Territory capital · Italy
Ustica
Spend 1–2 days on Ustica for diving, snorkeling and a quick island walk; skip if you lack a day for a ferry from Palermo.
Ustica is a tiny volcanic island (8 km²) north of Palermo, famed for crystal‑clear waters and a marine reserve. A day‑trip covers the main village and a dive; a second day lets you rent a scooter and explore the coastline.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Oct (warm sea, low rain)
- avoid Nov–Apr (cool sea, fewer ferry services)
- Airport
- PMO
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ustica113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ustica, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Italy-wide
- SIM or eSIMTIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at airports; a passport and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale…Italy-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe unless signed otherwise; Rome's nasoni fountains run all day.Italy-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Coperto or service may already be on the bill; leave €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) a person or round up for good service.Italy-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Italy-wide
- SafetycheckUstica is low‑risk; main concerns are sea conditions for diving and limited medical facilities – carry a basic first‑aid kit and check weather before…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 115 fire · 118 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany state museums close on Monday; the Vatican Museums close on most Sundays.Italy-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPMO Palermo Falcone Borsellino (Main gateway; 70 km (43 mi) ferry to Ustica (≈1 h 15 min).).PMO Palermo Falcone Borsellino (Main gateway; 43 mi (70 km) ferry to Ustica (≈1 h 15 min).).
- Getting aroundOne mini‑bus serves the island; most visitors rent a scooter (≈€30 day) for flexibility.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PMO Palermo Falcone Borsellino (Main gateway; 70 km (43 mi) ferry to Ustica (≈1 h 15 min).)PMO Palermo Falcone Borsellino (Main gateway; 43 mi (70 km) ferry to Ustica (≈1 h 15 min).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Avoid
16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)
Apr
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (85°F)85°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (87°F)87°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (60°F)60°F (15°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (87°F)87°F (30°C)), coolest Feb (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Oct (79 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ustica: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
60 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
53 rd
Mar
16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
39 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
34 rd
May
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
15°C (60°F)60°F (15°C)
19 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (85°F)85°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Aug
30°C (87°F)87°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
21 rd
Sep
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
21°C (69°F)69°F (21°C)
61 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
79 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
73 rd
Dec
15°C (60°F)60°F (15°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
72 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
One mini‑bus serves the island; most visitors rent a scooter (≈€30 day) for flexibility. Walking is easy in the village.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Palermo
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h including boarding
Siremar ferry from Palermo port, 75 min crossing
Round‑trip ferry for a day visit to the city or to catch connections.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ustica Tour houses and villas
Central location, pier transfer available.
Gulia Hotel
Small hotel in town centre.
Stella Marina residence
Self‑catering apartments near the sea.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- €100 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Ferry (Palermo → Ustica) passengerCheck for seasonal variations. | €38 (≈ US$45) |
| Scooter rental (full day)Check availability. | ≈€30 |
| Dive centre day dive (incl. gear)Prices vary by centre; check. | ≈€70–€90 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedules vary by season; check Siremar times before travel.
- Only one mini‑bus, limited frequency – plan around its timetable.
- Summer can bring crowds to the main square; arrive early for a quiet stroll.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 115
- Medical
- 118
- Coast Guard
- 1530
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
UsticaUstica
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire115
- Medical118
- Coast Guard1530
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Palermo → Ustica ferry (Siremar): ≈ €38 per person, 75 min crossing (check schedule).
Say or show
- Ciao / Scusi — Hello / Excuse me (ciao / scusi)
- Quanto costa? — How much does it cost? (quanto costa?)
- Dove è il terminal del traghetto? — Where is the ferry terminal? (dove è il terminal del traghetto?)
All information checked 2026; verify ferry times before travel.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ustica. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (warm sea, low rain) · avoid Nov–Apr (cool sea, fewer ferry services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Ustica
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