Cefalù? We use and recommend World Nomads for trips to Italy. However, ultimately, we walked away feeling that driving in Sicily was easier than expected–but we fully admit this impression is likely partially because of how nervous we were about doing it. 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. Unless you are very confident with one, we recommend paying extra for an automatic transmission. I don’t speak much Italian, but knowing enough to ask for (and receive) directions, order food in out-of-the-way places, read basic signs, speak with taxi drivers, etc, made our trip a bit simpler. During my Sicily road trip, I decided to stick to the south east of the island (with a few day trips elsewhere) and I saw so many incredible places. Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel — Boasting near-perfect reviews, Palazzo Natoli is located in the heart of Palermo, just steps from some of the city’s best highlights. Road trip en Sicile : de Taormine à Syracuse. 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. You will be so close to the archaeological park of Néapolis , your activity of the afternoon! If you find catacombs interesting, we highly recommend visiting these during your trip to Sicily–they are, hands down, the most bizarre and fascinating catacombs we have ever seen. 14th day: For the last stage and the end of your road trip in Sicily, I propose you to go to Taormina. Today (6th day) , I take you to visit the famous valley of the temples of Agrigento , 2 hours from Ragusa. 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. On your last day in Sicily, you’ll want to fit in … Luckily, Sicily is characterized by its brilliant weather that allows for swimming over nearly half the year! Alors, embarquez dans un vol pour la Sicile. 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. Hotel Il Barocco — Cozy and comfortable, this small hotel is located in a 19th-century building in central Ragusa, making it the perfect launching pad for your sightseeing. Though Italian is the official language in Sicily, Sicilian dialect–which is related and yet distinctly different, to the point where Italian speakers will have a hard time understanding it–is widely spoken in Sicily. If you’re lucky enough to have more than 10 days in Sicily–or you just prefer an even more fast-paced Sicily road trip–there are plenty more incredible places to visit in Sicily to add to your list! Scopello is the ideal base for visiting the Zingaro Nature Reserve , one of the most famous on the island. Book your Palermo food + walking tour today! Pour la première étape de ce road trip en Sicile on commence fort avec Palerme. For this 8th day of road trip around Western Sicily, direction Scopello, to spend 2 days in the surroundings (50 minutes drive from Trapani). Visit Ostuni And The Itria Valley: Top 10 Things To Do, 14, 15 or 16 days in South Sardinia – 2018, What to Do in Valletta: Top 10 Things to Do & 3 Days Itinerary – 2018, 1 Day in Palermo: Top 15 things to do 2018, Visit Madrid In 3 Days: Recommended Itinerary + Tips, Visit Bangkok In 3 Days: Recommended Itinerary + Tips, 3 Days in Santorini: Recommended Itinerary & Tips, Where To Stay In Santorini: The Best Hotels To Stay, Visit Malta: Top 20 Things to Do Before You Die, 110 € – with Easyjet – 2 suitcases in the cabin – no luggage in the hold – Arrival in Catania, 245 € – with Easyjet and a suitcase in the hold for 2 – Arrival in Palermo, 200 € – with Easyjet and a suitcase in the hold for 2 – Arrival in Catania, Rental car (via rentalcars with full protection). 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. Day 7: For the last day of your 7-day car tour , visit one of the most beautiful villages in Sicily: Castelmola . Dating to the 6th century BCE, the temple has served a whole host of functions over the centuries, including acting as a temple to both Apollo and Artemis, as a church (more than once), and as a mosque. 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! A Sicily road trip has been on our bucket list for some time now; ever since Ryanair introduced direct flights to Sicily from Dublin. Continue your road trip in Eastern Sicily the next day, leaving for Syracuse and Ortygia , 1 hour drive from Catania. On this 7-day road trip to Sicily: Catania, Syracuse , Ortigia Island and Taormina . 11 jours . 5th day: discovery of the old town of Taormina : And finally, get off at Isola Bella , the beautiful beach of Taormina. On the way, stop at Marsala for a tasting of the wine of the same name then passage by the salt road (the SP21). If you have the chance to make a three-week road trip to Sicily , you will be able to have fun and take your time to complete the tour of the island. You can admire the 8 temples of this renowned archaeological site of Sicily. The Baroque churches of the Middles Ages in Sicily … Je ne vais pas vous mentir le blog nous offre de belles opportunités et j’ai un frère et des amis un peu partout en France ! Road trip en Sicile de 3 semaines avec découverte des îles éoliennes. Would you prefer a countryside stay so that you can easily come and go without worrying about parking or driving through a town to do so? In Erice you can stroll along the cobblestone streets and reach the castle to enjoy views of Trapani and the sea. This is where you will have the most choice at the level of the renters and the rates are more advantageous than if you rent your car in an agency in town. One of the best things to do in Cefalù is simply to enjoy its beach that is conveniently located right outside of the old town, where you’re never far from gelato or a granita. We’ve put together this 10 days in Sicily itinerary for first-timers to the island–this is how to make the most of your first Sicily road trip! Pack a cell phone holder to attach to the car and you’ll be able to drive much more safely! Check rates & book your stay at Casa Barone Agnello! From the South entrance and after having paid the entrance at 5 €, you can walk along a path that runs along the sea and gives access to several coves below. After finally taking a Sicily road trip, I can say confidently that the island was worth the wait… and that we’ll be working our way through another Sicily itinerary before too long. Day 6: As a road trip in Sicily of 1 week would not be complete without the visit of Etna, this is what I advise you to do for your second day in the city. In Erice you will find a medieval castle   and ramparts offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area. 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! The ancient Valley of the Temples outside of Agrigento is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Sicily. Unless you are very confident with one, we recommend paying extra for an automatic transmission. The next day (2nd day) , I advise you to take a trip to Etna . Truly, renting a big car in Sicily is a liability, not a benefit. Located on the far edge of Ortigia, this citadel-slash-castle dates to the 13th century (an earlier castle on the site dated to the 11th) and boasts beautiful views over the Ionian Sea. As an Amazon Associate, Lone Star Travel Guide earns from qualifying purchases. Tiny roads. 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. — 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. On the 9th day of your road trip in Sicily, go to the nearest islands of Trapani: the Egadi Islands . 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. It’s the perfect place to stop for a quick sightseeing break as you arrive in or leave the city, though. No parking options–so keep that in mind if you choose to book a stay here! Then go for a walk in the gorges of the Alcantara , 50 minutes from Taormina. If you’re in town for a couple of days and one day looks clearer than the other, use the clearer day to visit Mount Etna (or if you don’t want to head all the way to Mount Etna, admire views of it from the Greek Theatre). You will pay tolls when driving in Sicily, especially in northern half of the island, so come prepared with a cupholder full of Euros. Excellent choice of destination! 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. Food in Sicily One of my Favorite parts about Sicily … Only 5 km from Taormina, it has a beautiful castle in ruins and offers beautiful views of Mount Etna and the valley below. SanVito Hostel — With excellent reviews, a prime location in Ragusa near Piazza San Giovanni, an included breakfast, and a gorgeous terrace offering panoramic views of the Val di Noto, SanVito Hostel is a phenomenal option for budget travelers during their Sicily road trip. Check rates & book your stay at Room Calafatari! La route effectuant le tour de la Sicile est l’un des meilleurs endroits où aller si vous êtes un aficionado des road-trips en Italie. Certains remarqueront peut-être que nous sommes pourtant partis à plusieurs reprises cette année. One that’s located right on the water and includes a balcony overlooking the sea! With excellent reviews and a fabulous included breakfast, Hotel Il Barocco is a reliable choice in Ragusa for your Sicily vacation. Une vraie … Go through Corso Umberto to reach Piazza IX Aprile . tout savoir avant de partir en Sicile. ), and the island’s many ruins. We recommend prioritizing Ragusa, Noto, Modica, and if you have time, Scicli. off the coast–no ferry necessary) that is essentially Syracuse’s lovely old town. Be sure to make your way to the Piazza Duomo and the Fountain of Arethusa during your wandering! Once a thriving Ancient Greek city, these ruins are remarkably well-preserved and far less crowded than many better-known Greek ruins throughout Europe. Pour un road-trip dans le Sud de l’Italie : la Sicile. La location de la voiture est indispensable pour réussir votre roadtrip en Sicile… If you want to swim and sunbathe : the months of June, July, August, September and October are preferred. 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. Though Catania is far from Sicily’s most popular tourist attraction, it’s definitely worth a bit of exploring if you happen to be passing through! Disposant d’une semaine libre au mois de mai, c’était l’occasion de m’essayer à un road trip photo de 7 jours et de … Infos pratiques pour préparer votre roadtrip en Sicile Louer une voiture en Sicile : conseils pratiques, la vérité sur les routes et la conduite. I advise you to start with the Piazza del Duomo , which, like everywhere in Italy , constitutes the historic heart. All rights reserved. We used to use this one and had no complaints. Take the hike that connects the 2 entrances of the reserve, from South to North and return to your starting point. You can plan to spend 3 nights there. First day: arrival in Catania and visit of the historic center. 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. Boasting phenomenal views of both Mount Etna and the sparkling Ionian Sea, great swimming nearby, and an incredible Greek theatre, Taormina is hard not to love. No waste of time in public transport and the freedom to choose where and when to stop , it does not refuse! La Sicile n'est pas si petite que ça ! Plan stop swimming in the creeks! All Rights Reserved, Sicily Road Trip: The Best Routes For 5, 7, 10, 15 And 21 Days. These days, we prefer just to leave valuables in our Pacsafe during the day. Choisissez vous-même vos dates de départ. need to be a confident, well-practiced driver to comfortably drive in Sicily. On the route between Agrigento and Selinunte, you can stop at the beach of Heraclea Minoa and visit the beautiful city ofSciacca . Because mine is at the beginning of May, … You can also visit the catacombs and finish the day by visiting Monreale, a 30-minute drive from Palermo to visit the famous cathedral. Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and a fast-paced Sicily road trip is definitely better a case of safe than sorry. They are very well served from France, Switzerland or Belgium and the rates are more or less equivalent . The location is a short walk from Taormina’s Old Town, the included breakfast quite large by Italian standards, and the customer service excellent. ), purchase a policy through the rental car company, or something else, be sure you have coverage: in Sicily, it’s worth the peace of mine. You. There is no real “bad time” per se. 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. This will allow you to go through the salt road , which crosses the salt marshes between Paceco and Trapani . The capital of Sicily is known for being a bit of a rundown place–and though in some ways it is, it’s also a beautiful, laid-back, and endlessly engrossing city. For my road trip, whether in Sicily, Spain or Malta , I always go through Rentalcars.com . There you will find shops, cafes as well as the monastery of Saint Nicolas the Arena and some churches. Destination choisie totalement au hasard, mais que nous n’avons pas regretté. We wanted to be fully immersed in the baroque cities in the Val di Noto , have a taste of the greek … Parking is severely restricted on the island of Ortigia, and on our Sicily road trip we ended up driving in circles for a bit trying to find the right place to leave our car. In the morning, take a walkalong the bike path from Piazza dei Cappuccini . Budget. Cell Phone Holder — This is especially important if you don’t have a reliable co-pilot: the last thing you want to do is be fumbling with the GPS on your phone during your Sicily road trip. Soyons clairs, cette année, notre budget vacances n’était pas illimité mais nous avions décidé de ne partir qu’une fois et de profiter tout de même de ces quelques jours de bonheur qui nous étaient alloués. At the end of the day, return to Taormina for a last night in Sicily. La compagnie aérienne low cost Volotea vient d’ouvrir un vol direct Bordeaux-Palerme.La Sicile est donc désormais à moins de 3 heures de l’Aquitaine…une … This works out to be quick-paced but reasonable 10 day Sicily itinerary–but if you’re lucky enough to have more time to spend in Sicily, you can extend it far longer, both by increasing the number of days spent in each location and adding new destinations (we’ll provide some suggestions for those below as well). It’s beautiful, easy to get lost in, and delightfully fun to explore on foot, making it the perfect place to stay in Syracuse. You do need to be a confident, well-practiced driver to comfortably drive in Sicily. The chocolate is created with “cold processing”, giving it a characteristic grainy texture, inconsistent color, and delicious taste. 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 panorama of Etna and the surrounding area is definitely worth a look! UNESCO World Heritage Site, the visit of Noto, Ragusa and Modica is a must for a roadtrip in Sicily! Passionate about foreign languages, cooking and writing. Then drive back to the historic center of Agrigento for a short walk of about 1 hour to discover the monuments of the city. 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. Please see our, Planning a Trip to Italy: Your Easy 11-Step Checklist, 17 Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily's Surprising Capital City, 55 Dreamy Italy Bucket List Items You Should Steal, 7 Phenomenal Italy Road Trip Ideas (+ Driving Tips! Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Livingston! Of course, this can vary greatly depending on your travel habits and your choice of restaurants or accommodations . Hi, we’re Jeremy & Kate! Explore historical landmarks, markets, and cuisine while also getting a taste of what Palermo is all about with a fabulous food and walking tour. 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! Hotel Posta — With a fabulous location overlooking a port and within a short walk of many of Syracuse’s top attractions, Hotel Posta is a prime choice for mid-range travelers on their Sicily road trip. Sicily’s Val di Noto is littered with stunning Baroque towns, rolling hills, lovely wine country, and some of the best chocolate in the world–in other words, it’s definitely a place that belongs on your 10 days in Sicily itinerary. Taking a Sicily road trip if driving makes you anxious, you’re out of practice, you don’t like to drive, or you’ve never driven outside your home country is likely not the best idea. Price Sicily rental cars with Discover Cars today! The major roads in Sicily are perfectly well maintained–smaller roads, not so much, so beware of potholes. As for English, well–like most places in the world, you can get by among those working in the tourism industry by using it, but it’ll be a bit harder here than in most of Italy. Who says road trip, necessarily says car rental! Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Continental! Organiser votre road trip en Sicile. July and August are peak tourism season in Sicily, and while the beaches will be warm and the sun shining, it’s best to avoid taking your Sicily road trip during those months if you hope to avoid peak crowds and prices. 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! Personally, we’d be tempted to upgrade to a room with a balcony–those views are just too good to pass up. Think about your travel style when you choose where to stay in the Val di Noto: do you want to be the heart of the action? Le réseau routier sicilien est très bien développé et permet de … If you have the chance to make a three-week road trip to Sicily , you will be able to have fun and take your time to complete the tour of the island. I wish to share with you the places, the meetings and the gastronomic discoveries which gave relief to my travels. 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! Then, climb the stairs to the Madonna della Rocca sanctuary to admire the panorama. For your last stop (12th day) , I invite you to join Palermo for the next 2 days and to discover its historical buildings. If you click through a link on Lone Star Travel Guide, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. the place to learn to drive a manual. to drive, or you’ve never driven outside your home country is likely not the best idea. The staff helped us park our rental car for free nearby, which we greatly appreciated! On a clear day, the views of Mount Etna from Taormina are fantastic–but there’s still nothing like standing on an active volcano with your own two feet. Check rates & book your stay at Marina House! 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. than expected–but we fully admit this impression is likely partially because of how nervous we were about doing it. We begin serious things with this first circuit by car. We didn’t incur any damage to our rental car in Sicily… but when we dropped it off. Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Natalina! Take the road from the sea leaving Palermo so as not to miss the small town of Cefalu . Continue by the Manicace Castello and admire the sunset towards the Aretusa Fountain. Taking a Sicily road trip if driving makes you anxious, you’re out of practice, you don’t. You can end the day in Castellamare with a stroll in the center and a swim. Our Sicily road trip itinerary is designed to hit all the best spots on the island for first-timers to visit, allowing you to get a taste of many different parts of Sicily: complicated yet lovely Palermo, beautiful beaches, and hilltop villages are all covered, as well as some of the most popular cities in Sicily. Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Posta! Amenities, transportation, guide are included, which is really convenient. Transportation, guide and equipment are included. Do not miss the Roman amphitheater , the Greek theater or the famous Ear of Denys. Check rates & book your stay at Hostel Taormina! In Taormina , it is the historic center that is worth seeing. City driving is the trickiest while traveling between cities on major highways is fairly simple. We recommend shopping through Discover Cars in order to search through multiple companies at once. Final Visits to Aci Castello, Acireale and Time to Leave. ), 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! As you visit Sicily by car, you can choose to go directly there. There are dozens of rental car companies operating in Sicily, all with their own prices and rental agreements. Room Calafatari — Ortigia is peppered with dozens of small, simple apartments that are used as budget rentals, and Room Calafatari is both a great option and the perfect example of what to expect in Ortigia in a budget price range: no frills but a great location. If you visit Sicily by car in 21 days, I advise you to resume our … 6th day: The next day, direction Trapani to spend 2 nights. This is the biggest reason not to kick off your Sicily road trip until after to leave Palermo: here, a car is a liability but doesn’t really add much of a benefit. Cet itinéraire de 2 semaines de road trip en Sicile a été réalisé en Été. Palermo is one of the two major airport hubs in Sicily (Catania is the other), and if you arrive to the island here, we recommend not picking up your rental car until you’re ready to head to. We didn’t incur any damage to our rental car in Sicily… but when we dropped it off, both rentals parked on either side of us had huge dents in them! Here, I suggest an example of a road trip from Cataniato visit the east of the island by car for a week. Only 35 minutes from Palermo airport, it is the perfect city to finish the holidays. Private balcony views, exceptional customer service, and a delicious daily breakfast are all included here–if you’re looking for the ultimate relaxing stay in Palermo, this is it! Drivers can be a bit aggressive, yes, but we wouldn’t say they were drastically more aggressive than in, say, Tuscany. Packed with ancient ruins, beautiful churches, and a maze of quiet streets, Syracuse (or Siracusa) is second only to Taormina in tourism popularity for Sicily vacations. You can dive and enjoy the sights without the world. There’s no way around it: driving in Sicily has a pretty terrible reputation. I will explain all the necessary to easily organize your short stay on the island according to your arrival airport! If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Day 11: Continue your 15-day Sicilian road trip through Scopello and especially the Zingaro Nature Reserve . Retour sur un super road trip en Sicile ! This is essentially the old town of Syracuse and is set on an island nearby the main part of the modern city. There are also 2 other beaches to test in Scopello: the beach of Guidaloca and that of Tonnara. For the 7th day of your vacation, you will go to Selinunte . Not only will you be able to compare prices easily, but you’ll also be able to compare rental inclusions (like insurance, kilometers allotted, etc. 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! Driving in Sicily truly deserves its own post, but here are some essential tips to know before embarking on your Sicily road trip! The rooms are large, but a bit dated–this certainly isn’t a luxury hotel, but it’s definitely a cozy enough place to stay while visiting Taormina, and we’d be happy to stay again. You can then take a break in the botanical garden or gardens of Villa Giulia . Travel Journal — If you want to keep a travel journal, but can’t commit to a huge amount of writing each night, I can’t recommend the One Line a Day Journal enough–I’ve been using it for almost 3 years now and adore it! In the same style as the Zingaro, but with landscapes all the same different, the walk is super nice. 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. Palermo is one of the two major airport hubs in Sicily (Catania is the other), and if you arrive to the island here, we recommend not picking up your rental car until you’re ready to head to Cefalù–it’ll save you both a bit of cash on your rental bill, and a bit of a headache, as you won’t have to worry about parking it. 4.