--- title: "Sicily Itinerary: 7, 10 and 14 Days (2027 Routes)" description: "Our Sicily itinerary for 7, 10 and 14 days: Palermo, Agrigento, the Baroque towns, Ortigia, Taormina and Etna, with driving distances and Etna access rules." url: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/sicily-itinerary" image: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/_astro/italy-sicily-taormina.DV6YQAN1_ZVrMnq.jpg" --- 1. [Home](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/) 2. [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) 3. Sicily Itinerary: 7, 10 and 14 Days from Palermo to Taormina [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) # Sicily Itinerary: 7, 10 and 14 Days from Palermo to Taormina Our Sicily itinerary for 7, 10 and 14 days: Palermo, Agrigento, the Baroque towns, Ortigia, Taormina and Etna, with driving distances and Etna access rules. By [Emilie Dubreuil](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil), Travel Designer · Published on November 8, 2026 · 7 min read ![The Greek theater of Taormina framing the sea and the slopes of Mount Etna](/_astro/italy-sicily-taormina.DV6YQAN1_Z19v9I4.webp) The best Sicily itinerary crosses the island one way: fly into Palermo, drive south to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, east through the Baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica and Noto to Siracusa and Ortigia, and finish in Taormina below Mount Etna, flying home from Catania. Seven days cover the highlights at a brisk pace; ten days, the trip we recommend, add Cefalù, the Baroque towns and an Etna day without rushing; fourteen days add the west, with Segesta, Trapani, Erice and the salt pans of Marsala. We design Sicily for food lovers, history lovers and couples, by rental car or with a private driver. Below are our 7, 10 and 14-day routes with the driving distances we checked, what we would cut, the rules for Etna and the Scala dei Turchi, and how to handle the cities without a car. ## Sicily driving distances | Leg | Distance | Driving time we plan | | --- | --- | --- | | Palermo airport to Palermo center | 33 km (21 miles) | 40 minutes | | Palermo to Monreale | 10 km (6 miles) | 20 to 30 minutes | | Palermo to Cefalù | 72 km (45 miles) | 1 hour 15 minutes | | Palermo to Agrigento | 125 km (78 miles) | 2 hours 15 minutes | | Agrigento to the Scala dei Turchi | 13 km (8 miles) | 20 minutes | | Agrigento to Ragusa | 133 km (83 miles) | 2 hours 30 minutes | | Ragusa to Modica | 15 km (9 miles) | 25 minutes | | Modica to Noto | 38 km (24 miles) | 50 minutes | | Noto to Siracusa | 39 km (24 miles) | 40 minutes | | Siracusa to Taormina | 119 km (74 miles) | 1 hour 45 minutes | | Taormina to Etna (Rifugio Sapienza) | 55 km (34 miles) | 1 hour 15 minutes | | Taormina to Catania airport | 64 km (40 miles) | 1 hour | | Palermo to Catania | 208 km (129 miles) | 2 hours 45 minutes | Times are for normal traffic with a short margin; city exits in Palermo and Catania and summer weekends add more. ## Sicily in 7 days: the classic crossing 1. **Day 1 · Palermo.** Arrive, walk the old center between the Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria and the Ballarò market. 2. **Day 2 · Palermo and Monreale.** The Palatine Chapel and the cathedral in the morning, the gold mosaics of Monreale Cathedral in the afternoon. 3. **Day 3 · Palermo to Agrigento.** Drive south through the interior; Valley of the Temples at sunset. 4. **Day 4 · Agrigento to Ortigia.** The Scala dei Turchi viewpoint early, then the long drive east to Siracusa, about three hours of driving plus a lunch stop. 5. **Day 5 · Siracusa and Ortigia.** The Greek theater in the Neapolis park, then Ortigia's cathedral and market. 6. **Day 6 · Noto and Taormina.** A morning in Noto, then north to Taormina. 7. **Day 7 · Taormina and departure.** The Greek theater above the sea, then Catania airport. Seven days work, but Etna and the inland Baroque towns are rushed or missed. If you only have a week, we sometimes stay on the east side only: Ortigia, Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Etna and Taormina, flying in and out of Catania. ## Sicily in 10 days: the route we recommend | Days | Base | Highlights | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 to 3 | Palermo (3 nights) | old center, markets, Palatine Chapel, Monreale; Cefalù as a day trip | | 4 | Agrigento (1 night) | Valley of the Temples, Scala dei Turchi viewpoint | | 5 to 6 | Ragusa or Modica (2 nights) | Ragusa Ibla, Modica chocolate, Scicli | | 7 to 8 | Ortigia (2 nights) | Siracusa's Greek theater, Ortigia, Noto on the way in | | 9 to 10 | Taormina (2 nights) | the Greek theater, an Etna day with a guide and a winery lunch | This version gives each region two nights and keeps the longest drive at about two and a half hours. Cefalù can also be a one-night stop between Palermo and Agrigento if you prefer the sea to a third night in the city. For a ready-made version, see our [Sicily 10-Day Highlights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/sicily-10-day-highlights) trip. ## Sicily in 14 days: add the west With two weeks, start in the west and take it slowly: - **Days 1 to 3 · Palermo**, with Monreale and Cefalù. - **Days 4 to 5 · Trapani or Erice.** Segesta's Greek temple on the way, 76 km (47 miles) from Palermo; the hill town of Erice above Trapani; the salt pans and wineries around Marsala. - **Day 6 · Selinunte to Agrigento.** The ruins of Selinunte by the sea, then the Valley of the Temples. - **Days 7 to 8 · Ragusa or Modica.** - **Days 9 to 11 · Ortigia,** with Noto and a beach day at the Vendicari reserve. - **Days 12 to 14 · Taormina,** with Etna and a slow last day. Our [14-day Italy itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy/14-days) show other ways to spend two weeks, including Sicily after Rome. ## The main stops in a few lines **Palermo** is the most intense city in Italy after Naples: Arab-Norman churches, street food in the markets, and a large old center where we prefer walking with a guide on the first morning. **Monreale**, above the city, has one of the great mosaic interiors of the Mediterranean. **Cefalù** is a seaside town with a Norman cathedral and a sandy beach. **Agrigento's Valley of the Temples** is a ridge of Greek temples, the Temple of Concordia among the best preserved anywhere. In summer, go at opening time or at the end of the day; in 2026 the park offered evening visits from June 20 to September 20. Allow two to three hours and bring water and a hat. The **Scala dei Turchi**, a white marl cliff west of the city, has been closed, reopened with paid, limited access and closed again several times since 2020; we check the current ordinance before each trip and usually view it from the beach and the viewpoint above. **Ragusa, Modica and Noto** are Baroque towns rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, listed by UNESCO with the other towns of the Val di Noto. Ragusa Ibla is the most atmospheric for a night, Modica is famous for its grainy cold-worked chocolate, and Noto's main street of golden stone is best in the late afternoon. **Siracusa** has a great Greek theater and quarries; its island of **Ortigia** is the place we most like to stay, flat, walkable and by the sea. **Taormina** sits on a terrace above the sea, with its Greek theater framing Etna. ## Etna: what you can visit and the access rules Etna is Europe's most active volcano, and access depends on its activity. A road climbs the south side to the Rifugio Sapienza, at about 1,900 m (6,200 ft), where a cable car continues to about 2,500 m (8,200 ft). Above that, the rules are set by the mayors of the towns around the volcano according to the alert level: when activity is normal, visitors without a guide could go up to about 2,920 m (9,580 ft) at the Torre del Filosofo on the south side, and the summit craters were only open with authorized volcanological guides. In August 2026, with eruptive activity, ordinances suspended excursions above 2,500 m. We always book Etna with a licensed guide and confirm the rules the week before. For travelers who do not want a high-altitude walk, the lower craters around the Rifugio Sapienza, a jeep tour on the lava flows and a lunch at a winery on the northern slopes are just as memorable. ## Rental car or private driver Sicily is easiest by car: the sights are spread out, the main highways are good and the interior roads are quiet. The difficult parts are the cities. Palermo and Catania traffic is chaotic, and the historic centers of Palermo, Ortigia and Taormina have restricted traffic zones (ZTL) with cameras and fines. Our approach: - **Palermo without a car.** Arrive with a transfer, walk and use taxis, and collect the rental car on the day you leave. - **Hotels with parking** in Ortigia and Taormina, or a garage at the edge of the zone, confirmed before arrival. - **A private driver** for travelers who prefer not to drive, for the Etna day, or for the whole trip. It costs more, but you see the countryside instead of the road. Trains link Palermo, Cefalù, Agrigento, Siracusa, Taormina and Catania, but services between the south and east coasts are slow and infrequent. We use them only for single legs. ## Best time to go April to early June and September to October are the best months: warm days, green countryside in spring, warm sea in autumn and fewer crowds than in summer. July and August are very hot inland and at Agrigento, and Taormina and Ortigia are crowded; it is a beach trip more than a touring one. Winter is mild on the coasts and quiet, with snow on Etna, but some seaside hotels close. Easter week brings processions in many towns. Our [best time to visit Italy guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/best-time-to-visit-italy) compares the regions month by month. ## Sicily with reduced mobility Sicily mixes very accessible places with very steep ones. Ortigia is flat and compact, and central Palermo has long pedestrian streets. The Valley of the Temples has a long main path with slopes and uneven sections; with a driver dropping you at one entrance and collecting you at the other, much of it is manageable. Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Taormina's upper streets involve stairs and steep lanes, so we choose hotels with car access and lifts, and use a private driver for the touring days. ## Trips that include Sicily Our [Sicily 10-Day Highlights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/sicily-10-day-highlights) trip is our ready-made ten-day itinerary for the island. See all our [Italy trips](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy) and [10-day Italy itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy/10-days), or estimate a budget with our [Europe trip cost calculator](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/tools/europe-trip-cost-calculator). Tell us your dates, whether you want to drive, and what you love to eat, and [our travel designers will send you a custom Sicily itinerary](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/plan-your-trip) with prices. More guides: [Itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/itineraries)[Places and regions](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/regions) ## Contents Written by ### [Emilie Dubreuil](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil) Travel Designer · Italy Grew up in Beaujolais in an adventurous family of six; designs our Italy and family trips and goes back to Italy every year. [More about Emilie](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/emilie-dubreuil) ## Related destinations - [Italy](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/italy) ![Emilie Dubreuil](/_astro/01M5J4124F05QCESCCTC9NXA5R.UqkpJoiq_12FC8P.webp)**Emilie Dubreuil**Travel Designer Your Italy trip, planned by Emilie - Priced itinerary within 48 hours - Free, no commitment - Trains, hotels and guides: we book it all [or call +1 607 354 8869](tel:+16073548869) ## Trips for this guide - [![The Greek theater of Taormina with snow-capped Mount Etna and the sea behind](/_astro/italy-sicily-taormina.DV6YQAN1_Z2ey0c9.webp)**Sicily in 10 Days: Palermo, Temples, Baroque Towns & Etna**Price on request · 10 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/sicily-10-day-highlights) - [![The Colosseum in Rome lit up at dusk](/_astro/italy-rome-colosseum.C9xnHbTa_Z2pEG1o.webp)**Accessible Rome & Florence in 8 Days: Wheelchair-Friendly Italy**Price on request · 8 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/accessible-rome-and-florence) - [![The pastel houses of Positano rising above boats on the beach](/_astro/italy-positano.DfWo_KJe_2isWeI.webp)**Amalfi Coast & Rome Honeymoon in 9 Days**Price on request · 9 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/amalfi-coast-and-rome-honeymoon) ## Frequently asked questions ### How many days do you need in Sicily? Ten days is the length we recommend for a first trip: three nights in Palermo, one in Agrigento, two in the Baroque towns, two in Ortigia and two in Taormina, with Etna. Seven days cover the main sights at a fast pace or one side of the island well. Fourteen days let you add the west coast, with Segesta, Erice and Marsala. ### Is it better to drive in Sicily or hire a driver? A rental car is the most flexible way to see Sicily, and the highways and country roads are fine. The cities are the problem: traffic in Palermo and Catania is chaotic and the centers of Palermo, Ortigia and Taormina have camera-controlled restricted zones. Many of our travelers drive between cities and use a private driver for Palermo, Etna and the airport days. ### Can you climb to the top of Etna? Only with an authorized guide, and only when the authorities allow it. Access above the Rifugio Sapienza and the cable car depends on the volcano's alert level and on ordinances by the surrounding towns; in August 2026, excursions above 2,500 m were suspended during eruptive activity. When activity is normal, the summit craters can be visited with licensed volcanological guides. ### Should you fly into Palermo or Catania? Both, ideally: fly into one and out of the other so you never retrace your route. Palermo suits travelers who want to start with the city and finish with the beaches and Etna in the east. Catania is closer to Taormina, Siracusa and the Baroque towns, so it is the better choice for a one-week trip on the east side only. ## Plan this trip Be inspired by our European itineraries, then let our local travel designers tailor your journey to your interests, preferences and pace. [All itinerary ideas](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages) ![The Greek theater of Taormina with snow-capped Mount Etna and the sea behind](/_astro/italy-sicily-taormina.DV6YQAN1_ZWiRNb.webp) 10 days / 9 nights ### [Sicily in 10 Days: Palermo, Temples, Baroque Towns & Etna](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/sicily-10-day-highlights) A loop across Sicily from Palermo to Taormina: street food and Arab-Norman mosaics, Cefalù, the Valley of the Temples, the Baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica and Noto, Siracusa's Ortigia and a guided day on Mount Etna. **Price on request** ![The Colosseum in Rome lit up at dusk](/_astro/italy-rome-colosseum.C9xnHbTa_OVmSj.webp) 8 days / 7 nights ### [Accessible Rome & Florence in 8 Days: Wheelchair-Friendly Italy](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/accessible-rome-and-florence) Rome and Florence planned step by step for wheelchair users and travelers with reduced mobility: an adapted vehicle with a ramp, accessible routes at the Colosseum and the Vatican, train assistance and checked hotel rooms. **Price on request** ![The pastel houses of Positano rising above boats on the beach](/_astro/italy-positano.DfWo_KJe_Z1qwyMP.webp) 9 days / 8 nights ### [Amalfi Coast & Rome Honeymoon in 9 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/amalfi-coast-and-rome-honeymoon) A honeymoon between Rome and the sea: private visits of the Colosseum and the Vatican, three nights in Positano with a private boat day to Capri, then two quiet nights in Ravello above the coast. 5-star hotels. **Price on request** ## More to read [All articles](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) ![Colorful houses of Manarola on a rocky spur above the sea in the Cinque Terre](/_astro/italy-cinque-terre-manarola.zHHVDz6Y_Z1lW9qa.webp) Italy ### [Cinque Terre Travel Guide: Villages, 2026 Card Prices, Open Trails and Trains](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/cinque-terre-travel-guide) Our Cinque Terre guide: the five villages, 2026 card prices, which trails are open, the Via dell'Amore booking rules, trains, where to stay and how many days. ![Isola Bella and its baroque terraced gardens rising from Lake Maggiore, seen from the water](/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_Z1wOw8X.webp) Italy ### [Lake Maggiore Travel Guide: Stresa, the Borromean Islands and How Many Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/lake-maggiore-travel-guide) Plan Lake Maggiore the way we do: two or three nights in Stresa, the Borromean Islands by boat, the Swiss shore at Locarno, trains from Milan, where to stay. ![A red Trenitalia Frecciarossa high-speed train standing at a station platform](/_astro/italy-train-frecciarossa.D4ltfEk__2kTqdq.webp) Italy ### [Rome to Venice by Train: Times, Fares and Whether to Stop on the Way](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/rome-to-venice-by-train) Rome to Venice by train in about 4 hours: Frecciarossa vs Italo, 2026 fares, train vs flight, which stations, the Venice access fee and where to break the trip. 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