tour nord sicilia

Sicilia del Nord: consigli per un tour di 7 giorni on the road

In molti pensano che la Sicilia sia una meta splendida, ma da vivere soprattutto in estate quando l’isola ottiene meritatamente l’etichetta di “ Caraibi d’Italia ”. In realtà il mare cristallino non è l’unica perla offerta dall’isola, visto e considerato che sono poche le regioni che possono vantare un bagaglio storico e culturale di questa portata.

Anche nel corso della primavera, quindi, ci sono tantissime meraviglie da scoprire con un bel viaggio on the road . Basta soltanto scegliere una città di partenza e rivolgersi ad un servizio di noleggio auto low cost, magari prenotabile anche online , per iniziare il proprio tour della Sicilia del Nord .

In particolare, l’itinerario che vedremo oggi partirà da Messina e avrà come destinazione finale Palermo .

Itinerario di 7 giorni in Sicilia del Nord

Ecco una mappa dell’itinerario che ti racconterò in questo articolo:

Scoprire Messina in 2 giorni? È possibile, a patto di sapere esattamente quali tappe toccare.

Il consiglio è di non perdersi Piazza Duomo e, di conseguenza, il Duomo di Messina di epoca bizantina , ovvero due delle attrazioni più belle di questa città.

Altre mete indimenticabili sono l’ orologio astronomico e il Palazzo Zanca , insieme alla Fontana di Orione (che si trova sempre in piazza Duomo) e al Monte di Pietà .

Nella due giorni, c’è poi tempo anche per ammirare il Teatro Vittorio Emanuele II , la Fontana del Nettuno e la Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Alemanni , così chiamata in quanto fondata dai Cavalieri Teutonici nel XIII secolo.

Piazza Duomo, Messina

Milazzo è in assoluto uno dei borghi più affascinanti della Sicilia, che va ben oltre la sua fama di meta balneare.

In questo piccolo borgo possiamo infatti ammirare diverse bellezze, come nel caso della parte bassa e del Palazzo Proto, famoso per esser stato il quartier generale di Garibaldi una volta giunto nell’isola.

Non posso non includere, poi, nella lista la Chiesa e il Convento del Carmine , insieme al Duomo Nuovo e il Villino Greco , noto per il suo stile liberty e le decorazioni con motivi a fiori.

Infine, si consiglia di visitare anche la zona del Capo , dalla quale è possibile godere di una vista privilegiata sulla città

Tour in Sicilia del Nord

Parco dei Nebrodi

In questo caso stiamo parlando del più grande parco naturale della Sicilia , da non perdere per nulla al mondo, soprattutto in primavera.

Scoprirlo nella sua interezza è molto complicato, ma ci sono dei luoghi che devono essere assolutamente visitati.

Tra questi, non può mancare ad esempio Bronte , borgo famoso per i suoi pistacchi , la Valle del Simeto e il comune di San Fratello .

In base al tempo che deciderai di passare in quest’area, si consiglia poi di visitare anche il borgo di Galati Mamertino e il comune di Sant’Agata di Militello .

Tipica meta estiva siciliana, Cefalù è però in grado di stupire anche nelle altre stagioni dell’anno, per merito di attrazioni come l’ ex Lavatoio Medievale e la sua scalinata “ La Lumachella ” .

Altre tappe da non perdere a Cefalù sono Porta Pescara e Piazza Marina , godendosi il paesaggio gustandosi, magari, un arancino.

Infine, non posso non citare il Bastione di Capo Marchiafava e il Duomo .

Non basterebbe una vita per scoprire Palermo nella sua interezza. Dovendo fare una selezione, però, il suggerimento è di non perdersi i Quattro Canti , i mercati popolari come Ballarò e la Vucciria, e le famose Catacombe del Convento dei Cappuccini .

Altre attrazioni da non perdere sono la Casa Museo Stanze del Genio , la Cattedrale di Monreale , il Teatro Massimo , il Palazzo dei Normanni , la Chiesa della Martorana , la Chiesa di San Cataldo e la Cappella Palatina .

Per quanto ogni volta che parliamo di Sicilia si pensi sempre al mare, esistono paesi e città che meritano di essere visitati in ogni periodo dell’anno.

Sei mai stato in Sicilia fuori stagione?

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Cassandra Testa

Mi chiamo Cassandra, sono una giovane ragazza di Milano. La mia più grande passione è viaggiare. Adoro visitare nuovi paesi e scoprire le culture locali. Viaggiare è un'esperienza di vita che ti accresce ogni volta. Da ogni viaggio non tornerai mai come sei partito! #LastCallForWhereverYouWant

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I borghi più belli del nord della Sicilia da vedere on the road

Borghi autentici sul mare, spiagge da sogno, maestosi santuari, cibo tipico, artigianato locale. Un itinerario per una vacanza in Sicilia on the road fra i borghi più belli da visitare da Messina a Palermo.

Se state cercando ispirazione per una vacanza in Sicilia on the road al mare in auto o in moto, vi propongo un itinerario fra i borghi più belli da vedere in Sicilia lungo la costa nord dell’isola. Mare cristallino, borghi antichi a picco sul mare di cui tanto hanno narrato grandi scrittori, piante di fichi d’india arrampicate sui promontori, grotte scavate dal mare, maestosi santuari, panorami mozzafiato, prelibatezze locali. Nel tratto di costa che va da Messina a Palermo , si stagliano posti splendidi, veri e propri scrigni nei quali si possono trovare alcune delle cose più belle da vedere in Sicilia , dalle spiagge da sogno ai piccoli borghi autentici , dai siti Patrimonio UNESCO siciliani noti in tutto il mondo alle meraviglie più nascoste. Ecco la mia selezione dei borghi più belli da vedere in Sicilia nella costa nord, da inserire nel vostro prossimo viaggio on the road all’insegna di tuffi nel blu del Mediterraneo e di ottimo cibo locale , e alla scoperta delle cose più belle e autentiche da vedere in Sicilia, che vi faranno trascorrere una vacanza indimenticabile.

I posti più belli da vedere in Sicilia lungo la costa nord

Non potete attraversare la costa nord della Sicilia senza fermarvi a Tindari . Tappa obbligatoria di un viaggio in Sicilia on the road , questo piccolo paesino che conta una trentina di abitanti, e che sorge su un promontorio a picco sul Tirreno a poco più di un’ora da Messina , è un tripudio di colori e sapori . Assaggiate le specialità locali, prima di inoltrarvi fra i resti archeologici greco-romani della città antica e di lasciarvi affascinare dalla bellezza del Santuario del Tindari e dalle sue tante leggende . E poi, dopo averla ammirata dal suo splendido belvedere, immergetevi fra le acque cristalline della Riserva Naturale dei Laghetti di Marinello , dove uccelli di varie specie sguazzano indisturbati all’ombra del promontorio.

Fra i posti più belli e autentici da vedere in Sicilia spicca Mongiove , un borgo di pescatori a due passi da Patti con una vista meravigliosa delle Isole Eolie, dove il tempo sembra essersi fermato e la sera sul lungomare si ascoltano le memorie degli abitanti più anziani. E’ qui che si nascondono, all’ombra del Monte di Giove, le famose Grotte di Mongiove , un paesaggio incontaminato unico, che non posso che annoverare fra le cose da vedere assolutamente in Sicilia per le sue acque trasparenti e le spiaggette selvagge .

Gioiosa Marea

Il lato bello di Gioiosa Marea è senza alcun dubbio il panorama  di cui si gode on the road , forse uno dei più belli da vedere in Sicilia. La via che porta al paese è una stradina che si arrampica sul promontorio di Capo Calavà , il famoso monte sotto cui giace la Grotta di Enea , in un saliscendi che regala vedute del mare e delle Isole Eolie da brivido. Fermatevi nelle piazzole che si incontrano lungo il cammino per ammirare le infinite sfumature del mare  e le Sette Sorelle più famose della Sicilia, e poi fermatevi a cena da Canapé per gustare un goloso piatto di pasta alla norma di fronte a un tramonto infuocato, prima di proseguire il vostro viaggio alla scoperta dei più bei posti da vedere in Sicilia.

Capo d’Orlando

Con il suo elegante porto turistico e un lungomare dai tramonti d’arancio, Capo d’Orlando ammalia chiunque si trovi a viverla anche per pochi istanti. Visitate il grazioso borgo di pescatori di San Gregorio prima di  contemplare il tramonto dall’affascinante Faro di Capo d’Orlando  che spunta ai piedi del Monte della Madonna . Poi, concedetevi qualche portata di pesce al ristorante Del Sole , che si affaccia delicatamente sulle acque del laghetto costiero di Capo d’Orlando . Fatevi riservare il tavolo della terrazza più a nord e calatevi nell’atmosfera romantica mentre la luna si specchia dall’alto sul mare.

Santo Stefano di Camastra

Viaggio on the road fa sempre rima con autenticità. Fra i vari borghi più belli della terra di Sicilia che si incontrano lungo la costa nord dell’isola, giace timida Santo Stefano di Camastra . Fra viuzze strette, balconi fioriti e giardini con affaccio sul mare, spuntano qua e là trinacrie , teste di moro , pigne e altre inconfondibili ceramiche siciliane che vestono il viale principale e decorano gli ingressi delle case. E se siete particolarmente curiosi, fermatevi da Ferrigno , dove la proprietaria vi accoglierà per raccontarvi la minuziosa arte del marito e dei figli artigiani, dandovi piccole lezioni sulle tecniche adoperate, e, se volete, fornendovi tutte le informazioni per avere un’opera su misura per voi.

Avete mai visto una montagna a forma di testa? Cefalù è un vero borgo marinaro , oserei dire uno dei borghi più belli di tutta la Sicilia, da vedere assolutamente se state facendo un viaggio in Sicilia on the road. Barchette dei pescatori che riposano a riva, case colorate a picco sul mare da cui ci si cala in spiaggia, giardini d’aranci e fichi d’india maturi che esplodono al sole. Non mi dilungo troppo a spiegarvi perché dobbiate inserire Cefalù nel vostro itinerario , semplicemente fidatevi di me: fra bellezze Patrimonio UNESCO, architetture medievali, vicoli acciottolati, spiagge selvagge da togliere il fiato, non vorrete più lasciarla.

Poco prima di Palermo , incontrerete la suggestiva Bagheria , set del capolavoro di Tornatore “ Nuovo Cinema Paradiso ” e città del cuore di Dacia Maraini , insieme alle sue casette in tufo e ai palazzi storici . Sarete attratti dalle magnifiche ville della nobiltà palermitana , che trascorreva a Bagheria le vacanze estive, e dall’ atmosfera decadente che si impossesserà dei vostri sensi. E poi dai profumi agrumati e gli odori degli ulivi, dalla leggera brezza che risale dal mare e i suoni di una cittadina senza tempo.

A due passi da Palermo si trova Mondello , antico borgo di pescatori molto grazioso, oggi meta di mare frequentata in primis dai palermitani. Spiaggia bianca, mare cristallino e una serie di splendide ville in stile liberty, perfetti esempi di Art Nouveau che vi faranno tornare solo guardandole al periodo della Belle Epoque , contraddistinguono questo borgo protetto dai profili del Monte Pellegrino e del Monte Gallo .

molto interessante. ci penserò e sicuramente lo programmero’. non ho potuto ricavare la durata ne suggerimanti su possibili stop notturni

comunque bello

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Sicily Road Trip – Your 7-Day to 14-Day Itinerary

Our 7 to 14-day self-driving tour takes you to all of the best places on the Italian island of Sicily, including seven UNESCO sites.

From the unique cuisine in local markets to the architectural ruins of past Greek and Roman civilizations, Sicily has the perfect blend of culture and history.

Table of Contents

Sicily Itineraries

We’ve created three Sicily road trip itineraries which explore the must-see sites of Sicily.  We recommend 14 days in Sicily to drive around the island.  However, choose which itinerary works best for the length of your stay in Sicily. 

14-day Sicily Itinerary

This 14-day self-drive road trip hits the island’s major attractions including all 7 of the UNESCO sites.  The maximum daily drive is 225 kilometres and most days are 100 kilometres or less.

This itinerary covers all of the Best Things To Do in Sicily.

• Day 1:  Siracusa
• Day 2:  Noto
• Day 3:  Modica and Scicli
• Day 4:  Ragusa
• Day 5:  Villa Romana del Casale
• Day 6:  Valley of the Temples and Agrigento
• Day 7:  Selinunte and Trapani
• Day 8:  Erice and Temple of Segesta
• Day 9:  Palermo
• Day 10:  Monreale and Cefalu
• Day 11:  Aeolian Islands
• Day 12:  Taormina
• Day 13:  Mount Etna
• Day 14:  Catania

10-Day Sicily Itinerary

On this 10-day self-drive road trip, we’ve shortened the 14-day route, by excluding the western part of the island.  We still visit most of important places to visit in Sicily, including 6 UNESCO sites.

Like the 14-day trip, the maximum daily drive is not more than 225 kilometres but several days are over 100 kilometres. 

7-Day Sicily Itinerary

A shorter 7-day self-drive road trip of Sicily travels to the island’s must-visit attractions.  For one day, the drive is more than 250 kilometres, but most days are 100 kilometres or less.

Follow the same 10-day route, except visit Ragusa and Villa Romana del Casale in one day, skip Agrigento and visit Monreale on the same day as Valley of the Temples.

Map of Sicily Road Trip

Use our map as a guide on our self-drive tours of Sicily.

UNESCO Sites in Sicily

The island of Sicily is home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  Our road trip visits parts of all seven. (Note: Several have multiple locations within the same Heritage Site.)

• Siracusa Two areas of Siracusa, our first road trip stop, are included in the World Heritage Site called Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica .  The first is the Island of Ortigia , Siracusa’s old town centre.  The second is the Archaeological Park of Neapolis.  Make time to visit both.
• Noto Valley UNESCO recognized eight late Baroque towns of south-eastern Sicily in the Noto Valley (Val di Noto) as a World Heritage Site in 2002.  Our road trip visits the towns of Noto, Modica, Scicli, Ragusa and Catania.  All towns were rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, in the new Sicilian Baroque style, on top of or beside their original townsites.
• Casale The magnificent Roman Villa of Casale , near Piazza Armerina, was the centre of a large, country estate.  The site showcases one of the largest and most complex collections of Roman mosaics in the world.
• Valley of the Temples The Valley of the Temples , near modern day Agrigento, is what remains of the ancient Greek city of Akragas, the 4th largest city in the 5 th century BCE.
• Palermo, Montreal and Cefalu In 2015, nine religious and civic structures, built during the period of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily (1130-1194), were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Called the Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale , seven sites are in Palermo and the other two are the cathedrals in Cefalú and Monreale.
• Aeolian Islands The Aeolian Islands are a set of volcanic islands to the northeast of Sicily, recognized by UNESCO as an example of volcanic island-building. 
• Mount Etna The Mount Etna World Heritage Site (19,237 hectares in size) is strictly protected and the most scientifically important area of Mount Etna.  Europe’s more active volcano was recognized by UNESCO in 2013.  This is a must-see when visiting Sicily.

The first road trip stop is Siracusa on the southeastern coast of Sicily. 

The historic city of Siracusa (Syracuse) offers an abundance of ancient ruins and baroque architecture to explore.  In ancient times, the city was one of the major power centres of the Mediterranean world.  The Island of Ortigia , Siracusa’s small, atmospheric, old town centre, is recognized by UNESCO.  Its narrow alleys are lined with medieval palaces and grand Baroque cathedrals.  

Piazza Duomo, the main square, is dominated by the imposing Cathedral of Syracuse (Duoma di Siracusa), originally a Greek temple dedicated to Athena built in the 5 th century BCE. Inside, its columns still bear the marks from when it was converted into a church in the 7th century CE.  Its current Baroque façade was added in the late 1700s.  Visit Ortigia’s street market on Via Emmanuele de Benedictis.  Vendors sell fresh produce, cheeses and seafood from colourful stalls. 

To the north of Ortigia, on the western edge of modern Siracusa, visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, the other UNESCO protected area in Siracusa.  The Greek Theatre ’s current appearance is from the 3 rd century BCE but parts were carved out of rock in the 5th century BCE.  It is used now for performances.  Fairly nearby find the Roman Amphitheatre , thought to be from the 1 st or 2 nd century BCE, where gladiatorial combat and horse races were held.

Wander through the quarries at the north end of the park which were the source for the limestone for many of Siracusa’s buildings. Saltpetre, used in the production of gunpowder, was also mined here.  One of the resulting caves is called the Ear of Dionysius .  Its acoustic properties were so sensitive that Dionysius, a tyrant of Siracusa, is said to have used it to eavesdrop on the prisoners he held there.

The town of Noto is the next stop on our road trip route and the first of the UNESCO Baroque towns we visit.

This hilltop town’s magnificent Baroque architecture is on display on a walk down the main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele , past a blend of palaces and churches.

The star of the show is the Noto Cathedral (Cathedral of San Nicolo) and the beautiful Paolo Labisi staircase to its front door.  It was built in the early 18th century after the 1693 earthquake.  In 1996, its dome collapsed forcing extensive renovation in the early 21 st century and refocusing attention on the need to preserve the buildings of Noto. 

Piazza del Duomo , in front of the church, is the main plaza of the reconstructed 18 th -century town.  Noto’s town hall, in the Baroque Palazzo Ducezio, is directly opposite.

Don’t miss the Church of Saint Clare (Chiesa di Santa Chiara) a block east.  Its entrance is tucked away on a side street.  The elaborate Baroque interior decorations are stunning. Find the 16th-century statue of the Madonna and Child. We visited the roof for a bird’s eye view of the Baroque town centre.

Similarly, the bell tower of St. Charles Church (Chiesa di San Carlo), on the west side of the cathedral, provides an impressive view. 

Theatre lovers shouldn’t miss the Tina Di Lorenzo Municipal Theatre (Teatro Tina Di Lorenzo). The 19th-century theatre has a stunning, curved facade and opulent interior.

Enjoy strolling Noto’s pedestrianized streets, lined with wrought-iron balconies and intricately carved doorways.  It’s like stepping into a work of art.

Between Noto and Modica, the next rebuilt Baroque town on our road trip, enjoy a detour to the archaeological site of a Roman villa on the bank of the Tellaro river.  Discovered by accident in the early 1970s, the floors of the Roman Villa of Tellaro are decorated with mosaics dated to the mid-4 th century CE.  Full mosaic floors were discovered in some of the rooms.

The town of Modica, a powerful town in the 14 th century, covers both sides of a deep gorge.  The 1693 earthquake damaged buildings.  The town’s nobility ensured that many were rebuilt in the new Sicilian Baroque style.  

Discover beautiful churches, taste world-famous chocolate and experience authentic Sicilian traditions in this unforgettable town with layers of history and culture.

Modica’s highlights are throughout the town on winding, cobblestone streets.  Its centerpiece is the San Giorgio Cathedral (Duomo di San Giorgio) at the top of a 250-step, 19 th -century staircase.  The butter-coloured church was reopened in 1738 after its reconstruction.  The interior has ornate altars, vivid frescoes, and 22 columns with Corinthian capitals.   Visit at noon to see the floor sundial in action.

Wander the old town’s narrow streets along the hillside which are often connected by staircases.  Discover more architectural gems in numerous palaces and churches.  The impressive Church of Saint Peter (Chiesa di San Pietro), also damaged in the earthquake, was rebuilt over the next two centuries.  Life-sized statues of the Apostles line the staircase to the church.   Inside, its domed ceilings are covered in glittering mosaics.

Modica is famous for its chocolate making.  The method of cold processing cocoa was likely introduced after the Spanish conquest of Sicily in the 1500s. Visit Antica Dolceria Bonajuto , the oldest and most famous chocolate producer in town, to taste their decadent chocolate creations handmade in antique copper vats.  Learn about chocolate’s history at the Chocolate Museum of Modica (Museo del Cioccolato di Modica).

Our road trip continues through lovely southeastern Sicily to Scicli, another UNESCO protected Baroque town of the Noto valley. 

This pretty place is a bit off the typical tourist route.  We found it quieter and more relaxed.

Explore Scicli’s historic centre on Via Francesco Mormino Penna . Walk past a couple pretty churches and attractive palaces-turned-museums, cafes, restaurants and small shops. We went into the Church of Saint John Evangelist (Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista).  Nearby Piazza Italia hosts Scicli’s lively morning fruit and vegetable market.

From the square, we walked uphill into a maze of quiet backstreets showing everyday Sicilian life.  We climbed to the abandoned Church of Saint Matthew (Chiesa di San Matteo) perched above the town.  The terrace offers breathtaking views over Scicli’s red-tiled rooftops.

Continuing west, Ragusa is another rebuilt Baroque town on our road trip.

A town has existed on the hillside here for centuries.  After the hillside collapsed in the earthquake, Ragusa Superiore was built on the plateau above the destroyed town.  Some residents rebuilt in the new town, but many of the aristocracy stayed and rebuilt on top of the old town, now Ragusa Ibla . 

Enjoy the winding cobblestone streets, alleys and grand staircases of Lower Ragusa.  We walked through the lovely, 18th-century Giardino Ibleo , a public garden with beautiful views over the valley below.

The St. George Gate (Portale di San Giorgio), all that is left of a 14 th -century Gothic church destroyed in the earthquake, is the beginning of the Corso XXV Aprile .  This pedestrian zone and the Piazza Duomo come alive when residents fill the streets for their evening stroll, the passeggiata. 

Towering over the square is the magnificent Cathedral of Saint George (Duomo di San Giorgia), built in the mid-18th century.  See its beautiful dome, stained glass windows, and tall, central bell tower.

A walk between the two towns offers stunning valley views and a true sense of the area’s geographic setting.   Holy Souls in Purgatory Church (Chiesa delle Santissime Anime del Purgatorio) is on the western end of Lower Ragusa.  Climb the stairs at Via Gusti to St. Mary of the Stairs Church (Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Scale) in Upper Ragusa.  The view below of the lower town is worth the climb.  Both churches survived the earthquake and were updated to the new Baroque style of architecture in the 18 th century.

For those wanting more Baroque towns to explore, Caltagirone , is on route.  Enjoy the Sicilian countryside as you continue west to the next stop, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a roman villa south of the town of Piazza Armerina . 

Villa Romana del Casale

Step back in time and learn about the opulent lifestyle of the Roman nobility and the site of one of the world’s largest collections of Roman mosaics.

Most of the Villa Romana del Casale was built in the 4th century CE above an older structure, eventually becoming the centre of a large settlement which was destroyed in the 12th century.  Repeated floods drowned the villa in mud and water and all evidence of it was lost.  Some of the ruins were discovered in the 19 th century including parts of the mosaic floors.  Concerted efforts to preserve the mosaic tile floors, found in almost every room, began in the 1950s and continue to the present.

Enter the ruins at the peristyle courtyard , a large area with the roof supported by columns.  The complex, with over 3000 square metres of multi-coloured mosaic floors spread over 40 rooms, unfolds from here. See mosaics depicting lively scenes of mythology, daily life, sports and hunting.

The vivid Ambulatory of the Big Game Hunt shows wild, exotic animals being captured and transported for Roman spectacles.  The display fills the entire room which is about 60 metres long.  Nearby, mosaics commonly called the “bikini girls” show athletes practising various sports.

Stay in Piazza Armerina if you are arriving toward the end of the day.  The Cathedral of Saint Mary ‘delle Vittorie’ is beautiful.  The view of the valley from the pretty street plaza is stunning.

The road trip route turns south toward the coast to the city of Agrigento.  Visit the Valley of the Temples, Sicily’s top ancient Greek site with stunning temple ruins.

Valley of the Temples

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world’s largest archeological sites. 

The Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park includes the temple ruins on the hill as well as the Garden of Kolymbethra . The garden is vast, filled with orchards, olive groves, vineyards and many species of trees and shrubs within the valley both to the north and the southeast.  The entire area was the site of the city of Akragas.

The sturdy columns of the Temple of Juno stand tall on the highest point on the hill overlooking the valley. Nearby, the Temple of Concordia is one of best preserved Greek temples in the world (and the model for UNESCO’s logo). Both temples were built between 430 BC and 435 BC. The Temple of Hercules is the oldest, dating from 6th century BC.  Only eight of its columns remain standing.

Wander among the columns and foundations of these temples and others built over 24 centuries ago.  Climb the slopes for panoramic views over the entire archaeological park. The Valley’s excellent Archaeological Museum displays artifacts found at the temples and provides background on their historical significance.

After exploring the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento is a good place to relax and spend the night.  

One of Sicily’s busier, modern cities, Agrigento’s medieval centre is the perfect place to spend the evening. 

The main thoroughfare, Via Atenea, is a pleasant pedestrian street lined with graceful medieval and Baroque buildings.  It runs between Piazza Luigi Pirandello and Porta Di Ponte, the bridge gate.  Historic palaces hold shops, cafes and restaurants.  Lovely churches, like the 17 th century San Lorenzo Church , are a pretty backdrop for the cafes in the squares.

The undisputed highlight of Agrigento is the majestic Cathedral Basilica of San Gerlando . The first church was built on the site in the 11th century.  Over the centuries it has been remodeled over and over again in a mix of styles. 

From Agrigento, the road trip route splits.  For those on the shorter road trips, your road trips continue north from Agrigento toward Monreale and Palermo .

Otherwise the full road trip continues west.

Make a brief stop at Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) to stretch.  This is a stunning, white, cliff formation on the southern coast. After it is on to the ancient Greek city of Selinunte. Built around 630 BCE, ruins sit on a rocky outcrop above the sea.

The ruins of Selinunte, on Sicily’s southwest coast, are part of one of the largest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.  The main attractions are the Acropolis , on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean and the inland Eastern Hill .

The layout of the main and secondary roads of the hilltop Acropolis is still clear.  There are a number of temple ruins, many just a jumble of broken columns.  The area is surrounded by huge stone walls which acted as fortifications.  Temple C , the oldest in the Acropolis, was constructed about 550 BCE to the God Apollo.  Of the original 17 columns along the north side, 14 are standing today.

On the Eastern Hill, there are three temples, E, F and G.  Temple E was built around 450 BCE to either the God Hera or Aphrodite.  It has been partially rebuilt.

From the tops of the hills, enjoy panoramic views over the ruins, the sparkling Mediterranean and the river valley. The sheer size and detailed stonework of the temples hint at Selinunte’s power and wealth in the ancient world before its destruction by the Carthaginians in 409BCE.  After an attempt at an alliance failed, the city was never fully inhabited again. 

Our road trip continues to the west coast of Sicily and the port of Trapani. 

If you make your way along the south coast, stop in the city which is famous for its sweet dessert wines, Marsala . One of the city gates still stands, Porta Nuova.  Stretch your legs and walk the marble street, Via XI Maggio, to the Parish Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury.  It is in a pretty square with city hall opposite.

The lively, west coast, city of Trapani offers a blend of history, culture and natural beauty.  Wander the historic centre and see elegant churches around every corner.  From the statue of Garibaldi in Piazza Garibaldi , walk a block to St. Francis of Assisi Street.  A block to the left is the 18 th -century, Baroque Church of the Holy Souls of Purgatory (Chiesa Anime Sante del Purgatorio).  The church was severely damaged in World War II.  Twenty life-sized wooden representations of the Passion of Christ, carried in procession on Good Friday, have been housed in the church since 1960. 

Two blocks north is the massive Trapani Cathedral , also called the Basilica Cathedral of St. Lawrence the Martyr (Basilica cattedrale di San Lorenzo martire).  The church, with its stunning dome and bell tower, was built in the 15 th century and restored in the 18 th -century. 

Stroll Trapani’s harbour promenade and explore the outdoor fish market .  See the day’s catch on colourful display, often on the back of the boat the fish was caught on.  Watch and listen to the vibrant banter of bartering often between fishermen and restaurant owners.  Regular citizens get in on the act too.

Just outside the city to the south, visit the Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco (Saline di Trapani e Paceco), a protected area of wetlands and salt ponds. The salt, produced here for centuries, was considered the finest in Italy.  Artisanal producers are the only ones working the salt pans now.  Before leaving the area, don’t miss Trapani’s famous local delicacy, pesto alla trapanese, the Sicilian version of the well-known basil-pine-nut pesto.  In Trapani, the nuts are almonds and tomatoes and garlic add even more flavour.

North of Trapani, at the top of Mt. Erzy, sits Erice at an elevation of 750 metres.  If overnighting in Trapani, consider taking the cable car from Trapani to Erice to avoid driving the zigzag route up and down the mountain.

Walk the peaceful, cobblestone streets and alleys of the medieval, hilltop town of Erice lined with Gothic palaces and churches.  Enjoy its well-preserved historic character.

The Mother Church, St Mary of the Assumption (Chiesa di santa Maria Assunta – Chiesa Madre) is near the Trapani Gate at the southwest corner of Erice.  The Gothic church was built in 1314 by King Frederick III.  Inside, a museum displays religious artwork and sacramental silverware from the 15th- and 16th-century.  Next door is the cathedral’s freestanding bell tower (Torre di Federico). Climb the 108 steps of the spiral staircase to the top of the 28-metre tower for spectacular views over the rooftops of town.

Walk uphill the full length of Viale Conte Pepoli to the southeast corner of town and Erice’s highest point.  This is the site of the legendary Venus Castle (Castello di Venere). The castle was built by the Normans, over the ruins of the 7 th -century BCE Temple of Venus. It offers panoramic views over the countryside and sea below. Don’t miss the English Gardens of Balio next to the castle.

Throughout town, enjoy stopping to sample fresh homemade cookies, cakes and gelatos from local pasticcerias. Erice is renowned for its sweets and pastries.

The next road trip stop is less than an hour away.

The highlights of the Segesta Archaeological Park are two ruins which are all that remains of the ancient city of Segesta.  New excavations are finding evidence of later occupation of the area by different cultures.

From the entrance, walk uphill a short distance.  The majestic Temple of Segesta , (Tempio di Segesta), sits at the edge of the hill.  The incredible Doric temple, built by the indigenous Elymians, in the mid-5 th century BCE, was never completed.  All 36 of its columns are still standing today (6 on the short side and 14 on the long) remarkably preserved.  Some say they sing on windy days.

A short shuttle ride away is the Theatre of Segesta , (Teatro di Segesta), believed to be from the 2 nd century BCE.  Carved into the side of Mount Barbaro, its tiered, stone seats overlook a peaceful, green valley.  The bulk of the ancient city of Segesta was on top of Mount Barbaro.  Climbing to the top reveals a sprawling view over the entire complex and rolling landscapes beyond. Modern theatre performances were first held in the theatre in 1957 and have been held sporadically since.

The theatre and temple’s remarkable state of preservation and the stunning views of the area, make this a must-visit destination.

Our road trip moves from Sicily’s west coast to the north coast.  The next three stops on our road trip are home to beautiful structures, recognized by UNESCO and highlighting the successful blending of Western, Islamic, and Byzantine cultures. 

Palermo, a city over 2700 years old, is the first of the three. 

The capital of Sicily, Palermo rewards visitors with a vibrant mix of culture, cuisine and history.  Its seven UNESCO-designated sites include the Palermo Cathedral, the Church of San Cataldo, the Norman Palace with its popular Palatine Chapel, two more churches, a palace and a bridge.  All are worth a look as you explore the streets of Palermo.

The Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo) is a must-see and a great place to start a walking tour of the city.  Its unique Arab-Norman architectural style is still visible after numerous reconstructions over centuries. Inside, don’t miss the royal Norman tombs and crypts containing sarcophagi dating back to the Roman era. For sweeping city views, climb to the cathedral’s roof terrace.  The Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) is about a 2 minute walk to the southwest.

Spend time getting lost in the maze-like Ballarò Market (Mercato di Ballarò) which covers several blocks.  The oldest and most authentic of Palermo’s street markets, it is a mix of noises, smells and lively street life.  It is always busy and overflows with fresh produce, cheese, meat and seafood.

The UNESCO-protected San Cataldo Church (Chiesa di San Cataldo) is close to the heart of the historic city.  The area is full of stunning buildings and fountains.  12 th -century San Cataldo is an iconic Palermo landmark with its three red domes and square blocky shape, blending Arab and Norman architectural styles. 

As the sun sets, join the locals on their evening passeggiata along the new waterfront promenade of Foro Italico Umberto I .

To see all of highlights of Palermo, including the UNESCO churches and bustling markets, check out our detailed article, One Day in Palermo – A Free Walking Tour Itinerary .

The hilltop town of Monreale is just southwest of Palermo.

Inside the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Monreale , one of Sicily’s greatest artistic treasures, nearly 6500 square meters of shimmering Byzantine mosaics cover the walls and ceilings. Biblical scenes, saints and angels are depicted in glittering, golden detail.  

Next to the cathedral sits the peaceful Benedictine Cloister with over 200 twinned, marble columns surrounding a lush courtyard filled with a beautiful garden. We also climbed up to the Cathedral Roof Terrace for some great panoramic views.  The cathedral complex was commissioned by William II in an effort to outdo his grandfather Roger II who was responsible for the Cefalu Cathedral and the Palatine Chapel in Palermo.

After visiting the cathedral complex, explore Monreale’s small town centre. Stroll down Via Roma , stopping for a coffee or granita in one of the cozy cafes. The pedestrian-friendly streets showcase Monreale’s laid-back vibe and friendly local community.  The town makes an easy and rewarding day trip from Palermo.

Our road trip moves to the seaside of Sicily’s beautiful north coast.

The picturesque seaside town of Cefalù, midway along Sicily’s northern coast, combines a historic medieval centre, long sandy beach, and dramatic rocky coastline. Begin at the crescent-shaped Cefalù beach and old port with views of the massive headland Rock of Cefalù towering over the town. Relax on the beach or at one of the lounge bars before strolling along the beach promenade.

Explore the medieval centre of Cefalù, with its winding streets full of restaurants and boutiques.  Walk the main street Corso Ruggero past historic palazzos, churches and shops to reach the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Cefalù .  Dating to 1131 CE, this impressive, Norman cathedral has elaborate, Byzantine mosaics covering its apse and a huge figure of Christ.

Continue uphill, past sleepy piazzas and artisan workshops to reach the base of the rocky outcrop known as the Rock of Cefalù .  Climb the Salita Saraceni, a switchbacking staircase through the city walls up the craggy peninsula.  At the summit, find the ruins of an Arab fortress, a Norman castle and 4 th -century BCE temple.  Enjoy panoramic views along the coastline and back to Cefalù’s red-roofed old town below. The staircase may be closed in poor weather (as it was during our visit).

In the evening, enjoy the town’s lively bars and trattorias abuzz with local families and couples enjoying the passeggiata.

The next stop on the 10-day road trip is Taormina . For those on the full tour, continue to Milazzo, the perfect place to overnight before heading to our next stop, the Aeolian Islands, off Sicily’s northeast coast.  Ferries run frequently between the islands and Milazzo, on the mainland.

Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands offer stunning volcanic scenery, picturesque villages, and tranquil beaches. The seven inhabited islands are part of a 200-kilometre long volcanic ridge between the active volcanos Etna (Sicily) and Vesuvius (Naples Italy). Enjoy a great day trip to one of the three largest islands: Stromboli, Volcano or Lipari.  Two of these (Stromboli, Volcano) are active volcanos.

The island of Stromboli is one of the most active volcanos in the world.  Access is regulated, typically by organized hikes, which are a demanding 5 to 6 hours round trip.  Alternatively, enjoy an hour-long, self-guided hike to a lookout at the 400-metre level. 

Most of Vulcano ’s activity is sulphurous steam being emitted from vents along the crater.  We hiked to its steaming Gran Cratere at the top for views of the whole island and nearby islets. Down below, soak in the healing sulphuric mud baths near the port of Levante (where the ferry arrives).  During our visit the mud baths were closed.  Travel a bit further to the small beach Spiaggia delle Acque Calde. Enjoy the natural “hot tubs” at the edge of the beach.

The island of Lipari provides a perfect base for longer stays or a great place to spend a couple hours.  While it is an active volcano, Lipari’s last eruption was in the 13 th century. Enjoy this colourful harbour town lined with pastel buildings, lively cafes and shops. Explore the excellent Archaeological Museum to learn about the islands’ ancient history. The museum is a complex of buildings, including the Lipari Castle, Basilica of Saint Bartholomew, several churches and an amphitheatre. Take a boat trip around Lipari to admire the rugged coastline punctuated by obsidian cliffs.

Enjoy the drive along the north coast to the resort town of Taormina on Sicily’s east coast.

The hilltop town of Taormina was founded in 4 th -century BCE.  Discovered by wealthy northern Europeans in the 18 th century, it is now a very popular summer destination. 

Stroll along the lively pedestrian street Corso Umberto I .  Along the way, explore the pretty squares and their churches, flower stalls, restaurants and lively outdoor cafes.  Many of the shops and cafes are in historic palazzos. It is about 800 metres from Porta Catania (on the west side) to Porta Messina (on the east).

In Piazza Duomo, see the ornate, baroque fountain and the impressive 13 th -century Cathedral of Taormina with its mix of architectural styles. See the delicate rose window.

The Church of San Giuseppe anchors the pretty Piazza IX Aprile , Taormina’s lively hub. Grab a table at one of the piazza’s cafes for excellent people watching while admiring panoramic views of the ocean and Mount Etna. Don’t miss wandering through the flower-filled public gardens a short walk to the southeast.

Near Porta Messina at the east end of Corso Umbretto, turn south and walk to the end of Via Teatro Greco.  The Ancient Theater of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina), built by the Greeks in the 3 rd century, was remodeled by the Romans.  It is still used today.

If time permits, take a walk along the beach to see the nearby rocky island, Isola Bella .

On the east coast of Sicily, the next stop on our road trip is the tallest Italian mountain south of the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Etna.  This is the last road trip stop for those on the 7-day tour.

A trip to Sicily is not complete, without a visit to Mount Etna.  Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, in an almost constant state of activity, though typically not explosive activity.  The volcano has 4 summit craters plus fissures and old craters on its flanks.  There is an excellent infrastructure system to get visitors as close to the top as possible, regardless of physical abilities.  

The best access point is on the south side of Etna.  Drive to the Base Station at 1900 metres elevation. From here, take the cable car up to Top Station at 2500 metres.  Enjoy the Etna Cable Car Bar and check out the gift shop.  From here, there are options regarding the next stage of the climb to the authorized viewpoint areas nearer the craters.  

From Top Station, hike up to the authorized viewpoint areas or ride up in a 4×4 minibus shuttle . A 40-minute guided hike to the highest accessible point is included with the shuttle ride.  Weather quickly changes on Etna.  In our short stay up top, Etna was visible and invisible a number of times.  Viewpoints change depending on Etna’s activity levels to ensure that visitors are always safe.

When you return to the Base Station, check out the old craters on Etna’s lower flanks.  We hiked the Goat Climb, to see its massive crater

Our final road trip stop and the last of the Noto Valley Baroque towns recognized by UNESCO is the port city of Catania, on Sicily’s east coast.

This lively town reveals its long history through magnificent monuments.  The best way to explore the city is on foot starting at its expansive main square, Piazza del Duomo. This is the centre of old Catania, rebuilt in the local Baroque style after the earthquake of 1693.  In the square is the 18 th -century Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell’Elefante), built around a smiling black-lava elephant.

The square is dominated by the grand Baroque facade of Catania Cathedral (Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata) built of black rock and trimmed with white limestone. This 18 th -century church honours the city’s patron saint, Agatha, with ornate silver busts and crypt.  The church was originally a Norman fortress church. Most of it was destroyed in the earthquake and rebuilt in the Baroque style.  The Abby Church of Sainte Agatha sits to the north.  Climb to the rooftop terrace for great views of city.

Steps away, stroll through Catania’s enormous daily fish market (La Pescheria di Catania).  Fish have been sold here, every workday morning, for over 1000 years.  Vendors loudly hawk the catch of the day, from swordfish to sardines, in a riot of sights and smells. Nearby, the central food market and produce stalls overflow with local fruits, cheeses, and spices.  This is a great place to grab a bite to eat.

Evidence of Catania’s past as an ancient Greek colony appears periodically throughout the historic centre. The best example is the well-preserved Ancient Greek-Roman Theatre (Teatro Antico greco-romano) from the 2nd century BCE.  It was buried under lava and residential apartments were built over top.  Archaeological excavations eventually removed the majority of the apartments but some still remain.  What an interesting view they have. 

In the evening, join locals on a stroll along bustling Via Etnea with its chic shops and cafes.

Know Before You Go – Travelling to Sicily

Driving in sicily.

The best way to see Sicily is by car.  While public transport is available to many of the places in these Sicily itineraries, some are inaccessible without a car.  The best and easiest way to see everything is to rent a car.

You can easily pick up a rental car when you fly into the airports in either Palermo or Catania. 

Be aware that car rental costs in Sicily do seem higher than in other parts of Europe.  I’m not sure of the reason for this.  Some say that the local driving culture tends to be more ‘aggressive’, hence resulting in more fender benders which drive insurance costs up.  I’m not sure if this is the reason for the higher costs, but I can attest to the fact that drivers in Sicily were much more aggressive than I’ve experienced elsewhere.

In any case, car rental is definitely the best way to make sure you don’t miss anything when travelling in Sicily.

Best Time to Visit Sicily

The best time to visit Sicily is in the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn .  There are fewer tourists and visiting is more enjoyable.

During the summer, the temperatures can surge up to 38°Cs. The popular attractions become even more crowded.

We visited in April and had lots of sunny days and pleasant temperatures.  There was hardly any rain.  Accommodations were plentiful and relatively cheap.

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Andy is the co-founder of Avrex Travel, where he shares his many travel experiences. Andy enjoys videography and creating great Road Trips for his readers.

Northern Sicily travel guide, tourism and highlights

Visit North Sicily

This region runs along the Sicilian coast from Palermo in the west to Tindari in the east, inland through the scenic mountains as far as the central town of Enna, and stretching out to sea where the volcanic Aeolian Islands are situated.

The combination of historic monuments, fine beaches and lovel scenery make this one of the most popular regions of Sicily.

Coastal north Sicily

The northern region of Sicily includes several important highlights that will feature on your itinerary. Near the coast these include:

The capital of Sicily at Palermo , which is a beautiful city and some truly amazing churches. Nearby is the impressive cathedral at Monreale . A few kilometers south-east of Palermo is the town of Bagheria with its Baroque villas.

East of here the ancient ruins and town at Termini-Imerese will interest history lovers. Our favourite coastal town of  Cefalu , which sits at the base of a huge rock and is home to the beatiful UNESCO listed Cefalu Cathedral , is on the north coast of Sicily.

Also on the north coast is the Sanctuary and Greek and Roman ruins at Tindari which are well worth a visit. 

Cefala-Diana , near to Bagheria has a castle and arab baths to explore.

One of the listed 'most beautiful villages in Italy' - Geraci Siculo - is south of Cefalu, while two more listed villages can be seen to the north-east at Montalbano Elicona and Novara di Sicilia .

Aeolian Islands

Off the coast of northern Sicily, be sure to visit the volcanic Aeolian Islands ( Lipari is the main island and has the most important town (also called Lipari), others are Alicudi, Basiluzzo, Filicudi , Salina, the active volcanic island of Stromboli , Panarea and Vulcano , and Ustica some way to the west).

The Aeolian islands are also known as the Lipari Islands, and are reached by ferry from Milazzo . Ferries also operate between the islands, each of which has its own particular charms to discover. The small islands of Alicudi and Panarea, although slightly more remote than the others, are also highly recommended.

There is a very beautiful walk of a couple of kilometers around the Cape of Milazzo , a promontory next to Milazzo.

Coastal resorts

There are various popular coastal resorts in northern Sicily - among the most popular are Capo Zafferano (near Bagheria in the west) and Capo d'Orlando and Sant'Agata di Militello (both between Cefalu and Tindari).

An autoroute follows along the northern coast of Sicily so access to these resorts is straightforward.

Heading inland - the mountains of northern Sicily

Head a little inland and the landscape changes rapidly as you traverse the mountain regions of Monts Madonie (south of Cefalu, and reasonably easy to access from that town) and Monts Nebrodi (further east). Quiet villages and attractive scenery are the highlights in this region, where access is slower - as is the pace of life - but well worth the effort.

Within Monts Madonie the highlights among the towns and villages include Castelbuono, Geraci Siculo, Gangi, Petralia Soprana, Petralia Sottana, cascading down the hill in a dramatic location to the south of the Madonie Mountains, and Polizzi Generosa.

The Monts Nebrodie are slightly harder to access but equally rewarding, and also offer stunning scenery and a sprinkling of ancient villages.

The town of Enna stands in the heart of Sicily beyond these mountain ranges, in an enviable hilltop location as is San Cataldo .

Map of North Sicily and places to visit

North sicily places to visit.

The Aeolian Islands are a pretty group of volcanic islands.

Bagheria is a coastal town with some beautiful 18th century villas.

Cape of Milazzo

The Cape of Milazzo is a beautiful promontory next to Milazzo with a lovely coastal walk

Castroreale

Castroreale is one of the most beautiful villages of Sicily.

Cefala Diana

Cefala Diana has a castle and Arab baths to visit.

Cefalu is a beautiful seaside town with a magnificent cathedral.

Cefalu Cathedral

Cefalu cathedral is a UNESCO listed Norman cathedral with fabulous Byzantine mosaics.

Enna is an attractive hilltown in a fabulous setting.

Filicudi is one of the Aeolian islands known for its diving.

Geraci-Siculo

Geraci-Siculo is one of the most beautiful villages of Sicily.

Lipari is the largest and most populated of the Aeolian Islands.

Milazzo has an impressive fortified citadel.

Monreale is a small town which sits above Palermo and has a splendid Byzantine cathedral.

Montalbano-Elicona

Montalbano-Elicona is one of the most beautiful villages of Sicily.

Novara di Sicilia

Novara di Sicilia is a beautiful hill village.

Palatine Chapel and Royal Palace

The stunning Byzantine mosaics which decorate the Palatine Chapel are one of Sicily's highlights.

Palermo is a fabulous city with the Cappella Palatina, La Martorana and its Arab-Norman cathedral amongst the highlights.

Panarea is the most chic of the Aeolian Islands.

Patti is not a tourist town but has a cathedral and Roman Villa to visit.

Polizzi Generosa

Polizzi is a hill town in a beautiful setting in the Natural Park of Madonie.

San Cataldo

San Cataldo is an interesting town with a number of monuments.

Scopello has a beautiful small beach with large rock stacks in the sea. It was a film location for Ocean's Twelve.

Sperlinga is one of the 'most beautiful villages of Italy' and is home to a castle and troglodyte caves.

Stromboli is an active volcanic island.

Termini-Imerese

Termini-Imerese has both Greek and Roman ruins to visit.

Tindari is home to the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna and a beautiful ancient site with a Roman Theatre.

Ustica is the smallest of the Aeolian Islands

Vulcano is a volcanic island in the Aeolian islands. Its volcano is dormant but the craters and fumeroles emit steam and sulphur-smelling gases.

Popular places

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Sicily Road Trip Itinerary – Self Drive

• self drive holiday

Sicily Road Trip Planner:

After we wrote this post  about  ‘ Things to know before you self-drive in Sicily ’ , we got a lot of questions about places we traveled across Sicily on our road trip. Yes … we are Sicilian … but we usually travel around our island!

Be it 1 week or 10 days, this itinerary will help you while driving around Sicily and covers most of the beautiful and famous spots in Sicily making it one of the best road trips in Sicily.

With such a pleasing experience , we would recommend that everyone should go road trippin in Sicily at least once in a lifetime! Assisting you in your road trip adventure is your travel buddy. So, here it is – Tour of Sicily

Road trip preparation for self drive holiday:

Well, for a good road trip, what do you need? A reliable and cost effective car and a comfortable place to rest for the day after a long day on the road.

I know you are nodding your head there. Let me ease this process for you by listing a couple of websites which we always use on our travels.

You can book the car rental using  Tour of Sicily , so that we can select the car that matches your taste and budget.

Accomodation

With so many booking sites and hundreds of B&B and Hotels, its indeed difficult to choose the place which suits your taste.

That is where this site comes into picture.

Tour of Sicily has a great selection of hotels which have been used for other clients. We do know their locations, facilities and quality. Furthermore, here in Sicily the hotel rating is completely different from the other side of the world and, because of it, we have created our own rating in: -3 star properties: moderate and B&B -4 star properties: moderate, first class, boutique … and a few B&B who are charming and with character -5 star properties: deluxe, luxury

Self drive Sicily itinerary

We list some places you can visit on your self drive holiday in Sicily.

• Palermo , Capital of Sicily and the Arab-Norman Route
• Monreale and the Mosaics at the Dome
• Erice , the Marzipan and the Venus Castle
• Salt Way Road  between Trapani and Marsala
• Marsala, Saltpans and the Wine
• Selinunte and Belice Nature Reserve
• Agrigento , Kolymbetra Park and Turkish Steps

Piazza Armerina and the Roman Villa of Casale

• Caltagirone , the Capital of Sicilian Pottery
• Syracusa  mainland and Ortigia Island
• Noto Valley : Noto, Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Scicli and the Donnafugata Castle
• Syracusa-Ragusa Nature Parks and Reserves: Pantalica Necropolis, Vendicari and Cavagrande del Cassibile
• Etna Volcano , the most famous highlight of Sicily
• Taormina and Surroundings: Taormina, Castelmola and the Godfather villages (e.g. Savoca)
• UNESCO sites in the entire Sicily

Our Recommended Sicilian Road trip Itinerary 

Let me split the tour in 5 legs.

First leg of the journey:  Palermo Second leg: Marsala Thirth leg:  Agrigento Fouth leg: Syracusa Fifth leg:  Taormina

Lets look at each stop and see what we recommend to do there and from there!

Palermo Main Town

You can fly into Palermo and flew out of Catania.

From Palermo airport to join the town you can: catch on the Public Bus — Prestia and Comandè Bus Company — with a very great schedule with departure every 0,30 hour from the airport spending a few euros. You can book the ticket in advance or pay it on the spot.

And, you can also take a Regular Multilingual Walking Tour of Palermo : -from Tuesday to Sunday, half day h 9AM at eur 38 per person LINK -from Tuesday to Saturday, half day h 2PM at eur 38 per person LINK

If you are a Meal-Lover do not miss our small size   collective Street Food Walking Tour  admiring the Massimo Theatre (external view to the Palermo Opera House), then explore a suggestive and lively  open-air market , a place with strong Arab influences, resembling a souk, with picturesque stands of fresh fish, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe local people in their daily activities and to savor foods that a real Sicilian people love to eat!  T asting of typical street food is included . The walking tour through the ancient center of Palermo is around 3-4 hours and you will visit several monuments including Piazza Pretoria and the Cathedral. Contact us for it !

What to see and What to do while in Palermo

Welcome to the world’s most conquered city! A multicultural legacy in one timeless place where North meets South and East meets West. t’s in the air. And in the splendid churches, castles and palaces. A touch of the Classical with a taste of the Medieval and the Baroque. Even the food is a polyglot cacophony of flavours from every era: Phoenician, Greek, Carthaginian, Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Swabian, Angevin, Aragonese. Palermo has been home to Phoenician traders, Roman patricians, Arab emirs, Norman kings and at least two medieval Holy Roman Emperors, and the spirit of each lives on. What is Palermo? This eclectic crossroads of Mediterranean and northern European civilization is more than a museum.

It’s a vibrant — even chaotic — city whose unique culture has been forged and molded by three millennia of history emerging from three continents. There’s no other place on earth like Palermo, and to discover the history of this singular city is to experience something of the diverse worlds that have created something which has evolved into its own culture.

The streets of old Palermo are an intriguing labyrinth of outdoor markets, subtle niches and long-forgotten secrets — almost a subculture unto themselves. After nine centuries street markets still evoke the atmosphere of Arab souks. Only the Baroque churches and palazzi on the same narrow streets remind you that you’re in Italy, but then “Italy” has existed as a modern concept only since the middle of the nineteenth century; Sicily — ruled from Palermo as a Fatimid emirate and then as a Norman kingdom — transcends this by many centuries.

Palermo’s Norman Palace epitomizes the city’s heritage of diversity. It was built by the Normans upon the foundations of an Arab castle, al-Kasr. This, in turn, had been constructed in the ninth century on the site of a Punic (Phoenician-Carthaginian) structure. The Normans’ first chapel, built in the Romanesque style very late in the eleventh century, is now the “crypt” beneath the Palatine Chapel of the twelfth century. Today all can be visited.

After blissful 2 days of roaming in Palermo, hopped onto Monreale for a half day, which was just next door to Palermo. You can join Monreale by taxi or Public Bus spending a few euros. Monreale is far away from Palermo only 15/20 minutes driving distances each way.

Palermo Surroundings

1. Monreale

The cathedral and cloisters at Monreale are frequently cited as the island’s greatest Norman buildings.

They date to the twelfth century, when the Norman ruler William II, known as William the Good, founded a Benedictine monastery here; this Duomo was its abbey. In competition with the great cathedral being built down down the road in Palermo, Monreale’s cathedral was finished rapidly and extravagantly; William wanted this to be an important royal church where he and his successors would be buried, though these plans didn’t last beyond his own burial.

The upper part of the cathedral’s interior is completely covered in gleaming gold mosaics; more than 6,000 square metres of mosaic.

They were almost certainly created by Byzantine craftsmen, and the combination of Norman, Byzantine and Islamic art and architecture here is a spectacular demonstration of the influences which created Sicily’s most glorious era. In the apse, above the altar, the greatest image is of Christ Pantocrator, draped in a blue robe, his hand raised in blessing. Below him and around the walls are depictions of saints, including St. Thomas a Becket (two rows below Christ, helpfully labelled). The central nave is lined with pictures from the Old Testament. Look out for the lovely sequence of scenes of Noah’s ark, with animals being coaxed on and off the boat, and passengers crammed in like Ryanair customers peering through windows. In the side naves are scenes from the life of Christ. For a small charge, you can buy a ticket to view the  tesoro  – the treasury of the cathedral – to get a closer look at some of the mosaics, and to visit the cathedral’s panoramic terrace. Once you have seen the cathedral and taken your fill of the mosaics, have a look at the exterior and the marvellous decoration on the apse.

After exploring Palermo  and Monreale, now you can pick up a pre-booked rental car, thus flagging off your Sicilian road trip! For the entire day you can self drive to Cefalù and get back to Palermo in the afternoon.

The city is dominated by a monumental rock that rises up to 270 metres in height already known to the Phoenicians as “ promontory of Hercules ” on which the  Temple of Diana  stands, a megalithic building linked to the worship of the water, as indicated by the nearby cistern dating from the ninth century BC. The historic district is lying in the shadow of this bastion and clings around its beating heart which is undoubtedly the  Duomo , a gigantic cathedral built by Roger II, the Norman.

There are many sights to see in  medieval Cefalù  as well.

Entirely carved out from the rock and active until recently, is the  Medieval washhouse . After descending its suggestive lava stone, curved steps, we find ourselves in a half-covered space hosting a number of ancient basins, fed by the Cefalino river that flows out from twenty-two iron lion-shaped mouths.

In this special setting, full of  history and culture, we are thrown back into the  past, among songs screamed by the Sicilian laundresses, busy in their daily ritual.

It’s absolutely a must to see in Cefalù, for a magnificent taste of Sicilian Medieval life.

After this interesting immersion in art and culture, you just have to look for a good spot in front of the wonderful sea and order fresh fish while waiting for the sunset and for the spectacle of the enlightened port brightening the night up.

Next morning, early breakfast and departure for Marsala for a couple of nights there, with a stopovers to Erice and the Salt Way Road. Spend two days in Marsala

Two solutions to join Erice: drive by car up to the hilltown or park the car on the slopes of Erice hilltown and use the cable car. WE DO RECOMMEND to use the cable car where you can park the car and catch on the first cable car available.

From the time the cable-car approach the uptown, until your way back to the slopes of Erice, everything is amazing! During the cable car ride: look at the Tyrrhenian coast in the Gulf of Trapani and the tip of San Vito lo Capo at the horizon, and on the other, the port of Trapani, Saltpans and the  Egadi islands .

In spite of several of tourist inflow every day, much of Erice’s natural beauty is preserved to retain its charm. The proof of which are the narrow medieval roads just enough to pass only one local vehicle one way direction only.

To discover Erice,  let’s begin our tour from Porta Trapani  and walk through the alley streets and the squares, bordered by churches and palaces that, in open spaces, reveal majestic landscapes. Erice is famous for its numerous churches, indeed it was known as the city with a hundred churches.

Among the most beautiful places, there is the  Spanish neighborhood . It is said that this area was made during the Spanish ruling in order to accommodate Spanish soldiers, as it was mandatory for every city of Sicily. In Erice, a blockhouse was built, which we have fascinating remains, and a church dedicated to the cult of S. Antonio; however, the Spanish neighborhood was never finished because the soldiers were housed in the nearby castle.

Erice’s symbol is the Venus Castle ( Castello di Venere ), built by the Normans who used materials from the temple of Venus in Erice, from which the castle takes its name. The castle was surrounded by towers and beside them there is the  Balio , a wonderful garden from which you enjoy an  extraordinary panorama .

Let’s taste the  famous sweets of Erice . We have a great choice among historical laboratories of sweets from Erice. There are sweets made from ancient recipes of the nuns of cloistered monasteries.

Decorated like lace, the  marzipan sweets  are stuffed with preserved cedar. The  genovesi ericine  are filled with hot custard and sprinkled with icing sugar.  Mustaccioli , classic or honey types of cookies, are flavored with a hint of clove. Finally, the marzipan fruits, almond based, with soft and natural colors, cannot miss in this list.

Salt Way Road between Trapani and Marsala

The tourist paths for visits to the salt flats wind their way around the great basins and, running along the edges of the tanks of seawater – which glistens in the sun as it crystallizes – finally reach the mounds of salt. These mounds are topped by a series of recently restored windmills that recall the days when they were among the main instruments for pumping the water and grinding the salt.

A panorama that has to be enjoyed, preferably at sunset, when everything becomes tinged with red. We then arrive at the salt pans  Saline Ettore Infersa  ( Admission fee: payable on the spot at the ticket office ) which offer a truly unique landscape. Windmills, first introduced during mediaeval times, dot the horizon, a testament to how things were once done, though one or two continue to function, pumping water through the sluice gates into or out of the various basins. Piles of harvested salt, neatly covered with terracotta tiles, lie between the road and the basins waiting to be despatched.

If you have the chance, await the sunset …. is amazing taking a Prosecco here in the bar which is next to the Saltpans. Colours, sky, sea, salt hills, windmills …. trust us and drink your prosecco here!

A significant date in Sicilian wine history is 1773, the year John Woodhouse began producing what was destined to become one of the island’s best loved products: Marsala.

Woodhouse understood immediately that the decent local wine could be transformed using  in perpetuum  techniques (similar to the solera system used to make sherry). The addition of alcohol would not only fortify the wine but also help it survive the sea journey back to England intact. It was an instant success with the British, and soon other entrepreneurs, such as Ingham and Whitaker, were exploiting the wine’s popularity.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the English dominion in Marsala-making was brought to an end by the arrival of Vincenzo Florio , one of Italy’s first tycoons, who bought up much of the land around Marsala. Cantine Florio, though in different hands today, remains one of the best producers of Marsala, and a visit of their enormous barrel-filled winery is recommended.

For most of the 20th century, Sicily continued to produce enormous quantities of grapes, most of which were exported to be added to wine made elsewhere in Italy and France.

Plan with us the visit to the Florio Winery with wine tastings … is a must no miss

If you are a Gastronomy Lover let us indulging you in the local culinary tradition or Cooking Class. Busiate pasta with pesto or a cous cous soup with fish …. the culinary tradition here in this part of Sicily is definitely delicious! Contact us to arrange a Meal Experience!

Our Sicilian experience continue with the amazing visit of the most imposrtant archaeological sites: Selinunte on the way to Agrigento. Here we spend 2 days.

We do recommend to hire a Licensed Local Guide to visit this huge Archaeological Site.

Located on the south west coast of Sicily, Selinunte (named Selinos by Greeks) was one of the richest and most important cities for Magna Grecia. Unfortunately, it was turned into ruins by a fierce attack of Carthaginans who massacred or took into slavery its inhabitans.

Undoubtedly, its ruins runk among the most remarkable and fascinating archaeological sites in Sicily. The archeological site is the largest in Europe.

If you are passionated about history and archeology, or just curious and eager to see world’s wonders, you will spend very suggestive time by visiting this coffer brimming with Mediterranean history.

Furthermore, Selinunte benefits from a beautiful position: it overlooks the sea and it is surrounded by golden beaches.

To the west lies the archaeological site of  Selinunte , to the east, the seaside resort  of Porto Palo. In between is a 3km stretch of sandy beach, dunes, and coastal flora: the  Belice Nature Reserve .

Instituted in 1984, the Belice reserve is a wonderful place to visit in all seasons. Beach lovers will always find space on its generous sands during the spring, summer, and autumn, and swimmers will appreciate the cleanliness of its waters. In the cooler months, it’s a great spot for a brisk walk, following the disused Castelvetrano-Sciacca railway line while working up an appetite for a long lunch at La Pineta, a traditional seafood restaurant at the western extremity of the beach.

For nature lovers there’s also plenty to see. The dunes alternate with depressions, which form saltwater pools when the tide comes in. A vibrant, hardy range of flora thrives on the sandy, saline terrain, including sea daffodils, sea rocket, wild asparagus, lentisk, and tamarisk. On the fertile banks of the river delta grow towering reeds and bullrushes, while carob trees, dwarf palms, and the occasional pine rise discreetly above the dunes.

During the afternoon continue onto Agrigento from the sea. The view of the Greek temples and the hilltop city backdrop is one of the most memorable panoramas in Europe.

Two days in Agrigento to visit the amazing Valley of the Temples , the Kolymbetra Park and the Turkish Steps .

Agrigento, the Kolymbetra Park and the Turkish Steps

Walking on the temple hill with the huge doric temples all around us, is an impressive experience. The  temple of Hercules  is the most ancient of the temples of Agrigento. This ancient building has an extremely elongated structure.

The  temple of the Concord  is one of the greatest attractions of the archaeological park.It was build in doric style with six columns on the frontside. During the middleage, the temple was transformed into a Christian church..

At the highest point of the hill is setted the  Juno Lacinia temple . This hexastyle peripteral temple is the best preserved of the valley toghether with the temple of the Concord.

The other buildings are in the other area of the archaeological park, on the other side of the street (same ticket for entrance).Here are the ruins of the huge  temple of Olympian Zeus .The structure of this temple was supported by giant figures named Telamons (visible near the temple and in the archaeological museum of Agrigento with a reconstruction). The construction of this temple began in the fifth century B.C. but the building was never finished. In size it was only second to the temple of Diana in Ephesus. The  temple of Castor and Pollux  is an other famous sicilian panorama. The doric columns were raised up again in the nineteenth century. Near this temple it is also possible to visit the sanctuary of the chtonic divinities and the  Kolymbetra gardens .

Many people visit the  Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily and completely miss the luscious botanical garden called the Kolymbetra .

The history of the garden dates back to around 500 BC when the Greeks occupied Sicily. The garden was established as part of the ancient town of Akragas (today, Agrigento), once home to some 200,000 people. Because the area was mostly arid at the time, an extensive irrigation system was developed and as a result, a lush garden conceived.

What makes the garden so unique is the combination of ancient ruins  and  flora and fauna as well as many plants no longer cultivated in the Agrigento region but still grown here. You’re even allowed to pick citrus fruit off the trees and consume it right there on the spot! There are small bins all over to avoid littering as well as streams where you can wash your sticky fingers thereafter.

The citrus fruit is as fresh as anything and there is nothing like sitting in the sun eating a freshly plucked piece of fruit in utter tranquility. Thank heavens there were not a lot of  tourists around either! As you can imagine this made the experience even more special.

Then, a short drive to join the Turkish Steps

One of the most stunning natural sites to visit in Sicily is the  Turkish Steps  or the  Scala dei Turchi .

It is a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte and conveniently located only 15 minutes away from Agrigento. It is  one of the best spots to relax and take a break from site seeing as well as to enjoy a nice dip in the ocean .

The Turkish Steps in Sicily are beautiful white cliffs that have eroded in a way that looks like a staircase sloping into the blue waters of the Mediterranean. It is an amazing spot to  take photographs  and to  dive into the warm ocean  off of the amazing white cliffs. You can walk along the cliffs or simply lie out and take in the sun on this truly unique geological formation.

Furthermore, the name of the site comes from the Arab pirates who anchored their boats on the cliffs while they pillaged surrounding villages. The stone is specifically Marl which has eroded from the elements over the ages. Wet clay is supposedly good for the skin so many beach goers cover themselves in the sediment while they take in the sun. Think of it as a giant white natural lounge chair sloping into the ocean, which also has a clay spa built right in!

This natural wonder is  a perfect place to absorb the rays, enjoy a romantic sunset or hike along the coastline .

Maybe even take a nice bottle of Sicilian wine and just relax while looking at the incredible view!

After exploring Agrigento area , now you can continue to Syracusa with a WOW recommended stopover to visit the Roman Villa or Villa Romana del Casale located in Piazza Armerina and shopping time in Caltagirone which is famous for the lovely pottery.

We do recommend to spend in Syracusa 3 to 4 days … there are so many amazing sites to visit from here!

The Villa Romana del Casale (trans. Roman Country Villa) in Piazza Armerina is considered to be one of the most important exemplars of an official governmental residence, attributed to the elaboration and exceptional beauty of its architectonic and decorative elements. Dated back to  320-350 A.D. , the villa most likely belonged to a member of Rome’s senatorial class, probably a governor of the Eternal City itself ( Praefectus Urbi ). However, some scholars would maintain that the villa was built and eventually expanded upon the official commission of an Imperial functionary of a rather high order; they have identified this person to be Maximian, a Tetrarch (one of four co-Emperors) of Diocletian.

Archaeologists undertook an important excavation project in the mid-18th Century, bringing to light 37,674 sq ft of  mosaic flooring  – figurative and geometric – along with  wall mosaics , columns, statues, capitals and coins. The theme of the mosaics? They are essentially, in part, paeans to the homeowner himself, and they are done, one might add, with a certain profundity and eloquence. Moreover, much of the house exhibits a definite influence from North African art styles, leading diggers and academics to believe that some of the construction workers from the African Continent.

In the mosaics, the viewer can detect varying styles and narrative cycles: one is dedicated to mythology and to Homeric poems, while another refers to nature and scenes from the Roman aristocracy’s quotidian life.

Caltagirone, the Capital of Sicilian Pottery

Tourism and ceramics are the most important resources of this pretty town where every corner tells an interesting and ancient story: the name itself comes from an Arabic term that meant  “Castle of pottery jars” . Plenty of extraordinary works of art are still preserved in the city’s Museum of Pottery, where some of the terra-cotta objects date back to the period of Magna Grecia.

The outstanding quality and creativity of Caltagirone’s ceramics is best admired in the most famous landmark of the town:  the monumental Santa Maria del Monte staircase , whose 142 steps are all decorated with hand-painted ceramic tiles, using the typical colors, shapes and patterns of the most traditional pottery production and art. If you happen to be around by that time, don’t miss the marvellous show of the staircase illuminated by thousands of candles creating an artistic image on Saint James’ day (July 25th).

As it happened for the other baroque towns of the Noto Valley, Caltagirone was destroyed by the massive earthquake of 1693 and then rebuilt with a very perceivable baroque imprinting: its  elegant historical centre  includes beautiful examples of the most typical Sicilian baroque architecture, such as the church of San Giorgio and Santa Maria del Monte, located on top of the famous and colourful monumental staircase and rich in invaluable paintings and statues.

Together with elegant and refined palaces and churches, the historical centre of Caltagirone is studded with a multitude of  tiny lovely boutiques and shops selling beautiful ceramics , pottery and terra-cotta works of art from the local laboratories: a souvenir is compulsory!

After a long day-self-drive-transfer-tour connencting Agrigento to Syracusa with the two recommended stopovers to Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone you arrive in Syracusa.

In Syracusa spend 2 or 3 or 4 days or 5 days … or more visiting the Town of Syracusa (which involves also Ortigia island) as well as the amazing villages outside Syracusa which we will shown you below in this article.

Syracusa Mainland and Ortigia island

Today you can park your car and we recommend to hire a Local Guide which is able to escort you to visit the most important local highlights.

Like in Palermo, Syracusa city centre is padestrian with ZTL restrictions  so is convenient for you walk to explore and use taxi to cover the long distances.

To hire a Local Guide feel free to contact Tour of Sicily and decide with them to hire the local guide for half day or a full day .

Of course, you can inquiry Tour of Sicily also for e.g. – Syracusa Cooking Class and Open Air Market – An amazing Boat Tour around the Ortigia island

Syracuse is a city on the south eastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily.

As one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, Syracuse has a wonderful collection of historical sites from both the ancient Greek and Roman time periods. Furthermore, this city was considered one of the main powers in the Mediterranean sea during these ancient times and allied with both the Spartans and Corinthians.

In ancient times, the rulers of Syracuse were embroiled in various battles with enemies such as Carthage and the Romans. Today the city has a budding economy, mainly driven by tourism, shipping and agriculture.

Syracusa is a window into the ancient history of the Mediterranean and Europe.

This was a center of Greek, Byzantine and Judaic civilization.

Physical evidence of these three cultures can still be seen today, making Ortygia a fascinating place to visit for anybody curious about the historic patrimony we have inherited from classical mythology, early Christianity and medieval Judaism.

Let’s explore the  best things to do in Syracuse :

1. Archaeological Park

The Archaeological Park in the western part of Syracuse is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of the region.

Within this fantastic area is a series of ancient ruins and the most renowned is the Greek Theatre.

Created in 470 BC, this ancient amphitheatre played host to some legendary play writes such as Aischylos and Sophocles, and has a diameter of 138 metres. is a series of ancient ruins and the most renowned is the Greek Theatre.

Today, much of the originally semi-circular seating survives in fantastic condition, although it is sometimes covered with wood to preserve its quality.

Furthermore, you can still see sections of the stage and scenery buildings.

This is one of the best preserved theatres in Sicily and is a must see attraction when visiting Syracuse.

Another true gem within the Archaeological Park in the western part of Syracuse is the impressive Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie and teh Dionisio Ear.

2. Ortigia Market

The market is  colorful and lively  and, as in many markets, is characterized by the cries of the vendors. It is not, however, the chaotic atmosphere of a North African souk; on the contrary, what is surprising is that absolute order reigns in certain stalls, with piles of produce stacked in meticulous rows and aligned with geometric precision.

It’s best to go as early in the day as possible, especially in the warmer months, not only to avoid the heat of the South but also to ensure the best  selection of goods  (and of course to have the rest of the morning available for other activities).

3. Piazza Duomo

Other notable structures include the Palazzo della Sovrintendenza, the town hall, and the Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia.

Furthermore, there is also a beautiful garden and a series of restaurants and cafes.

On certain days, a local market is held here which is the perfect place to pick up a bargain.

4. Juwish Quarter and the Mikva – Ritual Jewish Bath

Up until their  expulsion by the Spanish sovereign in 1492 , Jews  constituted a very important portion of Syracuse . They amounted at times to a third of the population, which is to say several thousand people.

The Jewish community of Syracuse was, in fact, the  most populous in Sicily after that of Palermo .

The Jewish presence in Syracuse was already documented in Roman times and counted among its population numerous and rich merchants and bankers. This presence, maintained into the Byzantine age, was increased during the Arab domination of the area thanks to the influx of Sephardic populations from North Africa, where several Berber tribes converted to Judaism prior to Islam.

Although the Jewish presence in Syracuse preceded the date by which all of the Jewish populations of Catholic countries were obligatorily confined to ghettos (starting in 1555), a large part of this population preferred to collect voluntarily in a “ Jewish quarter .” This was for very practical and emotional reasons but also for understandable self-protection, and the practice can be credited with giving birth in modern cities to neighborhoods of prevalent ethnic populations, such as “Italian quarters,” “Chinese quarters”, and so forth.

For half a millennium the existence of this space was forgotten. The conversion of to the existing building above the mikvah into a hotel, however, revealed its long access stairway, and the earth (five truckloads!) covering it was removed. Then, the discoverers found the space perfectly preserved yet full of fresh water up to the ceiling.

Mikvah of Syracuse –Ritual Jewish Bath —  appears today to visitors as a rectangular principal room, entirely excavated in the limestone rock (to a depth of 18 meters / 59 feet). Its ceiling is supported by four pillars, and the floor is punctuated with three dug baths. Its walls contain three side niches, two of which also feature a bath. One of the side niches intersected a circular well, probably from the Hellenistic period.

An opening in the ceiling provides ventilation and illumination, which runs to the surface next to the current access to the stairs.  In the past, the small amount of light provided by this shaft was the only illumination available, save for the addition of oil lamps. Examples of these lamps were found during the excavation and are now displayed in a case in the hotel above.

According to the most recent scholarship, this space may be the most ancient ritual Jewish bath left to us in Europe: the period of construction suggested by scholars is, in fact, the  6th century A.D. , in the peak years of the  Byzantine period .

For what reasons did the Jewish community of Syracuse take it upon itself to conduct this impressive work?  For religious reasons. The water of the mikvah had to be “living water,” that is to say it can ebb and flow without human intervention. The constant subterranean filtration of that depth guaranteed such a characteristic, even in the middle of an island. This was the reason why the this space required such deep excavation into the subsoil: the stagnant water at surface level was not appropriate for ritual use, so the search for an appropriate water source moved deep underground.

Still today, with the out-flowing canal being obstructed by work conducted in modern times, the owner of the hotel has to regularly operate the pumps (obviously not during tours). If this is not done, the water that continuously filters through the walls of the tubs will again fill them.

Since ancient times the fountain was, in fact, cited by poets and writers (Pindar, Moschus, Ovid, Virgil, and then John Milton, Alexander Pope, Gabriele D’Annunzio), and even inspired the Polish composer  Karol Szymanowski .

In ancient Greek myth, the origin of the spring was attributed to the fate of a nymph,  Arethusa , who was transformed by the goddess Artemis into a spring to escape the stalking courtship of  Alpheus  (son of the god Oceanus). He, in despair, was in turn transformed into a river by Zeus and thereby succeeded to finally mix his water with that of Arethusa. The myth probably attempts to explain the brackish taste of the water that results from the infiltration of the bordering sea. Take note that the fountain has changed in appearance many times over the centuries and the last alteration was in 1540 when, constructing ramparts around the island of Ortigia, the Spanish reduced the lake created by the spring of approximately 200 meters to the much smaller, semicircular pool (at the foot of the wall) that one sees now.

These overlying walls were demolished in 1847, with the bases of the ramparts transformed into the Belvedere (redesigned in 1947) that one can admire today.

This pond also has a second peculiarity: at its center a collection of  wild papyrus  has grown for millennia.

This thicket, together with the similar growths along the Ciane/Anapo river, constitutes the only wild papyrus existing in Europe. 

To the delight of youngsters, freshwater fish and domesticated ducks swim in the deep water of the spring.

6. and more important highlights

We cannot write a poem and tehre are too many sites to see in Syracusa and Ortigia. Let us just mention them e.g.:

– Maniace Castle : The castle that covers the entire point of the island of Ortigia is situated on the spot where a temple of Hera once stood and later served as the location for the palaces of the Greek “tyrants” of Syracuse and of the Roman administrators stood). The present castle, though, takes its name from its first builder, the  Byzantine  general  George Maniakes ,  who liberated Syracuse from Arab rule  for a few years (1040-1043), and fortified the port at this point.

– Syracusa Dome : a monument of singular charm, and its extraordinary characteristics are virtually unequalled in Italy. The building was, in fact, made by enclosing the columns of a Doric Greek temple of the 5th century BC , which, resultantly allowed the temple to survive  virtually intact. The imposing Greek columns are still clearly visible both inside and outside the church. While keeping up with the times and changes of religion (Greek temple, church, mosque, and then a church again), the site has remained a place of worship for a good two and a half millennia!

– The Hypogeum of Piazza del Duomo:  The limestone that exists in and around Syracuse is relatively soft and easy to cut. This feature made it practical and economical to dig cisterns, aqueducts, and catacombs,and also to mine building stone. Stone quarries have been found not only on the margins of the ancient Greek city but even directly on the island of Ortigia itself. The ground beneath Syracuse, after millennia of mining, is thus crossed by a dense network of passages and tunnels, many of which are extremely impressive.

– Santa Lucia alla Badia:  Overlooking the  Piazza del Duomo  is the whimsical façade of the  Church of Santa Lucia all Badia . A Baroque-Rococo blend of styles, the church is crossed by a long balcony enclosed by tall, wrought-iron railings, behind which sits the cloister for the nuns of the convent. From this secluded location they could observe the ceremonies of taking place in the town piazza. The bright interior of the single-nave church is relatively bare and decorated with  modern sculpture and modest paintings . The remarkable exception, however, is the masterpiece recently placed on the high altar: The Burial of Saint Lucia by  Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

– Castello Euralio:   is the largest castle dating back to Greek times that survives until the present day and one of the most important Greek monuments in Sicily.  Castles, as one knows, are created for fortification during war, and as soon as the opportunity presents itself they are razed to the ground either during or after a war. In spite of this, thanks to the fact that a large part of this building was dug directly into the rock, part of the structure of this particular castle survives (a case more unique than rare). The castle is impressive in size despite two and a half millennia having passed since its construction and despite the hardships it endured: of the wall’s original height of 8-10 meters / 26-32 feet,  today their highest point is a mere 3 meters / 9 feet.

-Catacombs of San Giovanni:  Along with the  Catacombs of Santa Lucia , those of  San Giovanni make up the part that is easiest to visit in the whole complex of Syracuse’s catacombs, which in terms of expansiveness and articulation are second only to   those of Rome . The atmosphere that permeates this underground place is extraordinary, full of charm and mystery.

– Puppet Lab and Theater:  The charm of the traditional “Puppet Theater” (or “ Opera dei pupi “, the Sicilian marionette show) is such that it is common to find foreign tourists, who do not speak Italian, at the performances offered for more than a century by the Vaccaro-Mauceri family. Born in the 19th century by adapting to the cultural nostalgic love for the chivalrous knights of Charlemagne and that of 16th century writer  Torquato Tasso ’s  Liberation of Jerusalem  and  Ludovico Ariosto ‘s  The Frenzy of Orlando , the puppet theater has become an art form in itself, to the point of outliving the models from which it developed. Today it has been proclaimed an “ Intangible Heritage of Humanity” Site by UNESCO .

Surroundings of Syracusa

Now … how long you will spend in Syracusa? Based on your stay you can decide how to spend the time!

There are a lot to see and explore in the Syracusa’s surroundings:

Marzamemi , It is an enchanting  fishing village , not far from the famous “regina barocca” (baroque queen)  Noto ; it features in its blue venues of its waters and the pure white of the, kissed by the sun, houses.

It is  Marzamemi , with its  tunny fishing nets  dated 1600, one of the most important in Sicily, with its docks for yachting boats, ruins of ancient vessels, narrow alleys, beaches impressed at sight, traditional cuisine which highlights the strong and original fishing tastes, and the wise processing of fishing products (red tuna bottarga), very often matched to the  tomato  of the nearby Pachino .

A native of Porto Empedocle, Sicily, author Andrea Camilleri set the investigations of his famed character, Inspector Montalbano in fictional Sicilian locations.

He gave his book’s cities imaginary names such Vigata, Marinella, or Montelusa, yet he based them off of Sicilian towns he knew. The subsequent television series recreated these imagined cities in the splendid landscape of eastern Sicily, between the provinces of Syracuse and Ragusa (namely Syracuse, Brucoli, Noto, Marzamemi, Modica, Donnafugata, Scicli, Ragusa Ibla).

The commissioner’s office of Vigata (the town hall) and the police headquarters of Montelusa (Palazzo Iacono), for example, are found in Scicli, while its main square is that of the Duomo of Ragusa Ibla. Donnafugata Castle is the home of mafia boss Sinagra and not far away one finds the “hamlets of Marinella” with the Commissioner’s house (in reality Punta Secca) and the ancient, early Christian catacombs of the Grotta delle Trabacche (“The Terracotta Dog” episode). Returning to Syracuse, you can visit the infamous “La Mannara” beach with its atmospheric ruins of industrial architecture of the Fornace Penna (at Punta Pisciotto). Then you can head to Noto and Marzamemi, where the last series set several murders and investigations, and finally to Brucoli, north of Syracuse itself, with the castle and splendid beach that also hosted a few episodes. In addition to Montalbano, you can also experience the locales of the great cinema of Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard (set at the Castle and in the majestic Donnafugata park). One can also chart the cinematographic course of   Gabriele Salvatores ’ Sud in Marzamemi, a location in which other film directors (Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Giuseppe Tornatore, Nello Correale, to name a few) chose to shoot their films.

Let us also enphasize a village which is considered the Sicilian town with an ancient segret: Made in the Sicilian town of Modica, the Aztec-inspired chocolate is one of the world’s best-kept secrets.

Unlike the often over-sugared and creamy snack we know as chocolate, the original xocoàtl was bitter and used to enhance sauces for meat dishes, grated over salads or eaten on its own as a dietary supplement. If prepared with certain spices, it was considered an aphrodisiac.

In Modica, generations of families have followed the same techniques, using metates crafted with lava stone from Mt Etna. Locals would mix the chocolate paste with sugar, “cold working” it so that the sugar doesn’t get hot enough to melt; it gives the treat an unusual but deliciously crunchy texture. Then, they would incorporate flavours typically enjoyed on Sicily such as lime oil or pistachio. Today, flavourings are occasionally adapted to more modern tastes such as the current European fashion for sea salt chocolate.

The first shop we encountered is the grand  Antica Dolceria Bonajuto , which dates back to the 1880s, and is still run by the family who founded it. When the rest of Europe began to develop a taste for milk chocolate in the 19th Century, the Bonajuto family eschewed the practice and continued making dairy-free, dark chocolate in the Aztec style. All along the counter were dishes filled with samples infused with chilli, cinnamon, lemon oil, sea salt, vanilla, caramel and other flavours.

We can recommend no better day out in the Province of Syracusa and Ragusa than a visit to the Castello di Donnafugata . Those among you who love the Commissario Montalbano TV series, the on screen adaptation of Andrea Camilleri’s detective novels, will recognise the building. It is featured in some episodes of the series as the villa of Mafia boss Balduccio Sinagra.

Recently fully restored, the Castle, with its white façade and Venetian Gothic loggia, gives me a warm feeling of pleasure every time I see it, perhaps because it is a castle that could have illustrated a book of fairy tales and there is an immediate sense of recognition.

Disappointingly, though, the Castle’s name, whose literal translation would be “the woman who fled”,  is just the result of a linguistic corruption and not a reference to any romantic escape.  In the tenth or eleventh century, the Arabs, finding a fresh water fountain on the site, built a fortification there and named it “Ayn As Jafat” [“Fountain of health”]. This became “Ronnafuata” in dialect and later “Donnafugata.”

Another illusion held by some visitors is that the Castle is the Donnafugata mentioned in  “The Leopard”  – there are even some guide books and websites which tell you that this is so – but it is not. Nevertheless, when I am there I like to imagine the ladies of the Prince of Salina’s household living in such surroundings and, if I listen carefully, I am sure I can hear the swish of their crinoline skirts upon the floors.

One Day Trip to Pantalica Nature Reserve

It is a vast, vast canyon (“cava” in Sicilian) of nearly 4,000 hectares and unique characteristics: At the top is unique archeological testimony from the prehistoric to the Byzantine ages; on the steep limestone cliffs there are about 5000 cave tombs carved in the rock; and at the base, a river flowing through lush Mediterranean vegetation.

Pantalica is truly breath-taking, a good part of it still to be explored. It is a realm of silence, of raptors flying over these deep and mysterious gorges, of the most excellent example in the world of funerary architectural ruins. As if that wasn’t enough, there is a megalithic building (Anaktoron) of unknown origins.

The reserve comprises the Anapo river valley on of the longest rivers on the island and the principal river of the Iblean mountains, that over time eroded the limestone over which it flows, living rise to the characteristic canyon surrounding the archeological site of Pantalica.

There are two Karst cave, the cave of the bats and the Found cave. But Pantalica is, first of all, the valley of the River Anapo, clear and fresh. The water is inhabited by crayfish and the painted discoglosso, a rare frog

Give a look at our Tour shown on:  https://www.tourofsicily.com/tour/pantalica-and-anapo-valley-1-day/

One Day Trip to Cavagrande del Cassibile – Hike and Swim

Give a look at our Tour shown on:  https://www.tourofsicily.com/tour/cavarande-canyon-1-day/

After a few –or more — days spent in Syracusa is the time to move to Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily.

Spend in Taormina 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or more days and decide how to spend the overnights

Let’s explore the  best things to do in Taormina :

1. Greek Roman Theatre

The ancient Greeks loved to construct their buildings in beautiful scenic locations and  here they found the pairing of Etna and the Naxos bay, with a wonderful view, when sky is clear, to can admire  Calabria coasts.

It is, surely, the main monument of the city, not only for its intrinsic artistic value, but also for the scenic location in which it is placed. The view enjoyed from up there is even defined as the view par excellence, the one that is not to be missed when in Sicily.

2. Walk Around and Explore

There are several sites to see in Taormina which are located in the hill of the town and not far away from the Greek Roman Theatre. Walk in Corso Umberto Street, sit in a bar and drink a cappuccino or eat a granita with brioche –a sort of sorbet and ice cream–, visit the Palazzo Corvaja … and if you want to swim, take the cable car ride down to Mazzarò and swim in the blue sea … or take a Taormina boat tour wih us

You can also decide to hire a local guide to visit the town

If you are a Cooking Lover indulge your senses in a half day cooking class with a local chef. Tour of Sicily can book it for you as shown on  https://www.tourofsicily.com/tour/taormina-cooking-class-to-learn-from-our-chef/

Taormina Surroundings

1. Etna Volcano

EUROPE’S HIGHEST VOLCANO,  Mount Etna is one of most active of the world.  Its impressive size ( more than 3327 meters  high  with an average basal diameter of 40 km)  overlooks  the whole region.

In relation to the different altitudes and exposure of the slopes, Etna offers a high biodiversity with a rich Mediterranean scrubland and numerous wood species:  birches  with clear bark, evidence of ancient glaciations, oaks ,  beeches ,  pines ,  brooms  of Etna and  chestnut trees . In the area of Sant’Alfio we find the oldest and largest tree in Europe, the  Hundred Horses Chestnut , awarded with the title of  UNESCO Messenger of Peace.

A day tour to spend is necessary and is a must not miss

If you are active and hiker guy do not hesitate to check our amazing Hiking Tour: Etna Hiking and Descent by the volcano ash

If you want to handle the day tour to the Etna Volcano on your own give a look at our blog:  https://www.tourofsicily.com/etna-volcano-in-a-pocket/

If vice-versa you are looking us to plan a funny experience including the visit of local wineries and wine tatsings do not use your vehicle but ask us to hire a private WD4X4 Land Rover as shown on  https://www.tourofsicily.com/tour/etna-alcantara-gorges-wineries-by-jeep-ride-from-taormina/

2. Castelmola and the Almond Wine

If with a single glance you can you can catch the Ionian coast, the monumental  Etna , the Bay of  Giardini-Naxos , the  Cape of S.Alessio , the strait of  Messina  and the Calabrian coast, either you are on Google Maps or you are in Castelmola.

This small village above  Taormina  is a real genuine natural terrace built on the ruins of a Norman castle that, over time has assumed a concave and smooth shape, similar to that of a millstone (grindstone). Therefore, it is easy to guess the origin of the name. It is an instant contraction of “Castle” and “Mola”.

Of the whole fortress we can admire just what remain of the norman walls. A plaque from the tenth century with Greek-Byzantine engravings placed on the façade of the cathedral states: “ This castle was built under Costantino, patrician and strategist of Sicily “.

A easy way to join Casstelmola from Taormina is taking the Public Bus who leaves next from Porta Messina –Messina Gate–. Ticket costs a few euros and you can purchase the ticket on the spot or buy the round trip tickets in the bar next to the bus-stop. The ride is around 20 minutes by bus each way.

The square is a mosaic of white lava stone, bordered by tree-lined and shady pavements that open up onto the lookout where you can see Taormina from. In general, the urban design is very nice, the street names, the street numbers and signs are almost always in stone and wrought iron. The doors and windows of the houses are framed in Taormina stone and the houses are covered in light colours ranging from a delicate yellow to antique rose. The Sicilian style roof tiles are still on the roofs and, excluding some questionable buildings from the 60s to 70s, everything is as you would expect from a Sicilian village.

A half day tour to spend in Castelmola

Still on the on the square overlooking the historic  Caffè S. Giorgio , founded by monks in 1700. The special feature of this building used as a tavern, in addition to the album that collects the signatures of famous people who have passed through Castelmola since 1907, has the authorship of one of the most distinctive products of the village:  the almond wine .  Don Vincenzo Blandano, the historical owner of the café, used to welcome people, coming to visit the village. This drink, made with almonds and oranges essences is, probably, one of his invention.

3. Savoca and the Godfather Movie

This small town set in the rock of a hill of dual tip, experienced the interest of kings, popes and Archimandrite prelates, in a succession of periods of serious crisis and prosperity. The basalt blocks lying on roads leading between separate small houses, freshly restored with Sicilian tiles on the roofs and windows framed in stone, then following streets in the rock here you’ll find extremely fragmented ruins and old cisterns.

A half day tour is recommended to visit Savoca

Up high, overseeing, are the ruins of the  castle Pentefur , a building of questionable origin, perhaps Phoenician, Arab or maybe Norman. It is a bastion which, over time, claimed the title of the Royal Castle, by the will of Philip IV of Sicily. In medieval times, the village of Savoca was surrounded by a wall with double entrance built by the Normans. It is an imposing structure that still remains the City Gate today, a pointed arch made of local stone.

Finally, there is the  Church of San Nicolò , which seems almost stretch out into space, built as it is on a massive outcrop of rock. It has three wide aisles and an austere atmosphere of the steep fortress over the valley. The curious thing is that the church was one of the famous  sets  of the  film  “ the Godfather ” along with the  Bar Vitelli , housed inside eighteenth century  Palazzo Trimarchi . A Byzantine mural has recently been uncovered which depicts St. John Chrysostom, the father of the Christian Church of the East.

If you get to Savoca and you are hungry, you can enjoy typical fresh homemade  tagliatelle pasta , dressed with a wild fennel and pork meat ragù sauce or alternatively, the maccarruna, fresh  macaroni  pasta with pork rind in winter and with aubergine in the summer.

The gastronomy of Savoca, refers to the rural and Sicilian culinary traditions: we can try  piscistoccu ,  dried cod cooked with plenty of extra virgin olive oil, tomato paste, green and black olives, capers, chili, potatoes, celery, u  cunzatu breads  local homemade bread that is baked in a wood oven and seasoned with extra – virgin olive oil, salt , pepper, to Cuzzola, a fresh pasta sourdough , fried in olive oil and roasted on charcoa. Don’t miss  granita ca ‘ zzuccarata  is a lemon granita served with zzuccarata,a very crisp local biscuit topped with sesame seeds.

And now we are at the end of our tour. Tomorrow you can self drive to Catania airport and drop your car off.

Hope you have appreciated all teh information shown in the article and feel free to contact Tour of Sicily Tour Operator to customize your tour, decide what to see and what to do, focus all on the gastronomy, wine, experiences, landscape …. as you have read, the island of Sicily has so many important locations which are awaiting for you.

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North Sicily

West sicily, east sicily, south sicily.

• Discover Sicily

Travel to Sicily

Beautiful beaches. Fascinating towns. Stunning mountain ranges. North Sicily has it all. This area is a wonderful choice for a fabulous holiday in Sicily.

Towns & Cities

Northern Sicily has a wonderful range of towns and cities, from small coastal towns, picturesque hilltop villages and vibrant cities. Visit a few and soak up the local atmosphere.

Capo d'Orlando

Castel di tusa, st. stefano di camastra, castelbuono, piana degli albanesi, montalbano elicona, highly recommended.

Not sure how to pass the time in Sicily? Here are a few top tips from Villatravellers. Enjoy these highlights and enjoy a wonderful holiday in north Sicily.

Food & Wine

Imagine eating fresh, delicious food every day, sipping on local wine every evening as the sun goes down. That is the reality in north Sicily. This area has fantastic local food and wine. Try everything!

Street Food in Palermo

Mushrooms and pork in castelbuono, granita in capo d'orlando, cannoli in piana degli albanesi, wine in camporeale, fish in porticello, wine bars in cefalù.

Lounge on a sandy beach every day, if that is how you want to pass your time! North Sicily's coast is wonderful for families, and for fun under the sun. You can enjoy lazy days by the coast with ease!

Historical Sights

UNESCO has recognised the Arab-Norman architecture in Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù as a world heritage site. As well as these beautiful buildings, there are many other sights to discover harking back to Sicily's fascinating past.

Palermo Cathedral

Monreale cathedral, cefalù cathedral, castello dei ventimiglia.

Enjoying a local event is a great way to truly understand the culture of the local area. Here are a few suggestions that could enhance your holiday if you are in the right place at the right time!

Find your way around

Wondering where everything is? Here's some help!

Experiences in North Sicily

Villas in north sicily.

A northern Sicily itinerary

For the perfect northern sicily itinerary, it’s best to start high in the north, in palermo . the italian city is the capital of sicily and lies right on the coast. as there are some fascinating historical sights to visit here, i recommend to allow enough time for this wonderful, edgy city. here’s which other places to visit in sicily:.

Scopello - a Sicilian insider tip

The coastal town is the perfect place for a dip in the cold water. The beach west of Castellammare del Golfo is a white pebble beach facing beautiful turquoise waters. As it is rather small and unknown, it is not overrun by tourists. Or just because of that it is one of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in Sicily. Scopello is a kind of small fishing village. This one is charming and idyllic. You can also visit the old tuna fishing station (Tonnara di Scopello), which now houses a museum and a small guesthouse.

Erice - a small town right on top of the hill

The medieval town Erice is located in the western part of Sicily, high on Monte Erice and a must see Spot in Sicily. At about 750 meters above sea level, you have a wonderful view of the surrounding towns, the Mediterranean Sea, and the beautiful beach of San Vito Lo Capo. In the distance, you can even see the Aegades, a group of islands.

To reach the impressive viewpoint, you can either take the narrow mountain road or the cable car.  

Cornino & Monte Cofanino

Close to Erice lies the small village of Cornino right at the Mediterranean coast. It is best to bring your diving goggles, because you’ll find an impressive underwater world. The clean and sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing and a walk.

For hikers, it is well worth visiting Monte Cofanino. The hiking route surrounding the 315-meter peak is about 8 km and takes about 3 hours. However, there is no shady spot and no possibility for an early pit stop, so the best time for this activity is in the early mornings and late afternoons. Do not forget water and a hat!

Castellammare del Golfo - a place to relax, stroll and enjoy

This Italian village is located on the north-west coast of Sicily at the Gulf of Sicily. You can stroll through the atmospheric old town and to the harbour at this famous tourist town. You can book various excursions by boat from there.

In the late evening hours, i.e. at the blue hour , grab your camera and take some shots from above the village. The colorful sky and the surrounding mountains are wonderful scenery to capture.

The Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro - hiking in Sicily

For sure, there is one thing not to be missed on your Sicily itinerary: a hike through the nature reserve Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro. It covers an area of 1,600 ha, including an 8 km long coastal strip. You can easily drive to the end of the avenue and park your car there. Within the area, it will amaze you at how beautiful nature is.

On the hiking route, you will have a fantastic view of the wide, bright blue sea all the time.

Dinner by the sea

After an exhausting day of hiking and other activities, a dinner by the sea is the perfect retreat. Tonnara di Bonagia in Valderice with the old tuna fishing station is the perfect place to do this. In one of the restaurants, you can finish the day with delicious food and a perfect view.

Marsala - salt & sunset

The harbour town is located on the west coast of Sicily and is known above all for its salt production in the salt mines. In the past, the extraction of salt from Marsala was one of the most important sources of income. Today, they also allow tourists to enter the salt mines. 

Beside that, Marsala is also known for the Marsala wine. You can treat yourself with a glass in one of many beach bars. From there, you have a perfect view of the sun setting behind the salt lagoons in the evening. 

A day trip from Trapani

You should plan a whole day for a boat trip to Levanzo and Favignana . These two islands are surrounded by beautiful bays and turquoise sea. At the port of Favignana, you have the possibility to rent a bike and explore the small, manageable island. 

Learn a couple of Italian phrases, because you might not find many people speaking English. This is mainly because there are not too many tourists in the area.

Selinunte - Excavations of the Greeks

A Sicilian highlight is this archaeological site on the south coast: Selinunte. Mainly you will see the last remains of the Greek city Selinus. These include two necropolises and extensive temples. You can visit the archaeological finds until 1 hour before sunset. My tip: In the evening at the golden hour, the place is magical.

Where to stay for your Northern Sicily itinerary?

I stayed in Valderice in B&B Z’Angelina *. A lovely small bed and breakfast with a lovely host, super clean rooms and a pool. Plus: the breakfast is awesome!

Let's talk history

Sicily has been influenced by many cultures, countries and organizations. The Mafia also plays a role, but not half as important as you might think.

In the early days of 750 B.C. – 215 B.C. Sicily still belonged to Greece. The Greeks built a lot of towers and other buildings, which you can still visit today. They concentrated on agriculture and the profitable export of various goods. The famous scientist Archimedes, however, provided more understanding of science and art and culture. One might think this period had a very peaceful atmosphere. Well, the exact opposite was the truth. There was a war between the two great powers of the Romans and the Carthaginians. Today we know it as the Punic War.

The Roman people triumphed and long-lasting peace returned. After about 500 years, however, Christianity spread and Sicily split. In the eastern part, the Byzantine Empire and its capital Constantinople came into existence. While this became stronger and stronger and spread, the great power of the Arabs and Islam arose in the south.

Another war followed, from which the Arabs emerged victorious in 831 AD. They achieved great progress in agriculture through new irrigation methods and gave Sicily an Arab touch. Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together peacefully until 1300 AD. Meanwhile, the Normans and then the Staufers roamed the country. During the Anjou period, there was a historical popular uprising against foreign occupiers. This became known under the name Sicilian Vespers. When it became peaceful then, the Sicilians did not really know what to do, so they asked a Spanish foreign ruler to rule the province.

The predominantly Spanish rule of the next 600 years was broken in the meantime mainly by the land barons. They lawfully took over Sicilian domestic politics and thus gained more power. From this, the Mafia arose, which celebrated its rise particularly in the 19th century and displaced the Spanish aristocracy.

Around the year 1860, Sicily was liberated from all occupation by the guerrilla fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi within the framework of the so-called Risorgimento. With the foundation of the Italian nation state, Sicily was now officially part of Italy. The changes brought by the liberators did not please the population in favour of the Mafia. After the 2nd World War, the land barons regained power.

Since 1970, the Mafia has been actively fought. In 1985, the first Antimafia Mayor was elected and in 2012 Sicily received an Antimafia Prime Minister. 

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links marked with *. It means I will get a small commission if you book/buy via my link. This is at no extra cost for you.

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The Ultimate Sicily Road Trip: An Epic 10 Days in Sicily Itinerary

Beautiful, mysterious Sicily, with its looming volcano, sparkling azure waters, and hilltop villages, is one of those travel destinations that I have spent most of my life dreaming about. After finally taking a Sicily road trip, I can say confidently that the island was worth the wait… and that we’ll be working our way through another Sicily itinerary before too long.

The largest island in the Mediterranean truly does have it all: whether you’re looking to lounge on a beach, dive headfirst into the cuisine, explore the Roman (or Greek, or Norman, or Arab, or Byzantine) history, or visit famous Mount Etna, a Sicily road trip has something to offer.

Planning your own trip to Sicily and not sure exactly where to go?

We’ve put together this 10 days in Sicily itinerary for first-timers to the island–this is how to make the most of your first Sicily road trip!

Table of Contents

Why to Take a Sicily Road Trip

How we structured this 10 day sicily itinerary, a note on the language of the island, the ultimate 10 day sicily road trip itinerary, other places to visit on your sicily road trip, sicily road trip itinerary map, what to know about driving in sicily, the best time to visit sicily, what to pack for sicily.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Sicily was made for road tripping: with plenty of wide-open spaces, beautiful natural spots, and tiny towns worth visiting, there are few places in Italy more worthy of hitting the open road than Sicily.

Add in a less-than-ideal public transportation system, and a Sicily road trip quickly emerges as the clear best way to explore the island–but you need to be prepared in order to make the most of it.

You could easily create a month-long Sicily itinerary and still leave the island with stones unturned–but let’s face it, most people won’t have that long to spend on the island.

Our Sicily road trip itinerary is designed to hit all the best spots on the island for first-timers to visit, allowing you to get a taste of many different parts of Sicily: complicated yet lovely Palermo, beautiful beaches, and hilltop villages are all covered, as well as some of the most popular cities in Sicily.

Next to each location, we’ve noted the minimum number of full days (so, not counting a day you arrive at 4pm, for example) we’d recommend spending in each location. 

This works out to be quick-paced but reasonable 10 day Sicily itinerary–but if you’re lucky enough to have more time to spend in Sicily, you can extend it far longer, both by increasing the number of days spent in each location and adding new destinations (we’ll provide some suggestions for those below as well).

Though Italian is the official language in Sicily, Sicilian dialect–which is related and yet distinctly different, to the point where Italian speakers will have a hard time understanding it–is widely spoken in Sicily.

In the destinations covered on this Sicily road trip itinerary, you won’t run into many people (especially those who work with or near tourists) who don’t comfortably speak Italian–but if you stop off in smaller towns along the way, you’ll start to hear (and even see, on menus and such) more and more dialect.

As for English, well–like most places in the world, you can get by among those working in the tourism industry by using it, but it’ll be a bit harder here than in most of Italy.

We strongly recommend learning at least some basic Italian phrases before taking your Sicily road trip–the more Italian you speak, the easier your Sicily travels will be.

I don’t speak much Italian, but knowing enough to ask for (and receive) directions, order food in out-of-the-way places, read basic signs, speak with taxi drivers, etc, made our trip a bit simpler.

Palermo: 2 Days

The capital of Sicily is known for being a bit of a rundown place–and though in some ways it is, it’s also a beautiful, laid-back, and endlessly engrossing city. 

We spent an entire week in Palermo and still weren’t ready to leave when it was over, but 2 days in Palermo will be enough to give you a taste of the major sights and start your 10 days in Sicily itinerary off on a great foot.

What to Do in Palermo

Step inside the magnificent palermo cathedral..

Dating back to the 12th century and built in a variety of architectural styles, the beautiful and distinctive Palermo Cathedral is one of the most important religious buildings in the city.

It’s also home to some very unique touches, like a sundial on the floor marked with zodiac signs and an inscription from the Quran on one of the columns near the entrance–both highly unusual for a Catholic church!

Take a walking + food tour in order to see some of Palermo’s best highlights, fast.

Taking a Palermo food and walking tour on one of the first days of your Sicily travels is an excellent way to orient yourself both to the city and to the island as a whole.

Explore historical landmarks, markets, and cuisine while also getting a taste of what Palermo is all about with a fabulous food and walking tour.

We took this fun tour during our trip to Palermo and absolutely loved it!

Book your Palermo food + walking tour today!

Visit the mummies at the Capuchin Crypt of Palermo.

From the 17th to the 19th century in Palermo, increasing numbers of people were mummified in these catacombs–first naturally, and later intentionally, preserving them for all eternity.

The walls of the catacombs are lined with clothed bodies that have their full skeletons intact, staring down at visitors with sometimes disturbingly aware facial features.

No photos are allowed inside, but I can’t impress enough the creepiness of this place–I think it has something to do with the fact that these people are preserved as themselves that adds an extra layer of disturbing to it all, as opposed to places like the catacombs of Paris where the bones are more or less repurposed into artwork using human remains.

If you find catacombs interesting, we highly recommend visiting these during your trip to Sicily–they are, hands down, the most bizarre and fascinating catacombs we have ever seen.

Palermo Travel Tips

You probably don’t need a car here..

Palermo is one of the two major airport hubs in Sicily (Catania is the other), and if you arrive to the island here, we recommend not picking up your rental car until you’re ready to head to Cefalù–it’ll save you both a bit of cash on your rental bill, and a bit of a headache, as you won’t have to worry about parking it.

The easiest way to get from the airport to the city center is the train.

It costs 5 Euros, avoids the hassle of a taxi, and is perfectly comfortable!

Stay in an ideal location, and you should be able to walk everywhere in Palermo.

This is the biggest reason not to kick off your Sicily road trip until after to leave Palermo: here, a car is a liability but doesn’t really add much of a benefit.

You can walk between all of Palermo’s best things to do, so opt for that instead!

Where to Stay in Palermo

Il Lapino  — Home to simple rooms (some with shared bathrooms) and located only a 10-minute walk from the Palermo Cathedral, Il Lapino is very well-reviewed and is an excellent place to stay in Palermo for those on a budget.

Check rates & book your stay at Il Lapino!

Ciuri Ciuri B&B  — Featuring spacious rooms, included breakfast, and an excellent location, mid-range travelers can’t go wrong with a stay at Ciuri Ciuri B&B while in Palermo!

Check rates & book your stay at Ciuri Ciuri B&B!

Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel  — Boasting near-perfect reviews, Palazzo Natoli is located in the heart of Palermo, just steps from some of the city’s best highlights. Private balcony views, exceptional customer service, and a delicious daily breakfast are all included here–if you’re looking for the ultimate relaxing stay in Palermo, this is it!

Check rates & book your stay at Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel!

Cefalù : 2 Days

Of all the places to visit in Sicily, this is the one outlined on this Sicily road trip itinerary that we personally have the most unfinished business with.

We squeezed a quick visit to Cefalù into one day, but this magnificent seaside town captured our hearts and absolutely deserves more time than that–as we strolled the streets of Cefalù, we fantasized about one day returning here for a month!

In other words, don’t rush: you won’t regret taking two of your 10 days in Sicily to enjoy this beautiful place.

What to Do in Cefalù

Climb to the top of la rocca..

Climbing high over Cefalù to La Rocca takes less than an hour but rewards you with stupendous views over Cefalù and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as providing some interesting stops along the way (namely, the ruins of the Temple of Diana).

Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and ideally, complete this climb in the morning or early evening–the midday sun is brutal up here!

Check out the Cefalù Cathedral.

Not many villages as small as Cefalù have cathedrals as impressive–dating back even further than Palermo’s Cathedral, the Cefalù Duomo is absolutely worth visiting during your Sicily road trip, and if the views at La Rocca weren’t enough for you, you can even climb to the top!

Enjoy being a beach bum.

One of the best things to do in Cefalù is simply to enjoy its beach that is conveniently located right outside of the old town, where you’re never far from gelato or a granita.

Pull up a stretch of sand, dip your toes in the water, and enjoy the beauty of Cefalù without stress.

Cefalù Travel Tips

Savor getting lost here..

The small streets and occasional unexpected sea views give Cefalù a delightful charm that completely captivated us during our Sicily travels–this small village is worth wandering aimlessly, and due to its small size, it’s impossible to get too lost along the way.

Where to Stay in Cefalù

Sweet Home Cefalù  — Located practically next door to Cefalù’s beach and complete with both a balcony and a small kitchen, Sweet Home Cefalù gets rave reviews and is the perfect option for budget travelers in Cefalù.

Check rates & book your stay at Sweet Home Cefalù !

Marina House — What’s better than a well-reviewed apartment in the heart of Cefalù? One that’s located right on the water and includes a balcony overlooking the sea!

Check rates & book your stay at Marina House!

Casa Barone Agnello — Housed in an antique home in the center of Cefalù, this impeccably decorated and well-reviewed apartment is perfect for travelers looking for a bit of old-world charm during their trip to Cefalù.

Check rates & book your stay at Casa Barone Agnello!

Taormina: 2 Days

Taormina is probably the most touristic place on this Sicily itinerary, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth adding to your Sicily travels.

Boasting phenomenal views of both Mount Etna and the sparkling Ionian Sea, great swimming nearby, and an incredible Greek theatre, Taormina is hard not to love.

What to Do in Taormina

Visit the greek theatre..

Of all the Greek theatres we have visited in world–including ones in Greece itself–this one is by far the prettiest we have ever seen, and a visit here absolutely belongs on your 10 day Sicily itinerary.

On a perfectly clear day, you’ll see an epic view of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea behind the theatre–but even on a slightly cloudy day like when we visited (at least over Mount Etna, that is), the views are still pretty phenomenal.

Take a day trip to Mount Etna.

Want to add a little thrill to your list of things to do in Taormina? Book a day trip to the crater of an active volcano!

On a clear day, the views of  Mount Etna  from Taormina are fantastic–but there’s still nothing like standing on an active volcano with your own two feet.

Whether you want to book  a morning hike ,  a scenic tour , or  a full day trip  that also includes a visit to the beautiful Alcantara Canyons, you’re bound to find a visit to Mount Etna that appears to your travel style.

Book your day trip to Mount Etna today! Morning Hike  |  Scenic Tour  |  Full Day Trip

Go for a swim at Isola Bella.

Home to what are widely considered to be the best beaches in Taormina, summer visitors should definitely add a visit to Isola Bella to their Sicily road trip itinerary!

Though you can easily reach the island yourself from Taormina via the cable car,  a cruise along the coast  paired with visits to the island’s best swimming spots is an excellent day to spend a hot day in Taormina!

Book your  boat cruise around Isola Bella  today!

Taormina Travel Tips

Not everything is within walking distance..

In order to visit some of Taormina’s most popular sights like Isola Bella, and its beaches in general, you’ll need to head down to the seaside via cable car.

Check the weather carefully.

If you’re in town for a couple of days and one day looks clearer than the other, use the clearer day to visit Mount Etna (or if you don’t want to head all the way to Mount Etna, admire views of it from the Greek Theatre).

Where to Stay in Taormina

Hostel Taormina  — Boasting great reviews and a perfect location in Taormina’s Old Town, Hostel Taormina is the perfect place for budget travelers looking to keep costs down in what is arguably Sicily’s most expensive city.

Both private rooms and dorms are available, and a shared kitchen is located in the hostel.

The only downside? No parking options–so keep that in mind if you choose to book a stay here!

Check rates & book your stay at Hostel Taormina!

Hotel Natalina  — We had a great time at this little hotel!

The location is a short walk from Taormina’s Old Town, the included breakfast quite large by Italian standards, and the customer service excellent. The staff helped us park our rental car for free nearby, which we greatly appreciated!

The rooms are large, but a bit dated–this certainly isn’t a luxury hotel, but it’s definitely a cozy enough place to stay while visiting Taormina, and we’d be happy to stay again.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Natalina!

Hotel Continental  — Want to admire the sea views that Taormina is famous for from the comfort of your hotel, while also staying in the lap of luxury?

If so, the Hotel Continental is for you!

Known for its superb location in the heart of Taormina, its views, and its wonderful included breakfast, luxury travelers can’t go wrong with a stay here.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Continental!

Syracuse: 2 Days

Packed with ancient ruins, beautiful churches, and a maze of quiet streets, Syracuse (or Siracusa) is second only to Taormina in tourism popularity for Sicily vacations.

For your 2 days in Syracuse, we recommend focusing primarily on the island of Ortigia (or Ortygia), which is a small island right off the coast of Sicily (and I do mean right off the coast–no ferry necessary) that is essentially Syracuse’s lovely old town.

What to Do in Syracuse

Check out castello maniace..

Located on the far edge of Ortigia, this citadel-slash-castle dates to the 13th century (an earlier castle on the site dated to the 11th) and boasts beautiful views over the Ionian Sea.

Stroll through the small streets of Ortigia.

Ortigia is a charming place, and we found that we loved it most when wandering the streets in search of coffee bars, churches (we stumbled across one with a festival going on inside!), and the island’s many ruins.

Be sure to make your way to the Piazza Duomo and the Fountain of Arethusa during your wandering!

Marvel at the Temple of Apollo.

Of all the ancient ruins in Syracuse, the Temple of Apollo is considered the most important.

Dating to the 6th century BCE, the temple has served a whole host of functions over the centuries, including acting as a temple to both Apollo and Artemis, as a church (more than once), and as a mosque.

Syracuse Travel Tips

Stay in ortigia if you can..

This is essentially the old town of Syracuse and is set on an island nearby the main part of the modern city.

It’s beautiful, easy to get lost in, and delightfully fun to explore on foot, making it the perfect place to stay in Syracuse. 

The only catch is what to do with your car, which leads me to…

Choose where you park in advance.

Parking is severely restricted on the island of Ortigia, and on our Sicily road trip we ended up driving in circles for a bit trying to find the right place to leave our car.

Learn from our mistakes and plan carefully beforehand!

Consider visiting the Greek Theatre on your way into or out of Syracuse.

Syracuse’s Greek Theatre is one of its most popular attractions, however, it’s completely across town from Ortigia.

It’s the perfect place to stop for a quick sightseeing break as you arrive in or leave the city, though.

Where to Stay in Syracuse

Room Calafatari — Ortigia is peppered with dozens of small, simple apartments that are used as budget rentals, and Room Calafatari is both a great option and the perfect example of what to expect in Ortigia in a budget price range: no frills but a great location.

Check rates & book your stay at Room Calafatari!

Hotel Posta — With a fabulous location overlooking a port and within a short walk of many of Syracuse’s top attractions, Hotel Posta is a prime choice for mid-range travelers on their Sicily road trip.

Personally, we’d be tempted to upgrade to a room with a balcony–those views are just too good to pass up.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Posta!

Hotel Livingston — With excellent reviews, and included breakfast, and a prime location on the edge of Ortigia (most rooms include a sea view!), luxury travelers (or just those looking for a splurge) can’t go wrong with a stay at 4-star Hotel Livingston during their 10 day Sicily itinerary!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Livingston!

Val di Noto: 2 Days

Sicily’s Val di Noto is littered with stunning Baroque towns, rolling hills, lovely wine country, and some of the best chocolate in the world–in other words, it’s definitely a place that belongs on your 10 days in Sicily itinerary.

What to Do in the Val di Noto

Hop between the beautiful baroque towns..

Eight of the towns in the Val di Noto are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their incredible Baroque architecture: Ragusa, Modica, Noto, Scicli, Palazzo Acreide, Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, and finally, Catania itself.

Obviously, that is a bit much to cover with just 2 days of your trip to Sicily.

We recommend prioritizing Ragusa, Noto, Modica, and if you have time, Scicli.

Admire views of Ragusa Ilba.

Beautiful Ragusa is divided into two sections: Ragusa Superiore (the upper town) and Ragusa Ilba (the lower town).

The views of Ragusa Ilba looking down from Ragusa Superiore may just be some of the best views in this entire Sicily itinerary, which is really saying something!

Snack on chocolate in Modica.

The beautiful town of Modica is world-famous for its chocolate, which boasts a recipe that originally hails from none other than the Aztecs.

The chocolate is created with “cold processing”, giving it a characteristic grainy texture, inconsistent color, and delicious taste.

Val di Noto Travel Tips

Choose where to stay carefully..

Think about your travel style when you choose where to stay in the Val di Noto: do you want to be the heart of the action? Do you want to be able to do plenty of sightseeing without driving? Would you prefer a countryside stay so that you can easily come and go without worrying about parking or driving through a town to do so?

Personally, we chose to stay in Ragusa for its relative popularity and central location and were very happy with the choice.

Don’t try to see more than 1-2 towns a day.

The Baroque towns of the Val di Noto may look very close together on a map, but add in small, winding roads, the hassles of finding a place to park and making your way (often uphill) to the picturesque town centers, and the delights of savoring each spot, and it’s definitely best to limit your movements when possible.

We recommend sticking to seeing 1-2 towns per day in this section of your Sicily road trip itinerary.

Where to Stay in Val di Noto

For the sake of simplicity, we’ve outlined a few well-reviewed places to stay in Ragusa here, but staying somewhere like Modica or Noto will also easily work with this 10 day Sicily itinerary!

SanVito Hostel — With excellent reviews, a prime location in Ragusa near Piazza San Giovanni, an included breakfast, and a gorgeous terrace offering panoramic views of the Val di Noto, SanVito Hostel is a phenomenal option for budget travelers during their Sicily road trip.

Check rates & book your stay at SanVito Hostel!

Hotel Il Barocco — Cozy and comfortable, this small hotel is located in a 19th-century building in central Ragusa, making it the perfect launching pad for your sightseeing. With excellent reviews and a fabulous included breakfast, Hotel Il Barocco is a reliable choice in Ragusa for your Sicily vacation.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Il Barocco!

San Giorgio Palace — Located in the heart of Ragusa Ilba, popular San Giorgio Palace boasts very spacious rooms, as well as modern decor and amenities (including a very well-reviewed included breakfast) in a picture-perfect setting, with some rooms that overlook the valley.

Check rates & book your stay at San Giorgio Palace!

If you’re lucky enough to have more than 10 days in Sicily–or you just prefer an even more fast-paced Sicily road trip–there are plenty more incredible places to visit in Sicily to add to your list!

Here are a few more beautiful places to see in Sicily that you might want to add to your itinerary.

The ancient Valley of the Temples outside of Agrigento is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Sicily.

Once a thriving Ancient Greek city, these ruins are remarkably well-preserved and far less crowded than many better-known Greek ruins throughout Europe.

Located just outside of Palermo, Mondello is best known today for its long stretch of beach, which is one of the most popular places for beach days for both tourists and locals who are staying in Palermo.

This laid-back beach town is perfect for kicking back and enjoying long stretches of sandy beach–in fact, if you want a little more swimming to be included on your Sicily vacation beyond what’s outlined in this 10 day Sicily itinerary, you can even add a quick stop in Avola during your drive from Syracuse to the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto.

Aeolian Islands

Also sometimes called the Lipari Islands, this stunning volcanic island chain is a UNESCO World Heritage site and boasts some of the most magnificent sea views in all of Sicily (which is, as you can imagine, very high praise).

Located in the shadow of Mount Etna, Catania is Sicily’s second-largest city and second airport hub–you’ll likely fly into and out of either Palermo or Catania (in fact, for this Sicily road trip itinerary it’s easiest to fly into Palermo and out of Catania if you can swing it).

Though Catania is far from Sicily’s most popular tourist attraction, it’s definitely worth a bit of exploring if you happen to be passing through!

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

Driving in Sicily truly deserves its own post, but here are some essential tips to know before embarking on your Sicily road trip!

Shop around for your rental car.

There are dozens of rental car companies operating in Sicily, all with their own prices and rental agreements. We recommend shopping through Discover Cars in order to search through multiple companies at once.

Not only will you be able to compare prices easily, but you’ll also be able to compare rental inclusions (like insurance, kilometers allotted, etc.), which we found varied dramatically among different rental car companies in Sicily!

Price Sicily rental cars with Discover Cars today!

The driving honestly isn’t as bad as it is portrayed… but it’s not easy.

There’s no way around it: driving in Sicily has a pretty terrible reputation.

However, ultimately, we walked away feeling that driving in Sicily was easier than expected–but we fully admit this impression is likely partially because of how nervous we were about doing it.

The major roads in Sicily are perfectly well maintained–smaller roads, not so much, so beware of potholes. City driving is the trickiest while traveling between cities on major highways is fairly simple.

Drivers can be a bit aggressive, yes, but we wouldn’t say they were drastically more aggressive than in, say, Tuscany.

As much as Sicily has a reputation for being its own world, particularly when it comes to driving, driving in Sicily felt pretty much like driving anywhere else in Italy (which is, admittedly, a harder place to drive than some).

Bear in mind that we are coming at this from the perspective of people who drove daily for nearly a decade and have road-tripped through many countries, including Italy, before. You do need to be a confident, well-practiced driver to comfortably drive in Sicily.

Taking a Sicily road trip if driving makes you anxious, you’re out of practice, you don’t like to drive, or you’ve never driven outside your home country is likely not the best idea.

Also–this is not the place to learn to drive a manual. Unless you are very confident with one, we recommend paying extra for an automatic transmission.

… But be sure you have insurance (preferably with no deductible/excess).

We didn’t incur any damage to our rental car in Sicily… but when we dropped it off, both rentals parked on either side of us had huge dents in them!

Due to the aggressive driving, small roads, and distances covered on this Sicily road trip, we’d recommend purchasing insurance with no deductible/excess for the time it takes you to work through this 10 day Sicily itinerary–it’s simply one less thing to worry about on the road.

Rent the smallest car you can manage.

Tiny roads. Cramped historic centers. Parking lots where cars are parked a mere inch apart (and the lines denoting where the parking places should be seen as mere suggestions at best–people park over them regularly).

Truly, renting a big car in Sicily is a liability, not a benefit. 

We recommend renting the tiniest car you can squeeze your group + luggage into. If the rental desk suggests an upgrade? Turn it down.

Carry lots of coins.

You will pay tolls when driving in Sicily, especially in northern half of the island, so come prepared with a cupholder full of Euros.

Don’t underestimate the time it takes to drive between destinations.

There were days that we pulled into our hotel’s parking space exactly when Google Maps said that we would–and days (like the day we had to catch a flight) that we ended up way behind schedule due to road work and an unfortunate accident that we got stuck behind.

Definitely leave yourself plenty of extra time on days that you have somewhere to be at a specific time!

July and August are peak tourism season in Sicily, and while the beaches will be warm and the sun shining, it’s best to avoid taking your Sicily road trip during those months if you hope to avoid peak crowds and prices.

Luckily, Sicily is characterized by its brilliant weather that allows for swimming over nearly half the year! 

Personally, we’d recommend aiming for a September or early October trip to Sicily if you hope to swim your heart out, and a late April or May trip if you want to avoid the worst of the heat and crowds while still thawing out after a long winter.

Over the winter, lots of small, tourist-focused businesses close and the island, especially in smaller towns, quiets down significantly–but if a slow-paced, off-season 10 days in Sicily itinerary sounds right up your alley, you’ll certainly find plenty of peaceful spots to savor.

Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and a fast-paced Sicily road trip is definitely better a case of safe than sorry. We use and recommend Safety Wing  for trips to Italy.

Cell Phone Holder — This is especially important if you don’t have a reliable co-pilot: the last thing you want to do is be fumbling with the GPS on your phone during your Sicily road trip. Pack a cell phone holder to attach to the car and you’ll be able to drive much more safely!

Additional Car Insurance — Whether you purchase a policy with World Nomads that covers car rental (only some of theirs do, so double-check!), purchase a policy through the rental car company, or something else, be sure you have coverage: in Sicily, it’s worth the peace of mine.

International Driving Permit — If you’re coming from outside the EU and plan to rent a car in Sicily, you’ll need to make sure to acquire an International Driving Permit in your home country, before coming to Italy. It is required for all car rentals in Italy, and while the rental company may not ask, it’s not worth the risk of being refused a car once you arrive or getting a fine if you’re pulled over to be without one. 

Comfortable Day Bag  — We currently use  Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack  and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable. Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized–we used a  Northface Jester backpack  for years and loved it as well.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

9 thoughts on “The Ultimate Sicily Road Trip: An Epic 10 Days in Sicily Itinerary”

From someone who has family and typically visits for +30 days every other year, you did a very nice job with the article….many, many other wonder ful places to see and things to experience on the island, and the Eolian, and Egadi…..

Thanks Anthony! We can’t wait to make it back and explore more of Sicily.

Oh waooo Its amazing to know these valuable Information provided by you. Next month we have plan to visit Sicily and these information will be very helpfull. Thank you

Happy to hear that, Josef! Hope you guys have a great time in Sicily. 🙂

Wow! That was a very helpful article! I am bookmarking it multiple places so I don’t lose it before our trip in June. Thank you so much for your great tips and very practical advice.

Thanks, Vrinda! Hope you guys have a blast in Sicily!

Quiet a lot of information . One question if not interested in driving then the other options .

You definitely can visit Sicily without a car, but it’s a bit trickier than up on the mainland where there’s more train service.

Essentially, without a car your options are to stick with one town or city as a base and use guided tours to visit more rural areas, cobble together an itinerary with train and bus service (doable, but not as simple as in, say, Florence), or sign up for a full multi-day guided tour of Sicily.

Personally the first option falls most in line with how we tend to travel. Taormina is one of the most popular bases for a trip like that, as many cruise ships stop there and there are lots of options for guided tours to Mount Etna, wine country, etc.

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Tour della Sicilia in Auto: Guida Definitiva con Itinerari e Consigli.

Un tour della Sicilia in auto è una vacanza da sogno. Ecco la guida che cercavi per organizzare al meglio il tuo viaggio in Sicilia, decidere dove andare, cosa vedere e stabilire l’itinerario perfetto per i tuoi gusti.

Contenuti di questa pagina:

La Sicilia è l’isola più grande del mar mediterraneo e, grazie alla sua posizione ed alle sue caratteristiche, nei passati millenni è stata al centro dell’evoluzione che ci ha portato al mondo che conosciamo oggi. Una regione con un’eredità culturale che non conosce paragoni grazie ai popoli di diverse culture che l’hanno abitata, invasa ed arricchita nel corso dei secoli passati.

Perché andare in Sicilia?

Visitare la Sicilia significa viaggiare attraverso una regione estremamente ricca di storia, immergersi nei resti di popoli che hanno scritto la storia che studiamo a scuola ma che solitamente scopriamo essere affascinante soltanto in età adulta; chiese normanne nei centri abitati, maestosi templi nelle zone della Magna Grecia a testimonianza della prosperità e dello splendore culturale ed economico di quei periodi storici, il tutto inserito in un contesto naturale caratterizzato da colline burlle, costa frastagliata su cui si infrange un mare cristallino, spiagge da sogno e coltivazioni prevalentemente di olivo, agrumi e vigne .

Viene da sé quindi che durante il tuo viaggio in Sicilia tutta questa meraviglia sia piacevolmente accompagnata da un contesto enogastronomico in cui lasciarsi trasportare senza indugi : piatti deliziosi e vini apprezzati in tutto il mondo saranno ottimi compagni di viaggio.

Mare in Sicilia

Trattandosi di un’isola è quasi scontato che il mare sia una delle motivazioni chiave per visitare questa meravigliosa regione italiana . La Sicilia infatti offre spiagge per tutti i gusti , dalle zone con la costa più frastagliata e ricche di spiagge rocciose e di sassi fino a spiagge di sabbia finissima che rimandano la nostra mente a immagini di spiagge caraibiche.

Storia e Cultura

Non c’è che l’imbarazzo della scelta, durante il tuo tour della Sicilia in auto, praticamente in ogni angolo della Sicilia, troverai resti di grandiose culture del passato . Dalla famossima Valle dei Templi ad Agrigento , principale testimonianza rimasta nelle zone della Magna Grecia assieme alle aree archeologiche di Segesta e Selinunte ed al parco Archeologico di Siracusa ai teatri greco romani su colline a picco sul mare come a Taormina ma anche al forte influsso arabo, normanno e spagnolo .

Attrazioni Naturali in Sicilia

Chi trova forte interesse in tutto ciò che riguarda la natura non ha che da scegliere. La Sicilia offre una grande varietà di opzioni. Durante i tuoi spostamenti, che saranno necessariamente in macchina, avrai l’opportunità di esplorare zone collinari e montuose molto scenografiche . Pendici brulle e rocciose, coste frastagliate, panorami grandiosi composti da colline coltivate e mare azzurro.

Non dimentichiamoci poi degli attori principali quando si parla di natura in Sicilia: l’ Etna , che ti permette di avventurarti su un vulcano attivo in sicurezza e i parchi naturali , come la riserva naturale dello Zingaro .

La Tradizione Culinaria Siciliana

Motivo per andare in Sicilia di tutto rispetto, basterebbe questo anche se non ce ne fossero altri. Durante il tuo tour in Sicilia avrai modo di assaporare piatti estremamente gustosi . Dal pesce alle verdure locali, una vera e propria cultura del carboidrato che passa per panificati e pasta di tutti i tipi; come non menzionare i dolci? Cannoli, cassate, granite e molto altro. Il cibo in Sicilia , forse più che nel resto d’Italia, è una cosa seria . Abbiamo dedicato un articolo soltanto a questo argomento, lo trovi qui: cosa si mangia in Sicilia .

Aeroporti in Sicilia: Dove Atterrano i Voli per la Sicilia?

La Sicilia ha due degli aeroporti con più traffico d’Italia , sia per motivi turistici, sia perché sono moltissimi coloro che lavorano in altre zone d’Italia e periodicamente ritornano in Sicilia. A tutti questi viaggiatori si aggiungono i turisti che atterrano in Sicilia dall’estero.

La scelta dell’aeroporto in cui atterrare determina il punto di partenza del tuo tour e, a seconda del tipo di tour che deciderai di fare, anche le zone della Sicilia che riuscirai a visitare. La Sicilia infatti è una regione molto grande e per visitarla tutta occorre tempo. Visitarla tutta avendo poco tempo sarebbe un errore in quanto non avresti sufficiente tempo per godertela. Inoltre gli spostamenti in Sicilia sono lenti quindi rischieresti di passare gran parte del tuo tempo in auto.

I due aeroporti principali sono quello di Palermo e quello di Catania . Palermo si trova nel nord ovest della Sicilia mentre Catania ad est. Atterrare a Palermo è perfetto per esplorare la Sicilia occidentale , mentre i voli per Catania sono ideali per visitare la Sicilia orientale .

Entrambi gli aeroporti sono ottimamente collegati con gran parte d’Italia, specialmente per i voli dalla primavera all’autunno. La cosa migliore da fare, se non hai una zona precisa in cui vuoi recarti, è farsi un’idea dei costi che, a seconda della combinazione degli aeroporti di partenza e destinazione, possono variare parecchio.

Nell’ovest della Sicilia si trova anche l’aeroporto di Trapani , può essere una soluzione interessante ma i voli che vi atterrano sono molti meno di quelli che raggiungono Palermo.

Cosa scegliere tra Sicilia Orientale e Sicilia Occidentale?

Questa domanda è davvero difficile. Avendo esplorato la Sicilia in lungo e in largo penso che qualunque persona a cui potresti fare questa domanda, si troverebbe in seria difficoltà a rispondere. Entrambe le zone sono estremamente ricche di attrazioni uniche, paesaggi indimenticabili ed offrono esperienze locali veramente autentiche.

Per permetterti di scegliere tra Sicilia orientale o occidentale credo che la cosa migliore sia raccontarti cosa avrai la possibilità di visitare in ognuna di queste zone. In questi articolo saranno presenti vari collegamenti agli articoli di approfondimento su ogni città, destinazione o attrazione, che vi consiglio di leggere per farti un’idea più chiara di ogni posto di cui ti parlerò.

Vediamo assieme due itinerari consigliati in Sicilia .

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Tour della Sicilia orientale: itinerario nell’est della Sicilia

Tour della Sicilia occidentale: itinerario e cosa vedere nell’ovest

Tour di tutta la sicilia in auto.

Se hai tempo sufficiente per avventurarti in un tour di tutta la Sicilia, ti consiglio vivamente di farlo. Esplorare la sicilia orientale e quella occidentale sono due esperienze uniche e riuscire a combinarle in un’unica vacanza renderà il tutto ancora più indimenticabile .

Per farlo, a seconda di quanto tu voglia stare in strada, potresti decidere di atterrare a Catania o Palermo e riconsegnare la macchina nello stesso aeroporto facendo un giro completo ed esplorando anche la parte a nord, che molto spesso rimane fuori dagli itinerari classici ma non per questo è meno bella, oppure potreste noleggiare la macchina in uno dei due aeroporti e riconsegnarla nell’altro . Gran parte dei fornitori di auto a noleggio offrono questa possibilità per un sovrapprezzo che, tutto sommato, se ti permette di fare il giro che più ti piace, può valer la pena di pagare.

Quanto tempo serve per visitare la Sicilia?

La Sicilia è una regione molto grande e letteralmente piena di attrazioni da vedere, è una regione da visitare lentamente , avendo il tempo di gustarsi le attrazioni, le prelibatezze e le città ricchissime di storia.

Visitare la Sicilia in 3 giorni

È possibile visitare la Sicilia in pochi giorni, facendo un giro breve: è stato così il primo dei miei viaggi in questa regione, durante il quale ho visitato una parte di sicilia in 3 giorni . In questo caso consiglio di non cercare di vedere più cose possibili in quanto rischiereste di non godervi nulla . Dai priorità alla qualità del tuo viaggio e dedica tempo a ciò che riuscirai a vedere.

3 giorni possono essere anche adatti a visitare una delle città principali della Sicilia : così ho fatto in un altro dei miei viaggi in Sicilia. In quel caso ho passato 3 giorni a Catania potendomela godere con calma, girandola a piedi. In questo caso non ho nemmeno avuto bisogno di noleggiare una macchina e la stessa cosa potrebbe essere fatta per esempio per Palermo ma anche per le altre principali città siciliane .

Visitare la Sicilia in 5 giorni

Se desideri visitare la Sicilia in 5 giorni , puoi optare per uno dei due tour menzionati sopra, li ho fatti entrambi in un lasso di tempo di circa 5 giorni.

Questo richiede un ritmo piuttosto serrato e una buona pianificazione: i lettori più assidui di questo blog sanno che mi piace pianificare dettagliatamente i viaggi più complessi perché questo mi permette di non perdere tempo una volta che mi trovo in viaggio, dandomi quindi più tempo per godermi i posti che riesco a visitare.

Per farlo negli anni ho iniziato ad organizzare tutto con l’aiuto di un foglio su Google Sheets che ho reso disponibile per chiunque volesse utilizzarlo: GranBelViaggio Trip Plan

Visitare la Sicilia in 7 giorni

Se decidi di visitare la Sicilia in 7 giorni, il mio consiglio è comunque di optare per uno dei tour menzionati sopra, quindi dedicarli al tour della Sicilia occidentale o a quello della Sicilia orientale, prendendo il tutto con più calma e avendo più tempo per godersi i luoghi in modo più rilassato o per dedicare un po’ di tempo al mare, alla spiaggia ed al relax , cosa che non riuscireste a fare cercando di vedere tutto (della parte orientale od occidentale) in un periodo di 3 o 5 giorni.

Visitare la Sicilia in 10 o 15 giorni

Un ragionamento a parte poi va fatto per chi vuole e può visitare la Sicilia in 10 o 15 giorni . Se puoi farlo ti consiglio vivamente di fare un tour di tutta la Sicilia in auto, partendo indifferentemente da Palermo o Catania e percorrendo i due tour indicati sopra, semplicemente facendo il secondo in ordine inverso.

Quindi atterrando a Palermo con 10 o 15 giorni di tempo potresti visitare le attrazioni della città di Palermo e zone circostanti, poi ciò che si trova in provincia di Trapani (e le tappe sono molteplici anche qui), spingendoti poi fino ad Agrigento e proseguendo verso Ragusa e l’estremo sud della Sicilia per poi risalire verso Siracusa e le zone di Catania e dintorni.

Partendo da Catania il percorso sarebbe semplicemente invertito.

Tour a Palermo

La città di Palermo ha veramente tanto da offrire e, se non ti senti a tuo agio organizzando il tutto in autonomia, puoi optare per un tour organizzato . Ce ne sono vari che ti porteranno alla scoperta di tutto quello che non devi perderti di questa bellissima città.

Tour a Catania

Catania ha un fascino tutto speciale, antica e decadente, ai piedi dell’Etna. È una città unica in cui perdersi e girovagare, ma anche un posto in cui è affascinante scoprire i dettagli e le storie raccontate da guide esperte. Ecco alcuni tour che potrebbero rendere la tua visita di Catania davvero speciale.

Tour della Sicilia con un viaggio organizzato

Per coloro che preferiscono scegliere tour organizzati in modo da non doversi preoccupare troppo di dove andare, quando spostarsi, prenotare vari hotel e via dicendo, potrebbe risultare interessante scegliere uno dei vari tour organizzati. Chiaramente il tutto ha un costo, che rende questa opzione non molto economica.

La Sicilia è una regione in cui queste attività sono molto comuni e ben organizzate, ecco alcuni tour eccellenti.

Quando andare in Sicilia

La sicilia è la regione più a sud di tutta Italia quindi, data la posizione, è una regione che possiamo considerare godibile tutto l’anno , infatti anche in inverno è possibile esplorarla senza rischio di patire freddo, anzi sono piuttosto frequenti le giornate classicamente primaverili.

Parlando invece dell’estate è opportuno considerare che in Sicilia il caldo è veramente intenso, particolarmente a Luglio ed Agosto.

Il  miglior periodo per andare in Sicilia  è in Primavera o in Autunno, a meno che il caldo estremo non ti dia eccessivo fastidio: in tal caso anche l’estate piena può andare più che bene.

Viaggiare in Sicilia

Viaggiare in questa meravigliosa regione è un piacere, le strade si snodano abbastanza capillarmente per tutta l’isola. Sebbene non molto scorrevoli in varie zone, si riesce a spostarsi senza alcuna difficoltà. Inoltre gran parte della rete stradale siciliana non prevede alcun pagamento.

Dovendo spesso raggiungerla in aereo (non avrebbe molto senso andarci con la propria auto se non partendo da altre zone del sud Italia) una volta giunti sull’isola è necessario noleggiare un’auto .

Noterai facilmente quante siano le auto a noleggio dagli adesivi degli autonoleggi che vedrete sui vetri delle auto praticamente ovunque.

Presso gli aeroporti sono presenti tutti i maggiori autonoleggi.

Un’esperienza indimenticabile

P ronti per il vostro tour della Sicilia in auto? Sarà un’ esperienza indimenticabile , ma non unica. Infatti se non sei mai stato in Sicilia, sarà semplicemente il primo di vari viaggi; la Sicilia è un posto che cattura, in cui si desidera tornare prima possibile per la bellezza dei luoghi, per le prelibatezze e per la vita lenta che si può assaporare, anche se presa d’assalto dai turisti, riesce sempre a mantenere la sua autenticità sia nelle grandi città che nei piccoli borghi.

Se hai dubbi, domande o vorresti dei consigli sul tuo viaggio in Sicilia aggiungi un commento qui sotto: mi farebbe molto piacere aiutarti a risolvere ogni dubbio o darti dei suggerimenti!

Organizza il tuo viaggio in Sicilia in pochi minuti

• Trova le migliori offerte di  voli per Catania, Parlermo o Trapani qui .
• Prenota il tuo alloggio in Sicilia.
• Se vuoi noleggiare un'auto in Sicilia inizia qui
• Se preferisci avere con te una guida cartacea della Sicilia puoi comprarla qui
• Alloggi a Catania
• Alloggi a Siracusa e Ortigia
• Alloggi a Taormina
• Alloggi a Ragusa
• Alloggi a Palermo
• Alloggi a Trapani
• Alloggi a Marsala
• Alloggi a Mazara del Vallo
• Alloggi ad Agrigento
• Alloggi a Favignana
• Tour Guidato a Catania
• Tour Gastronomico e Culturale di Catania
• Giro in Barca da Taormina
• Siracusa: Tour di Ortigia
• Siracusa Tour Archeologico della Neapolis
• Tour di Ragusa Ibla
• Biglietto di ingresso per la Valle dei Templi ad Agrigento
• Visita Guidata Valle dei Templi ad Agrigento
• Visita Guidata Valle dei Templi al Tramonto ad Agrigento
• Escursione sull'Etna con Jeep 4x4
• Escursione sull'Etna da Taormina
• Escursione sull'Etna da Catania
• Escursione sull'Etna ai Crateri Sommitali
• Escursione sull'Etna - Gita Mattutina
• Tour Guidato di Palermo
• Tour Guidato di Palermo di Sera
• Tour di Monreale da Palermo
• Riserva dello Zingaro - Tour in barca di Un Giorno da San Vito Lo Capo a Castellammare del Golfo
• Riserva dello Zingaro - Tour via terra - Castellammare, Scopello, Riserva Naturale
• Escursione in barca da Trapani a Levanzo e Favignana con Pranzo
• Tour Guidato Privato di Erice
• Tour da Palermo a Segesta Erice e Saline
• Marsala Tour delle Cantine
• Marsala Visita alle Saline e Raccolta del Sale
• Biglietto Ingresso Segesta con Navetta

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How to Spend Three Days in Sicily

By Rosalyn Wikeley

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The cultural tapestry of Sicily is a rich and varied one. Invasions by the Phoenicians, ancient Greeks, Romans, Moors, Normans, Spanish, and Italians left their mark, particularly in the island’s architecture and culinary traditions. The island is best explored through those understated haunts where locals convene, centuries-old buildings that lie well off the tourist track, and family-run restaurants where a simple cannoli can move you to tears.

To attempt to scratch into Sicily ’s proud soul in a few weeks is ambitious—a few days is simply an aperitivo, just enough time to fall wildly and irrevocably in love with this sun-bleached island. Here’s our insider guide on how to tackle Sicily in just three days.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Begin your whistle-stop tour of South Eastern Sicily in the sea-fronted glory of Syracuse. The ancient Greek city connects to Ortigia, a UNESCO World Heritage site island with a food market (on Via Emmanuele De Benedictis) well worth waking up early for. Held from seven in the morning until two in the afternoon every Sunday, it’s a sensory assault with the island's bounty piled high on tables: olives, lemons, herbs, enormous wheels of cheese, capers, spanking fresh seafood. Octopus tentacles hang from boxes, swordfish heads protrude from tables, vendors gesticulate emphatically.

Scoff a millefoglie (raisin pastry) or ciambelle (a Sicilian spin on the donut) while browsing and observing the ancient market rhythms—and don't leave without trying the ricotta-stuffed croissants at Sapori dei Gusti Smarriti. Sicilian mornings are typically sweet, so having wandered around Piazza del Duomo and gasped at the surrounding buttermilk-hued splendor, scuttle into Bar Condorelli for granita and warm brioche.

As you only have a day here, save the Neapolis Archeological Park for another trip and simply absorb Syracuse’s millennia of history through its layered architecture, zigzagging into its independent crafty shops and galleries as you go. Lunch is sacred in Sicily, and Macalle ’s menu does a stellar job of modernizing classic Sicilian recipes (go for the fish dishes). Wander across to Forte Vigliena, where you can dip into the glassy, turquoise waters from the rocks. A small patch of sand just below Hotel Royal Maniace is another lovely swim spot.

Head back to your digs: The Thinking Traveller ’s seafront hideaway hovers right above the bustling market and labyrinth of restaurants, with an oasis-style roof terrace serving up postcard views. Snatch a Sicilian siesta, then head back down into the heart of ancient Ortigia, winding through the streets to reach the Porto Grande, where Armonia bobs impatiently (book well in advance). Syracuse is even more enchanting when viewed from the sea. Hop off the boat back at the marina, draw out the evening, and make a beeline for Era Ora Ortigia . This wildly delicious pizza place will belittle all future pizzerias.

Pick up a sinfully delicious pistachio cream pastry from Pasticceria Artale , then cross the Ponte Umberto for a hire car, going west, inland past agriturismos and prairie-like stretches baked by the sun. In just under an hour, you’ll reach  Dimora Delle Balze . This handsomely restored 19th-century masseria is a masterclass in perfectly balanced restraint. Peachy rooms are tastefully dressed in natural linens, mosaic bathrooms, and blonde, upcycled woods, while a maze of modica-stone tiled courtyards and old freckled walls spills out onto a pillared terrace and a calm and contemporary pool area. Use this exquisite spot overlooking the olive-tree-scattered Val di Noto as your base for the next few days.

Olivia Morelli

Caitlin Morton

Stacey Lastoe

Having kicked back by the pool with herb-infused cocktails (all plucked from Dimora Delle Balze’s organic acres), jump back in the car for just over a half-hour’s drive to the city of Noto . Corso Vittorio Emanuele is the orderly, opulent artery street home to the legendary  Caffè Sicilia  which has been open since 1892. Pull up a chair for one of Corrado Assenza’s almond milk granita coffees and seasonally shifting cakes to tide you over; expect cheeses and jams from local farmers’ orchards and pastries, plump with nutty ricotta. Cruise along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, gawping at the cathedral and the French-inspired Palazzo Ducezio directly opposite it, though skip the queues for the rooftop views of the latter and instead clamber up the Monastero del Santissimo Salvatore staircase for an achingly pretty panoramic of Noto in its golden, late afternoon coat. Meander down to the communal gardens for a green exhale, then explore the boutiques and galleries lining the streets branching off from Corso Vittorio until you reach Teatro Tina Di Lorenzo, a jewel box theatre of gold leaf boxes, stuccowork, and classical oomph.

Return through Dimora Delle Balze for a late afternoon swim when the water shifts to an inky shade, a snooze on one of the mottled courtyard’s wrought iron daybeds and a long salt-infused soak in their absurdly deep baths. Supper is an easy-going candlelit affair, poolside and a polished riff on Sicilian stalwarts—caponata, seafood couscous, hearty salads making good use of the hotel’s organic bounty. Linger over cocktails in the AROME bar (connected to the poolside restaurant), where Donnafugata reds soon drift into negronis.

Breakfast here is a real highlight. Teas, coffees, and hot orders are taken on a weathered stone terrace, with views of the valley framed by crumbling columns. Inside, an enormous farmhouse table is covered with a photogenic Sicilian spread featuring apricot pastries, orange cakes, homemade granola, and local cuts. Drizzle honey on home-baked bread while listing the various items you’ll need to pack for hiking the Cavagrande del Cassibile. Only a short drive away, this long canyon’s walks along the scala cruci from Belvedere rewards hikers with ethereal-looking natural pools and waterfalls. Lizards dart across the warm limestone, birds frolic just above the intensely turquoise pools. It’s away from the beach crowds and there are even prehistoric caves hiding in plain sight opposite the Parcheggio laghetti di cavagrande car park. The scenic walk (including a well-deserved dip) will take around three hours.

Catania is a superb destination for an empty stomach. Head north from the Cavagrande del Cassibile into the city. Catania was cut from the same baroque cloth as Palermo or Siracuse, though with a sooty-hued, ragged edge. It also has a phenomenal street food scene, where traditional classics enjoy a near-sacred status among locals and are a delicious way to explore the patchwork of Sicily’s cultural influences. Book a food tour with  Streatys —you’re arriving too late for Catania’s famously raucous fish market, but leaning into the  Tavola Calda Catanese  (Catanian ‘hot tables’) culture is another way to get a feel for the city. Expect seafood hoiked from the Tyrrhenian a few hours ago, deep-fried arancini, ricotta and anchovy-stuffed Siciliana and Minne di Sant’agata (Catania’s most famous cakes).

If you’re wanting to explore the city’s street food scene under your own steam, start in the Piazza Duomo and work your way to Dolci della Nonna Vincenza for the cakes. From here, gawk at the resplendent Rococo palace, still home to the descendants of its namesake family— Palazzo Biscari . Then head north to  Folk Magda Masano  for homewares fashioned from lava stone, marble, and ceramics by a third-generation maker. Head east via the Benedictine monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena for Catania’s street food hub. Via Plebiscito Catania is where a cluster of arrusti e mangi (roast and eat) spots fills the air with wafts of fire and charred meats.

Visit the imposing Porto Garibaldi, then head east down Via Guiseppe Garibaldi. Walk along Catania’s thoroughfare, Via Etna, named after the menacing, often snow-capped volcano that looms over the city. Continue north until you reach the gardens of Villa Bellini, a manicured pocket of green amidst all the grey lava stone named after Catania’s famous composer, Vicenzo Bellini, and seemingly designed for early evening strolls as the sun dips (the park is open until 9 p.m.).

Having admired the magnolia, fountains, statues, and swans, meander down the streets running adjacent to Via Etna to Stanley Tucci-approved   Me Cumpari Turiddu . Lean into the unpretentious and proudly traditional Sicilian menu: You can’t go wrong with the black pork, the pasta alla Turiddu (a spin on the classic norma using Masculina da Magghia anchovies), or the paddlefish ‘involtini’ rolls. Having walked for most of the day, settle into the restaurant’s amber-hued atmosphere with a negroni, sipped beneath its vast vaulted ceilings and chandeliers.

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Best of Sicily Tour from Palermo to Taormina and Syracuse | 10-Day Itinerary

Explore the Eastern and Southern sights and culture of Sicily on a private guided basis, taking in the UNESCO heritage sites of Palermo, Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Syracuse. Discover the gastronomy of this island and learn about Mt Etna Europe's largest active volcano. With just the right mix of time at leisure to relax in your luxurious accommodations, some beach and shopping time, along with informative guided tours, you will surely enjoy immersing yourself in this magical island. Our best of Sicily tour guarantees an exclusive experience, and our Travel Advisors will ensure that every sip and savory bite is one to remember.

Once a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate and a Norman kingdom, Sicily owes its intrigue to an alluring juxtaposition of historical and culinary treasures. On an all-encompassing private tour, discover the multifaceted heritage of this exquisite island reflected in the spirit of its towns and villages, each unique and full of character. Explore the best of Sicily's ancient temples and Baroque churches, and admire the varied island topography, from terraced hillsides to salt flats to the heights of Mt. Etna. Indulge in the flavors of the Sicilian table as you savor local olives, almonds, wine, cheese and chocolate. Our trip itinerary hits many of the island’s classic highlights plus a myriad of hidden corners to ensure you discover the very best of Sicily.

• Families with Kids
• Art & History Lovers

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• By submitting this form, you agree to the Nancy Aiello Tours Privacy Policy .

Welcome to Sicily!

Upon your arrival into Palermo Falcone e Borsellino airport, you will be met by your chauffeur and driven to your centrally located hotel, approximately a forty five minutes away. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Norman Architecture & Glittering Mosaics in Palermo

Take a private guided morning tour of Palermo’s magnificent cathedral, with tombs of many of the kings and queens of Sicily. Continue with a visit to Palazzo dei Normanni, the royal palace, to see the exquisite 12th-century Palatine Chapel with its golden mosaics. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Go beyond Palermo to see the mosaic-famed Monreale Cathedral

Meet your private guide and driver at your hotel and travel to Monreale. The small hill town is located a short ride from Palermo. It's famous all over the world for the golden mosaics in its cathedral and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Discover Monreale and its rich Arab and Norman heritage visiting the cathedral and the 12th-century cloister before returning to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

The Medieval Town of Erice & the Greek Temples of Segesta

Depart to the walled town of Erice in western Sicily. Wander through its cobbled streets filled with wafting aromas of vanilla, cinnamon and toasted almonds from the confectioneries. Visit some of the local homemade pastry shops world-famous for marzipan candies and almond-based pastries. Later experience a typical Sicilian lunch in a local farmhouse-olive oil and wine producer. Spend the afternoon at Segesta, one of the best-preserved and most beautiful of all the Greek archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Then, settle back into your private minivan for a scenic drive back to the hotel.

Departure from Palermo to Taormina via Cefalù

Transfer to Taormina, the world- famous resort town of Sicily stopping en route in the picturesque fishing village of Cefalù. Over the centuries, the town has been under Greek, Roman, Arab, and Norman rule, all of which have influenced the architecture and culture. Enjoy some free time to see the massive Cathedral and stroll through the narrow lanes of the historic center with its shops and restaurants. Then, continue on to Taormina where you will be staying for 3 nights.

Mount Etna Hike & Wine from Taormina

Your private driver will pick-up you with a 4×4 jeep for a comfortable drive up the slopes of Europe's tallest active volcano to a height of 6,000ft above sea level. From this point, you will proceed to the highest possible point on one of the active craters, continuing on foot over the lava streams to observe the latest volcanic phenomena. After exploring the Etna off-road and on foot, you will visit a wine cellar on the slopes of the volcano tasting local DOC wines before returning to your hotel.

Discover Taormina Highlights

Get the most out of your time spent in Taormina and in the company of a local guide visit the amazing Greek Theater set on a hill overlooking the sea. Also enjoy free time to stroll Taormina’s bougainvillea-lined backstreets and local shops. The historical center full of local colors and culture is rich in luxurious boutiques, so feel free to do some shopping before returning to your hotel.

Departure from Taormina to Siracusa via Ragusa & Modica

Transfer to Syracuse Ortygia island by a private minivan. Stop en-route at the historical town of Ragusa filled with splendid Baroque churches and palaces recognized by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Modica, nearby, is also a World Heritage Site, with its 100 Baroque churches forming a series of backdrops in a maze of tiny up-and-down streets, like theatre settings. Modica is also famous for chocolate. The technique was brought over by the Spaniards. It is still made the same way the Aztecs made chocolate in Mexico and its tradition dates to the 16 century. After, continue to Siracusa.

Explore Syracuse a city with 2,700 years of history

In Syracuse Ortygia island, were Greek heritage meets the splendors of Baroque, you will enjoy a private guided tour of the city’s venerable highlights including the Archaeological Park with its ancient Greek Theatre and two limestone cave sites: The Ear of Dionysius and Latomia del Paradiso filled with orange and olive trees. Then stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center lined with a fascinating collection of ancient sights. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Departure from Catania

Today it’s time to bid a fond ciao to Sicily. Take a private transfer to Catania airport today in time for your onward journey. The transfer should take approximately 45 minutes.

Itinerary Highlights

• Discover Palermo Royal Palace and the glittering Norman mosaics in the Palatine Chapel
• Marvel at the stunning collection of 12th-century mosaics at the Duomo di Monreale
• Stroll the cobblestone streets of Erice, a beautiful Phoenician and Hellenistic town
• Delve into the legendary Greek temples of Segesta
• Explore the charming medieval town of Cefalù
• Venture to Mt. Etna, the world’s largest active volcano
• Enjoy the chic resort town of Taormina
• Learn the art and the secrets of the famous chocolate of Modica
• Journey to the Greek and Baroque architecture of Syracuse Ortygia island
• Benefit from the ease of having all the trip planning details handled, so all you have to do is enjoy your Sicilian trip

Private Trip Pricing & Availability

Best of sicily tour.

• Prices start from €9950,00 per person, based on double occupancy in 4-star hotels and for travel in low season (excluding flights).
• The final price of your trip will vary on the itinerary itself, along with factors such as your hotel choices, your travel dates and the number of travelers in your party.
• Travel with your private party on this Luxury Tailor Made Best of Sicily Tour. With no fixed dates or set schedules, you can travel whenever you want and customize the itinerary to your interests.

What Is Included

• Customized travel planning for your style
• 4 nights in Palermo at the hotel of your choice
• 3 nights in Taormina at the hotel of your choice
• 2 nights in Siracusa at the hotel of your choice
• 9 Breakfasts
• Privately guided tours and experiences tailored specifically to you
• Inspiring local guides in each destination
• Entrance fees to museums, sites, etc. as described in itinerary
• Private arrival transfer from Falcone-Borsellino Palermo airport to the hotel
• In-country private transportation as per the itinerary
• Private departure transfer to Catania's Fontanarossa airport from the hotel

What Is Not Included

• International or domestic airfare
• Travel insurance
• Local city tax for overnight stays
• Porterage service
• Meals & beverages not mentioned in itinerary
• Tips & gratuities (optional)
• Personal expenses
• Anything not expressly mentioned as included

Accommodation Options

When it comes to accommodations, there is no one size fits all. For your bespoke trip, you can choose your hotel from our handpicked selection below or we’ll make personalized suggestions based on your preferences.

Vetted options for hotels in Palermo Sicily (nights 1-4)

4-Star Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa | 8-minute walk from the Baroque square of Quattro Canti. | Panoramic roof garden where breakfast is served during summer 5-Star Grand Hotel Wagner   | 3-minute walk from Palermo’s Massimo Theater | Recently renovated

Vetted options for hotels in Taormina (nights 5-7)

4-Star Hotel Villa Belvedere | 5 minutes' walk from Taormina's Main Street | Panoramic swimming pool 5-Star The Ashbee Hotel | 2 minutes' walk from the Greek Amphitheater | Large gardens and an outdoor swimming pool 5-Star Mazzarò Sea Palace – Vretreats | Private Beach | Travel Sustainable property

Vetted options for hotels in Syracuse Ortygia Island (nights 8-9)

4-Star Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel | 5 minutes' walk from Siracusa Cathedral | Free rental bikes 5-Star Ortea Luxury Palace | 10 minutes' walk from Siracusa Cathedral | Spa and indoor pool

Booking Procedure

• Start Filling out Our Quick Trip Inquiry Form After submitting the trip request we match you with one of our local specialists who will assist you with travel consultation.
• Work out the Trip Plan Together Do you like this Best of Sicily Tour but prefer to customize it? As always, the sample itinerary can be tweaked and personalized. Your dedicated travel specialist will put together a tailor-made trip based on your input and our first-hand experiences and knowledge.
• Book Your Trip Once you’re 100% happy with the custom travel plan, you can book your trip via our secure payment system. For information on payments, we’ve included answers to the most frequently asked questions —with shortcuts to direct you to the right place.

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1. Tour Etna & Wine Tasting

2. At Casa Di Cilla

3. Cooking Class with Seaview & Taormina's Market with Chef Mimmo

4. Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty

5. Boat Tour in Mondello Bay in Sicily

6. Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina

7. Etna Countryside Food and Wine Lovers Tour (Small Group)

8. Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Palermo Private Tour

9. Cooking class in Taormina With Chef Massimo

10. Etna Morning Trip

11. Half day by boat from San Vito to Riserva Zingaro Scopello

12. Sunset on a boat in Palermo with Palermo by boat

13. Cooking Class with Seaview with Chef Mimmo

14. The Pearl of Sicily: Private Taormina Walking Tour

15. Mt. Etna and Taormina village full day tour from Catania

16. Messina and Taormina City Tour from Messina - Private tour

17. Catania Street Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience

18. Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making

19. Discover the Authentic Sicilian Cuisine with Amazing view!

20. Boat excursion Taormina Giardini Naxos

21. Sicilian Cooking Class

22. Etna Wine And Taormina From Messina

23. Baroque tour: Ragusa, Modica and Noto

24. Cesarine: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class in Messina

25. Palermo Street Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience

26. Taormina and Castelmola from Messina Shared Group Tour

27. Mt. Etna nature and flavors half day Tour from Catania

28. The Godfather and Taormina Tour from Messina

29. Boat Tour Egadi Day to discover Favignana and Levanzo

30. Taormina and Isola Bella Day Tour Including Boat Tour

What travellers are saying.

• Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty
• Etna Morning Trip
• At Casa Di Cilla
• Cooking Class with Seaview & Taormina's Market with Chef Mimmo
• Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily
• Circumetnea Railway
• Egadilandia
• Trenino Turistico
• Treno Barocco
• Treno di Montalbano
• Perla del Mare
• Nino Paranzoto Gite in Barca
• In Barca con Jonas Favignana
• Escursioni San Vito Lo Capo di Leonardo Gianquinto
• Sapore di Mare
• Marlin Tour Privati
• Egadi Boating Experience
• Mare and More
• Barca Flavia
• Barca Liliana
• Atlantide Escursioni Isole Eolie
• Tourist Lines
• Passione Blu
• Sea Spirit Diving Resort
• Dolci Escursioni

10 giorni in Sicilia: il miglior itinerario + I miei consigli

Sicilia: cosa vedere in 10 giorni – quale itinerario scegliere.

State pensando di programmare un viaggio in Sicilia ?

Per aiutarvi a programmare le vostre vacanze in Sicilia , ho messo su un itinerario dettagliato che vi permetterà di scoprire tutte le attrazioni più belle da vedere della Sicilia occidentale in 10 giorni.

Ecco le meraviglie che vedrete: La Valle dei Templi di Agrigento , la Scala dei Turchi , i Templi di Selinunte , il bellissimo borgo medievale arroccato di Erice e tanto altro!

E come sempre, vi darò anche i miei migliori consigli e suggerimenti così che possiate sfruttare al massimo ciò che ha da offrire il vostro viaggio. E in più, troverete anche un’ampia scelta sulle migliori sistemazioni presenti in ogni città.

Per tutti quelli che desiderano visitare la Sicilia Orientale (come le città di Siracusa e Taormina , ad esempio), troverete un itinerario nel mio articolo:  Una settimana nella Sicilia Orientale.

Adesso, eccovi i nostri itinerari consigliati per il vostro viaggio in Sicilia per 9-10 giorni!

Dove alloggiare a Palermo

Dove alloggiare ad agrigento, 3) selinunte (1 giorno), dove dormire a selinunte, dove alloggiare a trapani, dove alloggiare a scopello, dove alloggiare a castellammare del golfo, altre attività da fare durante i vostri 10 giorni in sicilia, noleggiare un’automobile in sicilia: la migliore opzione, noleggiare una barca in sicilia, il budget per un viaggio di 10 giorni in sicilia, tour della sicilia occidentale in 10 giorni: le mie impressioni, tour: sicilia occidentale in 10 giorni, 1) palermo (2 giorni).

Per iniziare i vostri 10 giorni di vacanza sulla costa occidentale della Sicilia , vi consiglio di atterrare a Palermo piuttosto che a Catania .

I prezzi per i voli sono gli stessi per entrambe le città, ma per visitare questa parte della Sicilia, Palermo è un ottimo punto da cui partire.

Catania, al contrario, è la destinazione migliore se intendete visitare la costa orientale, come ho spiegato nel mio articolo precedente.

Il modo migliore per spostarsi durante il vostro tour in Sicilia è senza dubbio in auto. Potrete noleggiare la vostra auto in anticipo su internet o direttamente presso una delle agenzie di noleggio dell’aeroporto, nella hall degli arrivi.

Le agenzie di noleggio auto in Sicilia hanno decisamente una cattiva reputazione (sto parlando per esperienza personale!) Quindi fate attenzione quando ne scegliete una.

Per evitare problemi di questo tipo, parlerò della soluzione migliore alla fine di questo articolo.

Una volta che avrete ottenuto la vostra auto, dirigetevi verso Palermo e raggiungete l’hotel che avete scelto per posare i bagagli.

In base all’orario di arrivo del vostro volo, avrete il pomeriggio per iniziare ad esplorare la città. Il modo perfetto per iniziare il vostro tour della Sicilia occidentale in 10 giorni!

Il Centro Storico di Palermo è il luogo ideale per iniziare la vostra visita della città

In un solo pomeriggio , potrete vedere:

• Il palazzo dei Normanni : Ex residenza dei re normanni durante il Medioevo, il palazzo adesso ospita il parlamento regionale. È famoso per l’interno della cappella palatina, fatto di splendidi mosaici.
• San Giovanni degli Eremiti con le sue enormi cupole rosse
• La Cattedrale di Palermo: che mescola diversi stili architettonici come l’arabo-normanno, il gotico e il barocco. L’esterno è davvero impressionante e vale la pena visitarla.
• Piazza Vigliena o Quattro Canti , considerata il centro della città, segna l’intersezione delle 2 vie principali di Palermo: la via Vittorio Emanuele e la Via Maqueda, lungo le quali si trovano numerosi palazzi e chiese.
• Il Teatro Massimo , il più grande teatro d’opera d’ Italia e il terzo in Europa. È possibile visitare l’interno con una visita guidata.

Il giorno seguente, per la vostra seconda giornata di visita a Palermo , vi consiglio di:

• Iniziare la vostra giornata con un giro al mercato di Ballarò e godervi i profumi ed i colori siciliani.
• Visitare palazzo Abatellis , se apprezzate i dipinti e le sculture. È un museo con una collezione di opere d’arte importanti e molto belle.
• Fare una passeggiata al Foro Italico , un luogo molto popolare con una bella vista sul mare.
• La passeggiata vi porterà all’orto botanico di Palermo (l’ingresso è a pagamento), dove potrete godervi un po’ di ombra e di pace. Inoltre, sarà anche possibile visitare i giardini di Villa Giulia (l’ingresso è gratuito), che si trova proprio accanto ad esso.
• Successivamente, potrete passeggiare per la città fino raggiungere un’attrazione piuttosto insolita: Le catacombe dei Cappuccini di Palermo . Queste catacombe sono famose per il fatto che ospitano oltre 8.000 mummie ; sicuramente una destinazione non adatta ai deboli di cuore!
• Poi andate ad ammirare il palazzo della Zisa , dove i re normanni facevano la vita dei veri principi arabi. Si dice che alcune persone ne abbiano approfittato per avere un proprio harem.

Per concludere la giornata in grande stile, non perdetevi uno dei luoghi più interessanti del vostro viaggio a Palermo: una visita al Duomo di Monreale .

La città di Monreale si trova a circa 10 chilometri da Palermo, a 30 minuti in auto. La sua cattedrale, una meraviglia dell’architettura, è ben nota per i suoi numerosi mosaici e per il magnifico chiostro.

Un’altra opzione, se preferite godervi un po’ di mare e fare qualche nuotata è quella di andare a Mondello , che si trova a circa 10 chilometri di distanza.

Sì, a Palermo non esiste una spiaggia sabbiosa, quindi per farvi una nuotata dovrete prendere un autobus o la vostra auto. Per questo motivo, Mondello è una località molto turistica ma è tuttavia il posto più vicino se volete rinfrescarvi.

Per conoscere tutto quel che c’è da sapere sul centro storico di Palermo , la cosa migliore è optare per una visita guidata in italiano

Durante questa visita guidata di 3 ore , andrete alla scoperta dei principali monumenti di cui parlo in questa guida, tra cui la magnifica Cattedrale di Palermo.

Inoltre, gusterete anche 5 piatti tipici siciliani come le arancine o i cannoli. E, naturalmente, Fabrizio, la vostra guida, farà in modo che vi divertiate tantissimo . Questo è indubbiamente il modo migliore per scoprire la città!

Potete prenotate questo tour, facendo semplicemente clic sul pulsante qui sotto:

• A casa di Amici: Situato ad 1km dalla cattedrale, questo ostello della gioventù offre posti letto in un dormitorio a partire da 20€, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: la sua posizione centrale, la terrazza, il fatto che sia super pulito, i letti comodi e le aree comuni.
• Due Passi: B&B situato a 500 metri dal Teatro Massimo. Camera doppia moderna e luminosa a partire da 63€ a notte, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: il vicinato davvero gradevole, B&B ben posizionato, la calda accoglienza e la disponibilità dei padroni di casa, il posto tranquillo e l’ottima colazione. Questo hotel offre il meglio in termini di rapporto qualità-prezzo a Palermo con un prezzo sotto i 100€!
• Alma Hôtel: Situato a 450 metri dal Teatro Massimo ed a 1.5 km dalla Cattedrale di Palermo. Camera doppia molto moderna ed elegante a partire da 130€, colazione inclusa. Ciò che mi è piaciuto: proprietari adorabili che danno tanti buoni consigli, la qualità delle camere e, sicuramente, l’eccezionale colazione a base di torte fatte in casa.
• Porta Di Castro :  Situato nel cuore del centro storico di Palermo, a soli 5 minuti a piedi dalla Cattedrale di Palermo. Meravigliosa camera doppia a partire da 150€ a notte, colazione inclusa. Ciò che mi è piaciuto: La sua posizione perfetta, il design dell’hotel, la grandiosa colazione ed il personale molto amichevole. L’hotel migliore per un soggiorno di lusso a Palermo!

Per una buona panoramica della città, ecco un video di Palermo girato con un drone realizzato da uno Youtuber Siciliano, con alcune visuali davvero molto belle. Mi fa davvero desiderare di ritornarci!

2) Agrigento (2 giorni )

Per la seconda tappa del vostro viaggio, attraverserete la Sicilia da Nord a Sud per visitare Agrigento, una destinazione da non perdere durante il vostro viaggio nella Sicilia occidentale .

Da Palermo ad Agrigento , ci vogliono circa 2h30 in auto. Significa che avrete un po’ più di mezza giornata per iniziare a scoprire la località di Agrigento.

La cosa positiva è che il percorso vi permetterà di scoprire la pianura Siciliana , un paesaggio molto diverso da quello che siete abituati a vedere sulle cartoline!

Dopo pranzo, vi consiglio di andare alla meno conosciuta riserva naturale di Punta Bianca . Il luogo perfetto per fare una passeggiata e andare a fare un bagno.

Se avete del tempo, dovete assolutamente andare al Castello di Montechiaro , un castello medievale arroccato su una scogliera a picco sul mare. Il paesaggio da lì è davvero incantevole, ed è totalmente sconosciuto ai turisti!

Quindi tornate ad Agrigento per godervi una meritata notte di riposo.

Per il vostro secondo giorno, probabilmente avrete già capito che visiterete l’ attrazione PIÙ IMPORTANTE di Agrigento: la Valle dei Templi . La visita durerà circa 2h30 a piedi, quindi potrete passare la mattinata lì senza alcun problema.

Dato che ci sono molti turisti che visitano la Valle dei Templi, dovreste davvero prenotare in anticipo i vostri biglietti salta fila . Almeno non dovrete fare la fila sotto il sole! Questo biglietto d’ingresso include anche l’accesso al museo archeologico regionale di Agrigento.

Per acquistarlo, è sufficiente fare clic sul pulsante qui sotto:

Se desiderate saperne di più sulla sua storia , c’è anche un biglietto che include un’audioguida. Deve essere prenotato facendo clic qui.

E, ultimo ma non meno importante, c’è un modo tutto nuovo e davvero divertente di visitare la Valle dei Templi: ossia con una visita guidata su uno scooter elettrico.

Deve essere prenotato in anticipo facendo clic sul pulsante in basso:

Attenzione, il tour guidato in e-scooter non include il biglietto d’ingresso. Deve essere prenotato separatamente facendo clic qui.

Dopo la visita, dirigetevi verso il centro storico di Agrigento per fare una pausa pranzo.

Non avrete problemi nel trovare un buon ristorante o degli arancini o qualche focaccia da mangiare al volo. Vi consiglio il ristorante Siculo (Via Luigi Pirandello, 21) se volete mangiare qualcosa al volo.

Durante il pomeriggio, visitate il centro storico di Agrigento , seguendo un percorso di pannelli esplicativi che vi permetteranno di vedere tutti i monumenti storici della città . Mettete in conto circa 1 ora di visita e aggiungete una mezzoretta in più se gli edifici sono aperti e desiderate dargli un’occhiata.

Per concludere la vostra giornata, vi consiglio caldamente di fare un salto nel secondo luogo più visitato dei dintorni di Agrigento: la Scala dei Turchi .

Questa scogliera in calcare bianco che scende nel mare turchese è molto nota per i suoi “scalini” scolpiti dal vento e dal mare. Il posto è perfetto anche per nuotare e dovreste rimanere lì fino al tramonto, non ve ne pentirete!

Se avete intenzione di visitare Agrigento durante il vostro tour della Sicilia in auto, dovreste leggere il mio articolo: Visitare Agrigento: 10 Cose Da Fare e Vedere

• B&B Sorahnia – Design House: Situato in un punto un po’ distante dal cuore di Agrigento e a 4 km dalla Valle dei Templi. Moderna camera doppia con terrazzo a 50€ a notte, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: l’ambiente tranquillo e la sua poca distanza dal centro, l’accoglienza molto calorosa ed inoltre, l’eccezionale colazione fatta in casa + un parcheggio privato gratuito. È l’opzione migliore per quanto riguarda il rapporto qualità-prezzo ad Agrigento!
• Colleverde Park Hotel: Situato a 2 chilometri dal cuore di Agrigento e a 15 minuti a piedi dalla Valle dei Templi. Una camera doppia classica ma luminosa da 68€ a notte, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: l’ampio giardino con vista sui templi, la colazione siciliana.
• Villa Athena Hotel : Un hotel di lusso situato nel cuore della Valle dei Templi, a 200 metri dal Tempio della Concordia. Una gigantesca camera doppia con interni ben decorati, ed una magnifica vista sui templi. A partire da 205€ a notte, con colazione a 18€. I punti forti sono: il ristorante con la sua terrazza panoramica con vista sulla valle, la posizione eccezionale con ingresso privato sulla valle, il suo lusso e la sua raffinatezza, la piscina. È la scelta migliore per un eccezionale soggiorno ad Agrigento!

Continuiamo questo itinerario di 10 giorni in Sicilia con Selinunte , posizionata a circa un centinaio di chilometri da Agrigento (1h30 in auto).

Poiché il viaggio tra Agrigento e Selinunte dura relativamente poco, durante il nostro viaggio ci siamo fermati per vedere alcuni punti di interesse di Agrigento come:

• La Riserva naturale di Torre Salsa (da visitare solamente se c’è bel tempo e non piove, altrimenti la strada potrebbe essere decisamente pericolosa)
• La Spiaggia di Eraclea Minoa
• La città di Sciacca .

Dato che avevamo i bagagli in macchina, non siamo rimasti molto a lungo e abbiamo fatto attenzione a non allontanarci troppo. Ciò è molto importante quando si viaggia in Sicilia, dato che purtroppo i furti sono una cosa abbastanza frequente.

A seconda dell’ora, potete scegliere di pranzare a Sciacca o continuare il viaggio verso Selinunte , che è ciò che abbiamo fatto durante il nostro Tour della Sicilia in 10 giorni.

Dopo che avrete posato i vostri bagagli, ecco il momento di pranzare ! Questa è sempre una parte molto importante della giornata quando vi trovate in Italia!

La maggior parte dei ristoranti e caffè a Selinunte sono posizionati in riva al mare . Per pranzo, vi consiglio di mangiare al Danimarca Bar (chiamato anche caffè Borbone).

Offre una vasta scelta di panini o arancini ad un prezzo molto economico. Abbiamo preso 2 panini ed un tiramisù per 9.50 €, e abbiamo trovato tutto davvero molto delizioso.

Durante il pomeriggio, visiterete l’attrazione più importante della città: il parco archeologico di Selinunte . È per questo motivo che siete arrivati fin qui! Questo si trova proprio all’entrata della città.

Il parco è suddiviso in 2 siti , quindi la cosa migliore da fare è quella prendere l’auto per spostarvi da un sito all’altro. Quando arrivate, parcheggiate nel primo parcheggio di fronte all’edificio per acquistare i biglietti d’ingresso da 6€ .

Sarà possibile anche decidere di prendere un treno turistico per 6€ in più. Vi farà fare il giro dei diversi templi.

La prima parte del giro tra i templi rappresenta la tappa obbligatoria che vi permetterà di visitare il magnifico e ben preservato tempio posizionato nel mezzo della pianura. Passeggiate tranquillamente tra le rovine, il luogo è davvero bello e rilassante.

A questo punto, potete uscire e riprendere la vostra auto per recarvi presso il secondo parcheggio , un po’ più avanti. Una guardia di sicurezza vorrà vedere i vostri biglietti, quindi non gettateli via!

Avrete accesso alla seconda parte del parco , che ospita una serie templi, più o meno ben preservati. Il parco è molto grande, quindi è l’occasione perfetta per fare una bella passeggiata tra le rovine e la natura .

Mi è piaciuto tantissimo passeggiare nel parco archeologico di Selinunte , tant’è che è diventata una delle mie attrazioni preferite di questo itinerario di 10 giorni in Sicilia. Facendo con calma, la nostra visita è durata circa 3 ore.

Ecco un aneddoto: I templi sono stati chiamati A, B, C, ecc… Sicuramente non sono i nomi migliori di sempre, ma ciò è dovuto al fatto che non è stato possibile attribuire a questi una particolare divinità.

Per cena, vi raccomando DAG , un ristorante pizzeria. Abbiamo mangiato delle deliziose pizze ad un prezzo davvero ottimo.

• Agrisicilia (Relax Mare e Natura) :  Si trova a 10 minuti in auto dal parco archeologico. Un’ampia camera doppia con vista sul mare da 45€, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: la location molto bella tra gli ulivi, l’ambiente tranquillo, la gentilezza e i consigli degli host, il parcheggio privato gratuito. È il mio preferito per il suo eccellente rapporto qualità-prezzo!
• Terrazo di Venere la Reserva: Un B&B situato a 20 minuti a piedi dalla spiaggia e a 4 km dal parco archeologico. Una camera doppia molto confortevole con una bella decorazione da 80€ a notte, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: la sua posizione, il grande giardino, la colazione fatta in casa, il parcheggio privato e gratuito.
• Il Vigneto Resort: Situato a 5 chilometri dal parco di Selinunte, nel villaggio di Porto Palo . Camera doppia spaziosa e luminosa a partire da 100€ a notte, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: la vista sui vigneti e sulla campagna circostante, la sua ampia piscina, l’ambiente tranquillo e la colazione deliziosa.

4) Trapani (2 giorni)

Da Selinunte , spostatevi verso Trapani per la 4a tappa di questo Itinerario in Sicilia.

Durante il nostro tour della Sicilia in 10 giorni, invece di imboccare la strada più veloce, abbiamo preso quella che va da Mazara del Vallo e Marsala per arrivare alla via del sale . Vi consiglio davvero di fare lo stesso tragitto che abbiamo fatto noi per godervi questo scenario!

Marsala si trova a 1 ora di auto da Selinunte . Sarà l’occasione perfetta per assaggiare il vino che porta lo stesso nome della città (ma non bevetene troppo, perché il viaggio non è ancora finito!) ed ammirate alcuni dei monumenti più interessanti come la sua cattedrale barocca, la Piazza della Repubblica o il Palazzo VII Aprile .

Quando andate via da Marsala, prendete per la SP21. Questa strada, soprannominata la via del Sale , vi porterà tra le saline di Trapani e Paceco .

Questo paesaggio è una delle cose da vedere assolutamente a Trapani! I mulini e le saline sono la decorazione da cartolina perfetta.

Una volta arrivati a Trapani (45 minuti in auto da Marsala senza contare la fermata alle saline), sarà sicuramente ora di pranzo.

Per un pranzo al volo (spesso optiamo per questa opzione a pranzo), vi consiglio il ristorante El Medina . Servono delle ottime fette di pizza per soli 2€. Quelle con le zucchine/pesto o melanzane/pesto sono deliziose!

Per digerire, fate una breve passeggiata nel centro storico di Trapani , con le sue numerose e tipiche vie come Via Garibaldi o Corso Italia .

Durante il pomeriggio, dovreste davvero visitare il villaggio di Erice, un borgo medievale arroccato su Trapani . È l’attrazione principale della città!

Per recarvi lì avete 2 possibilità:

• Circa 30 minuti di auto
• 10 minuti di funivia .

È inutile sottolineare il fatto che la seconda possibilità vi consentirà di godere di una splendida vista , ma se soffrite di vertigini, anche andare in auto vi permetterà di godere di un bel panorama sulla valle e sul mare . Ed è più facile fermarsi per fare delle foto!

Erice è un bel villaggio posto sulla cima di una montagna. È conosciuto per il suo castello posto sulla cima della montagna , per le sue belle stradine di ciottoli, e per essere un posto davvero turistico.

Passeggiando per il villaggio, avrete accesso ad una serie di splendidi panorami sia su Trapani che sul mare . Il giro del villaggio avrà una durata di circa 2 ore.

In conclusione, per terminare questa giornata in grande stile , dovreste andarvi a fare una nuotata o prendere un po’ di sole in una delle spiagge di Trapani.

Durante questa seconda giornata per visitare Trapani , ci recheremo presso la seconda attrazione più bella di questo luogo: le Isole Egadi . Queste 3 piccole isolette sono raggiungibili in traghetto dal porto di Trapani.

La più visitata è Favignana , perché è la più grande ed è quella che è collegata in maniera migliore in barca. È l’opzione migliore, se come noi, non avete molto tempo da trascorrere in città.

A Favignana , potrete visitare sia l’isola che i luoghi più belli in un giorno in bicicletta. Qui sono disponibili tanti negozi che noleggiano biciclette, e li vedrete appena scesi dal traghetto. Non potrete mancarli!

Favignana è il luogo perfetto per fare una nuotata in acque tiepide e cristalline , quindi non dimenticate di portare il costume da bagno! Portate anche un cappellino e della crema solare, poiché non ci sono zone in ombra.

Scoprite tutti i luoghi più interessanti di Trapani e le spiegazioni dettagliate su Erice e Favignana sul nostro articolo: Visitare Trapani: 10 Cose Da Fare E Vedere.

Se avete deciso di dormire a Trapani , sarebbe meglio prenotare subito il vostro hotel. Non ci sono tantissimi hotel qui, e i migliori si esauriscono rapidamente! Ecco i miei preferiti:

• Moderno  Hotel : L’hotel è situato nel cuore del centro storico di Trapani . Camera doppia spaziosa e confortevole a partire da 55€ a notte, con colazione a 5€. Perché mi è piaciuta: la posizione è perfetta, è nelle vicinanze dei ristoranti, della spiaggia e del porto per prendere il traghetto per le Isole Egadi.
• Trapani inn  Hotel : Posizionato di fronte ai traghetti in partenza per le Isole Egadi. Camera doppia moderna e ben arredata a partire da 72€ a notte, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: la posizione nel cuore della città, uno staff molto cordiale e un’ottima colazione. È il migliore in termini di rapporto qualità-prezzo a Trapani!
• San Michele  Hotel : Situato a 5 minuti a piedi dal porto, anch’esso nel centro storico di Trapani. Spaziosa camera doppia decorata in maniera davvero graziosa da 82€ a notte, colazione inclusa. Le cose che ho amato: la posizione tranquilla, il personale attento, la buona colazione e le grandi docce all’italiana!
• Residence la Gancia:  Situato nel cuore di Trapani, a 30 metri dalla spiaggia. Moderno monolocale con angolo cottura completamente attrezzato a partire da 125€ a notte, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: la terrazza sul tetto per fare colazione o per vedere il tramonto, l’ottima posizione e il design degli studi.
• Firriato Hospitality – Baglio Soria : Situato a 7 km dal centro di Trapani, nei vigneti. Luminosa camera doppia a partire da 200 € a notte, colazione inclusa. Punti forti: il posto molto tranquillo, la colazione deliziosa, la vista, la piscina, il personale molto utile. Se non vi dispiace trovarvi un po’ distanti dal centro della città, questa è la scelta migliore per un soggiorno di lusso a Trapani!

5) Scopello (2 giorni)

Per la quinta tappa del nostro itinerario di 10 giorni in Sicilia , vi recherete nel grazioso e piccolo villaggio di Scopello. Per raggiungere Scopello da Trapani , ci vogliono circa 50 minuti in auto.

Il motivo per il quale siamo arrivati fin lì, è perché è il posto più vicino ad una delle località che volevamo vedere assolutamente: la Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro .

Ci sono 2 ingressi per la riserva: sud e nord. Quello sud è il più vicino a Scopello. Non c’è alcun problema per parcheggiare, lì ci sono diversi grandi parcheggi.

Il prezzo di entrata per la riserva è di 5€, parcheggio incluso.

Una volta entrati nella riserva, sarà impossibile perdersi. Basta soltanto seguire il sentiero che corre lungo il mare e che porta verso l’altro ingresso. Il paesaggio è semplicemente mozzafiato! La riserva è piena di piccole insenature e spiagge in cui nuotare. Durante l’intera giornata potrete alternare sia passeggiate che nuotate.

Lungo il percorso troverete anche molti piccoli musei a sala singola come il Museo di Storia Naturale o il Museo della Marina.

Per il viaggio di andata e di ritorno da un’estremità all’altra della riserva naturale dello Zingaro abbiamo impiegato circa 4 ore, ma non ci siamo fermati per farci delle nuotate. Potrete passare lì l’intera giornata se vi va. Il percorso non presenta particolari difficoltà.

Oltre quelli presenti presso i 2 ingressi della riserva, non vi sono servizi igienici, né negozi in cui comprare cibo o bevande , quindi organizzatevi di conseguenza, specialmente se avete in mente di trascorrervi l’intera giornata. Ricordate di portare con voi qualcosa da mangiare e tanta acqua.

Se non siete stanchi di nuotare o se avete pensato di farvi una passeggiata nella riserva, potrete concludere il vostro pomeriggio presso una delle spiagge di Scopello :

• Spiaggia di Guidaloca , una grande spiaggia di ciottoli che si trova prima di Scopello . È possibile noleggiare delle sedie a sdraio o sorseggiare un drink in uno dei 2 bar.
• Spiaggia La Tonnara , spiaggia privata con un prezzo di ingresso di 3.50 €. È la spiaggia più bella e più famosa di Scopello . Accanto alla spiaggia potrete trovare un hotel presso un’antica Tonnara

Per concludere la giornata in bellezza, visitate il piccolo villaggio di Scopello . Potrete ammirare una splendida vista sulla Tonnara .

Nel villaggio non ci sono tantissime cose da fare, troverete infatti principalmente bar e ristoranti .

Abbiamo cenato presso il ristorante Nettuno e ci siamo goduti una buona “pasta alla Norma” (pomodori, melanzane, ricotta) per soli 8€ a persona. Il ristorante offre solamente piatti a base di pesce e frutti di mare, ma se ciò non è di vostro gradimento, possono adattare i loro piatti per voi.

E come dessert, vi consigliamo vivamente la pasticceria Scopello , con la sua ampia scelta di dolci fatti in casa, gelati e granite. L’abbiamo adorata (tant’è che ci siamo addirittura tornati diverse volte!).

Proseguiamo con il nostro itinerario della Sicilia in 10 giorni con una seconda giornata a Scopello , per visitare i dintorni di San Vito Lo Capo , a 55 minuti in auto da Scopello .

Dopo circa quaranta minuti, raggiungerete una strada sul mare che vi offrirà tanti magnifici punti panoramici e l’opportunità di scattare tante foto!

Troverete ovunque anche tantissimi luoghi perfetti per nuotare. Il panorama vale davvero la pena di essere visto, mi è particolarmente piaciuto questo posto durante il nostro viaggio in Sicilia.

San Vito Lo Capo è una località balneare, quindi non c’è molto da fare a livello turistico. Ad ogni modo, è presente un’enorme spiaggia di sabbia fine con spiagge private e tanti bar. Se avete dei bambini, questo è il posto ideale per fare il bagno.

Dopo aver visto la spiaggia, potrete salire alla tonnara del secco , una vecchia tonnara abbandonata senza nulla di speciale, ma il paesaggio intorno è interessante da vedere.

Dopo la pausa pranzo, dirigetevi verso la riserva naturale di Monte Cofano , a circa 30 minuti da San Vito Lo Capo. All’interno della riserva, potrete prendere uno dei 2 sentieri:

• Uno che passa lungo il mare
• L’altro che sale sulla cima di Monte Cofano.

Il primo è facile da percorrere e richiede circa 3 ore.

Il secondo richiede buone condizioni fisiche e delle scarpe da passeggio, dato che è in salita e presenta alcuni passaggi abbastanza difficoltosi. Impiegherete dalle 4 alle 5 ore per il viaggio di andata e ritorno.

Noi abbiamo fatto il sentiero sul mare (l’altro era chiuso) e ci siamo fermati presso una delle insenature all’ingresso.

• Villa Anna: Situato a 5 minuti dalla spiaggia di Guidaloca e a 10 minuti in auto da Scopello. Camera doppia moderna e luminosa a partire da 60€ a notte, colazione inclusa. Ciò che ci è piaciuto: la posizione vicina a Scopello e alla riserva naturale dello Zingaro, la tranquillità del luogo, la reception, le camere con terrazza privata, il parcheggio privato gratuito e soprattutto l’ottima e abbondante colazione con torte fatte in casa. Lo consigliamo vivamente. È stata la nostra scelta preferita a Scopello per il suo ottimo rapporto in termini di qualità-prezzo.
• Tenute Plaia Agroturismo: Situato a 500 metri da Scopello. Camera doppia con decorazioni classiche da 79€, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: il fatto che si trovi in campagna, la vista, la colazione e il ristorante dell’hotel, la piscina, il parcheggio privato e gratuito.
• B & B Talia :  Situato a Scopello. Camera doppia confortevole e colorata da 124€ a notte, colazione inclusa. I punti forti sono: la posizione e la vista sulla Tonnara, la gentilezza degli host, la colazione fatta in casa.

6) Castellammare del Golfo (1 giorno)

La tappa finale di questo tour di 10 giorni in Sicilia in auto vi porterà a Castellammare del Golfo .

È la città perfetta da visitare prima di tornare a casa, poiché è vicina all’aeroporto di Palermo (a 35 minuti in auto). Purtroppo, questo significa anche che la fine delle vostre vacanze in Sicilia è vicina!

Per questo ultimo giorno in Sicilia, in base agli orari di partenza del vostro volo, vi consiglio di andare a visitare il Tempio di Segesta .

Dista solamente 25 minuti in auto da Castellammare del Golfo . Il sito, sperduto in mezzo alla campagna ed arroccato su una collina, offre una vista ininterrotta dell’ambiente circostante .

Potrete ammirare il tempio di Segesta meravigliosamente preservato ed il teatro , che ospita tutt’ora degli spettacoli.

Per pranzo, dovreste tornare a Castellamare del Golfo . E per quest’ultimo giorno in Sicilia, vi suggerisco di fare una passeggiata nel centro storico della città e presso il porto, magari facendo anche una sosta per un ultimo bagno!

• Hôtel Punta Nord Est : Hotel situato proprio di fronte alla spiaggia, mettete un piede fuori e sarete già in acqua! Camera doppia ampia e luminosa a partire da 60€ a notte, colazione inclusa. Ciò che ci è piaciuto: la piscina, l’accesso ad una baia privata, una magnifica vista dalle camere. È il nostro preferito per il suo incredibile rapporto in termini di qualità-prezzo!
• Santina :  B&B situato a 200 metri dal mare. Camera doppia confortevole e ben arredata con una splendida vista sul mare da 75€ a notte, colazione inclusa. Ciò che ci è piaciuto: la vista dalle camere, la deliziosa colazione, la disponibilità e l’accoglienza degli host.
• Atrium : B&B Situato nel centro storico di Castellammare del Golfo. Camera doppia con decorazioni graziose e raffinate da 100€ a notte, colazione inclusa. Ciò che ci è piaciuto: il design delle camere e dei bagni, il suo comfort, la sua posizione, le frittelle fatte in casa per la colazione, la gentilezza degli host.

Desiderate fare qualche altra attività durante il vostro viaggio di 10 giorni in Sicilia ?

Nessun problema!

Ho creato per voi un elenco delle migliori attività che potrete fare sull’isola.

Basta cliccare sui link qui sotto per avere maggiori informazioni e per prenotare:

1) Cosa fare nei dintorni di Palermo

• Gita in barca con un piccolo gruppo, per esplorare la costa nei pressi di Palermo o una gita privata in barca!
• Escursione a Monreale e Cefalù da Palermo
• Parapendio vicino Cefalù
• Escursione all’Etna, da Palermo – Trasporto e guida inclusi

2) Cosa fare nei dintorni di Agrigento

• Sessione di parapendio

3) Cosa fare nei dintorni di Trapani

• Parapendio sulla costa occidentale
• Visita guidata alla Grotta del Genovese sull’isola di Levanzo (Isole Egadi)
• Crociera di una intera giornata alle Isole Egadi da Trapani
• Quad Tour alla scoperta del tempio di Segesta.

Durante il vostro tour della Sicilia di 10 giorni in auto , dovrete, per ovvie ragioni, noleggiare un’auto.

Ma come vi ho accennato all’inizio di questo articolo, in Sicilia, anche le compagnie internazionali non sono molto affidabili. E quindi è estremamente importante proteggersi dalle truffe contro eventuali danni simulati!

Il miglior modo per evitare ogni tipo di problema è quello di effettuare delle prenotazioni tramite il sito web di Rentalcars.com .

Questo servizio vi consente di confrontare tutte le offerte di noleggio auto, in modo da poter scegliere quello che preferite (Europcar, Avis, ecc.).

La cosa più importante da fare su Rentalcars è quella di selezionare l’opzione “protezione completa” al momento della prenotazione . Sarete quindi coperti in caso di danni o furto!

Quindi, se avrete un problema con l’auto, Rentalcars.com vi rimborserà i costi fatturati dalla compagnia di noleggio. Fate attenzione, dovrete comunque anticipare i costi alla società di noleggio.

Un esempio: restituendo l’auto alla fine del vostro viaggio, Europcar ci ha fatto pagare 470€ per un graffio (sì, è stato doloroso per il nostro portafogli!), che è stato immediatamente addebitato sul mio conto in banca.

Non appena sono tornato a casa, ho inviato a Rentalcars la fattura e la prova di addebito. Dopo 3 giorni, sono stato totalmente rimborsato !

Servizio davvero efficace e abbastanza raro da trovare pubblicizzato in giro per la rete.

Un ultimo consiglio: se sul sito web avete preso l’assicurazione completa al momento della prenotazione, non sarà necessario stipulare ulteriori assicurazioni presso il banco dell’agenzia di noleggio (cercheranno di imporvele in ogni possibile modo, ma non arrendetevi!)

Se desiderate noleggiare una barca per trascorrere una bella giornata all’insegna del mare durante il vostro itinerario in Sicilia, dovreste prenotarne una con Samboat.

Motoscafi, barche a vela, yacht, piccole imbarcazioni senza patente, con o senza skipper: semplicemente troverete l’offerta più completa per le vostre barche a noleggio!

Allora, cosa aspettate a prenotare la vostra barca durante le vostre vacanze in Sicilia? 😊

Per darvi un’idea di quanto vi potrebbero costare i vostri 10 giorni in Sicilia , questo è ciò che abbiamo speso noi per 2 persone:

• Trasporto per 2 (volo da Ginevra + noleggio auto): 520 €
• Alloggio per 2 : 440 €
• Visite per 2 : 170 €
• Cibo per 2 : 380 € + + extra per gelato e granite!!!

Budget totale per un viaggio di 10 giorni in Sicilia per 2 persone: 1510 €

Questo viaggio della Sicilia occidentale in 10 giorni ha soltanto rafforzato l’amore che ho provato per questa regione d’Italia durante il mio primo viaggio, quando ho visitato la sua costa orientale. Per mancanza di tempo, all’epoca non ho potuto visitare anche la parte occidentale dell’isola. Adesso che l’ho fatto, posso soltanto dire che l’intera Sicilia è davvero una splendida regione!

La cosa che ho particolarmente apprezzato è stata la possibilità di alternare visite in città, in siti storici, passeggiate ed escursioni presso riserve naturali e, ovviamente, nuotare! È, secondo me, il ritmo perfetto per un viaggio e senz’ombra di dubbio svilupperete anche voi la vostra dipendenza per la Sicilia!

Avete apprezzato il nostro itinerario di 10 giorni in Sicilia? Allora sicuramente vorrete scoprire l’altra parte della Sicilia, quella orientale, per le vostre prossime vacanze.

Date pure un’occhiata al nostro itinerario di una settimana da Catania a Siracusa passando per Taormina . Fateci un pensiero per la vostra prossima volta e salvate il nostro articolo tra i vostri segnalibri:  L’itinerario perfetto per 1 settimana in Sicilia.

Allora, cosa avete programmato per la vostra visita in Sicilia di 9-10 giorni?

Guide di viaggio per la Sicilia:

• Compra la guida turistica Lonely Planet Sicilia su Amazon.it
• Compra la guida turistica Touring Club Italiano Sicilia su Amazon.it

State per visitare la Sicilia? Questi articoli possono aiutarvi!

Esplora tutti i miei articoli sulla Sicilia : Tutti gli articoli che possono aiutarvi durante il vostro viaggio in Sicilia si trovano qui.

Cosa vedere in Sicilia? Le 20 migliori posti da visitare

• Itinerario: 2, 3, 4 o 5 giorni in Sicilia – I miei migliori consigli + Dove dormire? (Sicilia orientale + occidentale)
• Itinerario: 1 settimana in Sicilia – I miei migliori consigli + Suggerimenti di alloggio (Sicilia orientale)
• Itinerario: 2 settimane in Sicilia – I miei migliori consigli + Suggerimenti di alloggio (tour della Sicilia)
• Agrigento: 10 cose da fare e vedere
• Catania: le migliori 12 luoghi di interesse
• Palermo: 15 posti da non perdere
• Siracusa: le migliori 15 cose da fare
• Taormina: 10 posti da non perdere
• Trapani: le migliori 10 cose da vedere

Valle dei Templi (Agrigento): come visitare il parco archeologico?

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Creatore del blog Voyage Tips, amante dei viaggi e della fotografia.

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Discussion 12 commenti.

Ho fatto lo scorso anno il viaggio da voi proposto , ma credo abbiate trascurato di inserire una tappa fondamentale che merita almeno due giorni di soggiorno : Mazara del Vallo. Io e i miei amici siamo rimasti affascinati dalla visita alla Kasbah, vicoletti arabi meravigliosi ,dalla Cattedrale, dal museo del Satiro,dal lungomare, dalle spiagge dorate e dal mare azzurro, dai tramonti mozzafiato, dal cibo eccellente, dalla movida .

Ciao Piero,

Mazara del Valo sembra molto bella ma non ho avuto il tempo di fermarmi lì.

Per 10 giorni in Sicilia bisogna fare delle scelte e ci sono tante cose da vedere. Come dici tu, ci vorrebbe almeno 1 giorno in più per visitare Mazara.

Ma forse per un prossimo soggiorno in Sicilia!

Ciao, sto pensando a un tour in Sicilia , avrò a disposizione circa due settimane , quindi ho deciso di fare una volta la parte occidentale e un altra volta quella orientale Probabilmente il primo sarà quello nella parte occidentale , con volo su Palermo. Ho letto tutti i tuoi itinerari , li trovo molto utili e chiari , ti chiedo però un ulteriore consiglio , vorrei vedere Piazza Armerina , secondo te è meglio inserirla in un tour della parte occidentale o in quello orientale? come distanza intendo … mi sembra sia a metà più o meno ..avrei pensato di abbinarla quando farò tappa ad Agrigento, pensi sia fattibile? E poi , merita una visita?

Grazie Debora

Ciao Debora,

Piazza Armerina si trova infatti alla stessa distanza da Catania e da Agrigento: circa un’ora e mezza di macchina.

Non sono sicuro che valga la pena fare una deviazione per includerlo nel vostro itinerario. A parte il Duomo e la Villa Romana del Casale, non c’è molto da vedere.

Ecco perché non lo includo nel mio itinerario, perché è davvero mal posizionato per il poco da vedere.

Se volete davvero visitare Piazza Armerina, magari potete programmare una sosta tra Palermo-Arigente o Agrigento-Palermo (a seconda della direzione del vostro itinerario). Ma è una deviazione di almeno 1h / 1h30 in auto.

Godetevi il vostro soggiorno in Sicilia!

Grazie mille per il consiglio!

Il piacere è tutto mio!

Non esitate se avete ulteriori domande per organizzare il vostro itinerario di 2 settimane in Sicilia. Ciao

Ciao e grazie per le spiegazioni dettagliate!

Se posso permettermi, quanto avete speso per noleggiare l’auto? Sto dando un’occhiata al sito, ma i prezzi sono veramente alti.

Grazie mille

Ciao Yasmine,

Per questo itinerario di 10 giorni in Sicilia, avevo pagato circa 370€ per noleggiare un’auto.

Per questa estate, ho notato che le compagnie di noleggio hanno aumentato le loro tariffe di 2 o 3 (per la Sicilia ma anche per molte destinazioni). Approfittano della situazione sanitaria…

Mi permetto di dire che in tutte le città di Italia c è il rischio di furti, perché in tutta Italia c è gente malintenzionata. Lo dimostra il fatto che al mio fidanzato a Milano, gli hanno svaligiato la macchina dove aveva pc ipad vestiti abbigliamento per sci ecc ecc. Pertanto reputo la tua raccomandazione superflua e lesiva poiché mette in cattiva luce i siciliani e la Sicilia e fa passare un messaggio sbagliato. È a causa di questi stereotipi che la Sicilia e i siciliani vengono tacciati per ciò che non sono!

Ciao Marianna,

La mia intenzione non è quella di criticare i siciliani (la maggior parte dei quali sono molto accoglienti) ma di avvertire le persone che i furti sono molto frequenti.

Il problema è che, come dici tu, in una grande città italiana (o europea in generale), la gente sa che deve stare attenta ai borseggiatori o alle truffe.

Il mio scopo è quello di avvertire i lettori, che in Sicilia, ci sono anche rapine in luoghi remoti. Quindi fate attenzione a non lasciare le cose in macchina (anche se vi sembra di essere soli). Sono stato diverse volte in Sicilia e ho visto molti manifesti di persone che dicono di aver subito furti. Per esempio, nella riserva naturale di Torre Salsa (lontano da tutto). E sul mio blog, ricevo molte segnalazioni di furti di auto in Sicilia. Ecco perché preferisco avvertire i turisti (questo è solo un avvertimento in un articolo di 6000 parole).

Buona giornata,

Ciao! Io e il mio fidanzato andremo 10 giorni in Sicilia a fine settembre. Scendiamo a Palermo e ci piacerebbe visitare la costa nord – est. Hai qualche consiglio per noi? Ti ringrazio molto! Alessia

Ciao Alessia,

Se vuoi visitare la Sicilia orientale, dovresti leggere l’altro mio articolo: Una settimana in Sicilia .

Basta invertire le tappe: da Palermo si può scendere a Siracusa, poi Catania e Taormina. Dato che avete 10 giorni a disposizione, dopo Taormina potete aggiungere una tappa a Cefalù e a Palermo, per esempio.

Potete trovare tutti i miei articoli sull’isola qui: Destinazione Sicilia .

Godetevi il vostro itinerario di 10 giorni in Sicilia!

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• Medio Oriente
• Nord America
• Noleggio auto: il mio miglior consiglio
• Pagina iniziale

Deals of the Week   Green Hikes & Treks   Up to 50% OFF

New Tour of Sicily from Palermo 10 Days

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided

Places You’ll See

• Have lunch next to the mythic Arethusa’s Fountain
• Marvel at Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe
• See the incredible mosaics in Piazza Armerina
• Enjoy dinner and a wine tasting in Marsala
• Introduction
• Day 1 PALERMO
• Day 2 PALERMO - MONREALE
• Day 3 PALERMO - CEFALU’ - CATANIA
• Day 4 CATANIA - MT ETNA - TAORMINA
• Day 5 CATANIA/ACI TREZZA
• Day 6 SIRACUSA - NOTO
• Day 7 RAGUSA - PIAZZA ARMERINA - MODICA - AGRIGENTO
• Day 8 AGRIGENTO - MARSALA - SALT ROAD - PALERMO
• Day 9 ERICE - SEGESTA
• Day 10 PALERMO - DEPARTURE

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What's Included

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• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Customer photos.

Operated by Soleto Travel

Soleto Travel, is a tour operator active from 2014, based in the island of Malta providing a wide range of touristic services in the maltese islands and Italy. Our team formed by friendly and dynamic staff includes: English, Italian, Spanish speaking staff, all well skilled in the tourism industry. Soleto Travel is a new concept of travel, paying attention to details offering high-end services and giving full support 24/7 to all our clients. Reliability on service, efficiency and personalisation are our strong points.

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Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.1
• Itinerary Excellent 4.4
• Guide Excellent 4.4
• Transport Excellent 4.3
• Accommodation Good 3.9
• Food Good 3.9
• Tour Operator Soleto Travel 4.5
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• FD Filomela Ada · 28th October 2023 We had the best tour guide ever. Placido is an asset for your company. He make sure that everything went smooth and his knowledge is academic. Trip date: October 2023

• SG Sheila · 2nd June 2022 Very well coordinated. Trip date: April 2022
• MH Mary · 24th February 2020 Angelo was superb at getting us around in great time and pointing out points of historic interest. He really made the trip for us! We loved all the history and places where we had an experience with things Sicilian! We want to come again and do it all... Show more Trip date: February 2020

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Good to Know

• Currency € Euro Italy

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, L.

• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 4th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 4th June 2024, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Soleto Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Soleto Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Soleto Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Soleto Travel. Please familiarise yourself with the Soleto Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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