In one of my recent articles I wrote that Sicily is like no other place you may have visited before. Due to the fact that the island was conquered by many different peoples (Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Normans, etc.), you’ll find a culture that is unique in every sense of the word. The influence of all these different groups has impacted the traditions, architecture, languages, and cuisine. Keep reading for 20 things to know when you visit Sicily for the first time!
On Culture
Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Padri Teatini (across from the Piazza Pretoria, also known as “Piazza della Vergogna”) in Palermo, Sicily. 
Santo Spirito Monastery, Agrigento
1. Like the rest of Italy, Sicily is primarily Catholic. If you find yourself exploring Palermo, the capital of Sicily, you’ll find churches on every corner. Many are so hidden that you might not notice them while walking by! Make sure to dress respectfully when visiting (avoid shorts, uncovered shoulders, etc.)
2. Sicilian is a language not a dialect. It is a common misconception that Sicilian is a dialect and not a language. Fun fact: Sicilian has actually been around longer than Italian. The language is built of all the influences from the empires that took over the island. For more information on the languages’ history, check out this article.
3. People come in all colors, shapes & sizes. As someone who is 98% Sicilian, one of the most common comments I receive is “wow you don’t look Sicilian, you’re so white!” Again, you’ll find that there is a huge variation in the backgrounds of people that are fully Sicilian. (And not to sound like a broken record, the diversity comes from all the different empires that inhibited the island).
On Food & Drink
We have an entire article on 10 dishes you have to try when you visit Sicily. You can find that here. Below are a few important things to note when visiting. These next ones are actually not completely specific to Sicily, but apply to Italy in general.
4. No one orders a cappuccino after breakfast. You can safely say the cut off for cappuccinos is 11 AM. Anytime after that, you can of course order it, but people will think you’re extremely strange!
5. A “caffe” means an espresso. This can throw off a lot of Americans as “coffee” in the USA suggests drip coffee. If you’re wanting an espresso, you need to explicitly say so. However, here, a “caffe” means an espresso, so no need to clarify!
6. If you asked for an iced coffee, you’ll likely get a shot of espresso with a few ice cubes or a type of “frappe.” And finally while we’re on the topic of coffee – let’s talk iced. While it’s picking up in popularity, it’s still some
7. Don’t expect to see a Starbucks – there’s a lot of small, local family businesses. Which if we’re being honest is 100% better! There is nothing more authentic than roaming into the local “bar” (cafe) and getting a fresh cornetto and cappuccino in the morning!
8. Tipping is not expected. Unless you’re leaving a bit of change at the table or at “il bar” tipping isn’t expected. In fact, there is usually a “coperto” (cover) per person that replaces the tip concept.
9. Apertivo hour is normal and dinner time is later than average. Aperitivo is one of my absolute favorite activities. Great drinks, great conversation, great views, and great snacks! If you’re planning for both (hint: you should), plan aperitivo around 7PM and head to dinner around 9PM.
On Planning your Itinerary
One of the best things when you visit Sicily is taking a moment to appreciate how it’s simply a slower pace of life. And in some cases you’ll be forced to take it slow. Let’s talk about a few things you need to consider.
10. Nap Time is sacred. Most restaurants and shops close at 1 PM and reopen between 4 – 5 PM. This is a great time to actually take a nap (since you’ll find yourself going to sleep a lot later here especially in the summer). If you’re not into that nap life, this is also a good time to hang out at the beach or your hotel pool to relax.
11. Almost everything is closed on Sunday’s. If you’re in a major city or super touristy area, you might find a few things open. However, the general vibe is that Sunday is family and relaxation time. It’s a great time to head to the beach (only IF you get there super early). Otherwise it’s chaos finding a spot!
12. The best time to visit is Autumn or early Spring. If you’re someone that can’t handle heat, summer is to be avoided at all costs. You can expect 95-100 degrees F or 35-41 degrees C with some humidity. Now, the plus side of summer is longer days that are perfect for the beach. It really just depends on what you’re looking for!
13. Bring insect repellent. Unless you’re visiting in early Spring, you 150% need insect repellent. I’m talking the hardcore strongest repellent you can find. And perhaps even if you are visiting in spring, it’s good to bring in case. Mosquitos are a huge problem. To give you an idea, I probably had 40+ bites on my legs at one point this past trip. It was awful.
14. Always carry euros. During my entire month in Sicily, I hardly used my credit card. Most places prefer you pay in cash (or don’t take credit card). You may even find yourself scoring a better deal on a purchase if you pay cash!
On Transportation & Getting Around
15. Be an aware pedestrian (because drivers are crazy). I’ve heard people say that the farther south you go in Italy, the crazier the drivers are. While I’m not sure if that’s totally true, they are crazy and as a pedestrian you need to be extra alert.
16. That being said, renting a tiny car is ideal if you’re planning to cover a lot of ground. If you’re planning to visit spots all over the island, the easiest way to get around is by car. While you can find buses and trains, renting a car is cheaper and faster. PS: you’ll absolutely want a tiny car. Many roads once you get into smaller towns are super tight.
17. Ask locals for directions & tips – they’re super friendly! Sicily has some of the nicest people you’ll ever run into. If you’re asking for recommendations or directions, you’ll often feel that you’re talking to a long lost relative. Personally, one of my favorite things to do is to ask a local for restaurant recommendations! I’ve never had a bad meal using that tactic.
18. Be prepared to have Google Translate (and hear a mix of Sicilian and Italian). If you’re in the major cities or towns that are known tourist attractions, finding someone that speaks English isn’t a problem. However, once you get off the beaten path, you’ll really want to have that Google Translate app downloaded.
On Fashion
19. People tend to dress up more. Whether it’s a quick stroll to the local bar for a coffee, a stroll through the market for veggies, or a casual lunch; you’ll find people are definitely more dressed up. If you’re looking for good options – slacks/jeans and a polo or button down for men and a dress or nice top and pants for women are good go to’s.
20. Last up on our list lets talk about flip flops. Unless you’re at the beach, leave them at the hotel. And this is another one of those “Italy wide” tips. You won’t spot a Sicilian in a flip flop out and about!
Looking for more articles on Sicily? Check out the archives!
Everything you need to know for visiting the Scala dei Turchi in Sicily
Sicilian Food: 10 Must-Try Dishes on your trip
