Best of Sicily: Palermo, Taormina, Catania - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Palermo, Evening Guided Tour

Welcome to Palermo! From the airport, it's about a 45-minute transfer into the town center. Check into your hotel and get settled. 

Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily, on the southern tip of Italy's "boot" on the Gulf of Palermo. The city is famous for its colorful history, beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, nightlife, music, and cuisine. The strategically located area has been settled for millennia, and the city's incredible written history starts in the 8th century BCE. During this time Palermo has played a vital role in Europe's history. 

These days, Palermo is popular among travelers, thanks to its beautiful Mediterranean weather and Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches, palaces and buildings. Religion is prominent on the island, and the feast day for the island's patron saint, Saint Rosalia, on July 15th is arguably the most significant social event of the year. 

The Arab–Norman buildings and Byzantine churches, along with the smells and color of the marketplace, make this Sicily holiday destination a unique experience. Top city sights include the 9th-century Palazzo dei Normanni, the oldest royal residence in Europe, and La Martorana Norman Church, an Italo-Albanian Catholic Church. 

In the afternoon head out for a 3-hour guided tour of the city's historical sites. Tour stops include the Piazzas Bellini and Pretoria to see their Arab, Norman, Byzantine, and Spanish art and architecture. Centuries of seafaring travel and influences from different cultures have resulted in eclectic and diverse architectural styles. You'll see a lot of these influences during your stay in the city. 

The tour continues across Palermo's oldest street, the Cassaro, whose name comes from the Arabic word for "fortress". The street is also known as Via Vittorio Emanuele II. On the opposite side are the 13th-century San Francesco Church (Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi) and the Piazza Marina. Take a walk around the plaza and the adjoining Garibaldi Garden to see ancient palaces used by the Spanish Inquisition. Tour the nearby Santa Maria dello Spasimo Church, a roofless 16th-century building with a quiet and contemplative atmosphere. You'll also see Palermo's massive Ficus tree, which stands in the Piazza Marina. 

Street food is common in Palermo, and you’ll find irresistible pastry specialties and mouth-watering flavor combinations.  Enjoy lunch and afternoon nibbles as you walk around, then find a small restaurant for a traditional seafood dinner accompanied by local wine. After, head to an airy bar to enjoy a cocktail on the terrace while taking in the sunset.

Day 2: Palermo Segway Tour & Cooking Class

Palermo's narrow medieval streets make automobile travel tricky, so start your morning with a guided Segway tour of the city's top landmarks.

Head through the Capo Market, a bustling street food market that's popular with visitors and locals shopping for dinner. Pass by the Gallery of Modern Art and Palace of the Normans at the Piazza della Vittoria, admiring the varied architecture in the city center. End your Segway tour at Palermo's seafront gardens, Villa a Mare to enjoy beautiful views and a refreshing sea breeze. 

In the afternoon you will learn how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes during a 4-hour hands-on cooking class. Start your day by shopping for fresh, seasonal ingredients at the market, then head to a well-equipped home kitchen in an 18th-century building to start your lesson. Much of what is sold at the markets—from seafood to tropical fruit— comes from the island, so you have a wide local selection to work with. 

Learn how to prepare an authentic 4-course meal, including dessert. Afterward, sit down to enjoy your creation along with a glass of local wine. Buon appetito!

Day 3: Palermo to Taormina

After breakfast head out for Taormina, a sophisticated and popular resort town located up the coast from Syracuse, on the Ionian Sea. The town's amazing views and ancient theater, which is often used for operatic and theatrical performances make it the perfect destination for fans of the arts. 

In the afternoon go for a 3-hour guided walking tour of the city. Highlights include the 10th-century Palazzo Corvaja, named after one of the city's most influential families, the restored 17th-century Catholic Santa Caterina Church, and the Vicolo Stretto—the narrowest street in town. 

Skip the line to see the Greek theater, which boasts views of Mt. Etna and Giardini Naxos. From here head to the main square of Piazza IX Aprile to rest and refresh with a glass of Mt. Etna's famous wine at a local enoteca. 

Day 4: Mount Etna Tour

Spend the day exploring Europe's largest active volcano on this day trip to see Mount Etna. The 8-hour tour starts in the Rifugio Sapienza, which forms the southern access point to the volcano. Here you can rent any walking equipment which you may require (such as boots). From here take a ride on the cable car to 9,500 ft (2,900 m) above sea level to get to Torre Del Filosofo, where you'll climb aboard a Jeep for the final stretch. Walk up to 10,990 ft (3,350 m) to get to the top, where you will be surrounded by eruptive fractures and active vents and feel the heat of the lava beneath your feet. The views of Sicily from here are breathtaking, making this one of the most rewarding and exhilarating tours of the trip. 

On your way down you'll see some of the larger volcanic craters such as Cisternazza, as well as the Valle del Bove, the valley where the lava from Mount Etna typically flows.

Day 5: Taormina to Catania, Self-Guided Exploration

In the morning head out for the hourlong transfer to Catania on the east coast of Sicily, on the Ionian Sea. Catania sits at the foot of Europe's tallest active volcano, Mount Etna, which erupts frequently, depositing nutrient-rich lava and ash onto the fertile fields below. Thankfully the lava follows a similar path each time, avoiding the cities and villages which dot the landscape around the volcano. 

Unfortunately, Catania has not always avoided the lava flows and a 17th-century explosion leveled the town. Many of the town's famous Baroque buildings were erected during the period of rebuilding and growth that followed. 

Today Catania is a flourishing port town and is a favorite with Italian and international tourists. The city has something for every traveler, from buzzing nightlife and the bustling business district to quiet, secluded city parks and leisurely promenades by the water. 

After settling in, head out for your first look at the city. Pick from the following suggestions to create your perfect day: 

• Dive into history at the Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943
• See the Fontana dell’ Elefante, a fountain made from lava rock in the city center
• Tour the 16th-century UNESCO-listed Monastero dei Benedettini
• Explore Aci Trezza, a small seaside resort and see the Faraglioni, oceanic rock formations known as the  “Rocks of Cyclops”
• Visit the San Nicoló l’Arena, Sicily's largest church (famous for its unfinished façade)  
• Relax in the beautifully landscaped gardens of the Catania Orto Botanico and Villa Bellini park, enjoy panoramic views of Catania, and see the Botanical Clock—a display made entirely of planted flowers

Day 6: Walking Food Tour of Catania

Spend the day discovering Sicilian culinary traditions and exploring Catania's highlights on a half-day tasting tour. Sample some of the region's finger-licking specialties, such as granita (a refreshing shaved ice), Sicilian brioche, local cheeses and olives, arancini (fried rice balls), cartocciata (a popular street food of dough wrapped around mozzarella cheese and other fillings), and much more.

Stroll along the seaside, visit the Duomo Square, explore the narrow streets of the Old Town, and learn about local history. Take in the views from 13th-century Ursino Castle, part of the Kingdom of Sicily during Emperor Frederick II's time. Five hours isn't enough to see everything, but this tour is a great place to start!

In the evening, stroll down Via Etnea, Catania's main street where you can find shops, restaurants, and cafes. The street gets its name from the direct views of Mount Etna to the north of the city. Get dinner at an open-air cafe and enjoy people watching as you sip a glass of Mount Etna wine.

Day 7: Goodbye Italy!

Time to say goodbye to the country of love! After one last cappuccino over breakfast, head to the airport for your connecting flight home. Safe travels!