Mostly known for its portrayal in Hollywood films and TV shows, Sicily is an incredibly beautiful, serene area. As the third-most affordable region in Italy, Sicily is quickly becoming a favorite for expats, retirees, digital nomads, and more.
Quality of life is the main criterion for our list of the five best towns in Sicily for English-speaking expats, and that means different things for different people. So we’ll break down exactly what you’d have to look forward to and the disadvantages, too, if you’re contemplating moving to Sicily, Italy.
What you can look forward to in Sicily
There are some consistent qualities that you can look forward to when moving to Italy and, more specifically, Sicily itself.
The Mediterranean climate provides crystal-clear skies for most of the year, mild winters, and hot and dry summers (though this hot climate may not be ideal for everyone).
Also, this is home to some of the oldest cities in the world, and each place on our list can boast about its cultural richness. You’ll find historical and archeological sites, tons of museums, and vibrant local traditions.
Finally, it can’t be an article about Italy without mentioning food. You’ll find authentic Sicilian cuisine, known for its delicious seafood, pasta dishes, sweets, and unique local flavors.
Living in Sicily will have its general challenges; you certainly won’t find as many locals speaking English here compared to the mainland, and their Sicilian dialect is tougher to learn compared to traditional Italian.
Plus, the culture shock of being a foreigner can make you easily feel excluded, alienated, and lonely. Many people in Sicily are more traditionalists, so they won’t be shy in pointing out that you’re a foreigner.
Probably the worst aspect of living in Sicily is the lack of job opportunities for English speakers, generally speaking. The region is one of the poorest in the country, and many people don’t work.
But if you accept the lifestyle, learn the Sicilian-Italian dialect, and embrace the chaos that living in Italy sometimes provides, then you’ll really love this region.
Here are the best places to live in Sicily for English-speakers:
5. Messina
Known as the gateway to Italy, Messina is a harbor city off the coast of the mainland “toe” of Italy and begins our list of best towns in Sicily at number five. As an ancient port, historically and in the present, this town has been a multicultural crossroads since prehistoric times.
Messina sits between the sea and mountains, making it surreally beautiful. The city’s history, natural beauty, and convenient location also make it a major port town for cruise ships. This not only makes it a promising place for English-speaking workers but also brings in a ton of foreigners to the town (whether that’s a good thing is up to you to decide).
Messina is also the home of the University of Messina, founded in 1548. There are over 25,000 students enrolled in the university, which makes up a sizeable amount of the city’s population of around 237,000.
Housing, too, is affordable compared to the rest of Italy, though it does make it to the top five cities in Sicily. However, at $104 per square foot and average home prices at just $208,000, this is one of the best affordable cities to live in Italy, especially considering its location.
However, this city does come with some negatives. For one, though the city is largely walkable, there is very little public transportation, so many people find it difficult to live here without a car.
Plus, with the historical significance of so many of the buildings, if you choose to buy property here, you may find it difficult to make any alterations.
4. Trapani
On the western side of the island of Sicily, Trapani sits on the coast where the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Seas meet. This town is much smaller than most of the cities on our list, around 80,000, a perfect home for anyone looking for a quiet getaway.
From there, you can take ferries to the small islands off the coast of Sicily, Favignana, and Levanso for fishing, biking, and enjoying the natural, rocky landscapes. The town has plenty of architectural and cultural landmarks, museums, restaurants, and more for families to enjoy.
What sets Trapani apart is that it’s a Ryanair hub. You’ll find cheap flights all over Italy, Europe, and Africa from the airport, making it a great launching point for expats looking to travel abroad quickly and cheaply.
Trapani also offers a very inexpensive cost of living, at $90 per square foot, with homes averaging around $180,000. This for the property near plenty of amazing beaches and incredible weather makes it worth every penny.
On the flip side, though, you may find the city a bit of a challenge if you don’t speak Italian or are more into nightlife; this probably isn’t the right place for you. Though the airport is a short drive away, you can easily feel isolated in such a small town.
Additionally, if you’re planning on moving here as a digital worker, you may want to research the best areas to find high-speed internet, as it may be limited in most areas.
3. Siracusa
Like every town in Sicily and Italy as a whole, Siracusa, also known as Syracuse, boasts a fascinating history, taking influences from ancient Greek and Roman architecture. Ortigia, the city’s historic center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features well-preserved ancient ruins and Baroque buildings.
The town center isn’t the only thing beautiful about Siracusa; you’ll also find the city’s location, on the eastern coast of the Ionian Sea, gives you year-round stunning sea views and access to pristine beaches. Hiking, biking, scuba diving, fishing, and more are all outdoor activities you can find on a daily basis.
Though the town is relatively smaller compared to the larger Sicilian towns, around 122,000 in a widely spread out area, you’ll find a community of friendly, outgoing people. Plus, the bigger cities like Catania are only an hour’s drive away.
You’ll also find property much cheaper here compared to bigger cities like Catania and Palermo. Price per square foot starts at $109, while homes average for around $218,000. The town also has great internet infrastructure, and you’ll easily be able to find a home or apartment with consistent high-speed internet.
The smaller community may pose some challenges, too, as you’ll be very limited in finding networking opportunities. However, the more Sicily is on the radar of expats, the more you’ll find these smaller communities. Whether that’s a good thing or not is up for debate.
2. Palermo
Despite its reputation for being ugly and unsafe, Palermo is a vibrant city with a rich history and warm, friendly locals. One of the main reasons to move to Palermo is that it hasn’t been overrun by mass tourism yet, so you can truly immerse yourself in the local culture and way of life.
The street food in Palermo has been named the best in Europe, and you can indulge in delicious treats like arancini, chickpea fritters, and the famous Sicilian cannoli. The city is also known for its historic street markets, where you can find cheap local produce and experience the bustling atmosphere.
Palermo also offers plenty of sightseeing opportunities. You can visit the Capuchin Monastery and Catacombs, where you can see mummified corpses dating back centuries. The Teatro Massimo is the largest opera house in Italy and a must-visit for music lovers. Quattro Canti, Palermo’s most famous intersection, showcases the city’s unique blend of architectural styles.
The reason why Palermo only makes it number two on this list is because it has many negatives. Rude people, poor safety, and inconsistent trash collection are just a few things people say about Palermo. On top of this, this is the most densely-populated and expensive city in Sicily.
Palermo is also the most expensive city in terms of homes and apartments in the region, with home prices averaging around $270,000, or $135 per square foot. However, with over 673,000 people and as the biggest city on the island, this is still insanely cheap compared to other areas of Italy and Europe in general.
1. Catania
Steeped in history and undergoing a modern cultural renaissance, Catania is a mid-sized town that combines the charm of the old world with the vibrancy of the new. This melding of the old and new makes it our number one for best towns in Sicily for expats to live.
Traditional outdoor markets offering the day’s fresh catch and locally-grown produce continue to thrive, offering a glimpse into the authentic Sicilian lifestyle. The streets are lined with patisseries, displaying fresh cannoli and cassata di Sant’Agata, two of the most popular Sicilian treats.
In recent years, Catania’s historic center has undergone a transformation. International investors have recognized its potential and are investing in the town, leading new art districts, cultural centers, galleries, wineries, coworking spaces, and cafes. The once-gritty streets have been revitalized, with twinkling lights and cozy tables for two.
Living in Catania as an expat offers the opportunity to experience both the old authentic Sicily and the emerging modern Sicily. Foodies, artists, history buffs, and nomadic travelers have already placed Catania on their top destination list. They return time and again to witness the ongoing changes and immerse themselves in the local culture.
This town is the second most expensive on our list behind Palermo, with homes averaging around $246,000 and $123 per square foot. With a population of around 313,000, this still presents a great opportunity for inexpensive living.
Air pollution is also a major concern for Catania, as a large port city and its proximity to Mount Etna, an active volcano, so if you have breathing issues or are worried about air quality, then there might be a better place for you.
