Sicily

1. What are the absolute top things to do in Sicily?

The best things are spread across the island. You cannot do them all in a week, so prioritize. My top five: Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Palermo's Capuchin Catacombs, Mount Etna's volcano craters, the Greek Theatre in Syracuse, and the coastal walks on the island of Lipari.

Skip the cable car up Mount Etna (€50 return, often closed due to wind). Instead hike from Rifugio Sapienza at 1,900 meters. It costs nothing, takes 3 hours round trip, and you see real craters up close.

2. Which archaeological sites are worth the money?

Practical warning: At the Valley of the Temples, touts near the entrance sell fake tickets. Only buy from the official booth or the website coopculture.it.

3. Is it worth visiting the Aeolian Islands?

Yes, but only one island unless you have 4 days. Lipari is the best for a day trip. Take the hydrofoil from Milazzo (€19 one way, 60 minutes). Swim at Canneto beach, walk up to the castle (€6 entry), and eat at a trattoria away from the port where a fish lunch costs €18 instead of €35.

Skip Stromboli for a day trip. The night hike to see eruptions requires a guide (€35) and 5 hours. You arrive back at midnight. Do it only if you stay overnight.

Vulcano is a half day option. Walk to the crater (1 hour, free) then sit in the mud baths (€5 entry). The smell of sulfur is strong. Leave your swimsuit in a bag.

4. What about Mount Etna? Is a guided tour necessary?

No, but it is smart. A self-guided hike from Rifugio Sapienza costs €5 parking (if you drive) and zero entry fee. You walk 3 km to the 2,800 meter crater. That is free. But you need sturdy shoes and a jacket (it is 10°C cooler at the top).

Guided tours from Catania cost €60 to €75 per person and include transport, a guide explaining volcanology, and helmets. They also take you to a lava cave. Worth it if you want context. Avoid the jeep tours that drive you to 2,900 meters for €50 extra. The walk is easier.

Current 2026 warning: Etna is active. Check INGV (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology) alerts the morning of your visit. Eruptions close trails at 2,900 meters.

5. What should I do in Palermo with limited time?

Spend three hours on one street: Via Maqueda. Visit the Capuchin Catacombs (€3.50, open 9am to 12pm only, closed Sundays). See 8,000 mummies. It is eerie and unforgettable.

Then walk 5 minutes to the Palatine Chapel inside the Norman Palace. Entry is €13 (book online to skip the 30 minute queue). The gold mosaics are the best in Sicily. Spend 40 minutes there.

Skip the Massimo Theatre tour (€8, costs time). The outside is more impressive. Instead eat a panelle (chickpea fritter) at a street stall for €2. That is a real Palermo experience.

6. Which beaches are actually worth driving to?

Sicily's best beaches are not near the big cities. San Vito Lo Capo (northwest) has white sand and turquoise water. Park in the free lot 500 meters east of the center, then walk. Avoid the paid beach clubs that charge €15 for a sunbed.

Scala dei Turchi near Agrigento is a white cliff you can walk on. Go at 6pm for sunset. Enter from the beach, no fee. But in July 2026, locals say the cliff is eroding. Do not climb the main face.

The shallow coves of the Zingaro Nature Reserve are free but you pay €5 to park. Hike 20 minutes south from the Scopello entrance for a quiet spot.

7. Is it easy to get around without a car?

Trains connect major cities: Palermo to Catania is 3 hours, €15. For small towns like Noto, Ragusa Ibla, and Taormina, buses are better (€5 to €8 from Syracuse). Renting a car costs €40 per day plus €15 for tolls and parking. For a 7 day trip, combine train and bus. For 10 days, rent a car.

Avoid driving in Palermo and Catania city centers. They are chaos. Park outside and take a taxi (€10 to center).

8. What is the best time of year to visit?

May and October are ideal. Temperatures are 22°C to 27°C. August is 35°C and hotels cost double. In 2026, August ferries to the Aeolian Islands sell out two weeks ahead. Book everything by April.

Winter (December to February) is quiet. The Valley of the Temples is almost empty. But Mount Etna's summit is often closed due to snow. Beach towns are dead. Stick to Palermo and Syracuse.

9. How much time do I need for Syracuse?

One full day. In the morning visit the archaeological park (€10, 2 hours) and the Greek Theatre. At noon walk to Ortigia island (free, 15 minutes). See the cathedral which was built on a Greek temple. Entry is €4, worth it for the columns visible inside.

Eat lunch at a market stall in the Mercato di Ortigia. A plate of grilled swordfish costs €10. Then walk the sea wall promenade. Skip the Maniace Castle (€6, nothing inside).

10. What about Taormina? Is it too touristy?

Taormina is polished, expensive, and packed. The Greek Theatre costs €13 and views of Mount Etna are postcard perfect. But you wait 45 minutes in line. Go at 8am. Or skip it and see the better theatre in Syracuse.

The Isola Bella beach below is a pebble beach. Entry is free, but sunbeds cost €25. Walk 10 minutes north to Mazzarò beach for cheaper options.

My advice: spend half a day in Taormina then drive 20 minutes to Castelmola (free, hilltop village with better views).

Practical warnings

• In Catania train station, men offering taxi rides quote €20 for a 3 km ride. Use Uber or ItTaxi app. Real fare is about €8.
• Gelato in tourist areas costs €4 for a small cup. Two streets away, locals pay €2.50.
• Many museums close at 2pm. Check websites the night before. The Regional Gallery of Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo closes at 1:30pm on weekdays.
• In 2026, the Segesta site is under renovation. The temple is open, but the theatre is closed until October. Check before driving an hour there.

Quick reference table for a 7 day trip