2 weeks in Sicily
This walking food tour booked through With Locals is the perfect introduction to not only Palermo, but Sicilian cuisine as a whole! Book with guide Dario, he is amazing and also gives you lots of Palermo history!
If you're headed counter clockwise around Sicily, use the day you are traveling from Palermo to Trapani to see Temple De Segesta followed by Zingaro Natural Reserve.
After you finish your time in Palermo, grab a rental car and head west to Trapani, stopping at this incredible natural reserve along the way. It's one of the most beautiful north coast views in all of Sicily!
A meal to remember in Trapani's historical center, this is a Sicilian pasta lovers dream! We had a reservation for lunch, but not sure we needed it.
Egadi Boating offers an incredible day on their private boat tour to the Egadi Islands. You'll snorkel, see caves, take a lunch break on Favignana, and enjoy your time on the water. Tip: Hunt for sea glass on favignana!
On the northwest coast of Sicily, staying in Trapani for 4-5 days is a perfect hub to visit Trapani, Erice, the Egadi Islands, and Temple De Segesta.
Erice is a small village that sits up on a hill above Trapani. Take the cable car up to the top for an incredible view and afternoon in this cobblestone town.
This 3 bed 3 bath apartment in Palermo is central to all the attractions Palermo has to offer, including a short walk to the train station
One of the oldest ficus trees in Europe is rooted in the botanical garden of Palermo. At 173 years old, The Great Ficus is a sight to see! Don't forget to visit the turtles while you're there, too!
Just one hour on the train from Palermo Centrale, you'll find yourself in the beach town of Cefalu. Come for the day to hike, dine, beach comb, and more!
Hike this 2.1 mile out and back trail (790 ft. elevation gain) to the walls of Rocca Di Cefalu Castle. 5 Euros to enter, and it's dog friendly. When you finish your hike, try a fresh made juice from the juice stand!
Dine for lunch or dinner at Michelin rated restaurant, Locanda Del Marinaio. Specializing in traditional Sicilian fish with a modern twist, this restaurant will have anyone in your party feeling satisfied.
A Sicilian twist on the classic cup of gelato, everyone must try a brioche gelato at least once- and this is the place to do it! The line is well worth the wait to try this tasty treat.
The only pizza place I've seen that offers 5 different crusts ranging from 100% gluten free to classic dough! A great place to share, I suggest ordering 3/4 pizza per person.
Select some world famous pastries and sit for a while at this cute bakery in Erice. This alone is worth the ride in the cable car!
If you go to any Greek ruins in Sicily, Valley of the Temples is the largest ruins on the island. About $15 per person to enter, plan to visit when you leave Trapani and head towards the east.
This is a pretty unique stay in Enna, a hilltop town in inland Sicily. Each room has its own theme, and you can rent the entire place out for your group if you're traveling with more than one party.
Worth checking out when you're walking around Palermo- if the top is open, don't skip it!
This luxurious cliff-side hotel in Taormina is a great choice for couples and groups, as you can rent as many rooms as needed. The complimentary breakfast is one of the best I've had on my travels.
If you've been searching for gluten free options all vacation, you'll be pleased to know that this restaurant can make anything on the menu gluten free! Don't skip the bread, pizza, and roasted veggies.
Taormina is the best place for shopping and dining in Sicily. It's also the busiest town you'll see. I found it best to leave the rental car at the hotel the entire stay, and just get everywhere by foot.
This restaurant had the best Caponata we tried in all of Sicily; so good that I went back twice. The gnocchi was also delicious! If you drink, they have an extensive Italian wine list.
Trek up to 2950 meters of Mount Etna, one of the worlds most active strato volcanoes. You'll partially trek via Unimog, then on foot around the craters. You'll also see the damages from 2002's major eruption.
This is probably the coolest thing to do in Taormina. Walk down the long stairs to the shore, and cross over to Isola Bella. There is a small entry fee, I think 4 euros, to explore this Archaeological Park.
If you're flying out of Catania, check out this little hotel which is just a 5 minute walk to the terminal. The hotel is nice, but be prepared to limit your dining options once you've returned your rental car. Plan ahead
Here’s my Spotify playlist, ITALIA to get you ready for your trips to Italy! 🇮🇹 Renting a car? Play these tunes while you drive around the country.
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