Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Ragusa
You'll arrive at Catania airport and head to Ragusa, a hilltop town about an hour away. The drive gives you your first taste of Sicily's landscape. Once there, walk around and take in the baroque architecture that defines this place. The views over the countryside are nice from various spots around town. Grab dinner somewhere local and try pasta alla Norma if it's on the menu. It's a traditional Sicilian dish with eggplant and tomato sauce.
Landmarks/POIs Ragusa Superiore Ragusa Ibla - Day 2
Ragusa to Marzamemi
This morning you'll explore Ragusa's two different areas. Head up to Ragusa Superiore first for the geometric layout and mountain views, then work your way down to Ragusa Ibla where the baroque buildings and narrow alleys are what most people come to see. After spending a few hours there, grab your rental car and drive east along the coast to Marzamemi. This fishing village has colorful boats in the harbor and you'll find those iconic blue chairs at Regina Margherita Square. It's a good spot for lunch and photos before heading back.
Included Activities
- Rental car for self-drive exploration
Landmarks/POIs Ragusa Superiore Ragusa Ibla Marzamemi Regina Margherita Square - Day 3
Marzamemi to Castelvetrano via Valley of the Temples
Today's a longer driving day heading west along the coast. First stop is Agrigento where you'll see the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO site with some incredible Greek ruins. The Concordia Temple is one of the best preserved. From there, drive to Scala dei Turchi to see those white limestone cliffs that drop right into the water. The contrast between the white rock and turquoise sea is worth the stop. Later, continue on to Castelvetrano for the night. Plan for about 4 hours of driving total with the stops included.
Included Activities
- Visit Valley of the Temples UNESCO World Heritage Site
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Valley of the Temples (can be booked online in advance)
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Temples Concordia Temple Scala dei Turchi - Day 4
Castelvetrano to Zingaro Nature Reserve and San Vito Lo Capo
You'll spend the day at Zingaro Nature Reserve, which runs for seven kilometers along the coast. There are several hiking trails of varying difficulty through hilly terrain where you can find hidden beaches and small caves. The Mediterranean plant life is different from what you might be used to. By afternoon, head to San Vito Lo Capo beach, just past the reserve, and spend time relaxing on the sand and swimming. The water is clear and the beach is wide with fine sand. It's a good day to slow down after driving yesterday.
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails through Zingaro Nature Reserve
Landmarks/POIs Zingaro Nature Reserve Scopello San Vito Lo Capo Beach - Day 5
San Vito Lo Capo to Palermo
You're heading to Palermo now, Sicily's main city. Start at Quattro Canti square and look at the four identical baroque facades. Walk over to see the Fontana Pretoria with its marble figures, then check out Palermo Cathedral. After that, get into the Ballaró market and wander around. It's loud and crowded with vendors selling fresh produce, seafood, and street food. There are stalls making arancini, fried pasta shapes, and all sorts of local specialties. Grab something to eat while you're there. The market is chaotic but that's part of the experience.
Included Activities
- Visit Quattro Canti square
- View Fontana Pretoria
- Visit Palermo Cathedral
- Explore Ballarò market
Landmarks/POIs Quattro Canti Fontana Pretoria Palermo Cathedral Ballarò Market - Day 6
Palermo
You have options today. One route is to visit Norman Palace and walk through the gardens with their round arches and interior rooms. If you want to escape the city, take the train to Cefalu, which is less than an hour away. The beach there has golden sand and the water, while cold, has that greenish tint from minerals. Spend a few hours swimming and relaxing under an umbrella, then head back to Palermo by evening. Either way gives you something different to do.
Optional Activities
- Visit Norman Palace
- Train to Cefalu beach (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Norman Palace Cefalu Cefalu Beach - Day 7
Palermo to Regalbuto via Mount Etna and Taormina
Mount Etna is the main event today. You'll need a guide to reach the higher parts of the volcano where there are restrictions. The hike takes you across lava fields, and if it's active, you'll see steam and smoke. A guide will explain the geology and history of the volcano. After coming back down, drive to Taormina on the eastern coast. The ancient theater there has views framing both Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, so it's popular for photos. Try to arrive by late afternoon so you can see it in good light.
Optional Activities
- Guided hike on Mount Etna (bookable in advance or on site)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Etna Taormina Ancient Theater Taormina - Day 8
Regalbuto to Catania to Malta
Back in Catania now for your final Sicilian morning. Visit Piazza Duomo to see the baroque cathedral and the elephant fountain, one of the most recognizable symbols in the city. Walk by the Roman theater ruins. After that, drop off your rental car at the airport and arrange transport to Pozzallo port about an hour south. You'll board an evening ferry to Malta. The crossing takes a few hours. By night you'll arrive in Valletta and see the fortress walls and domes lit up against the sky.
Included Activities
- Visit Piazza Duomo
- View Catania Cathedral
- View Roman Theater of Catania
- Ferry crossing from Pozzallo to Valletta
Optional Activities
- Transfer to Pozzallo port (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Piazza Duomo Catania Cathedral Roman Theater of Catania Valletta - Day 9
Valletta
Spend today walking through Valletta's old town. The alleys are narrow and winding with baroque facades on many buildings. You'll see small statues of saints and old fountains tucked into corners. Head to Grand Master's Palace and look at the courtyard and interior rooms. St. John's Co-Cathedral has a plain outside but inside it's ornate with 16th-century decoration and artwork. Walk to Triton Fountain in the center of the city. By evening, relax at Barrakka Gardens where you can sit and look out over the harbor. The views are really the main attraction there.
Included Activities
- Explore Valletta old town alleys
- Visit Grand Master's Palace courtyard
Optional Activities
- St. John's Co-Cathedral entrance (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Grand Master's Palace St. John's Co-Cathedral Triton Fountain Barrakka Gardens - Day 10
Valletta to Gozo
Take the ferry to Gozo, Malta's sister island. It's smaller and quieter than Malta. Explore Victoria, the main town, and try some local food and wine. Later, visit the salt pans on the north coast. They're arranged in a checkerboard pattern and change color depending on the time of day and how the sunlight hits them. Swimming at Ramla Bay in the afternoon is a good way to finish. The sand there has a reddish-golden color. Then catch the ferry back to Valletta for the evening.
Optional Activities
- Ferry to Gozo (payable locally)
- Bus transport around Gozo (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Gozo Victoria Gozo Salt Pans Ramla Bay - Day 11
Valletta
Start this morning at Cafe Jubilee with coffee. Sit outside and look at the colorful bay windows of the old houses. After that, visit Casa Rocca Piccola, a 16th-century Maltese villa that's still lived in by the same noble family that's owned it for centuries. You can walk through the rooms and see how the family has decorated and used the space. In the evening, either check out Teatru Manoel, which has unique architecture, or head down to the waterfront. The waterfront has restaurants and clubs mixed in with old fishermen's houses and harbor activity.
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Café Jubilee (payable on site)
- Casa Rocca Piccola rooms tour (payable on site)
- Teatru Manoel evening performance or tour (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Café Jubilee Casa Rocca Piccola Teatru Manoel Valletta Waterfront - Day 12
Valletta
Book a harbor tour for the morning. You can take a full boat tour or just ride the water taxi which is cheaper and still gives you good views. Seeing Valletta from the water shows off the harbor walls and buildings differently than from land. After that, take the ferry or water taxi to the Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. They're across the harbor from Valletta. Wander through Vittoriosa's narrow streets with tall townhouses and colorful balconies. Visit Fort St. Angelo for views back over the harbor. The water is bright blue and calm.
Optional Activities
- Harbor tour or water cab (payable locally)
- Visit to Vittoriosa (payable locally)
- Fort St. Angelo entrance (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Valletta Harbor Vittoriosa Senglea Cospicua Fort St. Angelo - Day 13
Departure from Malta
It's time to head home. Watch Malta get smaller as your ferry or flight departs. Over the past week you've seen Sicily's beaches, mountains, and ancient sites, then moved to Malta's historic streets and harbors. The mix of different landscapes and architecture makes for a pretty full trip. This is the kind of experience that stays with you after you leave.
