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On this article, I’ll examine Sicily vs Sardinia and clarify what every island is nice for, in addition to what’s one of the best island to go to in Italy (in the event 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! Let’s chat about Sicily first, then about Sardinia after which we will examine these two islands!
Sicily – one of the best island in Italy for historical past/structure
The perfect 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 superb. 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 extremely popular in summer time, and whereas it will have been higher to spend time on the seashores and swimming, it will have additionally been difficult to really do any sightseeing with that climate. I might in all probability suggest heading to Sicily in the course of September – that means, you’ve even fewer possibilities of unhealthy climate and the water temperature could be hotter.
Nevertheless, not like many islands in Italy, Sicily can also be nice for visiting low season. There are lots of issues to see and do, and it’s a phenomenal place for sightseeing. You possibly can spend just a few weeks there and wouldn’t even get bored while not having 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 accommodations 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 may solely see round 30% of the primary highlights of Sicily. For us, essentially the most spectacular cities had been Taormina, Cefalu, Syracuse and Catania! Palermo was additionally exceptional, however not as nice as Catania, in my view. There are lots of archaeological ruins, stunning cathedrals, gorgeous palaces in Sicily. You possibly can take excursions, e.g. the excursions that deliver you to the highest of Etna volcano (which is an lively 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 elements 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 together with your information!
Examine our itinerary for a 7-day street journey round Sicily >>>
The cons of Sicily
Regardless that we liked Sicily, there are some things which may allow you to down just a little bit. To start with, 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 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 automobiles up to now. 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 additionally really feel just a little too dangerous due to that, so I might 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 secure, and so did the Previous city of Syracuse!
Sardinia – one of the best island for scenic seashores and swimming
The perfect time to go to Sardinia
We went to Sardinia in July, and it was fantastic! Nevertheless, I did discover it just a little too sizzling, particularly on some days, when the temperatures reached 38 levels. We had been in Northern Sardinia, which is one of the best area for pure magnificence and seashores and we didn’t do lots of sightseeing just because there isn’t that a lot sightseeing to do in North Sardinia.
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 seaside underneath an umbrella!
What’s there to do in Sardinia?
North Sardinia isn’t one of the best place for sightseeing (not like Sicily), nevertheless it’s an exquisite vacation spot for a seaside vacation because it has among the most stunning seashores in Europe. There are some beautiful stunning cities in Sardinia as effectively (Alghero, Cagliari), however the majority of cities in Sardinia usually are not very spectacular.
Meals in Sardinia is nice as effectively! In my view, one of the best factor to do in Sardinia is to drive round and discover essentially the most stunning seashores and eat in beautiful genuine eating places! In the event you come to the South of Sardinia, you are able to do a bit extra sightseeing, however one of the best seashores are undoubtedly within the North!
In the event you journey to Sardinia low season, particularly to smaller cities within the North of the island, you will see that 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 primary draw back of Sardinia would in all probability be the dearth of gorgeous cities and cities, certain, Alghero may be very fairly, however not as fairly as most locations in Sicily. Furthermore, locations like Olbia (learn my submit about Olbia) are fairly unimpressive and didn’t really feel very secure at evening both.
Sicily vs Sardinia – what’s one of the best giant island in Italy?
Lastly, in the event you solely want to decide on one place and it’s essential 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 in search of. In the event you’re travelling low season and have over 3 days, I might undoubtedly suggest Sicily, as there are such a lot of issues to do!
In case you might be travelling throughout the excessive season and you’ve got lots of time, I like to recommend Sicily – you’ll be able to simply discover actions for your complete length of your journey. When you have lots of time there, you can too sail to among the most stunning miniature islands situated near Trapani – it’s a paradise to swim there.
In the event you solely have 3-7 days and also you’re in search of a soothing vacation spot the place you wish 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 one of the best! A few of the finest seashores in Sardinia are Spiaggia de Rena Blanca in Santa Teresa Gallura and La Pelosa (it’s essential to e-book it prematurely 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 may make an knowledgeable choice about the place to go subsequent. Each islands are distinctive and distinctive! It simply actually will depend on what you’re in search of – if it’s nice seashores, then head to North Sardinia. In the event you’re in search of sightseeing, nature, meals and a little bit of swimming as effectively – then Sicily could be a greater possibility!
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