A small volcanic island north of Palermo, and Italy's first marine reserve. A full Ustica guide is being written — in the meantime, here is where it sits, and how to reach it.
© OpenFreeMap · OSM · terrain Mapterhorn · boundaries © EuroGeographics (Eurostat GISCO)
Getting there
- Access
- Hydrofoil from Palermo (1h20)
Other islands in the region
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Aeolian Islands Seven volcanic islands off northern Sicily — one of them still erupting -
Favignana & the Egadi Islands Tuna-fishery islands off Trapani, with Europe's largest marine reserve -
Pantelleria A black volcanic island closer to Africa than to Sicily, with no beaches and famous wine -
Lampedusa & the Pelagie Islands Italy's southernmost point — geologically African, with Rabbit Beach
On the mainland
Where to base yourself either side of the crossing.
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Palermo Arab-Norman palaces, street food and Sicily's rowdy capital -
Catania Black lava baroque under Etna, and Sicily's best fish market -
Syracuse Ortigia's island old town and the greatest Greek theatre in Sicily -
Noto The set-piece of Sicilian late baroque, rebuilt after the 1693 quake -
Ragusa Two towns on two hills — Ibla is the beautiful one -
Taormina A cliff-top Greek theatre looking straight at Etna -
Agrigento The base for the Valley of the Temples — Italian Capital of Culture 2025
Nearby highlights
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Valley of the Temples Eight Doric temples on a ridge above Agrigento, built from 510 BC -
Scala dei Turchi A blinding white marl cliff stepping down into the sea -
Mount Etna Europe's highest and most active volcano, at around 3,350 m and rising -
Taormina Greek Theatre A Hellenistic theatre framing Etna — still used for summer concerts -
Stromboli An island volcano that has erupted every few minutes for 2,000 years -
Monreale Cathedral 6,500 m² of Byzantine gold mosaic in a Norman cathedral above Palermo -
Cappella Palatina The Norman kings' chapel — Byzantine mosaics under an Arab wooden ceiling -
Ballarò Market Palermo's loudest street market, and the best place to eat standing up