Itinerary
- Day 1
Palermo
You'll land at Palermo Airport and grab your rental car, then head straight to your hotel for check-in. After settling in, spend the afternoon wandering through Palermo's historic center on foot. The Capella Palatina catches most people's attention first with its ornate mosaics covering the walls and ceilings. From there, you can walk to the Cathedral, which mixes Norman, Gothic, and Baroque styles in ways that show how many cultures shaped Sicily. La Martorana Church is nearby too, so you'll have time to see all three if you pace yourself.
- Start point
- Aeroporto Palermo Boccadifalco (LICP), Piazza Pietro Micca, Palermo, Palermo 90135, Italy (Car pick up at Palermo Airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel NH Palermo)
Optional Activities
- Explore Capella Palatina, a Norman chapel with Arab and Byzantine-influenced mosaics
- Visit Palermo Cathedral, an amalgam of Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic architectural styles
- Tour La Martorana Church, known for its remarkable mosaics
Landmarks Capella Palatina Palermo Cathedral La Martorana Church 
- Day 2
Palermo to Taormina
After breakfast, drive to Taormina, which takes about 3.5 hours covering 270km. Once you arrive, walk around town and check out the Greek Theatre first since it sits high with views overlooking the coast. The Roman Odeon is close by if you want to see more ancient structures. Piazza IX Aprile gives you a nice spot to pause and take in the surroundings. The Duomo is worth a quick look, and then grab granita with brioche at one of the historic bars in town, a local tradition you shouldn't skip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Villa Angela)
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Taormina town
- Visit the Greek Theatre
- Explore the ancient Roman Odeon
- Visit Piazza IX Aprile for breathtaking views
- Admire the Duomo
- Taste granita with brioche at a historic bar
Landmarks Greek Theatre of Taormina Roman Odeon Piazza IX Aprile Taormina Duomo 
- Day 3
Taormina - Mount Etna - Taormina
Start the day with breakfast, then head out to Mount Etna for self-guided walks. You can start from places like Rifugio Sapienza or Piano Provenzana depending on which side you prefer. You'll see dramatic volcanic landscapes and ancient lava flows scattered across the terrain. Stop by the Etna Park Visitor Center in Nicolosi to pick up geological information and get context about what you're looking at. Later in the afternoon, visit a local winery to try wine tastings and eat Sicilian specialties before heading back to Taormina by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Villa Angela)
Optional Activities
- Self-guided walking trails up Mount Etna from Rifugio Sapienza or Piano Provenzana
- Visit Etna Park Visitor Center in Nicolosi to explore interactive exhibits
- Hiking through pine forests on the lower slopes of Mount Etna
- Wine tastings and tours at local Mount Etna wineries
- Lunch with Sicilian specialties in the countryside
Landmarks Mount Etna Rifugio Sapienza Piano Provenzana Etna Park Visitor Center 
- Day 4
Taormina to Syracuse
Have breakfast at your hotel, then drive to Syracuse, about 1.5 hours away covering 120km. In the afternoon, explore Ortigia, which is the historic island at Syracuse's center. Start at Piazza del Duomo and check out the Syracuse Cathedral, built on top of an ancient Greek temple so you can see both layers of history. Walk the narrow streets, find the Fountain of Arethusa, spend time along the waterfront, and look at the Temple of Apollo. Before leaving, browse the local markets where vendors sell Sicilian specialties and products.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Una One)
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Ortigia historic island
- Visit Piazza del Duomo
- Tour Syracuse Cathedral built over Greek temple ruins
- Visit Fountain of Arethusa
- Walk along the waterfront promenade
- Visit Temple of Apollo
- Browse local markets and sample Sicilian delicacies
Landmarks Piazza del Duomo Syracuse Cathedral Fountain of Arethusa Temple of Apollo 
- Day 5
Syracuse
You have a free day after breakfast at your hotel, so you can relax however you like. The beaches at Fontane Bianche or Arenella are nearby if you want white sand and clear water for swimming. Later, consider driving to Marzamemi, an old fishing village about 30 minutes south, and watch the sunset while having an aperitif or dinner overlooking the small fishing boats in the harbor. It's a good way to end a quiet day and see a side of Sicily that feels removed from the busier towns.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Una One)
Optional Activities
- Spend time at Fontane Bianche beach with white sand and crystalline water
- Visit Arenella beach with white sand and crystalline water
- Visit Marzamemi fishing village for sunset
- Enjoy aperitif or dinner at Marzamemi with views of the Ionian Sea
Landmarks Fontane Bianche Beach Arenella Beach Marzamemi - Day 6
Syracuse to Noto
After breakfast, drive to Noto, only about 40 minutes away covering 40km. The whole town features Baroque architecture from the 18th century because it was rebuilt after an earthquake. Start at the Noto Cathedral and move through town checking out Palazzo Ducezio, which has a lavish Hall of Mirrors inside. Walk along the elegant streets and admire the palaces and churches, see the grand Porta Reale ceremonial entrance, and spend time on Corso Vittorio Emanuele where there are cafes and shops lining the street.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Villa Favorita)
Optional Activities
- Visit Noto Cathedral, an 18th-century Baroque structure
- Tour Palazzo Ducezio (town hall) and see the Hall of Mirrors
- Explore Baroque palaces, churches, and balconies throughout the city
- Visit Porta Reale ceremonial entrance
- Stroll Corso Vittorio Emanuele
- Taste granita or almond pastries at local cafés
Landmarks Noto Cathedral Palazzo Ducezio Porta Reale Corso Vittorio Emanuele 
- Day 7
Noto - Ragusa - Modica - Noto
After breakfast, drive to Ragusa, one of Sicily's most notable Baroque towns that was also rebuilt following the 1693 earthquake. Explore Ragusa Ibla and wander through the historic heart with its grand mansions and Duomo di San Giorgio. In the afternoon, head to Modica, which sits nearby and has a unique chocolate-making tradition going back centuries. You'll see some scenic viewpoints, and you can descend through staircases to reach Corso Umberto I. Stop at historic chocolatiers in town to learn about how they make Modica's distinctive grainy chocolate.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Villa Favorita)
Optional Activities
- Explore Ragusa Ibla historic district with atmospheric streets and grand mansions
- Visit Duomo di San Giorgio in Ragusa
- Enjoy scenic viewpoints and panoramic views of Modica
- Descend staircases to Corso Umberto I in Modica
- Visit historic chocolatiers in Modica for tastings and demonstrations
- Learn about Modica's centuries-old Aztec-inspired chocolate-making technique
Landmarks Ragusa Ibla Duomo di San Giorgio Piazza Duomo Modica Corso Umberto I 
- Day 8
Noto to Agrigento
After breakfast, drive to Agrigento, a 3-hour drive covering 200km. Visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient Greek ruins spread across the landscape. Walk from the Temple of Juno and explore the ancient city layout below. You'll see five Doric temples here, and the Temple of Concordia stands out because its colonnade is almost completely intact. Look around at sanctuaries and city walls, and use the information signs and guidebooks available on site to understand what you're seeing and why it matters archaeologically.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Baglio della Luna), Hotel (Scala dei Turchi Resort)
Optional Activities
- Visit Valley of the Temples UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Walk and explore ancient Greek ruins of former city of Akragas
- Visit Temple of Juno with stunning landscape views
- Explore the grid of ancient streets
- View five Doric temples
- Tour Temple of Concordia with intact colonnade
- View sanctuaries, altars, and ancient city walls
- Use audio guide or guidebook to enhance archaeological visit
Landmarks Valley of the Temples Temple of Juno Temple of Concordia 
- Day 9
Agrigento
After breakfast, you have options for how to spend the day in Agrigento and surrounding areas. Scala dei Turchi is worth the drive, a dramatic white limestone cliff that rises straight from turquoise water where you can relax on the beach or climb up for panoramic coastal views. If you'd rather stay elsewhere, Marsala offers historic architecture and wine tours, or Trapani has an old town and waterfront with traditional salt pans and windmills nearby. The medieval hilltop town of Erice is another option with spectacular coastal views and historic pastry shops if you want something different.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Baglio della Luna), Hotel (Scala dei Turchi Resort)
Optional Activities
- Visit Scala dei Turchi white limestone cliffs
- Relax on beach near Scala dei Turchi
- Climb natural steps at Scala dei Turchi for panoramic coastal views
- Explore Marsala historic center and Piazza della Repubblica
- Sample Marsala wine at a local enoteca
- Stroll through Trapani's picturesque old town
- Visit Baroque churches in Trapani
- Walk along Trapani's scenic waterfront
- Visit Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco and see traditional salt harvesting methods
- Explore the medieval town of Erice
- Tour Castello di Venere in Erice
- Taste traditional almond pastries at Erice pastry shops
Landmarks Scala dei Turchi Marsala Piazza della Repubblica Trapani Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco Erice Castello di Venere - Day 10
Agrigento to Palermo
After breakfast, keep the day relaxed and unhurried in Agrigento before driving back to Palermo. The drive takes about 2 hours covering 130km, so you'll have time in the morning to take a final look around if you want. By evening you'll be back in Palermo for your last night, giving you a chance to revisit any favorite spots from the first day or just rest before heading to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel NH Palermo)
- Day 11
Palermo - Departure
Have your last breakfast with Sicilian specialties, then drive to Palermo Airport to return your rental car. Your trip ends as you prepare for departure, having seen volcanic landscapes, ancient ruins, Baroque architecture, fishing villages, and beaches across the island.
- End point
- Aeroporto Palermo Boccadifalco (LICP), Piazza Pietro Micca, Palermo, Palermo 90135, Italy (Car drop off at Palermo Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
