2 Week Sicily itinerary | with or without a car
If you plan your trip well in advance, there are so many things you can do and experience in 2 weeks in Sicily, an island almost as big as Belgium.
For this reason, I have organised this guide that can assist you in finding the most incredible beaches, romantic towns, interesting historical sites, and of course, unique experiences to enjoy, all in 14 days in Sicily
Here below are four itineraries in Sicily without a car or by car, in a relaxed or more active holiday
But let’s start
Table of Contents
2 week Sicily Itinerary – in a nutshell
I have created two kinds of itineraries:
- relaxed where you will get to see a lot, however, you will not be stressed with too many changes of accommodations (max 3 or 4 changes)
- active where you will get to see the lot, more on the go, spending max 2 nights in the same accommodation
Keep in mind that Catania and Palermo are the two main airports.
I have suggested in all itineraries to loop the island, so it does not really matter where you start the loop
- 2 weeks in Sicily without a car relaxed: this itinerary uses only buses and trains to reach most of the towns, villages, and tourist attractions. There is a more relaxed atmosphere on this adventure, where you will spend three or four nights in the same place to see what the area has to offer. Read more below on this itinerary
- 14 days in Sicily without a car on the go: this itinerary is better suited for travellers who are willing to travel more frequently and change accommodations more often. You will commute more by bus and train, but you will get to experience more as well. Read more below on this itinerary
- by car relaxed: renting a vehicle will give you more flexibility during your trip. Despite its advantages, it is not without drawbacks (read on). This trip will not only allow you to experience the final destination but also the journey there. Read more below on this itinerary, where you will get to experience the iconic places and a few hidden beaches in a relaxed holiday
- by car on the go: There is a lot to see and do in this itinerary. You’ll have to change accommodations more often, but you’ll get to see so much more, including a few amazing and unique places like the ghost town of Poggioreale, the Salt Pans of Marsala and so much more. Read more below for the 14 days itinerary
- by car only for beaches: Hard to give any suggestions here as there are so many beautiful beaches in Sicily, besides the well-known San Vito Lo Capo and Fontane Bianche. I shared below my personal map of the beaches (over 30 of them) that you can use to build your own itinerary.
Be aware that, if you decide to move around by bus, there is no central booking system. You need instead to visit every single bus company (over 10 of them) to book directly there.
It can be frustrating to find them and this is why I have organised a guide with links to buses, trains and rental options.
Some of the bus companies do not have an English version of the website. Use instead the Chrome (or any other web browser) Translator Extension.
Relaxed 2 week itinerary without a car including Palermo & Taormina
- Day 1 Palermo stay: The first day is all about the city. Start from the Ballaro’ market, really unique and grab some street food for lunch, so yummy. Keep going through the large Historical Centre (the biggest in Europe). You can also join this exclusive Art Tour with a local guide that will show you to the hidden corners of the city
- Day 2 Palermo stay: Time to visit the famous Monreale Cathedral just outside the city, one of Sicily’s gems. To get there, grab the public bus (#389P) from Indipendenza Square. Have a stroll in the old town and organise your lunch at the deli Le Bontà Di Peppe. Great price, fresh local quality. In the afternoon head down to Mondello beach, one of the best in Sicily, absolutely beautiful. To get there, go back to Palermo first and then take bus #806 (1.5-2 hours in total) or take a direct taxi (20km in ~30 minutes).
- Day 3 Palermo stay: Catch a quick train to Cefalù (45 minutes) for a day trip. The Historic Centre is one of the most charming in Sicily, so romantic too. The beach close to the old port is stunning, and picture-perfect, although tiny. The long wide beach on the new side of the city is gorgeous, perfect for a lazy afternoon before catching the train back to the city
- Day 4 Palermo Stay: Get the bus to Trapani (Segesta Autolinee in 2 hours) to visit the Old Centre. Have lunch at Arancinando Tavola Calda (it’s more of a daily, not a restaurant), for the most typical Arancini Siciliani. Catch the cable car to Erice, a medieval village perched on top of the hill overlooking the west coast. Still some spare time before going back to Palermo? Relax at one of the Trapani beaches. Alternatively, for a no-worries experience, join this tour that covers not only Erice but also the Segesta Temple and the Marsala Saltpans. The last option for the day is to just chill out in Mondello and visit more of the Historical Centre
- Day 5 Agrigento stay: In the early morning move to Agrigento, in the south of Sicily (Cuffaro Trasporti, 2 hours by bus). Spend the afternoon in the Old Centre, also called the Marvellous City. This is a real maze of small lanes, boutique squares, and hidden stairs. So beautiful
- Day 6 Agrigento stay: This day will be spent visiting the most important historical site of Sicily, the Valley of the Temples. Expect amazing and well-preserved Greek temples, sanctuaries, necropoles, antique fortifications and so much more from the Greater Greece era. You can wander around on your own or get a local guide. I personally suggest at least buying your tickets in advance, skip the line and get an audio guide. You can also think of visiting it by e-scooter or e-bike. You can read my getting around Sicily guide on how to get from your hotel in Agrigento to the Valley by local bus.
- Day 7 Avola stay: Time to move to Avola, south of Catania. From Agrigento, you will need to take the SAIS Bus to the Catania Airport (~2h45m) and from there the Interbus to Avola (~1 hour). There are frequent runs for both buses. Spend the remaining part of the day relaxing at the fabulous beach.
- Day 8 Avola stay: Take the train to Noto (10 minutes) to explore one of the most amazing Baroque towns in the world, completely rebuilt in Baroque style after the deadly earthquake of 1693 that destroyed most of the towns and cities on the east coast of the island. It’s like walking in an open-air museum. Are you after some beach time in the afternoon? Take the local bus to Lido di Noto for another lovely beach.
- Day 9 Avola stay: Avola is also well connected by train to Siracusa (20 minutes) where you can visit Ortigia Island, the old centre of the city, one of the most charming and characteristic in Sicily, really stunning. In the afternoon you can either go back to Avola Beach or stop halfway in Fontane Bianche, another superb beach, ranked as one of the best in Sicily and Italy.
- Day 10 Taormina stay: Time to move to the last base, Taormina, probably the most known and popular city in Sicily. The great thing about staying 2/3 nights there is that you will get to enjoy the town in the evening and the early morning, without the day-trippers. From Avola, you can catch the direct train (2h30m-3h) or the bus that goes through the Catania Airport (Interbus, ~1 hour and Etna Trasporti, ~1.5 hours). In the afternoon wander around the Old Centre.
- Day 11 Taormina stay: This is the day for an organised tour to experience the area like the visit to the local wineries around the Etna Volcano (with wine tasting) or the unique Godfather/Mafia Tour.
- Day 12 Taormina stay: two great options for this day. Catch the train to Letojanni (10 minutes) and chill out at the beach, a long and wide pebble one. Alternatively, for a more active day, plan a trip to Mount Etna with this Tour which includes wine tasting as well.
- Day 13 Taormina stay: Enjoy the old centre and spend some time at the local boutique beach reachable by cable car, or walk down to Giardini Naxos for the lovely beach and explore the coast and the boutique Isola Bella (Beautiful Island) by boat
- Day 14 Palermo/flight: Time to go back to Palermo. You can take the train(it’s a 6-7 hours trip). The alternative is to take the bus to the Catania Airport (Etna Trasporti, ~1.5 hours) and from there the bus to Palermo (Sais Autolinee, ~2.5 hours)
Accommodations & Experiences
- Hotels Palermo: Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel (lovely courtyard pool) and La Terrazza sul Centro (amazing view). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Palermo
- Hotels in Agrigento: Terrazza di Empedocle (set in a great location to explore both the city and the Valley of the Temples)
- Hotels in Avola: B&B Fuori Rotta (brand new with breakfast served in the room), Ermes (great location)
- Hotel Taormina: Hotel Villa Schuler (one of the best views in Sicily, see photos here), Rocca Castello B&B (a great family-run accommodation). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Taormina
- Experiences in Valley of the Temples: skip the line with an audio guide, visit by e-scooter or e-bike.
- Experiences in Taormina: local wineries around the Etna Volcano, Godfather/Mafia Tour and the boat tour along the coast with a swim at the Isola Bella
- Experiences in Palermo: Art Tour and the Segesta + Saltpans + Erice tour
My tip: Keep in mind that if you fly out from Catania Airport, you can catch a direct bus (Etna Trasporti, ~1.5 hours) from Taormina to Catania Airport.
Active 2 weeks in Sicily without a car
In this itinerary, you will find much more travelling, however, you will get to experience also so much more.
For the below plan, I assume a start from Catania airport (re-arrange it if you fly to Palermo)
- Day 1 Siracusa/Ortigia stay: From the Catania Airport grab the direct bus (Interbus ~1 hour) to Siracusa, in Southeastern Sicily, for a stay in Ortigia Island, the Old Centre of the city in an amazing island, an open-air exhibition of beautiful buildings from multiple eras: Medieval, Baroque, Norman and more. Explore Ortigia Island and enjoy the lovely sunset, really magical
- Day 2 Siracusa/Ortigia stay: Take the train to Noto (10 minutes) to explore one of the most amazing Baroque towns in the world, completely rebuilt in Baroque style after the deadly earthquake of 1693 that destroyed most of the town and cities on the east coast of Sicily. It’s like walking in an open-air museum. Are you after some beach time in the afternoon? Take the local bus to Lido di Noto for a swim in the beautiful turquoise water.
- Day 3 Taormina stay: Time to travel to the lovely Taormina where you will spend 2 nights. There is a direct train leaving Siracusa at 7:30 am and another one at 10 am (check the Trenitalia Website for the most up-to-date timetable). It’s the most popular destination in Sicily, for a good reason, it’s so amazing. Wander around the Old Centre and, on a hot day, go down to the local beach for a dive.
- Day 4 Taormina stay: This destination is also famous for the fabulous experiences you can have like the visit to the local wineries around the Etna Volcano (with wine tasting), the unique Godfather/Mafia Tour or the Etna Hike Tour with wine tasting, if you do not mind some easy trekking to the peak of the Etna Volcano, one of the most active volcanos in the world. Pick one and enjoy the day. Alternatively, you can walk down to Giardini Naxos for the lovely beach and explore the coast and the boutique Isola Bella (Beautiful Island) by boat
- Day 5 Cefalù stay: Time to travel to Cefalù by train (around 4 hours if you take the train at ~9:30 am to Messina and change there to Cefalù, Trenitalia Website for bookings). This is one of the most romantic destinations in Sicily, nestled in a lovely bay and perched on a hill with a castle on the top. Have a walk around the Old Town, you will love it instantly. There is also a charming, although small, beach next to the old port or a much bigger and wider one in the new part of town.
- Day 6 Palermo stay: Take the 50-minute direct train to Palermo, the capital of Sicily, where you will spend the whole day exploring the city. It’s best to check out the Ballaro’ market in the morning. I highly suggest also organising your lunch there with so much street food to choose from, besides being amazing value too. Keep visiting the Old Centre (the widest in Europe). For more local insight, join this exclusive Art Tour with a guide that will take you to the hidden gems of this beautiful city
- Day 7 Palermo stay: The day is organised in two parts, half a day in a cultural destination and a lazy afternoon. In the early morning take a trip by bus (#389P from Indipendenza Square, check the timetable here) to the famous Monreale Cathedral just outside Palermo, one of the Sicilian gems. The Historic Centre is also a great place to have a walk. For lunch, you should not miss out on the deli Le Bontà Di Peppe. Great price, fresh local quality. Spend the rest of the day at one of the best Sicilian beaches, Mondello, located on the north side of the city. To get there, go back to Palermo first (#389P) and then take bus #806 (1.5-2 hours in total) or take a direct taxi (20km in ~30 minutes).
- Day 8 San Vito Lo Capo stay: Catch the bus to San Vito Lo Capo (Russo Autoservizi, 3 hours), in Western Sicily, where you will spend the next two days. Any trip to Sicily should include one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Spend the afternoon there and plan dinner at Poldo 2 for the amazing view and great food.
- Day 9 San Vito Lo Capo stay: take this easy-going shuttle bus (leaving at 9:30 am or 10:30 am) to the nearby Riserva del Zingaro, one of the most scenic national parks in Sicily full of coves and small beaches. What a day! Alternatively, spend more time at the local beach and have a nice walk to the Torre dell’Usciere
- Day 10 Trapani stay: catch the 1-hour bus (AST Trasporti) to Trapani in the morning. Once you have checked in to your accommodation, have a walk in the Old Centre of Trapani, another stunning, however underrated, destination, a maze of Greek, Arabian, Norman and Baroque buildings. Spend the hot hours of the day at either Blue Beach or San Giuliano Beach
- Day 11 Trapani stay: after you have checked in your accommodation, take the gondola up to Erice, a fabulous medieval town perched on the hill with a never-ending view of the west coast of Sicily. Lunch at Gli Archi di San Carlo for the yummy antipasti and primi piatti. Spend the remaining part of the afternoon exploring the Old Centre of Trapani or simply at the local.
- Day 12 Agrigento stay: Time to move to Agrigento in the morning (Lumia Autoservizi,~4 hours by bus). Spend the remaining part of the day exploring the Old Centre of Agrigento, also called the Marvellous City, a maze of tiny squares, hidden corners, and boutique churches and chapels. So marvellous
- Day 13 Agrigento stay: the last day will be dedicated to the exploration of one of the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sicily, the Valley of the Temples, an entire valley full of well-preserved Greek temples, sanctuaries, necropoles and so much more. You can wander around on your own or get a local guide. I personally suggest buying your tickets in advance to skip the line and get an audio guide, otherwise, you may end up queuing up for hours. For a unique experience, why not visit it by e-scooter or e-bike? You can read my getting around Sicily guide on how to get from your hotel to the Valley by bus.
- Day 14 Catania: Time to go back to Catania. The trip to the Airport takes almost 3 hours (SAIS Bus). Busses start at 4:30 am with the last one at 7 pm.
Accommodations & Experiences
- Hotel Ortigia Island: Dimora di Ulisse (1BR Airbnb with Sea), La Via della Giudecca (lovely Sicilian design), Maison Ortigia (on a budget with romantic balcony). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Siracusa and Ortigia
- Hotel Taormina: Hotel Villa Schuler (one of the best views in Sicily, see photos here), Rocca Castello B&B (a great family-run accommodation). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Taormina
- Hotels in Cefalù: Casanova Rooms (amazing view), Balcone sulla spiaggia (facing the beach in the Historic Centre), Studio Da Nenè (on a budget). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Cefalu
- Hotels Palermo: Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel (lovely courtyard pool) and La Terrazza sul Centro (amazing view). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Palermo
- Hotels in Trapani: Central Gallery Rooms (amazing view), Residence La Gancia (amazing rooftop breakfast), Cortile Azzurro (on a budget)
- Hotels in Agrigento: Terrazza di Empedocle (set in a great location to explore both the city and the Valley of the Temples)
- Hotels in San Vito Lo Capo: Acquarò Suite Rooms, for a romantic boutique stay or B&B Selene, just 100 metres from the beach and with a fantastic jacuzzi on the rooftop (see photos here). The lovely breakfast makes a fantastic start to the day.
- Experiences in Taormina: local wineries around the Etna Volcano, Godfather/Mafia Tour, Etna Hike Tour with wine tasting and the boat tour along the coast with a swim at the Isola Bella
- Experiences in Palermo: Palermo Art Tour
- Experiences in Valley of the Temples: skip the line with an audio guide, visit by e-scooter or e-bike.
My Tip: Take a bus with Cuffaro Trasporti (2 hours) if you need to go to Palermo to fly back home.
A relaxed Sicily road trip in 2 weeks including Mount Etna
Renting a car in Sicily will give you so much more flexibility, besides cutting the travelling time, sometimes up to 50%.
I personally suggest booking a rental car with full insurance for your peace of mind (read more tips on driving and getting around the island)
DiscoverCars.com is a great website that compares the prices of multiple reputable providers giving the best deal around.
It’s a loop so it does not really matter where you start, Palermo or Catania.
- Day 1 Palermo stay: delay the car hire to Day 2. Spend the first day visiting the city (you will not need a car for that). Start from the Ballaro’ market where the locals still go to buy fresh produce to cook their own meals. You will find plenty of kiosks around to buy the famous Palermitan street food for lunch, so gorgeous. Keep exploring the wide Old Centre of Palermo (the widest in Europe). You can also join this exclusive Art Tour with a local guide which will take you to the hidden corners of the city. Still time for a dive? Grab bus #806 (45 minutes) to Mondello Beach, one of the best on the island of Sicily, in a neighbourhood north of the city.
- Day 2 Palermo stay: rent the car and drive to Scopello. Located in the west part of Sicily, this charming coastal town is dominated by the ancient Tonnara, a building built in the 13th century to process fish. You can enjoy the local beach or have a walk along the trail north of town in the Riserva del Zingaro, a National Park with a stunning view and multiple little coves to have a dive and small hidden beaches to chill out (though, not as hidden in July and August).
- Day 3 Palermo stay: this is gonna be another great day to discover a few hidden gems. Start your drive direction Temple of Segesta (1 hour), an ancient Greek historical site dating back to the 5th century BC. Next, keep driving direction the medieval village of Erice (40 minutes), perched high on a hill, with a view of the west coast. Based on how hot the day is, you can think of finishing your day wandering around the underrated and beautiful Trapani or relaxing at one of the Trapani beaches (Blue Beach or San Giuliano Beach)
- Day 4 Palermo stay: drive to Castellammare del Golfo (1 hour), a fortified medieval town set in a beautiful bay. Spend the morning exploring the old centre and the afternoon at the small Cala Petròlo beach or drive to either Cala Muletti or Caletta Paternella for a unique dive in a boutique cove, reachable by a long and steep coastal stair.
- Day 5 Agrigento stay: time to go to Agrigento, however, use the drive as an opportunity to visit other attractions. Leave in the morning and take the SS624 road to the Ruins of Poggioreale (~1 hour), a ghost town emptied after the catastrophic earthquake of 1968. It’s a quirky experience. You can walk through the town, however, I do not suggest stepping into any building, very unsafe. From there keep driving on the SS624 till you reach the road SS115 that you will follow to get to Scala dei Turchi (~1 hour), a beach with a unique white rock formation used by the pirates. Lunch at Baia, close to the beach. In the afternoon finish your drive to Agrigento (20 minutes). Spend the remaining part of the day exploring the Old Centre of the Marvellous City (that’s what Agrigento was called).
- Day 6 Agrigento stay: drive or take the local bus (#1, #2 or #3, more info on my transportation guide) to the most important historical site of Sicily, the Valley of the Temples, an extensive area with well-preserved Greek temples, sanctuaries, necropoles from the Greater Greece era. You can visit it on your own, just walking around. My only suggestion here is to buy your tickets in advance, skip the line and get an audio guide (queues at the ticket office can be unbearable). You can also think of visiting it by e-scooter or e-bike. What about a swim in the afternoon? Drive down to Cannatello Beach.
- Day 7 Lido di Noto stay: Time to move to the next destination, Lido di Noto on the east coast, a small village with a fabulous beach where you can relax and visit the nearby attractions. From Agrigento, keep driving on the SS115 direction east. Stop in Ragusa on the way (2 hours from Agrigento). This is, together with Noto and Modica, one of the most beautiful baroque towns in Sicily. These 3 towns were completely destroyed in 1693 by a deadly earthquake that demolished most of the East Coast. They were completely rebuilt using the then-popular baroque style. Lunch at the famous Circolo Italia. For a dive, you can either keep driving to Lido di Noto (1 hour) or have a tiny detour to Black Stones Beach in Pozzallo (40 minutes).
- Day 8 Lido di Noto stay: the morning is dedicated to the fabulous baroque town of Noto. You can either decide to drive there or take the local bus (10 minutes). In the afternoon, chill out at the Lido beach. I also suggest a quick drive to Pizzuta Beach or Eloro Beach, both quite wild and far from the mass (take the water with you). For dinner head back to Noto. The town becomes magical with the sunset colours and the night lights
- Day 9 Lido di Noto stay: drive to Siracusa (25 minutes) to see the lovely Ortigia Island, the old charming centre of Siracusa today connected with two bridges. Ortigia has gone through so many occupations and architectural styles, from Greek to Norman, from Baroque to Medieval, a real open-air museum. Spend the afternoon at the beach. There are a few choices: Punta Carrozza (for the spectacular view over Ortigia Island), Lido di Arenella or the ever-popular Fontane Bianche (it can be quite busy in July, August and weekends).
- Day 10 Lido di Noto stay: drive to Modica (45 minutes) another fabulous baroque town, as beautiful as Noto, however with its own character. In the afternoon, drive down to the coast to another great beach, the sandy Black Stones Beach in Pozzallo.
- Day 11 Taormina stay: Time to drive to the last base, Taormina (~2 hours). Although I suggest visiting Catania, I personally do not recommend driving into it. A possible solution would be to drive to the Catania airport and park there (this parking may do the job). From there take the 20 minutes train into the city. It takes time. I am not sure if it’s worth the effort on a Sicily trip in 2 weeks. Spend the remaining part of the day exploring the Historical Centre. You can also think of going down the coast to the local boutique beach for a dive if you bypass Catania and you have more spare time.
- Day 12 Taormina stay: leave the car at the hotel and join one of the famous tours like the visit to the local wineries around the Etna Volcano (with wine tasting) or the unique Godfather/Mafia Tour.
- Day 13 Taormina stay: Have a drive to the Etna Volcano. You can read more on my DIY Etna guide, however, in just a few words, you can decide to explore the craters at the base (free access), take the gondola to the top (return ticket) and once there you can join, if you want, a guided group to hike to the peak (there is a fee; you cannot do it on your own for safety reasons)
- Day 14 Taormina stay: If you fly out from Catania, I suggest spending your last day at the lovely beach of Giardini Naxos and/or having a walk to the Isola Bella (Beautiful Island). If you fly out from Palermo, take the coastal route and have a stop in Cefalù, a romantic town perched on a hill in a beautiful bay, great for a walk, a swim and of course lunch
Accommodations & Experiences
- Hotels Palermo: Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel (lovely courtyard pool) and La Terrazza sul Centro (amazing view). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Palermo
- Hotels in Agrigento: Terrazza di Empedocle (set in a great location to explore both the city and the Valley of the Temples)
- Hotels in Lido di Noto: Double in Villa (stylish with plenty of space), Sul Mare (Airbnb 1BR)
- Hotel Taormina: Hotel Villa Schuler (one of the best views in Sicily, see photos here), Rocca Castello B&B (a great family-run accommodation). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Taormina
- Experiences in Valley of the Temples: skip the line with an audio guide, visit by e-scooter or e-bike.
- Experiences in Taormina: local wineries around the Etna Volcano, Godfather/Mafia Tour and the boat tour along the coast with a swim at the Isola Bella
- Experiences in Palermo: The Ultimate Art Tour
An active 14 day Sicily road trip itinerary
In this itinerary, you will get to see most that Sicily has to offer, however, you will have to change accommodation more frequently.
I assume a start in Catania, but, being a loop, you can re-arrange it to start from Palermo.
- Day 1 Catania stay: You do not need a car on the first day to explore Catania, in fact, I would not suggest driving in the city at all, it can be quite chaotic. Explore the Old Centre starting from the fishing market. You can also access the underground of the city for one of the quirkiest experiences in the city, to see what is left of the old foundations including streets and buildings. For more local insights I suggest taking this Customized Private Walking Tour. After dinner, enjoy the Catania movida, one of the best nightlife in Sicily
- Day 2 Taormina stay: Time to rent the car and drive to Taormina (less than an hour). Explore the town, have a wander around and on a hot day take the cable car down to the local beach for a dive. Alternatively, for a much wider and longer beach, you can drive to the nearby town of Letojanni.
- Day 3 Taormina stay: Trekking to the Etna Volcano is one of the best experiences you can have in Sicily. I wrote a DIY Etna guide that you may want to use for this day. Alternatively, if hiking is not your thing, join one of the famous tours like the visit to the local wineries around the Etna Volcano (with wine tasting) or the unique Godfather/Mafia Tour.
- Day 4 Cefalù stay: drive to Cefalù (~2.5 hours), one of the most romantic cities in Sicily, on the north coast. On the way, you may want to stop at Spiaggia Baia Del Tono, near Milazzo, or at the Reserve of the Lakes of Marinello. They are both great beaches for a swim. Once in Cefalù, have a wander around the Old Centre and the port area, so scenic, the typical Instagram places. The beach keeps going for over 1km towards the new part of the town.
- Day 5 Palermo stay: drive to Palermo (45 minutes). Leave your car at the hotel and visit the Old Centre, the widest in Europe. Start from the Ballaro’ market where you can have also lunch with the famous local street food. In the afternoon you can either wander around on your own or join this Art Tour with a certified guide. Do you want to chill out a bit at the beach? Catch bus #806 (45 minutes) to the Mondello neighbourhood to have a relaxing swim in the turquoise water.
- Day 6 San Vito Lo Capo stay: drive to one of the best beaches in Europe, in the town of San Vito Lo Capo (2 hours), where you will spend the night. Get a sunbed at the organised beach and enjoy the sunny day.
- Day 7 San Vito Lo Capo stay: drive to the nearby Riserva del Zingaro, a scenic Natural Park along the coast where you can follow a track to discover beautiful coves to have a dive and awesome beaches to chill out. For a more relaxing day, stay at the local beach and have a drive to the Torre dell’Usciere for the view.
- Day 8 Trapani stay: time to move to Trapani. Start your day driving first to the Temple of Segesta (1 hour), a must-see ancient Greek historical site dated back to the 5th century BC. From there, head to your accommodation in Trapani (30 minutes). Spend the remaining part of the day wandering around the Old Town of Trapani, a maze of Greek, Arabian, Norman and Baroque buildings. If too hot, head down to Blue Beach.
- Day 9 Trapani stay: take the cable car up to the medieval village of Erice, perched on the hill with castles and buildings of any style to experience. Plan your lunch at Gli Archi di San Carlo, famous for its antipasti and primi. Once back in Trapani, chill out at San Giuliano Beach, another lovely sandy one.
- Day 10 Agrigento stay: time to go to Agrigento (3 hours drive). Drive south on the SP21 Road direction Marsala. On the way, you can visit the famous Salt Pans of Marsala, built by the Phoenicians over 3,000 years ago and still working. Have another stop in Marsala for a wine tasting in one of the small bars in the centre of the town. This is an everyday local wine, however, it is typically exported as fortified and slightly sweet. From there head to the Scala dei Turchi, around 20 minutes before Agrigento, a beach with a unique multilevel white rock formation. Enjoy the old centre of the Marvellous City, another name for Agrigento.
- Day 11 Agrigento stay: drive or take the local bus (#1, #2 or #3, more info on my transportation guide) to the world-famous Valley of the Temples where you will visit the well-preserved Greek temples, sanctuaries, and necropoles all dated back to the Greater Greece era. You can organise the visit on your own, however, I highly suggest buying your tickets in advance to skip the unbearable line (you will get also a free audio guide). You can also visit it by e-scooter or e-bike. What about a swim in the afternoon? Drive down to Cannatello Beach.
- Day 12 Lido di Noto stay: Time to go to the next destination, the Lido di Noto beach town, your base for the last two nights in Sicily. From Agrigento, take the SS115 road direction east. After 2 hours you will arrive at Ragusa, one of the amazing Sicilian baroque towns, together with the nearby Noto and Modica. Have a break in Ragusa and wander around the old town, used multiple times as a film set for the popular Inspector Montalbano series. Lunch at the famous Circolo Italia. Looking forward to a swim? Have a dive in Lido di Noto (1 hour) or take a small detour to Black Stones Beach in Pozzallo (40 minutes). Go to the baroque town of Noto for dinner. The town becomes magical with the sunset colours and the night lights.
- Day 13 Lido di Noto stay: in the morning you can either head back to Noto or drive (20 minutes) to Siracusa to see the lovely charming Ortigia Island, made of many architectural styles, from Greek to Norman, from Baroque to Medieval, a real open-air museum. If you still have time, have a swim at Punta Carrozza (for the spectacular view over Ortigia Island), Lido di Arenella or the ever-popular Fontane Bianche.
- Day 14: Spend some time at the beach and drive back to the Catania Airport (1 hour) to fly home
Accommodations & Experiences
- Best accommodations in Catania: Scuto Home (value for money), B&B Palazzo Bruca (location and charming rooms), Duomo Luxury Suite (who doesn’t want a hot spring bath after a tiring day). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Catania
- Hotel Taormina: Hotel Villa Schuler (one of the best views in Sicily, see photos here), Rocca Castello B&B (a great family-run accommodation). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Taormina
- Hotels in Cefalù: Casanova Rooms (amazing view), Balcone sulla spiaggia (facing the beach in the old town), Studio Da Nenè (on a budget). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Cefalu
- Hotels Palermo: Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel (lovely courtyard pool) and La Terrazza sul Centro (amazing view). Check more suggestions on where to stay in Palermo
- Hotels in San Vito Lo Capo: Acquarò Suite Rooms, for a romantic boutique stay or B&B Selene, just 100 metres from the beach and with a fantastic jacuzzi on the rooftop (see photos here). The lovely breakfast makes a fantastic start to the day.
- Hotels in Agrigento: Terrazza di Empedocle (set in a great location to explore both the city and the Valley of the Temples)
- Hotels in Lido di Noto: Double in Villa (stylish with plenty of space), Sul Mare (Airbnb 1BR)
- Experiences in Taormina: local wineries around the Etna Volcano, Godfather/Mafia Tour and the boat tour along the coast with a swim at the Isola Bella
- Experiences in Palermo: The Ultimate Art Tour
- Experiences in Valley of the Temples: skip the line with an audio guide, visit by e-scooter or e-bike.
My Tip: If you fly out from Palermo, budget at least 3.5 hours for the drive to the Airport
Two week Sicily road trip for beaches
Here below are my top 10 beaches in Sicily (very subjective of course):
- Mondello Beach in Palermo
- San Vito Lo Capo, one of the most beaches in Europe in Europe
- Riserva del Zingaro, for a small cove or a boutique beach
- Scala dei Turchi, for the unique white rock formation
- Fontane Bianche Beach, great for families
- Punta del Cane, for the spectacular view over Ortigia Island
- Giardini Naxos and Isola Bella, near Taormina
- Spiaggia Baia Del Tono, near Milazzo
- Reserve of the Lakes of Marinello.
- Cefalù Beach, next to the Old Centre, so romantic
I share also my Google Maps with my list of over 30 beaches.
As a rule of thumb, the beaches on the south coast tend to be less busy
For accommodation suggestions, you can check my guide to where to stay in Sicily.
Thank you for the suggested itinerary for two weeks in Sicily. I was feeling overwhelmed with planning until I found your guide. It helped so much! We had an amazing time in October, visiting many of the places you suggested, and a few others, traveling strictly with public transportation. It was an amazing trip! Thank you for helping me plan a most wonderful time in Sicily.