Sicily Road Trip: 1-Week Itinerary

Taormina enjoys an idyllic location, favourably perched on a steep mountainside with panoramic views of Mount Etna, two grand sweeping bays and a picturesque Graeco-Roman amphitheatre. Drenched in sunshine year-round, this chic resort town attracts a steady stream of celebrities and holidaying high-rollers. Despite its unashamedly touristy atmosphere, its natural beauty is undeniable. The town’s chaotic network of winding streets is strewn with luxury designer boutiques, ancient churches and flower-filled balconies adorning beautifully restored medieval buildings and intimate piazzas. Taormina is especially magnificent on clear days when you can view the exquisite flora and flora against a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes spewing puffs of white smoke into a mesmerizingly blue sky. Make sure to spend an afternoon picnicking in the gorgeous Giovanni Colonna Park.

Set along the Ionian coast of Sicily, the Italian city of Syracuse is known for its timeless beauty, citrus orchards, and ancient ruins fringed by the glittering blue ocean. History enthusiasts can visit one of Sicily's greatest archaeological sites, the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, home to the 16000-capacity Roman Theatre, the 5th-century Teatro Greco and the Orecchio di Dionisio, a fascinating limestone cave. Once the largest city in the ancient world, and dating back to 734 BC, today the remnants of this spectacular time and the remaining ancient historical sites can still be enjoyed by visitors. Sip on espresso at a local cafe, stroll through the Baroque piazzas, and explore the winding medieval alleyways that traverse this beautiful city. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, which displays local artefacts and art.

Agrigento is a major tourist hub, primarily owing to the archaeological legacy of the Valley of the Temples, three kilometres below this Sicilian city. This is a misnomer, as it is not really a valley at all but a hill which is divided into two zones: the Eastern zone, containing the bulk of the impressive ruins, and the Western zone, playing host to the splendid gardens of Kolymbetra. Tourists with little time tend to focus on this area, but those on a more leisurely schedule should explore the town itself. Tucked away behind the modern city’s outer ring, a pocket of medieval areas offer bustling night-life as well as the Via Atenea at the centre - a charming suburb packed with modern boutiques, quaint cafes, and vibrant bars.

Palermo lies on the northern coast of the Italian island of Sicily. The Sicilian capital, this ancient city – about 2700 years old – boasts numerous cultural and historical sights. Begin with the UNSECO listed sites, including the Palazzo Reale and churches such as the 12th-century San Giovanni degli Eremiti (with Arabic influences; and cultural treasures such as the 19th-century Teatro Massimo and the UNESCO-listed tradition of Puppet Theatre (performed through-out the city) and detailed in the Museo delle Marionette. Then head to religious sites including the Palermo Cathedral with a 12th-century mausoleum and explore unique attractions such as the macabre Catacombe dei Cappuccini – a cemetery holding mummified corpses (some dating from the 16th-century). Finally, visit markets, artisanal eateries and bars in town, while there are numerous near-lying sights, for fantastic day-trips from the city.