Climbing high over Cefalù to La Rocca takes less than an hour but rewards you with stupendous views over Cefalù and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as providing some interesting stops along the way (namely, the ruins of the Temple of Diana). Check rates & book your stay at SanVito Hostel! Pack a cell phone holder to attach to the car and you’ll be able to drive much more safely! Then continue along the 2 main arteries: Via Etnea and Via Crociferi . We never had any problems during our road trip to Sicily but it is true that we have been more attentive to our business than in other countries. Which airport to choose to start a road trip in Sicily? Hotel Il Barocco — Cozy and comfortable, this small hotel is located in a 19th-century building in central Ragusa, making it the perfect launching pad for your sightseeing. Then you can visit the Massimo Theater (one of the largest in Italy) or if you are passionate about history, the Regional Archaeological Museum of Sicily . International Driving Permit — If you’re coming from outside the EU and plan to rent a car in Sicily, you’ll need to make sure to acquire an International Driving Permit in your home country, before coming to Italy. Cefalù into one day, but this magnificent seaside town captured our hearts and absolutely deserves more time than that–as we strolled the streets of Cefalù, we fantasized about one day returning here for a month! Check rates & book your stay at Hostel Taormina! As for English, well–like most places in the world, you can get by among those working in the tourism industry by using it, but it’ll be a bit harder here than in most of Italy. Organiser votre road trip en Sicile. Continue by the Manicace Castello and admire the sunset towards the Aretusa Fountain. Taking a Sicily road trip if driving makes you anxious, you’re out of practice, you don’t like to drive, or you’ve never driven outside your home country is likely not the best idea. It’s also home to some very unique touches, like a sundial on the floor marked with zodiac signs and an inscription from the Quran on one of the columns near the entrance–both highly unusual for a Catholic church! I advise you to start with the Piazza del Duomo , which, like everywhere in Italy , constitutes the historic heart. We recommend prioritizing Ragusa, Noto, Modica, and if you have time, Scicli. The Perfect Tuscany Road Trip Itinerary (+ Driving Tips! After all depends on what you want to do and your interests. Unless you are very confident with one, we recommend paying extra for an automatic transmission. There were days that we pulled into our hotel’s parking space exactly when Google Maps said that we would–and days (like the day we had to catch a flight) that we ended up way behind schedule due to road work and an unfortunate accident that we got stuck behind. Next to each location, we’ve noted the minimum number of full days (so, not counting a day you arrive at 4pm, for example) we’d recommend spending in each location. Je ne vais pas vous mentir le blog nous offre de belles opportunités et j’ai un frère et des amis un peu partout en France ! Please see our, Planning a Trip to Italy: Your Easy 11-Step Checklist, 17 Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily's Surprising Capital City, 55 Dreamy Italy Bucket List Items You Should Steal, 7 Phenomenal Italy Road Trip Ideas (+ Driving Tips! There is no real “bad time” per se. On the route between Agrigento and Selinunte, you can stop at the beach of Heraclea Minoa and visit the beautiful city ofSciacca . The small streets and occasional unexpected sea views give, Cefalù a delightful charm that completely captivated us during our Sicily travels–this small village is worth wandering aimlessly, and due to its small size, it’s impossible to get. Explore historical landmarks, markets, and cuisine while also getting a taste of what Palermo is all about with a fabulous food and walking tour. In the morning, take a walkalong the bike path from Piazza dei Cappuccini . Though Italian is the official language in Sicily, Sicilian dialect–which is related and yet distinctly different, to the point where Italian speakers will have a hard time understanding it–is widely spoken in Sicily. Here are a few more beautiful places to see in Sicily that you might want to add to your itinerary. In order to help you organize your trip , I have prepared 5 road trip itineraries according to the duration of your stay in Sicily (1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks) and your arrival airport. Day 7: For the second day in Trapani , I recommend a trip to the Egadi Islands , accessible by ferry from the port. We spent an entire week in Palermo and still weren’t ready to leave when it was over, but 2 days in Palermo will be enough to give you a taste of the major sights and start your 10 days in Sicily itinerary off on a great foot. To visit it, the best way is to rent a bike on arrival and go around during the day , taking breaks swimming in the coves. On your last day in Sicily, you’ll want to fit in … Hotel Posta — With a fabulous location overlooking a port and within a short walk of many of Syracuse’s top attractions, Hotel Posta is a prime choice for mid-range travelers on their Sicily road trip. Plan stop swimming in the creeks! We used to use this one and had no complaints. Day 10: to conclude this road trip in Sicily and finish the loop started from Palermo, join Castellamare del Golfo. These days, we prefer just to leave valuables in our Pacsafe during the day. Day 11: Continue your 15-day Sicilian road trip through Scopello and especially the Zingaro Nature Reserve . As an Amazon Associate, Lone Star Travel Guide earns from qualifying purchases. For the 7th day of your vacation, you will go to Selinunte . Located in the shadow of Mount Etna, Catania is Sicily’s second-largest city and second airport hub–you’ll likely fly into and out of either Palermo or Catania (in fact, for this Sicily road trip itinerary it’s easiest to fly into Palermo and out of Catania if you can swing it). Casa Barone Agnello — Housed in an antique home in the center of Cefalù, this impeccably decorated and well-reviewed apartment is perfect for travelers looking for a bit of old-world charm during their trip to Cefalù. Of all the Greek theatres we have visited in world–including ones in Greece itself–this one is by far the prettiest we have ever seen, and a visit here absolutely belongs on your 10 day Sicily itinerary. This is the biggest reason not to kick off your Sicily road trip until after to leave Palermo: here, a car is a liability but doesn’t really add much of a benefit. In order to visit some of Taormina’s most popular sights like Isola Bella, and its beaches in general, you’ll need to head down to the seaside via cable car. The 2 main airports where you can land in Sicily are those of Palermo and Catania . Do not miss the Roman amphitheater , the Greek theater or the famous Ear of Denys. Sicily is quite big so you can’t really see it all in one trip (unless you stay 3+ weeks minimum). ). It costs 5 Euros, avoids the hassle of a taxi, and is perfectly comfortable! Located just outside of Palermo, Mondello is best known today for its long stretch of beach, which is one of the most popular places for beach days for both tourists and locals who are staying in Palermo. Be sure to make your way to the Piazza Duomo and the Fountain of Arethusa during your wandering! Je me suis régalée lors de ce road trip … Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and a fast-paced Sicily road trip is definitely better a case of safe than sorry. Pour la première étape de ce road trip en Sicile on commence fort avec Palerme. There are dozens of rental car companies operating in Sicily, all with their own prices and rental agreements. We strongly recommend learning at least some basic Italian phrases before taking your Sicily road trip–the more Italian you speak, the easier your Sicily travels will be. It is therefore better to privilege Catania for a stay in the East and Palermo , if you want to visit the West. Sicily was made for road tripping: with plenty of wide-open spaces, beautiful natural spots, and tiny towns worth visiting, there are few places in Italy more worthy of hitting the open road than Sicily. Soyons clairs, cette année, notre budget vacances n’était pas illimité mais nous avions décidé de ne partir qu’une fois et de profiter tout de même de ces quelques jours de bonheur qui nous étaient alloués. Then go for a walk in the gorges of the Alcantara , 50 minutes from Taormina. Its bay is found on all the postcards of Sicily, so we should not leave without the souvenir photo! No parking options–so keep that in mind if you choose to book a stay here! How We Structured This 10 Day Sicily Itinerary, The Ultimate 10 Day Sicily Road Trip Itinerary, Other Places to Visit on Your Sicily Road Trip. The 2 solutions offer beautiful panoramas, to you to choose what you prefer! Only 5 km from Taormina, it has a beautiful castle in ruins and offers beautiful views of Mount Etna and the valley below. It is a 1-hour drivefrom Taormina to Syracuse. Have you decided to go on a road trip in Sicily ? City driving is the trickiest while traveling between cities on major highways is fairly simple. Check rates & book your stay at Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel! Day 1: Depending on your arrival time in Catania, you can start your holiday by taking a short walk to discover the largest city of this part of Sicily. Adi takes a family road-trip on the Italian island of Sicily and shares her slow travel highlights. Though Catania is far from Sicily’s most popular tourist attraction, it’s definitely worth a bit of exploring if you happen to be passing through! In Erice you will find a medieval castle   and ramparts offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area. You can end the day in Castellamare with a stroll in the center and a swim. The rooms are large, but a bit dated–this certainly isn’t a luxury hotel, but it’s definitely a cozy enough place to stay while visiting Taormina, and we’d be happy to stay again. Join us here to see what we’ve been up to lately--or to start planning your own adventures! UNESCO World Heritage Site, the visit of Noto, Ragusa and Modica is a must for a roadtrip in Sicily! The last leg of this week-long road trip to Sicily takes you to Taormina for 3 nights . To know: that there are also 2 other smaller airports in Trapani and Comiso . Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. It’s beautiful, easy to get lost in, and delightfully fun to explore on foot, making it the perfect place to stay in Syracuse. that adds an extra layer of disturbing to it all, as opposed to places like the catacombs of Paris where the bones are more or less repurposed into artwork using human remains. ), purchase a policy through the rental car company, or something else, be sure you have coverage: in Sicily, it’s worth the peace of mine. Personally, we’d be tempted to upgrade to a room with a balcony–those views are just too good to pass up. You can walk between all of Palermo’s best things to do, so opt for that instead! Your arrival airport will therefore depend on the part of Sicily that you want to visit. ), which we found varied dramatically among different rental car companies in Sicily! the place to learn to drive a manual. You can plan to spend 3 nights there. Dating back to the 12th century and built in a variety of architectural styles, the beautiful and distinctive Palermo Cathedral is one of the most important religious buildings in the city. Go down to the gardens of Villa Comumale for a bit of freshness and finish the afternoon at the beach of Taormina: Isola Bella. Visiting Sicily by car is the best way to optimize time on site and miss any of the must-sees of this beautiful island. It is the ideal place to admire one of the most beautiful sunsets of all Sicily! Carved by lava flows, the canyon offers amazing landscapes. Il Lapino — Home to simple rooms (some with shared bathrooms) and located only a 10-minute walk from the Palermo Cathedral, Il Lapino is very well-reviewed and is an excellent place to stay in Palermo for those on a budget. Not far from here, you can go for a walk in the historic center of Agrigento then finish the day by going to the Scala dei Turchi , one of the most beautiful natural landscapes of Sicily. Cramped historic centers. 11 jours . Your 4th day in Sicily ,   will be dedicated to the “modern” part of Syracuse . We’ve been full-time travelers since May 2016, and are on a mission to find as many adventures as we can around the globe. The location is a short walk from Taormina’s Old Town, the included breakfast quite large by Italian standards, and the customer service excellent. Food in Sicily One of my Favorite parts about Sicily … Hotel Natalina — We had a great time at this little hotel! 5th day: discovery of the old town of Taormina : And finally, get off at Isola Bella , the beautiful beach of Taormina. And if you have already read a few articles, you know that my “ice cream” budget is quite substantial! The round trip takes about 4 hours but you can spend the day there if you swim. Final Visits to Aci Castello, Acireale and Time to Leave. Syracuse’s Greek Theatre is one of its most popular attractions, however, it’s completely across town from Ortigia. Bear in mind that we are coming at this from the perspective of people who drove daily for nearly a decade and have road-tripped through many countries, including Italy, before. need to be a confident, well-practiced driver to comfortably drive in Sicily. The views of Ragusa Ilba looking down from Ragusa Superiore may just be some of the best views in this entire Sicily itinerary, which is really saying something! With excellent reviews and a fabulous included breakfast, Hotel Il Barocco is a reliable choice in Ragusa for your Sicily vacation. The opportunity to admire beautiful landscapes. For your 2 days in Syracuse, we recommend focusing primarily on the island of Ortigia (or Ortygia), which is a small island right off the coast of Sicily (and I do mean right off the coast–no ferry necessary) that is essentially Syracuse’s lovely old town. After a walk in the historic center of Trapani , I advise you to reach the perched village of Erice. ), 25 Fun + Interesting Facts About Venice, Italy, 15 Beautiful US National Parks to Visit in Winter (+ Tips! If you find catacombs interesting, we highly recommend visiting these during your trip to Sicily–they are, hands down, the most bizarre and fascinating catacombs we have ever seen.