The route includes many of our favourite things to see and to in Sicily: wandering traditional streets in Palermo, indulging the traditional street food, stepping back in time at gorgeous medieval hilltop castle, admiring the sunset at the famous UNESCO archaeological temples, reliving the Godfather movies, and most importantly experiencing the true dolce vita.
14-days Sicily itinerary
From Palermo and Trapani to Etna and Catani, you will pass many stunning small towns and historical gems. All these you will be able to see and experience following this ultimate Sicily itinerary for 2 weeks. We structured this Sicily itinerary as realistic and manageable as possible for a 14-days stay. At the end of the blog post, you will find our suggestions for a shorter 10 or 7 day trip to Sicily. And of course, you will get all the best tips and advice to make your visit to Sicily the best experience.
To follow this itinerary for Sicily, we recommend you rent a car. It’s possible to reach the main cities by bus, but it will save a lot of time that you can rather spend doing something you love instead of driving.
Overview of the 2 week Sicily travel itinerary
Day 1-2: Palermo
Day 3: Segesta, Scopello, Trapani
Day 4: Erice, Marsala, Trapani
Day 5: Trapani with a day trip to Aegadian Islands
Day 6: Selinunte, Sciacca, Corleone, Agrigento
Day 7: Agrigento and beach time
Day 8: Ragusa, Modica, Syracuse
Day 9: Syracuse, Noto
Day 10: Etna, Catania, Taormina
Day 11: Taormina, Forza d’Agro, Savoca
Day 12-13: Eolian Islands
Day 14: Cefalu, Palermo
Day 1 & 2: Palermo
After arriving in Palermo, we recommend taking a shuttle bus (single ticket is €6.30 and return €11.00) to the city centre and checking in to your accommodation. We decided not to rent the car for the first two days. You don’t need it to enjoy everything the city has to offer. It will only stress you to drive around the narrow streets trying to find a free parking spot. I know it doesn’t sound convincing to start your road trip without a car, but just trust us.
Dedicate the first day wandering around Palermo streets full of character and a great example of different styles and culture coexisting over history. Exploring it by foot is easy due to the proximity of the prominent landmarks. It will give you a glimpse of everyday chaotic life that can only be found in Italy. They pretty much resemble Rome. If you are not a walker, you could think of renting a scooter.
Your Sicilian adventure should begin by visiting the Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in the country and the third-largest in Europe, continue through Via Roma to reach the Piazza Pretoria with a spectacular Tuscan fountain surrounded by nude statues. They contributed to its second name, the Square of Shame. From there, continue to Quattro Canti marking the old city along Vittorio Emanuele to the gorgeous Cathedral of Palermo, converted in 1185 from a mosque, all the way to Porta Nuova and Palatine Chapel (part of the Palace Normans) to see the mix of eastern and western art.
The following day, start the morning walking through the markets and catching a bus to a 15 km distant Cattedrale de Monreale known for its mosaics from Byzantine times. On your way back, visit the Monte Pellegrino offering the views of Palermo from above. For more detailed Palermo itinerary click here.
In between, find a place to stop and relax. Drink the best and the strongest Aperitivo at Chiease San Cataldo and treat yourself with world-famous Palermo street food at any fry-up place. You will want to come back for more anywhere you will be. We were craving it for a week since coming back to our home country.
Day 3: Segesta, Scopello, Trapani
Start your third day by driving back to the airport to collect your rental car and test it on a highway drive towards Trapani. This should be an excellent introduction to Sicily driving and preparing you for narrow uphill roads later on.
Along the way, make sure to stop at Segesta, one of the significant cities of the indigenous peoples of Sicily, the Elymians. The exit from the highway is marked (A29D), and free public parking is available a few minutes from the entry.
Segesta
Driving towards the ancient town, you can admire an incredibly preserved Dionic temple at the top of a hill overlooking the region. Although it has greek elements, it wasn’t originally built by the Greeks but the Elymians. Even higher, 400 m above sea level, you can admire the semicircular Greek theatre built around the same time. Walking up the hill you can admire fantastic far distant views of unspoiled countryside, composed of olive trees and wine fields, and the sea. If you prefer, you can also catch a shuttle bus and reach the top in a few minutes for an additional cost of 0,50 EUR. Segesta is a must-see on your Sicily itinerary.
Scopello
After an hour of travelling back into history, continue your way to the natural heaven of Siciliy. The Zingaro Nature Reserve most known spot is Scopello, where you can swim in crystal clear water and explore the fishing style of the past. To access, you need to pay the entrance fee of 5 EUR plus the parking fee. The whole area is reached only by foot. On a day with good weather, you can spend an entire day here, especially if you are interested in hiking. Getting from one side on the reserve to the other takes about 4 hours.
The Travel Momento insider tip: Make sure to wear sneakers or any other kind of closed shoes due to the rocky path.
Late in the afternoon, you will arrive in Trapani, where you will stay for the next couple of days. You can already familiarise yourself with the city by going on a sunset promenade.
Day 4: Erice, Marsala, Trapani
On the westernmost side of Sicily, you can find the most stunning cities that should definitely be part of your 2 week Sicily itinerary. You can miss other things, but the western part of the island was a highlight of our trip.
Erice
Start your morning with a ride up the snaky road to the hilltop town of Erice, offering spectacular views over the whole Trapani and the coastline, including the salt lakes. The most famous city in Sicily is known for its cobbled labyrinth streets and beautiful courtyards that feel like you are back in times.
If you don’t feel comfortable driving or need a break from the driving, you can book a cable car in Trapani to take you up the medieval hill. Click here for more detailed information on what to see.
Marsala
After grasping in all the beauty, take a road towards Marsala, the ideal next stop in western Sicily. The Salt Road connecting Trapani and Marsala proceeds in such proximity to the salt lakes you feel you could step from the car and walk into one. You can also book a tour around the ponds and mills to see how they produce the salt.
If you don’t have enough time to stop, we recommend driving by to see the beautiful views of red coloured ponds featured on many postcards.
Trapani
Trapani is known as a port city and a great base to explore the western side of Sicily. A charming historical centre that runs alongside the Corso Vittorio Emanuele is dressed in typical Italian architecture. The most beautiful part is the promenade in the north of the centre, which is a great point to admire one of the best sunsets you have seen. Trapani is also a place where we had the best dinner on this Sicily road trip.
Click here for the ultimate 3 days Trapani itinerary.
Day 5: Trapani with a day trip to Aegadian Islands
For the second day, we suggest a visit to the Aegadian Islands by guided boat tour. The tour will take you to Favignana and Levanzo, where you will be able to explore both islands, enjoy a typical Italian pasta on the boat and take a dive in suggested swimming spots in the area. Both islands are easily explored on foot. You can also take a tour only to Favignana and stay for a couple of days there. You will arrive back in the late afternoon just in time for one last stroll through the streets and to catch the sunsets at Torre di Ligny.
Day 6: Selinunte, Sciacca, Corleone
It’s time to leave the western side and slowly move towards the south of Sicily. This day is a mixture of archaeology, a traditional fishing village and your first step into the mafia world.
Selinunte
Selinunte is a large archaeological park divided into 2 parts accessible by car or tourist train. You can admire some more or less preserved temples: Acropoli, Collina Orientale, the plateau of Contrada Manuzza, the sanctuary of Malophoros, and two Necropoles (Manicalunga and Galera Bagliazzo). At the time of our visit, the second part was closed.
We recommend checking if the whole park is open or not. If it isn’t, we don’t suggest stopping here as the temples are similar to the one you saw in Segesta. Or you skip the temple in Segesta and stop here.
Sciacca
The road towards Agrigento continues via Sciacca, a city famous for sea and thermal baths. You can enter the city through one of three ancient gates – Porta Palermo, Porta San Salvatore and Porta San Calogero. Follow the streets to discover the historical part and city main square, Piazza Angelo Scandaliato. From there, descend the numerous stairs and reach the seafront. The tiny picturesque houses will make you feel like time has stopped. The view over them from the port is the famous one you can admire in many photos and postcards. You can find it by turning left at the end of the staircases and following the main road to the port area.
Corleone
The town is world-famous due to Coppola’s movie The Godfather, where the name of the city was linked to the name of one of the mafia families. If you are a fan of the film or interested in the mafia, Corleone is a must-stop on your trip to Sicily. It will help you better understand the origins of the mafia phenomenon.
After magnificent brioche with ice cream, you will drive to your next sleepover destination, Agrigento.
Day 7: Agrigento and beach time
Moving towards the east, you will finally arrive in the famous of all cities Sicily has to offer, Agrigento. Not to blame, but driving in the city is one of the most spectacular and memorable things of the whole trip to Sicily. Reaching the highway sign and few meters after, the entire Valley of the Temples unfolds in front of you. Following the road to reach the city centre you can admire lighten up temples uphill to Agrigento.
Make sure to see the temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 8 Ancient Greek temples, with 2 of them among the best preserved in the world. Next to all of them, you can find many plaques explaining their meaning and history. We recommend stopping by in the late afternoon when they lighten up by the beautiful colours of the sunset and become romantically lighten up by the light at night. The magical setting is one of the must-see attraction on this 14 days Sicily itinerary.
The Agrigento small city centre is charming. Walk around Via Atenea for an hour to admire churches (Cattedrale di San Gerlando), the main square (Piazza Luigi Pirandello) and turn right or left to go off the beaten path and explore the traditional Italian streets.
Scala dei Turchi
Another beautiful place to visit during your stay in this area is the Turkish staircase, a limestone rock formation similar to the famous sister in Turkey. You are currently not able to access the white stairs. However, you can catch a beautiful sunset with a view over them from the beach nearby.
Day 8: Ragusa, Modica
The second part of this 2 week Sicily itinerary will take you to the beautiful baroque cities protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will start with the sister cities, Ragusa and Modica, which will leave you speechless.
Ragusa
I have set my eyes on Ragusa from the first moment we started exploring Sicily. And let me tell you, it surpassed all the expectations. The elegant and timeless cities damaged by the earthquake in 1693 is a place where Sicilian Baroque developed.
It’s divided into two parts – Ragusa Superiore, newly build part, and ancient Ragusa Ibla, reconstruction of the old city. Park your car in the new part and walk towards the Santa Maria delle Scale, offering an impressive view over the old part of Ragusa. The magic happens in the latter, where you can admire Baroque artefacts and architecture. Make sure to step into the Duomo di San Giorgio designed by Rosario Gagliardi, and Chiesa Anime del Purgatorio.
To really feel the city, let yourself get lost in the labyrinth of old streets with tiny balconies all looking the same but all with such an ancient Italian vibe.
Modica
A picturesque city is characterised by houses supported by leaning against each other. Take a walk to discover the medieval historic centre, walk up the stairs to reach beautiful churches and views over the city. One of the most beautiful churches is Chiesa di San Giorgio which offers fantastic photo opportunities of the town (Belvedere Corso San Giorgio) and the church itself. For the best views of the city climb up the hill to Pizzo Belvedere through a street behind the church, Belvedere Via San Benedetto da Norcia or Belvedere Vanella 139.
After the walk, it’s time to rewards yourself with the best Sicilian chocolate. Modica is home to Italian chocolate and the only place where you can taste chocolate made the Aztecan way and process as cold.
Day 9: Noto, Syracuse, Ortigia
It’s time to visit the last of tree Baroque cities and return back to discover our base for the last days. We stayed in Syracuse for 2 nights and it was more than enough to see everything it has to offer.
Noto
The last of three Baroque cities, Noto, was destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. After the natural disaster, the city was rebuilt in Baroque spirit that will leave you impressed for the days to come.
Entering the city through Porta Reale o Ferdinandea, you will step into its main street and attraction, Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Continuing on this street you will find Cattedrale di Noto, Palazzo Nicolaci, Palazzo Ducezio (town hall) and Chiesa Santa Clara. The latter offers access to its terrace overlooking the entire road and, more specifically, the cathedral.
Syracuse and Ortigia
After a pleasant morning, it’s time to get to know Siracuse and the tiny island of Ortigia connected to the latter by two bridges. Syracuse represents a continuation of your exploration of ancient times. Start by exploring the Archaeological Park of the Neapolis, composed of the best-preserved Greek theatre in Europe, the Roman amphitheatre, and the Ear of Dionysius. The latter is a cave with excellent acoustic properties. If you are alone, make some sounds and enjoy the echoing.
Make your way towards Ortigia, the city’s historic centre, with the labyrinth of charismatic alleyways and tiny balconies full of plants or laundry. Some key places to visit are limestne Cattedrale di Santa Maria delle Colonne with Doic column opening into a large square (Piazza Duomo), Castello Maniace, Piazza Archimede, and the fountaine Fonte Aretusa. The east waterfront is the most lively part of the city, filled with traditional trattorias.
Day 10: Etna, Catania
A visit to the largest active volcano in Europe is a must-do activity on this 2 week Sicily itinerary. With 2900 meter of altitude, you can see it from every corner of the Sicilian east coast. Depending on the volcano activity, you may be able to hike the volcano to the summit itself.
To reach the summit, you can either walk 60 km from the base or take a cable car and hike for only 8 km. During our visit, the volcano was too active to reach the highest point. However, we could still ride with the jeep and admire the volcano activity from proximity. Make sure to wear warm clothes and good shoes for the rocky terrain.
This was such a unique experience that we have never experienced so far. The excursion takes half a day so you can spend the afternoon exploring nearby Catania.
Catania
The second-largest city in Sicily has been devastated by volcanic eruptions from Mount Etna throughout its history, which you can see wandering around. A great starting point to see the small old town centre is the main square, Piazza Duomo. Buildings here were designed by Giovanni Battista. The most beautiful one is the Cattedrale di Sant’Agata devoted to the city guardian. In the middle, you can find a charming elephant fountain, Fontana dell Elefante. From here you can walk on Via Etna, which on good days offer a splendid view of the volcano. You will soon arrive at another square, Piazza dell Universita, featuring Palazzo san Giuliano. You can also continue towards the old fortress of Castello Ursino from the 13 century. At the end of the road, you will arrive at the Porta Garibaldi. Continuing on Via Crociferi, you will pass the historical Monastery San Bedenetto with the famous arch making the building a symbol of Catania.
We have to admit that Catania completely disappointed us and would not recommend spending any more time than half of the day here. Instead, continue to some more exciting places on this 2 week Sicily itinerary.
Day 11: Taormina, Forza d’Agro, Savoca
A small but incredibly charming Taormina is definitely worth the stop. A clifftop city is home to some stunning panoramic views of the surroundings you admire at Saracen Castle and Greek theatre from the 3rd century BC. The city centre is between two city door – Porta Catania and Porta Messina. Entering through them, you will walk into Corso Umberto. Along the way stop at Piazza IX Aprile with Chiesa di San Giuseppe, and Duomo di Taormina in front of which you will see the Quattro Fontane.
It’s at night when you feel the energetic and lively vibes with restaurants, musicians and people wandering around.
After the city tour, we continue to see the remaining cities part of famous mafia movies filmed here on the island of Sicily.
Day 12-13: Aeolian Islands
Drive to Milazzo on the north of the island to hop on a ferry to the Aeolian Islands. The first stopover is at the smaller island Vulcano following Lipari, which became our home for a few days. It’s time to relax at the pool, drink some sangria and have a leisure walk around the island with a stop at the restaurant for delicious dinner.
If you didn’t have the chance to visit Mount Etna, then you have another opportunity to see an active volcano. Take a night boat tour to tiny Panarea and romantic Stromboli.
Day 14: Cefalu, Palermo
Arriving by boat back to Millazo, your last city stop is Cefalu. It’s a practical and relaxing final stop of your 2-week itinerary in Sicily before departing back home as it’s only an hour away from Palermo Airport.
Cefalu
A beautiful and small mountain town has quite a charm and some of the most beautiful sandy beach. It’s tough to find a free parking spot, so we recommend leaving the car at your accommodation and explore it on foot. Like any other touristy city, Cefalu is packed with shops and restaurants. However, they don’t take away the charm of cobbled narrow streets.
While you casually wander around, make sure to stop at the city centre, Piazza del Duomo, with Palazzo Vescovile and well preserved Norman-style church, Cattedrale di Cefalu, from the 13 century. The square is the city’s life, with restaurants filling up its entire space, live musicians playing, and people dancing. At the end of the town, you will find a pier where you can take great photos of the city or go ahead and jump into the water.
Mondello
There is no better way to say goodbye to Sicily than one last deep in the turquoise water of the most beautiful beach in Palermo. Mondello is a synonym for a long sandy beach with beautiful and clear water into which you can go gradually. Along the beach runs the promenade and you can find plenty of bars and cafes alongside. We were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of this beach. If you have some extra time before departure, this is a place to spend it. Even in the middle of October, the water was warm.
And you made it around Sicily in 2 weeks!
Sicily Itinerary for 10 or 7 days
Most people don’t think of Sicily as their first choice among Mediterranean islands, but we believe it is definitely worth the stop. You don’t have 2 weeks to explore it? Check our suggestion of Sicily itinerary for 10 or 7 days.
10 days Sicily itinerary
Day 1-3: Palermo, Modello beach
Day 4: Trapani, Erice, Marsala
Day 5: Aegadian Islands
Day 6: Selinunte, Agrigento
Day 7: Ragusa, Modica, Noto
Day 8: Etna, Taormina
Day 9: Cefalu
Day 10: Cefalu, Palermo
7 days Sicily itinerary
Day 1-2: Palermo
Day 3: Trapani, Erice, Marsala
Day 4: Selinunte, Agrigento
Day 5: Ragusa, Modica, Noto
Day 6: Etna, Cefalu
Day 7: Cefalu, Palermo
We are two travel passionistas, who are always in the minds of planning their next travel trip and creating memories. Get honest tips and all the details, learn from our mistakes and enjoy our travel guides so you can have the best time!