Picture it… Sicily!
After our trip to Italy last year, we knew we’d be back. We love Italy! And after visiting Sicily, we are left wondering which one we love more…
Here are 5 tips to hit Sicily without breaking the bank!
Avoid peak season: July & August. The good news about Sicily, is that the weather is beautiful all year-round, so you have options!
Shop around for flights. There are lots of good deals out there. They are just waiting on you to find them! I love how KAYAK shows you the best fares for flexible dates . Right now there is a round trip flight from EWR to PMO (Palermo) for $789* on Lufthansa. Two weeks ago, there was a trip from JFK to PMO for $598* on Meridiana! Speaking of Meridiana Airlines, if you are looking for a trip from the states to Italy (they fly into Milan, Naples, and Palermo) that will blow your mind, go shop around Meridiana, compare it to other search engines like Expedia, and thank me later! If you’re already in Italy, and wanting to add Sicily to your itinerary, flights from Rome to Palermo range from $38 to $100*, and a train ticket is about €100*.
The train is a great and inexpensive way to get around the island. Tickets for our trip ranged from €11-25/per person, and they can be purchased ahead of time on trenitalia.com or in the station before your trip. Most stations have both ticket counters and self-serve ticket kiosks. The trains run similar to to trains here in the states, where there is a main display that lists all excursions and the platform (bin) that the train is arriving/departing from, is noted anywhere from 5-30 minutes before the departure. Be mindful that the train in Sicily is different from the mainland, and it doesn’t offer the same level of accessibility. Below is a railway map, and it is also worthy to note that while the trains are incredibly reliable (we took them our whole trip, without issue), they do run on Sicilian time, which is like 10-15 minutes behind.
As a Type A, American, this can be very nerve-racking. Breathe, grab a caffe, and enjoy the scenery!
The last three tips can all be rolled into one major theme: live like a local! But I’m going to break them down so you know exactly what I’m talmbout…
Stay in the city
86 the hotel
If you’re still not convinced to stay in the city, consider this…we visited Sicily in September (2016) and hotels in Cefalu and Taormina were around €250/night, and that can quickly add up when you are staying 4-5 days. If you stay in the larger cities and opt for an Airbnb accommodation over a traditional hotel, you can save about €180/night! Our Airbnb in Palermo, Casa Vigliena was only $69/night and it was in the perfect location to explore Palermo and access the train station for day trips to all the sweet spots.
Don’t put your money where your mouth is
My last tip to keep money in your pockets while visiting Sicily, is to eat where the locals eat. Good food is not hard to find in Sicily, but the best food and the cheapest food is not going to be on the tourist drag. It’s going to be off the beaten path, in the neighborhoods, and the menu may not be in english!
Back to pizza! For the best pizza in Palermo, and possibly Sicily, you will have to venture into the tucked away Piazza Sant’Onofrio, where you will find Frida’s. Each pizza is about €8 and is plenty for one person.
If you’re in Taormina and looking for a nice dinner experience, skip Corso Umberto and hit up Ristorante Castelluccio in Mazzaro, down by the beach. The food is authentic, fresh, and our dinner was cheaper than our lunch, up in the historic city center. You’re going to want to try the spaghetti alla Trapanese for your primi piatti (first course).
In Cefalu, wander off Corso Ruggero and you will find La Brace on Via XXX Novembre. This local gem is sought after by tourists night after night, and with good reason. It’s a mom + son duo and the food is amazing and cheap! The nightly special is guaranteed to be great and it’s only going to cost you about €16. My husband would not shut up about the bacon wrap filet and how he would charge $50 for it.
The one thing that Fridas, Ristorante Castelluccio, and La Brace all have in common, other than being delicious and a great value, is that they are where the locals eat. Which means that you are in the right place, and that you will need reservations!
I know that when Americans think of a European getaway, they immediately think of how expensive and impossible it sounds for the average household. And yes, there are expenses. Airfare will never truly be cheap and all expenses add up over a week’s vacation, but there are ways to cut corners and make the impossible, possible! Once you get to Sicily and get settled, the adventures may burn your legs, but not your wallet.
This moment at the top of Chiesa San Salvotore was €2.50/per person
This moment at the top of Cattedrale di Palermo was €5/per person
This moment at Teatro Greco in Toarmina was €10/per person
This moment at the top of La Rocca was €4/per person
This dick pick at The Valley of The Temples was €10/per person (and worth every penny)
This moment at Bastione Di Capo Marchiafava was free
This moment at the top of Mt. Etna was free
And this moment that I started with, at Scala dei Turchi, was also free
FREE PEOPLE!
This trip was priceless. Sicily is forever in my heart and I hope you know there’s a way it can be in yours too.
xok
*prices on date of publish: 10/20/16, prices will vary.
halfietruths 
Please can you tell, are souvenirs expensive in Sicily, Id like to buy a print of Palermo’s Vucciria Market, also a ceramic of some kind and of course the chocolate, most of which I will ship over back home, .Iv been looking everywhere to get a rough price of sovenirs.
Many Thanks
Veronica Bellotti
We only sent wine home from a vineyard + it was pricey. It would be cheaper to bring anything back with you Bc most things are pretty cheap there.
I am going in July of 2018.. Any recomondations.. We are flying into Catania and are there for 10 days we want to tour as much of Sicily as we can
In September I went with
https://www.gadventures.com/trips/best-of-sicily/EIBS/
If you look at the link and scroll down you can see the route on the map. You wouldnt have to go with GAdventure,I reccommend travelling with the buses as they are air conditioned where as the trains are not. Bear in mind Palermo is quite a dirty place, you dont realise untill you vist the other regions.Syracusa, and Modica were really lovely.
The trains are air conditioned
VERONICA BELLOTTI
November 2, 2017 at 6:06 am
In September I went with
https://www.gadventures.com/trips/best-of-sicily/EIBS/
If you look at the link and scroll down you can see the route on the map. You wouldnt have to go with GAdventure,I reccommend travelling with the buses as they are air conditioned where as the trains are not. Bear in mind Palermo is quite a dirty place, you dont realise untill you vist the other regions.Syracusa, and Modica were really lovely.
I’m visiting for 8 full days this Spring. Any itinerary tips? Flying into Catania and out of Palermo
Make Catania home base + do day trips Syracuse and/or Mt. Etna. Overnight it at Taormina so you can do one day in town + one day at the beach. Spend 2 days in Cefalu, climb La Roccca + eat at La Brace. End in Palermo. Stay near Quattro Canti to be near almost everything. Enjoy!
Thank you! And how did you get to Agrigento? Bus or train? Did you guys spend the night and do a day trip?
We booked a day excursion (out of Cefalu) through In Italy. http://www.initaly.com. Ask for Sal, he’s amazing!
Nice article! 😃😃
Hello Kenya
I am writing to thank you for sharing your trip to Sicily as I am planning to go there in May …
I have traveled extensively and independently for many years…but at almost 72 years of age…and even though I have lived in Italy in the past… I found myself being a bit overwhelmed and even considered taking a tour …not something that I can really afford .
Finding your site and all of the great information has been incredibly helpful and encouraging … I am looking forward to my time in Sicily …on my own
Mille grazie.
Tanti auguri e tante belle cose.
I went with company called Gadventures.If you look them up Im sure you would be happy with them Iv been to India and Sicily with them.I recommend.Im 60 years old.So its great for lone travellers .
Hey Kenya,
Nice post. Loved reading it + seeing the amazing pictures of Sicily. My girlfriend and I are heading to Sicily in early April for 5 nights. We’re staying in Catania, arriving Wednesday early afternoon and leaving Sunday afternoon. We want to hike Etna, do some canyoning/gorge exploring and visit Taormina. Is there anything you would recommend or have a decent idea of an itinerary so we can maximise our visit to Sicily?
Many thanks,
Jack
Taormina can be done in 2 days, one day roaming town + one day at the beach, if you’re into that beautiful sea thing 🙂 Etna is a whole beautiful day! You’re so close, hop the train + spend a day in Syracuse. It’s my biggest Sicily regret. Enjoy!
Yep, you just convinced me to make my way there. Good read, Kenya. Thanks!
Hiya.. I am going to Palermo for 5 days in late June/early July (so very soon!)… I have my accommodation in Palermo – and I do have a pretty tight budget (as I will be in the UK before this – coming from Canada), so just wondering if it was my worth to do day trips outside of Palermo or no?
I am traveling alone, and I am worried that English may not be spoken or worse, I get lost! I know that sounds wimpy..but any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Omg yes, Day trip! Cefalu is only like a 45 train ride from Palermo + is a must. taxis are waiting at the train station + can take you to the historic city center. Monreale is a 35min bus trip + I hate we missed it. I heard Erice + Bagheria are must see. There is also a bus from Palermo to Marsala that I would look into. Download a translation app to help ya out. Even if you knew Italian, chances are you wouldn’t know Sicilian so you’re no different than the rest of us lol! You will be OK! Enjoy!
Ok.. great.. thanks soo much! I will look into those… after checking out Palermo… also, I heard the beaches are nice .. I will definitely need a beach day! Thanks so much.. appreciate you having a great blog like this!