6 Days in Sicily Italy Itinerary

Did you know that Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean?Our 6 Days in Sicily Italy Itinerary includes two cities: Taormina and Palermo, train rides, hiking up a volcano, coastal days out and much more.

To give you an idea, it’s about the size of Wales in the UK or in US terms that’s slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey.   Sitting just off the toe of Italy’s boot, it has a population of around 5 million.   

Italy is a country we know well from time spent in well-known cities including Venice, Rome, Florence, Siena, Sorrento, and Isle of Capri.

Sicily offers something different so we curated this guide to spending 6 days here to show you how to enjoy this southern European island your way.

Famous for cathedrals, vineyards,  island beaches, and stunning architecture, there’s so much to see.  The landscape on the east side is of course dominated by Europe’s largest active volcano Etna, which soars 3300m high.  

Although part of Italy,  Sicily is not typically Italian.  It was once its independent state but it has also been ruled by the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, the Spanish and the Normans, to name a few.   

As a result,  influences from these cultures are visible in its buildings, food and traditions across the island. Whether you go to Sicily to hike up Etna, explore the history of its villages, towns and cities, or simply enjoy the food and wine, there is something for everyone in this gem of an island.  

Read on to learn more about Taormina, Palermo, and Cefalu and how to create your perfect 6 Days in Sicily Italy Itinerary!

How to get to Sicily

There are two main Airports in Sicily – Palermo on the west coast and Catania on the east. We planned to see both sides of the island during my six days on this trip and in particular Taormina (which is on the east side).

So we flew into Catania and out of Palermo.  If you can’t fly directly, a popular option is into Rome or Milan and catch an onward connection.  

For both airports, it’s about a three-hour direct flight from London.   We flew on a very early Ryanair flight arriving at 1005 am local time.  I’d allowed an hour to work our way through passport control etc. 

Not sure if we were lucky but we only needed 15 minutes to get into arrivals.  If you’re going straight to Catania city centre,  you can get a train, bus or taxi from the airport.  Transport Options from Catania Airport is a useful site to check out the options.  

Transfer From Catania Airport to Taormina

From Catania airport to the town of Taormina, the distance is 69km.  We’d chosen to prebook a taxi for this journey as we’d had such an early start.  It took about 50 minutes to travel there. The fare was 85 euros.

Shopping around before booking we found the cheapest transfer with a firm called New Travel Services.  They were excellent. Taxis are expensive generally in Sicily but for us, it was great to get to Taormina so quickly and in time for lunch!  

If you choose the train, it involves changing trains at Catania Central Station and catching a train to Taormina Gardenia Naxos.  From there it is about 20 euros by taxi to get up to the centre of the town.   

If you’re renting a car from the airport,  don’t forget to check parking options out at your accommodation.

Direct Buses also run from the airport to Taormina and are excellent value at 7 euros one way. Check the Etna Bus Timetable.  The journey time is about 90 mins. 

They drop you at the bus terminal which is very central but consider also how far it is from there to your hotel.

When’s The Best Time to Visit Sicily

Weather is an important factor in planning any 6 Days in Sicily Italy Itinerary. 

April is quite early in the season for holidaying in Sicily.  We were lucky however as we had five great days with warm sunshine and only one real showery day.  

By May, things improve and more settled weather arrives.   However, the advantage of going early, is that you avoid the crowds.   Locals we spoke to said that June, July and August and even early September get very busy.

So if you’re planning a visit, perhaps choose May or mid September to October to avoid the mass tourism and get a low season deal. It’s also worth checking out cruise ship docking as again that draws crowds into towns like Taormina.  Weather Guide To Sicily is a useful link for average temperatures. 

Taormina: Where to Stay

Our  Hotel Casa Adele in Taormina was central, family run and had great reviews.  They treated us like family and with only 9 rooms, it was perfect. 

Delicious breakfast served every morning with coffee, cakes, fruit, and eggs. Thank you Gina for cooking me eggs every morning.  Our room with a balcony overlooked the street and had views of the coast. 

Always happy to help, they advised on restaurants and went the extra mile printing out bus timetables and recommending trips. 

There are both cheaper hotels and more expensive options but without hesitation I would recommend Hotel Casa Adele.  With its spacious terrace, it s relaxing spot to sit and read.

The views are superb, looking up at Castlemola one side and the sea, the other. (More on Castlemola later in this post)

5 Top Things to Do in Taormina

Driving into Taromina is quite an adventure. It’s built on a cliff.  Twisty roads wind round and round taking you up to the historic town and reward you at the top with panoramic views of the coast and of  mighty Mount Etna. 

We spent 3 days in Taormina which I think was long enough to see the highlights without feeling at all rushed. Of course, you could stay longer if you were on more of a beach holiday like Jude has done on previous trips.  My top five things to do in Taormina are: 

• Visit the Romam and Greek Amphitheatre 
• Explore Taormina’s streets, churches, gardens and squares
• Take a trip to Castlemola
• Relax on Isola Bella Beach
• Trek the base of Mount Etna

Visit Taormina Amphitheatre

You’ll find this incredible Roman and Greek amphitheatre in the centre of Taromina.  It’s the second biggest theatre in Sicily and hugely popular.

Once you see it, you’ll know exactly why.  It’s carved into the rock of the Sicilian hills and once you’ve paid your entrance ticket, you’re free to explore these spectacular ruins. 

Sit in the horseshoe theatre and imagine Roman games and gladiatorial battles that would have taken place there,  The view over the sea and out to Etna is just stunning.

Concerts are performed in the arena regularly –  Elton John played here. Find out more via Taormina Official Guide. Adult Ticket is 10 Euros.

Explore Taormina’s Quaint Streets

It’s really easy just to spend a day wandering around Taormina’s main thoroughfare called Corso Umberto. Although it’s only about 1km in length, walking the full street will take you a while!

You’ll want to stop and look in the boutique shops, or sit in the various squares and have a coffee or an ice-cream.  Make sure you stop in Piazzo Duomo and visit the 13th century cathedral here. 

Piazza IX Aprite is where you get the most amazing views of Mount Etna and out to sea.  Look sideways as you walk the thoroughfare as there are many tiny alleyways beautifully decorated and often leading to restaurants or cafes.   

We enjoyed sitting on the steps of Timoleone Cafe and having a cocktail.  You can also visit the public gardens of Taormina for more superb views and of course to enjoy some beautiful plants and flowers.  

Take a Trip up to Castelmola

For truly incredible views head up to Castelmola, a tiny village perched on top of a mountain.  You can walk up from Taromina but it’s quite a climb. 

Instead, catch the hourly bus from the main terminal or from outside the Mediterrane Hotel  depending which stop is closest to you.  It’s only a 15 minute ride up costing Euro 1.90 euros. Check Interbus Timetable.

The bus journey itself is an adventure as it climbs and turns.  Once there, visit the ruined castle, the church, take a drink in the square and perhaps have some lunch. 

There are a couple of shops here too. We walked back down to Taormina from there – it only took us about 30 minutes on the designated pathway.

Relax on Isola Bella Beach

Pretty Isola Bella beach can be reached from the heights of Taormina by taking the cable car just outside the main town arch on Via Pirandello. It’s signposted well although when we were there, it was closed for maintenance. 

Other options for getting to the beach include taxi, bus or you can go on foot.  We walked and it was a lovely stroll (about 500 steps so it’s harder going up) but a good path.  To find the path head for the viewing point of Isola Bella at Via Lower Pirandello.  Great spot for photos too!

Once you’re down on the beach, depending on tides you can walk straight across or use the stepping stones out to the island.  It’s now a nature reserve and for a small fee you can explore it.  

On the beach, there are parasols you can hire, some water sports and a selection of cafes.  The beach is pebbly but the water is beautiful. Crystal clear! We spent a couple of hours here relaxing and had a light lunch at Pizzichella which was excellent.  Very popular so probably very busy in high season.  

Trek up Mount Etna

You can visit Mount Etna from the south or the north. If you are in Catania, you will explore the park from the south side.  From Taromina, you will explore from the north side. 

We booked a full day excursion through Etna People who picked us up in Taormina.  Our guide Tony Currenti was excellent. His knowledge of Etna was just incredible.  He knew so much not just about Etna but about volcanoes across the world. 

With only 8 in our group, we were able to ask questions, learn so much about Etna and its eruptions over the years.  It was also great that they supply you with jackets and hiking boots as part of your excursion cost.  You definately need them. 

Our day out included a walk into an underground lava cave, a 1 and a half to 2 hour hike around the extinct craters at 1800 m.  Afterwards we enjoyed a fabulous Sicilian lunch in an authentic winery tasting local wines. 

Lastly, we finished the day off at Alcantara Gorge, a canyon with wonderful rock formations. Just needed the water to be a little warmer to swim here in April, but what a wonderful place.

If you’re going to Etna, I would definitely recommend booking with Etna People. hey also offer half day tours if your time is limited.

Etna is a must see on your 6 Days in Sicily Italy Itinerary

6 Days in Sicily Italy Itinerary: Glorious Food!

Of course, it’s Italy, what’s not to like? Sicilians certainly know how to cook. Their food has its own distinctive flavours, often with Arabian influences, think spices, apricots, and of course plenty fresh fish!

There’s the expected pizzas and pastas.  Spaghetti Von Gole and bread dipped in oil.  Paninis with prosciutto washed down with local red wine. Cappuccino, expresó americano, coffee with peanut biscuits. 

Citrus fruits grow around the island, and their almond wine is often served as a desert wine.   Granita ( a bit like a sorbet) served in a glass is traditionally Sicilian. Local cakes including cream filled cannoli and ice-creams are hard to resist. 

Just as well we did lots of walking!!   If you have time, you could even try a cooking class.  There is a cooking school in Taormina.  

How to Get From Taormina to Palermo

One of the jewels of this packed 6 Days in Sicily Italy Itinerary is that split time between two different spots on the island.

To get to Palermo from Taromina,  catch the train.  The station is called Taormina Giardini Naxos and it’s 10 minutes by taxi from the main town. 

Trains run regularly originating from the south in Syracuse.  It’s about a 4 hour train journey;  a route that takes you up to Messina where you change trains and pick up your next carriage onto Palermo. The scenic ride hugs the coast.  

If you fly into Palermo, the airport is called Punta Raisi.  It’s really easy to catch a train from the airport directly into Central station, about 50 minutes away.  

Our train fare was  6 euros per person one way.  Incredible value. We used this option to get back to the airport for our flight home.  A taxi will set you back about 45 euros.  You do the maths! 

Check The Ferry from Mainland to Sicily

Messina by the way is the hub for connections and it’s useful to note that the Messina Reggio Calabria ferry route connects Sicily with Italy. (only 3km away!) Liberty Lines Fast Ferries operates the route with crossings up to 21 times each week with sailing durations from around 30 minutes. 

It’s definately an option, if you want to combine Sicily and Italy.  There is currently no bridge connecting the two landmasses. In the past there have been proposals to build a bridge that would be called the Strait of Messina Bridge.  It’s an ongoing debate.

Where To Stay in Palermo

From the station, it was an easy walk ( 10 minutes) into the centre of the city and our accommodation – the delightful B & B Vintage Hotel.  Again, I chose a small hotel. We let ourselves in with a passcode   Rooms were spacious. 

Sergio the owner and manager Giada were happy to advise on places to visit and armed us with maps and their own top 10.  Biscuits and coffee available on tap! 

Breakfasts are continental ; fairly simple – coffee, croissants, cakes.   It was a great location and rooms were exceptionally clean.  Our balcony looking onto the street was very Italian! 

What to Do In Palermo, Sicily

It’s the 5th biggest city in Italy so after quaint Taromina, initially it felt rather chaotic. In places, there was a lot of litter and abandoned buildings. However, don’t let that put you off because as a capital, it has some great sights to offer curious travellers.

Actually, once you’re in the historic part, you’re in a hub of amazing UNESCO churches, cathedrals, palaces  with stunning architecture, busy markets and yes, wonderful street side cafes and  restaurants. 

Armed with a map, we noted the key places we wanted to see and set off.  I really think by walking around you get a  good feel of the city.  It’s surprising how many steps you do in a day.   There’s the usual hop on hop off buses so if you prefer, you can take these.  

There is so much to see and do but here’s my list of some things I enjoyed.  

• Palermo Cathedral & Norman Palace
• Quattro Canti
• Vucciria, Ballarò and Capo Markets
• Piazza Pretoria and the Fountain of Shame
• Massimo Theatre

Palermo Cathedral

Palermo Cathedral is a UNESCO site and quite a masterpiece. It’s right in the heart of the city and is a Roman Catholic cathedral church. 

As an architectural complex, it is characterized by the presence of different styles. This is the result of  a long history of additions, alterations and restorations by its different influences namely Norman, Greek, Arabic, Gothic, Sicilian baroque, Catalan.  

Inside, you will find the tomb of Fredrick II who is considered one of the greatest emperors of the Middle Ages.   Definitely pay the 7 euros to access the rooftop as views over the city are incredible. 

There are also full tours available so check prices out with Cathedral Ticket Options. 

Royal Palace of Palermo

The Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace) or Royal Palace of Palermo is close to the cathedral.  It was the seat of the Kings of Sicily during the Norman domination.

Afterwards, it served as the main seat of power for the subsequent rulers of Sicily. Since 1946, it has been the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly. 

This building is the oldest royal residence in Europe – and was the private residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily and the imperial seat of Frederick II and Conrad IV. The palace is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. 

🔍 Check Palace Tour Prices and Availability

We didn’t go inside as it was closed when we arrived on a Sunday  but is said to be the  most visited monument in all of Palermo due to the palatine chapel.  

Piazza Quattro Canti

Officially known as Piazza Vigliena, it is a Baroque square in Palermo. Marking the epicentre of the old city, the junction is framed by a perfect circle of carved facades.

Each facade lights up in turn throughout the course of the day, landing it the nickname Il Teatro del Sole (Theatre of the Sun). 

You’ll find it on the intersection to two of Palermo’s main roads –  via Victorio and Via Maqueda. Each section represents the primary districts of Palermo ( Albergheria, Capo , La loggia and Kalsa.) 

Musicians play on the four corners; horses and carts stand waiting to take tourists around the city.  Do go and see this.  It’s breathtaking!

Markets – Vucciria, Ballaro and Capo

The city is widely known for its colourful fruit, vegetable and fish markets in the heart of Palermo.  They’re called Vucciria, Ballarò and Capo. We visited all three.  It was quite an experience walking through these markets. 

Dishes were cooked in front of our eyes, reminding me of souk markets in Marrakesh.   

They are incredibly lively and loud. I would say it’s like going to a circus without the clowns,  lion tamers and elephants. You arrive and are entertained by the food sellers.  

Huge swordfish lie on slabs of ice, rows of ripe fruits and vegetables are unbelievably colourful.   Fresh street food is being cooked on every corner.

Out of the three, I felt Ballarò was the biggest and most active.   Capo was smaller and calmer.  Vucciria didn’t have as much to offer but apparently it comes alive at night. I’d definitely head to Ballarò! It’s worth mentioning the flea markets that are also on regularly. 

Just outside our hotel, there was the Kalsa one, held every Sunday.  Honestly there was so much there, a lot looked like old junk  quite extraordinary – records, jewellery, bits of pottery. Fun to wander around.  You never know , you might find something that’s worth a fortune!

Pretoria Piazza

Another beautiful place e to explore is Piazza Pretoria. Look for  Santa Caterina and Martorana churches. You’ll also found a magnificent fountain – Fontana Pretoria more commonly known as ‘The Fountain of Shame’.   This seems inappropriately named for something so beautiful. 

However, back in 1574, with its statutes of naked people, it angered the devout Catholic Church  and  in particular a nun – sister Mary from the Santa Caterina monastery who would shout out “ how shameful; you sinners will burn in hell. “

 Apparently her continuous rage led to the monument being known as Fontana Della Vergogna or fountain of shame.  The public however loved it,  and it has been in the city for over 450 years. 

Restaurants and Theatres in Palermo

In Palermo, streets are lined with cafes, bars and restaurants.   We ate well and, we drank well.  Let’s face it you’re not going to starve. 

Thankfully we walked miles every day to burn off the pastas, Sicilian pizza, wine and ice-creams. We ate an amazing restaurant just next door to our hotel. 

We were able to get tables straight away but in high season, I’m sure you’d have to book ahead.  Generally in the city there was a great vibe in the evening with people sitting on pavement edges, chatting, sharing their stories of the day.  

The theatre in Palermo is called Teatro Massimo – the third largest in Europe.  Scenes from the godfather were filmed here! Pavarotti has sung here.

You can’t wander around the theatre independently but you can take a guided tour to learn more.  It’s also easy to walk on to Copa market from here.   Check out events on their website. 

Cefalu – A Day Trip from Palermo

With brilliant train connections out of Palermo, it’s easy to take a day trip from the city as part of your 6 Days in Sicily Italy Itinerary.

The seaside town of Cefalu was recommended to us and is great.  Only an hour by train from Palermo yet feels like a world away. Obviously if it’s sunny and peak season, you’ll head for the beach.  

For mid season goers like us, swimming in the sea was out. Instead, we sipped our coffee in the square, admiring the enormous Duomo Norman cathedral with its two mighty towers.  It’s a popular place to sit and have snacks, lunch or dare I say a glass of wine.  

The alleyways of Cefalu are simply wonderful.  Quaint  upmarket  shops selling  boutique clothes, typical food produce and pottery line the cobbled streets.  Some are so narrow, you wonder how on Earth drivers make it down them. 

Spend a Couple Days in Cefalu

We enjoyed Cefalu so much, we stayed for drinks and dinner and were rewarded with spectacular sunset colours.  I spotted lots of  B & B signs, so if you had time, and it was summer you could spend a couple of days here by the beach.  

Other Italian Gems to Explore

We loved the combination of Taormina and Palermo. With a trip to Cefalu as well, we really experienced the diversity of this island.         

Other adventures in Italy we suggest include Touring Italy by Train over 14 days and of course beautiful Tuscany with our Pisa, Florence and Siena Italy 4 Day Itinerary!

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