Located at the southernmost tip of Italy’s “boot”, the island of Sicily abounds in history, architecture, art, cuisine, warm beaches and beautiful landscapes. Dotted with colourful villages, dramatic landscapes and medieval castles, Sicily is a Mediterranean jewel. Home to over 5 million people, top attractions on the island include Mount Etna, Syracuse and Valle dei Templi.
Set sail for a Mediterranean love affair because cheap flights to Sicily are now available! Sicily’s hub airport is Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), a 20-minute drive from the centre of Catania. Catania-Fontanarossa serves a multitude of airlines, including Alitalia, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and KLM. Popular connecting flights to Catania depart from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. A flight from Johannesburg will land you in Catania in approximately 13 hours and 15 minutes.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Sicily’s food and wine scene is nothing short of delightful. Infused with Greek, Spanish and Arab influences, specialities like cannoli washed down with marsala are a daily staple. Eat your way through Sicilian history one bite at a time.
Dramatic rock formations drape Sicily’s coastline and limestone cliffs tower above sapphire waters. With over 280 beaches to choose from, you’ll find it difficult to settle on just one!
Many of the villages and towns are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, peppered with baroque architecture, ancient temples, and medieval castles. You’ll walk the towns flat discovering exciting sites and landmarks.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Country | Italy |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 0.061 € |
| Language | Italian/ Sicilian |
| Hub Airport | Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) |
| Airline | Alitalia |
| Time Zone | GMT + 01:00 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type F / L |
Spring (April-early June) and autumn (September-October) are the best times to visit Sicily, with fewer crowds and cooler weather working in your favour. Spring is a great time for cycling and hiking along the coast with spring flowers in full bloom. The days leading up to Easter usually get quite festive and busy, so best to book accommodation in advance. September is a great time for diving and exploring the cool outdoors. Sicily’s peak season is during summer (July-August), and the heat might make hiking and sightseeing a little overwhelming. Expect packed beaches and bustling streets humming with festivals and outdoor concerts. You can have the quiet islands all to yourself during winter (November-February), but don’t expect many hotels and attractions to stay open during the torrential downpours and below freezing temperatures.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 9°C | 9°C | 10°C | 12°C | 15°C | 19°C | 22°C | 23°C | 21°C | 17°C | 14°C | 11°C |
| High °C | 15°C | 15°C | 16°C | 19°C | 23°C | 26°C | 30°C | 30°C | 27°C | 23°C | 19°C | 16°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 84 | 70 | 58 | 48 | 20 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 39 | 85 | 84 | 90 |
Sicily is a treasure chest of Mediterranean flavours, classical architecture, and shimmering beaches. Anyone interested in food, history, art and architecture should visit the ‘deep south’ of Italy, where echoes of infamous Mafia gangs still roam the streets.
Towering above Catania, lies the grand Mount Etna and, if you’re lucky, you can catch it smouldering in the distance at certain times of the day. Catania is an earthly city, full of character and energy with rustic bars and frenzied markets. The food here is out of this world, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a restaurant or café that won’t dazzle you.
Palermo – a hub of baroque churches, dusty markets, palatial theatres and al fresco cafés. Fringed by towering palms and the sparkling blue ocean, you might just fall in love with this vivacious and ornate city. You’d be forgiven if you thought Syracuse was a Greek oasis – think ancient ruins, majestic sculptures, cafés spilling onto cobbled streets. If you’re in search of la dolce vita, look no further than the tourist resort town of Taormina.
The Aeolian Islands are home to some incredible diving spots and hikers can explore the volcanic craters of Stromboli and Etna. Sicily’s charm lies in its landscapes, vibrant culture, architectural masterpieces and iconic food. You’ll be returning sooner than you think.
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to Sicily online at Travelstart!
South African passport holders need a Schengen Visa to visit Sicily.
Passports may not be older than 10 years, must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen state.
The Italian Consulates are located in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Cape Town: 021 4873900 / Email: consolato.capetown@esteri.it
Johannesburg: 011 7281392 / Email: consolare.johannesburg@esteri.it
Despite its Mafia notoriety, Sicily is very safe and you can walk around the streets at any time of the day. Be a little more cautious of petty theft in the bigger cities of Catania and Palermo.
Tap water is safe to drink on the island. Between Catania and Taormina the water may have a metallic taste from the volcano, but bottled water is available everywhere. You can find pharmacies (farmacia or para-farmacia) easily, should you require medical assistance.
Sicilian drivers are not always pedestrian friendly, so always check the traffic before walking across the road.
A comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover theft and medical expenses is always recommended.
A good tip to remember: cash is king in Sicily, especially around smaller towns, markets and small hotels which may not have ATMS or accept cards.
| Item | Johannesburg | Cape Town | Palermo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal (inexpensive restaurant) | R 120 | R 120 | R 148 |
| Domestic beer (0.5 lt draught) | R 30 | R 30 | R 49 |
| Cappuccino (Regular) | R 25 | R 25 | R 23 |
| Taxi 1km (normal tariff) | R 15 | R 10 | R 13 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 43 | R 40 | R 82 |
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