{"id":12193,"date":"2018-03-06T22:36:24","date_gmt":"2018-03-06T21:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=12193"},"modified":"2024-02-27T12:56:12","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T11:56:12","slug":"sicily-vs-sardinia-italian-islands-paradise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/sicily-vs-sardinia-italian-islands-paradise\/","title":{"rendered":"Sicily vs Sardinia: Which Italian Island Paradise is Calling Your Name?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sicily Vs Sardinia: Two incredible Italian<\/a> islands in the Mediterranean, but which one will you choose for your next tour or solo adventure? <\/span>We\u2019re sure you\u2019ve heard everyone raving about the perfect white beaches of Sardinia (because they really are amazing), and perhaps the secret is out about the charming villages and delicious food of its friendly neighbor, Sicily? <\/span><\/p>\n

From spectacular ocean views in every direction, food and wine to make you weak at the knees and buzzing capital cities, it\u2019s fair to say that Sardinia and Sicily share similar traits. <\/span><\/p>\n

With both islands in such close proximity to mainland Europe<\/a>, the only question for you is which one should you choose for your well-earned vacation?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSicily<\/b><\/td>\nSardinia<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main City<\/b><\/td>\nPalermo<\/td>\nCagliari<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area<\/b><\/td>\n25,711 km2<\/sup><\/td>\n24,090 km2<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population <\/b><\/td>\n5.082 million (2015) <\/span><\/td>\n1.663 million (2015) <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Feeling inspired to start the adventure? Take a look at the most popular tours traveling to and through Italy<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Beach of Cala Coticcio on Caprera island, Sardinia, Italy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sicily<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Perfectly placed in the heart of the Mediterranean, Sicily has been seducing visitors for the longest time. Charming villages, ancient ruins, grand cities drenched in history, beautiful beaches and a cuisine that is flavorful, fresh and unique, what is it about this island that keeps travelers returning for again and again?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Travel to: <\/em>Sicily <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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The capital of Sicily: Palermo<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Palermo is a city with attitude. Best described as noisy, fast, a little grim and chaotic, however, somehow it just works. The best thing to do on a visit here is to just wander around and explore the disorderly crumbling architecture, meander through the boisterous food markets to appreciate the incredibly fresh seafood and fresh produce on offer. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Did we mention that Palermo has some of the best street food in the world?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"sicily
The beautiful harbor of Levanzo in Sicily.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My favorite thing about Sicily is really the culture and the idea that it seems to be much less stressful than it is in the United States. I spent some time there in the summer of 2016 when I wrote my book Forty Days in Italy on La Mia Famiglia. I spent time with my family who I never met before and they were just very relaxed. They weren\u2019t in a hurry, the pace was slow, and they enjoyed life, and I found that to be a really great thing about Sicily, that makes me want to go back. That mindset is really powerful.<\/p>\n

The region of Siracusa is a beautiful area and a lot of people I know tend to gravitate towards Agrigento and Palermo, and those are beautiful as well, but I can tell you that Siracusa is amazing. My family lives there and there are some great places you can visit like Noto and different beautiful beaches. My family is from the small village of Sortino. Siracusa is a great part of Sicily, that I think a lot of people don\u2019t think of first when they think of Sicily. One activity we enjoyed was climbing to the top of the volcano, Mount Etna. It was a beautiful view. We took my kids up there and from the top, you have a really spectacular view of Sicily. – Anthony Fasano, The Italian American Experience<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Highlights of Sicily<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Catania<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As Sicily\u2019s second-biggest city, Catania is full of energy and draws visitors in with its youthful atmosphere, trendy restaurants and cool alternative bars. The historic centre of the city is UNESCO World Heritage site. <\/span><\/p>\n

This area is visually grand, with huge black and white marble buildings and churches towering over the many squares and avenues. The city is watched over by the spectacular Mount Etna, an active volcano with trails leading to the summit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taormina<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re close-by Catania, you must visit the stunning hilltop town of Taormina. Spectacularly positioned on the side of a mountain, this is Sicily\u2019s most popular (and most expensive) Summer destination. <\/span><\/p>\n

Enjoy warm evenings in one of the many super cool outdoor bars, snacking on aperitivo and Aperol spritz whilst watching the world go by. <\/span><\/p>\n

Syracuse<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Located on the Ionian Coast of Sicily, this charming city is known for its rich Greek history and ancient ruins. This includes a historic Greek theatre where plays are still performed and an extensive archaeological park. <\/span><\/p>\n

Syracuse is a pretty labyrinth of cobbled streets surrounded by Roman, Greek, Baroque and medieval buildings and impressive boulevards. <\/span><\/p>\n

Look out for tasty arancini balls from small eateries and the world famous lemon granita!<\/span><\/p>\n

The Aeolian Islands<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Located off the big main island of Sicily, these volcanic islands all have their own individual personality, however, they are all pricey to visit. <\/span><\/p>\n

But don\u2019t let that stop you, because we think they\u2019re certainly worth it. Almost all visitors to the Aeolians come by sea. The major point of departure is Milazzo on the Sicilian ‘mainland’. It\u2019s here that you\u2019ll find regular year-round car ferries and hydrofoils to get here.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mt. Etna<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Be sure to drive around and explore gorgeous tiny villages surrounding this massive volcano. We\u2019d recommend that you stop to buy a bottle of Nero d\u2019Avola wine (grown in this region and absolutely delicious red wine) and pair it with some fresh Italian bread and antipasto that you can pick up from any town, then treat yourself to a picnic in the Mediterranean sun. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now that really is living \u2018la dolce vita\u2019 (the good life).<\/span><\/p>\n

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See Also: <\/em>We Rank the Best Islands in Europe for Every Traveller<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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\"noto
Noto Church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What you need to know before you go to Sicily<\/strong><\/h2>\n