Island, Italy
Sicily for solo travelers
Is Sicily good for solo travel?
Large island of Greek temples, baroque towns, Etna and strong street food, with some of Italy's lowest prices. Best with a car or patience for slow buses; summers are hot and transport is patchy.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect more catcalling in Palermo and Catania than in Ortigia or Taormina. |
How to meet people in Sicily
Hostels and street-food tours in Palermo and Catania, Etna hiking groups, diving and boat tours around the coast.
Good things to do alone
- Eat at Palermo's Ballarò market
- Hike Mount Etna with a guide
- Walk Ortigia's seafront at sunset
- See the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
- Swim at Scala dei Turchi
Where to stay in Sicily
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Palermo (Centro Storico) | Markets, street food, nightlife and a gritty, lively base |
| Catania (Centro) | Baroque center, students, bars; base for Etna |
| Siracusa (Ortigia) | Walkable island old town, sea swimming, relaxed evenings |
| Taormina | Hilltop views, very touristy and pricey |
Solo travel across Italy
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Rome | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Venice | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Florence | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Milan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Naples | 4/5 | Limited |
| Cinque Terre | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sicily | 4/5 | Limited |
| Tuscany | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bologna | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Verona | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sorrento | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Turin | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Palermo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Catania | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bari | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lecce | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Genoa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amalfi Coast | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lake Como | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Positano | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sardinia | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pisa | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Capri | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lake Garda | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Siena | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puglia | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dolomites | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Taormina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Matera | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lucca | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Sicily good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Large island of Greek temples, baroque towns, Etna and strong street food, with some of Italy's lowest prices.
How do you meet people in Sicily?
Hostels and street-food tours in Palermo and Catania, Etna hiking groups, diving and boat tours around the coast. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Sicily?
Limited.
Is Sicily safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect more catcalling in Palermo and Catania than in Ortigia or Taormina.
More about Sicily
Going to Sicily solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Sicily meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.