Planning a Sicily road trip? You’re in for a treat. Italy’s largest island is packed with stunning beaches, charming towns, ancient ruins, spectacular scenery and world-famous food. The best way to explore it all is by car, allowing you to travel at your own pace and uncover places many visitors miss. In this guide, I’ll share our complete Sicily road trip itinerary, including where we stayed, what we loved and tips for planning your own adventure.
Tips for Planning a Sicily Road Trip
Rent a Car
If you want to see more than just the major cities, renting a car is essential. We picked up our car at Palermo Airport and dropped it off in Catania before leaving, which made getting around incredibly easy.
Be Prepared for Sicilian Driving
Driving in Sicily is generally straightforward, especially on major roads and motorways. However, city centres can be chaotic, with narrow streets, limited parking and locals who aren’t necessarily always following driving rules. Take your time and don’t be intimidated.
Watch Out for ZTL Zones
Many Sicilian cities have ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) zones, which are restricted traffic areas in historic centres. Driving into one without permission can result in a fine, so always check parking instructions and hotel directions carefully.
Don’t Try to See Everything
Sicily is much bigger than many people expect. While it can be tempting to circle the entire island, you’ll spend more time enjoying your trip if you choose a few bases and explore each area properly rather than constantly moving hotels.
Book Accommodation Early
Popular destinations like Taormina and Cefalù can get very busy during the summer months. Booking accommodation several months in advance can save you money and give you more choice.
Embrace the Food Culture
One of the highlights of Sicily is the food. Make time for arancini, cannoli, fresh seafood, granita and local wines. Some of our favourite meals were in small family-run restaurants we stumbled across by chance.
Quick Facts
- Trip length: 9 days
- Start: Palermo
- Route: Palermo → Cefalù → Scopello → Taormina → Syracuse → Noto → Ragusa → Marzamemi → Catania
- Best way to travel: Rental car
- Best time to visit: April–June and September–October for pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds
Days 1-3: Palermo, Cefalù & Scopello
We decided to make Palermo our base for the first 3 days. We stayed in the centre, just behind the cathedral at Alle Absidi della Cattedrale, and all the sites and restaurants were within walking distance. We parked in the underground garage, 10 min walk from the accommodation. The city feels vibrant, a little chaotic and full of character, with busy streets, grand buildings and hidden corners waiting to be discovered. We spent our first day wandering around the historic centre, visiting some monuments, getting lost in the narrow streets and stopping for a coffee
What to do in Palermo
- Visit the Palermo Cathedral
- Eat your way through Ballarò Market
- Step inside the stunning Palazzo dei Normanni & Cappella Palatina
- Explore the grand Teatro Massimo
- Take a walk from Porta Nuova to Quattro Canti
- Piazza Pretoria
- Quattro Canti
Where to eat in Palermo
- Breakfast with a view at Bar Marocco
- Quick lunch at Cassaro Bottega Alimentare, A Putia Sicula
- Osteria Norma, Taverna Dei Canti, Villena, La Galleria, Locale, Osteria Ballaro, Il Combusone
- Pizza at Funnaco Pizzalab and Sfrigola for arancini
- Best cannoli at Cannoli & Co and ice cream at Il Signor di Carbognano
- Drinks at Minimarket, Seven Restaurant, Dal Barone
Day 2 Scoppelo
On day 2 we drove to Scoppelo. Scoppelo is a very small village, about an hour and 20 min away by car from Palermo and it was easily one of the highlights of our trip. This village might be small but it’s packed with charm, with a handful of stone buildings, colourful flower pots and a laidback atmosphere that feels a world away from Palermo.
Just a short walk from the village is Tonnara di Scopello, a historic 13th-century tuna fishing estate turned boutique hotel, museum, and private beach club, which was our main reason for visiting. You can stay at the hotel, but rooms sell out months in advance. To get access to the beach, you have to book in advance as well. Slots open two weeks in advance, the ticket costs 25€ and it includes access to the area and a beach chair on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure you arrive at opening time, 10:30am to get the best chairs. We spent a few hours swimming, relaxing by the water and soaking up the views and honestly, it was so hard to leave.
Day 3 Cefalù
Cefalù, a charming coastal town around an hour from Palermo is known for its beautiful sandy beach, charming historic centre and the impressive Cefalù Cathedral, which dominates the main square. We spent the morning wandering through the narrow streets lined with boutiques, cafés and colourful buildings before making our way to the waterfront. For lunch, we headed to Le Calette Reef Club, where the stunning sea views were just as memorable as the food. Afterwards, no visit to Cefalù would be complete without a stop at Bar Duomo for a refreshing granita. Sitting in the piazza with a granita in hand and views of the cathedral was the perfect way to slow down and soak up Cefalù’s relaxed atmosphere before heading back to Palermo.
Days 4-5: Taormina
After three days in Palermo, we set off on the drive across the island to Taormina. The journey took us along Sicily’s northern coastline, with beautiful sea views and glimpses of the mountains along the way. Arriving in Taormina felt like stepping into a postcard. Perched high above the Ionian Sea, Taormina is known for its elegant streets, colourful bougainvillaea, and spectacular views around every corner. We stayed at Hotel Bel Soggiorno, which has stunning views of Mount Etna. The best way to get around Taormina is to walk, but there are lots of stairs, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Parking is tricky, so a hotel with parking is probably the best option. Alternatively, you can park at Porta Messina or Porta Catania garages. Taxis are expensive, but you can use buses for a budget option.
What to do in Taormina
- Stroll Corso Umberto
- Watch the sunset with views of Etna at Piazza IX Aprile
- Take the cable car to Isola Bella or Spiaggia La Pigna for a swim
- Explore Villa Comunale, lush and peaceful gardens with stunning views
- Visit Teatro Antico,a 3rd century Greek theatre
Where to Eat in Taormina
- Bam Bar, the best Granita we had (featured in White Lotus)
- Novè for everything pistachios
- Pasticceria Gelateria D’Amore for ice cream and cannoli
- StritFUD & Da Cristina for arancini and quick eats
- Osteria da Rita, Trattoria da Nino,Tischi Toschi for classic Sicilian
- Nunziatina and Anciovi for fine dining
- Morgana Lounge Bar, Bar Timeo, La Strada for drinks
Days 6-8: Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa & Marzamemi
After two nights in Taormina, we continued our road trip south to Syracuse, where we stayed in a private apartment for the next three nights. Syracuse was the perfect base for exploring south-eastern Sicily, with easy access to picturesque towns, beautiful beaches and some of the island’s most famous Baroque architecture. We spent our first afternoon wandering around the enchanting island of Ortigia, the historic heart of Syracuse. With its honey-coloured buildings, lively piazzas and waterfront promenades, it’s easy to lose track of time here. Be sure to visit the beautiful Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of Syracuse, stroll through the colourful local market if you’re visiting in the morning, and walk along the seafront at sunset. One of our favourite things to do was simply wander the narrow streets, discovering hidden courtyards, independent boutiques and cafés tucked away around every corner.
What to do in Syracuse
- Visit the Doumo di Siracusa, Arethusa Spring, Castello Maniace, Greek Theatre of Syracuse, Fountain of Diana
- Swim at small Cala Rossa, take a short drive to Fontane Bianche or 45min drive to San Lorenzo beach
- Catch Sunset Along Lungomare di Levante
- Wander through the Ortigia Market
- Explore the baroque streets of Ortigia Island
Where to eat in Syracuse
- A Putia Delle Cose Buone, aLevante, Farì – Pasta e Cucina, Sapuri e… Amuri, Casa Trimarchi, Spizzuliamu
- Have a drink at Cortile Verga, Clou, Mikatu, or BOATS
- For granita, pastries & coffee Bar Condorelli & Pasticceria Artale
- For great pizza visit Schiticchio in Via Cavour
- Try the best sandwiches at Caseificio Borderi or Fratelli Burgio
Day 7 Marzamemi & Noto
The following morning, we drove to Marzamemi, a charming fishing village on Sicily’s south-east coast. Although small, it’s full of character, with colourful boats, flower-filled streets and a beautiful central piazza lined with restaurants and cafés. We spent a few hours exploring before heading to the nearby beach for a relaxing afternoon by the crystal-clear sea.
In the evening, we made our way to Noto, often considered the jewel of Sicilian Baroque. As the sun began to set, the honey-coloured limestone buildings glowed beautifully, creating a magical atmosphere. Starting at Porta Reale, we wandered along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, stopping to admire the magnificent Noto Cathedral and the Palazzo Ducezio. We also walked up the Via Nicolaci to admire its beautifully decorated Baroque balconies, had a drink there in one of the small bars, before enjoying dinner at I Cherubini.
Day 8 Ragusa
We dedicated another day to exploring Ragusa, one of the most beautiful towns in south-eastern Sicily. The highlight is undoubtedly Ragusa Ibla, a maze of cobbled streets, grand staircases and elegant Baroque buildings that feels like stepping back in time. We wandered through the charming old town, admired the impressive Duomo di San Giorgio and stopped at the famous Belvedere di Santa Maria delle Scale, one of the best viewpoints in the city. From here, you’ll get a spectacular panoramic view over Ragusa Ibla’s honey-coloured buildings, church domes and surrounding valley – it’s easily one of the most photographed spots in Ragusa. Before leaving, we also took a stroll through Giardino Ibleo, a peaceful garden at the edge of the old town with even more beautiful views.
Day 9: Catania
Our flight from Catania wasn’t until the evening, so after breakfast we packed up the car and drove into the city for our final few hours in Sicily. I’d heard plenty of mixed reviews about Catania before the trip, but I don’t think anything quite prepared me for the state of the area where we parked! Thankfully, things quickly improved as we made our way towards the city centre. With only an afternoon to explore, we kept things fairly relaxed and focused on the historic centre, which is compact enough to see on foot.
Our first stop was Piazza del Duomo, just a few minutes from where we parked, where we found the impressive Catania Cathedral and the city’s famous elephant fountain. From there, we wandered along Via Etnea, Catania’s main street, taking in the beautiful Baroque architecture and views towards Mount Etna. We also explored the colourful La Pescheria fish market, one of the liveliest spots in the city, where we stopped for lunch before heading to Le Strade degli Ombrelli, Catania’s famous Umbrella Street. We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through the surrounding streets, stopping for a final coffee and, of course, one last Sicilian granita before heading to the airport. Catania was certainly an interesting final stop, lively, slightly chaotic and full of character and a fitting way to end our Sicilian road trip.
