UK tourists will have even more options for their holidays next summer and beyond as new routes depart from three of the country’s international airports. Starting in May 2026, Jet2 will offer flights to a gorgeous Italian island, famous for its beaches, food and unique culture. While anti-tourism protests take place in spots where visitor numbers surge, many Brits look for alternative destinations to their usual favourites, where they might not feel so welcome anymore.

This Italian island is one you might not have considered before, but people have had rather positive things to say about it. And from summer 2026, there will be weekly flights to its capital city from these UK airports for the first time. Jet2 recently announced that it will offer weekly flights from Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham to Palermo, Sicily, from May 2026, offering more Brits the chance to experience the best that Sicily has to offer.

British tourists currently have access to Palermo from airports in London, but these new routes from Newcastle, Manchester, and Birmingham give more Brits the chance to visit Sicily.

The flights will operate between May 1 and October 23, 2026, giving Brits the chance to enjoy Sicily until the end of the summer season and beyond. Jet2 will offer a weekly service from Birmingham every Wednesday during this period, while the Manchester route will operate every Tuesday and Friday.

From Newcastle, Jet2 flights to Palermo will operate every Tuesday. “The launch of city breaks to Palermo gives customers the opportunity to combine relaxing beach moments on the Sicilian Coast with cultural days in a vibrant and historic city,” Jet2 said in a press release last week.

Palermo has received rave reviews from some tourists. One travel blogger, known online as Travel Munchers, described Palermo as a “must-visit” destination. “Sicily has so much to offer, and while many people immediately think of the coastline and beaches, Palermo, in my opinion, is an absolute must-see city,” they said.

“You can travel to the town for a day or two when you need a break from the beach life, and experience the gorgeous architecture, history, food and culture of this lovely Italian city.”

Other tourists seemed to agree. One person wrote on Reddit: “I loved the cities – Palermo and Catania especially. I loved driving across the island since the landscape is so diverse and beautiful. Cefalu, Erice, Siracusa, Scicli, Ragusa, Noto, Taormina were beautiful too. Loved it a lot more than I thought I would.”

There are plenty of top-rated tourist attractions in Sicily, including the famous Mount Etna volcano, the offshore island of Ortiga, the historic Valle dei Templi, the Ancient Theatre of Toarmina and the Temple of Concordia.

Meanwhile, Sicily has some stunning beaches. Popular ones include San Vito lo Capo, Lo Zingaro and Torre Salsa. For those looking for an adventure holiday, there are plenty of boat tours and snorkelling experiences on offer around Sicily.

Tourists are pretty blessed with the weather in Sicily. Those travelling to Palermo on these new direct flights from the UK can expect temperatures as high as 31C in July and August, while temperatures can reach a comfortable 24C in October.