Are you a solo traveler who’s dreaming of a place that’s full of warmth, culture, and cannoli that will knock your socks off? Then put “travel solo to Sicily” on your bucket list! We connected with Go Ahead staffers who’ve visited Sicily solo, and they shared their top tips for exploring this unforgettable island on tour. Read on to find out why Sicily travel should be on every solo traveler’s radar.
Traveling solo in Sicily is always a good idea—especially when you’re exploring with our travel experts! There’s so much to see on the island, and we’ll help you uncover the best of the best. Here are some top reasons to spring for solo Sicily travel.
One of our top tips for traveling to Sicily is to pick the right time to go, especially if you’re traveling solo. It’s true that the island is unforgettable year-round, but the travel experience (and temperature!) will all depend on the month you visit.
Good shoes, a light scarf, sun protection—the packing essentials laid out in our Sicily Travel Guide are must-haves for solo travelers, too! Read on for our best packing tips for traveling solo in Sicily.
It’s tricky to narrow down the long list of things to do in Sicily—the island offers so much for every type of traveler! “Sicily has a lot of different sides to it,” said staffer Amanda after her Food & Wine: Southern Italy & Sicily tour. “We saw a busy city center in Catania, but were also able to go into the country and visit wine vineyards and the house of an Italian contessa. You got the best of both worlds.” Here are some of the top places to visit in Sicily to see it all as a solo traveler.
Sicily’s capital city is a stunner on all fronts. It’s got the charming cobblestone streets, the architecture, and some of the best cannoli on the island—and even earned the title of Capital of Culture in 2018. Plus, with its walkable city center filled with history, it’s the perfect place to take staffer Joanna’s advice: “Go for solo walks!” It won’t take long to discover why this is one of the best places to visit in Sicily.
Getting the chance to explore the city of Syracuse is one of the many reasons to start dreaming of visiting Sicily. There’s unbelievable history in this UNESCO-listed part of Sicily (and there are ruins to prove it!). The only thing more impressive than the history are the views of the ocean, which you can walk right up to and dip your toes in during free time.
When it comes to describing the city of Taormina, “jaw-dropping” is an understatement. “Taormina was easily my favorite part of the trip!” said staffer Jamie after her Sicily: A Cultural Journey tour. “It was truly stunning with all the quaint shops, sea views, and pretty architecture. The food was amazing, and I wish I had an extra day just to spend time at the beach.” Long story short, Taormina is hands-down one of the top places to visit in Sicily as a solo traveler, and you can’t leave the island without stopping here first.
Check out 4 more ways to spend free time in Taormina →
Sicily’s second-largest city is nestled at the base of Mount Etna, and has all the character you’d expect from a place built next to a volcano. Eruptions and earthquakes have shaken this destination over the centuries, and it’s been rebuilt more than once. With its Baroque section constructed from lava (yep, you read that right) and the narrow, winding streets that snake through the city center, Catania is a hard place to describe. So, one of the best things to do in Sicily as a solo traveler is see this destination for yourself!
Just when you thought Sicily couldn’t get any more spectacular, in comes Noto. “My favorite place in Sicily was Noto, home of the famous Caffè Sicilia!” said staffer Cayleigh. That’s high praise, considering how unforgettable the rest of the island is. But, Noto truly is unique, and exploring it is the perfect way to round out any solo trip to Sicily.
Have you visited Sicily as a solo traveler? Share your Sicily travel tips on our solo traveler Facebook page!