No photos are allowed inside, but I can’t impress enough the creepiness of this place–I think it has something to do with the fact that these people are preserved as themselves that adds an extra layer of disturbing to it all, as opposed to places like the catacombs of Paris where the bones are more or less repurposed into artwork using human remains. Of all the ancient ruins in Syracuse, the Temple of Apollo is considered the most important. Between Paceco and Trapani, it will allow you to passmany salt marshes and enjoy beautiful landscapes. But their location makes it not necessarily the ideal to start a road trip in Sicily. In Taormina , it is the historic center that is worth seeing. In Trapani, take a stroll in the historic center on Via Garibaldi or Corso Italia. Add in a less-than-ideal public transportation system, and a Sicily road trip quickly emerges as the clear best way to explore the island–but you need to be prepared in order to make the most of it. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Pack a cell phone holder to attach to the car and you’ll be able to drive much more safely! Here are the 3 best places: For the 4th day , I recommend you get up early and go to visit the valley of the temples of Agrigento, a must in the region. Check rates & book your stay at Ciuri Ciuri B&B! Day 7: For the second day in Trapani , I recommend a trip to the Egadi Islands , accessible by ferry from the port. The only catch is what to do with your car, which leads me to…. We took this fun tour during our trip to Palermo and absolutely loved it! In order to help you organize your trip , I have prepared 5 road trip itineraries according to the duration of your stay in Sicily (1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks) and your arrival airport. Driving in Sicily truly deserves its own post, but here are some essential tips to know before embarking on your Sicily road trip! It’s also home to some very unique touches, like a sundial on the floor marked with zodiac signs and an inscription from the Quran on one of the columns near the entrance–both highly unusual for a Catholic church! It is sure that sometimes, we could not do otherwise but at that moment nothing exceeded the trunk or we parked in guarded parking. Tiny roads. No waste of time in public transport and the freedom to choose where and when to stop , it does not refuse! Check rates & book your stay at Hostel Taormina! At the end of the article, I also give you some tips to know the best time to leave and the budget to provide for your stay. Unless you fly to Palermo, where we suggest renting the car for your Sicilian road trip … In Erice you can stroll along the cobblestone streets and reach the castle to enjoy views of Trapani and the sea. But if you do not want to bother with the parking or other, you can On the program of this 10-day road trip to Sicilyalso book an excursion organized from Taormina. Bear in mind that we are coming at this from the perspective of people who drove daily for nearly a decade and have road-tripped through many countries, including Italy, before. Check rates & book your stay at SanVito Hostel! Every day, ferries make it possible to rally them from the harbor and in particular the island of Favignana , the least distant. We’ve been full-time travelers since May 2016, and are on a mission to find as many adventures as we can around the globe. Unless you are very confident with one, we recommend paying extra for an automatic transmission. Cet itinéraire de 2 semaines de road trip en Sicile a été réalisé en Été. In the same style as the Zingaro, but with landscapes all the same different, the walk is super nice. A Sicily road trip has been on our bucket list for some time now; ever since Ryanair introduced direct flights to Sicily from Dublin. Turn it down. Then go for a walk in the gorges of the Alcantara , 50 minutes from Taormina. Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Continental! Road trip de 10 jours en Sicile : que voir en sicile, quand partir en sicile. We squeezed a quick visit to Cefalù into one day, but this magnificent seaside town captured our hearts and absolutely deserves more time than that–as we strolled the streets of Cefalù, we fantasized about one day returning here for a month! There are dozens of rental car companies operating in Sicily, all with their own prices and rental agreements. Though you can easily reach the island yourself from Taormina via the cable car, a cruise along the coast paired with visits to the island’s best swimming spots is an excellent day to spend a hot day in Taormina! You can find many more things to see in our Syracuse article: What to do and see in Syracuse? On this 7-day road trip to Sicily: Catania, Syracuse , Ortigia Island and Taormina . Si vous n'avez que 7 à 10 jours, vous ne pourrez pas forcément faire le tour de l'île pendant votre road-trip. On the way, stop at Marsala for a tasting of the wine of the same name then passage by the salt road (the SP21). A road trip in Sicily can be tricky and needs a good plan as there are lots of amazing stuff to see and do. Its bay is found on all the postcards of Sicily, so we should not leave without the souvenir photo! Day 3: Spend the first day in Ortygia to see the Piazza del Duomo, the temple of Apollo, the port. Luckily, Sicily is characterized by its brilliant weather that allows for swimming over nearly half the year! Of all the places to visit in Sicily, this is the one outlined on this Sicily road trip itinerary that we personally have the most unfinished business with. 2) Syracuse, Ortygia and baroque cities (3 days), Road trip in Sicily: 2 weeks to go around the island, 3-week Sicilian road trip with discovery of the Aeolian Islands, Visiting Sicily by Car: Things to Know Before You Go. The major roads in Sicily are perfectly well maintained–smaller roads, not so much, so beware of potholes. International Driving Permit — If you’re coming from outside the EU and plan to rent a car in Sicily, you’ll need to make sure to acquire an International Driving Permit in your home country, before coming to Italy. Hostel Taormina — Boasting great reviews and a perfect location in Taormina’s Old Town, Hostel Taormina is the perfect place for budget travelers looking to keep costs down in what is arguably Sicily’s most expensive city. Good news if you have 15 days for your road trip , you will be able to go around Sicily , from East to West! Your arrival airport will therefore depend on the part of Sicily that you want to visit. Sicily embodies thousands of years of history spanning the height of the Greek and Roman empires. Notre road trip en Sicile jour par jour Jour 1 et 2 : arrivée à 8h15 près de Palerme. CAR RENTAL IN SICILY. Comfortable Day Bag — We currently use Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable. It is the ideal place to admire one of the most beautiful sunsets of all Sicily! off the coast–no ferry necessary) that is essentially Syracuse’s lovely old town. Road trip en Sicile Si vous avez déjà fait le tour de l’Italie en road trip et que vous préférez partir sur une île italienne cette fois-ci, je vous recommande de choisir la Sicile! Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Posta! This laid-back beach town is perfect for kicking back and enjoying long stretches of sandy beach–in fact, if you want a little more swimming to be included on your Sicily vacation beyond what’s outlined in this 10 day Sicily itinerary, you can even add a quick stop in Avola during your drive from Syracuse to the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. Then you can visit the Massimo Theater (one of the largest in Italy) or if you are passionate about history, the Regional Archaeological Museum of Sicily . It is therefore better to privilege Catania for a stay in the East and Palermo , if you want to visit the West. Check rates & book your stay at Casa Barone Agnello! Only 35 minutes from Palermo airport, it is the perfect city to finish the holidays. Beautiful, mysterious Sicily, with its looming volcano, sparkling azure waters, and hilltop villages, is one of those travel destinations that I have spent most of my life dreaming about. Ciuri Ciuri B&B — Featuring spacious rooms, included breakfast, and an excellent location, mid-range travelers can’t go wrong with a stay at Ciuri Ciuri B&B while in Palermo! Planning your own trip to Sicily and not sure exactly where to go? Then, climb the stairs to the Madonna della Rocca sanctuary to admire the panorama. The views of Ragusa Ilba looking down from Ragusa Superiore may just be some of the best views in this entire Sicily itinerary, which is really saying something! You. It is a 1-hour drivefrom Taormina to Syracuse. It’s the perfect place to stop for a quick sightseeing break as you arrive in or leave the city, though. The small streets and occasional unexpected sea views give Cefalù a delightful charm that completely captivated us during our Sicily travels–this small village is worth wandering aimlessly, and due to its small size, it’s impossible to get too lost along the way. The next day (8th day) , join Trapani for 2 days . Do not miss the Roman amphitheater , the Greek theater or the famous Ear of Denys. Visiting Sicily by car is the best way to optimize time on site and miss any of the must-sees of this beautiful island. Le réseau routier sicilien est très bien développé et permet de … Your 4th day in Sicily ,   will be dedicated to the “modern” part of Syracuse . The opportunity to admire beautiful landscapes. Visiter le Sud de la Sicile en road trip en 15 jours en été. Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Natalina! Syracuse’s Greek Theatre is one of its most popular attractions, however, it’s completely across town from Ortigia. Today (5th day) your road trip to the West of Sicily, takes you to Selinonte . In Erice you will find a medieval castle   and ramparts offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area. La capitale de la Sicile, est une des plus anciennes villes d’Europe chargée d’histoire : Commençons par la visite du Teatro … Then go to the Gorges de l’Alcantara. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. For the 7th day of your vacation, you will go to Selinunte . Pacsafe — We can’t recommend our Pacsafe enough: this travel safe is affordable, sturdy, easy to pack, and will help keep your valuables safe in your hotel room (not that you should need to worry much about theft in Sicily, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!). Marina House — What’s better than a well-reviewed apartment in the heart of Cefalù? Personally, we eat at the restaurant only in the evening (sandwich lunch) and prefer housing around 50 to 60 € per night. need to be a confident, well-practiced driver to comfortably drive in Sicily. This narrow canyon was formed as a result of several lava flows, which on cooling created improbable rock formations. Upon arrival in Sicily, the first thing on your list should be renting a car. ), luxury travelers (or just those looking for a splurge) can’t go wrong with a stay at 4-star Hotel Livingston during their 10 day Sicily itinerary! The Baroque churches of the Middles Ages in Sicily … Perched on a hill, it offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. Temperatures are generally mild, even in winter. Ciao ! On the way, you can make a stop in Marsala to taste the wine of the same name and then continue on the SP21 road at the exit of the city. No parking options–so keep that in mind if you choose to book a stay here! For this second example, I suggest you make a road trip from Palermo to visit the West of Sicily by car in 10 days. Known for its superb location in the heart of Taormina, its views, and its wonderful included breakfast, luxury travelers can’t go wrong with a stay here. For your last stop (12th day) , I invite you to join Palermo for the next 2 days and to discover its historical buildings. ), which we found varied dramatically among different rental car companies in Sicily! Due to the aggressive driving, small roads, and distances covered on this Sicily road trip, we’d recommend purchasing insurance with no deductible/excess for the time it takes you to work through this 10 day Sicily itinerary–it’s simply one less thing to worry about on the road. En même temps l'Italie pour les vacances c'est une vraie valeur sûre : de belles plages, du soleil (beaucoup de soleil), plein de visites à faire, et une cuisine riche et savoureuse. There are several good reasons for this: If you want to do a Road Trip of 5 days or less in Sicily, I recommend you read my article: Visit Sicily in 1, 2 or 3 days – the best routes. It costs 5 Euros, avoids the hassle of a taxi, and is perfectly comfortable! Check rates & book your stay at Sweet Home Cefalù! Not many villages as small as Cefalù have cathedrals as impressive–dating back even further than Palermo’s Cathedral, the Cefalù Duomo is absolutely worth visiting during your Sicily road trip, and if the views at La Rocca weren’t enough for you, you can even climb to the top! It is required for all car rentals in Italy, and while the rental company may not ask, it’s not worth the risk of being refused a car once you arrive or getting a fine if you’re pulled over to be without one. That of Favignana is the closest, you can also make the tour in 1 day by bike (the best way to visit). Once a thriving Ancient Greek city, these ruins are remarkably well-preserved and far less crowded than many better-known Greek ruins throughout Europe. To visit it, the best way is to rent a bike on arrival and go around during the day , taking breaks swimming in the coves. You do need to be a confident, well-practiced driver to comfortably drive in Sicily. Il Lapino — Home to simple rooms (some with shared bathrooms) and located only a 10-minute walk from the Palermo Cathedral, Il Lapino is very well-reviewed and is an excellent place to stay in Palermo for those on a budget. Check rates & book your stay at Marina House! In the afternoon, visit the archaeological park of Néapolis to admire the Roman amphitheater, the Greek theater and the ear of Denys. If you want to swim and sunbathe : the months of June, July, August, September and October are preferred. To take a tour of Sicily by car , it is necessary to know a few things before leaving: If I tell you all this, it is not for the purpose of scare you, but just to recommend you to pay a little attention. Today (6th day) , I take you to visit the famous valley of the temples of Agrigento , 2 hours from Ragusa. Une vraie … Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and ideally, complete this climb in the morning or early evening–the midday sun is brutal up here! You can also visit the catacombs and finish the day by visiting Monreale, a 30-minute drive from Palermo to visit the famous cathedral. You can dive and enjoy the sights without the world. All rights reserved. Cefalù, this impeccably decorated and well-reviewed apartment is perfect for travelers looking for a bit of old-world charm during their trip to Cefalù. Following this two-week road trip to Sicily will take you to Syracuse and Ortygia Island for the next 2 days. Go down to the gardens of Villa Comumale for a bit of freshness and finish the afternoon at the beach of Taormina: Isola Bella. Want to add a little thrill to your list of things to do in Taormina? Start from the Piazza del Duomo and the cathedral, take the Via Etnea to Piazza dell Universita and the 2 palaces there. If you click through a link on Lone Star Travel Guide, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Eight of the towns in the Val di Noto are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their incredible Baroque architecture: Ragusa, Modica, Noto, Scicli, Palazzo Acreide, Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, and finally, Catania itself. Carved by lava flows, the canyon offers amazing landscapes. We strongly recommend learning at least some basic Italian phrases before taking your Sicily road trip–the more Italian you speak, the easier your Sicily travels will be. Sweet Home Cefalù — Located practically next door to Cefalù’s beach and complete with both a balcony and a small kitchen, Sweet Home Cefalù gets rave reviews and is the perfect option for budget travelers in Cefalù. The next day (3rd day) , continuation of this road trip in Sicily of 10 days descending towards the South and Agrigento . The opportunity to alternate hiking and swimming. Join us here to see what we’ve been up to lately--or to start planning your own adventures! The 2 solutions offer beautiful panoramas, to you to choose what you prefer! Book your Palermo food + walking tour today! Whether you want to book a morning hike, a scenic tour, or a full day trip that also includes a visit to the beautiful Alcantara Canyons, you’re bound to find a visit to Mount Etna that appears to your travel style. ), and the island’s many ruins. ), 75+ Essential Europe Travel Tips You Need to Hear, 33 Best Books About Italy: A Literary Guide, Honeymoon in Italy: How to Plan the Perfect Trip. The next day (2nd day) , I advise you to take a trip to Etna . There’s no way around it: driving in Sicily has a pretty terrible reputation. At the end of the day, return to Taormina for a last night in Sicily. On the road, do not miss the beach of Heraclea Minoa for the swimming break and the city of Sciacca to do some sightseeing. Of course, you will not be safe from the cold or a few showers, but this is the case all over Europe at these times. Home to what are widely considered to be the best beaches in Taormina, summer visitors should definitely add a visit to Isola Bella to their Sicily road trip itinerary! Here are a few more beautiful places to see in Sicily that you might want to add to your itinerary. En effet, courant été 2013, lorsque avec mon acolyte … We wanted to be fully immersed in the baroque cities in the Val di Noto , have a taste of the greek … We recommend shopping through Discover Cars in order to search through multiple companies at once. There is no real “bad time” per se. The last leg of this week-long road trip to Sicily takes you to Taormina for 3 nights . Infos pratiques pour préparer votre roadtrip en Sicile Louer une voiture en Sicile : conseils pratiques, la vérité sur les routes et la conduite. Who says road trip, necessarily says car rental! Road Trip en Sicile : Louer une voiture en Sicile Le meilleur moyen de visiter la Sicile est, bien entendu, d’opter pour la location d’un véhicule. The largest island in the Mediterranean truly does have it all: whether you’re looking to lounge on a beach, dive headfirst into the cuisine, explore the Roman (or Greek, or Norman, or Arab, or Byzantine) history, or visit famous Mount Etna, a Sicily road trip has something to offer. Personally, we chose to stay in Ragusa for its relative popularity and central location and were very happy with the choice. To best organize your visit to Palermo, do not hesitate to consult our article: the 15 things to do in Palermo. Which airport to choose to start a road trip in Sicily? From Catania, agencies offer to take you there directly. Road trip en Sicile : de Taormine à Syracuse. Plan stop swimming in the creeks! But before, you have one last site not to be missed: the Temple of Segesta . If you prefer city tours and archeological sites , and that swimming is not scheduled, the other months of the year from November to April are perfect. Cap à l’Est pour la suite de notre road trip sicilien avec une escale à Syracuse et sa très célèbre presqu’île Ortigia pleine de charme, ravissante, avec ses petites ruelles pavées et ses jolis monuments. For your 2 days in Syracuse, we recommend focusing primarily on the island of Ortigia (or Ortygia), which is a small island right off the coast of Sicily (and I do mean right off the coast–no ferry necessary) that is essentially Syracuse’s lovely old town. to drive, or you’ve never driven outside your home country is likely not the best idea. For the sake of simplicity, we’ve outlined a few well-reviewed places to stay in Ragusa here, but staying somewhere like Modica or Noto will also easily work with this 10 day Sicily itinerary! Nous avons fait le choix de visiter le Sud de la Sicile avec un petit budget.Je présente donc sur ce blog de voyage un itinéraire en Sicile en road trip …