Sicily Grand Tour: Self-Launched

Fly into Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), well connected from most UK airports. Take the Alibus airport shuttle (€4, 20 mins) to the city centre. Check into your hostel or guesthouse near Piazza del Duomo. Spend the evening wandering the baroque streets, grab dinner at a local trattoria — try pasta alla Norma, Catania's signature dish — and get oriented for the adventures ahead.

🚌Alibus airport shuttle: ~£4. Walk everywhere in the centre.

🛏Manganelli Palace Hostel or B&B Etnea (or similar 3-star guesthouse near Piazza del Duomo)

• →Arrive at Catania Fontanarossa Airport
• →Take Alibus shuttle to city centre (~€4)
• →Self-guided walk around Piazza del Duomo and the elephant fountain
• →Dinner at a local trattoria (budget ~£15)

Join a small-group guided hike on Mount Etna's volcanic slopes — bookable via GetYourGuide or Klook for a fraction of the group tour price. Hike past old lava flows to panoramic viewpoints (approximately 3mi/5km, 1–2 hours). Wear warm, windproof layers and sturdy shoes. In the afternoon, visit a local winery near Etna for a wine and cheese tasting — Benanti and Cornelissen wineries offer direct visits. Return to Catania by late afternoon.

🚌Shared minibus transfer to Etna usually included in GetYourGuide tour package (~£5 if not). Return to Catania by bus.

🛏Manganelli Palace Hostel or B&B Etnea (or similar)

• →Book Etna guided hike via GetYourGuide (~£35–45pp)
• →Hike lava fields to panoramic crater viewpoints
• →Afternoon wine and cheese tasting at an Etna winery (~£20pp direct booking)
• →Optional: cable car upgrade to central crater (~£30 extra)

Start with a self-guided morning walk of Catania: Piazza del Duomo, Palazzo degli Elefanti, the baroque cathedral and the famous, chaotic fish market (La Pescheria) — all free to visit. Then take the Interbus or FlixBus to Syracuse (~1 hr, ~£8). On arrival, join a guided tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park (book via GetYourGuide, ~£20) featuring the Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and Ear of Dionysius. Finish with an orientation stroll around Ortygia island.

🚌Interbus Catania–Syracuse: ~£8. Walk in Syracuse.

🛏Alla Giudecca Hostel or Hotel Gutkowski (or similar 3-star in Ortygia)

• →Self-guided walk: Piazza del Duomo, baroque architecture, fish market (free)
• →Interbus to Syracuse (~£8, ~1 hr)
• →Guided tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park via GetYourGuide (~£20pp)
• →Evening stroll on Ortygia island

A free day to explore the beautiful island of Ortygia at your own pace. Start at Piazza del Duomo, visit the cathedral built into a Greek temple, and stroll the western waterfront for sea views. Head to the Museo Archeologico Paolo Orsi (one of Italy's finest archaeological museums, ~£9 entry) and the nearby Catacombs of San Giovanni (~£8). Enjoy lunch at a seafront café and spend the afternoon swimming off the Ortygia rocks or exploring local markets.

🚌Walk everywhere on Ortygia island.

🛏Alla Giudecca Hostel or Hotel Gutkowski (or similar)

• →Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of Syracuse (free exterior, ~£4 interior)
• →Museo Archeologico Paolo Orsi (~£9)
• →Catacombs of San Giovanni (~£8)
• →Swimming from Ortygia waterfront rocks (free)
• →Seafood lunch at a waterfront trattoria (~£15)

Take a morning bus from Syracuse to Noto (~45 mins, ~£4 via Interbus). Wander the golden stone streets, baroque balconies and the magnificent cathedral facade — a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. After lunch, take a bus or shared taxi onward to Ragusa (~1 hr, ~£6–8). Explore Ragusa Ibla, the lower historic quarter, made famous as the filming location for Inspector Montalbano. The compact old town is perfect to explore on foot before sunset.

🚌Interbus: Syracuse–Noto ~£4, Noto–Ragusa ~£7.

🛏B&B Cuore di Ragusa or La Dimora del Marchese (or similar guesthouse in Ragusa Ibla)

• →Interbus Syracuse–Noto (~£4, ~45 mins)
• →Self-guided walk of Noto's baroque cathedral and Corso Vittorio Emanuele (free)
• →Lunch in Noto — try granita and brioche (~£8)
• →Bus or shared taxi Noto–Ragusa (~£6–8)
• →Evening stroll through Ragusa Ibla (free)

Take a short morning bus from Ragusa to Modica (~30 mins, ~£3). Explore this stunning hilltop UNESCO baroque town and visit the famous Antica Dolceria Bonajuto — Sicily's oldest chocolate shop, open since 1880 — for a tasting of the cold-processed Aztec-style Modica chocolate. In the afternoon, take a bus north to Piazza Armerina (~2 hrs with change, ~£10). Arrive in time for a relaxed evening stroll through the medieval hilltop centre.

🚌Bus Ragusa–Modica: ~£3. Bus Modica–Piazza Armerina: ~£10.

🛏Suite d'Autore or B&B Il Papiro (or similar guesthouse in Piazza Armerina)

• →Bus Ragusa–Modica (~£3, ~30 mins)
• →Self-guided walk of Modica's baroque churches and hilltop streets (free)
• →Chocolate tasting at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto (~£5)
• →Bus Modica–Piazza Armerina via Gela (~£10, ~2 hrs)
• →Evening walk in Piazza Armerina's medieval centre (free)

The highlight of central Sicily: the Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the most extensive intact Roman mosaics in the world — covering over 3,500 sqm across 40 rooms. Entry is ~£12; audio guides are ~£5 and well worth it to understand the 4th-century scenes of hunting, mythology and the famous 'bikini girls' mosaic. Take local bus or taxi from Piazza Armerina (~10 mins, ~£5 return shared taxi). In the afternoon, free time to explore the town or optionally visit the ruins of Morgantina (~40 min drive, arrange shared taxi ~£20).

🚌Shared taxi to Villa Romana: ~£5 return. Taxi to Morgantina if chosen: ~£20.

🛏Suite d'Autore or B&B Il Papiro (or similar)

• →Local bus or shared taxi to Villa Romana del Casale (~£5 return)
• →Entry to Villa Romana del Casale (~£12)
• →Audio guide hire (~£5)
• →Optional: ruins of Morgantina (~£8 entry + ~£20 shared taxi)
• →Afternoon free in Piazza Armerina

Take a morning bus from Piazza Armerina to Agrigento (~2 hrs, ~£10 via SAIS Trasporti). Visit the magnificent Valley of the Temples — a UNESCO archaeological park with eight Greek temples dating from 510–430 BCE. Entry is ~£12; a self-guided visit with the free park map is excellent, or book a 2-hour guided tour via GetYourGuide for ~£20. After lunch, take a bus or taxi to Selinunte (~1hr 20mins, ~£8–12 by bus or shared shuttle) to explore one of Sicily's largest Greek archaeological sites and check in for the night.

🚌SAIS bus Piazza Armerina–Agrigento: ~£10. Bus/shuttle Agrigento–Selinunte: ~£10.

🛏Hotel Admeto or Agriturismo Minosse di Selinunte (or similar near Selinunte)

• →Bus Piazza Armerina–Agrigento (~£10, ~2 hrs)
• →Valley of the Temples entry (~£12)
• →Optional guided tour via GetYourGuide (~£20pp)
• →Lunch in Agrigento (~£12)
• →Bus or shuttle to Selinunte (~£8–12)
• →Self-guided walk around Selinunte archaeological park (~£6 entry)

Take a morning bus or shared transfer toward Marsala (~1 hr, ~£8). From the Stagnone lagoon embarcadero, take the short ferry to the Phoenician island of Mozia (Motya) — ferries run frequently (~£5 return), and entry to the archaeological site and museum is ~£9. After exploring, drive or bus to Erice (~1 hr, ~£6 by bus), the stunning medieval hilltop town perched 800m above sea level. Stroll narrow stone lanes, visit the Norman castle, and watch the sunset from a panoramic terrace. Descend by cable car (~£5) to Trapani for the night.

🚌Bus Selinunte–Marsala: ~£8. Ferry to Mozia: ~£5. Bus to Erice: ~£6. Cable car: ~£5.

🛏B&B Hotel Crystal Trapani or Il Cortile Segreto (or similar 3-star in Trapani)

• →Bus Selinunte–Marsala (~£8, ~1 hr)
• →Ferry to Mozia island (~£5 return)
• →Mozia archaeological site and Whitaker Museum entry (~£9)
• →Bus Marsala–Erice (~£6)
• →Self-guided walk of Erice's medieval lanes and Norman castle (~£3)
• →Sunset from Erice panoramic terrace (free)
• →Cable car down to Trapani (~£5)

Take an early bus or taxi to the Zingaro Nature Reserve entrance near Scopello (~45 mins, ~£8 by local bus). Walk the stunning 7km coastal trail past turquoise coves, sea cliffs and hidden beaches — swimming optional (free entry to reserve). Return to the road and take a bus or arrange a shared transfer to the ancient ruins of Segesta (~40 mins, ~£6). Visit the perfectly preserved 5th-century BCE Doric temple on its hilltop and the Greek theatre above — entry ~£8. Then bus onward to Palermo (~1 hr, ~£5 via Segesta buses).

🚌Bus to Zingaro: ~£8. Transfer to Segesta: ~£6. Bus Segesta–Palermo: ~£5.

🛏Massimo Plaza Hotel or A'Cammara B&B (or similar 3-star in Palermo centre)

• →Bus/taxi to Zingaro Nature Reserve (~£8)
• →Coastal hike through Zingaro Reserve, ~7km (free entry)
• →Swimming at a Zingaro cove (free)
• →Shared transfer or bus to Segesta (~£6)
• →Segesta temple and Greek theatre (~£8 entry)
• →Bus Segesta–Palermo (~£5)

Take bus 389 from Palermo centre up to Monreale (~30 mins, ~£2 return) to visit the magnificent Norman cathedral — its interior is covered in 6,340 sqm of Byzantine gold mosaics, among the finest in the world. Entry is ~£6. Return to Palermo and spend the afternoon on a self-guided or guided walking tour of the city: the Ballarò street market, the Quattro Canti baroque crossroads, Palazzo dei Normanni and the Palatine Chapel (~£12 entry). Book a Palermo food street tour via GetYourGuide (~£25) if you want a foodie introduction.

🚌Bus 389 Palermo–Monreale: ~£2 return. Walk in Palermo centre.

🛏Massimo Plaza Hotel or A'Cammara B&B (or similar)

• →Bus 389 to Monreale (~£2 return)
• →Monreale Cathedral and cloister (~£6 entry)
• →Ballarò street market — try arancini and panelle (free to browse, ~£5 snacks)
• →Quattro Canti and Piazza Pretoria (free)
• →Palazzo dei Normanni and Palatine Chapel (~£12)
• →Optional: Palermo street food tour via GetYourGuide (~£25)

Use the morning for any remaining Palermo sights — the Capuchin Catacombs (~£4, uniquely macabre) or the Teatro Massimo exterior are both worth a visit. Take the Trenitalia train from Palermo Centrale to Cefalù in the early afternoon (~45 mins, ~£6 — book at the station or on trenitalia.com). Check into your accommodation in this charming Norman port town. Stroll the seafront, climb up to the dramatic La Rocca citadel (free, ~1 hr hike) for panoramic views, and enjoy an early evening aperitivo by the harbour.

🚌Trenitalia Palermo–Cefalù: ~£6.

🛏B&B La Plumeria or Hotel Riva del Sole Cefalù (or similar 3-star in Cefalù)

• →Optional: Capuchin Catacombs Palermo (~£4)
• →Trenitalia train Palermo–Cefalù (~£6, ~45 mins)
• →Stroll Cefalù's Norman historic centre and seafront (free)
• →Hike up La Rocca citadel (free, ~1 hr)
• →Aperitivo by the harbour (~£6)

A restful free day in one of Sicily's most beautiful seaside towns. Spend the morning at Cefalù's famous sandy beach — one of the best in northern Sicily. Visit the remarkable Norman Cathedral (UNESCO listed, ~£4) with its stunning Byzantine mosaics. Explore the Museo Mandralisca for a famous portrait by Antonello da Messina (~£6). In the afternoon, kayak or snorkel from the beach (rentals ~£15), or take a short boat trip along the coast. Enjoy a seafood dinner in the old town.

🚌Walk everywhere in Cefalù.

🛏B&B La Plumeria or Hotel Riva del Sole Cefalù (or similar)

• →Morning at Cefalù beach (free)
• →Cefalù Cathedral (UNESCO, ~£4 entry)
• →Museo Mandralisca (~£6)
• →Optional: kayak or snorkel rental (~£15)
• →Optional: boat trip along the coast (~£20)
• →Seafood dinner in old town (~£18)

Take the Trenitalia train from Cefalù to Taormina-Giardini station (~2.5 hrs, ~£14, change in Messina or Barcellona). From the station take the cable car up to Taormina (~£3) or the local bus. Visit the spectacularly sited ancient Greek Theatre (Teatro Antico, ~£11 entry) with its views of Etna and the sea — one of the most beautiful ancient monuments in the world. Explore the elegant Corso Umberto, Piazza IX Aprile for sunset views and the Villa Comunale public gardens (free). Enjoy a final group dinner.

🚌Trenitalia Cefalù–Taormina: ~£14. Cable car: ~£3.

🛏Hotel Villa Nettuno or Hostel Taormina (or similar 3-star in Taormina)

• →Train Cefalù–Taormina-Giardini (~£14, ~2.5 hrs)
• →Cable car or bus up to Taormina (~£3)
• →Greek Theatre (Teatro Antico) (~£11 entry)
• →Stroll Corso Umberto and Piazza IX Aprile (free)
• →Villa Comunale public gardens (free)
• →Celebratory dinner in Taormina (~£20)

Enjoy a final breakfast in Taormina. Depending on your flight, take the cable car down to Taormina-Giardini station and the train to Catania Airport (~1 hr, ~£8) for departure. Alternatively, buses run directly from Taormina to Catania airport. Taormina is a beautiful place to extend — consider staying an extra night to explore Isola Bella beach or day-trip to Castelmola above the town.

🚌Bus or train Taormina–Catania Airport: ~£8.

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast in Taormina
• →Optional: morning walk to Isola Bella viewpoint (free)
• →Bus or train to Catania Airport (~£8, ~1 hr)
• →Depart Sicily