Itinerary
- Day 1
Catania
Head to Catania independently using public transport from the airport to reach your hotel. Depending when you arrive, take some time wandering through the city streets to get a feel for Sicilian life. You'll be staying in Catania for the next three nights, so this first day is pretty relaxed and gives you a chance to settle in.
Optional Activities
- Walk through the streets of Catania
Landmarks/POIs Catania - Day 2
Catania - Syracuse
Start with an orientation walk through Catania, Sicily's second largest city, checking out the main sights along the way. Stop by a local market to try seasonal produce like oranges, figs, and olives. Later you'll head along the east coast to Syracuse and explore the baroque old town on Ortigia island with its historic buildings and cathedral. After grabbing a typical Sicilian espresso at a local bar and having lunch, visit the archaeological park to see the ancient theater and historical sites before heading back to Catania for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation walk through Catania
- Local market visit with seasonal specialties
- Exploration of Ortigia baroque old town and cathedral
- Visit to archaeological park with ancient theater
- Tasting of typical Sicilian espresso at local bar
Landmarks/POIs Catania Syracuse Ortigia Syracuse Cathedral Syracuse Archaeological Park - Day 3
Mount Etna - Taormina
Travel to Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll hike through the lunar landscape around the Silvestri crater at approximately 1,900 meters (6,234 feet). Along the way, try local products like honey and liqueurs from small stalls. From there, continue to Taormina to walk through the shopping streets and check out the ancient theater with views of the sea and volcano. Return to Catania by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike through Silvestri crater landscape at approximately 1,900 meters
- Tasting of local honey and liqueurs
- Visit to Taormina shopping street
- Visit to ancient theater in Taormina
Optional Activities
- Cable car and off-road vehicle excursion up to 2,800 meters with experienced mountain guide (approximately €80 per person, bookable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Etna Silvestri Crater Taormina Taormina Ancient Theater - Day 4
Piazza Armerina - Agrigento
Drive to Piazza Armerina and tour the Villa Romana del Casale, which has some remarkable Roman floor mosaics. Travel through the Sicilian countryside toward Agrigento, stopping along the way to sample street food like arancini. Spend about two hours on a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, one of the most significant archaeological sites from ancient Greece, visiting the temples of Concordia, Hercules, and Zeus. Check in at your hotel and finish with dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Hotel dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit to Villa Romana del Casale with impressive floor mosaics
- Tasting of local street food such as arancini
- Two-hour guided tour of Valley of the Temples
- Visit to Temple of Concordia
- Visit to Temple of Hercules
- Visit to Temple of Zeus
Landmarks/POIs Villa Romana del Casale Valley of the Temples Temple of Concordia Temple of Hercules Temple of Zeus - Day 5
Mazara del Vallo - Marsala - Trapani
Start the morning in Mazara del Vallo, an interesting place with Arab-influenced architecture and cultural diversity in its Kasbah quarter. Continue to Marsala, famous for its history and wine production. Learn how salt is made at the salt pans while sipping Marsala wine and taking in the views of the white salt fields. Later, head to Trapani in the evening for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Mazara del Vallo Kasbah quarter
- Visit to Marsala salt pans with traditional salt production demonstration
- Tasting of Marsala wine
Landmarks/POIs Mazara del Vallo Marsala Marsala Salt Pans Trapani - Day 6
Trapani - Erice
Take a walk through Trapani's old town, which sits between two seas in a really interesting location. You'll have free time to try the typical couscous that's popular in western Sicily. In the afternoon, head up to Erice, a medieval mountain village with well-kept houses and archways. Visit a traditional almond bakery and taste almond pastries on a terrace overlooking the west coast. After that, return to Trapani for the rest of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Almond pastries)
Included Activities
- Walk through Trapani old town
- Visit to traditional almond bakery
- Tasting of various almond pastries on panoramic terrace
Optional Activities
- Try typical couscous dish during free time
Landmarks/POIs Trapani Old Town Erice - Day 7
Trapani - Palermo
Travel to Palermo and check out a traditional market to sample Sicilian finger food. Visit Monreale Cathedral, an impressive Norman structure with Byzantine and Arabic influences and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Palermo for a guided city tour covering the main sights including Porta Nuova and the cathedral. Spend the rest of the afternoon at your own pace exploring streets and having espresso in a piazza. You'll stay three nights in Palermo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Sicilian finger food at market)
Included Activities
- Visit to traditional market with Sicilian finger food sampling
- Visit to Monreale Cathedral
- Guided city tour of Palermo
- Visit to Porta Nuova
- Visit to Palermo Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Palermo Monreale Cathedral Porta Nuova Palermo Cathedral - Day 8
Madonie Mountains - Castelbuono - Cefalù
Head into the Madonie mountains to Castelbuono, a small town with a medieval castle worth exploring. Have lunch with a local specialty: brioche with gelato. Then go to Cefalù where you'll visit the Arab-Norman cathedral, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pack a picnic on Cefalù beach with regional foods and Sicilian wine before returning to Palermo with free time for the rest of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Brioche with gelato), Picnic (Picnic on Cefalù beach with regional delicacies and Sicilian wine)
Included Activities
- Visit to Castelbuono and medieval castle
- Tasting of brioche with gelato
- Visit to Cefalù Arab-Norman cathedral
- Picnic on Cefalù beach with regional delicacies and Sicilian wine
Landmarks/POIs Castelbuono Castelbuono Castle Cefalù Cefalù Cathedral - Day 9
Palermo
This day is yours to explore Palermo however you like. Walk around the streets, visit museums, or sample local food at your own pace. If you want something different, take a trip to the nearby beach town of Mondello or hike up Monte Pellegrino. Your guide can give you suggestions based on what interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Strolling through Palermo streets
- Visit museums in Palermo
- Sample local delicacies
- Day trip to Mondello beach town
- Hike up Monte Pellegrino
Landmarks/POIs Palermo Mondello Monte Pellegrino - Day 10
Palermo
After a full week in Sicily, travel independently by public transport to Palermo airport and board your flight back to Germany. Arrivederci, Sicily!
- Meals
- Breakfast
