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Recommendations on Sicily itinerary

Posted by (Central Coast of California) on

Hello,
Travel is nothing if not changes. Yeah!
I will be in Rome at the end of October and that is set up. Due to some changes, I have 3 options and would like to get some input on what this experienced group of travelers would do.

Option 1) I fly from Rome to Catania and spend 2 nights in Siracusa and Ortigia and then take bus to Palermo for 2 nights, then go explore another part of Sicily on west coast (Cefalu, Trapani) for 4 nights, then I go back to Palermo for 2 nights and then I have to return to Rome to come back to U.S.

Option 2) I spend 1 extra day and night in Rome, then fly to Palermo for 3 nights, then explore Sicily on west coast (Cefalu, Trapani) for 4 nights, then I go back to Palermo for 2 nights and then I have to return to Rome to come back to U.S.

Option 3) Fly from Rome to Palermo for 4 nights, then explore Sicily on west coast (Cefalu, Trapani) for 4 nights, then I go back to Palermo for 2 nights and then I have to return to Rome to come back to U.S.

I don't want to rush, but I'd like to get a taste of east coast of Sicily too. I'm torn. What does this group think?

Posted by
17082 posts

From what I understand you have 10 nights available on the ground in Sicily and no rental car. Yes?

Fly to Catania CTA
3 nights in Ortigia (possible day trip to Noto)
transfer to Taormina/Giardini Naxos
3 nights in Taormina/Giardini Naxos (devote one day excursion to Mt. Etna, if the flowing lava permits)
transfer to Palermo
4 nights in Palermo (day trip to Cefalu) with visit also of Monreale, on the hill above Palermo.
Fly away from PMO

You can also reduce the stay in Taormina (2 nights only instead of 3), if not planning any vulcano excursions and add that night to Palermo, for more day trips (Erice/Trapani, Segesta?).

Posted by
96 posts

You have a good amount of time, how about a few nights on an Aeolian island, such as Panarea or Lipari?

Posted by
29672 posts

To me (not a lover of classical ruins), the top two urban sightseeing areas in Sicily are Palermo and Siracusa/the southeast. Ortygia is very picturesque and there are some charming Baroque towns accessible from Siracusa: Ragusa, Noto, Modica and Scicli. Palermo has a lot of sights itself in addition to the basilica at Monreale and the easy side trip to Cefalu. Those two areas are where I'd spend the most days. With extra time there are other options--Trapani/Erice and some natural areas in the west, the Villa Romana del Casale outside Piazza Armerina in the interior, Catania/Taormina, and the various Greek sites. Then there are the islands. I think it takes at least 2 weeks with a car or longer without one to see a good bit of mainland Sicily.

With the limited time you have available, I wouldn't spend 4 nights on the west coast. Note that Cefalu is east of Palermo, not on the west coast.

There are some rail lines in Sicily but no fast trains. Buses are often needed. There is virtually no inter-city bus service on Sundays, so plan your itinerary carefully.

Posted by
16 posts

The challenge (good problem to have) is that I need to be in Palermo for two separate occasions (for family commitment), so I'm trying to decide if 4 days and nights (split) is enough time and if I should prioritize Siracusa for the 2 days and nights (even though longer would be better).

Appreciate the inisghts!

Posted by
678 posts

If it were me, I would choose a modified version of Option 1): fly to Catania, transfer to Taormina and spend 2 nights there; go to Palermo for 2 nights; then go to Ortigia, with visits to nearby Baroque towns, for 4 nights; return to Palermo for 2 nights; return to Rome.

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