Sicily Elopement Guide for Australian Couples
Why elope in Sicily?
Fewer weddings, more room. Places like Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast are some of Italy's busiest wedding spots. Sicily has space.
Lots of variety close together. Beaches, cliffs, old towns and a volcano.
Food and wine. You’re in Italy, of course food and wine is impeccable! Long lunches are part of the day.
Warm into late September. You can still swim.
Where to elope in Sicily
Our advice: choose somewhere easy for everyone to get to. That includes your guests. Being close to an airport or a major train station makes the whole trip simpler. We don't lock couples into fixed spots in Sicily, so here's how the popular areas compare.
Taormina: about an hour by train from Catania, or around 50 minutes' drive from Catania airport.
Syracuse and Ortigia: about an hour by train from Catania.
Cefalù: about an hour by train from Palermo.
Noto: easiest with a car.
Aeolian Islands: ferry or hydrofoil needed, so harder for guests.
Taormina. A hilltop town on the east coast above the sea, with views of Mount Etna and an ancient Greek theatre. The most famous spot on the island, and the busiest.
Syracuse and Ortigia. Ortigia is the old island centre of Syracuse, joined by bridges. Pale stone streets, a cathedral square and the sea on every side.
Noto. A small town in the south-east known for honey-coloured baroque buildings and grand church steps.
Cefalù. A beach town on the north coast with a cathedral backed by a huge rock. About an hour from Palermo.
The Aeolian Islands. Volcanic islands off the north coast, including Lipari, Salina and Panarea. Reached by ferry or hydrofoil. Quiet, rugged and very beautiful.
Is September a good time to elope in Sicily?
Yes.
Day temperature: around 27°C.
Night temperature: around 19°C on the coast.
Sea temperature: around 25°C.
Crowds: easing after August.
Light: hot and bright at midday, golden in the late afternoon.
Plan around the heat. A ceremony in the late afternoon is cooler, and the light is far better for photos.
How to get to Sicily from Australia
Fly to Catania or Palermo. There are no direct flights from Australia. Expect one or two stops, often through a bigger European or Middle Eastern airport.
Get around. Hiring a car is the easiest way to see more than one area. A driver is easier on the day.
For the Aeolian Islands, take a ferry or hydrofoil from Milazzo on the north coast.
Pick your base first. Sicily is bigger than it looks. Taormina to Palermo is about three hours by car.
What does a Sicily elopement cost?
For two people from Australia, the main costs are flights, accommodation, your photographer and celebrant, and extras like a driver, hair and makeup and a long lunch or dinner. Our indicative total for Sicily is around $18,000 to $25,000, based on research in September 2026.
Full budget: How Much Does It Cost to Elope in Europe from Australia?
Sicily or Lake Como?
Feel. Sicily: the sea, old stone towns and a volcano. Lake Como: villas, gardens, mountains and calm water.
September day temperature. Sicily: around 27°C. Lake Como: around 20 to 22°C.
Wedding crowds. Sicily: much quieter. Lake Como: busy.
Swimming. Sicily: yes, with the sea around 25°C. Lake Como: possible, but cooler.
Getting there. Sicily: fly to Catania or Palermo. Lake Como: fly to Milan.
Read the Lake Como elopement guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you elope in Sicily?
Yes. Most Australian couples marry legally at home, before or after the trip, and have a symbolic ceremony in Sicily. Legal ceremonies at Italian town halls are also possible with the right paperwork.
What's the best month to elope in Sicily?
May, June, September and early October. September is warm with a warm sea and fewer crowds than August.
Which airport is best for Sicily?
Catania for Taormina, Syracuse and Noto. Palermo for Cefalù and the west.
Is Sicily cheaper than Lake Como for an elopement?
Often. Accommodation in Syracuse, Noto and Cefalù is usually cheaper than on Lake Como. Taormina is the exception. Our indicative total for a Sicily elopement is around $18,000 to $25,000, based on research in September 2026.
Can we bring guests to a Sicily elopement?
Yes. Lovefool's Italy elopements go up to about 30 guests. Choose somewhere close to an airport or a major train station so everyone can get there easily.
Where's the easiest place in Sicily for guests to reach?
Taormina, Syracuse and Cefalù are each about an hour by train from Catania or Palermo.
About Lovefool Elopements
Lovefool Elopements is a photographer and celebrant team from Newcastle, NSW. Emily photographs on digital and 35mm film. Izzy is an authorised Australian marriage celebrant. In mid-September 2027 they're running elopements and small weddings in Sicily, after Lake Como, for Australian and international couples.