From Rome Around Sicily Itinerary – 15 Days

Rome is the capital city of Italy. It is also the capital of the Lazio region, the center of the Metropolitan City of Rome, and a special comune named Comune di Roma Capitale.

And there is a lot to see and do, for example – visit the famous Spanish Steps, stop by Piazza di Spagna, and admire the Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Ugly Boat) there.  

Visit Colosseum and explore the surrounding area, make sure to visit inside the Colosseum, but before that buy skip-the-line tickets for the Colosseum.

Walk to the Museo Sacrario delle Bandiere and Palatine Hill. Walk towards Piazza Navona while enjoying the sights of Rome.

Explore the Vatican City Museum, home to wonderful works of art, including the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s iconic masterpiece. It’s recommended to use an audio guide while exploring the Vatican Museum, and buy tickets in advance so You don’t have to wait in long lines.

Afterward, head to St. Peter’s Basilica and explore Saint Peter’s Square.

Then grab a gelato at Fattore Gelato, one of the best gelatos in Rome, then go to Castel Sant’Angelo while enjoying Your gelato, after that walk along the river Tiber.

Then it’s time to catch the subway or other public transport and head to the center.

If You’re in Rome – Ancient Rome and City Highlights 3.5-Hour Segway Tour is one of the best experiences You can have while exploring Rome and it’s also so much fun, because You can see all the best tourist attractions from a different perspective combined with a fun guide it’s the best way to explore Rome, also much faster and not so much tiring as walking, to see everything You need to see.

Erice is a wonderfully preserved Mediaeval town offering the most breathtaking views and a palpable sense of history. If You have a car it’s worth driving up there because the views are amazing, and the road is beautiful but may be scary, if You stay the night in Erice it’s recommended to book accommodation that includes a personal parking spot, because parking in Erice may be very problematic and not cheap, untypically for Italians the parking controllers will be very precise when looking at Your parking time, and if You’re late then it’s likely to get fine, but it will be a little bit smaller if You’ve rented a car in Sicily because some of the renters have some type of insurance according to parking fines.

Another thing about parking in Erice – there are many parking automats, but You’ll need coins and cash to buy a parking ticket there, and the prices in all parking lots are the same, so don’t worry about that.

Erice hosts more than sixty churches, some of which are architectural documents of great value and historical valuable evidence: among them the church of St. Martin, San Cataldo, and San Giuliano di San Giovanni Battista.

And there are many more things to see and do in Erice.

Explore Erice once more, because it’s full of things to see, but don’t forget to grab a Gelato while walking through the streets of Erice, also You must grab some best Sicilian sweets and coffee at Pasticceria Maria Grammatico – one of the best pasticceria’s in Sicily with a lot to choose from, a must-have in Sicily is Cannoli so grab it there too.

After a half day of exploring Erice head to Your next experience.

Not far from Erice, but down the hill You’ll find SEI – Saline Ettore E Infersa – Situated along the coast of Marsala, it represents a fully functioning Sicilian salt mill that draws thousands of tourists each year. The picturesque site, with its windmills set against the backdrop of the sea and the pink color of the pans, makes it a lovely place to stop and take photos. Travelers interested in traditional production methods or local means of production will particularly enjoy learning about how this company harvests salt. After a tour of the grounds and its facilities, you can purchase related products at the on-site gift shop. 

Make sure to book Your Guided tour of the Marsala Salt Pans and salt harvesting in advance because the place can get very busy, especially in summer. As they make tours for small groups, Your group may be the only one with one guide and it makes this experience pretty special and not crowded. While waiting for Your tour You can grab a coffee and some snacks at the bar next to Salt Lakes.

In an enchanted valley with flowering almond trees, there stands the most impressive monumental ensemble of Hellenic architecture in Sicily. In this mixture of man-made cultural environment and natural landscape lies all the charm of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Valle dei Templi – the Valley of the Temples – is undoubtedly the most important vestige of ancient classical culture in Sicily. It comprises the temples of the gods, as well as the necropolis area and the extra-moenia sanctuaries.

In Valley of The Temples, You’ll find the Temple of the Dioscuri, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Temple of Concordia which is located by the main road and is also the best-preserved temple in Valley of the Temples. You’ll also find the Statue of Icarus, the Temple of Heracles, the Temple of Aesculapius, the Tomb of Theron, the Temple of Vulcan, and the Temple of Juno.

When visiting the Valley of the Temples based on Your wishes You can choose the Entrance where You want to start – If You start from the entrance next to the Temple of Juno – You will walk slightly down the hill but If You choose Gate V – You will need to walk slightly up the hill, but You’ll see the best-preserved Temples at the end of Your walk. You can always catch a shuttle bus for 2 or 3 euros to take You back to Your entrance. Make sure to arrive early in the morning before all the tourist buses arrive approximately at noon, so You can get through with fewer crowds. You’ll spend there 2 to 3 hours.

Of the many staircases you may know, this is certainly one of the most unusual. You have already realized that this is not a real staircase, but a spectacular stretch of coastline that has become a Sicilian tourist seascape icon thanks to its special features.

The name Scala dei Turchi seems to derive from the fact that in ancient times the ships of Arab and Turkish marauders found shelter in this bay.

The beach here is also very spectacular because it’s different from other beaches. The water at the bay is full of interesting underwater cliffs, that mix together with the depths of the water, You can literary step on a cliff slightly underwater and jump in deep from it, but beware of Jellyfish when jumping in, they may wander there around sometimes, it’s recommended to use snorkeling mask or water glasses to look down before jumping because friendship with jellyfish after jumping in may be painful. 

Don’t try to get on the white beautiful rocks of Scala dei Turchi in the daytime, because the lifeguards will whistle You away, because walking on the beautiful and picturesque Stairs of the Turks has become dangerous because of the coastal erosion, and lifeguards are there because people always want to get up there.

But the best and most spectacular thing about Scala dei Turchi is that – if You’re brave enough with a little adventurous spirit, after 6 pm when all the guards are finished their shift, You can go and walk on these beautiful rock formations and watch the sunset over the sea but it’s on Your own risk. Unfortunately, You’ll not be the only one doing that, everyone will do that but there will not be big crowds because a lot of tourists just don’t know that.

There is free roadside parking available next to the bay, but You may not find a spot for Your car, so look for some private paid parking lots if You can’t find a spot on the roadside.

This is a little small beach where You’ll have an adventure getting to. Arrive at the Location leave a car and start searching for a beach, don’t go down the road, because You may meet locals who say that there is no beach, but also down that road is private property. 

Walk on a road to Your right when looking at the sea, and after a short while of walking, You’ll see a small trail, follow that trail into the jungle of grass and bushes, and after some time walking on the trail You’ll see the way how to get to the beach, but it will include a little of rock climbing and it may be dangerous to get down if You or some of Your group has some type of movement disabilities, so be careful. If You’re adventurous enough and in good physical shape – it’ll be fine.

But the beach is worth a visit, it’s small, cozy, and in the shade most of the time, there are no crowds, and a lot of tourists, mostly locals go there because only they know the way.

The area is very good for hiking by the cliff’s edge and catching some beautiful views too if You have more time to spend there. At sunset time the views are amazing.

On Your way to Laghetti Cavgrande, You can stop by a viewpoint – A panoramic view of Avola (36°55’51.6″N 15°06’28.8″E)

Laghetti Cavagrande is located in Cavagrande del Cassibile Canyon, where after a little bit challenging hike You’ll find gorgeous waterfalls, swimming holes, and awe-inspiring limestone formations. Before going – pack plenty of water and sunscreen, and wear appropriate footwear and protective clothing—it gets pretty hot in summer, and there is little in the way of shade.

Officially the hiking trail is closed to the public due to dangerous conditions and You’ll find it behind the fence closed to the public. However, there is a way how to get there, and if You’re properly equipped it should be fine. After arriving make Your way to the information counter next to the fence don’t be shy and ask the attendant for a way to the waterfalls and pools, they are very understanding and may give You a map too and let You through, although You’ll need to climb over the fence, You’ll have permission. The length of the trail is approximately 2 km one way.

People who are not used to hiking in high temperatures and plenty of stairs will have problems completing the hike down and then hiking up, You need to be in good shape to do it because it’s not the easiest hike, especially in the heat of summer.

If you decide to hike, you’ll be rewarded with a challenging but peaceful trek with stunning views and a refreshing swim surrounded by nature.

Leave Your car in the Parcheggio Gole Alcantara, then go out of the big gate and turn to the left to make Your way to Biglietteria comunale Gole Alcantara – because going through community gate will be much cheaper than going through Parco geologico botanico gole dell’alcantara entrance.

Make sure to take your water shoes or if possible diving boots or socks, because You’ll walk through the ice-cold river on the rocky surface, but it’s a great experience, and if You’re brave enough You can swim in the stream, or book a body rafting tour through Alcantara river.

In a different environment, this would be an ordinary river, but what makes it interesting is the fact that at some point the river’s natural flow was blocked by lava from Mt. Etna. Without getting too scientific, it ended up forming columns and crystallizing, and over time, the river eroded these columns creating spectacular gorges and ravines. 

Isola Bella, or “beautiful island,” is a picturesque gem just a stone’s throw from Taormina in Sicily. Relax on the pebble beach and swim in the turquoise waters with the stunning Sicilian coastline as your backdrop—the beach has plenty of sunbeds available for rent.

At the end of the day, catch a cable car to the top of Taormina, walk through the streets of Taormina, and grab some dinner pizza and cannoli on Your way back to the last cable car of the day.

Taormina is one of the most beautiful and magical places in the world. For many tourists, from all over the world, Taormina is a must-see destination.

The charming town is located on the rocky plateau of Mount Tauro overlooking the Ionian Sea, at a height of about 250 meters.

Taormina boasts a rich artistic, historical, and cultural heritage that with its healthy climate and beautiful natural scenery, has attracted visitors since the middle of the eighteenth century.

Make sure to book Your Mount Etna: Guided Volcano Summit Hiking Tour with Cable Car in advance for a pleasant experience.

Ascend to the summit of the craters of Mount Etna, one of the most coveted excursions a hiker can make. Hike in full safety with an authorized alpine and volcano guide, and marvel at the beauty and wonder of the highest active volcano in Europe.

Depart from Sapienza Refuge in Nicolosi, and ascend 2,504 meters by cable car. Then, ride in a 4×4 Jeep or bus up to 2,900 meters if the conditions are right for visiting active craters, to begin your hike. You’ll hike 1.5 hours uphill, passing many craters and taking long pauses to take pictures and rest.

Experience the incredible feeling of being on top of the world in this rocky, beautiful landscape with the giant sky above you. After reaching the summit, descend for 2 hours back to the cable car, which will take you to your departure point.

The Sicilian Amusement Park Etnaland is located at the foot of one of the beauties on Unesco’s World Heritage List: the majestic Volcano Etna, very close to Catania.

Etnaland is the biggest Amusement park in South Italy, featuring both Water and Attraction parks. It’s suggested to buy a combined ticket and spend the day in the waterpark, but in the evening enjoy the theme park if You have only one day to spend there.

The water park closes at 6 pm, but the Theme park opens at 7 pm. 

Before going read the information about attractions of theme park that works together with Water Park or close earlier than all other Theme park attractions for example – Jungle Splash, Crocodile Rapids, or Kaos.

On Your way closer to Palermo stop by Faro di Capo Milazzo and swim in Pool of Venus. Then catch some beautiful views from Via Sant’Antonio. 

Capo di Milazzo is a thin peninsula on the northeastern part of the island of Sicily which extends into the Tyrrhenian Sea towards the Lipari Islands. The town of Milazzo is located in the center of the peninsula.

A nature-created lagoon of white sand and gravel cradled below the rock walls of a promontory makes for a beautiful swimming spot. The laghetti (little lakes) of Marinello is a nature reserve where beautiful scenery is uncluttered by development. Above the laghetti is the sanctuary of the Madonna Nera of Tindari, a church that is a popular pilgrimage spot in a commanding position offering gorgeous sweeping views.

Reached by boat or by footpath, the Laghetti di Marinello Park is a series of lakes that are ever-changing form with the prevailing winds and tides. It was created in the 1860s with a combination of tectonic, meteorological, and marine conditions at this strip of coast, though the local legend is more colorful. It is said that a woman was worshipping the Madonna at the sanctuary above and her son wandered down into the water and was lost. The Madonna helped her by parting the waters and bringing the boy to safety, and the water stayed separated with the strips of sandy terra firma.

From the Beach, You can see the beautiful views of mountains far away and even find Etna still, nearby there is a cave (Galleria pedonale – Google Maps). You can walk through the mountain, and it’s basically a shortcut to get to Punta Marinello and the wide beach zone a little bit faster if You walk from the start of the trail.

Cefalù is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is one of the most evocative destinations on the island. It is located on the northern coast of Sicily, in a strategic position, to say the least: about an hour from Palermo and Capo d’Orlando, on the A20 road.

The town is dominated by a monumental rock rising to a height of 270 meters, already known to the Phoenicians as the promontory of Hercules, on which stands the Temple of Diana, a megalithic building linked to the cult of water, as indicated by the nearby cistern dating from the 9th century BC.

Walk through the streets of Cefalu visiting the most beautiful attraction – Cefalù Cathedral. Eat breakfast or lunch snacks in Cannoli Cakeshop, and sit on the terrace that the shop offers to see the views of the blue sea, sky, and waves just one level under You. Afterward, visit Molo di Cefalu, and slowly make Your way back to the car.

Spiaggia Kafara is a safe and small community beach in Santa Flavia. The beach is open until 7 pm after that the gate will be closed and You will not be able to enter, but until 7 pm You can enter the beach. And the good thing about this beach is that You will not see big crowds of people here, because the locals mostly visit this beach.

Spiaggia Kafara will offer a beautiful view of Capo Zafferano.

Palermo is an urban melting pot characterized by history and culture so diverse that it often feels conflicted. Discover an intriguing range of architectural styles, from Arabian domes to baroque buildings, and enjoy delicious cuisine that spans a variety of origins. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Normans, the Palatine Chapel, and the church of St. John of the Hermits. Art and music lovers won’t want to miss the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (the “GAM”), the Salinas, or an opera or ballet at the Teatro Massimo.

If You’re in Palermo and You like to explore markets – Mercato di Ballaro is to go. Make sure to grab freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.

This market is about a fascinating mix of noises, smells, and street life, and the cheapest place for everything from Chinese padded bras to fresh produce, fish, meat, olives, and cheese – smile nicely for un assaggio (a taste).

This is one of the most popular beaches in Palermo, this suburban beach offers crystal clear waters and beautiful sand right by the town of Modello. There’s a small free public section of the beach where you can set up your beach towels, or you can rent a lounge chair and umbrella along the private beach club areas—be early as it gets busy, especially during summer. There are also many waterfront bars and restaurants for a taste of Sicilian cuisine with a view.

On the north end of Mondello Beach, you can rent a boat or hire a boat tour to explore Palermo’s beautiful shore, including Capo Gallo Nature Reserve.

To enter this area You’ll have to pay 5 euros per vehicle, but it’s worth it because again You won’t find crowds here, and it’s very interesting because You’ll have to settle down on the rocks and swim in the depths of the sea, but this beach may be so much fun.

After a relaxing swim, You’ll be heading to Monreale a must-visit city if You’re around Palermo. From there Firstly, You’ll find very beautiful views of one part of Palermo, secondly beautiful architecture and great food.

But first thing before exploring Monreale You’ll need to park Your car and then walk.

Monreale is a historic hill town just outside Palermo. It’s a picturesque place most famous for the fine mosaics in the town’s great Norman cathedral. Monreale is connected to Palermo by regular city buses and is an easy short excursion from the city center. Although it only takes a couple of hours to visit and see Monreale from Palermo, there are places to eat and drink, good views, and a pleasant atmosphere.

Eat Your dinner in Pizzeria Art Libri Toto, the owners are very understanding and friendly, and the atmosphere is great as You’ll sit outside, by the street surrounded by bookshelves and books and very interesting tables and seats. 

Before leaving Monreale take a last look at the Palermo part down there, because in the evening it can be a very beautiful view.