Two airports, two halves of the island, two completely different trips. Anyone flying to Sicily already decides what they'll see by choosing the destination airport.
Direct flight from Bolzano to Palermo or Catania (around 2 hours) + hotel + transfer. Two airports open up two very different halves of the island: the west with Palermo and Mondello, the east with Etna, Taormina and Syracuse.
- Direct flight from Bolzano
- Best price guarantee
- EU-protected package holiday
- Just 45 minutes' transfer on arrival
Which part of Sicily suits me?
Palermo in the west stands for city, markets and Arab-Norman buildings; Catania in the east for Etna, Taormina and the baroque of the Val di Noto.
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and too big to loop in a week. The decision therefore falls at the airport: Palermo opens the west, Catania the east. Between the two lies about a three-hour drive.
The west around Palermo is more urban in character. The capital with its markets, the Palatine Chapel and the mosaics of Monreale carries several days on its own. For a swim, head to the city beach at Mondello, or further along the coast towards Cefalù and San Vito Lo Capo. West Sicily is culturally dense and more affordable than the classic beach destinations.
The east around Catania is more scenically dominant. Above the city rises Etna, at around 3,300 metres Europe's highest active volcano. Add Taormina with its ancient theatre above the sea, Syracuse with the old-town island of Ortigia, and the baroque towns of the Val di Noto — Noto, Modica, Ragusa — all UNESCO World Heritage. The east is the classic choice for a first visit to Sicily; it packs the most sights in the smallest area.
Palermo or Catania — which airport?
Both airports are reachable direct from Bolzano, but lead to different trips. Anyone wanting a dense city and cultural programme flies to Palermo. Anyone seeking landscape, volcano and ancient sites, to Catania. Combining both in one week is possible but ambitious — better to concentrate on one half and save the other for a second visit.
West from Palermo
Arab-Norman buildings UNESCO World Heritage since 2015
East from Catania
Europe's highest active volcano, UNESCO World Heritage since 2013
Which flights are available from Bolzano to Sicily?
SkyAlps flies direct from Bolzano to Palermo and Catania (summer only) — flight time around 2 hours. All prices are per person and include return flights plus nights at the booked hotel.
When is the best time to visit Sicily?
Sicily lies far south — in July and August, temperatures above 35°C are the rule, which makes city visits and Etna tours exhausting. May and June are ideal: warm, in bloom and still quiet, with a swimmable sea from June onwards. September and October bring a warm sea, milder days, and clearer views up on Etna. From November to April SkyAlps does not fly the routes.
Frequently asked questions
Between Palermo and Catania it's about three hours' drive, plus the trips within each region.
Doing both in one week means a lot of driving. If you want to try it anyway, split the time into two blocks with a change of hotel — three or four nights in each region, no daily commuting. The cleaner solution is one half now, the other on a second trip: Palermo for west, Catania for east, both easy to reach directly from Bolzano.
Ready for your Sicily beach holiday?
Direct flight from Bolzano to Sicily, a hotel on the island and the transfer – all in one booking. Book online now, securely, flexibly and at the best price.