We're traveling to Sicily for the first time this March, and renting a car for 6 nights. Connecting thru Milan, we can start the journey in either Catania or Palermo, and fly back from the same or other. RS Sicily Guide has a one-week suggested itinerary - by public transit though - not by car. Not interested in beaches or vineyards and we're not foodies. Okay with driving. Does anyone have suggested itineraries; e.g., Northern route or Southern route, or a blend? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Kamloops, BC, Canada
500 posts
Fly into Catania, stay 1 night then train to Siracusa, stay 2 nights, visit Siracusa and Ortigia. Rent a car and drive to Ragusa, stay there overnight. Drive to Palermo, drop off the rental car, stay 2 nights. This is a very rushed itinerary. If you can stay longer, you could visit Trapani and stay overnight before getting to Palermo. You could also add a night to visit the Valley of Temples and stay nearby overnight. I would add an additional night to visit Villa del Casale near the town of Piazza Armerina....not in that order. I hope you can adjust your schedule to spend more time in Sicily. You won't regret it.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16542 posts
Palermo and Siracusa (Syracuse) are must see cities IMO.
Palermo requires no car, actually a car is useless and a hindrance in Palermo, therefore you can rent a car after (or before) staying in Palermo.
Besides the above cities the Temple of Segesta, Erice, Zingaro Natural Reserve, Taormina, Selinunte archeological park, Valley of the temples near Agrigento, Piazza Armerina and the Roman Villa del Casale, Mount Etna, Ragusa, Noto, Caltagirone, are some of the must see destinations of Sicily. Unfortunately with only 6 nights, you will have to severely cut your ambitions and focus on only a couple of places. Sicily deserves a much longer stay. Italians consistently vote Sicily as the best region to visit along Tuscany. I’m surprised it is not at the top of the must go places list for many North American visitors.
Posted by
38 posts
We just put together an aggressive itinerary for Sicily which we'll share with you. We like historical sites so this may not be for you. (Comments are welcome).
- Fly into Palermo and see the sights in Palermo. No car in Palermo
- When ready to leave Palermo (we stay 2 days in Palermo), rent a car in Palermo and start driving around Italy. a. Castel de Venere with great views of Trapani); castle opens at 10 AM b. Tempio Segesta c. Selinunte Archeological Park d. Drive to hotel in Argigento for overnight
- Start your day in Argigento a. Valley of the Temples (3 to 4 hours) b. Lombardia Castle and/or Castello di Sperlinga c. Villa Romana del Casale d. Choose a place to stay overnight
- Drive to attractions near Syracuse a. Necropolis of Pantalica b. Neapolis Archeological Park c. Visit Ortigia (old town in Syracuse) - will need to find parking outside or old town d. Visit Ear of Dionysius) e. Drive to Catania or Taormina for overnight
- From Catania or Taormina where you can stay a few days if you don’t mind daily driving back/forth or you can break it up and stay in Milazzo. Things to do: a. Greek Theatre of Taormina b. Parco Archeologico di Tindari c. See Messina: 60-metre-high Norman bell tower, Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (largest astronomical clock in the world; climb to the top (Noon is ideal time), Fountain of Neptune, Madonnina del Porto, Forte San Salvatore d. Day trip to one or two Aeolian Islands
- Fly out of Catania
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for your excellent comments so far. Based on your responses, I am looking into the viability of extending the Sicily trip by 1-2 days. Any other suggestions are most welcome!