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A 9-day counterclockwise loop of Sicily from Palermo — Norman cathedrals, a clifftop Greek theatre, ancient temples, and the baroque island of Ortigia.
RoutebookSicily's greatest hits form a natural counterclockwise loop from Palermo. The route moves east along the north coast to Cefalù's Norman cathedral and beach, then climbs to the clifftop theatre at Taormina with its live-volcano backdrop. From there it swings south through Siracusa, where Ortigia island preserves two millennia of history in a walkable baroque quarter, before heading west to Agrigento's Valley of the Temples — one of the best-preserved Greek sites outside Athens. Driving legs stay under three hours. Budget mid-range: the motorway tolls and a hire car are the main costs, with a generous choice of family-run B&Bs and boutique hotels at every stop.
Best time: May to June or September to October
5 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way
On the way
Viewpoint
Valley of the Temples at Sunset
Seven Greek temples on a ridge above the sea at Agrigento — the Temple of Concordia is among the best-preserved anywhere in the world. The ridge glows in the late afternoon light.
Viewpoint
Taormina Greek Theatre
A third-century BC theatre carved into the clifftop, with Mount Etna as its backdrop and the Ionian Sea behind. Visit early morning to see it without crowds.
Food & drink
Sicilian Street Food in Palermo
Arancine (stuffed rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters) and sfincione (thick Palermitan pizza) eaten from market stalls in Ballarò — the most vivid introduction to the island.
Activity
Mount Etna Day Trip
Europe's most active volcano, accessible by cable car and 4x4 from Taormina. Guided crater-rim walks or winery visits on the lava-soil slopes make for a full day.
Culture
Ortigia Island, Siracusa
A small baroque island connected to the mainland by two bridges, with a cathedral built inside a Greek temple, a natural spring, and waterfront bars at which to end the evening.
Culture
Norman Cathedral, Cefalù
The finest Arab-Norman cathedral in Sicily outside Palermo, with a golden 12th-century mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in the apse that is among the most serene images on the island.
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