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On this article, I’ll evaluate Sicily vs Sardinia and clarify what every island is nice for, in addition to what’s the most effective island to go to in Italy (should you’re selecting between Sardinia and Sicily). We went to Sicily in early October and to Sardinia in July, so the experiences had been comparable; nonetheless, it wasn’t that sizzling in Sicily anymore (but, swimming was potential).Â
With out additional ado, let’s get began!
Sicily – the most effective island in Italy for historical past/structure
The most effective time to go to Sicily
As I discussed earlier than, we had a possibility to go to Sicily in early October. The climate was terrific, nonetheless, we had one wet day, which we spent exploring the countryside and the outlet. The remaining 7 days had been superb. It wasn’t too sizzling, and the temperatures daily had been between 25 and 28 levels, which is greater than bearable; it’s truly fairly nice! But, it was potential to swim, because the water temperature within the sea was round 21-23 levels.Â
Sicily will get extremely popular in summer time, and whereas it might have been higher to spend time on the seashores and swimming, it might have additionally been difficult to truly do any sightseeing with that climate. I might in all probability advocate heading to Sicily in the course of September – that means, you could have even fewer possibilities of dangerous climate and the water temperature can be hotter.Â
Nevertheless, not like many islands in Italy, Sicily can also be nice for visiting low season. There are a number of issues to see and do, and it’s a wonderful place for sightseeing. You’ll be able to spend a couple of weeks there and wouldn’t even get bored with no need to go to swim. Extra importantly, life doesn’t cease in Sicily in winter – it’s a big island the place folks go away all yr lengthy, so that you received’t see closed companies and empty lodges low season in massive cities in Sicily!Â
What’s there to see in Sicily?
Sicily is completely gorgeous! We spent 8 days driving across the island, and it wasn’t sufficient! We may solely see round 30% of the principle highlights of Sicily. For us, probably the most spectacular cities had been Taormina, Cefalu, Syracuse and Catania! Palermo was additionally exceptional, however not as nice as Catania, for my part. There are a number of archaeological ruins, stunning cathedrals, gorgeous palaces in Sicily. You’ll be able to take excursions, e.g. the excursions that deliver you to the highest of Etna volcano (which is an energetic volcano, by the best way) or a Godfather-themed tour within the Sicilian countryside.
Sicilian meals can also be superb – there’s a large number of dishes and the substances are contemporary and really scrumptious. I like to recommend taking this Palermo road meals tasting tour as you’ll uncover so many distinctive dishes and meals along with your information!
Examine our itinerary for a 7-day highway journey round Sicily >>>
The cons of Sicily
Though we liked Sicily, there are some things which may allow you to down somewhat bit. To begin with, it’s security. Lots of people are afraid of the mafia in Sicily, however what you need to be cautious of are automotive thieves and pickpocketers. Some automotive businesses will advise you in opposition to staying in a single day or leaving your automotive in Catania or Palermo due to accidents that they had with their vehicles up to now. I can’t communicate from expertise as a result of nothing ever occurred to us, however these feedback made us a bit uneasy!Â
Strolling at evening on small streets in Palermo or Catania may additionally really feel somewhat too dangerous due to that, so I might advocate being cautious and utilizing roads the place there are lots of people. In smaller cities, it’s not the identical, for instance, Taormina felt very secure, and so did the Previous city of Syracuse!Â
Sardinia – the most effective island for scenic seashores and swimmingÂ
The most effective time to go to Sardinia
We went to Sardinia in July, and it was fantastic! Nevertheless, I did discover it somewhat too sizzling, particularly on some days, when the temperatures reached 38 levels. We had been in Northern Sardinia, which is the most effective area for pure magnificence and seashores and we didn’t do a number of sightseeing just because there isn’t that a lot sightseeing to do in North Sardinia.Â
Nevertheless, if we had been to return to North Sardinia, I might in all probability go there early or mid-September, as some days had been genuinely too sizzling even to be on the seashore below an umbrella!
What’s there to do in Sardinia?
North Sardinia isn’t the most effective place for sightseeing (not like Sicily), but it surely’s an exquisite vacation spot for a seashore vacation because it has among the most stunning seashores in Europe. There are some pretty stunning cities in Sardinia as effectively (Alghero, Cagliari), however the majority of cities in Sardinia are usually not very spectacular.Â
Meals in Sardinia is nice as effectively! For my part, the most effective factor to do in Sardinia is to drive round and discover probably the most stunning seashores and eat in pretty genuine eating places! If you happen to come to the South of Sardinia, you are able to do a bit extra sightseeing, however the most effective seashores are positively within the North!
If you happen to journey to Sardinia low season, particularly to smaller cities within the North of the island, you can find every little thing closed low season!Â
Learn our itinerary for a 4-day highway journey round North Sardinia >>
The cons of Sardinia
For us, the principle draw back of Sardinia would in all probability be the dearth of gorgeous cities and cities, positive, Alghero could be very fairly, however not as fairly as most locations in Sicily. Furthermore, locations like Olbia (learn my put up about Olbia) are fairly unimpressive and didn’t really feel very secure at evening both.Â
Sicily vs Sardinia – what’s the most effective massive island in Italy?
Lastly, should you solely want to decide on one place and it’s good to select between Sardinia and Sicily as a vacation spot on your journey to Italy, it actually relies on the time of the yr and what you’re on the lookout for. If you happen to’re travelling low season and have over 3 days, I might positively advocate Sicily, as there are such a lot of issues to do!Â
In case you’re travelling through the excessive season and you’ve got a number of time, I like to recommend Sicily – you may simply discover actions for your entire length of your journey. You probably have a number of time there, you may also sail to among the most stunning miniature islands positioned near Trapani – it’s a paradise to swim there.Â
If you happen to solely have 3-7 days and also you’re on the lookout for a soothing vacation spot the place you need to swim on gorgeous seashores, drink nice Italian wine and eat scrumptious seafood, I like to recommend Northern Sardinia. The seashores we noticed in North Sardinia are among the many finest in Europe, if not the most effective! Among the finest seashores in Sardinia are Spiaggia de Rena Blanca in Santa Teresa Gallura and La Pelosa (it’s good to guide it prematurely although) close to Spuntino!Â
Abstract of Sardinia vs Sicily
Alright, we efficiently in contrast Sicily vs Sardinia, and hopefully, a bit extra about these two islands now and might make an knowledgeable choice about the place to go subsequent. Each islands are distinctive and distinctive! It simply actually relies on what you’re on the lookout for – if it’s nice seashores, then head to North Sardinia. If you happen to’re on the lookout for sightseeing, nature, meals and a little bit of swimming as effectively – then Sicily can be a greater choice!
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Ischia – the culinary paradise vacation spot of Italy
The most effective seashores close to Pisa, Florence and Cinque Terre