One week in Sicily: The perfect Sicily itinerary
Oh sweet Sicily …thinking back on our time on this idyllic island brings a smile to my face. Picture-perfect towns, amazing landscapes and food to die for! Being the largest and one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean Sea, there is so much to explore in Sicily, and deciding on which places to visit can be a challenge.
As we only had one week to explore this island, we wanted to be sure that we made the most of it, so I put together a 7-day Sicily travel itinerary, which turned out to be perfect! We got to see impressive historic sites, relax on beautiful beaches, do a bit of hiking and admire the gorgeous medieval towns of the island.
It should be noted that this one-week Sicily itinerary is best suited for someone who’s used to fast-paced travel and is comfortable with moving to a new place every 1-2 days. If you prefer a slower pace or have more than 7 days in Sicily, spend a few extra days in the locations that seem the most attractive to you.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.
How to get around Sicily?
It’s possible to travel in Sicily by public transportation, but it can be really slow, depending on where you want to go. If you’re interested in visiting only the major cities, taking the train is the quickest and most convenient option.
However, if you’re like us and are keen on visiting more remote destinations and small villages, opt for renting a car instead, as these places don’t have good bus or train connections. I recommend booking your car through Discover Cars, because they also include the smaller local car agencies, not just the international ones, so you’ll have more options and can sometimes get a better deal.
Before our trip, we were warned that driving in Sicily is a horrible experience. However, we didn’t encounter any particularly reckless drivers or crazy traffic jams and had, in general, a very pleasant driving experience.
Here’s an overview of our action-packed 7-day Sicily itinerary:
Day 1: Palermo
Day 2: San Vito Lo Capo
Day 3: Agrigento area
Day 4: Ragusa Ibla, Marzamemi & Ortigia
Day 5: Ortigia & Taormina
Day 6: Mount Etna
Day 7: Alcantara Gorge & Cefalu
7-day Sicily itinerary map
Click on the top left corner of the map to see the stops in this Sicily road trip itinerary. To view this map in the Google Maps app, click on the rectangle icon in the top right corner.
The perfect Sicily itinerary for 7 days
Day 1: Palermo
What better way to start your 7 days in Sicily than by exploring its vibrant capital? Palermo is a city characterized by a fascinating mix of cultures, which is clearly reflected in its architecture and cuisine.
Some of the most famous landmarks of the city are the Palermo Cathedral and Massimo Theater – two impressive architectural masterpieces. Be sure to also visit the beautiful Pretoria Fountain and walk through the famous Quattro Canti crossing.
Another must-have experience in Palermo is to wander through its loud, colorful and centuries-old Ballaro street market to get a glimpse of the authentic Sicilian life and buy some fresh local produce.
If you’re curious about Sicilian cuisine, eat your way through the city’s exciting street food scene. My personal favorites were arancini (find the best ones at Ke Palle), cannoli and granita, which you can find in small stalls all over Palermo. A fun way to get to know the local gastronomy is to take a street food tour, where you’ll get to taste a variety of local specialties.
When the night falls, head to one of the charming outdoor restaurants and enjoy fresh seafood while listening to live music performances. We had dinner at Antica Focacceria San Francesco and really enjoyed it.
For more details on what to do in this city, read my post on how to spend one day in Palermo.
The main sights in Palermo can easily be reached on foot, so there’s no need to rent a car for the first day.
In case you prefer to explore the city on a guided tour, check out these options below:
Accommodation
Heritage Collection Palermo: This elegant B&B is located in the heart of Palermo, just steps away from the city’s most famous sights, and has rooms that combine antique elements with a modern vibe. A delicious breakfast is included in the room rate.
Day 2: San Vito Lo Capo
On the second day, you might want to hit the road early since you have to do quite a bit of driving today. We decided to rent a car at Palermo Airport as it was located on the way to our destination, San Vito Lo Capo. Also, it’s a convenient place to return your car right before flying back home.
The easiest way to get to the airport is to take an Uber or a train from central Palermo. The journey takes about 50 minutes by train and 40 minutes by car. Check the train schedules and book tickets here.
From Palermo Airport, you’ll have a 1.5-hour drive to San Vito Lo Capo in western Sicily. It’s a scenic drive along beautiful coastal roads, past soaring mountains and through charming little villages. Once you reach this tiny seaside town and make your way to the beach, you’re in for a treat because this place looks like paradise.
A long strip of soft powdery sand, crystal clear water, and the towering Monte Monaco overlooking the bay – it’s no wonder that San Vito Lo Capo is considered one of the best beaches in Sicily. Spending a chill day on this beautiful beach is easily one of the top things to do in Sicily.
If you can spend more than 7 days in Sicily, I’d say this is the spot where you should allocate an extra day to enjoy these dazzling turquoise waters and explore the amazing coastline on this boat tour.
After relaxing on the beach and wandering around San Vito Lo Capo, drive to Agrigento, where you’ll be spending the next two nights. It’s a 3-hour drive, so if you prefer to cut it shorter by an hour, you can spend the night in a small coastal town called Sciacca, instead, and drive the extra hour the next morning.
Accommodation
Spend the next two nights in Agrigento.
La Dolce Vita – Luxury House: When I first saw this property on Booking.com, I instantly knew that I wanted to stay here. With its extravagant and over-the-top Baroque-style rooms, this hotel will make you feel like royalty. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay, this is it. The location of the hotel is perfect as well, close to lots of restaurants, cafes and Agrigento’s shopping street.
Day 3: Agrigento area
Start your third day with a visit to Scala dei Turchi (“Stairs of the Turks”), a massive white cliff stretching out to the sea with ‘steps’ carved by wind and waves over time. Apparently, in the past, Turkish pirates used to climb up this cliff to raid the neighboring villages.
The cliff was closed for several years due to concerns of erosion and irresponsible tourists removing pieces of the white rock. Thankfully, as of May 2026, it is open to the general public again, but with strict rules to protect it from overtourism.
Now, visiting Scala dei Turchi requires purchasing a ticket online via this site before your visit. The ticket costs 6 euros and gives you one hour to explore the cliff. The opening hours are 10 am to 7 pm.
At the base of the cliff, there’s a sandy beach where you can join the many locals sunbathing, take a dip in the sea, or grab a bite in one of the restaurants near the entrance to the beach.
Next, head to the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) to admire one of the largest archaeological sites in the world. It’s one of the must-see spots in Sicily, if you want to understand the history of the island.
The place we today know as Agrigento used to be an ancient Greek town called Akragas, whose ruins can now be seen in the Valley of the Temples. The area includes the remains of seven temples, some of them incredibly well-preserved. You can also visit the lush gardens of Kolymbethra to walk among ancient olive and citrus trees.
For adults, the ticket price to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is 14 euros, while people under 18 get in for free. Remember to bring water and sunscreen with you as you’ll be walking around the park for a few hours with no shade from the sun.
In case you have mobility issues, shuttles are available that will take you through the park for an additional fee.
To get a deeper understanding of the history of the Valley of the Temples, consider taking this 2-hour guided walking tour through the archaeological site. It’s also possible to take a sunset tour of the Valley of the Temples, which will allow you to see the temples in beautiful golden light and without the scorching heat of the day.
If you still have any energy left after exploring the Valley, or you decide to visit it at sunset instead, you might want to check out a place called Farm Cultural Park in the neighboring town of Favara.
It was opened in 2010 when a semi-abandoned neighborhood in the center of the town was turned into a modern art and cultural space. The area consists of seven courtyards in which you’ll find cool murals, sculptures and exhibitions.
Accommodation
Spend another night in Agrigento, at La Dolce Vita – Luxury House.
Day 4: Ragusa Ibla, Marzamemi & Ortigia
Once again, hit the road early, since you need to drive quite a bit to visit the three destinations planned for this day.
The first stop is Ragusa Ibla, a small town about a 130 km (80 mi) drive from Agrigento and yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sicily. With its Baroque churches, cobblestone alleys, lovely courtyards, and scenic views, it’s a charming place that’s worth a visit, even if it’s just for a few hours.
My favorite spot in the town was Giardino Ibleo, a peaceful little park with fountains, sculptures and palm trees, a perfect place to hide from the blazing sun.
An hour’s drive south-east from Ragusa Ibla, you’ll find your second destination of the day – Sicily’s prettiest seaside village, Marzamemi.
Here you can grab lunch at one of its lovely waterfront restaurants, take a dip in the sea at Spinazza Beach, visit the local handicraft stores, and simply stroll around and admire the beautifully decorated houses. With its blue doors and windows, Marzamemi reminded me a bit of Greece.
I would have loved to spend a night in this cute village if we had more time.
After exploring Marzamemi, drive north to Ortigia, where I recommend that you spend the night. It’s a picturesque island connected to Sicily by a bridge and the historical quarter of the town of Syracuse.
As Ortigia is very small, the best way to explore it is on foot. There are various squares, churches, buildings with intricate architecture and beautiful fountains scattered around the island, and they become especially impressive at night when they’re illuminated. Have dinner at Piazza del Duomo, admire the Fountain of Diana and finish your night with a romantic stroll along the seafront promenade.
Note: Since Ortigia is a restricted traffic zone, you will have to leave your car at the big parking house called ‘Parcheggio Talete’ in the northern part of the island.
Accommodation
Spend the night in Ortigia.
Maecò Ortigia B&B: This boutique hotel is set in a beautifully restored historical building in the center of Ortigia. The rooms are bright and spacious, and a wonderful breakfast is included in the room rate.
Day 5: Ortigia & Taormina
Before leaving Ortigia, you might want to make your way to the island’s street market, which takes place every morning (except Sundays) at Via Emmanuele de Benedictis. There you can buy a wide variety of fresh produce, cheese, nuts, seafood, etc. and hear the loud shouting of vendors typical to Sicilian street markets.
After exploring the market, drive north to Taormina, where I recommend that you spend the next two nights. Taormina was my favorite town in all of Sicily.
Perched on top of a hill on the eastern coast of Sicily, Taormina offers panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and the neighboring coastal areas. In the center of the town, you’ll find the most charming little streets, beautifully decorated stone houses, and cozy courtyards with amazing restaurants and cocktail bars. The atmosphere here is romantic, glamorous and upscale.
Make sure to also visit Villa Comunale Di Taormina, a public garden with lush vegetation, fountains and the best views in town. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Etna from here.
If you’re into history, don’t miss the Greek Theater of Taormina. This 10,000-seat amphitheater was built in the third century BC by ancient Greeks and is remarkably well-preserved. It now serves as a concert venue and is open to visitors every day from 9 am to 7.45 pm. You can book your tickets online to skip the line.
If you’re in the mood for a dip in the sea, you can walk or take a cable car down to the small Isola Bella pebble beach and explore the tiny island of the same name in front of it.
Taormina was also the filming location of the hugely popular HBO series White Lotus. You can even take a White Lotus boat tour to visit some of the shooting locations of the show, as well as snorkel and swim in crystal clear waters.
Accommodation
Spend the next two nights in Taormina.
Villa Valverde Apartments & B&B: This lovely B&B has a perfect location near the main street of Taormina but away from the noise. The rooms are newly renovated, bright and spotlessly clean. The staff here is incredibly kind, and the breakfast is amazing.
Day 6: Mount Etna
Finally, it’s time to head to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe! I recommend getting a guide since they can provide so much valuable information on the volcanological processes, the history of the volcano and the different phenomena you’ll see while hiking around the craters.
We took this Summit Craters Trekking tour and had a really great time. Our guide, Massimo, was truly passionate and knowledgeable about Etna. Without his vivid descriptions, personal stories and humor, it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun and educating an experience as it was. He also provided us with trekking poles, helmets and proper hiking shoes, which proved to be very useful when walking on loose volcanic gravel.
Aside from wandering around lava fields, gazing at the massive craters, and admiring the odd steaming ground around us, we were truly impressed when Etna started spewing out huge ash columns, indicating increased volcanic activity. It was definitely one of the highlights of our 7-day Sicily itinerary. Just two days after our visit, the volcano erupted!
Our tour lasted in total for about 6 hours, including cable car rides and several breaks for resting and having lunch. Keep in mind that it gets quite cold up there at 3,350 m (11,000 ft) above sea level, so dress accordingly. We were there in mid-July, and the temperature dropped all the way down to 12°C (54°F).
Tip: If you prefer a more relaxed way to explore Etna and its surrounding areas, you might be interested in this Mount Etna food and wine tasting tour or this Etna sunset tour, which involves much less hiking than the tour we did.
Accommodation
Spend another night in Taormina, at Villa Valverde.
Day 7: Alcantara Gorge & Cefalu
Kick off your day with a trip to Alcantara Gorge (Gole dell’Alcantara). In this nature reserve, you’ll find a river that has carved its way through volcanic stone and created a narrow canyon. What makes this place special are the impressive rock columns that were formed by the crystallization of the lava that flowed here from Mount Etna thousands of years ago.
We planned to do a body rafting tour at Alcantara River Park, where you float down the river wearing a life jacket, as this seemed like a really fun way to see the gorge. Unfortunately, on the day of our visit, the area was hit by torrential rains, which caused the water levels to rise too high, so our tour was cancelled.
If you don’t plan to do body rafting, you can visit the gorge to go for a swim or to walk along the river into the gorge to see its steep walls and cool rock formations (bring water shoes!).
There are two access points to the gorge. The first is through Alcantara River Park, which has all kinds of facilities and an elevator that takes you down to the river. The entrance fee to the park is 13 euros for adults. The second one is a smaller municipal entrance, 150 meters from the main gates. The entrance fee there is just 2 euros, but it involves more stairs.
After exploring the Alcantara Gorge, drive 2.5 hours to reach the very last stop of this 7-day Sicily itinerary – the medieval seaside resort of Cefalu.
Cefalu is yet another small Sicilian town packed with history, amazing restaurants and charming little streets. On top of that, it has a lovely sandy beach, which is a great spot for relaxing after a long drive and also happens to be the perfect place for watching the sunset. If you’re in the mood for something more active, hike to the top of the La Rocca mountain to enjoy the best views of the town.
Walking on the cobblestone streets, drinking Sicilian wine and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of this town was the ideal way to end our one-week Sicily trip.
Accommodation
Spend the night in Cefalu.
Bohémien Boutique Guesthouse: This boutique hotel is set in a historical building and has stylish rooms with a cool, modern decor. It’s located within a short walking distance from all the restaurants and shops.
Day 8: Fly home!
Time to say arrivederci! Return your car to the airport and remember to fuel it up on the way, since there is no gas station at the airport.
Check out my travel video which gives you a glimpse of the places we visited during our 7 days in Sicily:
7-day Sicily itinerary: Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed reading this 7-day Sicily itinerary and that you’ll find it helpful when planning your own Sicily road trip. As always, in case you have questions about any of the locations mentioned in the article, I’d be happy to answer them in the comments section below.
Tip: If you have more than 7 days in Sicily, why not visit Malta as well? There are frequent ferry crossings from Sicily to this tiny island nation, and the journey only takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. Take a look at my Malta itinerary to see what this beautiful country has to offer.
Are you also thinking about visiting other Mediterranean destinations? Then take a look at my travel guides to get inspired:
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Wonderful. I’ve been to Sicily but you dont talk about polizzi generous. The village of my grandparents.
😊
I’ve never heard of Polizzi Generous! Maybe I need to see it the next time I visit Sicily? 🙂
Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.
I am planning for 10 days in catania. Can you suggest me any weekly pass or something like that to get arround sicily. I will be having day trips from catania throughout the jorney.
Hi Mairaj! Sorry I don’t know anything about weekly passes unfortunately because we rented a car for our entire Sicily trip. I hope you’ll have an amazing time exploring this beautiful island! 🙂
Wonderful itinerary! I’m going for five weeks in December/January with my two small dogs and was planning on staying a week in four /five different locations; would you recommend which to spend time in? I’m not as ambitious as you to do such adventures each day (more like I’m lazy😜) but would like to get the feel for the less touristy locations so that I can spend more time there in the future. I appreciate any recommendations. Your photos are also beautiful! I love your blog
Thanks a lot Lise! So glad to hear you like my blog! 🙂 If I had a week to spend in each location, I’d probably choose Palermo, Agrigento, Ortigia and Taormina. If you’re looking for less touristy places, then from this itinerary these are probably Ragusa Ibla, Marzamemi and Cefalu. I’ve also heard great things about Noto, Erice and Modica, which all seem to be less touristy. I hope you and your dogs will have a great trip 🙂
Hi Marjut
Found your post Re a week in Sicily & it’s just what we need! Love that you’ve posted this for other travellers!
Hoping to go in May ( we’re considerably older so maybe not so much hiking but otherwise it looks perfect)
We need to fly to Catania airport not Palermo , from Manchester so our trip will prob in reverse to yours?
We hope to do 10 days. Do you have any suggestions for a route incorporating your stops ( not going up Etna tho) We don’t mind staying at, say 3 different places
What are your thoughts?
Hi Jan! Glad to hear you’ve found this post useful! Since you’ll be flying to Catania, I agree that it would probably be nicer to do the itinerary in reverse. The itinerary in this post is pretty fast paced, so you could just spread it out over 10 days and have a more relaxed pace. If you only want to stay at 3 places, I’d recommend San Vito Lo Capo (because of the beach), Taormina and either Ortigia or Agrigento.
P.S. If you don’t feel like hiking Etna, you could take an Etna wineries tour instead 🙂
This is great. We are going for 2 weeks. We will be in Ortiga for 4 nights (day trips to Noto, modica, & ragussa). If you had to pick one place to just relax and swim (not super crowded) for a week (5 days?) – what would it be?
That’s exciting! San Vito Lo Capo was by far the most beautiful beach I saw in Sicily, so I would either go there or to Cefalu. The beach in Cefalu is not quite as stunning as San Vito Lo Capo but the town is more lively.
Hi,
I am interested in visiting Etna as well, could you please help me a bit? We would travel by public transportation, do you have any info whether it is possible or not? Thanks!
I just did a quick Google search and it seems that you can take a bus from Catania to Etna. The bus company is called AST.
Hello! Looking to follow this itinerary with my husband and 7 and 9 year old children. Would it be possible to reduce the number of accommodations? What would be the best way to do it? Thanks!
Hi Sil! Yes, I think that’s possible, you would just have to do a bit more driving. Perhaps you could spend a few more nights in Palermo and Taormina and take day trips from there to visit all the places in this itinerary 🙂
Hi
I loved reading your post on malta and Sicily.
I have few questions
Are the places good for travelling in late may?
Can we club the two in a week? If so what will be your must see
Lastly for motorhomes sorry tl ask are they easy to park? We are sleepinh and travelling in them right?
Thanks
Hi Indrani. I’m glad to hear you loved my posts! I think late May would be a great time to travel there. The weather will probably be nice and warm but not too hot. I don’t think one week is enough to visit both Malta and Sicily. Sicily is a big island with lots to do and see, I’d say one week is the minimum amount of time to spend there. Regarding motorhomes, you can find parking spots on the Park4Night app/website (not sure if that’s what you were asking?).
If you had time to visit an island off Sicily, Pantelleria, Lampedusa, or the Aeolian Islands, which would it be and for how many days?
Hi Jeffrey. I haven’t been to these islands so I can’t give any advice on this, sorry!
Hi! I am a teacher about to retire and it has been my lifelong dream to travel to Sicily and visit my grandparent home town of Ribera, Sicily. Your itinerary was wonderful and will be able to visit their hometown on our way to Agrigento. I would love to follow your exact trip but double the time there (2 weeks) and add the stop in Ribera. About how much money was your trip total so I can allocate money for two weeks and the extra stop. I know prices are probably more now in 2024 but just want a general starting point.
Hi JoAnn! That sounds like a wonderful plan! Unfortunately I can’t remember how much we spent. It also greatly depends on what kind of hotels you stay at, how often you eat out at restaurants etc.
Love the itineraries you provide in your blog. Amazing job!
My wife, and our daughter who will be 13 at the time, are planning a trip to Italy and are wondering the ideal itinerary for about a week on the mainland and a week in Sicily. We would be flying into Rome. Thinking of traveling on the mainland by train and then renting a car in Sicily.
We have a few options of when to travel so looking for some advice on the best time. We can either go in Spring in March, April, or May. Or in Fall in November.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
Hi Shayne! I’m glad to hear you like the itineraries. I think April and May would both be great months to travel to Sicily because the weather is starting to get warmer. However, there’s also Easter holidays in April, which means that prices will be higher around that time. In March and November, the weather would probably be too cold for my taste.
Hi, thank you for the article and tips.
However, I don’t fully understand why you highly recommend Taormina & Cefalu. Both are so crowded and touristy. Do you have any tips for hidden gems in the south & east ?
Haha to each their own. I found these places really charming despite the tourist crowds. Marzamemi is somewhat of a hidden gem. I’ve also heard Modica is nice but I haven’t been there.
Hi Marjut!
Really nice and well summed up itinerary. Absolutely thanks for it! Me and my girlfriend are going to do a similar trip like you in July this year.
I really wanted to know what camera did you use to take the half-water, half-air picture on Day 2? There are not a lot of cameras that can do those shots and the picture just looks stunning.
Thanks!
Adler
Hi Adler! Thanks a lot! For the half-underwater shot I used my GoPro together with a dome (mine is from a brand called Telesin). I hope you’ll have an awesome trip! 🙂