How far is the gap between Sicily and Italy?

Between the island of Sicily and mainland Italy runs a narrow strip of water, the Messina Strait. Connecting the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west with the Ionian Sea in the east, this skinny strip of water is just 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide at its narrowest point.



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Sicily has retained a distinct history, leading to its broad range of architecture, particular cuisine, and amalgamation of traditions. Sicily was a crossroad for so many cultures, it is hard to find another place that has been impacted by Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Romans, British, and French.

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Italy is noted for its colourful and culture-rich cities, rolling hillsides and vineyards, beautiful coasts and beaches. Yet Sicily possesses some truly unique landscapes and terrain that is hard to find anywhere else in the world.

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The island is famous for its cathedrals, vineyards, island beaches, and amazing architecture. The Palermo Opera House and UNESCO Baroque churches in Noto and Modica are world-renowned Sicilian architectural landmarks, along with the Greek Temples of the Valley of Temples located in Agrigento.

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Italian is spoken in all of Sicily and many – particularly the young – also speak other languages. It is rare to meet Sicilians who are not able to communicate in the Italian language. In general, we use dialect in informal situations: at home or with friends.

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While Sicily is generally a safe place to visit, there are a few areas that you might want to avoid for safety reasons. Here are a few neighborhoods to watch out for and avoid: Ballarò: This neighborhood in Palermo is known for its street markets, but it can also be dangerous, especially at night.

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Good news for U.S. travelers yearning to visit southern Italy: on Thursday, United Airlines announced a brand new flight from New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport to Palermo, Sicily. It'll be the only daily nonstop flight from the U.S. to the capital city of the Italian island.

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At a high level, we think you're going to need at least two weeks (14 days) to see both eastern and western Sicily. Anything less than that and you'd need to cut some of the best sights in each region to try and fit it all in, which we would absolutely not recommend.

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When it comes to traveling in Sicily without a car, you should keep these points in mind: Sicily has frequent, affordable bus transportation options, but it often feels like you're using a different company for every trip. Your route may involve buses on five, six or seven different operators. Buses typically run late.

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