Sicily Tours

Six to seven days covers the classic Sicily circuit. Visiting Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse, Ragusa, and Taormina. With time for Norman cathedrals, Greek temples and a Mount Etna ascent. Eight to nine days adds the Aeolian Islands. Or extends the mainland circuit to include Piazza Armerina's Roman mosaics and extra time in Baroque towns. Ten to eleven days completes the full island loop from Catania. Or combines Sicily with Rome, Pompeii and Capri in a single mainland and island tour.

Cost varies with tour length, accommodation standard, group size and whether the tour is run as a group or private departure. Six to seven-day group tours visiting Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse and Taormina sit at the lower end of the range. Whilst eleven-day mainland combinations starting in Rome cost more. Budget backpacker tours for travellers aged 18 to 39 use hostel accommodation and offer a lower cost option. Longer tours with island extensions, smaller group sizes or higher-standard hotels increase the overall cost.

The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento stands as the signature experience, with Doric temples set among almond trees rivaling those of Athens. Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 jeep bring travellers to Europe's highest active volcano, exploring lava fields, craters and volcanic caves. The Baroque towns of Ragusa and Noto offer UNESCO-listed architecture, whilst Syracuse's Archaeological Park of Neapolis and Ortigia island reveal the ancient Greek colony. Palermo's Norman cathedral, Cappella Palatina and Monreale cloisters complete the circuit.

Sicily tours suit first-time visitors to Italy. Offering a clear introduction to Greek temples, Roman mosaics, Arab-Norman architecture and Baroque towns within a single island circuit. Tours run with trusted local partners and include expert guiding at key sites such as the Valley of the Temples, Syracuse and Palermo Cathedral. The eleven-day mainland combination tour starts in Rome, visits Pompeii and Capri, then crosses to Sicily for Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse and Taormina.

April to June and September to October offer the best conditions for Sicily tours, with mild temperatures, fewer crowds at archaeological sites and comfortable sightseeing. Spring brings almond blossoms in the Valley of the Temples, whilst autumn sees the grape harvest and warm seas ideal for coastal visits. July and August bring the hottest weather, exceeding VERIFY: 33°C (91°F) inland, but suit boat trips to the Aeolian Islands. November to March remains mild with cooler, wetter weather, snow-capped Mount Etna and fewer tourists across the island.

Sicily tours run as small group trips with a tour leader, or as private trips for couples and families. Group tours carry between 14 and 40 travellers depending on the departure. With fully guided or partially guided itineraries covering Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse, Taormina and Mount Etna. Budget tours for travellers aged 18 to 39 use hostel accommodation and offer a backpacker-style experience, with a maximum group size of 15. Private departures allow travel at your own pace, though the route and itinerary remain fixed.

Sicily tours include accommodation, internal transfers by coach or minibus, guided sightseeing at major sites, and some meals depending on the itinerary. Most tours cover entrance fees to the Valley of the Temples, Syracuse Archaeological Park, Monreale Cathedral and Mount Etna cable car and jeep ascents. Expert local guiding is provided at Norman cathedrals, Greek temples and Baroque towns, whilst free time in Palermo, Taormina and Ragusa allows independent exploration. Boat trips to the Aeolian Islands, wine tastings in Marsala, chocolate tastings in Modica, and some lunches or dinners are included on selected tours.

Catania sits on the east coast beneath Mount Etna and offers a UNESCO-listed Baroque centre built from dark volcanic stone. The Elephant Fountain, Catania Cathedral, and the churches along Via dei Crociferi form the main sights in the historic quarter. Fish and produce markets fill the streets near Piazza del Duomo each morning whilst Via Etnea runs north towards the volcano. Most Sicily tours use Catania as a base for Mount Etna ascents by cable car and 4x4 jeep. Explor lava fields, craters and volcanic caves before returning to the city or continuing to Taormina.