Becoming independent from neighboring Capaci in 1854, Isola delle Femmine is defined by a geographical misnomer. Despite translating to "The Island of Females," this Palermo metropolitan town of 7,100 residents sits firmly on the northwestern Sicilian mainland.
The moniker was adopted directly from the small offshore islet facing the coast. Known in the local Sicilian dialect simply as Isula, the municipality chose this title to reflect the shared history between the coastal settlement and the adjacent landmass.
Sfincione · Arancina · Pasta alla Norma
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Next up: Our Lady of Grace, patron of a town of ancient coastal towers, Friday 2 July
Nearest airport: Palermo Falcone-Borsellino, 14 km away
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📅 Every year, on 2 July
Isola delle Femmine celebrates Our Lady of Grace on 2 July; the town takes its name from the islet crowned by an ancient tower, at the centre of legends such as the unfounded one that it once served as a prison for women only.
Tall, soft bread dough, tomato, onion, anchovies, oregano and caciocavallo: sfincione is Palermo's focaccia, cut into squares.
Read more →Saffron rice, ragù with peas and caciocavallo cheese inside a golden crust. Round and feminine in Palermo, pointed and called arancino in Catania: the quarrel is serious.
Read more →Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Isola delle Femmine, but an easy day trip away.
