- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October. July and August are very hot and busy.
- Driving side
- Right. Expect assertive local driving, especially in Catania and Palermo.
- ZTL zones
- Most historic centres (Ortigia, Taormina, Palermo, Cefalù, Noto) have limited-traffic zones (ZTL) with camera fines. Park outside and walk unless your hotel registers your car.
- Parking
- Blue lines are paid, white usually free, yellow reserved. Use signed car parks outside the old towns.
- Fuel
- Plentiful; many stations are self-service at night. Fuel is often cheaper away from motorways.
- Roads
- Motorways are good; some secondary roads are bumpy and narrow, especially in hill towns like Erice, Ragusa Ibla and Modica.
- Campervans
- Many campsites along the coasts and agriturismos that welcome campers. Wild camping is generally not permitted.
- Motorhomes
- Fine on the main roads. Avoid driving into Taormina, Erice, Ragusa Ibla and Modica — use car parks below the towns and the shuttle buses or cable cars.
- Heat
- Carry water and plan archaeological sites for early morning or late afternoon in summer.
- Mobile signal
- Generally good; patchy in the interior.
- Travelling with children
- Beaches, Etna's lava landscapes and short driving days make it family friendly. The ancient sites can be hot and exposed.
- Travelling with dogs
- Many beaches restrict dogs in summer; look for designated dog beaches and check ahead at sites and restaurants.
- Ferries
- Optional extensions: ferries to the Aeolian Islands from Milazzo, to mainland Italy from Messina, and to Malta from Pozzallo.
