Ustica day trip from Palermo
A day trip to Ustica from Palermo: a morning boat round the island to the Grotta Azzurra and the sea caves, the village and its painted murals around Piazza Umberto I, the archaeological museum in the Torre di Santa Maria, then the climb to the Rocca della Falconiera above the harbour. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Ustica in 1 day
Day 1
Boat trip round the island and the Grotta Azzurra
Boat round the volcanic coast, stopping at sea caves such as the Grotta Azzurra and at coves for a swim in clear water.
Historic centre of Ustica (Piazza Umberto I and the murals)
Small village of pastel houses round Piazza Umberto I, with murals painted on the walls of its lanes and cafés on the square.
Torre di Santa Maria (Archaeological Museum)
Bourbon watchtower above the harbour, home to the island's archaeological museum with finds from its prehistoric villages and from the sea.
Rocca della Falconiera
Rocky hill just above the village with remains of an ancient settlement and a Bourbon fort, and views over the whole island.
Getting there
Hydrofoils from Palermo harbour reach Ustica in about an hour and a half, and a slower car ferry also sails; there are more crossings in summer. Crossings can be cancelled in rough sea. On the island the village, the museum and the Falconiera are all a short walk from the port.
Staying in Palermo? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Ustica
June and September are ideal: warm, clear water for snorkelling and fewer visitors than in August. Spring is good for walking the island's paths, though some boats only start later. In winter crossings are fewer and the sea is often rough.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Ustica on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Ustica on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Ustica on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Ustica
- Take the first hydrofoil from Palermo and check the last one back; rough sea can cancel crossings, so have a plan B.
- Boats round the island leave from the harbour below the village, mainly from spring to autumn; ask at the port in the morning.
- The whole coast is a protected marine reserve: snorkelling is excellent, but follow the rules on where boats and swimmers may go.
- Bring water shoes: the coast is volcanic rock, and swimming is from rocks and natural pools rather than beaches.
- Try the island's small lentils, a Slow Food presidium, in a soup at lunch in the village.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Boat trip round the island and the Grotta Azzurra: Lauraguarnieri, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Ustica (Piazza Umberto I and the murals): Pavla Mačoková from Praga, Repubblica Ceca, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Rocca della Falconiera: Accurimbono, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Torre di Santa Maria (Archaeological Museum): Accurimbono, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
