10 Days in Sicily: My Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary (Complete Guide for First-Timers)

I visited Sicily in January 2025 for the first time, and I did a road trip all around the island. Now, I want to share all my Sicily insights and tips to help you plan your best Sicily itinerary.

After spending time driving across the island, from Catania to Palermo and the coastal villages in between, I put together this detailed 10-day Sicily itinerary based on personal experience.

I chose Sicily in January because it’s a great European destination if you’re looking for warmer spots to spend your winter in Europe. If you’re planning a winter escape rather than a long road trip, islands like Tenerife in January can be a better fit.

Planning 10 days in Sicily and want an itinerary that actually works in real life?

After spending time driving across the island, from Palermo to Catania and the coastal villages in between, I put together this detailed 10-day Sicily itinerary based on personal experience.

In this guide, I’ll dive into all you need to know about your trip to Sicily, including itineraries, road trip stops and particularly beautiful and must-see spots in Sicily.

I want to help you make the most out of your trip to Sicily, this gorgeous (and yummy) island of Italy.

This route is perfect for first-timers who want a mix of beaches, historic towns, viewpoints, culture, and short hikes. It’s realistic, road-tested, and easy to follow.

I’ll cover everything, from parking to accommodations in Sicily, hotels with parking, how to stay safe, and the best attractions and options for each one, because there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to travelling. 

Whether you’re renting a car or using a mix of buses and trains, you can make this Sicily itinerary work for you. Below you’ll find my exact route, daily breakdown, tips on where to stay, driving advice, and the best add-ons if you want to extend your trip.

Please read the entire information (which took me days of research, and much of it is first-hand experience), then use it to personalise your Sicily itinerary according to your preferences.

Sicily itinerary map

Here is a Google Map with all the locations to visit during your one-week Sicily itinerary. I included parking, main attractions in Sicily and restaurants. Feel free to save this Sicily itinerary map for your trip.

What’s the best way to go around Sicily?

The best way to explore Sicily is by car. I drove a guide (Driving in Sicily), which includes all you need to know about it, including how to rent a car, how to go about parking (I’ll cover that in this guide, too), and so many personal insights. 

In general, there are two sides to car rentals in Sicily. Many will say it’s dangerous and the drivers are crazy. 

But at the same time, there are immense parking lots at the airport for car rentals, and the car rental company employees will be happy to assist you with everything once you’ve paid for the full coverage insurance for your rental. 

Spoiler alert – most warnings come from very cautious people, and a lot of tourists rent cars in Sicily, and nothing bad happens to them. 

But if you want to be completely prepared for Sicily, please read my guide “Driving in Sicily”, and then you will have all the information you need to make a decision about renting a car in Sicily. 

If you still want a personalised tour but don’t wish to drive, I recommend checking out tours on GetYourGuide.

But Sicily is well-connected by public transport for those who don’t wish to drive. 

So I urge you to do some research about the place you want to visit and see if you can reach all your desired locations using trains and buses. 

Most likely, you can easily reach cities and villages using trains and buses. And from there, if you want to visit some attractions that are off the beaten path, you can always find a taxi. 

10 days in Sicily itinerary

Bear in mind that no “best” Sicily itinerary can fit in 10 days. If you only have 10 days to spend in Sicily, then you will not be able to see it all. 

If you are keen on seeing as much as possible, then you will probably end up with a packed Sicily itinerary, spend a lot of hours in the car and have little time to enjoy your trip. And even so, you won’t be able to see it ALL. 

That’s why I will present what I find to be a Sicily road trip itinerary that would delight most travellers, and then add some options and offer tips on what to add or what to skip, depending on your Sicily trip expectations. 

Sicily is also a summer holiday travel destination. Not everyone will be eager to go on a road trip around Sicily.

Some might just want to relax, visit popular places like Taormina for a week, and add an optional day trip to Etna volcano or some other town. And that’s also a great itinerary for Sicily. 

The point I’m trying to make is that Sicily is exploding with travel opportunities, and it’s only normal that each traveller explores the options and makes the best travel decisions for themselves. 

There is no best travel itinerary for Sicily, and that’s great news. It means that not every place you go will be swarming with tourists, and you can actually enjoy your vacation this way. 

In this guide, I will share my personal, tried-and-tested, 10-day Sicily road trip itinerary, which is perfect in any season and is focused on cultural activities. 

A perfect 10-day Sicily itinerary:

• Day 1: Catania
• Day 2: Syracuse (Siracusa)
• Day 3: Noto + Ragusa
• Day 4: Villa Romana del Casale + Agrigento (valley of the temples)
• Day 5: Selinunte, Marsala and Trapani (salt lakes)
• Day 6–7: Palermo
• Day 8: Cefalù + Messina
• Day 9: Mount Etna + Taormina

Day 1. Catania

You can safely park the car at the private parking (Parcheggio AMT a pagamento) and pay by the hour.

It’s affordable, even if you spend the night there. The good news is that the parking has cameras and 24/7 staff on site. It looks shady, but I parked there twice, and everything was fine. 

I stayed at Bibike hotel.

The hotel is really close to the parking lot, and they have staff on site 24/7. You won’t get a message after booking. You can simply show up and ring the doorbell.

The hotel looks rundown from the outside, but the inside is nice and modern. They can store your luggage after checkout. 

From this hotel, everything is within walking distance. I recommend visiting:

• The ancient theatre of Catania (Teatro Antico greco-romano di Catania)
• Fontana dell’Elefante (the elephant statue is a symbol of Catania)
• Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata (the cathedral of Catania)
• Via Crociferi (a famous street full of churches and other buildings that display Catania’s baroque architecture) 
• Via Etnea, the famous pedestrian street that offers great views of Mount Etna
• Roman Amphitheater of Catania
• Villa Bellini park (for great views of Catania)

Where to eat in Catania?

For breakfast and brunch, I recommend checking out Pasticceria Savia. It’s right in front of the Villa Bellini park.

It’s usually very busy, so if you can’t find a table, you can simply buy your pastry as a takeaway. This is a common practice in Italy. I recommend trying the arancini and the pistachio cannoli, but everything else was equally good. 

For lunch and dinner, you will find so many good restaurants, it’s really up to you. I personally checked out Lettera 82 Risto Pub and Buatta. 

If wine is your thing, the Etna slopes produce some of Sicily’s most exciting wines (volcanic soil, high altitude, genuinely unique). I’d book the Volcanic Wine and Gastronomic Discovery at Oro d’Etna — it includes a light lunch and has brilliant reviews.

Day 2. Syracuse 

I found parking less stressful in Syracuse (Siracusa).

You can find paid parking at Parcheggio Molo Sant’Antonio. However, this is private parking, and it will be more expensive.

In Siracusa, you have a better chance of finding free parking (white lines) on the streets near this parking. 

I stayed at Ortigia Twin Rooms and found parking just a 1-minute walk from the building, free. 

These are the main spots, but you’ll find that once you walk around Ortigia, the historical centre of the city of Syracuse or Città Vecchia, the streets themselves are attractions, as they wind around, leading you to discover a new perspective over the city. 

I have to say that I truly loved Syracuse, and I wouldn’t be bored of it, even if I stayed a month around. It’s a small old city that reminds me of the Arabic medinas that are a trademark of the cities on the north side of Africa. You’ll also notice some similarities to cities in Malta. 

Where to eat in Syracuse?

Such a lovely city offers a lot of good options for eating out. For breakfast and brunch, I recommend Nuova Dolceria (which I visited twice). It’s really close to the hotel I stayed at. 

Then, I recommend also checking out the Old Market of Ortigia, which also has some family restaurants that have the most delicious paninis.

I ate at La Salumeria – Fratelli Burgio, and it was bliss. Note that it closes at 3 PM, as most restaurants in Sicily do. 

For a later snack, I recommend Pizza e Altro, which is right next to the Fountain of Diana, right in the heart of Ortigia.

I know there are all sorts of fancy restaurants around, but if locals love a simple place, then it must be good. And it was. And it was much more affordable, too. 

The Val di Noto area is Nero d’Avola country (Sicily’s flagship red grape). The Wine Tasting at Fausta Mansio Winery in Siracusa is a well-reviewed 2.5-hour experience from €40.

Day 3. Noto + Ragusa

I recommend parking right next to the old centre. There is paid parking (blue lines), and you can pay at the machines on the sidewalk. 

Noto is a small mountain village, and you can visit it in just a couple of hours.

What attracts crowds here is the city planning, which was made by the Spaniards. Try to park just in front of the Porta Reale o Ferdinandea, or on the nearby streets.

Don’t attempt to drive inside the old centre. The streets are very narrow, and you can get stuck there. 

You’ll notice that the old city is made out of straight streets, with intersections making up perfect 90-degree angles.

This is a trademark of the Spanish influence, which isn’t a thing in other places in Sicily. After you park, make your way to the Cattedrale di San Nicolò, and then wander on the perpendicular streets. 

Ragusa is also an old city with a perpendicular street system. Don’t try to drive in the old centre. 

Walk around and explore Ragusa on foot. The central spot is Duomo di San Giorgio.

Try to park at Sisosta S.p.A. Underground Parking, and from there you can walk to the old centre of Ragusa. 

You can have lunch at the Antico Mercato – Ragusa Ibla, or you can try the Risìu restaurant, located at the other end of the old town of Ragusa. 

Day 4. Villa Romana del Casale + Agrigento (valley of the temples)

Sicily is not just about beautiful beaches. If you stay long enough, you’ll discover its thousands of years of history and culture. Luckily, some of the remains of all the cultures that came to Sicily still exist today.

That’s the case with the Villa Romana del Casale, which is the remains of a 4th-century AD residential villa & estate, rich with Roman mosaics & wall paintings. Similar mosaics can be found in Cyprus. 

Then, drive to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, which is a main attraction in Sicily.

The visit should take about 3 hours, but it depends on your pace. I also recommend visiting the garden (Giardino della Kolymbethra). They’ll ask you at the entrance if you want to buy a ticket for that place too. 

Then you can spend the night in Agrigento, which is just 10 minutes away by car. I recommend staying at B&B MiraValle Agrigento (choose the room with the balcony), which offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the temples at a very affordable price. 

I recommend booking your hotel in Agrigento a bit ahead of time, as Agrigento was chosen as the Italian Culture Capital for 2025 and is becoming more popular each year. 

Day 5. Selinunte, Marsala and Trapani (salt lakes)

The Selinunte Archaeological Park is a must-visit if you’re in love with the long history of Sicily. 

You’ll be surprised to discover well-maintained ancient Greek ruins that tell the story of how the Greeks once ruled a great empire. The views are gorgeous, and if you move fast, you can visit the entire place in about three hours.

Both Marsala and Trapani are lovely fishing villages, but the main attractions here, besides their architecture and quaint streets, are the salt lakes between them. 

Marsala is obviously the famous wine here. The Donna Franca lunch experience combines the history of the Marsala wine house with a proper meal.

During winter, it wasn’t possible to go on a boat ride at the salinas (salt lakes), but during the tourist season, you can spend more time exploring the place. However, if you go during winter, you might be lucky enough to see some flamingoes. 

Here’s the exact Google Map location (it’s actually a street, so I’ll point to the beginning of it). Once you get to this spot, continue driving along that street and admire the views. Otherwise, Google Maps might get you on a dead-end street. 

The company that offers boat tours is here and here. 

Days 6-7. Palermo

Palermo is worth a special trip, as it has so much to offer, and it would be a pity to rush through it. Unlike the other towns and villages in Sicily, Palermo is a big city with lots to offer and plenty for you to discover and taste. 

In fact, I’d say you need at least 3 days to spend just in Palermo to get a real vibe of the city. 

But since you only have one week in Sicily, this trip to Palermo will be cut short. 

As a small tip, you can adjust this entire itinerary to suit your needs better.

For instance, if you’re travelling to Sicily in winter, as I did, and the weather causes issues with your trip, it’s better to spend more days in Palermo, as it’s easier to navigate even if the weather gets a bit gloomy. 

Driving in Palermo can get a bit more chaotic than what you’re used to, so make sure you’re familiar with the way locals drive in Sicily.

While parking seems chaotic near the old town of Palermo, know that the police are really active around, and you can end up with a fine if you don’t pay for parking or park in an inappropriate space. 

If you can, try to find a spot on the street marked with blue lines and then pay for parking at one of the machines. 

However, that can be a struggle, and if you’re there during rush hour, you have little chance to find a good spot.

If that’s the case, then you can park at Parcheggio ORLANDO, which is a safe, underground parking right next to the centre. You’ll need to pay 24/7, but it’s actually cheaper if you stay for 24 hours than if you only stay for a couple of hours. 

Nearby, you’ll find plenty of nice hotels.

I stayed at Sofia’s Central Apartment Palermo, and I loved it. I managed to find paid parking on the street (blue lines) and paid each day at the machines. The apartment has everything you need, even a small kitchen, but I only ate out because the food scene is amazing in Palermo. 

Of course, you will find gorgeous little corners and streets as you walk around, so I can’t list all of them. 

As for eating, I also have a long list. Basically, everything I tried in Palermo was bliss.

It truly feels like restaurant competition is so fierce that if it’s not good, it won’t last. I also always chose places that have at least a 4-star review on Google Maps, which are plenty. 

For breakfast and brunch, I recommend Otto Breakfast & Grill, Maqueda Bistrot and VERA coffee break. There are a lot of coffee shops and breakfast places. Just look for Panificio, and you will find something. 

As for lunch and dinner, I tried: Curtigghiu restaurant, PORTACARBONE (more of a fast-food place with Sicilian food), Procopio Pizzeria, I Segreti del Chiostro, A’Cala, Osteria Lo Bianco sede storica, La Pesceria, Isgrò Restaurant Al Capo. 

The list goes on and on; the place is filled with really good bistros, cafes and restaurants. I have included all the restaurants from Palermo on the map of the Sicilian itinerary.

Day 8. Cefalù + Messina

Cefalù is a gorgeous old town with a fortress on top of a mountain, and the old city is steps away from the beach. Honestly, it was one of the best little towns in Sicily.

Near Cefalù, Abbazia Santa Anastasia hosts an organic wine tasting paired with local Madonie delicacies. This is one of the more scenic settings on the island.

I really enjoyed visiting Cefalù in January, as there weren’t a lot of tourists around, and I had entire streets to myself (and my camera). 

There’s paid parking on the street, just a few minutes away from the old town of Cefalù. Regardless of how you modify this itinerary, I wouldn’t skip Cefalù. 

Then, for the evening, drive to Messina. It shouldn’t take too long, as there is a highway connecting these two cities. 

Messina isn’t a huge attraction in terms of city architecture, as it was completely demolished by the earthquakes and has been reconstructed. So expect a more modern city. But the restaurants are great, and this is the closest point in Sicily to continental Italy. You can literally see Italy across the water. Ferries go each way a few times a day. 

The distance between the two is so tiny that a bridge was meant to be built, but corruption stood in the way. Who knows, maybe someday in the future, there will be a bridge between Sicily and the rest of Italy. 

Nowadays, Messina is mostly visited because of its cultural heritage, as it used to be the capital of Sicily. And also because it’s the pass between continental Italy and Sicily. 

I stayed at the Damatti Room, and it was great. There is free street parking just in front of the building. 

Day 9. Mount Etna + Taormina

Mount Etna, also known as Etna volcano, is undoubtedly one of the main attractions in Sicily. And it’s one of the most accessible places in Europe where you can see an active volcano. 

If this is your first time seeing a volcano, then you will love this place. Seeing the lava fields as you drive up the mountain is a breathtaking sight that will leave you wanting to explore more. 

It’s understandable why a lot of tourism in Sicily revolves around Etna. And you can certainly expect high prices for activities around. 

But the good part is that you can drive up to 1900 meters altitude (6233 feet).

If you don’t have a car, there is also a bus. From there, you can either do hikes by yourself, enjoy the view or continue the trip up Mount Etna via Cable car up to 2500 meters altitude (8200 feet). 

If you are going to Mount Etna during winter (December to March), there will be snow up there, and you cannot drive without winter tyres (police will stop you and check).

Maybe you can ask your car rental company in advance about this. But you can also buy tyre chains from there (there will be people selling them on the side of the road as you drive up). 

However, it tends to get cloudy and foggy during colder months (October to March), and you might not be able to see anything. That’s a risk you’ll have to take. But you can get lucky and have perfect visibility. I noticed that during the morning, the visibility was much better than in the afternoon. 

If you are visiting during the summer, then that’s the perfect time for hikes and tours. 

If you have money to spare, then you can take the complete package that includes the cable car, an off-road car trip to take you to an altitude of 2,900 meters, and then a 60-minute walk with a tour guide (you can’t get that close to the volcano by yourself). 

This experience is one of the most expensive attractions in Sicily, but it will be worth it if this is your first time hiking on a volcano. 

After you experience the breathtaking Etna volcano, drive to Taormina, as this is one of the most popular holiday resorts in Sicily. Parking is quite difficult and expensive here, and the place is located on a cliff, so the roads are narrow and winding. 

People from all over the world add Taormina to their road trip itinerary because of its mentions in popular films and TV shows, such as White Lotus.

Given that Taormina is so popular, you’ll need to book your hotel in advance, and parking will not be cheap. 

I recommend staying at a hotel with private parking (you need to talk to the staff and reserve a spot in advance) or parking a bit outside the centre of Taormina at a private parking such as Parcheggio a pagamento Porta Pasquale or Astoria Parking Taormina centro. But be warned that parking will not be cheap. 

I recommend staying at Taormina Palace Hotel or CiuriTaormina Maison de Charme. These hotels offer great locations and gorgeous views. These are both close to the private parking and might have availability for parking at their location, too. You can walk from the hotels to the beach and explore Taormina, without needing to move the car (which for me is always a huge relief). 

Day 10. Back at the airport in Catania

Depending on your departure time, you can spend the day visiting around Catania or even driving back to Syracuse or to one of the villages nearby. 

Many recommend visiting Marzamemi, where you will find a Michelin-starred restaurant (Taverna La Cialoma), a nice way to say goodbye to Sicily.

However, there are many Michelin-starred restaurants in all corners of Sicily because this God-blessed island is one of the top places in Europe if you want to eat really good food.

Note that there can be a bit of traffic around Catania, so plan your trip back to the airport accordingly. I always check Google Maps for an approximation on traffic, but then plan an extra hour for the trip.

If you started this Sicilian road trip from Palermo, then know that Palermo is considerably larger, and the traffic that comes with it is no joke. So expect more traffic when heading to the airport in Palermo.

Also, the traffic on the entire island is much heavier during the summer season.

Make sure to check traffic conditions if you plan to spend the day exploring some more, so you can still have enough time to make it back to the airport, drop off the rental car and then continue with all the necessary steps at the airport. 

If you are looking for your next destination from Catania or Palermo, check my list of the best European cities to visit (I’ve been to all of the ones on the list, so it’s full of personal recommendations which I am sure you will appreciate).

Note about this Sicily itinerary

There are two airports in Sicily – in Catania and Palermo.

Based on your flight, adjust this itinerary to start and end in either Catania or Palermo. I started from Catania because that’s where my flight was.

But you can do the same itinerary starting from Palermo because it is basically a road trip around the island. 

Is this Sicily road trip worth it?

Yes, Sicily is worth the trip. This Sicily road trip can come as a bit busy, with some stress around the planning, driving and parking situations, but you can do it if you plan accordingly.

Sicily is an incredible stop during a Southern Europe road trip.

That’s why I shared all my hotels with appropriate parking on this road trip itinerary, which I have personally tested and had no issue with.  

And I wrote a separate but very detailed guide about driving in Sicily, which includes parking information.

I really think these guides should help you overcome all the logistics of your trip to Sicily, because most rental staff will try to scare you about it, to buy all their extra insurance. That’s why I always browse rentals on DiscoverCars.

And remember to book some experiences while you’re there. Sicily has 278 curated wine experiences bookable through Winedering, where you will find anything from €15 vineyard picnics to full lunch experiences on Etna slopes. Worth browsing if wine is part of your trip.

Remember to always have some cash, even coins, for parking, road tolls and even hotels, as some prefer cash payments. It will make your life so much easier. 

If this is a part of a longer European trip, make sure to read my guide on how to plan a trip to Europe on a budget. I promise it will be helpful.

After visiting Sicily outside the summer season, I can now include it in the list of warm countries in October and November in Europe.

And no matter what happens, even if your plans change during this 10-day road trip in Sicily, embrace it all and enjoy your time in Italy. It will be magical, I promise!