Sicily Explorer

Description

2 nights – Catania
2 nights – Syracuse
2 nights – Ragusa
2 nights – Agrigento
2 nights – Palermo
3 nights – Cefalu
2 nights – Taormina

✈️ UK to Catania (2 Nights): Your Sicilian adventure will begin in Catania, a lively university city built from dramatic black volcanic stone.  The city is situated at the base of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, creating a spectacular backdrop to the skyline.   Spend time exploring the UNESCO-listed historic centre with its impressive 18th-century Baroque architecture, visit the iconic Elephant Fountain in Piazza del Duomo, and browse the lively La Pescheria fish market where locals haggle over freshly caught seafood. Take a stroll along the main street of Via Etnea, where you’ll come across boutiques, cafés and some of Sicily’s best gelato shops.

🚗 or 🚂 Catania to Syracuse (2 Nights): A scenic drive (50 mins) or rail journey (75 mins) will bring you to Syracuse, one of Sicily’s most historically significant cities once one of the most powerful cities in ancient Greece.  The city is split between the modern mainland and the stunning historic island of Ortigia, connected by bridges and perfectly sized for wandering. Ortigia is simply magical with its Baroque churches, elegant squares, and waterfront restaurants. The Cathedral of Syracuse is particularly fascinating. It’s built directly into a 5th-century BC Greek temple, with the original Doric columns still visible in the walls. The Fountain of Arethusa, a natural freshwater spring by the sea, is another highlight.   On the mainland, the Neapolis Archaeological Park features some of Syracuse’s most impressive ancient ruins, including the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre where gladiators once fought, and the famous Ear of Dionysius cave, renowned for its incredible acoustics.

🚗 or 🚂 Syracuse to Ragusa (2 Nights): You’ll continue your journey through Sicily to Ragusa (75 mins by car or 120 mins by rail), where equally gorgeous Baroque architecture has a more romantic, organic feel. The town is spread across various hills with winding streets, terraces, and honey-coloured limestone buildings that seem to glow in the sunlight. Ragusa Superiore is the newer upper town with wide streets and modern shops. While Ragusa Ibla, the historic lower town, is often described as an ‘open-air museum’ and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Val di Noto.  Here you’ll find the magnificent Cathedral of San Giorgio and lots of hidden palaces tucked away in narrow streets. The surrounding countryside produces some of Sicily’s finest olive oil and excellent cuisine, making Ragusa a foodie’s paradise.

🚗 or 🚂 Ragusa to Agrigento (2 Nights): Your next stop will be the ancient city of Agrigento (140 mins by car or 190 mins by rail), home to the spectacular Valley of the Temples. This archaeological site stretches along a ridge overlooking the Mediterranean and is home to some of the best-preserved Greek temples outside of Greece itself. The magnificent Temple of Concordia is the star attraction. Built around 440 BC, it’s almost entirely intact, and in the afternoon sun, the ancient stone takes on a stunning golden glow. Other highlights include the Temple of Juno and the massive ruins of the Temple of Jupiter. The nearby Archaeological Museum houses the giant Telamon stone figure that once supported the Temple of Jupiter. For a breather, head to the peaceful Kolymbetra Garden, nestled in a natural hollow among the ruins with its citrus trees and olive groves. For a quick trip out of town, just 15 km away, the Scala dei Turchi offers a completely different experience with stunning white stepped cliffs that dip into the turquoise waters – the perfect spot for a photo.

🚗 or 🚂 Agrigento to Palermo (3 Nights): Next on the itinerary is Sicily’s bustling, food-loving capital (120 mins by car or rail), where incredible architecture mixes Arab, Norman, Spanish Baroque, and modern influences. A great place to start exploring is at Quattro Canti, the heart of the old town, where two main streets cross, and each corner features beautifully decorated Baroque buildings. Nearby, the Piazza Pretoria is home to the famous ‘Fountain of Shame’ – a Renaissance masterpiece with nude statues that shocked locals when it was first installed in the 1500s. Climb to the rooftop terraces of Palermo Cathedral for stunning city and mountain views, which are especially magical at sunset. The real highlight of Palermo, though, is immersing yourself in one of the city’s markets of Ballarò, Capo, or Vucciria, where you’ll find authentic street food and a true taste of local life. Other must-sees include the Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace, La Martorana Church, and the Teatro Massimo, one of Europe’s largest opera houses, where the iconic mafia scene from The Godfather Part III was filmed.

🚗 or 🚂 Palermo to Cefalù (3 Nights): A scenic coastal drive will bring you to Cefalù (70 mins by car or 40 mins by rail) with its perfect mix of medieval architecture and golden beaches. The main beach stretches right into the town centre, lined with restaurants, bars, and hotels. Whether you want to lounge on the sand, swim in the sparkling sea, or try your hand at water sports, it’s an idyllic setting. Beachside cafés and trattorias serve fresh seafood, pasta, and Sicilian specialities, while at the harbour at the far end of the beach, you can enjoy a drink as yachts bob gently in the evening light.  In the town itself,  the massive Norman cathedral dominates the skyline with its twin towers, built in the 12th century and containing some of Italy’s finest Byzantine mosaics. It’s wonderfully walkable with narrow medieval streets and hidden piazzas.  For a spot of exercise, a steep 30-minute walk up the hill from the town centre leads to the ruins of a pre-Greek settlement and medieval castle, rewarding you with stunning panoramic views of the town and coastline.

🚗 or 🚂 Cefalù to Taormina (2 Nights): Your final destination is elegant Taormina (150 mins by car or 175 mins by rail), Sicily’s most famous tourist hotspot, dramatically perched on cliffs above the Ionian Sea. This polished and sophisticated town has long attracted the rich and famous. The main attraction is the ancient Greek theatre, initially built in the 3rd century BC and later expanded by the Romans. Still used for concerts and festivals, its upper tiers offer one of Sicily’s most iconic views: Mount Etna rising in the distance and the glittering Ionian coastline stretching out below. The town centre revolves around pedestrian-only Corso Umberto, lined with boutiques, antique shops, and restaurants offering spectacular views. At aperitivo hour, head to Piazza IX Aprile to sip Etna wine while watching the sunset. Take the cable car down to Mazzarò and follow the narrow pebble strip that links you to Isola Bella, a tiny island that feels almost magical. The turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs on either side, and lush greenery feel like you’re stepping straight into a postcard. It’s no wonder it’s one of Sicily’s most photographed spots.

✈️ Taormina to UK: It’s time to head to the airport for your flight back to the UK. If you do this trip by rail, we recommend either adding a night in Catania before your flight, or letting us arrange a private transfer from Taormina to the airport.