Sicily was ten days of pure chaos in the best way, and I experienced it with my cousin while backpacking across the island.
We mainly stayed in Palermo and Taormina, moving between cheap hostels, late-night pasta in shared kitchens, pub crawls, and constantly meeting new people along the way.
In addition, we dealt with long train rides, unpredictable transport, and random moments that only make sense when you’re actually there. At one point, even unexpected things like a rat on a terrace became part of the story.
However, above all of that, Sicily was full of sun, incredible food, and a relaxed energy that makes you forget about time completely.
This Sicily travel guide shares exactly that experience, combined with practical tips, honest insights, and everything I learned while traveling the island.
Where to stay in Sicily
Ostello Bello Palermo
- Type: Hostel
- Location: Central Palermo
- Vibe: Social, backpacker-friendly, easy to meet people
- Price: ~€19 per night
- Notes: One of my favourite hostels in Sicily. It has a super social atmosphere, open common spaces, and even free vegetables and pasta you can cook yourself. In addition, there is now a small pool, which is perfect during the Sicilian heat. Overall, this is a great option for solo travelers.
Homstel Taormina
- Type: Hostel
- Location: Nice views, slightly outside
- Vibe: Small, but a bit chaotic
- Price: Budget
- Notes: Budget option with mixed experience. The location has beautiful views, however the overall stay felt chaotic. Facilities were outdated, and small things like safety and organisation were not ideal. Staff was friendly, but I personally would not stay here again.
How to get around Sicily
Flying into Palermo is usually easy and affordable.
From the airport, you can either:
- You can take the metro into the city
- Or take shared taxis (around €8), where you ride with others and get dropped in the center → highly recommend
However, getting around Sicily is another story.
👉 If possible, rent a car.
Public transport is unreliable, buses are often delayed or don’t show up, and train routes are not always efficient.
For example, I spent almost 8 hours traveling from Palermo to Taormina, with random stops (like Catania) that made no sense for my route 😅
Places I Visited
Palermo
Palermo was honestly one of the biggest surprises of the trip.
It is affordable, lively, chaotic in the best way, and full of energy. You can easily mix beach days with city life.
Favorite areas:
- La Vucciria Market → market by day, bars & street parties at night
- Ballarò Market → local vibe, chaotic in the best way
- Area around Via Napoli → great restaurants and atmosphere
👉 This is the kind of place where you can easily stay a full week without getting bored.
👉 Find the full guide HERE.
👉 Or get my FREE Google map HERE.
Taormina
Taormina is absolutely beautiful, but quite small.
It sits on a mountain, which means incredible views everywhere. However, it also feels like a place you explore quickly.
A few days are enough, since it is more about scenery than activities.
Highlight:
- Castelmola at sunset
→ genuinely breathtaking
👉 Perfect for a short stay, not necessarily a long one.
👉 Find the full guide HERE.
👉 Or get my FREE Google map HERE.
Food & Drinks
Sicily is all about enjoying life 😌
Drinks:
- Aperol Spritz
- Hugo Spritz
- Limoncello Spritz
👉 Around €4 in Palermo, you really can’t complain
Must-try Sicilian food:
- Arancini → my absolute favourite, cheap and filling
- Cannoli → sweet ricotta pastry
- Granita → perfect for hot days
- Fresh seafood everywhere
👉 Simple, local, and so good.
Social & Connections
Hostels made it very easy to meet people.
Especially in Palermo, the social atmosphere was strong, making it ideal for solo travelers. As a result, you rarely feel alone unless you want to.
Tips & Tricks
- Talk to locals → they always know the best spots
- Ask your hostel for recommendations
- Avoid walking alone too late at night in certain areas
- Stay aware, especially in busier neighborhoods
👉 General rule: stay smart, stay together when it feels sketchy
Reflection / Notes
Sicily surprised me in the best possible way.
Palermo was far more fun and lively than expected, while Taormina was beautiful but better suited for a shorter stay.
The biggest lesson from this Sicily travel guide is simple:
👉 Don’t rely too much on public transport.
And honestly, some of the chaos, delays, and unexpected moments ended up being what made the trip unforgettable.
! Want to know how Sicily ranks compared to the other Italian places I’ve visited? Read my ranking article here.
