In June 2023, we embarked on an unforgettable one-week road trip through Eastern Sicily. With a charming Fiat 500 Hybrid, we explored atmospheric cities, breathtaking nature, the majestic Mount Etna, and the delicious Sicilian cuisine. This region offers everything you could want in a vacation: impressive Baroque architecture, crystal-clear beaches, mouthwatering local dishes, and of course, that relaxed Italian pace.
Eastern Sicily is the perfect destination for a week-long road trip, offering an ideal mix of culture, adventure, and relaxation. In this blog, we share our 7-day itinerary packed with useful tips, must-see sights, and the best places to eat and unwind. Whether you want to wander the historic streets of Syracuse, explore the volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna, or simply relax on the beach in Taormina, this route has it all!
Travel Period
June
Although the weather is great from May to October, we naturally recommend the shoulder months May, June, September and October to avoid the crowds.
Mode of Transportation
Rental Car
A rental car is essential for this itinerary. We chose a Fiat 500 Hybrid, perfect for the narrow streets and hilly roads of Sicily.
Travel duration
8 days
In just over a week, we explored the highlights of Eastern Sicily. If you want to discover more of the island, we would recommend spending two weeks!
Day 1: Arrival in Syracuse and exploring Ortigia
The vacation started off perfectly: a Fiat 500 Hybrid was ready to guide us through the narrow streets of Sicily. After a short drive to Syracuse, we checked into our Airbnb and set out in search of lunch. A plate of fresh pasta with tuna and a glass of white wine later, we were ready to explore Ortigia.
This historic island is filled with stunning buildings, charming alleys and beautiful sea views. To end the day perfectly we boarded a small boat that took us along the sea caves of Syracuse and around the island. With a glass of prosecco in hand, delicious appetizers and the sun slowly setting into the sea it was pure magic. We ended the evening with a Sicilian arancini with pistachio and saffron, absolutely delicious!
Day 2: Baroque city of Noto and snorkeling in the azure blue sea
Off to Noto, a city known for its baroque charm. Everywhere you looked, there were impressive buildings and beautiful squares. For all tips and sights in Noto, check out our blog: Top Attractions in Noto.
After a morning full of sightseeing, we headed to the coast, to Lido Beach Arenella. A stunning beach with crystal-clear water and great rocks for snorkeling. The sunbeds were quite expensive, so bringing your own umbrella can be a good idea.
In the evening, we enjoyed a delicious pasta and incredibly fresh mussels. Meanwhile, a live band was playing at the restaurant, a perfect way to end the day.
Day 3: Culinary discoveries and a beach day in Syracuse
The day started with a visit to the famous sandwich shop Caseificio Borderi. Here, they make the most delicious sandwiches you will ever taste. Fresh, generously filled and packed with flavor. After that, it was time to relax with a full day of sun, sea and beach. In the evening, we enjoyed another great plate of pasta and ended with a crispy cannoli.
Tips and Recommendations
Itinerary adjustments: Syracuse and Ortigia are the perfect starting point for your vacation. It is a wonderful town with plenty to do in the surrounding area. If you have more time, we would recommend spending an extra day in Syracuse and taking a trip to Laghetti Cavagrande. We would have loved to see this ourselves.
The only downside to Syracuse was that on day three, a huge cruise ship arrived, suddenly filling the city with American tourists. This took away a lot of the atmosphere.
Day 4: Archaeology and a pink villa near Mount Etna
We checked out and headed to the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis in Syracuse. In this beautiful archaeological park, we wandered past ancient caves, a Greek amphitheater and a Roman amphitheater. After this cultural morning, we continued our road trip through Sicily to the foot of Mount Etna, where our next stay awaited us: a pink agriturismo where Mussolini is said to have once slept. Six dogs, a swimming pool and a stunning view made it the perfect retreat.
GetYourGuide activities in and around Syracuse:
Day 5: Horseback riding on the Etna and Sicilian pizza
Today was all about relaxation and adventure. We visited a small butterfly garden and an Etna museum as preparation for tomorrow. But the highlight? A horseback ride through the forests at the foot of Mount Etna. The horses knew the terrain like the back of their hooves and effortlessly guided us over rocky paths and hills. Every now and then, they stopped for a quick bite of grass, creating some hilarious moments.
Day 6: Climbing Mount Etna: a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Today was all about climbing Mount Etna. Etna is an active volcano in eastern Sicily, standing at approximately 3300 meters high. Our planned climb to the summit was canceled, the crater was on the verge of erupting. However, the alternative route still took us up to 3000 meters, passing recent lava flows, side craters and lava tunnels.
First, we took the cable car up to 2500 meters, and then the real climb began. It was steep and tough, but the breathtaking views and the surreal lunar landscape made it all worthwhile. In some spots, the ground was still so hot that if you placed a piece of paper between the rocks, it would catch fire.
The descent was just as spectacular, almost sliding down through volcanic sand and stones. An experience we will never forget.
For more information and to see which guide we had, see: Climbing Mount Etna: the ultimate guide to an unforgettable volcano experience.
Day 7 and 8: Relaxing in Taormina
The final stop of our journey was Taormina. Taormina is a beautiful town with a stunning beach. Our hotel had a balcony with a sea view, and we spent two wonderful days enjoying the sun, sea and snorkeling. The private beach areas can be quite expensive since it is a popular destination, but luckily, there are still spots where you can lay down your own towel.
Tips and Recommendations
Itinerary Adjustments: This part of the route worked out perfectly. We did active activities around Mount Etna and then had time to relax in Taormina. I wouldn’t necessarily spend more or fewer days in either place!
Day 8: Final afternoon in Catania
The final afternoon we spent wandering around the center of Catania. I hadn’t read many good things about Catania, so we were pleasantly surprised to find that the city center was actually beautiful. It had some stunning buildings and a great atmosphere. However, just outside the center, it was quite polluted, which clearly showed why Catania is not recommended as a place to stay. For a day trip, though, we would definitely recommend it!
Tips and Recommendations
Itinerary Adjustments: All in all, it was a wonderful week. We would love to return to Sicily to see more of the island, such as Palermo, Cefalù, Valle dei Templi, and the Stromboli volcano. However, if you have just one week and want to get a great first impression, this is the perfect route for a one-week road trip through Sicily.
GetYourGuide activities in and around Etna and Taormina:
We did the Etna & horseriding tour you see here below!
In June 2023, we embarked on an unforgettable one-week road trip through Eastern Sicily. With a charming Fiat 500 Hybrid, we explored atmospheric cities, breathtaking nature, the majestic Mount Etna, and the delicious Sicilian cuisine. This region offers everything you could want in a vacation: impressive Baroque architecture, crystal-clear beaches, mouthwatering local dishes, and of…
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