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- As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has so much to offer any expats looking for a slice of Italian Island life. Sicily is home to deep history, with UNESCO and archaeological sites located all across the island. Plus, the Sicilian spin on the Italian lifestyle is very appealing, to say the least.
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- Pros and Cons of Living in Sicily
- 19 Things Nobody Tells You About Living in Sicily
- Living in Sicily | Final Thoughts
As with anything in life, there are both pros and cons of living in Sicily. While I adore Sicily, it certainly has its flaws, and I believe that it’s important to be transparent about them. I’ll get into each of the points below in more detail later, but here are some of the pros and cons of living in Sicily, at a glance.
1. The locals are very direct
Having grown up in the UK, being direct is just not in my nature. Sicilians, however, are as direct as they come. If a Sicilian wants you to move out of their way, they’ll tell you. If you ask them how they are, trust me, they’ll tell you (and it might not always be good!). When you’re not used to this, it can seem like they’re being rude, but they aren’t. They’re just honest. Being super direct is a huge part of Sicilian culture, and if you want to move to Sicily, you’d better get used to it!
2. Contacts are everything
They say ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,’ and this really applies to life in Sicily. When I took a street food tour in Palermo, my tour guide told me that one of the most important things that you can do if you’re living in Sicily is befriend your local fish monger. Seriously. Get a local to introduce you to him, answer his probing questions about what you’re planning on cooking with his produce, and he will always treat you well. Go behind his back and buy from another seller and...
3. Opening times are a guide
Did Google Maps tell you that your local grocery store opens at 2 pm? Maybe it said that the restaurant you’re visiting is open on a Monday? Don’t believe everything you read, especially when it comes to opening and closing times in Sicily. Sure, the grocery store might open at 2…if the owner doesn’t have anything better to do, that is! Opening times (and days!) are only ever a guide in Sicily, and if you’re used to getting reliable information from Google Maps, think again. The faster you de...
I hope that I’ve managed to paint a realistic picture of what the reality of living in Sicily is like for anyone thinking of relocating to Sicily. Property websites are keen to talk about the beaches and the climate, but gloss over the not so glamourous side of Sicily. Everywhere on the planet has its pros and cons, and Sicily is no different. Is S...
- Catania. Steeped in history and undergoing a modern cultural renaissance, Catania is a mid-sized town that combines the charm of the old world with the vibrancy of the new.
- Palermo. Despite its reputation for being ugly and unsafe, Palermo is a vibrant city with a rich history and warm, friendly locals. One of the main reasons to move to Palermo is that it hasn’t been overrun by mass tourism yet, so you can truly immerse yourself in the local culture and way of life.
- Siracusa. Like every town in Sicily and Italy as a whole, Siracusa, also known as Syracuse, boasts a fascinating history, taking influences from ancient Greek and Roman architecture.
- Trapani. On the western side of the island of Sicily, Trapani sits on the coast where the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Seas meet. This town is much smaller than most of the cities on our list, around 80,000, a perfect home for anyone looking for a quiet getaway.
Living in Sicily in a nutshell. The main advantages of living in Sicily are beautiful weather, rich history and culture, amazing cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes. On the other hand, Sicily might disappoint you with its endless bureaucracy, dysfunctionality, piles of trash everywhere, and terrible infrastructure.
- Community is strong. One of the first things that struck me during my early visits to Sicily is the strong sense of community. Unlike in a big city like London or New York, it’s normal for Sicilians living in small towns to rely on each other.
- Contacts are everything. It goes without saying, that the right contacts make the world an easier place to navigate. And, when you live in a small Sicilian town, knowing the right people can make the biggest difference.
- Sicilian is difficult to understand. One of my first posts that I wrote about Sicily was 5 fun Sicilian words and phrases. It was a playful introduction to the dialect, and one that I was also beginning to learn.
- Sicilians are strong people. The first word that comes to mind, if you ask me to describe Sicilian people, is strong. Strong minded, opinionated, willed and sometimes loud, the shy, retiring types are a minority.
Mar 26, 2024 · Sicily, a glittering jewel in the Mediterranean Sea, is a land of striking contrasts and enchanting beauty. This island, the largest in the Mediterranean, is a fascinating blend of breathtaking natural landscapes, a rich cultural and historical heritage, and cuisine that delights the senses.
Aug 6, 2018 · Yes, it’s technically a part of Italy, but it’s not like Florence, Genoa, or Rome. Sicily is Italy-personified. Rick Steves (the travel guru) explains Italy like this: Start in the north of the country and work your way down. If you still like Italian culture by the time you reach Rome, keep going. If not, stop!
