Day 1-2: On your first day, take the time to check-in into your hotel and get to know Palermo. Immerse yourself in the city's lively markets, beautiful churches, and palatial architecture. Stroll through the historic Quattro Canti, marvel at the mosaics in the Palatine Chapel, and indulge in local street food like arancini. For an overview of the city highlights, go to our Palermo city guide. Palermo offers you a perfect introduction to Sicily's rich history and culinary traditions.

Optional Day trip

If you have more time it's worth adding Cefalù to your itinerary. With its Norman cathedral, stunning beaches, and charming medieval streets, it's a coastal gem. Climb La Rocca for panoramic views of the town and Tyrrhenian Sea. Wander the narrow streets, soaking up the sun, and let the town's laid-back atmosphere charm you. You can reach Cefalu easily by train in an hour.

Car rental

We highly recommend you to enter Palermo without a car and rather invest the one hour in travelling back to the airport for your car rental. This will save you money and nerves.

After picking up your car in the morning, journey to the Archeological park of Segesta, where the ancient Greek Temple and Theater lie surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Take sufficient water, sunscreen, a hat and comfortable shoes with you since you'll have to hike quite a bit in the hot sun.

Afterwards, head to Castellammare del Golfo, a picturesque harbor town. Stay for 2-3 nights, enjoying fresh seafood, day trips and relaxed evenings.

Day 4: Day Trip to Nature Park Zingaro and Scopello

The oldest Nature Reserve in Sicily offers stunning coastal hikes with crystal-clear waters beckoning for a swim. Depending on your mood, you can spend the day hiking or just looking for the next beach and relaxing without the crowds. Scopello, a quaint village is close to the entrance and known for its ancient tuna fishery and dramatic sea stacks.

Remember, if you go to the beach, there won't be any infrastructure. So bring everything you need with you.

Day 5: Beach Day in San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo is famed for its white sandy beach and clear waters, making it an ideal spot for a day of relaxation and sunbathing. Dive into the Mediterranean, sample local seafood, or simply unwind under the Sicilian sun.

Comment: We prefer to reduce the times we switch hotels, so we suggest to go to San Vito Lo Capo for a day trip. However, you could also stay over there for one night before heading to Erice/Trapani.

Perched atop a hill, Erice is a medieval town with cobblestone streets, ancient churches, and castle ruins, all enveloped in myth and history. The views from here are spectacular, overlooking Trapani and the Egadi Islands. It’s a step back in time, with a touch of magic in the air.

Itinerary option: if you need to reduce the itinerary duration, you can skip Erice and instead head over directly to Trapani to visit the salt pans and the town.

Spend your afternoon in Trapani with its elegant baroque buildings and bustling fish market.

Day 7: The next day you can visit the salt pans, where traditional methods of salt extraction are still used, against a backdrop of windmills and pink flamingos at sunset—a photographer’s dream.

Day 8: From Trapani, set sail to the Egadi Islands, an archipelago of unspoiled beauty. Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo each offer unique landscapes, from azure bays to ancient caves. Snorkel in the clear waters, explore quiet villages, and embrace the islands’ tranquil pace.

Today we leave for Marsala, a lovely town famous for its excellent wine. Going for a wine tasting at a local winery or restaurant is one of the best things you can do. The town’s rich history, from the Punic Wars to Garibaldi’s landing, adds layers of intrigue to its streets and museums. Don’t miss the chance to see the ancient Phoenician ship in the Baglio Anselmi museum and visit the beautiful Cathedral.

Additional activities:

Nearby you can also explore the saltpans of Marsala, the nature reserve of Il Stagnone, and the fascinating Phoenician town of Mothia on the island of San Pantaleo.

On your way to Agrigento, stop at Mazara del Vallo. This off-the-beaten-path town charms with its Arabic-influenced Casbah, vibrant fishing harbor, and outstanding seafood. The Dancing Satyr, a beautiful ancient Greek bronze, is worth stopping by at the local museum.

Itinerary option: If you don't have enough time, you can skip this town and head directly to Agrigento's archeological park, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site.

We think it's too much of a rush to visit the Valley of Temples on the same day, so relax and enjoy a pleasant walk around this vibrant town with its narrow streets, baroque churches, and stunning views.

The next day is dedicated to exploring Agrigento's famous Valley of the Temples. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to ancient grandeur and architectural mastery, and one of the top highlights in Sicily.

Itinerary option: Should your flight be in the evening it is actually be possible to drive in the early afternoon to the Palermo airport and leave your car rental before heading home. This would reduce the trip by one night.

Assuming your flight back home is around midday or early afternoon, you can head from Agrigento directly to the Palermo airport without entering the city itself again. We wish you a great vacation!