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The benefits and features of a beach holiday in Sicily
Sicily’s climate stands out for its mildness: summers bring moderate temperatures, and in winter—which is short in itself—temperatures do not drop below zero, something atypical for these latitudes.
Among all resorts in Italy, Sicily has the most sunny days. Sea water temperature in the summer months reaches +27°C, and in winter it does not fall below +16°C. In other words, you can swim at Sicilian resorts roughly from May to November.
In Sicily there are several types of beaches—sandy, rocky (black), and pebbly.
Sandy beaches in Sicily are great for families with children. For example, the San Vito lo Capo beach is worth your attention. Good sandy beaches can also be found in Tindari, Taormina, and near Syracuse, one of the island’s most famous cities.
Sicily’s black beaches are the most exotic. They really do have black sand, which is, in fact, lava from Mount Etna. Such beaches are located in the northern part of the island.
Still, the most popular beaches in Sicily are pebbly. And what is remarkable: the pebbles cover the beach only up to the sea; once you step into the water, you will feel sand under your feet. The pebbles on Sicilian beaches can vary—from small to quite large. The most popular pebbly beaches in Sicily are in Ognina, Acireale, and Letojanni, and the most famous pebbly beach with a sandy seabed is located near Palermo.
Sicilian beaches are quite comfortable and stand out for their beauty and originality.
All tourists are advised to buy special water shoes that will protect your feet on hot sand or stones. Entry to almost all beaches in Sicily is free.
Special Offers
Sicily Travel Guide
The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with the largest active volcano in Europe and a wealth of resorts, exotic beaches, and attractions
Sicilia is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, located right in its heart. You can reach the island by ferry; the trip will take about twenty minutes.
In the east of the island there is the highest of all active volcanoes on the European continent — Etna. Both the volcano and the area around it are currently a natural reserve.
The climate in Sicilia is Mediterranean and mild. Here, there are more sunny days than in any Mediterranean resort in Europe.
On the coast of Siciliei there are many good resorts, loved by tourists from all over the world. Every tourist can find what they need. This is exactly where the best beaches, natural красоты, and attractions of the Mediterranean are concentrated, all located in close proximity.
For example, in the province of Agrigento you will be greeted by wonderful sandy beaches and beautiful nature; in the resort of Schiaccia you will have the opportunity to relax in thermal waters; diving lovers should go to Siracuza. If you prefer a more active vacation, then you should visit Palermo, the capital of Siciliei, where Mondello is considered the best resort. The best markets, bars, and restaurants are concentrated in this place.
Well, the best and most popular resort in Siciliei is, without a doubt, Taormina. Here you will find beautiful beaches, a large number of spa salons, and various excursions. This place is also famous for its excellent services. Thanks to them, you can even meet one of the Hollywood stars.
The main attraction of Siciliei is, of course, Etna. Small eruptions occur every few months, and every few years a major eruption takes place.
Not far from the city of Siracuza there is an interesting attraction — the cave „Urechea lui Dionysius”. According to legend, there was a prison here in the cave, and when prisoners talked among themselves, thanks to the good acoustics of this place, the guards at the entrance heard everything and passed it on to their ruler.
Be sure to visit Grădina Botanică din Palermo; here you can see not only interesting plant species, but also beautiful water basins.
In Siciliei, you can also see the ruins of ancient temples, Palatul Regal Normand, Capela Palatină, the ruins of Teatrului Roman, the old castle Euryalus, and many other interesting sights. And, of course, we cannot fail to advise you to taste the local cuisine while traveling in Siciliei — it deserves special attention and, in fact, is one of the island’s attractions.
How to get there
Holidays in Catania & Sicily with departure from Chișinău
From Chișinău you reach your Sicily flight via the hub in Iași, and then in just about 2 hours you land at Catania Airport (CTA). In most cases, holiday packages are designed for 7–11 nights with flights included, giving you enough time both for the beach and for excursions.
Wizz Air flights on the Iași–Catania route operate all year round, usually on Thursdays and Sundays, so you can plan both short weekend getaways and longer stays. You can book your trip in Admiral.Travel offices in Chișinău or online via our travel experts or the search engine on our website.
For up-to-date information about hotels, special offers and excursions in Sicily, we recommend visiting the dedicated destination page: see Sicily offers on Admiral.Travel.
What is usually included in the Admiral.Travel package for Catania
1) Direct flight Iași – Catania (≈ 2 hours); meal on board: snacks and drinks available for purchase.
2) Group transfer airport – hotel – airport.
3) Accommodation in carefully selected hotels in Catania and other resorts in Sicily, personally checked by our team.
4) Recommended meal plan: breakfast or breakfast + dinner, so that during the day you can discover Sicilian street food and local trattorias.
5) Travel medical insurance for the entire stay.
How to get from Chișinău to Catania and from the airport to your hotel
1. From Chișinău to Iași we travel by coach or train. The duration of the journey is 4 hours. Ticket price – from 90 MDL.
2. Flight Iași–Catania (CTA airport). Wizz Air aircraft operate flights throughout the whole year. Flight duration – 2 hours. Flights are operated on Thursdays and Sundays. Ticket price – starting from 15 € one way. Details can be found in our search engine.
3. How to get from Catania Airport to your hotel:
The most advantageous option is by bus.
Quite a few buses run to Catania; the transport companies AliBus and A.S.T. operate regular services. There are various routes available, so you can easily and quickly reach other cities in Sicily as well. The bus stops are located very close to the airport exit.
You can buy a bus ticket directly at the kiosk at the bus stop – the main thing is not to forget to validate it on the bus!
AliBus bus
From the airport to the city centre you can get by bus operated by AliBus AMT. The service runs between 4:40 and 00:30 and buses depart every 25 minutes.
The journey time does not exceed 20 minutes. The final stop is Catania Centrale railway station.
Ticket price – 4 euro. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes and allows travel on public transport.
This means you can take AliBus to Catania railway station and then board public transport with the same ticket and reach your hotel. It is important to manage all this within the 90-minute validity.
The exact timetable is available on the official website of the operator AMT www.amts.ct.it.
A.S.T. bus
You can also take a city bus of the A.S.T. company (no. 574, 670, 681). Buses run between 7:00 and 21:15 with an interval of 20 minutes. Journey time is approximately 15–20 minutes.
In addition, buses of this company will take you to the following cities in Sicily: Avola, Caltagirone, Carlentini, Ispica, Lentini, Mazzarrone, Grammichele, Mirabella Imbaccari, Noto, Palagonia, Modica, Piazza Armerina, S. Michele di Ganzaria, Pozzallo, Rosolini, Scicli, Sigonella.
The ticket will be about 2 euro cheaper than AliBus.
You can find the exact timetable on the official website www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it.
We also offer a private transfer. It is very comfortable. You will be met at the airport and taken directly to the hotel door. The price is for one adult person round trip (hotel – airport – hotel):
Catania (centre) = 25 EUR
Taormina = from 130 EUR/car
Syracuse = from 130 EUR/car
Besides these areas, we will help you find the best transfers around the island. You can obtain more detailed information from our managers.
Visa information for Italy (Catania, Sicily)
Italy is part of the Schengen area. For EU citizens, no visa is required for short tourist stays, while most other nationalities need a short-stay Schengen visa. We strongly recommend checking the latest entry rules on official government or consulate websites before you travel.
Why book Catania & Sicily with Admiral.Travel
Admiral.Travel has more than 15 years of experience in organizing holidays from Chișinău to Italy and Sicily. We work directly with airlines and trusted local partners to secure convenient connections via Iași, safe transfers and well-tested hotels.
Our team regularly visits Sicilian resorts and cities, so the recommendations you receive are based on real experience, not just brochure photos. We personally check hotel locations, beaches, transport access and excursion options to suggest stays that truly match your travel style.
From choosing the right dates and room type to arranging transfers and optional excursions, Admiral.Travel experts support you every step of the way, so your only “problem” is deciding which flavour of gelato to try first. Contact us for a tailor-made offer for Catania and Sicily!
Frequently asked questions about Catania & Sicily
What is the best season for a holiday in Catania and Sicily?
The beach season usually starts in May and lasts until early October. July–August are the hottest and busiest months, while May–June and September–October offer pleasant temperatures, warm sea and fewer crowds.
Do I need a visa to travel to Catania (Italy)?
Italy is part of the Schengen area. EU citizens generally do not need a visa for short tourist stays. Citizens of many other countries usually require a short-stay Schengen visa, so it is important to check current requirements on official government and consulate websites.
What currency is used in Catania and how can I pay?
The official currency is the euro. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept bank cards, but it is still useful to carry some cash for kiosks, local markets or public transport tickets.
What power sockets are used in Sicily and do I need an adapter?
Italy mainly uses type C and F sockets, and sometimes type L, with 230 V voltage. If your devices have a different plug, we recommend taking a universal travel adapter so you do not depend on availability in the hotel.
How is the internet in Catania? Can I buy a local SIM card?
Many hotels, cafés and restaurants in Catania offer free Wi-Fi. If you prefer mobile data, you can buy a local prepaid SIM card from Italian operators, with enough data for maps, messaging and social media during your holiday.
What transport options do I have in Catania and the surrounding area?
Besides AliBus and city buses, Catania has a network of regional buses and trains connecting to major Sicilian towns. Taxis and ride-hailing services are available too, and for maximum comfort we can arrange private transfers and tailor-made tours.
Is Catania suitable for children and families?
Yes, Catania and Sicily are very family-friendly: there are beaches with gentle entry into the sea, plenty of gelato shops, child-friendly restaurants and easy excursions such as walks on the slopes of Etna or visits to charming historic towns.
What meal plan do you recommend when booking a hotel?
Most of the time we recommend breakfast only or breakfast and dinner, so that you are free during the day to try street food, markets and local trattorias without being tied to lunch at the hotel.
What can I do if the weather is rainy in Catania?
On rainy days you can explore the historic centre, visit cathedrals, museums and palaces, spend time in shopping centres, enjoy wine tastings and long dinners, or choose excursions focused on history and gastronomy rather than the beach.
Are there opportunities for snorkelling and diving nearby?
Sicily’s coastline is known for clear water and rocky coves that are great for snorkelling. In the nearby resorts you will find dive centres offering boat trips and dive programmes for both beginners and experienced divers.
Which optional excursions are popular from Catania?
The most popular trips include Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse and other historic towns. Many excursions combine guided walks through old streets with tastings of local wines, cheeses and other Sicilian specialities.
How do luggage rules, online check-in and local city taxes work?
For low-cost flights it is essential to check in advance the size and weight of cabin and checked baggage included in your ticket. Online check-in usually opens 24–48 hours before departure. In many Italian cities, hotels charge a separate city tax that is paid directly at reception and is not included in the accommodation price.
