So we plan on spending the last of our Honeymoon in Sicily for 8 days. The first day would be flying in to either Palermo or Catania from Pisa. I am torn on where to stay either the east or west coast. We are interested in a more chill time with visiting some towns, eating good food, a beach day or two, a couple nightlife nights. I see many people are mixed on Taormina saying its too touristy so i am torn with that. The southeast towns such as Ragusa, Noto and Modica seem like interesting day trip options. Also thinking about starting in Palermo then going to Cefalu continuing east. Again I would like to stay somewhere with either a pool or beachside as a base. And i am open to renting a car. Any input would help, Thanks!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10166 posts
Congrats on your marriage and honeymoon!
Many of the beaches in Sicily are not sandy beaches, but gravel beaches. Keep that in mind. There are nice beach clubs with umbrellas, lounge chairs, etc.
I would have to say that almost everywhere is going to have its full share of tourists. Taormina does seem to have a double portion. A hill town, every move you make is either up or down and a trip to the beach requires the use of a gondola to get down to the shore. Driving and parking a car there is not a great choice. Tourist shops all selling pretty much the same merchandise line the streets.
I recently toured Sicily and I would say that Palermo and Syracuse were my favorite two cities.
Posted by
new york
1547 posts
Please do not try to
pack in too much with so little time. Palermo and Trapani have all you are asking for. Trapani is one of the only cities I can think of with good beaches you can walk to from the center. Public and beach clubs. Its one of the best food cities on the island.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
711 posts
Taormina was our least favorite town of our 2 weeks Sicily trip. If you want a beach town i would base myself in Cefalu and daytrip to Palermo.
But that been said, Palermo is worth more than a daytrip. You could slplit you 8 days between Palermo/Cefalu and Ortigia (syracuse). Take the train between Cefalu and Syracuse, around 3 to 4hrs. You can do a daytrip to Catania (worth it) and Noto from Syracuse by train.
Posted by
new york
1547 posts
Yes..with 8 days, the combo of Palermo and Cefalu would be good. Mondello is the beach area of Palermo and it's fun to stay there..
I think three locations in 8 days means too much moving around.
Posted by
London
1376 posts
If you are looking for nice beaches, I would consider looking into the Aeolian Islands. The fast ferry from Milazzo to Lipari is only about an hour. In my experience they are a little quieter than Taormina (altho I loved Taormina as well, and didn't have an issue with the crowds, and thought the beach was very nice). Our first time to Sicily we did a week staying in Palermo, Lipari, and Taormina and felt the amount of time was perfect, including plenty of beach time and also a hike on Mount Etna (I would also look into that if you're interested in hiking at all- you can even do quite short ones). Good luck with your planning.