Culturally distinct from mainstream Italian sensibilities, Sicily lures tourists with its unique culture, abundant Baroque architecture and warm Mediterranean waters. The idyllic Mediterranean island off the toe of mainland Italy’s ‘boot’ boasts a vibrant history that was well underway before the rise of the Roman Empire. It’s a collection of upscale resort communities, lightly metropolitan centres and hidden hamlets tucked into the sun-soaked slopes of the active Mt Etna volcano.

Sicily is favoured with a rich and diverse cultural landscape that draws on a mixture of Christian and early Pagan roots. Every town regardless of size has a patron saint with at least one special day set aside to honour this figure. These events are enhanced with local expressions of pride such as traditional dance, local dishes and vibrant displays of art. Virtually all of Sicily’s major festivals are religious in nature.

Sicily is an intensely historic island with architecture spanning thousands of years. Ancient Greek settlements built temples to Zeus and Apollo more than 2,000 years ago, while the rise of the Roman Empire brought greater, interconnected infrastructure that capitalised on the island’s agricultural prowess. Meanwhile, the many cathedrals across Sicily are owed to the religious fervour of the late Roman and Byzantine empires. Domestic and international tourists alike flock to the resort cities of Taormina and Cefalù, where guests enjoy the luxurious amenities and ample coastline.

There are two primary airports that service the entire island. Catania-Fontanarossa Airport handles the largest throughput of domestic passengers between Sicily and the mainland, while the slightly smaller Palermo Punta Raisi Airport sees a mixture of domestic connections and international budget connections to neighbouring countries. Beyond these two primary contenders are several highly-regional airports that field flights from around the island. These include the airports at Trapani, Lampedusa and Pantelleria.

Banks: 08:30 to 13:30 and 15:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:30 to 18:30, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 08:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 13:00, 15:30 to 19:30, Monday to Saturday