7-Day South Italy Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day South Italy tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSouth Italy travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Sicily, incl. Palermo and Taormina

  Sicily's cultural treasures shine throughout this 7-day adventure. Palermo's 3000-year-old streets, Europe's largest active volcano Mount Etna, and Ragusa Ibla's baroque architecture await discovery. Wine tasting in Marsala and ancient Greek ruins round out the experience.

  

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  • Day 1

    Palermo Arrival & Orientation

    Take a 45-minute taxi from Palermo Airport to the city center for about €40. The Kalsa district makes a great base with easy access to historic sites and restaurants. "Skip the hotel dinner on arrival night—the street food around Teatro Massimo is amazing, especially the arancini at Antica Focacceria San Francesco."

    
  • Day 2

    Palermo & Monreale

    Head to Monreale Cathedral at 8 AM before the tour groups arrive. The 30-minute uphill drive provides beautiful morning views. Remember to bring a light scarf since the cathedral requires covered shoulders. Spend your afternoon exploring the Quattro Canti intersection and Pretoria Square. You'll find the best gelato at Cappadonia near the cathedral. Note that most shops close between 1-3 PM during peak sun hours.

    
  • Day 3

    Erice, Marsala & Agrigento

    Start this full travel day with a 2-hour drive to medieval Erice. The cobblestones can be slippery from morning dew so wear good shoes. Stop for wine tasting in Marsala around noon which works perfectly for a light lunch. From there it's another 2.5 hours to Agrigento. "The Valley of Temples is less crowded and more photogenic in late afternoon light—the Temple of Concordia glows golden around 5 PM."

    
  • Day 4

    Ragusa Ibla

    Drive 2 hours through scenic countryside to reach Ragusa. Start in the upper town and walk down through the UNESCO baroque quarter. The Giardini Iblei gardens offer stunning views and Chiesa Santa Maria delle Scale is perfect for photos of the old town. Plan your meals carefully as most restaurants close between lunch and dinner.

    
  • Day 5

    Noto & Syracuse to Taormina

    Spend about an hour exploring Noto's baroque architecture in the morning. Head to Syracuse's Ortygia island for lunch near the fish market for the freshest seafood. The drive to Taormina takes about 1.5 hours. Look for accommodation near Corso Umberto but be ready for some climbing as most hotels have stairs.

    
  • Day 6

    Mount Etna & Taormina

    Start your Etna excursion early. "Take the cable car up Etna first thing—weather changes quickly and afternoon trips often get cancelled." Spend your afternoon exploring Taormina's Greek Theater and shopping on Corso Umberto. Watch the sunset from Madonna della Rocca church above town for the best views.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure from Taormina

    Plan for a 1-hour transfer to Catania Airport. Book afternoon flights if possible to avoid heavy morning traffic. Many visitors add an extra night in Taormina to enjoy the beaches and evening atmosphere.

    

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• 7 Days in Puglia, incl. Lecce and Alberobello

  South Italy's cultural mosaic stretches from Brindisi to Santa Maria di Leuca over 7 days. Eight historic towns, including Otranto with its 11th-century cathedral and Gallipoli's medieval center, dot the journey. An organic olive farm provides accommodation, cooking classes, and tastings, earning 50+ positive reviews.

  

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  • Day 1

    Brindisi & Olive Country

    Arrive at Brindisi Airport and drive south into olive country (1 hour). A recent guest shared: "The masseria is picturesque, with olive orchards, fresh fruit trees and a lovely garden - even in May we enjoyed fresh fruit and basil with our meals." Your afternoon includes a tour of a traditional olive mill to learn about organic oil production. End your day with a farm-fresh dinner featuring local vegetables.

    
  • Day 2

    Adriatic Coast & Castro

    Get an early start to avoid crowds on the Adriatic coast. Visit Marina Serra's natural pools and Castro's historic center before 11 AM when tour buses arrive. Stop for lunch at a local trattoria in Castro. Continue to Santa Maria di Leuca at Italy's easternmost point. Bring water shoes for the limestone rocks near the Ciolo bridge viewpoint.

    
  • Day 3

    Gallipoli & Lecce

    Start in Gallipoli at 9 AM to see the historic island center in cooler hours. A visitor noted: "The guided tour of Gallipoli's old town was fascinating, especially learning about the underground olive oil cellars that once fueled the city's economy." Spend your afternoon in Lecce exploring baroque architecture with a local guide. Note that most shops close between 1-4 PM.

    
  • Day 4

    Alberobello & Ostuni

    Drive north to Valle d'Itria (2 hours). Visit UNESCO-listed Alberobello before 10 AM to beat the crowds. Take photos of the unique trulli houses. After lunch, visit Ostuni. A fellow traveler suggests: "Visit Ostuni in late afternoon when the setting sun makes the whitewashed buildings glow golden - it's magical for photos."

    
  • Day 5

    Food Artisans of Maglie

    Focus on Puglia's food heritage today. Visit a family pasta factory in the morning and watch mozzarella makers craft fresh burrata. Sample wines at a historic cellar in the afternoon. Your day ends with a cooking class where you'll learn to make traditional orecchiette pasta.

    
  • Day 6

    Otranto & Coast

    Start in medieval Otranto with a climb up the Aragonese Castle for Adriatic views. Visit the beaches at Porto Badisco and Porto Miggiano. The Zinzulusa Cave is worth seeing but requires an early start to avoid summer lines. Your final dinner features local seafood specialties.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Enjoy breakfast at the masseria before leaving. Plan for a 90-minute drive if flying from Brindisi. Travelers continuing through Italy can take trains from Lecce to major cities.

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• 7 Day Southern Italy Itinerary, incl. Naples and Amalfi Coast

  Southern Italy beckons for 7 days at total costs around $2,000, beginning in Naples' historic Spaccanapoli. The 8.6km Path of the Gods leads to Positano, while Sorrento offers limoncello tastings and ancient Pompeii lies beneath Mt. Vesuvius. Suitable for ages 12+, including 6 hotel nights and daily breakfast.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Naples

    Get to know Naples by starting in the historic center around 9 AM before the crowds arrive. One traveler shared: "The Naples hotel location was very central, though the area feels gritty at first. But it's perfectly placed for exploring the Spanish Quarter's amazing pizza spots." Take your second morning to walk past key sites like Spaccanapoli and Castel Nuovo. In the afternoon take a 1-hour private transfer to Sorrento.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Sorrento

    Spend two nights in Sorrento as your base for coastal exploration. Try a limoncello tasting in the evening and get to know the town layout. Take a day trip to Capri by hydrofoil (€20 round trip 20 minutes each way). A recent visitor suggested: "The early morning ferry to Capri let us beat the crowds - definitely book the 8:30 AM departure to maximize your island time."

    
  • Days 4-5

    Amalfi Coast

    The coastal drive from Sorrento to Amalfi takes about 5 hours with stops along the winding roads. Stay in Amalfi town for convenient access to everything. Don't miss hiking the Path of the Gods an 8.6km trail from Bomerano to Positano offering stunning coastal views. As one hiker advised: "Bring proper hiking shoes and start by 8 AM to avoid the heat. The path has some steep drops but there are always inland alternatives if needed."

    
  • Day 6

    Pompeii & Return to Naples

    Stop at Pompeii on your way back to Naples. Plan for a 2-3 hour guided tour and arrive early to avoid crowds and midday heat. The site is large so wear good walking shoes and bring water. A guide will help you understand the historical significance of what you're seeing.

    
  • Day 7

    Final Morning in Naples

    Spend your last morning exploring Naples' food scene around Via Toledo. Try a traditional sfogliatella pastry at one of the local cafes. Book an afternoon flight to avoid morning traffic.

    

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