Sicily has always been a place I really wanted to visit. Unfortunately it’s a bit harder to get to by car, though it is possible. Before going there with the dogs, I decided to go by myself and see how I liked it. That way, we could always come back with the dogs if we wanted to.
Last August I went there with one of my girlfriends. Guess what? I absolutely loved it! 😍 It’s different from mainland Italy, but has the same cosy vibe. We had a rather short trip, but I would love to go back and explore the nature side of the island.
Day 1: Palermo
Sicily’s capital is a must-see. We stayed at an AirBnB in the city centre. Everything is at walking distance and you can easily take the bus or train to other places you want to see. At first we wanted to rent a car, but the prices were quite high and there’s a rule in Palermo that you can’t drive between 8AM and 8PM on weekdays unless you have a special pass. I also wouldn’t recommend renting a car if you’re not used to the Italian driving style. 😜
The best thing you can do is just stroll around the city. There’s a port, a nice park with palm trees 🌴, lots of beautiful buildings, plenty of cosy streets with great food and you can do some nice shopping. There are two streets with street food for pedestrians only: Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda.
There’s a small park where you can find the biggest Ficus tree in Europe. Quite impressive!
Some recommendations:
- Casa Del Brodo
Super fresh local food. 🍝 Amazing taste! It’s best to make a reservation. - Rinascente Rooftop Bar
On top of this shopping center you’ll find a rooftop bar with amazing views.🤩 It’s actually right around the corner of our Airbnb. We had breakfast there every day. 🥐 We also went once at night, but I liked it much better in the morning. - Dal Barone
If you’re a natural wine lover 🍷 like me, you’ll fall in love with this place. It’s very small, so they put little pillows on the side of the street for people to sit on. Sounds strange, but really cosy! It’s located in a very lively street so you can enjoy sipping wine while people watching. The owner doesn’t speak English, but she tries her very best to understand and accommodate you. - Funnaco pizzalab
The place to be for the best pizza! 🍕 They have some amazing combinations and it’s a really nice place.
Day 2: Mondello Beach
Mondello Beach is known for two things: its beautiful Art Nouveau villas and its gorgeous beach. The crystal clear water looks stunning with its different shades of blue. 🌊 It’s one of the few sandy beaches.
You can rent two chairs and an umbrella for around €20. There are clean toilets and different spots where you can get cheap drinks or snacks. For only €1,40 you go from Palermo to Mondello on bus line 806.
Day 3: Cefalù
Cefalù is such a postcard-pretty town. Its many squares, churches and narrow cobbled streets make it a lovely place to just wander around. There’s also a (crowded) beach and a port. ⛴
Do you see the highest point, with all the green? That’s La Rocca. We decided to do the climb! The climb starts at Salina Saraceni 21, at the Parco della Rocca di Cefalù. To get there, you walk past a number of colourful little houses.
Once you arrive at La Rocca National Park, you’ll have to pay a €4 entrance fee. It’s best to bring cash. The park closes at 7PM so make sure you arrive at least 3h before that. La Rocca is about 268m high, but don’t let this fool you. It’s not the easiest climb, especially when it’s 30°C. 🥵
You first have to climb a number of stairs, but you quickly get some breathtaking views. 🤩 I recommend you take a little break and have some water, ’cause you’re in for a treat! To get to the castle up top, you’ll have to ascend a bunch of winding dirt roads.
Pro tip: wear decent shoes. 🥾
Once you’ve reached the top, you can visit the castle and ruins. There are some picnic tables available and you get a spectacular view over the medieval town of Cefalù!
The train from Palermo to Cefalù takes 50min and only costs €6.20.
La vita è bella
Although I love the Italian way of life, it’s not for everyone. Bear in mind that they eat late, so don’t expect to get dinner before 9PM. But not to worry if you get ‘hangry’ easily! Italians start their apero around 4PM. Look around and you’ll see plenty of locals sipping their Aperol Spritz or wine, accompanied by small snacks. 🍸
A must-try: arancini! These delicious small balls of rice are stuffed with a savoury filling, then get coated in breadcrumbs and fried. 🤤 They come in all kinds of flavours like cheese, mushroom, salmon, meat or typical Italian: pistachio! 😋
Italy is known for its macho men, who can be romantic and passionate but also real players. As a woman, you’ll probably get whistled at in a lot of Italian cities, but Sicily is something else. There’s a lot of catcalling. Men will even call you ‘bella’ while their wife is sitting right next to them. It’s not flattering, it’s annoying. 😅 Best thing you can do is to just ignore it.
Be careful when you cross the street. Traffic lights seem to be perceived more as a suggestion and crosswalks are not exactly safe either. I’m used to driving in the south of Italy and believe me, I’m really not exaggerating when I say it’s not for the faint hearted. 😜
Have you been to Sicily? What were the highlights of your trip?