Sicily with my 11 year old daughter

Popular day trips are Erice, Cefalù, Monreale, and the Archeological Park at Segesta. If really depends on what you like to do.

It's very easy to fill 3 or 4 days in Palermo just on its own, but it's also a great launching pad for day trips. Cefalu would be the easiest by train - it's got a lovely cathedral, but the real stunner is at Monreale. I've never met anyone who thought it wasn't a "must see". Erice and Trapani are also possibilities (but not by train). Segesta isn't that far either considering you'd go the private guide/driver route. There are a lot of Sicily trip reports here. BethFL's report is on the top of the current list, and she's got lots of good ideas for Palermo. There are other reports, too, for more ideas and logistics of daytripping from Palermo.

We love Sicily. I did just read that Segesta was very damaged by recent fires on Sicily. Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is awe inspiring and very fun to see and walk among the ruins and is an easy train ride from Palmero. On our return ride we went to Cefalu which is a nice size for exploring and lovely sunsets and the sea but I don't know what month you are going. I love Mommy & Me Trips!

i was in palermo for a week in 2022 and loved every moment. would go back without hesitation. plenty to do and see in 4 days though not having children of my own i wouldn't know what would be interesting to an 11-year-old. i am particularly fascinated by norman architecture and palermo and its surrounding has some of the finest examples. san cataldo, cappella palatina, la cuba, and castello ziza to name just four in the city. for baroque architecture, you can't get any better than casa professa, san giuseppe dei teatini, and santa catarina. if you like art antonello da messina's ‘virgin annunciate’ at the palazzo abatellis is not to be missed. Then there is monreale and the duomo in cefafu. both must see in my opinion. not to be missed-street food at the ballaro market. as has been suggested, visiting segesta and erice are possible day trips, especially by car. segesta is less extensive than agrigento (day trip possible from palermo) but the landscape is more picturesque. erice is a must-see with its serpentine cobblestoned streets and unspoiled stone architecture. if you like take a look at the link in my profile. hope this helps.

Thank you everybody for the ideas. I am an intrepid traveler when on my own, just want to be sure my little one is safe. Sounds like I can see everything I want using public transport. Have done five RS tours in the past and always use his books. I wish RS would do more myway trips. Then I would not have to deal with logistics, but still have all the free time to explore with my child. We are going to France, Norway, Netherlands and Firenze, Roma, and Palermo. I would have taken her on the RS myway Europe but they no longer offer that tour?

Strongly second the suggestions for Monreale and the Valley of the Temples. Valley of the Temples is awesome and if you are able to arrange a visit at sunset it is magical then! Last September, we found Cefalu extremely crowded, touristy and unwelcoming. I personally would not return, nor take a child, there.

What an incredible trip you have planned!

Thinking about an ovenight in Agrigento to see the temples at Sunset. Just take a daypack and leave all our other stuff at our apartment in Palermo. Looks like the train situation in Italy has improved alot since my last trip to Europe in 2013. When we are in Rome might taking train for an overnight to Venice and also another day trip on train to Naples/Pompeii. I think three days in Rome is enough to see it and our apartment in Rome is also for five nights.

Thanks for all the advice.