Sicily, Italy: A Perfect 10-Day Itinerary to See the Highlights

Unlike other Italian regions, Sicily is unique due to its diverse history dating back to ancient times. Various civilizations (including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Normans) dominated Sicily over the centuries. These outside influences impacted Sicily’s culture, customs, architecture, language, and food. Thus, this eclectic mix makes for a fascinating traveling experience, and visiting Sicily’s highlights can be done easily in ten days. This article outlines a 10-day itinerary to explore the best of Sicily, which is how my husband and I enjoyed the island. Add an extra day or two in places most appealing to you, and make it a two-week trip if you have the time. 

This itinerary begins in Catania (at the airport) on Sicily’s east coast. The beauty of beginning and ending your Sicilian journey in Catania is that the first and last cities you visit, Ortigia (south of Catania) and Taormina (north of Catania), are beautiful, relaxing spots that offer wonderful opportunities to relax while enjoying the sights. Each of the two towns is about an hour from the Catania airport.

Map of Sicily 

A map shows the location of key cities and sites in Sicily.
This map of Sicily shows the spots suggested in this 10-day itinerary.

10-Day Itinerary Route

The suggested route is circular and can begin and end at different points, depending on where you arrive. This itinerary assumes you will arrive at and depart from the Catania airport (CTA) on Sicily’s east coast.  It could also be done by beginning and ending at the Palermo airport (PMO) on the island’s north coast. (There are two smaller airports on the island, but Catania and Palermo are the primary ones.) Finding a direct flight to any Sicilian airport can be a challenge. (Direct flights are always my preference, but there weren’t any from the United States when we traveled to Sicily.) 

Flights aren’t the only way to get to Sicily. There are ferries from major Italian ports like Genoa, Naples, and Sardinia as well as across the 1.9 mile/3 km Strait of Messina. Ferries are also available from Malta and Tunisia.

Driving in Sicily

This trip assumes you’ll rent a car for your journey exploring Sicily. Alternatively, you can rent a car service to drive you between different places on the island. (You can make the trip using trains and buses, but driving a car is the best way to have flexibility in your schedule. It also allows you to stop when you want to grab a bite to eat or take in a spectacular view. Check out the Tips for Driving in Sicily below for more information.)

10-Day Itinerary Schedule

It’s easy to tweak this schedule to match your specific interests by subtracting a day in one spot and adding a day to another. Or add a day or two to extend your overall stay.

Day 1: Arrive in Sicily, Drive to Syracuse/Ortigia (stay in Ortigia)

  1. Arrive in Catania, pick up a rental car at the airport or use a transfer service, and drive approximately one hour south to Syracuse/Ortigia (40 miles/64 km). Check in to your hotel.
  2. Stretch your legs along the water and relax at one of the (somewhat touristy) outdoor cafes to watch the sunset. Or walk the charming winding streets in the historical center to browse the shops and find an inviting restaurant for dinner.
A couple holds hands as they walk down a pedestrian-only street in Ortigia, Sicily.
Walking through the old Ortigia neighborhoods is a relaxing, visual delight.

Day 2: Tour ancient sites in Syracuse and explore Ortigia (stay in Ortigia)

  1. Tour ancient sites like the: Neapolis Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico della Neapolis) and the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi) in Syracuse in the morning before it gets too crowded. One website covers both the archaeological park and museum, so look for each’s Italian name when checking online.
    1. The archaeological park has a Greek theater, a Roman amphitheater (that came later), and the Quarry of Paradise, where enslaved people worked to cut, carry, and place stone to create the structures. Check the INDA Foundation ticket office online before your visit to see if there are any live performances at the Greek Theater (Teatro Greco) when you’re in the area. I highly recommend you take a guided tour of this park to fully understand its history and impact on those who lived here. (Search online for “Neapolis Archaeological Park guided tour.” Some guided tours may have pickups from your hotel.)
    2. The archaeological museum displays artifacts (including pottery, coins, jewelry, and sarcophagi) from prehistory through the Roman era. 
  2. Spend the rest of the day exploring lovely Ortigia. Check out:
    1. Temple of Apollo (the ruins of a stone temple dating to 580 BC).
    2. the street market (open daily from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, closed Sundays).
    3. Duomo di Siracusa (Syracuse’s cathedral) that began as a Greek temple ringed by columns and then became a church under the Byzantines, who filled in the columns to create exterior walls. Later came the Arabs, who converted this structure into a mosque. After that, when the Normans ruled, it became a cathedral. Stop in to view the rich interior.
    4. Piazza Duomo, a delightful space in front of the cathedral, with restaurants along the perimeter to tempt you for a meal.
    5. swimming in the Ionian Sea from the bathing area near Forte Vigliena.
    6. a boat tour of the area, including the nearby caves. Find a boat tour along Via le Mazzini by the seaside promenade and Grand Hotel Ortigia (or ask your hotel for recommendations).
A large column of limestone rock stands at the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Sicily, Italy as a testament to those who suffered here.
This large column of limestone rock stands in the Neapolis Archaeological Park as a reminder of the hard work done by those forced to carve the stone for use in the nearby Greek and Roman theaters.

Day 3: Relax in Ortigia or Drive to Nearby Baroque Towns (stay in Ortigia)

  1. Savor Ortigia by experiencing the options you didn’t get to fit into your schedule (see above) yesterday. Or consider a walking tour of the town.
  2. Another idea is to visit one or more of the eight nearby Baroque towns in this UNESCO World Heritage region that the organization terms the “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.” For example, Noto is about an hour’s drive from Ortigia. (Alternatively, you could stop at one on your way to Villa Romana del Casale tomorrow.) All of these towns were rebuilt in the Baroque style following the devastating 1693 earthquake. The eight towns are Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa, and Scicli.
Trees line a walkway in a public park in Ragusa, Sicily.
Remember to take some breaks while sightseeing. This is the public garden (with some nice views) in Ragusa, one of the Baroque towns in southeastern Sicily.

Day 4: Drive to Piazza Armerina to Visit Villa Romana del Casale (1 night in Piazza Armerina or Agrigento)

Warning: This is a full day, and you could arrange this in two ways:

  1. Drive directly to Piazza Armerina (92 miles/148 km) to visit Villa Romana del Casale without stopping in one or more Baroque towns. This drive is a more direct route that will take less than 2.5 hours from Ortigia to Piazza Armerina. OR
  2. Drive to Piazza Armerina to tour Villa Romana del Casale, with possible stops in one of the Baroque towns (if you didn’t visit one or more yesterday). Figure this to be about 3 hours of driving (plus time for sightseeing) from Ortigia to Piazza Armenia, with a couple of stops in some Baroque towns.  

Your Main Goal Today: Visit Villa Romana del Casale, near Piazza Armerina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of an ancient Roman villa with magnificent colorful mosaics throughout depicting the power and reach of the Roman Empire. This complex functioned both as administrative and private spaces for a high Roman official. It was well preserved, thanks to a landslide that covered this area for about seven centuries. Today, it’s a perfect spot to view a slice of Sicilian history – when the Romans ruled here – and marvel at the ingenuity and artistic talent of the artisans who fashioned the mosaics.

Colorful floor mosaics show oxen pulling a wagon and wild animals at Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy.
Colorful floor mosaics show oxen pulling a wagon and wild animals at Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina.

After visiting Villa Romana del Casale, overnight in Piazza Armerina or continue to Agrigento. If you stay in Agrigento tonight, you’ll be able to get an early start at tomorrow’s highlight: Valley of the Temples. 

Day 5: Tour Valley of the Temples (Agrigento) before Driving to Palermo (stay in Palermo)

  1. Tour Valley of the Temples archeological park that includes the remains of 15 Doric-style Greek temples and the Pietro Griffo Archaeological Museum in Agrigento. Expect to spend 2-4 hours altogether. This archeological park will come to life if you’re on a guided tour. (If interested in taking a tour, search online for “Valley of the Temples guided tour.”) 
  2. Drive to Palermo (83 miles/133 km) and stay for two nights.
The massive Temple of Concordia stands at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily.
The massive Temple of Concordia stands at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily.

Day 6: Tour Palermo’s Highlights (stay in Palermo)

  1. Take a guided tour of Palermo’s extravagant Palatine Chapel and the Palazzo dei Normanni (which includes royal apartments and the region’s parliamentary chambers). Visit the opulent Teatro Massimo opera house, the Palermo Cathedral, some museums like Galleria Regionale della Sicilia, the adjacent public garden with old banyan trees, and stroll the historic neighborhoods. 
  2. If time permits, or you’d prefer another option, tour Monreale Cathedral, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site outside Palermo. The interior showcases extensive mosaic representations of biblical stories. You can drive there on your way to Palermo or take a guided tour from Palermo. (Search online for a tour that interests you.)
The elaborate gold and colorful mosaics adorn an alter at the Palatine Chapel in the Palazzo del Normanni in Palermo, Sicily.
The elaborate gold and colorful mosaics adorn an altar at the Palatine Chapel in the Palazzo del Normanni in Palermo, Sicily.

Day 7: Drive to Cefalù and Taormina (stay in Taormina)

People walk down a street surrounded by yellow and gold colored buildings in Cefalu, Sicily.
Charming Cefalù boasts pedestrian-only streets, fabulous beaches, water views, and interesting historical sites.
  1. In the morning, drive to tiny, quaint Cefalù (about 44 miles/70 km). Park your car (at the train station for about €6 a day or along the seaside promenade) and stroll into the historical center. (You can’t drive into the historical center because it sits within a limited traffic zone or ZTL, (Zona a Traffico Limitato). A sign showing a white circle with a red outline warns drivers of the zone.)
  2. In town, you can:
    1. enjoy the lovely water vistas.
    2. laze along the beach under a rented umbrella.
    3. walk along Via Vittorio Emanuele, passing boutiques and taking steps down to the medieval laundry (lavatoio medievale), where for centuries, people washed their clothes with help from a stream and the sea. 
    4. tour the Cathedral of Cefalù (Cattedrale di Cefalù) and perhaps walk up its towers (for a small fee).
    5. walk through the narrow, pedestrian lanes and relax with some refreshment at one of the restaurants with water views along the coast or in the Piazza Duomo (by the cathedral). 
    6. hike up 885-foot-high La Rocca to the Temple of Diana ruins (about halfway up) or to Norman castle ruins further up. 
  3. After a few hours in Cefalù, drive to Taormina (131 miles/212 km – about a 2 to 2.5-hour drive). Lovely (but touristy) Taormina sits on a hilltop overlooking the Ionian Sea. It’s known far and wide as the place to visit in Sicily. Teatro Greco (Greek Theater) is the main historical site and, I believe, a must-see. Also, the town is chockful of boutiques, touristy shops, restaurants, and amazing sea views. It’s certainly worth a visit and is a perfect home base from which to visit Mt. Etna. Be forewarned that cars aren’t allowed in Taormina’s historical center, so check with your hotel about the best place to park your car (there are two main garages) and how to get to the hotel from the parking area (perhaps by shuttle bus, valet parking, or walking).
Visitors stroll through a street in Taormina at dusk.
People stroll Taormina’s main drag while shopping, dining, or enjoying the scene.

Day 8: Visit Mt. Etna (stay in Taormina)

Tour Mt. Etna (25 miles/56 km – about an hour’s drive from Taormina). Consider taking a guided tour from Taormina. That way, you’re apt to gain a richer understanding of this natural treasure – a still active volcano – from the guide (and not have to worry about driving there yourself). Some guided tours include stops at wineries on the volcano’s northern slope. Of course, driving yourself is also an option and provides more flexibility – though without any commentary.

People walk along and in a crater at Mt. Etna in Sicily.

Day 9: Relax in Taormina (stay in Taormina)

Visit the ancient Greek-Roman Theater (Teatro Antico) and stroll in town, stopping at places that interest you (shops, cafés, and restaurants); ride the gondola to one of the beaches below the town; catch some panoramic sea vistas from the Piazza IX Aprile or Giardino della Villa Comunale (public gardens) with inviting sea and town views.

The ancient Greek theater in Taormina, Sicily offers a commanding view of the sea.

Day 10: Depart Sicily

Drive to the Catania airport (42 miles/68 km) for your flight home or to your next destination. If continuing to the Italian mainland, Sardinia, or Malta, you can also depart Sicily by ferry. Arrivederci!

Tips for Driving in Sicily

  • When planning your trip, check with your hotel for tips on driving and parking in cities. Some small towns have restrictions on both. 
  • Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) that serves as identification along with your regular driving license. Although car rental companies do not always require the IDP, the permits are sometimes requested by the police if you are stopped. You may apply at a AAA office or online.
  • Check with the rental car company about local rules, such as always having your headlights on or turning right on a red light. 
  • Be alert when driving in Sicily. Locals drive faster than most tourists are used to. They also tend to be somewhat aggressive when driving – especially in the larger cities. Give the other driver the right of way if driving on a one-way road.
  • If someone is tailgating you, you may want to pull to the shoulder and let them pass. 
  • Watch out for motorcycles, as there are a lot of them in Sicily.
  • Be observant. Some cities have restricted traffic zones called Zona Traffico Limitato or ZTL. Look out for a large white circle ringed in red on a road sign! If your car gets caught by a traffic camera in one of these areas, a fine will come your way (in some cases, months after you return home). 
  • Wear your seatbelt.
  • Use a GPS app to guide you to your destination. However, if you are in a small town, the GPS may want to take you down narrow streets. Be careful if you attempt this, as GPS intends to get you to your destination quickly – but it’s not always the most practical way to navigate some medieval-era roads.
  • Bring a car charger with two USB ports (one for you and one for your travel partner) to keep your phone’s battery from draining too quickly while using GPS apps. (Don’t assume your rental car will have USB ports alone.)
  • Don’t hold your cell phone while driving.
  • Ensure children 12 years old and younger have an appropriate car or booster seat. 
  • Stow your valuables out of sight in your car and always lock your vehicle when leaving it.
  • The curb colors often note street parking availability: blue usually denotes pay-to-park areas, while white means free parking. Yellow curbs mean parking is for special vehicles.
  • Download the easy-to-use EasyPark app before leaving home. You can use it to pay for street parking in some spots.
Dozens of blue and white umbrellas along with blue lounge chairs await visitors on a beach in Cefalu, Sicily.
A public beach in Cefalù tempts visitors and locals alike.

Tips for Visiting Sicily

  • Check the days and times of operation for the places you plan to visit. If taking a guided tour, make sure it’ll be in English. 
  • Search online for restaurants (e.g., TripAdvisor, Yelp) that appeal to your palate so you find the right ones to match your interests – and will be open the day you visit. 
  • Do not be surprised if some shopkeepers or restaurant staff don’t speak English as some areas are not as touristy as others, like Rome or Florence. Come prepared with a pleasant “Buongiorno!” or “Buonasera” (“Good Day” and “Good Evening”) and working knowledge of translation apps like Google Translate. Using these helpful apps will be your friend: they enable you to speak or type in your question in English, ask for a translation, and then show the other person your screen to read the translation. Also, when you’re touring a place with signs in Italian or eating out, you can have the translation app scan the information signs or menu and then offer up a translation for you. 
  • Plan your visits to famous sites early in the day or later in the afternoon. Doing so may help you avoid the crowds of cruise passengers who typically take tours from about 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. 

Where to Stay in Sicily

This Sicilian itinerary includes stays in four locations. My husband and I stayed in the hotels listed below and enjoyed our overnights there. Of course, searching online (like on Tripadvisor) will yield plenty of lodging options and recent reviews. 

  • Ortigia for 3 nights – Grand Hotel Ortigia (located on a seaside promenade with a lovely rooftop restaurant offering excellent views while you enjoy breakfast and/or dinner)
  • Piazza Armerina or Agrigento for 1 night – your choice of location and hotel
  • Palermo for 2 nights – Grand Hotel et des Palmes (located in a neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and shops within walking distance)
  • Taormina for 3 nights – Grand Hotel Timeo (located next to the Greek theater, is within walking distance of the main promenade and has a restaurant with breathtaking views to enjoy while enjoying a cocktail or a meal
An expansive view of the seaside promenade and marina in Ortigia, Sicily.
A view from the Grand Hotel Ortigia rooftop: from the left, see the old town, the seaside promenade, and the marina.

Where to Eat in Sicily

It’s easy to get wrapped up in finding the best restaurant and making advance reservations for each location. That’s fine to do, but there are some other ideas, too. 

First, if time permits and it’s not the height of the tourist season, plan to simply wander your hotel’s neighborhood and stop in when you see a place that interests you. Sometimes, those experiences are quite rewarding and memorable. Also, you can check with your hotel for suggestions when you check in; many hotels will gladly call and make reservations for you. 

A neighborhood shop in Palermo sells the makings for charcuterie and wine.
A neighborhood Palermo shop sells crackers, cheese, meat, and wine (out of view). Consider one of these for a stop while out and about one day — or buy some snacks for a bit of refreshment in your hotel room later.

Articles about Sicily

Trip Planning Articles

Final Thoughts

Sicily is such a pleasure for travelers. One obvious reason is the numerous seaside locales that ring this Mediterranean island. Great for sunbathing and swimming. Another is the wealth of historical (Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Italian) sites that shaped Sicily’s culture, language, and food. This 10-day itinerary marries the natural beauty of the island along with its rich history. The memories you make in Sicily will surely stay with you long past your return home. 

Laundry hangs from an apartment balcony to dry in Palermo, Sicily.
Laundry hangs to dry outside an apartment in Palermo, Sicily.

When reflecting on this trip, it’s hard for me to pick my favorite places. That’s just how exciting and varied the experience was. However, I always love seeing how locals live. For example, looking up while strolling through Palermo, I saw laundry draped on balconies outside windows to dry in the breeze. Also, in Cefalù, I stopped to watch a man delivering fruits and vegetables from outside via pulley and basket to the homemakers in their third- or fourth-floor apartments. The homeowner sent money down in a basket and, via some loud conversations, ordered what she wanted. Then, the man replaced the money in the basket with the desired produce.

A man weighs some fruit from this small, white pickup truck that's loaded with produce on a narrow street in Cefalu, Sicily.
A traveling produce salesman prepares to weigh some fruit for a customer in Cefalù, Sicily.

Comments

Feel free to share your experiences visiting Sicily. What other places and activities would you suggest to fellow travelers? Thanks! 🙂

More Popular Reads

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top