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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 (in case 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 attainable).
With out additional ado, let’s get began!
Sicily – the most effective island in Italy for historical past/structure
The very best time to go to Sicily
As I discussed earlier than, we had a chance 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 wonderful. It wasn’t too sizzling, and the temperatures each day had been between 25 and 28 levels, which is greater than bearable; it’s truly fairly nice! But, it was attainable to swim, because the water temperature within the sea was round 21-23 levels.
Sicily will get highly regarded in summer season, and whereas it could have been higher to spend time on the seashores and swimming, it could have additionally been difficult to really do any sightseeing with that climate. I’d most likely suggest heading to Sicily in the midst of September – that means, you might have even fewer possibilities of unhealthy climate and the water temperature can be hotter.
Nonetheless, not like many islands in Italy, Sicily can be nice for visiting low season. There are numerous issues to see and do, and it’s an exquisite place for sightseeing. You may spend a number of weeks there and wouldn’t even get bored without having to go to swim. Extra importantly, life doesn’t cease in Sicily in winter – it’s a big island the place folks depart all yr lengthy, so that you gained’t see closed companies and empty inns low season in giant cities in Sicily!
What’s there to see in Sicily?
Sicily is totally gorgeous! We spent 8 days driving across the island, and it wasn’t sufficient! We might 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 outstanding, however not as nice as Catania, for my part. There are numerous archaeological ruins, lovely cathedrals, gorgeous palaces in Sicily. You may take excursions, e.g. the excursions that deliver you to the highest of Etna volcano (which is an energetic volcano, by the way in which) or a Godfather-themed tour within the Sicilian countryside.
Sicilian meals can be wonderful – there’s a big number of dishes and the elements are recent and really scrumptious. I like to recommend taking this Palermo avenue meals tasting tour as you’ll uncover so many distinctive dishes and meals together with your information!
Examine our itinerary for a 7-day street journey round Sicily >>>
The cons of Sicily
Regardless that we beloved Sicily, there are some things that may allow you to down a little bit bit. Initially, it’s security. Lots of people are afraid of the mafia in Sicily, however what you have to be cautious of are automotive thieves and pickpocketers. Some automotive companies will advise you towards staying in a single day or leaving your automotive in Catania or Palermo due to accidents they’d with their vehicles previously. I can’t converse from expertise as a result of nothing ever occurred to us, however these feedback made us a bit uneasy!
Strolling at evening on small streets in Palermo or Catania may also really feel a little bit too dangerous due to that, so I’d suggest 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 protected, and so did the Previous city of Syracuse!
Sardinia – the most effective island for scenic seashores and swimming
The very best time to go to Sardinia
We went to Sardinia in July, and it was fantastic! Nonetheless, I did discover it a little bit 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 numerous sightseeing just because there isn’t that a lot sightseeing to do in North Sardinia.
Nonetheless, if we had been to return to North Sardinia, I’d most likely go there early or mid-September, as some days had been genuinely too sizzling even to be on the seaside underneath 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 seaside vacation because it has a number of the most lovely seashores in Europe. There are some beautiful lovely cities in Sardinia as properly (Alghero, Cagliari), however the majority of cities in Sardinia aren’t very spectacular.
Meals in Sardinia is nice as properly! For my part, the most effective factor to do in Sardinia is to drive round and discover probably the most lovely seashores and eat in beautiful genuine eating places! In case you 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!
In case you journey to Sardinia low season, particularly to smaller cities within the North of the island, you will see all the things closed low season!
Learn our itinerary for a 4-day street journey round North Sardinia >>
The cons of Sardinia
For us, the principle draw back of Sardinia would most likely be the dearth of lovely cities and cities, positive, Alghero may be very fairly, however not as fairly as most locations in Sicily. Furthermore, locations like Olbia (learn my publish about Olbia) are fairly unimpressive and didn’t really feel very protected at evening both.
Sicily vs Sardinia – what’s the most effective giant island in Italy?
Lastly, in case you solely want to decide on one place and it is advisable to select between Sardinia and Sicily as a vacation spot to your journey to Italy, it actually will depend on the time of the yr and what you’re on the lookout for. In case you’re travelling low season and have over 3 days, I’d positively suggest Sicily, as there are such a lot of issues to do!
In case you’re travelling throughout the excessive season and you’ve got numerous time, I like to recommend Sicily – you’ll be able to simply discover actions for your entire length of your journey. If in case you have numerous time there, you may as well sail to a number of the most lovely miniature islands positioned near Trapani – it’s a paradise to swim there.
In case you 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 is advisable to e-book it upfront although) close to Spuntino!
Abstract of Sardinia vs Sicily
Alright, we efficiently in contrast Sicily vs Sardinia, and hopefully, you recognize a bit extra about these two islands now and might make an knowledgeable resolution about the place to go subsequent. Each islands are distinctive and distinctive! It simply actually will depend on what you’re on the lookout for – if it’s nice seashores, then head to North Sardinia. In case you’re on the lookout for sightseeing, nature, meals and a little bit of swimming as properly – then Sicily can be a greater possibility!
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Ischia – the culinary paradise vacation spot of Italy
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