Drinking water and being hydrated, especially if you are traveling to another country is very important. While you can definitely buy bottled water from the airport or a local grocery store it can get very expensive, especially if you are vacationing for a while. In most countries, it is not advisable to drink tap water as you can get sick.
If you are traveling to Sicily soon, you might be wondering if you can drink Sicily tap water or if it is okay to drink tap water in Sicily. Drinking tap water in Sicily is safe and even locals drink tap water at home. The tap water in Sicily meets the European Union’s standard for drinking water so you don’t have to worry.
It is reasonable to be wary of drinking tap water since you don’t really know where it is coming from. In this article, we will be talking about why drinking tap water in Sicily is okay. We will also talk about why locals drink bottled water instead of tap water, so read on!
Is It OK To Drink Tap Water In Sicily?
If you are going to another country that you have not been to before, it is perfectly reasonable to wonder if it is okay to drink tap water. Even if it is a country like Italy and an island like Sicily, you would still want to make sure that the tap water is potable to avoid any sickness due to contaminated water.
To answer your question, tap water in most parts of Sicily is safe to drink. The tap water in Sicily is regularly treated and meets the European Union’s standard for drinking water. Tap water in Sicily is safe to drink, however, the water could have a metallic taste. This is due to the water coming from Mount Etna and from Taormina or Catania.
You will also typically find signs in Sicily that say “acqua potabile” which means drinking water. This sign means that the water is safe to drink. You can also drink tap water in major cities in Sicily such as Syracuse, Trapani, and Palermo. If you are hesitant about drinking Sicilian tap water, you could always ask the city’s information center if the tap water is drinkable.
Do Restaurants In Sicily Serve Tap Water
Most restaurants in Sicily do not serve tap water. This is not because the water quality in Sicily is not drinkable but, most local residents believe that tap water does not go well with the dishes that are served in restaurants.
Can You Order Tap Water In Sicily?
Yes, you can order tap water when you are dining at a restaurant in Sicily. However, some waiters might refuse to serve you tap water. While locals drink tap water at home, they also typically prefer to drink bottled mineral water when they eat at restaurants. This is because tap water often has a chemical taste which can make the food taste different.
Ordering tap water in restaurants both in Italy and Sicily is not customary. Restaurants also often charge a small fee when you order tap water. Restaurants will typically offer bottled water which can either be mineral or carbonated water and this costs a few euros. You can definitely ask for tap water in restaurants but be prepared to either pay for it or have the waiters refuse to serve tap water as per the establishment’s policy.
Can You Drink Tap Water In Sicily Hotels?
Like most parts of Sicily, their hotels also have drinkable water from the tap. But, as we said earlier, you may find that tap water can have traces of a metallic taste since the water typically comes from various sources such as groundwater aquifers, reservoirs, and rivers. Water coming from Etna can also have a metallic taste. It is still safe to drink tap water in Sicily as it meets the drinking water standard of the European Union.
When in doubt, always ask the hotel’s concierge if the tap water from their hotel is safe to drink. If you have a sensitive stomach, you can opt to buy bottled water from the store for drinking or brushing your teeth. It is always a good idea to be on the safe side, especially if you’ve had a bad experience with tap water before.
Why Do Locals Drink Bottled Water?
Sicilians do drink tap water, especially at home. Most locals drink bottled water because of its taste. The locals typically drink bottled water because of the experience it gives them when dining out. As we said earlier, tap water usually has a metallic taste and Sicilians want to experience food without having to wash it down with water that has a metallic taste.
Some locals, however, have reusable bottled water and are often drinking water that they refilled from tap water stations. You will most likely find people from the city drinking bottled water while people from the countryside will often drink water from the tap.
Is It Safe For Tourists To Drink Tap Water In Sicily?
Yes, tap water is not exclusively for locals and tourists can definitely drink tap water in Sicily. However, if you have a sensitive stomach and prefer to drink filtered water, you can do so. You can easily find stores selling bottled water but they don’t come cheap. You can also bring your own filtered water bottle to reduce the need to buy water bottles all the time.
Tap water is still less expensive, especially in restaurants. You will also find several water fountains across Sicily that have potable tap water. You will also find either “acqua potabile” (drinking water) or “acqua non potabile” (non-drinking water) signs in Sicily so you will be able to identify which tap water stations are safe and not safe to drink.
Conclusion
Like Italian tap water, Drinking tap water in Sicily is definitely okay and safe. While tap water in Sicily can have a metallic taste, you can still drink water from the tap. If you are going to Sicily, bring a water bottle as there are water fountains all over Sicily where you can get your bottle filled. You will be able to save money instead of buying bottled water all the time.
Tap water in Italy and Sicily are generally safe to drink but, if you have a sensitive stomach, it is best to stick to bottled water even if drinking water from the tap is okay. We hope this article answers your question about tap water in Sicily. If you have any other questions, let us know via the contact form on our website and we’ll get back to you!