There are many different ways to plan a trip to Sicily. For those with limited time, this 7-day Sicily itinerary includes a few of the island’s must-see spots and is very easy to plan. You’ll need flights in and out of Catania, one hotel reservation, and a few tours.

One of the best things about this itinerary is that no car is required. Not only does renting a car add an extra expense, but driving in Sicily is challenging.

This itinerary focuses on the eastern side of Sicily. Places you will visit include:

  • Mount Etna
  • Taormina
  • Val di Noto (Ragusa, Noto and/or Modica)
  • Syracuse & Ortigia
  • The Valley of the Temples

Catania, one of the larger cities in Sicily, is the home base for this itinerary. This city has an airport, and with its train station and tourist hub, it is very easy to day trip from Catania to places like Taormina, Mount Etna, and nearby towns.

Of course, if you don’t want to rely on public transportation or book a lot of tours, you can rent a car and follow this itinerary as written.

In this guide, we list two variations of this itinerary. The first is the easiest to plan, with one hotel stay and a bunch of day trips. I’ll also list an itinerary that spends several nights in magical Taormina, plus ways to extend this itinerary, for those with more than one week in Sicily.

Let’s get started.

Sicily Taormina Mount Etna

One Week in Sicily

Day 1 – Arrive in Catania
Day 2 – Mount Etna
Day 3 – Taormina
Day 4 Val di Noto
Day 5 – Syracuse and Ortigia
Day 6 – Valley of the Temples or Beach Time
Day 7 – Fly Home

← Photo taken in Taormina at the Ancient Theater

7 Days in Sicily: The Itinerary

Before getting started, there are a few things to know.

We chose Catania as the home base for this itinerary because it is a large city with a major airport and train station, and it is a great hub for tourists, with many day trips available. It is very easy to get to Mount Etna, Taormina, and Val di Noto from Catania, as they are all located in eastern Sicily.

We visited Catania on our trip through Sicily, and even though it was not one of our favorite cities, we think it still makes a great home base, especially for those with limited time and those who do not want to rent a car.

The downside of staying in Catania for the entire week is that you will be missing out on some of the northern and western Sicily sights: Cefalú, Palermo, and the beaches and small towns in northwest Sicily. However, with only a week, there wouldn’t be enough time to get to them (you will need at least two weeks, and we cover this in our Two Week Sicily Itinerary).

On a future trip to Sicily, you could base yourself in Palermo and visit western Sicily from here.

Other than the first and the last day of this itinerary (arriving and departing Sicily), these days can be done in any order, as they are all done as day trips from Catania.

Today, arrive in Catania. The time you get in will really depend on where you are coming from. Those coming from outside of Europe may not arrive in Catania until the afternoon, as you may have to take a short flight from another city in Italy.

How to Get from the Airport to Catania City Center

There are several ways to get from the airport to the city center. The bus (Alibus) is the cheapest option with travel times around 20 minutes. It is also possible to take the train or hire a taxi. The official Catania airport website has advice on all of these options.

Another option is to use Welcome Pickups. You can arrange a transfer in advance. Prices are a little more expensive than the train or bus option, but travel times are shorter. Plus, you will be dropped off at your hotel, which will also save you some time and energy once you are in the city center. We haven’t used Welcome Pickups ourselves, but they have been recommended to us by other travelers. Their website also has very detailed information about how to travel between the airport and the Catania city center.

Things to Do in Catania

If you arrive in Catania in the morning, you have some time this afternoon to see the sights in the city. Here is a list of things to do in Catania, which can be done today, depending on how much time you have, or during the other days of the week, once back from your day trips.

See Roman and Greek Ruins. The Roman Amphitheater (Anfiteatro Romano di Catania) is one of the major historical landmarks in Catania. The Greek and Roman Amphitheater and Roman Odeon are smaller, but for a small fee, you can walk around the inside of this theater.

Roman Odeon Catania

Greek and Roman Amphitheater

Piazza del Duomo. On this large, lovely square sits the Fountain of the Elephant (a symbol of the city) and the Catania Cathedral.

Piazza del Duomo Catania

Piazza del Duomo and the Catania Cathedral

Via Etnea. This wide shopping street is famous for its views of Mount Etna.

Go for a Stroll on Via Crociferi. This pedestrian street is lined with historic churches. Not to be missed is the Church of St. Julian, where you can climb to the rooftop for panoramic views of Catania. Also on this street are Arco di San Benedetto, the Church of Saint Francis Borgia and the Church of Saint Benedict.

Catania Sicily Italy

The view from the Church of St. Julian

More things to do include visiting Teatro Massimo Bellini (an opera house), the Monastery of Benedettini, Castello Ursino, and La Pescheria (the fish market).

Where to Stay in Catania

Luxury & Upscale:

  • Palazzo Sangiorgio: 5-star hotel in the city center.
  • Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze: 4-star hotel on Via Etnea with a rooftop terrace and bar and panoramic views of Mount Etna.
  • GL Golden City Apartments: Stay in a small apartment in the city center; this property gets near perfect reviews.
  • Bellini Inn Deluxe: Stay in a historic building overlooking Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini in the city center of Catania.
  • Dome: This ultra modern property gets excellent reviews for its convenient location and amenities.

Mid-Range:

  • Hotel Centrum: This highly-rated hotel is located next to Teatro Massimo Bellini and offers double and triple rooms as well as suites.
  • Donna Filomena Luxury Suites: This 3-star property looks more like an upscale hotel, with its luxurious suites with spa baths. It is located a short walk north of the main sights in the city center, but the rooms are modern, spacious, and this property gets wonderful reviews.
  • Ruanera: Just a 3-minute walk from Piazza Duomo, take your pick between double and triple rooms.
  • Dimora Cutelli: This one-bedroom apartment can accommodate up to four people and overlooks a lovely piazza.
  • Opera Boutique: This recently renovated bed and breakfast offers double and family rooms.

Budget:

  • Hotel Biscari: Rooms are basic but are quite large and come with a small balcony. It is just a short walk to the cathedral and opera house.
  • Hotel Centrale Europa: This hotel gets decent reviews but has an excellent location right on Piazza Duomo.
  • Ostello degli Elefanti: This hostel is located on Via Etnea, in the city center, and gets fantastic reviews.

Mount Etna, which is one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, dominates the skyline in eastern Sicily. You’ll see it as you arrive to Catania by plane and you’ll see Mount Etna as you walk through town.

Mount Etna is one of Sicily’s top attractions and not to be missed.

Barbagallo Craters Mount Etna

There are many ways to visit Mount Etna. For those who want to see the steaming craters and landscapes, there is a cable car that runs up to 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) on the volcano, and from here you can journey higher by 4×4 shuttle bus, so you can see quite a bit, no hiking required.

For those more active and adventurous, you can hike higher on Mount Etna. Conditions on Mount Etna dictate how high you can go, and this changes quite frequently, as Mount Etna is an active volcano. But it is possible to hike to the summit, as long as Mount Etna is quiet.

Mount Etna Gondola

The cable car that runs from Rifugio Sapienza to higher points on Mount Etna

From Catania, you can get to Rifugio Sapienza (the bottom cable car station) by public bus. Taking a tour that includes your transportation is another popular way to visit Mount Etna.

This tour from Catania includes your transportation plus a guided hike on Mount Etna.

This tour visits the slopes of Mount Etna (it does not include the cable car ride) but it does include a wine tasting. It can be done at sunrise or sunset.

We have a detailed guide on How to Visit Mount Etna, which goes into the logistics of how to plan your visit, places to go on Mount Etna, whether or not you need a guide, and how to plan a self-guided visit (even without a car) ↓

Spend the remainder of the day visiting the sites in Catania.

Taormina was one of our favorite places in Sicily. This gorgeous seaside city is home to an ancient Greek theater, picturesque streets, lovely Isola Bella, a hilltop castle with panoramic views, fabulous restaurants and beaches, and more big views of Mount Etna.

Taormina at Night

Taormina can be visited in one very busy day and we have an itinerary to help you plan your time. If you like the idea of spending more time in Taormina, later in this guide we offer suggestions on how to modify this 7-day itinerary to spend a few of those nights in Taormina.

Taormina City Guides

12 Wonderful Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily

Taormina, with its cliffside setting, rocky beaches, ancient Greek theater, picturesque streets, and panoramic views of Mount Etna, is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. Strolling its streets, exploring the public garden, visiting lovely Isola Bella, and climbing the steps up to Castello di Taormina are all top things to do in Taormina, […]

The Perfect Taormina Itinerary: Best of Taormina in 1 to 2 Days

Out of everything we did in Sicily, from climbing Mount Etna to exploring the Valley of the Temples to visiting its charming coastal and hill towns, Taormina stands out as one of the highlights. Perched on cliffs overlooking the Ionian Sea, with steaming Mount Etna forming the perfect backdrop, this city is gorgeous. Add in […]

How to Get to Taormina

By Bus: Interbus and Etna Transport run frequent, direct buses from the Catania Bus Terminal on Via Archimede. It takes 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, costs €5-7, and the bus drops you near the main pedestrian area in Taormina. It’s best to book your ticket in advance.

Train + Shuttle Bus: Trenitalia runs trains from Catania Centrale to the Taormina-Giardini station. Journey time is 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes and costs €5-7. The Taormina train station is at sea level. To get up the city, you can walk 1 km uphill, take a shuttle bus, or a quick taxi ride.

Taxi: This is the most expensive option (€70-100) but travel time is fast (about 45 minutes to 1 hour) and you will be picked up from your hotel and dropped off at the city center.

By Tour: This day trip tour from Catania includes Taormina and Castelmola (a small medieval town near Taormina).

Val di Noto is a region in southeastern Sicily that is home to several beautiful towns. Three of the most popular towns to visit are Noto, Modica, and Ragusa.

  • Noto is famous for its UNESCO-listed city center, Baroque architecture, and large number of churches.
  • Modica is famous for its chocolate and its hillside setting.
  • Ragusa is our favorite of these three towns. Strolling its picturesque streets is the top thing to do in this very photogenic town.
Chiesa di Santa Chiara View of Noto

Noto

Modica Sicily Italy

Modica

Things to Do in Ragusa

Ragusa

In one day, you can visit all three if you move very quickly (you can only do this by tour or by rental car, as public transportation adds too much time) or just pick one or two.

Our personal favorite is Ragusa and Modica is a close second. Noto is the most popular, as it is the easiest to get to by public transportation.

This is where having a rental car comes in handy, as these towns are somewhat challenging to get to using public transportation (train travel time from Catania to Ragusa is 4 hours one way). If you were to rent a car for one day, this would be the day to do it, as it gives you a lot more flexibility and makes it easier to visit these towns independently.

Other than renting a car, the best way to visit these towns is by tour. On this day trip tour from Catania, visit Noto, Modica, and Ragusa all in one day.

Val di Noto Towns

We have detailed guides for each town to help you decide which ones to visit. Each guide includes a section on how to get there and additional tour options.

Noto, Sicily | Best Things to Do on a Quick Visit & Walking Tour

Noto is a small Sicilian city famous for its Baroque architecture, UNESCO-listed city center, and long list of churches. Visiting the churches, climbing the bell towers, and photographing the beautiful buildings top the list of things to do in Noto. The medieval town was destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. The remains of this town can […]

Exactly What to Do on a Quick Visit to Ragusa, Sicily

Ragusa is one of three stunning cities in Val di Noto, Sicily. Alongside Ragusa, nearby Modica captivates visitors with a similar charm, while Noto stands out for its impressive collection of Baroque churches and architecture. If you have the time in your itinerary, visiting all three of these cities is worthwhile, but if we had […]

Best Things to Do in Modica, Sicily (+ Short Walking Tour!)

In Modica, stone buildings and churches cling to the hills that cascade down into the valley. There are just a few historical attractions to see, with chocolate tasting topping the to-do list. This is one of the most photogenic cities in southeast Sicily and it is well worth a few hours of your time as […]

Syracuse is an ancient Greek city that is located on the southeast coast of Sicily. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and packed with Greek and Roman archaeological treasures.

Roman Amphitheater Syracuse Sicily

Roman Amphitheater in Syracuse

Ortigia is a small island just off the coast of Syracuse. This is the old town and it is very fun to explore, with its sea views, piazzas, and narrow streets and alleyways.

Ortigia Sicily Restaurant Doorway
Ortigia Sicily
Ortigia Street

How to Get to Syracuse & Ortigia

By Bus: Interbus runs direct buses from the Catania city center to Syracuse. Travel time is 1 hour 15 minutes with round-trip tickets costing approximately €10.

By Train: Trenitalia runs trains from Catania Centrale to Siracusa station. Travel time is roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. The Siracusa train station is a 30-minute walk from Ortigia, but you can take a bus or Uber to skip the walk.

By Tour: The only tours I could find also included Noto. This is a full-day tour to Syracuse, Ortigia, and Noto. If you take this tour, it gives you more time for Modica and/or Ragusa on day 4 of this itinerary.

By Car: If you decide to rent a car, it takes 1 hour to drive to Syracuse. The best place to park is ORTIGIA PARKING on Google Maps.

Planning Your Visit

We have a detailed guide on How to Visit Syracuse & Ortigia, which covers the best things to do, where to eat, plus a one-day itinerary to help you plan your time ↓

Today, you have a choice: journey out to the Valley of the Temples (the #1 archaeological site to visit in Sicily) or get in some beach time.

Valley of the Temples

If you look on a map, the Valley of the Temples is nowhere near Catania. It sits in southern central Sicily, quite a distance from the east coast.

This archaeological site contains seven Greek temples dating back over 2,600 years. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for those interested in history and ancient sites.

Valley of the Temples

How to Visit the Valley of the Temples | Sicily, Italy

Discover the best things to do at the Valley of the Temples and how to plan your visit.

A visit to the Valley of the Temples lasts between 2 and 4 hours, if you visit the main temples along Via Sacra (Concordia, Hera, Heracles, Olympian Zeus, and Dioscuri).

Valley of the Temples Sicily

Valley of the Temples

The best way to get here using public transportation is by bus. SAIS Transporti and Flixbus run direct routes from Catania to Agrigento (the city that sits next to the Valley of the Temples). Travel time is 2 hours 40 minutes.

If you rent a car, it takes 2 hours to drive to the Valley of the Temples from Catania.

Taking a tour is the most efficient way to visit the Valley of the Temples. Tours handle your transportation, many include a guide, and several include a second site, such as the Turkish Steps.

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Beach Time

If you prefer a day of rest and relaxation, there is a long stretch of golden sand just south of the Catania city center. Playa di Catania is lined with beach clubs and restaurants and is accessible by bus. It’s not one of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches, but it is quick and easy to get to using public transportation.

Today, fly home from Catania or continue your travels.

Italy Travel Guide

Italy Travel Guide

See all of our articles

How to Modify This Itinerary

Taormina is by far one of our favorite cities in Sicily. Spending a few nights here is a wonderful experience, as you get to walk the city streets in the evening, enjoy sunset views from Taormina from a rooftop bar, dine at several of its amazing restaurants, and take in more panoramic views of Mount Etna.

This itinerary is very similar to the one above, but you’ll spend the first few days in Taormina and end in Catania. To keep this itinerary to 7 days, you will have to give up the Valley of the Temples/Beach day due to the travel time between Taormina and Catania.

Day 1: Arrive in Catania, Transfer to Taormina

Once you arrive in Catania, travel to Taormina. Here are your options:

  • Bus: Etnatransporti and Interbus run direct routes from the Catania airport to the Taormina city center (bus terminal). There are approximately two buses per hour and travel time is an hour and 25 minutes.
  • Train: The train is not recommended, as the train station is at sea level and you will have to walk, take a taxi, or take a bus to reach the city center.
  • Taxi: Taxi fares range from €70 to €120, depending on the time of day. Travel to Taormina takes 45 minutes to an hour. A big advantage of taxis is their quicker travel times and the option to be dropped off near your hotel (the city center of Taormina is pedestrian-only, so if you stay in the city center, you will have to carry your luggage into town).
  • Private Transfer: You can arrange a private transfer in advance.

Check into your hotel and have dinner. We have restaurant and hotel recommendations in our Taormina Itinerary.

Taormina City Guides

12 Wonderful Things to Do in Taormina, Sicily

Taormina, with its cliffside setting, rocky beaches, ancient Greek theater, picturesque streets, and panoramic views of Mount Etna, is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. Strolling its streets, exploring the public garden, visiting lovely Isola Bella, and climbing the steps up to Castello di Taormina are all top things to do in Taormina, […]

The Perfect Taormina Itinerary: Best of Taormina in 1 to 2 Days

Out of everything we did in Sicily, from climbing Mount Etna to exploring the Valley of the Temples to visiting its charming coastal and hill towns, Taormina stands out as one of the highlights. Perched on cliffs overlooking the Ionian Sea, with steaming Mount Etna forming the perfect backdrop, this city is gorgeous. Add in […]

Day 2: Taormina

Spend the day in Taormina. A big advantage of staying in town is that you can either visit the Ancient Theater of Taormina at opening time (the best time to avoid the crowds and get great lighting for photos) or hike up to Castello di Taormina.

Get suggestions on how to spend your time in our Taormina Itinerary.

Isola Bella Taormina Sicily

Isola Bella, Taormina

Day 3: Mount Etna

Today, visit Mount Etna on a day trip from Taormina. Like Catania, there are many day trip options to Mount Etna, and several include extra experiences, such as wine tastings and gorge hikes.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Spend the evening in Taormina.

Day 4: Catania

Today, you can either spend a leisurely morning in Taormina, check out of your hotel midday, and then travel to Catania by bus, taxi, or private transfer, and spend the remainder of the day in Catania.

Another option is to travel to Catania in the morning, check into your hotel midday (book a hotel with a front desk that can hold your luggage, just in case you arrive before check-in time), and explore Catania in the afternoon. This is a good option for those who want to do some sightseeing in Catania.

You will stay in Catania for the remainder of this itinerary.

Catania City Street

Catania

Day 5: Val di Noto

Day trip to Val di Noto, following our suggestions from the itinerary above.

Day 6: Syracuse and Ortigia

Day trip to Syracuse and Ortigia, following our suggestions from the itinerary above.

Day 7: Fly Home

Fly home from Catania or continue your travels.

Here are a few places to add on to this itinerary, if you have more than 7 days.

Mount Etna Wine Region

The Mount Etna wine region is one of the most unique wine regions in Europe, if not the entire world. Vines cover the lower slopes of Mount Etna, and with a regular dusting of volcanic ash, the wines from this region have a distinctive taste. If you are a wine enthusiast, adding a day to visit the Etna wine region is well worth it.

Etna Wine Region

Etna Wine Region: Why Sicily’s Volcanic Wines Are a Must-Try

In this guide, we cover the best wineries to visit, a sample 2-day itinerary, plus helpful tips to plan your visit.

Add on More Time in Catania or Taormina

If you like the idea of having more time to explore Catania or spend an additional day in Taormina, add another day to this itinerary.

More Time in Val di Noto

If you can add another day or two, this will give you time to spend a night or two in one of the Val di Noto towns. It is possible to get around by public transportation, but it would be a lot more convenient to rent a car for this portion of the itinerary.

Planning Your Trip to Sicily

This itinerary is a great starting point for creating your own custom itinerary. If you have any questions about how to further modify this itinerary, let us know in the comment section below and we would be happy to help!

We also have a Two Week Sicily Itinerary, which you can see here ↓

2 Weeks in Sicily

The Ultimate Two Week Sicily Road Trip Itinerary

This 14 day itinerary is done as one big loop, starting and ending in Palermo, visiting the highlights of Sicily.

To see all of our guides about Sicily and Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. It also has a few detailed itineraries for Italy, visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and southern Italy, and more.

For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page.


If you have any questions about how to spend 7 days in Sicily, let us know in the comment section below.

Plan Your Trip to Italy

On this easy to plan 7 day Sicily, Italy itinerary, visit Taormina, Mount Etna, Val di Noto, Catania, Syracuse, and Ortigia, no car required.

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Julie

About Julie

Julie is the main author for Earth Trekkers. Hiker, foodie, wine aficionado, photographer, and triathlete, she loves discovering new places and turning those experiences into practical travel advice. Her work has been featured by National Geographic, Outside, and Matador Network. Julie’s mission is simple: to make travel planning easier and inspire you to visit new destinations with confidence.

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