Maintaining a hard-to-ignore position on the southwestern tip of Mainland Italy, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. Situated north of Malta and northeast of Tunisia, it is home to the biggest volcano in Europe, called Mount Etna. Taking a ferry to Sicily is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

Palermo, the island’s capital, showcases Sicily’s dynamic past through its diverse architecture, reminiscent of the many conquerors who have ruled this strategic piece of land over centuries. The city’s Cathedral is a fascinating sight from the inside and out. An amalgamation of styles, one notices Baroque, Gothic, and Arab architectural influences throughout this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Palermo’s Ballaro and Capo markets having traditional food and handicraft stalls are a charm to saunter around. The Capuchin Catacombs, displaying exposed skeletons, are best reserved for those with a strong stomach.

Ferryscanner makes travel easy by offering ferry tickets to Sicily and its many port towns from around Italy and far beyond. Trapani and Marsala, on the western coast, are famous for their salt pans that attract pink and white flamingos and several other migratory birds. The coastal drive from Trapani to the beach in San Vito Lo Capo is stunning. And for a bit of history, spend a day at the Norwegian Castle in Erice. Marsala is world-famous for its fortified wine, and enthusiasts should stopover at the almost 200-year-old Florio Winery for a tasting.

On the eastern shores of Sicily is Catania, a town that surprises in more ways than one. Here, you can participate in Beer Catania, a craft beer festival held twice a year. Spend the day sunbathing over black rocks at Volkan Strand before heading for drinks next to a subterranean river at ‘A Putia dell’Ostello’. Visiting the city’s fish market is an animated experience, and the unavoidable hike up and around Mt. Etna, an unforgettable quest.

When arriving from the Aeolian Islands, ferry tickets to Sicily will bring you to Milazzo. A beautiful port in the north, with a picturesque Old Town and a 13th-century castle, Milazzo is a gentle introduction to Sicily’s enthralling curiosities, found everywhere on the island.