How many days do you need in Syracuse, Taormina, Palermo & Catania?
- Most travelers spend 13-15 days in Syracuse, Taormina, Palermo, and Catania combined
- Visiting Syracuse, Taormina, Palermo, and Catania in 8 to 12 days is possible, but will feel rushed
- With 16 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
How Many Days to Spend in Sicily
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Recommended Itineraries for Syracuse, Taormina, Palermo & Catania
Recommended Itinerary for 13 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Palermo, Evening Guided Tour | Palermo |
| Day 2 | Palermo Segway Tour & Cooking Class | Palermo |
| Day 3 | Palermo Catacombs & Monreale Cathedral | Palermo |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Syracuse, Afternoon Ortygia Tour | Syracuse |
| Day 5 | Free Day in Syracuse | Syracuse |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Taormina, Afternoon City Tour | Taormina |
| Day 7 | Mount Etna Tour | Taormina |
| Day 8 | Wine Tour of Three Etna Wineries | Taormina |
| Day 9 | Free Day in Taormina | Taormina |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Catania, Self-Guided Exploration | Catania |
| Day 11 | Walking Food Tour of Catania | Catania |
| Day 12 | Free Day in Catania | Catania |
| Day 13 | Depart Catania |
Sicily has long been a favorite with maritime travelers, and you'll fall in love as well on this incredible 13-day trip. Tour churches and busy street markets in Palermo, then head to Syracuse, home of the famed mathematician Archimedes. Haggle for your lunch at the bustling Ortigia Street Market and visit the 13th-century Castello Maniace before making your way up the coast to Taormino and Catania, where theater, street food, and seafront promenades are a trip highlight. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 2 Weeks
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Palermo, Evening Guided Tour | Palermo |
| Day 2 | Palermo Segway Tour & Cooking Class | Palermo |
| Day 3 | Free Day in Palermo | Palermo |
| Day 4 | Palermo Catacombs & Monreale Cathedral | Palermo |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Syracuse, Afternoon Ortygia Tour | Syracuse |
| Day 6 | Free Day in Syracuse | Syracuse |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Taormina, Afternoon City Tour | Taormina |
| Day 8 | Mount Etna Tour | Taormina |
| Day 9 | Wine Tour of Three Etna Wineries | Taormina |
| Day 10 | Free Day in Taormina | Taormina |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Catania, Self-Guided Exploration | Catania |
| Day 12 | Walking Food Tour of Catania | Catania |
| Day 13 | Free Day in Catania | Catania |
| Day 14 | Depart Catania |
If you have two weeks and a thirst for Sicilian sunshine, delicious street food, and fascinating culture, then this is the trip for you. Spend four days exploring Palermo's diverse history, shopping at bustling markets, and relaxing on sunny beaches. Visit Syracuse—home city of mathematician Archimedes—and explore the Old Town of Ortygia, then head to Taormina to hike Mount Etna and catch a performance at the ancient Greek Theater. End your trip with a street food tour and sunny views of the Ionian Sea in Catania. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 15 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Palermo, Evening Guided Tour | Palermo |
| Day 2 | Palermo Segway Tour & Cooking Class | Palermo |
| Day 3 | Free Day in Palermo | Palermo |
| Day 4 | Palermo Catacombs & Monreale Cathedral | Palermo |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Syracuse, Afternoon Ortygia Tour | Syracuse |
| Day 6 | Free Day in Syracuse | Syracuse |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Taormina, Afternoon City Tour | Taormina |
| Day 8 | Mount Etna Tour | Taormina |
| Day 9 | Wine Tour of Three Etna Wineries | Taormina |
| Day 10 | Free Day in Taormina | Taormina |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Catania, Self-Guided Exploration | Catania |
| Day 12 | Godfather Movie Set Tour | Catania |
| Day 13 | Walking Food Tour of Catania | Catania |
| Day 14 | Free Day in Catania | Catania |
| Day 15 | Depart |
Explore the best of Sicily on this 15-day itinerary, from Palermo's famous food scene to the Greek theater in Taormina. Visit Syracuse, the birthplace of Archimedes, to see the 2,700-year-old town of Ortygia and sunny Arenella Beach. Spend four days enjoying nature and the arts in Taormina, then head to Catania, where filming sites from the Godfather trilogy, delicious street food, and bustling fish markets await. Read more
How to travel between Syracuse, Taormina, Palermo & Catania
How to get from Syracuse to Taormina
Self-driving is the most convenient way to travel the 120 miles (193 km) between Syracuse and Taormina, especially for travelers who plan on venturing beyond the two towns into nearby Mount Etna or Catania. Read more
How to get from Syracuse to Catania
Syracuse is just 41 miles (66 km) north of Catania, Sicily's second-largest city, and a stepping-off point for exploring nearby Mount Etna. Many travelers also head to Catania simply to fly home, as a major airport is located there. Read more
How to get from Palermo to Syracuse
Traveling across Sicily from Palermo to Syracuse is a 162-mile (261 km) journey that begins along the Tyrrhenian Sea and cuts south across the heart of the island, regardless of what form of transport you choose. Winding your way through the hills that dot the landscape takes some time, so expect to spend at least three hours in transit. Read more
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