to 2 weeks.

For a proper Sicily road trip covering different parts of the island, I’d recommend at least 10 days, and ideally longer if you don’t want to spend your entire holiday driving.

If you mainly want to visit one place, you can obviously stay much shorter.

For example, I spent around a week in Palermo and never felt like I had nothing to do. You could easily combine Palermo with a few beach days or a day trip.

For Taormina, a couple of days can be enough to see the main highlights, especially if you combine it with nearby places such as Giardini Naxos or Castelmola.

If you want help planning your route, check out my full Sicily travel guide.

Is Sicily Expensive?

One of the things I really liked about Sicily was the price.

As a backpacker, I found it possible to travel around without spending crazy amounts of money, especially in Palermo.

Food can be inexpensive, drinks can be affordable and there are plenty of ways to enjoy the island without constantly paying for expensive tourist attractions.

Of course, prices vary depending on where you stay and the season. Places such as Taormina can be noticeably more expensive than Palermo, particularly in the busiest summer months.

But overall, I found Sicily a relatively budget-friendly destination compared with some other popular parts of Italy and Western Europe.

Sicily Can Get VERY Hot

Because Sicily is so far south, when you visit matters.

Summer can get seriously hot, particularly when you’re walking around cities or exploring without much shade.

If you don’t handle heat well, I would seriously consider travelling during the shoulder seasons instead of the hottest summer months.

Spring and early autumn can give you a better balance between warm weather and being able to actually enjoy walking around without feeling like you’re melting.

Think about what kind of trip you want before choosing your dates.

If your dream is lying on a beach in 35°C weather with a cold drink, summer might be exactly what you’re looking for.

If you want to spend hours walking around Palermo, exploring archaeological sites and doing day trips, slightly cooler weather could make the experience much more comfortable.

If you don’t handle heat well, I would seriously consider travelling during the shoulder seasons instead of the hottest summer months. I’ve also written a full guide to the best time to visit Sicily, including what I think about visiting in summer, spring, autumn and winter.

Is Sicily Safe?

Overall, I enjoyed travelling around Sicily, but I did have a few moments where I felt a little uncomfortable or unsure of my surroundings.

Like in many destinations, I would recommend paying attention to where you are, particularly at night and when walking alone.

Don’t wander into unfamiliar areas late at night just because Google Maps tells you it’s the quickest route. Ask hostel staff or locals if you’re unsure whether an area is a good idea, and keep the usual precautions in mind in busy tourist areas.

You may also hear a lot about the Mafia when talking about Sicily. The Mafia is a real part of Sicilian history and society, but that doesn’t mean tourists are walking around constantly encountering Mafia activity.

For visitors, the more practical thing is simply to stay aware of your surroundings and use common sense, especially when travelling alone or at night.

I personally felt much more comfortable once I knew the areas I was staying in and had asked locals or hostel staff for advice.

If you’re travelling alone, I’ve also shared more about my experience travelling solo as a woman in Sicily, including what happened to me on a night out and the precautions I personally take.

The Food Alone Is a Reason to Visit

I don’t think you can talk about whether Sicily is worth visiting without talking about food.

Arancini

These deep-fried rice balls filled with things like ragù, cheese or other fillings became one of my absolute favourites.

They’re cheap, filling and perfect when you’re backpacking.

Cannoli

Crispy pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta cream, often topped with pistachios, chocolate or candied fruit.

Basically: order one.

Granita

Granita is a semi-frozen Sicilian dessert that comes in flavours such as lemon, almond, pistachio, coffee and fruit. It’s particularly popular in eastern Sicily and is traditionally served with a soft brioche.

And obviously: Spritzes.

Aperol, Hugo and Limoncello Spritzes became part of the daily holiday routine, especially when they were only a few euros.

What I Loved Most About Sicily

Looking back at my two weeks in Sicily, I think what I liked most was the variety.

You can have a completely different experience depending on where you stay.

Palermo: chaotic, lively, social, affordable and full of things to do.

Taormina: beautiful, scenic, more relaxed and perfect for beaches, views and a slower pace.

Cefalù: lovely for a smaller coastal-town experience.

Catania: more urban and another useful base for exploring eastern Sicily.

And that’s without even getting into all the smaller towns, beaches and archaeological sites across the island.

You don’t have to see everything.

Actually, I think you’ll have a better trip if you don’t.

Drinking wine at sunset in Castelmola, Sicily

So, Is Sicily Worth Visiting?

Absolutely.

Sicily was one of those trips where I understood the appeal much more after actually being there.

I loved Palermo far more than I expected, Taormina was stunning, the food was amazing and I loved how affordable parts of the island could be.

The biggest thing I’d change about my trip is the transportation. If you’re planning to travel around Sicily, hire a car.

Public transport is possible, but if you’re trying to cover several destinations in a short amount of time, it can take a lot longer than you’d expect.

Sicily also isn’t necessarily the destination for everyone. If you’re looking for a fast-paced city break packed with attractions, you might find some parts of the island a little slow. But if you want beautiful scenery, beaches, good food, warm weather, historic towns and a relaxed Italian holiday with a little chaos thrown in, I think Sicily is absolutely worth putting on your list.

And honestly? I’d go back.

Final Verdict

Sicily: worth visiting? 100%.

Just don’t make the same mistake as me and spend an entire day travelling from Palermo to Taormina when you could be driving your own road trip, stopping wherever you want and discovering more of the island along the way.

Bring comfortable shoes, leave some room in your itinerary, eat as many arancini as possible and don’t underestimate the Sicilian sun.

You’ll probably understand why people keep coming back.

Planning Your Trip to Italy?

Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.

That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.

→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides

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START BY AREA

→ Northern Italy Travel guide
→ Rome Travel guide
→ Sicily Travel guide

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FAQ: Visiting Sicily

Is Sicily worth visiting?

Yes. Sicily is worth visiting for its beaches, food, historic cities, beautiful landscapes and unique atmosphere. Palermo alone is worth several days, while places such as Taormina offer a more scenic, beach-focused experience.

How many days do you need in Sicily?

For a road trip covering several parts of Sicily, I’d recommend at least 10 days. If you’re focusing on one city or region, you can easily spend fewer days there.

Should you rent a car in Sicily?

If you want to explore several parts of Sicily, I strongly recommend renting a car. Public transport is possible, but journeys can take much longer and may involve several changes.

Is Sicily expensive?

Sicily can be relatively affordable, particularly for food and drinks in places such as Palermo. Prices can be higher in tourist-heavy destinations such as Taormina and during the summer season.

If you’re planning Sicily as part of a bigger backpacking trip around Italy, I’ve also put together an Italy backpacking budget guide with a breakdown of typical costs and ways to keep your trip affordable.

When is the best time to visit Sicily?

Spring and early autumn are good options if you want warm weather without the most intense summer heat. July and August can be very hot and busy.

Is Palermo worth visiting?

Absolutely. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Palermo and ended up understanding why travellers stay there for several days. There are plenty of markets, historic sights, restaurants, bars, beaches and day trips.

Is Taormina worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you love beautiful views, beaches and a slower holiday pace. Taormina is one of the most scenic places I visited in Sicily, although it can be more expensive and touristy than Palermo.

Can you travel around Sicily without a car?

Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend relying entirely on public transport if you want to cover a lot of the island in a short time. My own journey from Palermo to Taormina took almost an entire day.

Is Sicily good for backpackers?

Yes. Hostels make it relatively easy to meet people, food can be affordable and there are plenty of destinations where you can travel on a budget. Palermo was particularly social during my trip.

Is Sicily good for a beach holiday?

Definitely. Sicily is a great choice if you want to combine sightseeing with beaches, swimming, coastal towns and warm weather.

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