Sicily has always been a place I 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 return with the dogs if we wanted.

Last August I went there with one of my girlfriends. Guess what? I loved it! 😍 It’s different from mainland Italy but has the same cosy vibe. We had a relatively 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 within walking distance, and you can easily take the bus or train to 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 only drive between 8 AM and 8 PM on weekdays if you have a special pass. I also wouldn’t recommend renting a car if you’re unfamiliar with the Italian driving style. 😜

The best thing you can do is stroll around the city. There’s a port, a lovely park with palm trees 🌴, lots of beautiful buildings, plenty of cosy streets with great food and you can do some excellent 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 centre, you’ll find a rooftop bar with amazing views.🤩 It’s right around the corner from 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 tiny, so they put little pillows on the side of the street for people to sit on. Sounds strange, but cosy! It’s in a lively street, so you can enjoy sipping wine while people-watching. The owner doesn’t speak English but tries her 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. 🌊 It’s one of the few sandy beaches. The crystal clear water looks stunning with its different shades of blue.

You can rent two chairs and an umbrella for around €20. There are clean toilets and different spots to 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 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 several colourful little houses.

Once you arrive at La Rocca National Park, you must pay a €4 entrance fee. It’s best to bring cash. The park closes at 7 PM, so arrive three hours before, at least. 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 must climb many 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 many winding dirt roads.

Pro tip: wear decent shoes. 🥾

Once you’ve reached the top, you can visit the castle and ruins. Some picnic tables are 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. Remember that they eat late, so don’t expect to get dinner before 9 PM. But not to worry if you get ‘hangry’ easily! Italians start their apero around 4 PM. 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 fried rice balls are stuffed with a savoury filling coated in breadcrumbs. 🤤 They come in various 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 many Italian cities, but Sicily is something else. There’s a lot of catcalling. Men will even call you ‘bella’ while their wife sits beside them. It’s not flattering; it’s annoying. 😅 Best thing you can do is to ignore it.

Be careful when you cross the street. Traffic lights are 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 not exaggerating when I say it’s not for the faint hearted. 😜

This is where we stayed. 🏩

Have you been to Sicily? What were the highlights of your trip?