First visit ...10 days in Sicily

To avoid reinventing the wheel, I'm copying (below) some thoughts I posted in a recent thread on Sicily, for a trip of similar length. It was an effort to show how some of the top sights can be grouped geographically. Even with a car, ten days will require some serious pruning, so you really will not have time to cover all of the listed areas, even omitting the two island groups.

You should pick up a comprehensive guide book to Italy, decide what sights seem most intriguing to you, then see what you can fit together in the time you will have. I do encourage you to see a least a bit of the interior. It's all too easy to go to Sicily and not get beyond the coastal spots.

It will also be valuable for you to read earlier threads about Sicily on this forum, to get different points of view.

The northeast: Taormina (gorgeous but the most touristy place on the island; has a Greek theatre), Catania (nice historic district, interesting market, but can be skipped), Mt. Etna (can be seen from a distance, saving a lot of time).

The southeast: Siracusa and the interior baroque towns of Ragusa (**), Noto, Modica, and Scicli. There's a Greek theatre in Siracusa, in a nice archaeological park. Also a good arch. museum. Ortygia, the historic area of Siracusa, is my favorite spot on the island. This is an area that I would not skip, but your priorities may be different.

Central Sicily: Piazza Armerina (pretty town with a nearby Roman villa with great mosaics--reachable by bus on some days of the week with careful planning, else taxi), Morgantina (Greek site that I haven't seen; reportedly under-touristed), Caltagirone (historic ceramic-producing town), Enna. The Sicilian interior is pretty, green and hilly. I think it's important to at least traverse this area rather than spending all your time on the coast. There is a rail line between Catania and Palermo that would at least give you a look at some of the countryside.

Southern coast: Agrigento (Greek site)

NW Sicily: Trapani (pretty and colorful) and the evocative hilltop medieval town of Erice. Also Greek sites at Segesta and Selinunte.

Egadi Islands: Accessed from Trapani. I was underwhelmed and consider them worthwhile only for people looking for uncrowded beaches. Otherwise, spending a whole day there isn't something I'd do unless I had more than 3 weeks in Sicily.

Palermo and surroundings: Monreale (magnificent basilica not far from city, accessible via city bus; arguably Sicily's top sight). Palermo's traffic is wild (do.not.drive.there) but there are lots of very worthwhile things to see: two great street markets (food), archaeological museum, many fabulous churches and private chapels. On the coast to the east is the former fishing village, now touristy beach town. of Cefalu. Worth seeing, but not as lovely or as dramatically situated as Taormina. With limited time, I think it is skippable, but it doesn't take long to get there from Palermo.

Aeolian Islands: Haven't seen these, but I think they're more interesting than the Egadis. However, with only 10 days, I would postpone them till the next trip. It just takes so long to get to and from islands. The ferry port isn't near a city you'd be very likely to visit otherwise.

I don't think you'll need to go looking for a beach. There will be water encounters at various points during your trip.

Thank you for the great description, acraven. We’ll be in Sicily in mid February.

And as I always do when the subject of Sicily comes up, I will direct you to my VERY detailed trip report. I had 10 nights in Sicily, flying into Palermo and out of Catania, with a friend and a rental car, in April-May 2014: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/sicily-palermo-caltanisetta-siracusa-taormina

Can you possibly change your flights to going into Palermo and out of Catania, or vice-versa? This will make for less backtracking. If you can't, it's not terrible, but with only 10 days, you won't want to waste a minute.

Thank you both for your detailed and valuable reports. Our flights are set. Your info will help in many ways!!

You can use Catania as your home base for your trip with the exception Palermo and Trapani.
From Catania you can go to Siracusa-Ortigia. That could be a full day. They have a big amphitheater and the old town and cathedral.

In Catania, Aci Reale and Aci Trezza are an easy ride, good food. In Catania try Antica Trattoria Siciliana and Be Quiet, both in/near Via Etnea (main street) very good seafood (pesce di mare), also try Via Filomena for lots of trattorias. Don't forget to visit il mercato di pesce near Duomo...interesting and unique place.
In Piazza Armeria go to Villa Romana del Casale. An old Roman villa, beautiful and very well kept.
In Agrigento you must visit Il Valle del Templi. Best kept greek ruins, including Athens.
Visit Noto, Raguza and Etna (optional)
In your way to Palermo stop in Cefalu, then visit the ruins in Segesta. Once in Palermo, and if you like the beach go to San Vito lo Capo, very nice.
Taormina is touristy but beautiful, see the greek-roman amphitheater (still in use for concerts). You can go to Forza'dAgro and see the church from The Godfather. Nice small town stock in time.

We will be in Tuscany for 10-12 day too, Oct-Nov.

Have fun!

Brian, You're probably aware that the Michelin map is available at the RS store. My itinerary for a June trip:
Fly into and out of Catania and rent a car. Drive to Syacuse for two nights in Ortygia. Then drive to Agrigento spending
most of the day in Ragusa on the way. Two nights in Agrigento and then drive to Cefalu and spend the day and evening there. Wake up early the next day and drive to Milazzo catching ferry to the Aeolian islands for the day. Drive to Taormina and spend two nights there before flying out of Catania. Tuscany and Sicily seem like bookends that could support volumes of great experiences. Good luck.

Haven't signed up yet, but since we want to do a RS tour at some point, the Sicily one is calling to me. So thanks, love reading all the posts about Sicily!

You also could check out a poster named Zoe, I just got done reading her trip report, and although she traveled by public transport, I'm sure you could glean some good ideas from reading her report.

Thanks to all for the great information and tips!!!