A roadtrip in Sicily 

Last summer I went on a trip to Sicily with my boyfriend. We stayed for 12 nights on the beautiful Italian island. Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is renowned for its diverse landscapes and cities. Because we wanted to explore a lot of the island, we made the decision to rent a car and stay at 4 different cities during our trip. Our flight landed at Catania airport, where we rented the car from the company "Sicily by car".

Taormina

Close to Catania lies the charming town Taormina, a popular destination on the east coast of Sicily that attracts a lot of tourists. The town is located on a hillside, where the town’s centre is located at the top, while the beaches are located downhill, making it renowned for its stunning views and a lot of (historical) sites. Taormina's unique blend of history, culture and vibrant atmosphere, making it in my opinion a must-visit destination in Sicily. 

Cefalù

After a 3-night stay in Taormina, our trip continued to Cefalù. Cefalù is a very well-known and popular destination that attracts many tourists. It is a romantical and historical town, with many popular sightseeing attractions. Beyond its historical treasures, Cefalù offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. The town is surrounded by sandy beaches, making it an ideal destination for sunbathing and swimming. Besides the beaches and historical landmarks, it is also located near the island’s capital, Palermo.

Trapani

A 2-hour drive led us to our next stop, the less populair town Trapani, on the western side of the island. Trapani is an old fishing town, making it an ideal destination to eat fresh seafood. It is renowned for its stunning blue sea, its salt production and the Egadi islands. The town centre is designated as a ZTL, ensuring a tranquill vibe for pedestrians. 

During your visit in Trapani, you should definitely try the Pesto alla Trapanese paired with busiate, a local pasta dish. This traditional Sicilian dish features a flavorsome pesto sauce prepared with fresh ingredients, including tomatoes, almonds, garlic, and basil.

Syracuse

Our final destination was the town Syracuse, a 4 hour (!) drive from Trapani. Syracuse is a city soaked in history and ancient charm. In the past, Syracuse was a Greek colony, and this influence is still clearly visible in the city, as seen, for example, in the Greek theater. 

We stayed on the "island" Ortigia, but due to falling ill during the trip, we only remained in Ortigia and couldn't explore much of the rest of Syracuse. Aside from that, I definitely found Syracuse worth visiting during our trip.

Things you need to know about Sicily

ZTL

In Sicily there are a lot of ZTL (zona traffic limitato) zones. This system is implemented to safeguard the historic centers of major cities. The zones are secured with camera’s that registrate the vehicles that enters and leaves the zones. You can recognize the zones by the signs marked with a red circle. When entering the ZTL zones without permission you will get fined. Only residents or people with an exemption are allowed to pass through.

Recognizing these signs can sometimes be challenging and stressful. Make sure to pay extra attention when entering the big cities centres and keeping your eyes open when driving (although that’s always advisable ;) ). The most effective way to avoid these restricted zones is to park your car at the edge of the city centres.

ZTL-zone in Sicily

Toll roads

In Sicily there are a lot of toll roads. At the toll boots, you can pay in cash, with your creditcard or use electronic payment systems like Telepass. Since we rented a car, we could only pay with cash or creditcard. 

Using toll roads shouldn't be a problem if you keep the following points in mind:

 

  • You can pass through all gates except for those with the Telepass sign (if you don't have the Telepass electronic toll system). There are manned and unmanned gates. 
  • Be aware that you need to take a ticket from the machine before passing through the gate. Keep this ticket safe, as it is required to exit the toll roads. Press the red button, when you don't see a ticket. It will come out in seconds. If you lose or forget to take the ticket, don't worry! You will just need to pay an additional fee when exiting. 
  • Make sure to bring enough cash with you if you plan to use toll roads, as not all booths accept creditcards. 

Hot summers

Keep in mind that summers in Sicily can be extremely hot. During our visit, temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius reached.