A boater’s information to crusing in Sicily, the brightest jewel of the Mediterranean

Sicily, the biggest island within the Mediterranean, is situated on the intersection of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. The island is a haven for holidaymakers, mythophiles and crusing fanatics. Moreover, its wealthy historical past and various influences, starting from Greeks and Romans to Arabs and Normans, make Sicily a vacation spot like no different. What higher approach to discover Sicily than by renting a ship and crusing?

Crusing in Sicily

A crusing journey in Sicily often begins from one of many main cities of the island, Catania or Palermo. Each are handy beginning factors on account of their airports connecting Sicily to Italy and the remainder of Europe. On this information we begin our journey from Palermo, situated on the northwest coast of the island.

Day 1: Palermo

Palermo, the bustling capital and largest metropolis of Sicily, is situated within the “Conca d’oro” valley. For an ideal begin to your journey, think about the Villa Igiea (Acquasanta) marina. There may be room for giant luxurious yachts as much as 65 meters, but in addition smaller ships. This contemporary marina additionally affords all the mandatory services to start out your crusing journey in Sicily. Close by choices additionally embody Balestrate, with 250 moorings for boats as much as 40 meters, and Motomar Cantiere del Mediterraneo, which may accommodate boats as much as 30 meters.

When in Palermo, do not miss the Palatine Chapel, constructed by the Normans and identified for its Byzantine mosaics. Departing from the marina, you may be handled to beautiful views of Mount Pellegrino and Mount Catalfano, two mountains that encompass the city. Moreover, you probably have an additional day or two, think about crusing to the idyllic La Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, a nature reserve with pristine seashores, a few of that are solely accessible by boat.

Day 2: Aegadian Islands

As we sail west, we uncover the Aegadian Islands, an rising crusing vacation spot in Europe. These islands, together with Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo, have retained their timeless allure. Favignana particularly is a hidden gem ready to be found by sailors Sicily. You may moor at Circolo Nautico Favignana within the middle of the island. Or discover among the island’s stunning seashores, reminiscent of Cala Rossa and Cala Rotonda, and the attractive Grotte del Bue Marino.

Day 3: Marsala

Returning to Sicily from the Aegadian Islands, we anchor within the picturesque harbor of Marsala, a captivating city 29 kilometers south of Trapani. The native marina has 200 berths for yachts as much as 20 meters in size. Alongside the best way you should have the chance to admire one of the crucial romantic locations in Sicily: the well-known Saline di Lagune, a salt mine between Trapani and Marsala. Remember to take a photograph with the normal windmills towards the backdrop of a gorgeous sundown!

Day 4: Porto Embedocle/Agrigento

Agrigento is one other place to not be missed throughout your crusing vacation in Sicily. It’s dwelling to the UNESCO World Heritage Web site of Valle dei Templi, which is dwelling to among the most interesting surviving examples of historic Greek structure. Porto Embedocle is town’s port, named after the well-known Greek-Sicilian thinker Embedocle. Though it’s a bustling buying and selling port, it might accommodate massive yachts, particularly in summer season. You may moor on the second of the three pontoons, which may accommodate as much as 100 yachts.

Day 5: Licata

We are actually properly into southern Sicilian territory and on our approach to Licata. If you’re crusing a sailboat, please observe that the predominant summer season winds on this a part of the Mediterranean are delicate south-westerly winds, usually starting from pressure 3 to five. The city of Licata is dwelling to one of many largest and well-equipped marinas of Italy, Marina di Cala del Sole. It affords greater than 1,500 berths as much as 70 meters. Marianello is a best choice for seashores within the space, though Licata has a variety of different stunning coastal spots. The guard just lately selected Licata as dwelling to a few of Sicily’s greatest seashores. Boaters crusing in Sicily may also get pleasure from stunning views of the native lighthouse from the deck of their boat. The San Giacomo lighthouse is among the tallest in Italy and Southern Europe!

Day 6: Syracuse

Our subsequent vacation spot is Syracuse, the historic treasure of Sicily, the place the well-known mathematician Archimedes lived greater than two millennia in the past. Syracuse is shut to 2 nature reserves: Plemmirio Marine Park, identified for sightings of dolphins and sperm whales, and the Vendicari Protected Space, a breeding floor for hawksbill turtles. Whereas crusing in Sicily, uncover one of the crucial stunning gems: the island of Ortigia, additionally referred to as the outdated city. Ortigia is the historic coronary heart of Syracuse and residential to main points of interest reminiscent of Piazza Duomo and the Temple of Athena. Out of your boat you possibly can admire Castello Maniace, the place legend has it that Archimedes used a large mirror to set Roman ships on hearth.

Day 7: Catania

Positioned simply 56 miles from Syracuse, within the japanese a part of Sicily, Catania is the second largest metropolis on the island. With Mount Etna within the background, this historic metropolis is steeped in Sicilian tradition and historical past. Your mooring choices embody Porto dell’Etna, with 366 moorings for boats as much as 40 meters, and Porto Rossi, situated close to town middle, with a capability of 450 moorings for boats as much as 25 meters. Town is dwelling to among the most interesting examples of Italian Baroque structure, such because the native cathedral. Suffice it to say that your complete metropolis middle is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.

Bonus journey: Only a few kilometers north of Catania lies one other Sicilian gem: Taormina. Positioned on a picturesque hilltop and generally known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, Taormina is considered one of Italy’s most famed vacationer locations. Admiring the view of the Gulf of Isola Bella from the deck of your boat is an ideal approach to say goodbye to this stunning island.

Day 8: Messina

We sail north in direction of the slim Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily from mainland Italy. Then moor within the port of Messina, dwelling to the attractive Cathedral of Messina, well-known for its stunning Gothic portal. A really helpful mooring choice right here is Marina del Neptunno, the place boats as much as 35 meters might be accommodated. Please observe that docking within the Strait of Messina itself isn’t permitted.

Day 9: Cefalu

Earlier than returning to Palermo is our penultimate cease Cefalu, a picturesque coastal city with a sandy seaside alongside the water’s edge. Cefalu is strategically situated in the midst of Sicily’s northern coast, simply 36 nautical miles from Palermo. With its Norman cathedral, historic Roman baths, Greek roots and delectable native delicacies, this seaside resort captures the essence of Sicily’s distinctive magnificence and cultural heritage.

Map of the crusing route of Sicily