Looking for a Sicilian getaway for less than the price of a coffee? It’s not as unrealistic as you’d expect.
The small seaside town of Siculiana is offering a three-night weekend escape for just €1 (84p) to attract visitors during the off-peak season and put the town on the map.
The initiative is similar to Italy’s €1 home schemes, where buyers can purchase old houses in remote regions for next to nothing, all with the aim of reinvigorating local economies.
As part of this limited weekend escape package, all visitors will have to pay is Sicily’s €1 tourist tax, with accommodation, meals and guided tours included in the price.
Other than that, they’ll just have to cover their travel to the picturesque village, which sits around 18km west of Agrigento on Sicily’s west coast.
Fancy your chances of winning? Here’s how to apply.
How to apply for €1 holiday in Sicily
To apply for the €1 getaway, you must submit an original video explaining why you want to participate.
If you’re stuck for ideas, the Siculiana Tourism Board suggests several reasons ‘why’, including: ‘We deserve a holiday,’ ‘We love Sicily,’ and ‘We want to eat Sicilian food.’
Applicants must be over 18 and submit their videos in pairs. You must also include your relationship (such as friends, family, or spouses), ages, city of residence, and telephone and email contact details in your submission.
Each application will be judged by the Tourism Board based on a number of factors, including originality and creativity, reasons expressed, enthusiasm and desire to discover Siculiana.
A total of 10 couples will be selected, and the first holiday will run from April 4 to April 6, following the announcement of the winners by March 20.
You better be quick to be in with a chance of winning though, as the deadline for the application is March 15.
What does the €1 holiday include?
The lucky winners will spend a weekend in Siciliana organised by the Tourism Board.
The holiday includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a two-night stay at one of Siculiana Turistica’s partner facilities.
A welcome drink at the hotel will be provided, as well as a drink to conclude the break by the marina.
Guided tours of the most historically significant places in the town will also be provided.
Aside from the €1 tourist tax, winners will be expected to record a video diary of their experiences in Siculiana, sharing the highlights of their day with the Tourism Board.
What is there to do in Siculiana?
Like many Italian towns, Siciliana tends to be quiet in autumn and winter – and in recent decades, the population has declined (dropping from 5,000 to 4,000 in the past 20 years) as many young people moved on to larger Italian cities or abroad.
This new promotion aims to boost tourism and attract newcomers, especially during the slower months.
Despite its size, the town has plenty to offer; in particular, the Siculiana Marina and the Torres Salsa Nature Reserve, which boasts ‘pristine beaches and breathtaking scenery’, according to Siculiana Turistica.
There’s also the 14th-century Chiaramonte castle, which perches on the edge of a rocky cliff, and a number of churches and monuments to the region’s history.
Additionally, Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, the Italian Capital of Culture for 2025 is 20-minute drive away.
Here, visitors can discover the archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring the well-preserved ruins of the ancient Greek temples, dating back to the 5th Century BCE.
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