Is Sicily expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Sicily is one of the better-value regions of Italy: a budget day costs about €100 per person and a mid-range day about €190, cheaper than Rome, Florence or the Amalfi Coast. Taormina hotels, a hire car with fuel and tolls, and the big archaeological sites are the main costs; street food, B&Bs and granita are cheap.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €40 | €80 | €220 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €35 | €90 |
| Local transport | €20 | €30 | €60 |
| Per person, per day | €100 | €190 | €460 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Sicily day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Arancina from a bakery or stall | about €2-3 |
| Panelle sandwich at Ballarò market | about €2-4 |
| Granita with brioche | about €3-5 |
| Palatine Chapel and Norman Palace | about €19 |
| Valley of the Temples, Agrigento | about €12-15 |
| Ancient Theatre of Taormina | about €14 |
| Etna cable car (to about 2,500 m) | about €50+ |
| Mid-range double in Ortigia | €120-220 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost, especially in Taormina (€300-800 for comfort hotels) and Ortigia in summer, though B&Bs in Palermo and Syracuse are good value at €70-110. Most visitors hire a car, which with fuel and motorway tolls adds about €20-30 per person a day when shared. Sight tickets of €12-20 each and the Etna cable car add up; food is cheap if you eat street food and in trattorias.
When it is cheaper
From November to March (outside Christmas and Easter), rooms and hire cars are usually much cheaper, often 30-40% below July and August; April-May and October offer good weather at lower prices than high summer.
How to spend less
- Eat street food in Palermo's markets: arancine, panelle and sfincione cost a few euros.
- Stay in B&Bs and agriturismi rather than hotels; many include breakfast.
- Do not drive in Palermo, Catania or old-town ZTL zones; pick up the car on the way out to avoid fines.
- Look for the first-Sunday-of-the-month free entry at many state museums and sites (check current rules).
- Use Interbus, SAIS and AST buses between cities if you are not touring the countryside.
- Visit Taormina by day and sleep in a cheaper town nearby such as Giardini Naxos.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Sicily cost?
About €100 per person on a budget, €190 mid-range and €460 for comfort, sharing a double and a hire car.
Is Sicily cheaper than the rest of Italy?
Generally yes, especially for food and B&Bs; Taormina is the main exception.
Do I need a car in Sicily?
It is the best way to tour, but not essential between the main cities, which buses link well.