Discover Sicily: 14-Day Road Trip

Suggestion for the day: Exploring Trapani (Historic Streets, Salt Pans, and Seafood Delights)

• This morning, explore Trapani’s old town, the Centro Storico. Start with an early morning visit to the local fish market, Mercato del Pesce. Then wander along the spit to the coastal watchtower, Torre di Ligny, for views back towards the city. Next, enjoy a stroll around the narrow streets of the Centro Storico. Along the way, check out the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Baroque Church of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and the Palazzo Senatorio.  Also, watch (and up) for the astrological clock on the city’s oldest gate, the Porta Oscura e Torre Dell’Orologio, next to Palazzo Senatorio.
• In the afternoon you can plan a 10-minute drive south to the Museo del Sale near the village of Nubia. You can visit the salt pans independently or join one of the museum’s guided tours to learn about the long and sometimes spicy history of ’white gold’ production in western Sicily. Ancient traditions are still used in salt extraction today. Finish your day with a lovely dinner at one of the local restaurants or bars along the stretch of the coast.   

Suggestion for the day: Temples of the Gods (Ancient Selinunte and the Majestic Valley of the Temples)

• Today bid farewell to Trapani and head south/east to visit two more of Sicily’s epic ancient temple sites. Selinunte Archaeological Park is spectacularly located by the sea. Afterward, make your way to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, a World Heritage and one of the most majestic Greek temple complexes still standing today. The drive from Trapani to the Valley of Temples will take approximately 2 hours. If you’re making good time today, there’s a small detour you can make around 15-20 minutes before you reach Agrigento (your stay for the night): the Scala dei Turchi, or Stairs of the Turks, a stunning stretch of gleaming white, meringue-like cliffs. Settle into your hotel in Agrigento for the night. 

Suggestion for the day: Mosaics to Metropolises (From Roman Villas to Syracuse’s Ancient Streets)

• On the morning of the 7th day of your trip head towards Syracuse on Sicily’s east coast. It will be your base for the next four nights, as you explore this evocative and historic city, and day trip to three spectacular Baroque towns in the Val di Noto region: Ragusa, Noto, and Catania. The drive from Agrigento to Syracuse will take you roughly 2 and a half hours. The First stop this morning though is the extraordinary Villa Romana del Casale, a drive of around 1hr15.
• After traveling back in time with awe-inspiring mosaics continue to Syracuse. The ancient city of Syracuse has a history spanning 3,000 years. Once the most powerful city-state of Magna Graecia, it went on to become part of Rome and then the capital of the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century. Today, Syracuse is a World Heritage site. The highlight of a visit to Syracuse is Ortigia Island. This tiny walled hamlet is Syracuse’s Cittá Vecchia, the Old City, and this is where the founding colony was established.  On this first afternoon, if you arrive in time, you might see if there’s a walking tour you can join. Or check out some of the city’s key highlights, like the Piazza Duomo and Syracuse Cathedral. There’s also the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo, said to be one of the oldest Greek temples in the world, and the ancient Fountain of Arethusa. Aim to be by the sea for a wander along the Lungomare Alfeo as the sun sets, then find somewhere for an aperitivo and dinner.  

Suggestion for the day: Syracuse’s Archaeological Wonders (Theatres, Altars, and Catacombs)

• Start your day by visiting the Neapolis Archaeological Park. There, you’ll find some of the most important ruins of Syracuse’s Greco-Roman past, including a 2nd century Roman amphitheatre and a 5th-century BC Greek theatre. Opera performances are held in the theatre between May and June each year. Also worth seeking out is the monumental Altar of Hieron, thought to have been dedicated to Zeus and used for the mass sacrifice of bulls. The park is open daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm. A 10-minute walk from the archaeological park is the Basilica and Catacombs of St John. If you missed the catacombs in Palermo, or if you just find the catacombs eerily fascinating, then consider joining one of the guided tours that depart from the ticket office throughout the day (we can help with this!)
• Head back to Ortigia this afternoon to explore more of the island and its highlights. At the Piazza Archimede, there’s the Fountain of Diana. If you’re feeling peckish, swing by nearby Pasticceria Artale. You could also explore Ortigia’s Jewish Quarter, the Giudeca, and the nearby Forte Vigliena for views. On the very tip of the island hulks the 13th century Castello Maniace, which can also be visited. If you’re keen to stretch your legs and get outdoors, an alternative to more time in Ortigia this afternoon is a hike to the ancient Necropolis of Pantalica, with its 5,000 rock-cut tombs. Together with Syracuse, this is a World Heritage site. 

Suggestion for the day: Baroque Beauty (Exploring Ragusa and Noto’s Architectural Marvels)

• The Val di Noto is a region in the south-east of Sicily encompassing eight cities collectively designated as World Heritage for their striking late Baroque architecture. The cities are Catania, Millitello Val di Catania, Caltagirone, Modica, Palazzolo Acreide, Scicli, Ragusa and Noto. Aim to start early today as there’s a lot of ground to cover. Pretty Ragusa rises and falls in two defined areas separated by a ravine. There’s the lower ‘old town’ of Ragusa Ibla and the upper ‘new town’ of Ragusa Superiore. Spend some time wandering the streets of Ibla between the Cathedral of San Giorgio and the Iblei Gardens. Aim to spend 3 to 4 hours in Ragusa. The town is also renowned for its food scene, so this is a great spot for a sit-down lunch After lunch, travel to the city of Noto. It’s around an hour’s drive east from Ragusa. Take the time to simply wander Noto’s streets and admire the city’s elaborate yet elegant architecture, starting at the city gateway, the Porta Reale, and heading west along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Must-sees include the cathedral, Basilica Cattedrale di San Nicolo, the Palazzo Ducezio opposite and the bell tower, Il Campanile di San Carlo (both of which offer superb views over the city), as well as the richly decorated theatre, Teatro Tina di Lorenzo. For dinner tonight, stay in Noto or make your way back to Syracuse. The drive is around 40 minutes. 

Suggestion for the day: Catania’s Vibrant Heart (Baroque Splendor and Street Food)

• Today, journey to Catania - Sicily’s buzzing second city and the largest town in east Sicily. Having risen and fallen over and again in the shadow of mercurial Etna. The drive will take you approximately one hour. Catania’s old town – the Centro Storico – is another of the Val di Noto’s Baroque showpieces, but with a very local touch: these elaborate buildings were made with Etna’s black lava stone.  The city’s highlights are all located fairly close together and include the Piazza del Duomo with its Cathedral of Sant’Agata and lava stone Elephant Fountain. There’s also the Church of San Benedetto, Palazzo Biscari, the Teatro Romano, and the smaller Roman Odeon next door, the triumphal Porta Garibaldi, Basilica della Collegiata and the Teatro Massimo Bellini. If you arrive early enough in the day, there’s the historic fish market to visit and, not far from there, Castello Ursino. For Ancient Rome diehards like us: if you wander up to Piazza Stesicoro, you can see a small section of Catania’s once-enormous amphitheatre. For lunch today, seek out Catania’s pasta specialty of eggplant and ricotta: Pasta alla Norma. Or consider a street food walking tour like this one if there’s time. In the evening return to Syracuse. 

Suggestion for the day: Taormina (Coastal Elegance on the Slopes of Mount Etna)

• In the morning depart Syracuse and head north to the coastal town of Taormina. It will be your base for the next two nights. The drive will take you 1.5 hours. Spend most of a day and an evening exploring this historic hilltop town, and the next day on the otherworldly slopes of Mount Etna. Taormina rises and falls over the slopes of Mount Tauro, overlooking a spectacular vista of azure sea and the hazy blue rise of Mount Etna. It is considered by many to be Sicily’s most elegant city Once you’ve found your accommodation and dropped your bags, spend the rest of the day checking out the various things to do in Taormina. Start with a wander along Corso Umberto, the main thoroughfare through the town linking the historic gates of Porto Catania and Porto Messina.

Suggestion for the day: Mount Etna Adventure (Volcanic Landscapes and Vineyard Tastings)

• Mount Etna lords over the landscape of Sicily’s northeast. It’s the tallest and most active volcano in Europe and it has been grumbling her discontent for tens of thousands of years. Recorded eruptions reach back as far as the 4th century BC. Etna has had a monumental impact on the landscape, history, and people of Sicily. For her efforts, the mountain has been designated a World Heritage site. We will help you book one of the many guided tours. Visiting Etna is better in the morning as clouds tend to gather over the day. Etna has demonstrated her destructive side throughout history, but the mountain’s lava flows have also resulted in rich soil that has given rise to some excellent vino. While you can certainly sample the delicious flavours of the region in the restaurants of Taormina and Catania, if you love wine then it’s worth dropping by a vineyard for a tasting.  A vineyard visit and tasting in this area requires reservation, so book ahead if this is something you’re keen to do. There are MANY places to choose from but one vineyard you might consider, in the direction of Taormina, is Gambino Vini. It’s around  45 minutes from Taormina. Return to Taormina and spend another night there. 

Suggestion for the day: Cefalù’s Coastal Charm (Ancient Temples and Norman Cathedrals)

• Wake up to the last day in Sicily before completing your loop and fly out of Palermo tomorrow. Make your way to the final destination - Cefalú. It is around 2.5 hours drive from Taormina. A fishing village with a long past, Cefalù’s terracotta rooftops fan out around the base of La Rocca, the hulking 268-metre-high limestone outcrop that dominates the city skyline. You can make the trek up La Rocca to take in its views and sites, which include the 5th century BC Temple of Diana, the 10th century Church of Santa Anna, and, at the summit, the ruins of a Norman castle, Castello di Cefalù. Later, enjoy a wander through Cefalù’s medieval old town, keeping an eye out for the historic Porta Pescara and the old harbor, the curious Lavatoio Medievale (a medieval laundry), and the Museo Mandralisica (housing the private art collection of 19th century Baron Mandralisca and the famed ‘Portrait of an Unknown Man’ from 1465).  You’ll also find another World Heritage treasure in the 12th-13th century Norman-built Cefalù Cathedral. Tonight, enjoy one more sunset aperitivo and a classic Sicilian supper in one of Cefalù’s seaside restaurants.

Farewell Sicily

For now, It’s time to say goodbye to Sicily. Drive to the airport (1h20 drive from Cefalù). Return your car, and as you are waiting for the plane to depart think about all precious new memories you've made.