Itinerary
- Day 1
Palermo
You'll arrive at Palermo Airport and pick up your rental car, then head to your hotel to settle in. In the afternoon, take a walk through the historic city center. There's plenty to see here - the Capella Palatina has intricate mosaics covering the walls, the Cathedral shows off different architectural periods mixed together, and La Martorana Church also has remarkable mosaics if you get there.
Optional Activities
- Tour of historic Palermo city center
- Explore Capella Palatina chapel
- Visit Cathedral
- Visit La Martorana Church
Landmarks/POIs Capella Palatina Cathedral of Palermo La Martorana Church - Day 2
Palermo to Taormina
After breakfast, drive to Taormina for the next two nights. You'll walk through town and check out the Greek Theatre along with the ancient Roman Odeon. Piazza IX Aprile offers nice views over the area, and the Duomo is worth a look. Wander the narrow streets, then head to one of the old bars and try granita with brioche, a local favorite here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Taormina
- Explore Greek Theatre
- Explore Roman Odeon
- Visit Piazza IX Aprile
- Visit Duomo
- Try granita with brioche at a local bar
Landmarks/POIs Greek Theatre of Taormina Roman Odeon Piazza IX Aprile Taormina Duomo - Day 3
Taormina / Mount Etna
Have breakfast before driving to Mount Etna for self-guided exploration. Head to Rifugio Sapienza or Piano Provenzana and walk the marked trails through volcanic landscapes and old lava flows. A visitor center can fill you in on the volcano's geology, or you can wander the pine forests lower down. Later, drive to a local winery for tastings and Sicilian food, grab lunch in the countryside, then return to Taormina.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Self-guided Mount Etna exploration
- Hiking on marked trails from Rifugio Sapienza or Piano Provenzana
- Visit Etna Park Visitor Center in Nicolosi
- Explore pine forests on lower slopes
- Visit local winery with tastings
- Lunch at winery
Landmarks/POIs Mount Etna Rifugio Sapienza Etna Park Visitor Center Nicolosi - Day 4
Taormina to Syracuse
After breakfast, drive to Syracuse. In the afternoon, explore Ortigia and start at Piazza del Duomo where the Cathedral was built over a Greek temple's ruins. Walk through narrow streets taking in the Baroque architecture. The Fountain of Arethusa is connected to Greek mythology, the waterfront has sea views, and the Temple of Apollo is nearby. Don't miss the local markets where you can sample Sicilian food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Ortigia
- Visit Piazza del Duomo
- Visit Syracuse Cathedral
- Wander through Baroque streets
- Visit Fountain of Arethusa
- Visit Temple of Apollo
- Explore local markets
Landmarks/POIs Ortigia Piazza del Duomo Syracuse Cathedral Fountain of Arethusa Temple of Apollo - Day 5
Syracuse
You have a free day after breakfast at your hotel. Spend time at Fontane Bianche or Arenella beaches with their white sand and clear water if you want to relax. For sunset, head to Marzamemi, an old fishing village by the Ionian Sea where you can have a drink or dinner and watch small boats in the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Fontane Bianche beach
- Visit Arenella beach
- Visit Marzamemi fishing village
- Aperitif or dinner at Marzamemi
Landmarks/POIs Fontane Bianche Beach Arenella Beach Marzamemi - Day 6
Syracuse to Noto
After breakfast, drive to Noto to see Baroque architecture. Start at Noto Cathedral, an 18th-century building that was carefully rebuilt after an earthquake. Check out Palazzo Ducezio for its Hall of Mirrors. Walk through elegant streets looking at palaces, churches, and ornate balconies. Stop by Porta Reale, walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele with its cafes and shops, and try granita or almond pastries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Noto Cathedral
- Visit Palazzo Ducezio and Hall of Mirrors
- Wander through Baroque streets
- Visit Porta Reale
- Stroll Corso Vittorio Emanuele
- Try granita or almond pastries
Landmarks/POIs Noto Cathedral Palazzo Ducezio Porta Reale Corso Vittorio Emanuele - Day 7
Noto / Ragusa / Modica
After breakfast, drive to Ragusa, a Baroque town rebuilt following the 1693 earthquake. Start in Ragusa Ibla and walk through streets with grand mansions and churches. The Duomo di San Giorgio and Piazza Duomo are worth your time. In the afternoon, head to Modica, which has a special chocolate-making tradition. You'll get hillside views, walk down staircases to Corso Umberto I, and can stop at one of the old chocolate shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Ragusa Ibla
- Visit Duomo di San Giorgio
- Visit Piazza Duomo in Ragusa
- Explore Ragusa alleyways and terraces
- Visit Modica scenic viewpoint
- Descend via Modica staircases
- Explore Corso Umberto I
- Visit historic chocolatier in Modica
- Chocolate tasting or demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Ragusa Ibla Duomo di San Giorgio Piazza Duomo Ragusa Modica Corso Umberto I - Day 8
Noto to Agrigento
After breakfast, drive to Agrigento and visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO site with major archaeological remains. Start at the Temple of Juno and follow marked paths to see ancient streets and five large Doric temples. The Temple of Concordia is one of the best-preserved Greek temples around. You'll see sanctuaries, altars, and old city walls. Information signs or an audio guide explain the history of ancient Akragas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Valley of the Temples archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration with audio guide or guidebook
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Temples Temple of Juno Temple of Concordia - Day 9
Agrigento
After breakfast, you have options for another full day in Agrigento. Scala dei Turchi has white limestone cliffs above turquoise water where you can relax on the beach or climb the natural steps for coastal views. Or visit Marsala for its historic center and wine. You could also try Trapani with its old town and Baroque churches, or check out the Salt Pans to see traditional salt harvesting. Erice, a medieval hilltop town, has great coastline views and almond pastries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Scala dei Turchi cliff and beach
- Climb limestone steps for coastal views
- Explore Marsala historic center
- Visit Piazza della Repubblica in Marsala
- Wine tasting at local enoteca
- Sample Marsala wine
- Explore Trapani old town
- Visit Trapani Baroque churches
- Walk Trapani waterfront
- Visit Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco
- Explore medieval town of Erice
- Visit Castello di Venere
- Try traditional almond pastries in Erice
Landmarks/POIs Scala dei Turchi Marsala Piazza della Repubblica Trapani Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco Erice Castello di Venere - Day 10
Agrigento to Palermo
Take a relaxed morning after breakfast, then drive back to Palermo for your final night. This gives you time to travel without rushing through the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 11
Palermo / Departure
Have breakfast one last time in Sicily before driving to Palermo Airport. Return your rental car and head to the airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
