Sicily

Campsites in Sicily

Greek temples, an active volcano and more than 1,000 km of coastline: Sicily packs a whole continent into one island. Pitch up by the sea and add Etna, Cefalù and ancient Agrigento to your family holiday.

5 destinations 26 hours from Utrecht Palermo (PMO)

About Sicily

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and it behaves like a small continent. Greek temples, Roman mosaics, Norman cathedrals and Baroque towns all lie within a few hours' drive of each other. More than 1,000 km of coastline runs from long sandy beaches to rocky coves and black volcanic shores. Add long hot summers and mild green winters, and you can see why the island suits a camping holiday so well.

Our campsites cover the best corners of the island. In the west, Camping Lilybeo Village & residence sits among olive trees and vineyards near Marsala. El Bahira Camping Village in San Vito Lo Capo looks out towards Monte Cofano, close to the Zingaro reserve. Kamemi Camping Village in Ribera is a gateway to ancient Sicily. On the north coast, Camping & Village Rais Gerbi opens the door to Cefalù and the Madonie. In the east, Mons Gibel Camping Park near Belpasso is ideally located for exploring Mount Etna.

Days here fill up easily. Wander through Palermo's Ballarò and Vucciria markets, climb to Taormina's Greek-Roman amphitheatre, stroll the lanes of Ortigia in Syracuse, or ride the cable car up Etna to 2,900 m. Boats also leave for the Aeolian Islands, where hot springs, mud baths and the active volcano of Stromboli wait.

The food alone is a reason to come. Think arancini, cannoli, fresh seafood and Arab-influenced flavours that play sweet against savoury. In Palermo, panelle and sfincione are street-food classics.

Outside the few famous towns, Sicily still feels wonderfully real. It has its own language, its own cuisine and a history layered by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards. It is a holiday with a story to tell on every corner.

Why holiday in Sicily?

Ancient Greek Temples – Agrigento's UNESCO temples are among the best-preserved Greek ruins anywhere

Active Volcano Adventure – Ride the Etna cable car up to 2,900 m

Beaches For Everyone – More than 1,000 km of coast, from soft sand to rocky coves

Food Worth Travelling For – Arancini, cannoli, fresh seafood and Arab-influenced sweet-savoury flavours

Layers Of History – Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish all left their mark

Long Sunny Summers – Sea temperatures of about 27°C in July and August

Sicily

A family holiday in Sicily

With young children in Sicily

With young children in Sicily

Little ones love Sicily's soft sand. San Vito Lo Capo has wide white sand and shallows that stay gentle a long way out. Mondello is the easiest town beach near Palermo, and Cefalù adds sunbeds, terraces and a beach playground. At Kamemi Camping Village the large central pool has 70, 120 and 140 cm depths, so toddlers and bigger siblings can all splash together. El Bahira Camping Village has a separate children's pool right next to the adults' pool, with Monte Cofano views for the parents.

With teenagers in Sicily

With teenagers in Sicily

Teenagers get adventure and street life on one island. Hike the Zingaro coastal trail past caves and sea stacks, ride the cable car up Etna to 2,900 m or join a jeep trip, try paddle boarding and snorkelling at Cefalù, and dive into Palermo street food on a tour or cookery course. Camping & Village Rais Gerbi has a private snorkelling cove and a sea-water pool. Mons Gibel Camping Park is ideally located for exploring Mount Etna, with pools and activities for all ages.

As a couple in Sicily

As a couple in Sicily

Couples can mix culture with calm. Stroll among Greek temples at Agrigento and Segesta, explore Palermo's Norman-Arab monuments, Ortigia in Syracuse and Taormina's amphitheatre, then unwind over seafood and local wines. Camping Lilybeo Village & residence is small and peaceful, surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, just 3 km from the sandy beaches of Marsala. Kamemi Camping Village in Ribera is a true gateway to ancient Sicily, and the perfect start for a temple-filled week.

Campsites by the sea in Sicily

Sicily has more than 1,000 km of coastline, from long sandy beaches to rocky coves, so a holiday by the sea comes naturally. Families swim, snorkel and still find temples and towns within a day trip. El Bahira Camping Village sits directly on the sea with direct cliff access to the water. Camping & Village Rais Gerbi is also right on the coast, with a private snorkelling cove and a panoramic sea-water pool.

On holiday with your dog in Sicily

Sicily is a lovely island to explore with your four-legged friend. Think countryside walks, coastal scenery and the wild slopes of Etna and the Madonie mountains. Dogs are welcome at all five of our Sicilian campsites. Mons Gibel Camping Park is immersed in nature near Mount Etna, while Camping Lilybeo Village & residence lies among olive trees and vineyards near Marsala. Pack the lead and the water bowl, and let the whole family enjoy the island together.

Where to stay in Sicily

Our Sicilian campsites suit every style of holiday. Mobile homes at Kamemi Camping Village, El Bahira Camping Village and Camping & Village Rais Gerbi give families comfort and a ready-made base. Chalets and bungalows at Camping Lilybeo Village & residence and Camping & Village Rais Gerbi suit couples and families who want a cosy hideaway. Bringing your own tent or caravan? Camping pitches are available at Camping Lilybeo Village & residence, Camping & Village Rais Gerbi and Mons Gibel Camping Park.

All campsites in Sicily

5 destinations

Kamemi Camping Village

Kamemi Camping Village

by Happy Camp

Ribera, Sicily, Italy

Stacaravan

Central Pool, Three DepthsGateway To Ancient SicilyBeach Within Walking Distance
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Camping & Village Rais Gerbi

Camping & Village Rais Gerbi

Sicily, Italy

Bungalow, Stacaravan, Kampeerplaats

Sea-Water Pool & ViewsPrivate Snorkelling CoveCefalù & Madonie Gateway
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Mons Gibel Camping Park

Mons Gibel Camping Park

Belpasso (CT), Sicily, Italy

Kampeerplaats

Family-friendly campsite with decent facilitiesIdeally located for exploring Mount EtnaImmersed in nature
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Camping Lilybeo Village & residence

Camping Lilybeo Village & residence

Marsala, Sicily, Italy

Bungalow, Kampeerplaats

Family camping with swimming poolDiscover Western SicilyPeaceful at Marsala Beach
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El Bahira Camping Village

El Bahira Camping Village

by Happy Camp

San Vito Lo Capo,, Sicily, Italy

Stacaravan

Pool With Monte Cofano ViewsDirect Cliff Access To SeaClimbing Base Near Zingaro Reserve
View campsite

Things to do in Sicily

Valley of the Temples

Agrigento

UNESCO-listed Greek temples, including the wonderfully intact Temple of Concordia

Segesta Greek Temple

near Castellammare del Golfo

A marvel of Greek architecture in a glorious natural setting

Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve

Western Sicily

Coastal walk past caves, sea stacks and arches, with clear water for snorkelling

San Vito Lo Capo Beach

San Vito Lo Capo

Wide soft sand and gentle shallows, perfect for little paddlers

Cefalù

Cefalù

Sandy beach, historic centre, restaurants and shops, all easy to explore on foot

Palermo Markets and Cathedral

Palermo

Ballarò and Vucciria markets, the Palatine Chapel and Arab, Norman and Baroque flair

Mondello Beach

Mondello

Sandy bay near Palermo, ideal for combining sightseeing with sea time

Mount Etna

Eastern Sicily

Guided crater tours, lava flows and a cable car up to 2,900 m

Taormina and Isola Bella

Taormina

Greek-Roman amphitheatre, cliff-top cafés and a beach with a rocky island

Ortigia

Syracuse

Baroque streets and ancient Greek and Roman ruins on a charming island

Aeolian Islands

Boats from Milazzo

Hot springs, mud baths, hiking and Stromboli's active volcano

Favignana

Egadi Islands

Hop on a boat from Trapani to discover lovely island coves

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Best time to visit Sicily

Late May and early June are lovely, with highs of about 23-27°C on the coast, sea temperatures of 19-24°C and relaxed beaches. High season starts around mid-July. July and August bring about 30°C on the Palermo coast, about 34°C on the Catania plain near Etna, and sea temperatures of 27-28°C. The island is at its liveliest around Ferragosto on 15 August. September stays warm, with highs of about 27°C and sea of 26°C. Late September and October are still pleasant, with highs of about 24°C and sea of about 22°C.

Practical tips

  • By car: Utrecht to Sicily is about 2524 km, around 26 hours of driving without stops.
  • Ferry: The Strait of Messina crossing from Villa San Giovanni takes about 20 minutes, runs 24/7 with departures every 40 minutes, and cars start from €52.40.
  • Overnight option: The Messina–Salerno ferry takes about 9 hours and shortens the drive south.
  • Tolls: German autobahns are toll-free for cars. Via Austria you need a vignette plus €12.50 for the Brenner, and Switzerland also requires a vignette.
  • By plane: Palermo and Catania have year-round flights, including from Amsterdam. Palermo suits Ribera, San Vito Lo Capo, Cefalù and Marsala, Catania suits Etna, and Trapani is 16 km from Marsala.
  • Historic centres: Catania, Taormina, Syracuse, Noto and Marsala have limited-traffic zones, so park just outside and enjoy the walk in.
  • Daily rhythm: Many restaurants close from about 14:30 to 19:30 and supermarkets pause until 16:00. Dinner starts around 19:30.
  • Food to try: Arancini, cannoli, fresh seafood, and panelle and sfincione in Palermo.

Our tip: choose your campsite by the coast you want to wake up on, then build your days around it. For beach-lovers with small children we love the west. San Vito Lo Capo has some of the softest, gentlest sand on the island, and El Bahira Camping Village puts you right on the sea. If your family wants snorkelling and a lively historic town, Camping & Village Rais Gerbi has its own private cove and Cefalù on the doorstep. Etna fans should head east to Mons Gibel Camping Park and book a cable car or jeep trip. Whatever you pick, plan one big culture day, for example the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, and keep the rest for the sea. Our other tip is to park outside historic centres such as Catania and Taormina. The limited-traffic zones are camera-controlled, and a short walk in is part of the fun. Finally, do as the Sicilians do: eat late, order arancini for the beach and save room for a cannolo.

— Our specialist

All campsites in Sicily at a glance

Camping & Village Rais Gerbi · Camping Lilybeo Village & residence · El Bahira Camping Village · Kamemi Camping Village · Mons Gibel Camping Park

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Frequently asked questions: Sicily

Is Sicily good for a camping holiday with children?

Absolutely. Sicily has sandy beaches for little ones and outdoor adventures such as Etna for older children. Kamemi Camping Village has a large central pool with 70, 120 and 140 cm depths, so every age can swim safely. Add temples, boat trips and ice cream, and the whole family is happy.

Which part of Sicily is best for young children?

San Vito Lo Capo has wide soft sand and shallows that stay gentle far out. Cefalù and Mondello are also easy, sandy options with services close by. At El Bahira Camping Village in San Vito Lo Capo, a separate children's pool sits right beside the adults' pool.

How long is the drive from the Netherlands to Sicily?

From Utrecht it is about 2524 km, roughly 26 hours of driving without stops. The ferry across the Strait of Messina takes about 20 minutes and runs around the clock. Prefer to fly? Palermo and Catania both have year-round flights, including from Amsterdam.

When is the best time to camp in Sicily?

For sunshine and warm sea, go from June to September. Expect about 27°C in June and about 30°C on the coast in July and August, with the sea at about 27°C. Late May, early June and late September are slightly calmer. October is still mild, with highs of about 24°C.

Do we need a car on a camping holiday in Sicily?

Yes, a car is the best way to see the island. Sicily is large, so choose day trips close to your campsite. Mons Gibel Camping Park is ideally located for Mount Etna, and Camping Lilybeo Village & residence is the place to discover western Sicily.