Taormina, Palermo & Catania: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in Taormina, Palermo & Catania?

• Most travelers spend 7-10 days in Taormina, Palermo, and Catania combined
• Visiting Taormina, Palermo, and Catania in 6 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
• With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extension is Syracuse

How Many Days to Spend in Sicily

Recommended Itineraries for Taormina, Palermo & Catania

Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week

Discover Sicily in a week with this fast-paced highlights itinerary. Start in Palermo to explore Sicily's vibrant culture and history. Visit a number of churches, from an Italian-Albanian Catholic church to the 12th-century Monreale Cathedral, and learn how to prepare a four-course Sicilian meal. Continue to sophisticated Taormina to explore the arts and hike to the top of Mount Etna. End your trip to Catania to see Baroque architecture and cool off with refreshing watermelon granitas. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days

Discover what drew ancient and modern people to strategically located Sicily on this eight-day tour. Start in Palermo to explore its colorful history and exceptional food scene. See the 12th-century Norman Cattedrale, shop for lunch at the busy Vucciria Street market, and soak in the Mediterranean sunshine on Mondello Beach. Continue to Taormina, where you'll catch a performance at the Greek theater, see Sicily from the top of the Mount Etna volcano, and stuff yourself on delicious fried street food. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days

Explore why Sicily has been one of the world's most densely occupied regions for over 2,000 years on this colorful nine-day itinerary. Begin in the food capital of Palermo to see 12th-century churches, Italy's largest opera house, and learn to make a four-course meal. Continue to the resort town of Taormina to hike Mount Etna, see a show at the Greek theater, and explore the beautiful little island of Isola Bella. End in Catania, where finger-licking street food and Baroque architecture dominate the scene. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days

Cliff diving is the national pastime in Sicily, and it's easy to see why on this beautiful 10-day itinerary of the mountainous island. Begin your trip in diverse Palermo to discover history and culture through the medium of street food. Go back in time with a trip to the Cappuccini Catacombs and enjoy the sunshine and turquoise water on Mondello Beach. Explore art and history in Taormina and see Sicily from the top of Mount Etna, then end your trip with a street food tour in beautiful Catania. Read more

Extended Itineraries

2-Week Itinerary Including Syracuse

If you have two weeks and a thirst for Sicilian sunshine, delicious street food, and fascinating culture, then this trip is for you. Spend four days exploring Palermo's diverse history, shopping at bustling markets, and relaxing on sunny beaches. Visit Syracuse and explore the Old Town of Ortygia, then head to Taormina to hike Mount Etna and catch a performance at the ancient Greek theater. End your trip with a street food tour and sunny views of the Ionian Sea in Catania. Read more

How to travel between Taormina, Palermo & Catania

How to get from Palermo to Taormina
The best way to get from Palermo to Taormina is by car. A rental allows you to make stops at all the destinations across the three-hour route between the two cities. Driving in a foreign country isn't for everyone, however, and the train, though slower, is a scenic, hands-free ride between the two cities. The bus is the least convenient option as it requires two separate tickets and a potential wait in Catania (which may be a blessing in disguise). Read more

How to get from Palermo to Catania
The cities of Palermo and Catania, both located in Sicily, are approximately 131 miles (212 km) apart. Palermo, Sicily's largest city, is on the northwest side of the island, by the Gulf of Palermo, while Catania is on the eastern side, on the coast of the Ionian Sea. The quickest way to get from Palermo to Catania would be via rental car or private transfer, which takes about 2.5 hours. Read more