The long-awaited guide for how to plan a 10 day trip to Sicily is here. Sicily is deceptively voluminous, both in landmass and activities. Planning a 10 day itinerary can be overwhelming if you are a first-time visitor. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. I have accrued months of travel time in Sicily over the years and it remains my most-visited (and favourite) region of Italy. I visit multiple times a year, at all seasons.
See proof below.
P.s that gelato is the best pistachio I’ve ever had (I’ve eaten a lot). You can find it in the legendary Caffetteria Luca in Bronte. Thank me later.
As you can see, I am quite the fan of Sicily and that’s exactly why you can trust me with itinerary planning.
SICILY BEST PLACES TO VISIT
SICILY BEACHES & ISLANDS GUIDE
PLAN A TRIP TO SOUTH ITALY
Use this travel guide in conjunction with my other guides and Sicily Travel Map to create a magical but manageable trip to Italy’s most southerly region.
Planning a trip to Italy? You’re in the right place! Welcome to Travel Planning and Itinerary design by Candy. Ciao! I’m an independent travel advisor living in Portugal (since 2016). I help people plan their dream trip to Portugal, Spain and Italy. You’re currently reading a post from my collection of travel guides. I also offer personal travel consultation and a bespoke itinerary service.
Why choose Sicily for your vacation
Sicily is no secret (the region receives more than 7 million visitors a year) but often the likes of Rome, Venice and Florence take centre stage for a first-time Italy trip. These cities are, of course, mega stars but also endlessly busy and let’s be honest, overdone. Sicily offers stunning landscapes, ancient sites and cities, breathtaking beaches yet it does it with its own flare. Despite the interest from tourism it refuses to change it’s style. It is the region that ticks every box you can imagine, the only problem is deciding what to fit in.
Travel & Photography by Candy : What you see is real. No images in any of my travel guides are AI. All photos in this travel guide are taken by me. I spend a huge amount of time photographing, editing and uploading all the photos on this website. Please do not reuse them without credit and a backlink to this page. Thank you.
How to get to Sicily
Sicily has two international airports Catania and Palermo. It also has several ports linking mainland regions Campania and Calabria by ferry. There is even a ferry route to Malta.
How to get around Sicily
Unless you are sticking to the major cities (Palermo and Catania) then a hire car is the best way to get around Sicily. While the trains and buses are frequent and (fairly) reliable between the main sites, if you want to see the rest of the region then you need 4 (or 2) wheels.
Sicily by Car
Road tripping in Sicily is one of the best experiences you can have and is the best form of transport in the region (unless you are staying only in Palermo and Catania). My personal recommendation for car rental is Zest who I have been using since 2019.
If hiring a car isn’t your thing then consider using a private driver for some of the days on the island to make the most of what’s on offer.
If you are only staying in Palermo or Catania you don’t need a car and I would avoid driving in these cities unless you have to.
I’ve written loads more driving tips for Sicily in my SOUTH ITALY GUIDE.
Sicily by Train
Train rides are possible and decent between the two main cities, outside of this they are slow and cumbersome.
Sicily by Bus
The main cities, towns and airports are connected by bus. Flixbus is popular and good value. Journeys are slower and still much more limited than by car.
Sicily by Boat
Ferries in Sicily are frequent and reliable and reaching the outer-islands is easy. The three ferry companies you will come across in Sicily are:
- Liberty Lines
- Siremar
- Caronte & Tourist (part of Siremar)
The exception is the Pelagie islands. While there is a ferry to Lampedusa, it’s long. A direct flight is the better choice.
When to visit Sicily
You truly can visit Sicily at any time of year but shoulder seasons (May/June) and early autumn (September/October) are perfect for any corner of the region.
Peak summer can be very hot and very busy, especially in destinations like Taormina and the Aeolian Islands.
Beach season starts in June – October but you can often find warm, sunny days throughout May and November too. The islands and beach resorts start to close down as autumn arrives and come to a complete standstill in mid-winter.
Palermo and Catania can be visited at any time of year and are the best choice for a festive trip.
Road trips are rewarding year round but June or September/ October are wonderful. Hiking and outdoor adventures are the same.
Planning a Trip to Sicily
Sicily may well be a top destination for travellers in Europe but it is one of the more challenging regions to explore logistically. It’s much bigger than people realise and getting from one side of the island to the other can feel like a chore if you don’t have much time to do it. Public transport out of the major cities is poor and roads outside of the main cities can be arduous.
Here’s the thing : even if you get all the logistics right, fitting everything in is a challenge. The most important tip I can give you (and this applies everywhere) is to not try and fit too much in one trip. If you are moving from one place to another every day you’re going to miss out on the real joy of Sicily.
Sicily is like a giant theme park of sites and activities, markets, mountains, beaches, islands, vineyards… the possible itinerary stops are endless. The best thing you can do with 10 days is narrow it down to your non-negotiables and then really dive into those.
I’m going to share a common or popular 10 day itinerary which you can use as a starting point but I recommend spending some time researching (there is lots of extra info about individual towns, cities and islands on this website) before committing to it 100%.
Best 10 day Sicily Itinerary
The idea of a best 10 day itinerary is a false promise. The best itinerary for you will be a mix of places that match your travel style and preferences. It could be fast-paced, moving every day with lots of stops, perhaps a road trip. Or it could look like exploring 1 or 2 locations much more deeply in a slow travel style.
Maybe you’re in Sicily for the architecture and history? Maybe you’re there for the food? Perhaps you’re there to hike Etna or island-hop.
Sicily Travel Map
Looking for the best places to visit in Sicily all in one place? The Sicily Travel Map has more than 150 pins to help you plan a meaningful trip. I created this map to inspire your itinerary and make planning easier. The map includes a food guide, authentic restaurants, trattorias and osterias, the best spots for aperitivo, road trip ideas, cities, islands, remote beaches, hiking trails and areas of natural beauty. Local activities and genuine experiences. Everything you need, for the cost of one pizza. Mamma Mia!
There is not one 10 day itinerary that fits all. If you want to make sure you are making the most of what Sicily has to offer in a way that aligns with you, book a travel consultation.
If you want a truly personalised experience but don’t have the time or inclination to research and pull together a full itinerary, I can do it for you.
If you’re at the beginning of your Sicily itinerary search, keep on reading.
A Classic 10 day Sicily Itinerary
Start in Palermo. End in Catania. Rental Car.
- Days 1 -3 Palermo with day trip to Trapani or
- Day 4 Agrigento
- Days 5 -6 Ortigia including ½ day trip to Noto with wine tasting or Modica
- Days 7-10 Taormina with ½ day trip to Catania and ½ day trip to Etna
Day 1
Arrive in Palermo. If it’s still early, get straight to Ballarò market to immerse yourself in the true Sicilian spirit and an energy like no other. Load up a plate of street food (dare you to try the Pani ca Meusa) and soak up Palermo in full swing.
Palermo where to stay:
- Casa Normanna | 1 bedroom apartment with original features, small balcony and equipped kitchenette. Central but quiet location
- Rocco Forte Villa Igiea | 5 star luxury classic hotel, close to the water
- 2 bedroom apartment (Mondello – the beach town close to Palermo)
- Al Massimo hotel (Central Palermo)
Day 2
Curate your own food tour or book in with Culinary Backstreets. (Code CANDY5 will get you 5% off). Book a traditional puppet show, a dying but undeniably beautiful art.
Day 3
Day trip to hike Zingaro natural park, 7km of coastal path and coves. Bring your swimwear. (by Car)
Or take a full day trip to Trapani where you can take a short ferry to Favignana. Rent rusty bikes and cycle round the island diving in and out of coves and petting donkeys. (bus and ferry).
Day 4
Up early to drive to Arigento (2h). Bask in ancient history at the Valley of Temples.
Day 5
Drive to Ortigia (2h20) via an optional stop in Modica. Modica is a foodie paradise and a great stop for lunch (and chocolate).
Ortigia where to stay:
- I Carusi (40mins south of Ortigia) organic farm, gorgeous rooms
- Agriturismo Papyrus (near Ortigia)
- Masseria Santacatrini (5mins from Ortigia)
Day 6
Spend the day relaxing and wandering the tiny streets. Sunset aperitivo is a must followed by a cute osteria for pasta.
Want restaurant ideas? The Sicily Travel Map has them all. More than 150 pins to help you build the perfect Sicily Itinerary.
Day 7
>> drive to Taormina for a beach base or Catania for a city base. Option to stop in Noto.
Taormina where to stay
- Taormina Panoramic Hotel
- Atlantis Bay (hyper- luxury splurge worthy)
- B&B Re Tancredi
Day 8
Taormina : Morning coffee and granita at the infamous Bam Bar. Do yourself a favour and get a mix of fragola (strawberry) and mandola (almond). Take the cable car down to Isola Bella for the afternoon.
Catania: Cathedral and church-hop your way around the city, ending with aperitivo in a lively piazza.
Day 9
Day trip to the magnificent Etna either with a guide or by car. Or circumnavigate the volcano stopping at wineries along the way. Pistachio lovers make a b-line for Bronte and the gelato at the iconic Caffetaria Lucca.
Day 10
If you have time before departure head to the lesser known Aci-Trezza for some seaside calm or head into Acrireale (avoid rush hour) for a local cafe experience.
Find Accommodation in Sicily
An Alternative 10 day Sicily Itinerary
If you’ve already seen the main sites or you want to do something different, you’re in luck. Sicily has something for everyone and the possibilities are endless.
North Coast & Islands
Day 1-3
Trapani (1h from Palermo Airport) and Egadi islands (make sure you book a boat trip in Marettimo with Pippo).
Trapani where to stay
- Gaura Apartments
- Residence La Gancia oceanside with amazing view
- Baglio Sorìa 10km from Trapani but worth a look if you’d like some rural luxury
Favignana where to stay
If you’re looking for somewhere simple to stay : Terra del Sole holiday apartments in the centre of town. If you’d like hotel facilities or a little more luxury try Villa Rocce Bianche
Day 4-5
San Vito Lo Capo and Scopello.
Scopello Where to Stay
Day 6
Make a brief one night stop at the hidden gem Castlebuono. (by car only)
Day 7-9
Drive to the most easterly point. Take a ferry from Messina to Salina island (Aeolians), stay in Leni. Spend two days barely scratching the surface but just enough to make you immediately book your next trip to see the rest of the 9 islands.
- Hotel Ravesi (Malfa)
- Villa Donatella (Leni)
Day 10
Train or drive from Messina to Catania, stopping at Taormina for seafood pasta with a view before you depart.
I visit Sicily every year and have spent months getting to know what’s out there. If you’re looking for something truly personalised, get in touch.
An Islands & Beaches 10 day Sicily Itinerary
If you’re a coastal lover and are hoping for some beach time while in Sicily. You are in luck. The region has a stunning coastline to explore. Better still, Sicily’s outer-islands are spectacular examples of mini paradises. The major Aeolians aside, many of the islands still feel wonderfully untouched by modern tourism.
So there you have it, a few 10 day itinerary options for Sicily. Remember travel is highly personal and deserves more than a ‘copy & paste’ itinerary. Check out my other Sicily travel guides below to help with your planning. If you’d like to work with a specialist trip planner on your itinerary, book a call.
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What you see & read here is REAL. I don’t use ChatGP or other AI to write my travel guides or design itineraries. Travel is a human experience that requires all of the senses. It is impossible for AI to replicate that. Working with a human travel planner means working with someone who understands that travel is a highly unique and personal experience, not a ‘copy and paste’ job. All travel guides have been written by me from my own personal experiences. All the photos on this website are taken myself during my own travel. Nothing has been created using AI so you can trust what you are seeing actually exists.
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