Traveling in Sicily for 2 weeks in late September. Arriving/leaving from Catania. Driving a rental car the whole time. Although details not fixed, will start in Syracuse and end up in Taormina going around much of the island. Travel in Southern Sicily seems slow (by Google Maps). After Syracuse any thoughts on best way to go west. Will likely stay in Scopello as well. Would love to see Monreale but don't plan on staying in Palermo. Any thoughts of getting there by car and keeping car's contents secure? Also am considering an overnight on an island. Any recommendations, Egadis vs Aeolians? Is it easy and safe to leave a car to take a ferry for these destinations? Any other thoughts including specific towns or hotels or B and B's especially with a car would be appreciated. Thanks for any thoughts.
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
Last September, we went to the Aeolian Islands and spent 4 nights in Lipari. We took a bus from the airport in Catania to Milazzo. Then the ferry from Milazzo to Lipari. We picked up our rental car in Milazzo on our return. We didn't feel like we needed a car on the island. For us, 4 nights in the off-season was too many--not so much to do there. Considering the time and effort it takes to get there, if you are pressed for time to do other things in Sicily, you could consider skipping the Aeolians this trip. Others may disagree. We did not go to the Egadis.
Vagabonda on the Trip Advisor website is a destination expert for Sicily. She gave us some good advice for our itinerary.
One place we really enjoyed was the small village of Petralia Soprana in the Madonie Mountains. We had a lovely 2-night stay at Hotel Residenza Petra.
We also liked Cefalu (stayed here 4 nights but 2-3 would be enough) but wouldn't necessarily recommend the place where we stayed there.
For Ortygia/Syracuse (5 nights here) we stayed at L'Approdo delle Sirene and liked it very much. I took a fun cooking class there.
This last trip we were south in Noto (1 night) and Modica (3 nights.)
Having a GPS or an off-line map app like "Here" is essential! We didn't have an issue in parking with any place we stayed.
You'll have a great time in Sicily!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Look at Bestofsicily.com for some ideas. With a car, I would spend a night or two in Piazza Armerina and visit Villa Romana del Casale and Morgantina.
You can daytrip into Palermo by train or bus (Cefalu is only about an hour away, has some nice beaches) and take the local bus up to Monreale, or drive to Monreale and park there.
I would not miss Segesta, Agrigento, or Siracusa.
I might skip the islands visit, although I spent four nights in Lipari and took the ferry to Stromboli, Vulcano and Panarea. You could turn in the rental car before Lipari, then take the ferry and bus to Catania and spend your last night there. There is an airport shuttle that runs from at least 5am, if not earlier.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Perhaps one way from Palermo to Catania would work better than a round trip.
Palermo - 3nts (with day to Cefalu)
via Erice to Marsala - 2nts
Agrigento - 2nts
Ragusa - 2nts
Syracuse - 1nt
Taormina - 3nts
Catania - 1nt
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
It seems reasonable to me for Syracuse/Ortygia to be your first stop from Catania. You could even look at taking a bus from the Catania Airport to Ortygia/Syracuse and then pick up your rental car there as you're ready to leave for your next destination. Ortygia is one of our favorite places--I'd schedule at least 2-3 nights there.
For our last night, we stayed at the Catania International Airport Hotel which was really convenient for an early morning flight. We arrived there the afternoon before our flight and took a bus into Catania to spend time in the city.
For Monreale, you could consider a one-night stay there. That way your luggage would be safe in the hotel. I wish we had considered staying there rather than Palermo.
Posted by
Washington DC
27197 posts
I did a day-trip to a couple of the Egadi Islands last year and was underwhelmed. I'd spend my two weeks elsewhere. And I, too, think that Siracusa needs more than one night.