Sicily Itineraries for Every Kind of Traveler

Written By Brie Fox
A view of Ragusa Ibla from the new city of Ragusa.

So you want to visit Sicily? Excellent choice! You’re in for incredible food, beautiful scenery, vibrant culture, ancient ruins, and stunning beaches. Sicily really has something for everyone.

But where will you visit, and for how long? Making these decisions can be tough when there are endless possibilities, and it is nearly impossible to see all that Sicily has to offer in one visit.

So put aside what the Instagram posts and travel guides tell you that you have to see in Sicily. Instead, think about your personal interests and what will give you the most joy on this trip.

To help you make the most of your time in Sicily, I’ve created this guide full of customized itineraries for different types of travelers: history buffs, foodies, beach lovers, adventurers, families, and those who love to go off the beaten path.

I lived in Sicily for a couple of years, and created these itineraries based on my experiences on the island, tips from locals, and comments from friends who visited. Bookmark this post for planning the Sicilian adventure that suits you!

A beach with azure waters on the island of Ortigia, Sicily.

Note: In all the itineraries, I try to start and end the trip within a reasonable distance of the same airport, so that you can fly in and out of the same one and pick up and drop off your rental car at the same location.

The two major airports in Sicily are in Palermo and Catania.

History Buff Itineraries

Overview: Dive deep into Sicily’s diverse history through archaeological sites, museums, and ancient traditions while exploring gorgeous cities and villages. Make sure to leave time for wandering and eating.

The 7-day itinerary focuses more on the southeastern side of the island, while the 14-day trip is an expansive tour of the whole island.

7-Night Itinerary:

The Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte with its unique ceramic tiles in Caltagirone, Sicily.

Caltagirone

14-Day Itinerary:

Tip: If possible, visit the Valley of the Temples in the evening. The site is wonderfully lit up and is that much more beautiful as the sun sets and disappears.

Foodie Itineraries

Overview: Taste your way through Sicily’s regional specialties, markets, and street food. Even though these itineraries are food-focused, you won’t miss out on historical sites, stunning piazzas, and sea views.

I’ve included a few lesser-known food destinations. Read some of my Sicilian food posts to get a feel for the cuisine:

9 Best Food Experiences I Had While Living in Sicily

What and Where to Eat in Catania: A Local’s Guide

9 Things We Ate Every Week Living in Sicily

7-Day Itinerary:

12-Day Itinerary:

  • Day 1-2: Mount Etna (agriturismo/farm stay, winery visit, Bronte for pistachio products & Randazzo)

  • Day 3-4: Catania (daily market, fish market & street food)

  • Day 5-6: Modica + Marzamemi (Modican chocolate, buffalo farm, seafood in Marzamemi center)

  • Day 7-10: Castelvetrano + Marsala + Trapani + Erice (oil olive tasting, Marsala wine tasting, seafood couscous, salt pans & Pasticceria Maria Grammatico)

  • Day 11-12: Piana degli Albanesi + Palermo (best cannoli, daily markets & street food)

Tip: Stay at an agriturismo (a working farm with accommodations) to enjoy incredible homemade foods. These farm stays often include breakfast with local products and offer meals that will be the best of your trip!

Food from a Sicilian market.

Beach Lover Itineraries

Overview: Enjoy the best of Sicily’s beaches, from long, sandy shores to rocky coastlines with crystal-clear water. Along the way, you’ll stay in charming beach towns and on a gorgeous island just off Sicily.

The 7-day itinerary keeps you on the west side of Sicily, while the 14-day itinerary circles the entire island. You’ll never be far from the water, seafood, and stunning views.

The Turkish Steps in December in Sicily.

Scala dei Turchi

7-Day Itinerary:

14-Day Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Mondello (beach town)

  • Day 2-4: Castellammare del Golfo (Cala Rossa, Tonnara di Scopello, San Vito Lo Capo, Caletta del Bue Marino, Zingaro Nature Reserve)

  • Day 5-7: Favignana (Cala Rossa, Lido Burrone beach, Cala Rotonda, Cala Preveto, Levanzo, Cala Minnola, Cala Faraglione)

  • Day 8-9: Sciacca + Agrigento (Scala dei Turchi, Valley of the Temples)

  • Day 10-12: Taormina (Isola Bella, Letojanni, Naxos, Castelmola)

  • Day 13-14: Cefalu (beach town)

A view over Isola Bella and its thin strip of sand beach in Taormina, Sicily.

Isola Bella, Taormina

Adventurer Itineraries

Overview: Enjoy volcano treks, wild nature, and remote villages. For those who are fit, active, and love adventure, these itineraries are packed with outdoor, physical activities in outlying destinations.

Even the beaches I’ve included are not your typical, lounge-chair-filled, sandy shores. Instead, they feature hydrothermal vents and secluded locations that you won’t forget!

8-Day Itinerary:

  • Day 1-2: Zingaro Nature Reserve (hiking, swimming, exploring coves)

  • Day 3-4: Madonie Park (agriturismo stay, hiking, biking, wine tasting)

  • Day 5-8: Aeolian Islands (Stromboli volcano hike, boat tour, Pollara beach, Acque Calde beach, rent scooters)

The stairs leading to Pollara Beach on the island of Salina in Sicily.

Pollara, Salina

12-Day Itinerary:

  • Day 1-2: Mount Etna (agriturismo stay, Etna hike, explore lava caves, wine tasting)

  • Day 3-6: Aeolian Islands (Stromboli volcano hike, boat tour, Pollara beach, Acque Calde beach, rent scooters)

  • Day 7-12: Cefalu (horseback riding trip)

Hikers on Mount Etna, Sicily's active volcano.

Mount Etna

Off The Beaten Path Itineraries

Overview: Offbeat beaches, stunning but overlooked towns, and dramatic countryside landscapes fill these itineraries. You’ll also have more meaningful interactions with locals who will be curious about why you chose to visit their area.

This 14-day itinerary has to be my favorite in this post! All of the stops are away from the crowds and give you a great, full sense of what life is like on the island, inland and by the sea.

9-Day Itinerary:

  • Day 1-2: Randazzo + Bronte (agriturismo stay, wine tasting, Mount Etna hike, Etna train)

  • Day 3-6: Aeolian Islands (Salina, Stromboli, boat tour, Pollara beach, rent scooters, Malvasia wine tasting)

  • Day 7-9: Madonie Park (agriturismo stay/meal, Gangi, Petralia Soprana, Polizzi Generosa, thermal baths)

One of the black sand beaches on the volcanic island of Stromboli in Sicily.

Stromboli

14 Day Itinerary:

  • Day 1-2: Randazzo + Bronte (agriturismo stay, wine tasting, Mount Etna hike, Etna train)

  • Day 3-6: Aeolian Islands (Salina, Stromboli, boat tour, Pollara beach, rent scooters, Malvasia wine tasting)

  • Day 7-9: Madonie Park (agriturismo stay/meal, Gangi, Petralia Soprana, Polizzi Generosa, thermal baths)

  • Day 10: Enna

  • Day 11-14: Caltagirone + Scicli (explore ceramic shops, Santa Maria del Monte staircase, buffalo farm, Avola, Punta delle Formiche, Marzamemi)

The small town of Gangi in Sicily.

Gangi

Family Itineraries

Overview: Both itineraries suggest staying in smaller towns near sandy beaches where you and the kids can relax, but you’ll also be a short drive away from activities and sights in well-known destinations.

They also lend to staying in the same accommodations for several days at a time, so that you don’t have to pack up and move too often.

7-Day Itinerary:

  • Day 1-7: Avola or Marina di Ragusa (Take day trips to Ragusa, Modica, Noto, Marzamemi, or Siracusa/Ortigia. Visit a Modican chocolate shop, a buffalo farm, historical town centers, and pretty beaches.)

A view of the town of Modica, Sicily.

Modica

14-Day Itinerary:

  • Day 1-6: Avola or Marina di Ragusa (Take day trips to Ragusa, Modica, Noto, Marzamemi, or Siracusa/Ortigia. Visit a Modican chocolate shop, a buffalo farm, historical town centers, and pretty beaches.)

  • Day 7-9: Realmonte or San Leone (Agrigento, Valley of the Temples, Scala dei Turchi, long sandy beaches)

  • Day 10-14: Cefalu (Day trips to Palermo by train, Castelbuono, or Gangi. Take a small boat excursion to the Tiberio gorge, play the Madonie Adventure Park, or visit an olive grove or farm.)

Ruins on the waterfront of Avola, Sicily.

Avola

Practical Travel Tips for All Travelers

Best Time to Visit: May and October are less crowded and usually have gorgeous weather, but if getting into the sea is important to you, then choose June or September.

Getting Around: All of these itineraries would involve renting a car. It’s most convenient to pick up a rental car at the Catania or Palermo airport.

Reaching the Egadi or Aeolian islands also requires taking a ferry. Use Ferryhopper to book your tickets in advance. Once you get to these smaller islands, you won’t need or want a car. Use public transportation or scooters to get around.

Language: English is not widely spoken in Sicily. Learning some basic phrases before your trip would be helpful and appreciated by locals. Additionally, download a translation app on your phone to help you communicate important information.

A menu and outdoor seating at a bar in Erice, Sicily.

Safety & Comfort: Sicily is safe. I would say it’s just as safe as anywhere else in Italy. Be street-smart in the larger cities, Palermo and Catania. Avoid renting a flashy, new, or expensive car.

In terms of comfort, remember that it’s not a given to have heating in the winter and air-conditioning in the summer in Sicily. If having those comforts is important to you, make sure to book accommodations that include them.

Packing Tips: Comfort footwear, hats, and sunglasses are all essential on a trip to Sicily. Try to pack light and eliminate large luggage. You’ll be happier when you have to walk up staircases and stone streets.

If you’re planning to do a tour or hike on Mount Etna, you’ll need warm clothes and hiking boots. Even in the summer, it’s cold up there!

A view of snow-capped Mount Etna from Taormina, Sicily in April.

Ready to plan your trip? Start with the itinerary that speaks to you—or mix and match for a customized Sicilian adventure. I promise, Sicily won’t disappoint!

Do you have questions about some of the places mentioned in these itineraries? Or do you need a suggestion for your trip? Leave a comment below or contact me personally.

 
Brie Fox
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