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Sicily is a sunny island located in the southern part of Italy. Getting there from Rome isn’t tricky, and the most convenient option is by air. Moreover, you can get there by train on a ferry or the usual ferry. The distance between Rome and Sicily is 494 km. This air travel distance is equal to 307 miles. Therefore, it will take 1 to 14 hours to get from Rome to Sicily.
Here’s the list of options on how to get from Rome to Sicily:
By Plane
One of the most popular options is to travel from Rome to Sicily by plane with Ryanair from Fiumicino airport to the airport of Trapani and then take a train to Palermo. However, the price for a one-way ticket starts from €19, and it takes 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Palermo from Rome by plane. Therefore, booking tickets in advance for lower prices is always better.
EasyJet is another airline that offers flights to Sicily from Rome Fiumicino airport to Palermo. There is a flexible ticket cost of about €70 for a one-way ticket. Therefore, the best fare offered by this airline will be about €40 for a one-way ticket. Also, Catania to Rome flights are provided by www.ita-airways.com with the price of €40 or for flex tickets about €60 total. Here’s an example of available flights provided by Wind Jet to Catania from Rome:
“Partenza” means departure, “arrivo” means arrival, and “prezzo” is a price.
By Train on a Ferry
You can also take a train on a ferry from Rome to Messina. The journey will start from Rome Termini Central Station and take about 8 to 10 hours. The train on a ferry ticket costs about €40 one-way. There are also many Italy rail links from Rome to Palermo via Messina, with many other train options going between Messina and Palermo. Travel time is about 3.5 hours, and the price is €11 one-way. To make a reservation online, go to Trenitalia website.
- There are also hourly trains between Messina and Taormina, Sicily’s major resort to the south, taking 1 hour and costing €4.50 each way.
By Ferry
Another option is to take a train from Rome to Naples or Salerno and then take a ferry to Messina. A train link from Naples takes 5.5 hours with an average price of €35. You can buy a ticket to get to Sicily by ferry. Also, you can get from Rome Civitavecchia port to Palermo in 14 hours, costing €40 per adult.
By Car
Yes, it is possible to get to Sicily from Rome by car. The route originates from the motorway through Calabria and crosses the Stretto on one of the ferries. You have to buy your ticket at the port and get in line with all the other cars to get on board the ferry.
You can rent a car in Rome with rentalcars.com. Read about all the features of car rental in Rome in this article.
Where to Stay in Sicily – Best Places
Booking.com
Plan your trip to Sicily for at least three days! There are so many things to see and to try 🙂
Verdura Resort
Verdura Resort is a highly rated luxury hotel located in Ribera. The resort is set on 230 hectares of olive groves and Sicilian countryside. It offers a private beach, 3 golf courses, and superb sea views.
- The price per night for 2 people starts from €400.
NH Collection Taormina
NH Collection Taormina features a rooftop terrace with a cocktail bar and panoramic views. It is set in the heart of Taormina. Spacious rooms, a modern wellness centre, and an infinity pool overlooking the bay.
- The price per night for 2 people starts from €350.
Hotel Santa Isabel
Hotel Santa Isabel is on a high rocky coast of Malfa on Salina Island. The town centre is only a 10-minute walk away. The hotel offers modern, spacious suites with a private bathroom and complimentary toiletries.
- The price per night for 2 people starts from €150.
Elysium
Elysium B\&B is in Messina, a few steps from Sant Elia Church. There is a buffet breakfast served daily. Moreover, all rooms are spacious and feature air conditioning and a flat-screen TV.
- The price per night for 2 people starts from €50.
Exclusive Rooms Palazzo Natoli
Exclusive Rooms Palazzo Natoli is located in Palermo. It offers rooms with free WiFi. Moreover, the property is close to well-known attractions such as Teatro Massimo and Via Maqueda.
- The price per night for 2 people starts from €150.
What to Visit in Sicily
- Mount Etna (Monte Etna) – the main attraction of Sicily, created by nature itself. This is the largest active volcano in Europe, located in the eastern part of the island.
- The second natural attraction of Sicily is the cave bearing the name “Ear of Dionysius” (Orecchio di Dionisio). The cave is located near the city of Syracuse.
- Botanical Garden of Palermo. Today, the garden covers 10 hectares. There you can see a wide variety of tropical plants, cactus groves, a variety of beautiful lilies, and much more.
- When arriving in Agrigento or Selinunte, you can enter the world of ancient Greece. In Selinunte, the ruins of the unknown temple are of the most significant interest. It is assumed that it was once dedicated to the great Zeus and resembled the Parthenon in Athens. Today, on the temple site, only one column has been preserved. There are many other remains of ancient temples in the city.
- The road between Selinunte and Agrigento is very picturesque. It is mainly surrounded by deserted beaches and rare fishermen’s settlements. However, the most remarkable place on this road is the Valley of the Temples – an architectural complex made up of 5th–4th century BC temple buildings. The whole valley is divided into two parts – east and west.
- The oldest temple in Sicily – Tempio di Ercole – is located in the eastern part of the valley. Once upon a time, it was a magnificent vault on 38 massive columns. The Temple of Concord (Tempio di Concordia) is preserved much better.
- The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Tempio di Zeus Olimpio) is a striking feature of the western part of the valley. The majestic temple is considered the pearl of ancient Greek architecture in Sicily. The height of its columns was once 15 metres. However, they eventually began to sink into the ground due to rains and winds.
What to See in Palermo
A key attraction of the island is the city of Palermo – the capital of Sicily and the province’s main city of the same name. The number of its attractions is such that it could well be enough for a small European country.
- The city’s main attraction is the Royal Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni). Looking at its western part, you will see the Norman fortress; on the south side, you will see a typical Renaissance building. Previously, the palace was the residence of kings, and today it houses the government of Sicily.
- The city of Taormina, located in the province of Messina, amazes visitors with its fairy-tale beauty. Medieval palaces and monuments of Greek-Roman architecture can be found there at every turn.
- Also, Syracuse was founded by the Corinthians in 734 BC. Since then, the city has preserved many historical monuments.
Sicilian Food – What are the Must-Try Things?
Sicily has a distinct cuisine that’s steeped in history and has become world-famous. Sicilian food is truly diverse – a fusion cuisine influenced by French, Arabic, and North African settlers. When in Sicily, you should definitely try:
Arancini
Arancini are balls of creamy risotto rice that are breaded and deep-fried. This is the iconic Sicilian dish – perfect as a snack while wandering the island’s streets.
Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is perhaps the best expression of Sicilian cuisine. It’s made with local tomatoes, aubergines, garlic, basil, and salted ricotta. A must-try! Ideal for vegetarians.
Pasta con le Sarde
Pasta con le Sarde is the seafood version of Pasta alla Norma. It includes fresh sardines, salted anchovy fillets, and wild fennel, mixed in a sauce with pine nuts, raisins, and saffron. The flavour is fantastic.
Caponata
Caponata is a clear example of the external influences on Sicily’s cuisine. The recipe varies from one chef to another, but it always contains aubergines, pine nuts, raisins, and plenty of vinegar. It’s typically served as an antipasto (starter).
Dolci
When in Sicily, you must try cassata, cannoli, and granita. Sicilian sweets are truly unique! For example, cannoli are deep-fried pastry tubes filled with creamy ricotta. Cassata is a Sicilian sponge cake flavoured with chocolate, citrus fruits, marzipan, and ricotta cream. Granita is a flavoured ice dessert – not a slush – eaten with a spoon. Popular flavours include almond, coffee, and watermelon.
