What You Need To Know Before Visiting Sicily

Sicily is a wonderful part of the world that’s on many people’s travel list. Visitors often make the mistake of thinking that Sicily is exactly like the rest of Italy.

This couldn’t be further from the truth- it has its own unique identity and personality.

Before you start your Sicilian holiday, there are a few things to know that could help you to travel with more ease. Take a look at these quick tips.

Forget Your Cashless Society

Sicily still very much operates on cash exchanges. Yes, you will still be able to use your card while there, mainly in large restaurants. However, if you want to do some shopping in the many alleyway niche stores, you’ll need to carry cash.

Sicily is a part of the world that tends to take a little longer to join advancing technology and this is all part of its charm. Be sure to carry Euros with you as you explore this magical place.

Italian Dialect

There have been so many people who turn up in Sicily expecting to be able to converse with the locals because they know some Italian. It’s important to know that Sicilians have their own dialect and even those who are well versed in Italian can find it difficult to keep up.

If you’ve chosen to stay in a villa in the locality instead of a hotel, it will help to have a translator app on your phone.

You can discover luxury villas in Sicily that allow you to have a true experience of the country. Even if you don’t understand the local dialect, the local people are friendly and patient which makes the whole experience even more memorable.

It’s Big

Sicily is the largest of the Mediterranean islands so it can take hours to get from one place to the next. Many people think of Sicily as a small extension of Italy but it’s much bigger than most people realize.

If you want to explore the whole of Sicily it can help to spend a few days in one part and then move on to staying somewhere else.

It’s also worth remembering that Sicilians are known for their crazy driving. If you’re planning on driving through Sicily yourself, brace yourself for some stressful drives.

The good news is, once you’ve stopped for the evening, you won’t have to look far to get a good glass of wine.

Indulge in Local Delicacies

Ever had ice-cream for breakfast? Well, you will in Sicily if you follow the lead of the locals. Granita is like a slush made from ice and fruit and is usually served with a brioche bun. They’re available in a range of different flavors and they’re very good for you.

The locals love to see visitors indulging in their local produce. The Sicilian diet is one of the best in the world, with much of it containing fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish. 

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, take a look at the others.

Leave a comment