6-Day Sicily Taster: Catania, Syracuse, Agrigento & Palermo

Tour Overview

Discover the best of Sicily on this 6-day taster tour, from the volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna to the ancient Greek ruins of Agrigento and Syracuse, the baroque beauty of Catania, and the vibrant streets of Palermo. Experience the unique culture, stunning architecture, and world-famous cuisine of Italy’s largest island.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Catania

Arrive at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. Transfer to your hotel in the historic center of Catania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (part of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto). Explore Catania: visit the Piazza del Duomo with the Cathedral of Sant’Agata and the famous elephant fountain (the symbol of Catania), the Via Etnea (the main shopping street), the Roman Theater and Odeon, the Ursino Castle, and the bustling fish market (La Pescheria). Evening welcome dinner with Sicilian cuisine, including arancini, pasta alla Norma, and granita. Overnight in Catania.

Day 2: Mount Etna & Taormina

Morning excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe (3,357 meters), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour of the volcano, visiting the Silvestri Craters, the lava fields, and the summit area (weather permitting). Enjoy the stunning lunar landscapes and panoramic views. After lunch, drive to Taormina, one of the most beautiful towns in Sicily, perched on a hill with stunning views of the sea and Mount Etna. Visit the Ancient Greek Theater of Taormina (one of the most beautiful in the world, still used for performances today), the Corso Umberto (the main pedestrian street), the Piazza IX Aprile, and the Duomo. Visit the beautiful gardens of the Villa Comunale. Evening return to Catania. Overnight in Catania.

Day 3: Syracuse (Siracusa) & Noto

Morning drive to Syracuse (Siracusa), one of the most important cities of ancient Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis with its stunning Greek Theater (one of the largest in the ancient world, still used for performances), the Roman Amphitheater, the Altar of Hieron, and the Ear of Dionysius (a spectacular limestone cave with amazing acoustics). Visit the island of Ortygia (the historic center of Syracuse), with its beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral (built on the site of an ancient Greek temple, with the original Doric columns still visible), the Fountain of Arethusa, and the narrow streets. After lunch, visit Noto, one of the most beautiful baroque towns in Sicily, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its stunning honey-colored limestone buildings, the Palazzo Ducezio, the Cathedral, and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Evening return to Catania. Overnight in Catania.

Day 4: Catania to Agrigento

Morning drive to Agrigento, on the southern coast of Sicily. Visit the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, with its stunning collection of well-preserved ancient Greek temples. Visit the Temple of Concordia (one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world, remarkably intact), the Temple of Hera (Juno), the Temple of Zeus (the largest, now mostly in ruins), the Temple of Heracles, the Temple of Asclepius, and the Temple of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux, with its iconic four columns). Visit the Archaeological Museum of Agrigento. After lunch, explore the historic center of Agrigento, with its narrow streets, the Cathedral, and the beautiful views over the Valley of the Temples. Overnight in Agrigento.

Day 5: Agrigento to Palermo

Morning drive to Palermo, the capital of Sicily, one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in Italy, with a rich history of Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, and Spanish influences. Upon arrival, visit the Palermo Cathedral (a stunning mix of architectural styles, from Norman to Gothic to Renaissance to Baroque), the Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace) with its stunning Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina, with its beautiful Byzantine mosaics), the Piazza Pretoria with its famous fountain, the Quattro Canti (the four corners of the old city), and the bustling markets of Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo. After lunch, visit the Martorana Church (with its stunning Byzantine mosaics) and the San Cataldo Church (with its distinctive red domes). Visit the Teatro Massimo (one of the largest opera houses in Europe). Evening enjoy Palermo street food and Sicilian cuisine. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 6: Palermo – Monreale & Departure

Morning visit Monreale, a town just outside Palermo, famous for its stunning Cathedral of Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its breathtaking Byzantine mosaics covering over 6,000 square meters (some of the finest in the world, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments). The cathedral is a masterpiece of Norman-Arab-Byzantine architecture. Visit the Benedictine Cloister with its beautiful twisted columns and mosaics. After lunch, return to Palermo for last-minute shopping for Sicilian products (marsala wine, olive oil, citrus products, ceramics, and puppets). Transfer to Palermo Airport (Falcone-Borsellino Airport) for your departure flight, concluding your 6-day Sicily taster tour.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses