Sicily (English: Sicily, Italian: Sicilia) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea (Europe). Sicily forms an autonomous region of Italy. Other islands that are part of this autonomous region are: the Aeolian (Liparian) Islands (largest island Lipari), Egadi Islands, Pelagic Islands (largest island Lampedusa), Ustica Island and Pantelleria Island. The capital of Sicily is Palermo. A number of major cities in Sicily are: Messina, Catania, Gela, Siracusa and Marsala. See andyeducation for Europe.
Sicily is known for its long history. Many cultures have left their mark on the island over the years. For example, one can find Roman, Arabic and Greek buildings. The landscape of Sicily is mostly hilly and dry. Lemon and orange plantations can be found in many places in the landscape. The coastline of the island is defined by salt pans, sandy beaches and cliffs. In the waters around the island you can practice water sports such as diving and sailing. The island is also known for the active volcano Etna, the origin of the mafia and the typical Italian food (including pizza and pasta).
Where is Sicily?
Travel information of Sicily
Official name: Sicily
Continent: Europe
Area: 25,710 km²
Capital: Palermo
Country code: IT, ITA
Population: 5,094,937 inhabitants (2013)
Form of government: Autonomous region of Italy
Highest point: 3,340 m (Etna)
Distance (Amsterdam – Palermo): 1,713 km
Flight time: approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in Sicily that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Sicily, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Sicily. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Sicily?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, guided tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Sicily at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Sicily has a Mediterranean climate. During the summer months, temperatures are around 30 degrees with peaks of 40 degrees. During the winter months, temperatures are around 10 degrees.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Sicily can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Sicily can be found at Climate info.
Best time
April, May, June, September and October are the best months to travel to Sicily. In these months you have the best chance of pleasant temperatures and you also avoid mass tourism.
Language
Italian is the official language in Sicily. Sicilian is also spoken.
Would you like to translate from or into Italian for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a valid identity card or passport.
A visa is not necessary.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Italy: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch Consulate in Sicily: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Italian Embassy in the Netherlands: amblaja.esteri.it.
Italian consulates in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
You do not need any vaccinations for a visit to Sicily.
Money and Currency
In Sicily, payments are made with the euro (EUR).
An overview of all ATMs in Sicily can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
The prices in Sicily are a lot lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -13% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (27% cheaper), food (1% more expensive), imported beer in catering (7% cheaper), cigarettes (17% cheaper) and public transport (56% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Sicily it is not customary to tip, but it is appreciated. If there is no service charge on the receipt yet and the service is good, tip approximately 5-10%.
Time difference
There is no time difference with the Netherlands.
Summer time in Sicily is equal to that in the Netherlands.
The local time, date and time zone for Sicily can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Sicily you have to drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Sicily.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Sicily.
Electricity
In Sicily you may need a travel plug in some cases.
More information about common plugs and sockets in Sicily can be found on our electricity page (look under Italy)
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 112
– Fire: 112
– Ambulance: 112
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap because of the chlorine content. This can cause stomach and/or intestinal complaints.
News and newspapers
The latest news regarding Sicily can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Sicily can be found on Abyznewslinks (under Sicilia).
Internet
Websites from Sicily end in.it.
Official website of Sicily: regione.sicilia.it.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Sicily is 0039 or +39.
(You must leave the first 0 of the number to be called.)
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Sicily? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(You must omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Telephone numbers can be found in the Sicily Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of Sicily.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Sicily.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Sicily.
Public holidays and school holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Italy can be found on Beleven.org.
You will find an overview of all school holidays in Sicily in the Eurydice school guide.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Sicily, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Sicily?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Sicily. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Sicily can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Sicily can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Sicily? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you are planning to do business in or with Sicily, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information regarding Sicily, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, product requirements, business partners and subsidies.
Studying and internship
Are you considering a study, internship or gap year in Sicily? You are by no means the only one and certainly not the first. To help you on your way, Nuffic (the Dutch organization for internationalization in education) has set up the WilWeg.nl website. On this website you will find all the information that can help you on your way, such as admission requirements, forms of education, accommodation, scholarships, internships, health insurance, study costs and of course experiences.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Sicily.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 16.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.5 (0 for novice drivers up to 3 years old).
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 18.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…Sicily is also called ‘the island with the three points’?
… The highest temperature ever measured in Europe was recorded in Sicily (48.5 degrees)?
…get a sandwich with your ice cream in Sicily?
…The International Puppet Theater Museum is located in Sicily?
…One wants to connect Sicily to mainland Italy?
… Many Greek ruins can be found in Sicily?