Yacht Charter Sicily

Yacht Charter in Sicily

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and one of the most culturally complex and historically layered destinations in the world. Positioned at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Sicily has been occupied and shaped by Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, and Italians, and every civilisation has left its mark on the island's architecture, cuisine, and language. For yacht charter, Sicily offers an extraordinary combination of natural beauty — the volcanic spectacle of Mount Etna and the Aeolian Islands, the extraordinary beaches of the south and west, the dramatic cliffs of the Zingaro Nature Reserve — with a cultural density that could fill months of exploration. The island is large enough to provide a full two-week charter itinerary without retracing a single mile.

Palermo and the Northwest

Palermo, the Sicilian capital, is one of the most fascinating cities in Italy — its Arab-Norman architecture (a style found nowhere else in the world, created by Norman kings who employed Arab and Byzantine craftsmen) visible in the extraordinary Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral of Monreale on the hillside above the city, and the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti with its red domed roof. The Balaro and Vucciria markets, among the most vibrant street markets in Italy, sell an overwhelming abundance of fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, and street food. The extraordinary Baroque towns of the Val di Noto — Noto, Ragusa, and Modica — in the southeast are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the finest examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture.

The Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago off Sicily's northern coast, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the highlights of any Sicilian charter itinerary. The seven main islands — Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, and Panarea — each have a distinct character. Stromboli, a near-perfectly conical active volcano that erupts in small explosions every 20 to 30 minutes, is one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles in the Mediterranean: watching the night eruptions from the deck of a yacht anchored below is an experience that is difficult to forget. Panarea, the smallest inhabited island, is the most exclusive resort in the Aeolians, with excellent restaurants and a glamorous clientele. Salina, the greenest island, produces the finest Malvasia dessert wine in Italy.

Sciacca and the Southern Coast

The southern coast of Sicily, facing North Africa across the narrowest part of the Mediterranean, is the least-visited by charter yachts and perhaps the most rewarding for those willing to explore it. The ancient city of Agrigento, with its Valley of the Temples — seven Doric temples dating from the 5th century BC arranged along a ridge above the sea — is one of the great archaeological sites of the ancient world. The beaches of the Riserva Naturale di Torre Salsa and the Scala dei Turchi (a white marl cliff sculpted by wind and waves into a natural staircase) are among the most beautiful natural features on any Mediterranean coastline.