Best of Sicily: Palermo, Syracuse, Taormina & Catania - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Palermo, Evening Guided Tour

Welcome to Palermo! From the airport, it's about a 45-minute transfer into the town center. Check into your hotel and get settled. Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily, on the southern tip of Italy's "boot" on the Gulf of Palermo. The city is famous for its colorful history, beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, nightlife, music, and cuisine. The strategically located area has been settled for millennia, and the city's incredible written history starts in the eighth century BCE. During this time, Palermo played a vital role in Europe's history. The Arab-Norman buildings and Byzantine churches, along with the smells and color of the marketplace, make this Sicily holiday destination a unique experience. Top city sights include the ninth-century Palazzo dei Normanni, the oldest royal residence in Europe, and La Martorana Norman Church, an Italo-Albanian Catholic Church.

In the afternoon, head out for a three-hour guided tour of the city's historical sites. Tour stops include the Piazzas Bellini and Pretoria to see their Arab, Norman, Byzantine, and Spanish art and architecture. Centuries of seafaring travel and influences from different cultures have resulted in eclectic and diverse architectural styles. You'll see a lot of these influences during your stay in the city.

The tour continues across Palermo's oldest street, the Cassaro, whose name comes from the Arabic word for "fortress." The street is also known as Via Vittorio Emanuele II. On the opposite side are the 13th-century San Francesco Church (Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi) and the Piazza Marina. Take a walk around the plaza and the adjoining Garibaldi Garden to see ancient palaces used by the Spanish Inquisition. Tour the nearby Santa Maria dello Spasimo Church, a roofless 16th-century building with a quiet and contemplative atmosphere. You'll also see Palermo's massive Ficus tree, which stands in the Piazza Marina.

Street food is common in Palermo, and you'll find irresistible pastry specialties and mouth-watering flavor combinations. Enjoy lunch and afternoon nibbles as you walk around, then find a small restaurant for a traditional seafood dinner accompanied by local wine. Afterward, head to an airy bar to enjoy a cocktail on the terrace while taking in the sunset.

Day 2: Palermo Segway Tour & Cooking Class

Palermo's narrow medieval streets make automobile travel tricky, so start your morning with a guided Segway tour of the city's top landmarks. Head through the Capo Market, a bustling street food market that's popular with visitors and locals shopping for dinner. Pass by the Gallery of Modern Art and Palace of the Normans at the Piazza della Vittoria, admiring the varied architecture in the city center. End your Segway tour at Palermo's seafront gardens, Villa a Mare, to enjoy beautiful views and a refreshing sea breeze.

In the afternoon, you will learn how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes during a four-hour hands-on cooking class. Start your day by shopping for fresh, seasonal ingredients at the market, then head to a well-equipped home kitchen in an 18th-century building to start your lesson. Much of what is sold at the markets—from seafood to tropical fruit— comes from the island, so you have a wide local selection to work with.

Learn how to prepare an authentic four-course meal, including dessert. Afterward, sit down to enjoy your creation along with a glass of local wine. Buon appetito!

Day 3: Palermo Catacombs & Monreale Cathedral

Spend the day discovering two of Palermo's favorite attractions on this five-hour-half-day tour. Head first to the Capuchin Catacombs, a somewhat macabre attraction and final resting place for thousands of mummified bodies. The mummies, many of whom were priests, are preserved in period dress starting from the 16th century through the early 20th.

Break for Sicilian coffee and sweet treats before heading to the 12th-century UNESCO-listed Monreale Cathedral, famous for its Norman and Arabic architecture. The Cathedral is famous for its ornate cloisters and bright gold mosaics, which feature a variety of biblical stories.

Enjoy lunch at an open-air café in a medieval piazza, then spend a lazy afternoon browsing for souvenirs and enjoying the sunshine in a city park or on the beach.

Day 4: Transfer to Syracuse, Afternoon Ortygia Tour

After breakfast, hit the road for the four-hour trip to Syracuse, a historic city in southeast Sicily next to the Gulf of Syracuse. The city is renowned for its rich Greek history and architecture, particularly the many amphitheaters which decorate the city squares. Syracuse is also famous as the birthplace of engineer and mathematician Archimedes. With over 2,700 years of history and culture, Syracuse was long regarded as one of the major powers in the Mediterranean.

Syracuse was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians and later became part of the Roman Republic and the Byzantine Empire. The great orator Cicero once described Syracuse as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all." Together with the Necropolis of Pantalica, a series of burial chambers cut into the limestone rock, Syracuse is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend the afternoon exploring the ancient ruins of the Ionian coast on a guided tour of Syracuse. Travel to the Neapolis Archaeological Park, then go for a stroll among the ruins and ancient relics together with your expert guide. Learn about the region's Greek and Roman history as you explore the architecture and enjoy a guided walking tour through Ortygia—Syracuse's beautiful old town, located on Ortygia Island, a spit of land that extends into the Mediterranean.

Enjoy traditional Mediterranean cuisine for dinner, with typical seafood dishes and local wines. Head to the city center to enjoy a drink and people-watching after dinner.

Day 5: Free Day in Syracuse

Today is a free day to explore everything the city has to offer. Recommended activities include:

• Explore history at the Castello Maniace, a 13th-century citadel and castle situated on the far point of the Ortygia island promontory  
• See the Arethusa Fountain, a natural fountain located on Ortygia Island along the waterfront  
• Haggle for your lunch at the bustling Ortygia Street Market
• Soak in the Sicilian sunshine on the beautiful sand and turquoise water of Arenella Beach 
• Go underground to explore the honeycomb network of the San Giovanni Crypt and Catacombs, which date back to the 6th century

Day 6: Transfer to Taormina, Afternoon City Tour

After breakfast, head out for the one-and-a-half-hour transfer to Taormina, a sophisticated and popular resort town located up the coast from Syracuse on the Ionian Sea. The town's amazing views and ancient theater, which is often used for operatic and theatrical performances, make it the perfect destination for fans of the arts. 

In the afternoon, go for a three-hour guided walking tour of the city. Highlights include the 10th-century Palazzo Corvaja, named after one of the city's most influential families, the restored 17th-century Catholic Santa Caterina Church, and the Vicolo Stretto—the narrowest street in town.

Skip the line to see the Greek theater, which boasts views of Mount Etna and Giardini Naxos. From here, head to the main square of Piazza IX Aprile to rest and refresh with a glass of Mount Etna's famous wine at a local enoteca.  

Day 7: Mount Etna Tour

Spend the day exploring Europe's largest active volcano on this day trip to see Mount Etna. The eight-hour tour starts in the Rifugio Sapienza, which forms the southern access point to the volcano. Here you can rent any walking equipment which you may require (such as boots). From here, take a ride on the cable car to 9,500 ft (2,900 m) above sea level to get to Torre Del Filosofo, where you'll climb aboard a Jeep for the final stretch. Walk up to 10,990 ft (3,350 m) to get to the top, where you will be surrounded by eruptive fractures and active vents and feel the heat of the lava beneath your feet. The views of Sicily from here are breathtaking, making this one of the most rewarding and exhilarating tours of the trip.

On your way down, you'll see some of the larger volcanic craters, such as Cisternazza, as well as the Valle del Bove, the valley where the lava from Mount Etna typically flows.

Day 8: Wine Tour of Three Etna Wineries

Today you will go for a six-hour driving tour of the countryside, stopping at three different Sicilian wineries to sample the regional reds, whites, and rosés. After a relaxed breakfast, head out around 9:00 am to see the surrounding villages and landscapes.

You'll drive past fruit orchards, vineyards, and lava streams, then stop at various wineries to sample local wines made from grapes grown on the nutrient-rich volcanic earth. Enjoy Sicilian delicacies of cheeses and salamis for lunch, included in the tour. In the late afternoon, head back to Taormina for a relaxing evening in town, arriving around 3:00 pm. The total driving time today will be two and a half hours. 

Day 9: Free Day in Taormina

Today is a free day to explore Taormina. Make the most of your time with these recommended activities:

• Visit the Museo Tradizioni Popolari art museum, the Museum and Archaeological Area of Naxos, and the Casa Cuseni, a combination history museum, and artist hotel
• Walk along a seafront promenade and enjoy the beautiful old gardens of the Villa Comunale
• Go shopping on the Corso Umberto, Taormina's main street, with options for every budget, from luxury boutiques to small vintage storefronts 
• Visit the Chiesa Madonna della Rocca to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city and see the Greek theater and small chapel, which is partially dug into the rock
• Walk the spit of land to Isola Bella, a beautiful little island, to see the 17th-century palace, elegant gardens, and fishing village 
• Visit the ruined medieval castle and narrow, hilly streets of Castelmola, a small village located 3 miles (5 km) north of Taormina 
• Explore the Taormina Mare, an impressive stretch of coastline characterized by steep rocks and beaches, lidos—public outdoor pools—and a variety of restaurants and cafes

Day 10: Transfer to Catania, Self-Guided Exploration

In the morning, head out for the hourlong transfer to Catania on the east coast of Sicily, on the Ionian Sea. Catania sits at the foot of Europe's tallest active volcano, Mount Etna, which frequently erupts, depositing nutrient-rich lava and ash onto the fertile fields below. Thankfully the lava follows a similar path each time, avoiding the cities and villages which dot the landscape around the volcano. 

Unfortunately, Catania has not always avoided the lava flows, and a 17th-century explosion leveled the town. Many of the town's famous Baroque buildings were erected during the period of rebuilding and growth that followed. Today Catania is a flourishing port town and is a favorite with Italian and international tourists. The city has something for every traveler, from buzzing nightlife and the bustling business district to quiet, secluded city parks and leisurely promenades by the water.

After settling in, head out for your first look at the city. Pick from the following suggestions to create your perfect day:

• Dive into history at the Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943
• See the Fontana dell' Elefante, a fountain made from lava rock in the city center
• Tour the 16th-century UNESCO-listed Monastero dei Benedettini
• Explore Aci Trezza, a small seaside resort, and see the Faraglioni, oceanic rock formations known as the "Rocks of Cyclops"
• Visit the San Nicoló l'Arena, Sicily's largest church (famous for its unfinished facade)  
• Relax in the beautifully landscaped gardens of the Catania Orto Botanico and Villa Bellini Park, enjoy panoramic views of Catania, and see the Botanical Clock—a display made entirely of planted flowers

Day 11: Walking Food Tour of Catania

Spend the day discovering Sicilian culinary traditions and exploring Catania's highlights on a half-day tasting tour. Sample some of the region's finger-licking specialties, such as granita (a refreshing shaved ice), Sicilian brioche, local cheeses and olives, arancini (fried rice balls), cartocciata (a popular street food of dough wrapped around mozzarella cheese and other fillings), and much more.

Stroll along the seaside, visit Duomo Square, explore the narrow streets of the Old Town, and learn about local history. Take in the views from 13th-century Ursino Castle, part of the Kingdom of Sicily during Emperor Frederick II's time. Five hours isn't enough to see everything, but this tour is a great place to start!

In the evening, stroll down Via Etnea, Catania's main street, where you can find shops, restaurants, and cafés. The street gets its name from the direct views of Mount Etna to the north of the city. Get dinner at an open-air café and enjoy people-watching as you sip a glass of Mount Etna wine.

Day 12: Free Day in Catania

Today is a free day to explore the local attractions. Enjoy the following recommendations:

• Experience the hustle and bustle of the busy La Pescheria fish market
• Visit the 2,200-year-old Teatro Romano, which features the main seating area and a smaller adjacent Odeon theater
• Go shopping for everything from street food and produce to local crafts and antiques at the Fera o'luni, a traditional market held daily in Piazza Carlo Alberto
• Go for a train ride on the Circumetnea Railway Line, built-in 1889 to connect the city to Mount Etna
• Have fun at the Etnaland Fun Park, which features waterslide attractions and an amusement park
• Explore nature and get an adrenaline rush at the adventure parks of Milo, Nicolosi, and Ragalna, which feature a high-ropes course, hiking, and picnic tables 
• Soak in the sunshine at the Lido Azzurro and San Giovanni Li Cuti beaches, the latter of which features unique black volcanic sand 

Day 13: Depart

Time to say goodbye to the country of love! After one last cappuccino over breakfast, head to the airport for your connecting flight home. Safe travels!

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