A 9-Day Guide to Sicily: Discover the Heart of the Mediterranean
A 9-day guide to Sicily: Discover the heart of the Mediterranean...
In June, Mum and I embarked on a 9-day Sicilian adventure, exploring the largest island in the Mediterranean. This 9-day itinerary will take you on a journey through some of the island's most enchanting cities, from the vibrant capital of Palermo to the charming coastal towns of Sciacca and Taormina, ending in the lively city of Catania...
Day 1-3: Palermo – A Tapestry of Cultures
We spent our first three days in Palermo, the island's bustling capital. This trip was my first visit to Sicily and Palermo was truly love at first site, a captivating blend of ancient history, diverse cultures, and delicious cuisine.
Begin your exploration with a visit to the Palermo Cathedral (we bought the full ticket for €15 which included the rooftop, museum and crypt), a stunning example of Sicily's unique blend of Norman, Moorish, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. Next, stroll through the Quattro Canti, a Baroque square at the intersection of Palermo's two main streets (this was our favourite spot for a bowl of pasta & wander around the shops!).
After your first day exploring, enjoy dinner at a local trattoria, our favourite was Caffe del Kasaro, where we paid just €20 for two Aperol, a pizza and bruschetta. It was the cheapest meal we had during our 9 day trip, and one of the best too!
On day two, start your day the Italian way - with a delicious cappuccino and croissant, followed by a visit to Chiesa Della Martorana; entrance is just €2 each - this was quite possibly one of the most beautiful churches I have ever visited!
After; take a stroll across the road to Chiesa di Santa Catarina, where you'll pay €10 entry for access to the church, monastery and rooftop. Whilst you're there you MUST try the cannoli's made by the Nuns, at just €3 each and dubbed to be the best in Sicily!
A few spots to note:
Caffe del Kassaro: for the BEST, homemade and affordable meal you'll eat in Sicily
Seven Restaurant & rooftop bar: a great spot to watch the sunset over Palermo and enjoy a cocktail!
Osteria Villena: for a delicious bowl of traditional Sicilian pasta in the heart of the city
Our Airbnb: Where we stayed in Palermo
Day 3-5: Sciacca – A Coastal Retreat
On day 3 we hopped on a bus from Palermo to Sciacca (approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes / €7 each), we we spent two days in this small fishing village on the Southwestern coast of Sicily. Colourful houses dotted along the harbour, beautiful architecture and seafood restaurants galore - Sciacca was the perfect location for two days of slow travel before heading onto our next destination Taormina.
Our Airbnb: Where we stayed in Sciacca(one of the BEST Airbnb's I have ever stayed in!).
Day 5-8: Taormina – The Jewel of Sicily
Start your day with a visit to the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, a Greco-Roman amphitheater offering spectacular views of the coast and Mount Etna. Then, stroll along Corso Umberto I, the town's main street, lined with shops, cafes, and historic buildings.
In the afternoon take a cable car down to the beach (€10 return) and relax at Isola Bella, a beautiful island nature reserve connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand.
Stop by Osteria Rita for some of the best homemade pasta we had in Sicily; this was a super popular spot but the queues went down quickly and was well worth the wait. Post dinner grab a gelato and wander the charming streets of Taormina.
On day two, start your morning with a cappuccino at the exclusive Metropole Hotel; in the heart of Taormina the views over the bay are to die for (and worth every penny of the €8 cappuccino!). The shopping in Taormina is some of the best I've seen in Italy so spend a slow day wandering the shops.
In the evening enjoy an aperitivo at Grand Hotel Timeo, an exclusive Belmond hotel - the vibes are view are stunning! (Be warned - it's pricey! We paid €26 each for a cocktail), but the experience was lovely for a one-off treat, when in Sicily and all that!
Our Airbnb: Where we stayed in Taormina (Incredible views from the balcony!)
A must: boat trip in Taormina!
One more thing to note; in Taormina if you have time then I'd highly recommend doing a boat trip; it's a great way to see Taormina from the ocean (and absolutely stunning too!).
We booked this boat trip; for €35 each - included snacks, prosecco and a swim stop off, it was a beautiful few hours and a must do!
€35 boat trip with Viator here!
Day 8-9: Catania – A Bustling Finale
It was finally time for our depart for Catania - we hopped on a bus from Taormina to Catania which was roughly an hours journey (you can also take the train). We only had one afternoon and morning in Catania before flying home; I was under the impression that it was more of a stopover destination to fly in and out of, but I have to say I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of Catania!
A few things to do that we loved: walk around the historic center, visiting Piazza del Duomo with its iconic Elephant Fountain and the grand Catania Cathedral. Enjoy dinner at a local trattoria. Visit the Monastero dei Benedettini, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest monasteries in Europe. Next, explore the lively La Pescheria Market, where you can sample local delicacies.
Before heading to the airport, take a final stroll through Via Etnea, the city's main shopping street, and visit the Giardino Bellini, a lush city park perfect for relaxing. Our favourite spot in Catania to dine was Al Vicolo Pizza & Vinofor some of the BEST (and biggest!) pizza!
Our Airbnb: Where we stayed in Catania
Sicily is a land of contrasts, where ancient history meets vibrant modern culture, and where every corner of the island offers something unique. Whether you're savouring street food in Palermo, soaking in the hot springs of Sciacca, marvelling at the views from Taormina, or exploring the lively streets of Catania, this 9-day itinerary will give you a taste of all that Sicily has to offer.
Have you been to Sicily before? I'd love to return one day - an island of many opportunities!
Hayley xo