7-day itinerary

Grand Highlights of Sicily

Sicily, Italy

Experience the ultimate 7-day Sicilian loop spanning Norman palaces, Greek temples, coastal islets, Mount Etna, and volcanic Stromboli.

1. Day 1: Arrive in Historic Palermo

   Overnight in Palermo · Driving 32 km, 45 min

   • Arrive to Palermo

     Arrival 14:00 · 1h

     Arrive to Palermo and settle into the historic center.

   • Cattedrale di Palermo

     Sightseeing 15:30 · 1.5h

     See Norman, Gothic, and Baroque architecture inside Cattedrale di Palermo.

   • Quattro Canti

     Sightseeing 17:30 · 1h

     See fountains and Spanish baroque facades at Quattro Canti.

2. Day 2: Valley of the Temples

   Overnight in Agrigento · Driving 155 km, 2h 45m

   • Palazzo dei Normanni

     Sightseeing 09:00 · 1.5h

     See Byzantine mosaics inside the Palatine Chapel at Palazzo dei Normanni.

   • Valle dei Templi

     Sightseeing 14:00 · 2.5h

     Walk among Doric temples overlooking the coast at Valle dei Templi.

   • Scala dei Turchi

     Sightseeing 17:30 · 1.5h

     Watch evening light illuminate white marl cliffs at Scala dei Turchi.

3. Day 3: Ancient Syracuse and Ortigia

   Overnight in Syracuse · Driving 210 km, 2h 45m

   • Parco Archeologico della Neapolis

     Sightseeing 11:00 · 2h

     Explore the Greek theater at Parco Archeologico della Neapolis.

   • Isola di Ortigia

     Sightseeing 14:30 · 2h

     Stroll the alleys of Isola di Ortigia, Syracuse's baroque heart.

   • Fonte Aretusa

     Sightseeing 17:00 · 1h

     See wild papyrus growing at Fonte Aretusa's freshwater spring.

4. Day 4: Mount Etna and Taormina

   Overnight in Taormina · Driving 125 km, 2h 30m

   • Mount Etna Silvestri Craters

     Sightseeing 09:30 · 2h

     Walk along extinct volcanic ridges at Mount Etna Silvestri Craters.

   • Teatro Antico di Taormina

     Sightseeing 14:00 · 1.5h

     View Mount Etna through Greco-Roman arches at Teatro Antico di Taormina.

   • Isola Bella

     Sightseeing 16:30 · 2h

     Wade across the pebble isthmus to Isola Bella.

5. Day 5: Stromboli Island Volcano Adventure

   Overnight in Stromboli · Driving 90 km, 1h 15m

   • Spiaggia Ficogrande

     Sightseeing 14:00 · 1.5h

     Walk on black volcanic sand facing Strombolicchio at Spiaggia Ficogrande.

   • Stromboli Volcano Viewpoint

     Sightseeing 16:30 · 2h

     Hike foothill paths toward the smoking summit at Stromboli Volcano Viewpoint.

   • Sciara del Fuoco Boat Tour

     Sightseeing 19:00 · 2h

     See volcanic embers after dusk on Sciara del Fuoco Boat Tour.

6. Day 6: Aeolian Return to Palermo

   Overnight in Palermo · Driving 205 km, 2h 30m

   • Capo Milazzo

     Sightseeing 11:00 · 1.5h

     Walk through olive groves to Piscina di Venere at Capo Milazzo.

   • Mercato di Ballarò

     Sightseeing 15:30 · 1.5h

     Explore stalls selling spices and snacks at Mercato di Ballarò.

   • Teatro Massimo

     Sightseeing 17:30 · 1.5h

     See the neoclassical facade of Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house.

7. Day 7: Palermo Departure Day

   Overnight in Palermo · Driving 42 km, 1h

   • Orto Botanico di Palermo

     Sightseeing 09:00 · 1.5h

     Walk beneath century-old ficus trees at Orto Botanico di Palermo.

   • Mondello Beach

     Sightseeing 11:30 · 2h

     Dip your feet in the sea at Mondello Beach.

   • Depart from Palermo

     Departure 16:00 · 1h

     Depart from Palermo by heading to the airport.