Guide to the 20 Most Beautiful and Unmissable Carnivals in Sicily

Recommended itineraries in 1, 3 and 5 days

Sicily is one of the Italian regions where Carnival is experienced with the greatest intensity. Monumental allegorical floats, unique handcrafted costumes, satire, music and centuries-old traditions turn towns and cities into real open-air stages.

In this guide you will discover the 20 most beautiful Carnivals in Sicily and how to visit them in 1, 3 or 5 days, optimizing travel and available time.

The 20 Most Beautiful Carnivals in Sicily

1. Acireale (CT)
2. Sciacca (AG)
3. Misterbianco (CT)
4. Termini Imerese (PA)
5. Ravanusa (AG)
6. Casteltermini (AG)
7. Porto Empedocle (AG)
8. Casteldaccia (PA)
9. Acquedolci (ME)
10. Brolo (ME)
11. Castelbuono (PA)
12. Paternò (CT)
13. Belpasso (CT)
14. Melilli (SR)
15. Palazzolo Acreide (SR)
16. Avola (SR)
17. Partanna (TP)
18. Mazara del Vallo (TP)
19. Licata (AG)
20. Augusta (SR)

Sicilian Carnival Itinerary – 1 Day

Ideal for a day trip or a short break

If you only have one day, the best choice is to focus on a major iconic Carnival that is easy to reach.

Recommended:

• Acireale Carnival – The most spectacular in Sicily
• Sciacca Carnival – One of the oldest and most engaging
• Misterbianco Carnival – Famous for its artistic costumes

Travel tip: avoid using a private car on peak days. An NCC transfer service allows you to arrive directly at the event center without stress, traffic or parking issues.

Sicilian Carnival Itinerary – 3 Days

Perfect for a long weekend

In 3 days you can combine several Carnivals within the same geographical area, alternating major events and charming towns.

Eastern Sicily Option (Catania – Syracuse)

• Day 1: Acireale
• Day 2: Misterbianco and Belpasso
• Day 3: Melilli or Palazzolo Acreide

Western Sicily Option (Agrigento – Palermo)

• Day 1: Sciacca
• Day 2: Ravanusa and Casteltermini
• Day 3: Termini Imerese or Casteldaccia

Travel tip: with a dedicated driver you can visit multiple events on the same day, including evening ones, returning comfortably to your hotel.

Sicilian Carnival Itinerary – 5 Days

The complete experience for true enthusiasts

Five days allow you to experience the very best of Sicilian Carnival, traveling across several provinces.

Recommended itinerary

Day 1 – Catania

• Acireale
• Paternò or Belpasso

Day 2 – Syracuse

• Melilli
• Palazzolo Acreide
• Avola

Day 3 – Agrigento

• Sciacca
• Porto Empedocle
• Licata

Day 4 – Palermo

• Termini Imerese
• Casteldaccia
• Castelbuono

Day 5 – Trapani / Messina

• Mazara del Vallo or Partanna
• Brolo or Acquedolci

Travel tip: this itinerary is ideal with a customized NCC transfer, optimizing distances, schedules and stops without constraints.

Why visit Sicilian Carnivals with a private transfer

• No parking issues
• Maximum flexibility with schedules
• Comfort even for families and groups
• Direct connections from airports, ports and hotels
• Possibility of tailor-made itineraries

On www.tdstransfer.it you can organize personalized tourist transfers to enjoy Sicilian Carnival in total relaxation.

When to book

Sicilian Carnivals attract thousands of visitors every year. It is recommended to:

• book transfers and accommodation well in advance
• choose weekdays if possible
• rely on local operators for an authentic experience

The 10 Must-Try Foods in Sicily During Carnival

Sicily, during Carnival, expresses the best of its gastronomic tradition, especially through fried sweets and popular dishes linked to the celebration.

1. Chiacchiere (or “frappe” / “bugie”)
   Crispy fried pastry sheets dusted with powdered sugar. In Sicily they are often enriched with honey or orange zest.
2. Sicilian cannoli
   An icon of Sicilian pastry, symbolically linked to Carnival. Crunchy shell filled with sheep’s milk ricotta, often with orange peel or chocolate.
3. Sfinci of Saint Joseph
   Soft fried pastries filled with sweet ricotta and decorated with pistachio or candied orange. Very common around Palermo and the Agrigento area.
4. Ricotta cassatelle
   Fried half-moon pastries filled with sweetened ricotta, typical of inland Sicily and widely found during local festivals.
5. Arancini / Arancine
   A staple at Carnival events and festivals. Fried rice balls filled with ragù, butter or pistachio, perfect street food between parades.
6. Messina pignolata
   A typical Messina dessert: small fried dough balls coated with lemon and chocolate glaze. Colorful, scenic and closely associated with Carnival.
7. Rice fritters
   Sweet rice-based fritters flavored with cinnamon or citrus, especially typical of eastern Sicily.
8. Fried sweet ravioli
   Filled with sweet ricotta, custard or chocolate. Found in many areas of the island during Carnival.
9. Panelle and crocchè
   Classic Palermo street food: chickpea fritters and potato croquettes, ideal for a savory break during festivities.
10. Wine, rosoli and artisanal liqueurs
    During Carnival there is no shortage of tastings of traditional rosoli, local wines and citrus liqueurs, often offered during village events.

Tip for travelers

During Carnival many of these products can be found:

• along parade routes
• in historic bakeries and pastry shops
• at temporary village food festivals

Traveling with a private transfer makes it easy to stop in villages and taste local specialties without time constraints.

FAQ – The Most Beautiful Carnivals in Sicily

1. Which is the most famous Carnival in Sicily?
   The Acireale Carnival is considered the most famous and spectacular in Sicily, known for its mechanized allegorical floats and flower-decorated floats, unique of their kind.
2. When do Carnivals take place in Sicily?
   Sicilian Carnivals generally take place between late January and mid-February, with events concentrated on weekends and in the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday.
3. Is it possible to visit several Carnivals in a few days?
   Yes, with good planning it is possible to visit several Carnivals in 1, 3 or 5 days, especially by choosing events within the same geographical area.
4. Which Carnivals are most suitable for families with children?
   The Carnivals of Acireale, Sciacca, Misterbianco, Termini Imerese and Castelbuono are particularly suitable for families thanks to afternoon shows and areas dedicated to children.
5. Is it better to travel by car or with a private transfer?
   During Carnival days traffic and parking are often limited. A private NCC transfer is the ideal solution to reach historic centers without stress and with greater comfort.
6. From which airports is it easy to reach Sicilian Carnivals?
   The main Carnivals are easily reachable from the airports of Catania, Palermo and Trapani, especially via direct transfers to event locations.
7. How far in advance should the transfer be booked?
   During Carnival it is recommended to book the transfer at least 1–2 weeks in advance, especially for the busiest weekends.
8. Do Carnivals in Sicily take place in bad weather?
   Yes, in most cases parades take place even with less-than-perfect weather conditions, except in cases of severe weather that may cause schedule changes.
9. Is it possible to organize a customized itinerary?
   Certainly. You can create tailor-made itineraries combining multiple Carnivals, cultural visits and food stops, adapting the trip to your needs.
10. Why choose TDS Transfer to visit Carnivals in Sicily?
    TDS Transfer offers:
    • customized private transfers
    • experienced local drivers
    • comfort and punctuality
    • direct connections from airports, ports and hotels
    making the Sicilian Carnival experience easier, safer and more relaxing.
    To book click here: www.tdstransfer.it

Recommended information by TDS

• Official Acireale Carnival website (Italian) — information, program and history of the event. Acireale Carnival – official website
• Official Acireale Carnival website (English) — international version with useful details for foreign tourists. Acireale Carnival – official English site
• Visit Sicily – official page on Carnival in Sicily — overview of the main Carnivals, traditions, masks and festivities on the island. Carnival in Sicily – Visit Sicily official guide
• Italia.it – Carnival in Sicily — official national tourism promotion site with information on celebrations and customs. Carnival in Sicily – Italia.it guide (IT)
• Italia.it – Carnival in Sicily (English) — English guide to Sicilian Carnivals, with historical notes and travel tips. Carnival in Sicily – Italia.it (EN)
• VivaSicilia – Carnival 2026 calendar and dates — list of Carnival events in Sicily with dates and locations. Carnival festivals in Sicily – VivaSicilia
• CityMapSicilia – traditions and folklore of Sicilian Carnival — in-depth look at Acireale, Misterbianco, Sciacca and other Carnivals. Carnival in Sicily – traditions and folklore
• A Piece of Sicily – Guide to the Acireale Carnival — in-depth English-language travel guide to Sicily’s main Carnival event. The Carnival of Acireale – A Piece of Sicily
• Wikipedia – Peppe Nappa — page about the symbolic mask of the Sciacca Carnival, useful for cultural context. Sicilian mask Peppe Nappa – Wikipedia