Self-Guided Tours & Trips in Sicily
Explore a wide diversity of self-guided tours through Sicily. We have 49 adventures that vary from 4 days to 11 days. With the greatest number of departures in June, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best self-guided Sicily tours
Compiled by
MelissaSicily travel expert at TourRadar
- 4 Day Self Guided Palermo, Italy
- South-Oriental Sicily Beauty, Self-Drive
- Sicily Quick Escape
- Aeolian Islands Tour: The 7 pearls of Sicily
- 6 Days Tour in Italy from Catania to Palermo.
- 5 Days in Italy From Palermo to Taormina
- Sicilian Experience Tour
- Sicily Essence: 5 Days from Palermo to Catania, Self-Drive
- Sicily Discovery: 7 Days from Palermo to Trapani and Marsala, Self-Drive
- Sicily without Stress and Comfortably by Local Buses
Hop-on hop-off buses cover Line A through Palermo's old town and Line B with Art Nouveau villas plus Zisa Castle. Walk La Kalsa's narrow lanes to find Santa Maria dello Spasimo church and Teatro Massimo, one of Europe's biggest opera houses, then try sfincione pizza during your 3-night stay.
Duration 4 days Destinations Palermo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator STM Tours LLC From $711
35% off- US$462
South-Oriental Sicily Beauty, Self-Drive
“South Sicily is a must visit at least once in your lifetime. The food and especially the seafood was exceptional fresh, flavorful, and authentic.”
Erich, traveled in May
Your Sicilian adventure awaits with a Group B Lancia Ypsilon rental car. Roam Catania's Roman Amphitheatre, spot birds at Vendicari Nature Reserve, and visit Modica's Antica Dolceria Bonajuto freely. 4-star accommodations and daily breakfast included, approx. $100 per day.
Duration 7 days Destinations Catania, Syracuse, Scicli, Marzamemi, Modica, Ragusa Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator TUI Italia From $944
15% off- US$803
Pick up a rental car and use a digital app that routes you across five days of Sicilian highlights. Climb Catania's Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata for 360° views, ride a cable car up Mount Etna to the craters, and swim at Minareto Beach's turquoise water near Syracuse.
Duration 5 days Destinations Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, Island of Ortigia, Palermo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From $391
15% off- US$332+$535 upfront costs
The Aeolian archipelago unfolds from your base at Hotel Bougainville 4* in Lipari. Pick your moments to visit Vulcano's crater, swim in Panarea's Calajunco Bay, or watch Stromboli's eruptions. Scheduled boat excursions included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Catania, Milazzo, Lipari, Salina, Panarea Island, Stromboli, Vulcano, Isola Alicudi, Filicudi Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl From
15% off- US$1,187
Move between Catania, Ragusa, Agrigento, and Palermo with sorted transfers so you can focus on the sights. Walk through Agrigento's Valley of the Temples to see the Temple of Concord and Temple of Hercules, then check out baroque Ragusa Ibla and Noto's Vittorio Emanuele Street.
Duration 6 days Destinations Catania, Syracuse, Ragusa, Marsala, Monreale, Palermo Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Remaz Tours GmbH From
15% off- US$1,774
Duration 5 days Destinations Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Catania, Taormina Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Remaz Tours GmbH From
15% off- US$1,483
A Renault Captur gives you freedom to roam from Palermo's baroque quarters to Mount Etna's volcanic paths. Ride an Ape Calessino through Palermo's old center, then switch to a Land Rover Discovery that climbs off-road to 2,000 meters up the volcano.
Duration 10 days Destinations Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Erice, Marsala, Agrigento, Ragusa, Syracuse, Mount Etna, TaorminaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl From
15% off- US$2,418
Rolling from Palermo to Catania at approx. $230 per day, with a Lancia Ypsilon included. Freely visit Cefalù's La Rocca cliff, Taormina's Greek theatre, and Mt. Etna wineries, enhanced by private guides at key UNESCO sites.
Duration 5 days Destinations Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Catania, Taormina, Mount Etna Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator TUI Italia From $780
15% off- US$663
A rental Lancia Ypsilon unlocks daily adventures, from Palermo's Quattro Canti to Marsala's Cantine Florio. Customize visits to UNESCO sites like Cefalu Cathedral and Segesta's Doric Temple. 4-star accommodations and daily breakfast included, with flexible timing for local experiences.
Duration 7 days Destinations Palermo, Cefalu, Trapani, Segesta, Erice, Marsala, Mozia Island, Favignana Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator TUI Italia From $1,028
15% off- US$874
Duration 7 days Destinations Palermo, Taormina, Syracuse, Catania, Mount Etna Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
15% off- US$326+$342 upfront costs
Explore our featured Sicily tours
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What people love about Self-Guided Tours in Sicily
The tour was absolutely beautiful. South Sicily is a must visit at least once in your lifetime. From charming little towns to stunning beaches, every stop felt special. The food and especially the seafood was exceptional fresh, flavorful, and authentic. The locals were incredibly warm and welcoming, which made the trip even more enjoyable. Overall, Sicily truly embodies the spirit of a vacation!
South-Oriental Sicily Beauty, Self-Drive
- Adventure in Sicily: Behind Volcanoes and the Sea
Overall excellent. However with it being a driving tour more direction regarding ztl zones would have been helpful
- Sicily Explorer: 11 Days from Palermo to Palermo, Self-Drive
All accommodations were excellent and located close to all the sites and town centres. Breakfasts were very good and hotels staff were friendly and very helpful. Using the tour group made our planning very easy. Staff responded to all my questions very quickly and resolved one minor issue within a day. Excellent group.
What our customers ask about Self-Guided Tours & Trips in Sicily
What are the best regions to explore on a self-guided tour of Sicily?
Sicily's western and eastern regions each present unique opportunities for independent travelers. The western area includes the ancient ruins of Selinunte the hilltop town of Erice and the quiet beaches of Zingaro Nature Reserve. In the east visitors can explore Europe's largest active volcano Mount Etna alongside the baroque architecture of Ragusa and Modica and Syracuse's Greek heritage. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The Sicily Self Drive tour was a thrilling journey through stunning landscapes with the self-drive aspect offering perfect independence for exploring at our own pace." Well-positioned hotels like Grand Hotel Alfeo in Syracuse and Hotel Villa Angela in Taormina serve as convenient starting points for daily excursions.
What's the best time of year for a self-guided tour in Sicily?
The shoulder seasons of spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer the most favorable conditions for self-guided exploration in Sicily. These months provide comfortable temperatures for visiting outdoor attractions like Mount Etna and the Valley of Temples while avoiding peak tourist crowds. Summer brings intense heat particularly in inland cities like Ragusa and Enna. A TourRadar reviewer noted: "The thrill of navigating through Sicily's stunning landscapes was enhanced by perfect spring weather making it ideal for both coastal and mountain exploration." Properties such as the Hellenia Yachting Hotel in Giardini Naxos provide excellent accommodation during these prime travel periods.
How much driving time should I plan for between major sites in Sicily?
Driving times between Sicily's main destinations typically range from 2-3 hours. The route from Palermo to Taormina takes about 3 hours while Catania to Syracuse requires roughly 1 hour. Daily driving distances usually fall between 60-200 kilometers. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The distances between sites were manageable allowing plenty of time for spontaneous stops at beautiful viewpoints and charming villages." Hotels like NH Catania Centro offer strategic locations that help reduce time spent on the road.
What level of accommodation can I expect on a self-guided tour in Sicily?
Self-guided tours typically feature accommodations in 4-star hotels and distinctive boutique properties. Notable options include Hotel Villa Angela in Taormina which offers sea views and Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro in the heart of Sicily's capital. A TourRadar reviewer noted: "Hotel selection was good throughout Sicily though I missed some luxury options. The locations were perfectly chosen for exploring each region." Lodging ranges from converted palazzos in city centers to beachfront properties in Giardini Naxos and wine country estates near Mount Etna.
What's the best way to handle transportation between airports and hotels?
Airport transfer services operate regularly in Sicily's major cities. Private transfers connect Catania Airport with destinations like Syracuse and Taormina. Many establishments including Hotel NH Catania Centro provide transfer booking services. Public transportation links airports to city centers though private transfers offer greater convenience. A TourRadar traveler recommended: "Pre-booking private transfers for arrival and departure gave us peace of mind while using public transportation during the rest of our stay."
What should I budget for daily expenses on a self-guided tour in Sicily?
Plan for daily costs of 50-100 USD per person beyond pre-booked lodging to cover meals site admissions and fuel. Entry fees for major attractions like Valley of Temples cost approximately 12 USD while dinner at local restaurants ranges from 25-40 USD per person. A TourRadar traveler advised: "The self-drive tour was cost-effective with reasonable daily expenses for food and attractions though some scenic coastal restaurants were pricier." Many properties like Hotel Una One in Syracuse include breakfast which helps reduce food expenses.