Astoria Palace Hotel
The best of Sicily can be condensed into a week-long holiday, but if you’re fortunate enough to have more time available, make the most of it for a complete tour and see more locations, spending longer in the places you love or devoting yourself to your passions, whether that’s archaeology, gastronomy or diving.
We’ve designed a two-week itinerary in Sicily that not only allows you to visit the most famous cities and villages and swim in the most beautiful beaches but also to indulge in the pleasures of food and wine, immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of natural reserves, witness unique spectacles such as a volcanic eruption, a festival in an ancient theatre or a traditional puppet opera, and relive ancient myths in Magna Grecia at the region’s most important archaeological sites.
There’s also time to leave Sicily and venture to the enchanting islands that lie off its coast. We’ve chosen Favignana and Lipari or Stromboli, but you can swap them for Marettimo and another of the Egadi Islands.
It’s a circular itinerary departing from and returning to Palermo, designed for those wanting to travel by car, perhaps hiring one at one of the arrival airports. It can also be started from Catania or Trapani, Sicily’s other two cities with numerous low-cost flights to mainland Italy; with some adjustments it can also be followed by those booking a flight to Comiso.
Those travelling by public transport will need to adapt the itinerary by removing locations not served by buses and trains, and spending longer in the main cities.
The itinerary begins in style with a city that truly has so much to offer: Palermo1 is bursting with places to see, things to do and delicacies to taste.
Take it easy on your first day of holiday: you’re tired from your flight and need to get your bearings in the city.
Three to four hours are enough for a leisurely walking tour of the centre covering all the main attractions and giving you a taste of the mix of peoples and cultures that have shaped Palermo’s identity over the centuries.
The must-see sights are: Palazzo dei Normanni, with the magnificent Palatine Chapel and its stunning Byzantine mosaics; the Cathedral, an architectural jewel combining elements of Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Catalan and Gothic art; the Church of the Martorana, which houses Sicily’s oldest mosaic cycle; the Quattro Canti, an unusual octagonal-shaped square overlooked by lavish Baroque palaces with convex walls; the Teatro Massimo, one of Europe’s most beautiful and important theatres.
After a day of Norman splendour and Baroque opulence, dedicate your second day to the other side of Palermo: its popular soul, of which the historic markets are the liveliest expression.
Ballarò, Vucciria and Il Capo are the nerve centres of city life, places of commerce but also of relationships, exchanges… and culinary delights! The markets are where you can taste authentic Palermo street food, a celebration of flavour championed by Lonely Planet and other renowned international travel guides.
You can explore the markets independently or take part in a street food tour to have an expert local guide recommend the best panelle or focaccia with spleen.
After indulging in flavours, spend the afternoon visiting cultural attractions you didn’t get to on the first day. One of the most intriguing is the Catacombs of the Capuchin Convent, a macabre church housing over 2,000 mummified human remains, including that of a two-year-old girl.
The more devout might opt for the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia: it’s a charming church nestled inside a cave, dedicated to “Santuzza”, Palermo’s patron saint.
On the morning of the third day, get in the car after a hearty breakfast and drive unhurriedly towards Cefalù2. You’ll arrive within an hour, in time for a swim before lunch.
The Cefalù beach is perfect for a refreshing break and stunning photos: it’s a strip of fine sand lapped by crystal-clear blue sea and backed by a row of charming pastel-coloured houses.
After cooling off, take some time to wander aimlessly through one of Sicily’s most romantic villages. Don’t be lazy and tackle the steep Salita Saraceno to reach the top of La Rocca overlooking the town: from here you can enjoy a magical panorama and admire the remains of an ancient temple.
After that effort, treat yourself to a couple of hours of beach relaxation staying in town or heading to nearby Mazzaforno3. End the day with a sunset aperitivo, followed by a romantic dinner and a final drink in the lively Piazza del Duomo.
After a day at a leisurely pace where romantic vistas reign, your holiday picks up pace with a stop full of things to do and see: the Aeolian Islands4, an archipelago of seven islands of volcanic origin, each very different but all breathtakingly beautiful.
The simplest way to visit them is to take part in a boat excursion departing from Cefalù: it allows you to make the most of your time and better enjoy the islands’ beauty; another advantage of the cruise is that you can see more islands in a single day.
Another option is to visit the islands independently by ferry: in this case we recommend focusing on just one, preferably Lipari as it’s closer. The main departure point for ferries and hydrofoils to the Aeolian Islands is Milazzo5, about an hour and a half from Cefalù; in summer months there are also some direct connections from Cefalù.
For those preferring this second option, we recommend staying overnight on the islands. Despite being the furthest, Stromboli is an excellent choice: by staying overnight you’ll have the chance to take part in a unique experience like trekking to the volcano’s craters; the more convenient alternative is a boat trip with views of the volcano.
Both take place in the late afternoon so you can see an eruption when the sky is already dark: the contrast between the dark sky and the fiery red lava is spectacular.
The fifth day is entirely devoted to exploring the city of Taormina6, one of Sicily’s most chic destinations. After a drive of roughly two hours (depending on where you’re starting from) take a good walking tour of the city.
Taormina’s top attraction is the Greek Theatre, an ancient marvel still used today for performances and festivals. It’s one of the best-preserved ancient theatres, and one of the most evocative for its dramatic position overlooking the sea.
Other attractions worth including in a walking itinerary of Taormina are the Cathedral, the Villa Comunale and the Church of San Giuseppe; panoramic views and photo opportunities abound in Piazza IX Aprile.
After all that walking, it’s time to put on your swimwear and relax in the bay of Isola Bella, then head back to the centre for your evening or move to the fashionable seaside resort of Giardini Naxos7 if you want entertainment and nightlife.
Catania8 is the base for the sixth and seventh days of the itinerary starting from Palermo, but can also be chosen as your starting city.
It’s Sicily’s second most important city, lively and elegant; in its historic heart, rich in period buildings, shops and bars, a fine layer of black dust testifies to the proximity of one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Urban trekking again on the sixth day, but this time you can take your time getting out of bed as the drive from Taormina to Catania takes less than an hour. Spend the morning exploring the city and the afternoon relaxing on the beach.
Attractions to include in your walking itinerary of Catania are Piazza del Duomo with its magnificent cathedral and the Elephant Fountain, the Teatro Massimo, the Town Hall and the Badia di Sant’Agata; if you’re a classical music enthusiast, also add the small but interesting Bellini Museum to your schedule.
For your sea break, head to La Plaia, a city beach of very fine sand perfect for a few hours of sun and swimming, ideal too if you want to stay for an aperitivo.
An alternative for those wanting to break up the drive from Taormina to Catania is a stop at Acireale9, a charming Baroque town perched on a lava ridge where Sicily’s most famous Carnival is held.
Leave urban settings behind for a memorable and unique experience: a visit to Mount Etna10. By 4×4, quad bike, bicycle or on foot: there are countless ways to admire the giant nicknamed “Mountain of Fire” or “Great Mother”. The choice depends on how much time you want to spend and how much effort you’re willing to make.
You can explore some areas of the volcano independently, but we recommend joining an organised excursion with a naturalist guide both because it’s the only way to reach the craters (solo climbing is forbidden) and because the guide will provide valuable information about the unique landscape you’ll be visiting.
From Catania, half-day excursions (morning or sunset) or full-day tours depart, with prices varying widely depending on duration, group size and services offered. Some tours combine Etna trekking with an excursion to the Alcantara Gorges.
A completely different way to admire Etna is to board the little trains of the Circumetnea Railway which make a 110 km circular route around the volcano, passing through desolate landscapes and lunar scenery. If you’re willing to tolerate some discomfort (the carriages are rather old and lack air conditioning, and some sections pass through run-down urban areas) you can experience a memorable journey with old-world charm, perfect for those who love slow travel.
If you choose a half-day excursion you can return to your hotel at a leisurely pace and set off for your next destination early, allowing you to make more stops the following day.
The next city on our itinerary is Syracuse11, one of the most visited destinations across all of Sicily.
Begin your exploration of the city from Ortigia, the most famous and evocative quarter, where the perfection of classical art harmoniously coexists with baroque opulence. Here you’ll find one of the city’s must-see attractions: the Puppet Museum, dedicated to the distinctly Sicilian tradition of armed marionettes.
After visiting the museum, take a thirty-minute stroll to admire the Greek theatre within the Neapolis Archaeological Park.
If you arrived the evening before, you can concentrate your city visit into half a day and then decide whether to spend the afternoon at the stunning Calamosche Beach12 within the Vendicari Nature Reserve, or visit the point where the Ionian Sea meets the Mediterranean at Marzamemi13.
In the evening, head to Ragusa14 and follow your dinner with an evening stroll through the city centre to admire splendid baroque palaces, made even more enchanting by the nighttime lighting.
Those with a sweet tooth can break up the journey from Syracuse to Ragusa with a stop in Modica15 to purchase some excellent chocolate.
Day nine demands an early start, as you face a two-hour drive from Ragusa to Agrigento16. You can quickly make up for lost sleep by lounging in the sun on the magnificent Scala dei Turchi17 beach, considered one of Sicily’s most beautiful.
It’s a truly unique beach, set into a promontory of ice-white rock carved into stepped tiers by wind and sea. You can admire something akin to an iceberg whilst enjoying temperatures of 30 degrees or more!
After hours of naps and swims in the azure sea, prepare yourself for another Sicilian marvel: the legendary Valley of the Temples18, an archaeological site that rivals the Parthenon in Athens for charm and atmosphere.
The best time to visit the Valley of the Temples is late afternoon. When the sky begins to light up with sunset colours, ranging from fiery red to pale pink through purple, violet and orange, the beauty of these ancient temples is heightened to the point of leaving visitors speechless – even those with no interest in ancient history.
On day ten, there’s no need to set your alarm. Wake up when you wish and decide whether to leave immediately or spend some time in Agrigento’s historic centre.
Get in the car and head towards Marsala, but break the journey with a stop in Sciacca19, a charming coastal town, or at the Temples of Selinunte20 (allow at least two hours for the archaeological park visit).
Make sure you arrive in Marsala21 in time to visit one or more of the wineries producing the fortified wine that made the city famous (the most visited are the historic Florio Cellars) and don’t miss a tasting. End your day with a relaxing stroll through the historic centre.
Day eleven is entirely dedicated to relaxation with a visit to one of Sicily’s most beautiful islands.
Set off early in the morning and head to Trapani (just 30 minutes away), leave your car and board a ferry to Favignana22. The jewel of the Egadi Islands is a stunning butterfly-shaped island bathed in crystal-clear waters that beckon you for a long swim. Cars are not permitted on the island, making it a genuine oasis of tranquillity.
Cycling around Favignana and stopping at its dream beaches, foremost among them the celebrated Cala Rossa Cliffs23, is the best way to forget a year of stress and recharge your batteries before heading home!
To prolong the magic, stay overnight on the island so you can enjoy it even when the day-trippers have left. Unfortunately, accommodation on Favignana is rather pricey, so if you’re planning a budget holiday, do as most others do: return to Trapani in the evening.
Another way to explore the island is by boat trip from Trapani. This option allows you to admire the island’s coastline and swim in coves unreachable on foot or by bike. The cost is reasonable and you’ll be back in Trapani24 by evening, where there’s a wider choice of budget accommodation.
If you’re an early riser, you can fit in a visit to the characterful village of Erice25 before leaving Trapani. This enchanting hilltop town – considered one of Italy’s most beautiful – is accessible by car, but the cable car journey from Trapani’s centre is far more charming. It takes just 10 minutes and offers beautiful views over the city and sea, without the stress of finding a parking spot.
The day’s top attraction is the Zingaro Nature Reserve26, a natural area stretching between San Vito lo Capo (north entrance) and Scopello (south entrance). It’s a splendid area that equally delights sea lovers and woodland enthusiasts.
The reserve is visited entirely on foot with easy walks suitable for everyone (the coastal path running through it is 7 km long with no challenging elevation changes), but you can increase the effort with longer, more demanding treks or eliminate it entirely by stopping at the first beach you encounter.
Where you choose to stay depends on how you organise your day and how much you want to walk within the reserve. We suggest staying in San Vito Lo Capo27: the charming town beach is perfect for a final hour of relaxation before dinner or a quick dip the morning after before you leave.
On day thirteen, you can take things at a leisurely pace. The day’s first stop is about an hour’s drive from San Vito lo Capo: the Segesta Archaeological Park28. This ancient city, founded even before the Greeks’ arrival, is the historic rival of Selinunte.
What makes Segesta unique is that its ancient ruins, including a magnificent Doric temple from 430 BC and an amphitheatre that could accommodate three thousand spectators, are set amidst greenery, with hills and woodland forming a backdrop to millennia-old structures.
In the afternoon, reach the charming fishing village of Isola delle Femmine29 and spread out your towel on one of the equipped or free beaches that line the coastline. For a more active afternoon, you can visit the uninhabited islet that rises opposite the town beach, now a LIPU nature reserve, or go on an exciting dive in the waters of the area.
In the evening you can stay in the area or move on to Palermo.
The last day’s schedule depends on your flight time.
If your flight departs late in the evening, or better still on the morning of day fifteen, you can split the day between a cultural morning and a final afternoon of beach relaxation. If you’re heading back in the afternoon, you can choose whether to end your holiday with a brief final excursion, a few hours of beach relaxation, or stay in Palermo to do some shopping.
The cultural stop recommended for your last day is Monreale30, a town easily reached from either Palermo or Isola delle Femmine (12 or 20 km away), world-famous for its magnificent Cathedral.
For those wanting to end their holiday by the sea, we recommend Mondello31, Palermo’s city beach: despite its proximity to the city, it’s a lovely beach surrounded by greenery and washed by clean sea.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
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