How many days in Sicily? 7 days from Palermo to Taormina and Etna
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and has been Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman and Spanish, each leaving temples, mosaics, churches and dishes behind. Seven days with a car fits a west-to-east route: Palermo with Monreale and Cefalù, the Greek temples of Agrigento, the baroque towns of the south-east (Noto, Ragusa), the island of Ortigia in Syracuse, and Mount Etna with Taormina. Fly into Palermo and out of Catania to avoid backtracking.
Short answer
Five days covers Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse and Taormina at a fast pace. Seven days adds Etna, Noto and Cefalù.
The 7-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Palermo
Morning. Visit the Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace (about €19), covered in 12th-century gold mosaics by Byzantine craftsmen under a wooden ceiling carved by Arab artists. Walk to the Cathedral and the Quattro Canti crossroads.
Afternoon. Eat your way through the Ballarò market: panelle (chickpea fritters), arancine and sfincione (Palermo pizza). Visit the Martorana church and the Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy.
Evening. Have dinner in the Kalsa district or around Piazza Marina.
Palermo's traffic is chaotic. Do not drive in the city; pick up your rental car on the way out.
Day 2: Monreale and Cefalù
Morning. Visit the Monreale Cathedral (UNESCO, 20 minutes above Palermo), whose interior is covered with more than 6,000 square metres of gold mosaics, and its cloister with 228 decorated columns.
Afternoon. Drive about 1 hour east to Cefalù, a fishing town below a rock, with a Norman cathedral and a sandy beach. Climb La Rocca for the view (about 1 hour).
Evening. Have dinner in Cefalù by the old harbour and sleep there or return to Palermo.
Cefalù's beach is one of the few sandy beaches close to Palermo; arrive early in summer.
Day 3: Agrigento: the Valley of the Temples
Morning. Drive about 2 hours south to Agrigento. Visit the Archaeological Museum, with the 7.6-metre telamon (giant statue) that once held up a temple.
Afternoon. Walk the Valley of the Temples (about €12-15), one of the best-preserved groups of Greek temples in the world, including the almost intact Temple of Concordia (5th century BC). Stay until the late afternoon light.
Evening. See the white marl cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi at sunset from the viewpoint (walking on the rock itself is forbidden), then dinner in Agrigento.
On some summer evenings, the Valley stays open at night with the temples lit.
Day 4: The baroque south-east: Ragusa and Noto
Morning. Drive about 2.5 hours east to Ragusa Ibla, a baroque hill town rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake (UNESCO, with the Val di Noto towns). Visit the Duomo di San Giorgio.
Afternoon. Continue to Modica for its chocolate, made with an ancient cold-working method, and to Noto, the 'stone garden', whose honey-coloured baroque cathedral and palaces glow at sunset.
Evening. Have dinner in Noto and eat a granita at Caffè Sicilia, then drive 40 minutes to Syracuse.
Climb the bell tower of San Carlo in Noto for the view over the cathedral's dome.
Day 5: Syracuse and Ortigia
Morning. Visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse (about €15-20): the Greek theatre, where plays are still staged in summer, and the Ear of Dionysius, an artificial cave with remarkable acoustics.
Afternoon. Cross to Ortigia, the island old town: the Duomo, a cathedral built inside a 5th-century BC Greek temple whose columns are still visible, the Fountain of Arethusa with papyrus, and the street market.
Evening. Swim from the rocks at Ortigia's lidos in summer, then dinner on the waterfront.
Ortigia's market (morning, Monday to Saturday) is one of the best places to eat in Sicily: try a sandwich at Caseificio Borderi.
Day 6: Mount Etna
Morning. Drive about 1.5 hours to Rifugio Sapienza (1,900 m) on Etna, Europe's highest active volcano (about 3,300 m). Take the cable car to about 2,500 m (about €50+) and a 4x4 bus higher; going to the summit craters requires an authorised guide.
Afternoon. Walk the Silvestri craters near the car park (free) and taste wines on Etna's slopes, where volcanic soil makes Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco.
Evening. Drive to Taormina (about 1 hour) and stay there.
Access to Etna's summit areas changes with volcanic activity; check the current rules and bring warm clothes, even in summer.
Day 7: Taormina
Morning. Visit the Ancient Theatre of Taormina (about €14), with Etna and the sea as a backdrop, then walk the Corso Umberto.
Afternoon. Take the cable car down to Isola Bella, a tiny island-nature reserve linked to the beach by a sand bar, and swim. Or visit the hilltop village of Castelmola.
Evening. A farewell dinner in Taormina before flying out of Catania (about 1 hour).
Taormina is busy with cruise visitors by day; it is magical in the evening.
Only have 5 days?
With 5 days, do Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse, Etna and Taormina, skipping Cefalù and the baroque towns.
Got extra days?
With more time, add the west: Trapani, the hilltop town of Erice, the salt pans of Marsala, the Greek temple of Segesta and the Zingaro nature reserve, or the volcanic Aeolian Islands.
Where to stay in Sicily
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | B&Bs in Palermo and Syracuse | Good value in historic centres. | €70-110 |
| Mid-range | Ortigia (Syracuse) | Island old town, sea on three sides. | €120-220 |
| Mid-range | Agriturismi near Agrigento and Noto | Farm stays with home cooking and pools. | €100-180 |
| Comfort | Taormina hotels | Sea and Etna views, historic grand hotels. | €300-800 |
Getting around
A rental car is the best way to tour Sicily; motorways connect the main cities and roads are mostly good, but city driving is chaotic. Avoid driving in Palermo, Catania and the old centres (ZTL zones). Trains are slow on many routes; buses (Interbus, SAIS, AST) are a decent alternative between cities. Palermo and Catania have airports.
What to eat in Sicily
Sicily is one of Italy's great food regions. Try arancine (or arancini in the east), pasta alla Norma (aubergine, tomato and ricotta salata, from Catania), pasta con le sarde (sardines and wild fennel, from Palermo), caponata, cannoli and cassata, and granita with brioche for breakfast in summer. Wines include Nero d'Avola, Etna Rosso and sweet Marsala. Street food costs €2-5; dinner €25-40 per person.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October, with highs of 20-28°C, warm sea from June and fewer crowds. July and August are hot (above 33°C inland). Spring brings wildflowers around the temples; in winter, the island is quiet and mild on the coast.
Month-by-month weather for Sicily →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €40 | €80 | €220 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Sights & tours | €15 | €35 | €90 |
| Car (share), fuel & tolls | €20 | €30 | €60 |
| Total per person, per day | about €100 | about €190 | about €460 |
Approximate 2026 prices. Many Sicilian towns charge a small tourist tax per person per night.
Before you go
Common questions
Do I need a car in Sicily?
For a 7-day loop, yes: it is far quicker than buses or trains. Avoid driving in city centres, and park outside old towns.
Can I climb to Etna's craters?
The summit areas are open only with authorised guides, depending on volcanic activity. The lower Silvestri craters are free to walk around.
Which is better, Syracuse or Taormina?
Syracuse (Ortigia) for history, food and a lived-in old town; Taormina for views and glamour. Both deserve a night.
Is Sicily safe?
Yes for tourists. Watch for pickpockets in Palermo and Catania markets, and do not leave valuables in cars.
Should I fly into Palermo or Catania?
Into one and out of the other to avoid backtracking. Catania is best for Etna, Taormina and Syracuse; Palermo for the west.
Is Sicily good for families?
Yes: beaches, temples, volcanoes and food that children enjoy (arancine, granita, pizza).
When are the Greek plays in Syracuse?
Classical Greek dramas are staged in the ancient theatre each year from about May to July; tickets sell out, so book early.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Italy trips. Prices are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Valley of the Temples, Palazzo dei Normanni, Neapolis Park, Funivia dell'Etna and Taormina theatre websites before booking.
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