7-Day Sicily Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Sicily tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSicily travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Sicily, incl. Palermo and Mount Etna

  The rich cultural circuit spans 7 cities in 7 days, from Palermo's historical markets to Taormina's ancient Greek theater. Visits include Mount Etna's craters at 1,800 meters, Agrigento's Valley of Temples, and Caccamo's medieval castle, with 6 nights in 4-star hotels.

  

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  • Day 1

    Palermo Arrival

    Plan to land in Palermo in the early afternoon to skip rush hour. The city center is a 45-minute drive from the airport. Book your transfer ahead of time since local taxis aren't always reliable. The historic Kalsa district makes a great base - you can walk to most major attractions from here.

    
  • Day 2

    Palermo & Monreale

    Visit Ballaro Market first thing (it's busiest from 7-9 AM). Explore Palermo's Arab-Norman buildings like the Palazzo dei Normanni. Take a quick 30-minute drive to Monreale after lunch. Visit the cathedral late afternoon when sunlight streams through to illuminate its 6,500 square meters of golden mosaics. A recent visitor suggests: "Pack a light scarf - you'll need covered shoulders to enter Monreale's cathedral, and the marble floors can be chilly even in summer."

    
  • Day 3

    Cefalù & Caccamo

    Take a 1.5-hour coastal drive to Cefalù. Start at the Norman cathedral then climb La Rocca for great views - set aside 45 minutes for this steep walk and wear good shoes. Drive 30 minutes to Caccamo Castle in the afternoon. This impressive Norman fortress sits on a cliff edge. Get there before 5 PM for the best light for photos.

    
  • Day 4

    Agrigento

    Plan a full day for the Valley of the Temples. Start at opening time (8:30 AM) before it gets too hot - there's very little shade here. The Temple of Concordia is the best-preserved Greek temple you'll find outside Greece. Take a guided tour of the archaeological museum to really understand what you're seeing.

    
  • Day 5

    Mount Etna & Taormina

    Start your drive to Etna early (2.5 hours from Agrigento). Cable cars begin running at 9 AM and take you up to 2,500m. Bring warm clothes - the summit can be 20°F cooler than ground level. Spend your afternoon in Taormina seeing the Greek Theater and walking corso Umberto. One traveler notes: "Book your Etna tour for the morning - afternoon thunderstorms are common in spring and fall."

    
  • Day 6

    Enna & Shopping

    Visit Enna, Sicily's highest provincial capital, for amazing views. See Castello di Lombardia in the morning when visibility is clearest. Stop at Sicily Outlet Village in the afternoon for Italian designer shopping. It's on the way back to Palermo, making it a practical final stop.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure from Palermo

    Leave plenty of time to reach Palermo Airport - at least 2.5 hours with traffic and car return. Book a morning flight if possible, as they're usually more reliable during peak season.

    

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• 7 Day Sicily Itinerary, incl. Palermo and Taormina

  A comprehensive tour of 8 Sicilian cities spans 7 days. Marvel at Monreale's UNESCO Cathedral, Valley of Temples in Agrigento, and Mount Etna's summit. Package includes 6 nights in hotels, 6 breakfasts, traditional lunch in Marsala, and 5 dinners for approx. $220 per day.

  

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  • Day 1

    Palermo

    Get to Palermo early to explore the area around your hotel. Stay near the Quattro Canti historic crossroads for convenient access to main attractions. Book an evening food tour to try authentic Sicilian street food like arancini and pasta alla norma.

    
  • Day 2

    Palermo & Monreale

    Take an early bus to Monreale from Piazza Indipendenza. Buses run every 30 minutes. The Cathedral's golden mosaics look best in morning light. Return to Palermo to see the Cattedrale and Ballarò market. Visit the market between 10 AM and 1 PM when it's busy but not too hot. Remember to bring cash for street food.

    
  • Day 3

    Erice, Marsala & Agrigento

    Start early for Erice. Wear shoes with good grip for the slippery cobblestone streets. Drive an hour to Marsala for wine tasting and lunch at a local winery. End your day at Agrigento's Valley of Temples in late afternoon when it's cooler and the ancient stones take on a golden glow.

    
  • Day 4

    Ragusa

    The historic center of Ragusa Ibla sits on a hilltop. Begin at San Giorgio gate and walk up through the UNESCO old town. It takes about 25 minutes to walk from Giardini Iblei to Piazza Duomo. See the Cathedral of San Giorgio before the afternoon break (1-4 PM) when most places close.

    
  • Day 5

    Noto, Syracuse & Taormina

    Visit Noto early to see the honey-colored baroque buildings in morning light. Drive 40 minutes to Syracuse. Check out the Duomo on Ortygia island, built around an ancient Greek temple with visible Doric columns. Get to Taormina for sunset views from the Greek Theater.

    
  • Day 6

    Mount Etna & Taormina

    Pack layers for Etna. It's cold at 1800m even in summer. Take a morning tour before clouds roll in. Spend the afternoon on Corso Umberto, Taormina's main street. Skip the busy public beach and take the cable car to Isola Bella later in the day when crowds thin out.

    
  • Day 7

    Taormina

    Start your last day with granita from Bam Bar. They open at 7:30 AM and get busy quickly. If you're flying from Catania airport, leave at least 1.5 hours for the transfer because of regular traffic delays.

    

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• 7 Days in Sicily, incl. Palermo and Taormina

  A cultural odyssey through 9 Sicilian cities, from Palermo's Norman architecture to Taormina's romantic charm. The route includes UNESCO sites like Valley of Temples in Agrigento and Monreale Cathedral. Features 6 breakfasts, 5 dinners, and luxury 4-star accommodations like Hotel Mercure in Palermo.

  

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  • Day 1

    Palermo Arrival

    Arrive at Palermo Airport and make your way to your city center hotel. Book your transfer in advance. As one traveler noted: "Getting from the airport was tricky - arrange transport ahead or you'll waste time negotiating with drivers." The public transport system can be confusing, and local taxis often charge tourists extra.

    
  • Day 2

    Monreale & Palermo

    Visit Monreale Cathedral at 8 AM to see the golden mosaics in perfect morning light. The cathedral steps can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip. Spend the afternoon exploring Palermo's historic center. Visit Ballaro market before 1 PM when locals do their shopping. Watch your belongings in the busy market areas.

    
  • Day 3

    Erice, Marsala & Agrigento

    Drive to medieval Erice (2 hours) and arrive before 10 AM to avoid crowds and enjoy clear hilltop views. Stop in Marsala for wine tasting and a light lunch. Continue to Agrigento (2-hour drive) and visit the Valley of Temples in late afternoon when it's cooler and the ancient stones take on a beautiful golden color.

    
  • Day 4

    Ragusa Ibla

    The drive to Ragusa takes about 2 hours. The streets of Ragusa Ibla are steep and can be slippery. One visitor shared: "The walk down to Ibla is easy but climbing back up in the heat was challenging. Take water and plan for frequent stops." Rest at the Giardini Iblei gardens, which offer shade and plenty of benches.

    
  • Day 5

    Noto & Syracuse to Taormina

    Start your day in Noto to photograph the baroque buildings in morning light. Drive 30 minutes to Syracuse. Explore Ortygia island before 11 AM to avoid crowds. Take the 1.5-hour drive to Taormina and spend your evening walking along Corso Umberto.

    
  • Day 6

    Mount Etna & Taormina

    Pack layers for Mount Etna. Book a morning tour to avoid afternoon cloud cover. The temperature drops 10-15°C at higher altitudes. Return to Taormina and visit the Greek Theater in late afternoon when crowds thin out. Skip the expensive main street restaurants and try the local spots on side streets for better meals at lower prices.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    If you have a morning flight from Catania Airport, leave Taormina at least 3 hours before departure. Summer traffic can be heavy on the 45-60 minute drive.

    

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