Sicily is the largest island in Italy, separated from the Peninsula by the renowned Strait of Messina. It is a popular destination and also easily accessible, thanks to its location on the Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Seas.
For this reason, there are a variety of ferries and ships to and from Sicily. In addition, there are also many wonderful archipelagos that are worth visiting and exploring. Some examples? Aeolian Islands, Pelagie Islands, Pantelleria Island, the Egadi Islands and many others.
The Island can be considered as the shining example of the richness that a trip to Italy can provide: a beautiful sea, cities rich in tradition and culture, combined with archaeological sites that are enviable worldwide.
Ferry connections to and from Sicily are in high demand, which is why they operate year-round, with different schedules to choose from. The vessels are currently operated by 6 shipping companies, which are responsible for offering services tailored to the type of trips chosen – and this is the reason why they are so popular.
The routes covered by ferries ,ships and hydrofoils to Sicily are many, and among the most famous are undoubtedly those connecting Palermo to Genoa or Livorno, but also Favignana to Trapani, and the various connections to Sardinia.
As for schedules, they too vary considerably depending on the route, the company, and the seasonality. For example, the journey to Genoa from Palermo lasts 20 hours, with overnight departures starting around 9:30 pm.
As for the route to Livorno, on the other hand, departures usually occur around 6:30 pm.
Ferries, ships and hydrofoils to Sicily have prices that also vary depending on all the factors anticipated above. For this reason, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance so that you can best plan your trip. Going back to the examples given earlier, prices for the routes from Genoa to Palermo and Livorno to Genoa can fluctuate around 50-60 euros.
These figures, however, can also double depending on the cabin you choose and the season in which you intend to depart. Not infrequently, in fact, during high season there is a general rise in costs, vice versa during less popular periods.
Ferries and hydrofoils to Sicily dock at some of the island’s main ports, namely Palermo, Catania, Trapani, and Milazzo, although there is no shortage of additional ports of call. Means of transport arrive at these ports from different parts of Italy and Europe.
In addition, starting from these areas, one will also be able to reach the beautiful island of Malta or some of the various smaller islands surrounding Sicily.
