Let me just say it upfront: two weeks in Sicily is not enough. Not even close. But if two weeks is all you’ve got, you can still squeeze in a bit of everything: history, beaches, amazing food, a volcano and a whole lot of gelato.
This was my 14-day adventure through Sicily. Real, doable and honestly, one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. If you’re thinking of doing something similar, consider this your starting point.
✈️ Day 1: Arrival in Catania
After landing and checking in at Il Principe Hotel, I did what any travel-weary-but-excited human would do: I wandered the city by night. Dinner was at Ristorante Antica Sicilia it’s casual, affordable, and the food? So good. Think no-frills, home-style Sicilian dishes that hit the spot after a long travel day and let’s not forget a very large glass of the local wine called…Etna
🌋 Day 2: Mount Etna Adventure
Started the day exploring Piazza Duomo and the famous Catania fish market. Even if you’re not into fish, the atmosphere is wild and worth seeing.
Grabbed lunch at Scirocco Fish Lab. Hands down one of the best fried fish mixes I’ve ever had. Super fresh. Super local and worth the €11 bill.
In the afternoon, I joined the Etna Sunset Tour with Exclusive Etna Excursions through Get Your Guide (priced at £52). Seeing the lava fields at golden hour? Unreal. One of the best experiences of my trip.
Pro tip: Bring layers. It gets cold up there, even in summer.
🚤 Day 3: Catania by Boat
Boat day with Etna Tribe! Again I booked the tour via Get Your Guide (priced £52). Cruising along the coast, swimming off the boat…it was one of those “I can’t believe this is my life” moments.
Don’t forget to stop at Il Prestipino for an Aperitivo Italian style!
Dinner was at Trattoria U Funnicular — cosy, traditional and the staff made me feel so welcomed.
🏖️ Day 4: Beach Day in Catania
Time to slow down. Catania has many beautiful beaches. I picked Sable Sale for a chilled-out day with sun, sand, and sea. And the best thing…Mount Etna as the backdrop to all my swims.
Dinner at Al Vicolo – go for the pizza. The restaurant is cool, artsy, and the décor is very instagrammable.
🚍 Day 5: Time to Explore the full island
I joined one of Dimensione Sicilia tours booked through TourRadar called Sicilian Secrets – Tour of Sicily 8 days as I wanted to explore more of the island.
Note: don’t forget to check out TourRadar and use my code DanielaF50 for $50 off your next tour
We started at Neapolis Archaeological Park (Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre, and the legendary Ear of Dionysius).
Then we wandered around Ortigia, a dreamy little island with one of the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve ever seen. Fun fact there are two small bridges that connect the small island of Ortigia to the main land of Siracusa. I wonder what traffic looks like in the morning!
In the afternoon we visited Noto, the “Baroque capital” of Sicily. The entire town feels like a film set. It’s super charming and very lively.
Don’t forget to try a gelato from Gelateria L’artigianale it’s so incredibly delicious!
Slept in Ragusa Ibla at the charming San Giorgio Palace.
🍫 Day 6: Baroque + Chocolate
Morning in Ragusa Ibla: elegant, quiet, and picture-perfect. We strolled through Giardino Ibleo (a peaceful garden with panoramic views) and visited the cathedral. Fun fact: fans of Montalbano might recognise its streets and Duomo as the show filmed many iconic scenes here!
Next stop: Modica. Another Baroque gem.
Modica is also famous for its unique Aztec-style chocolate. I sampled some at Sabadi Slowliving – rich, crumbly, and intense. It almost didn’t taste like chocolate but something so exquisitely rich and flavourful I had to try them all!
Lunch at Osteria dei Sapori Perduti offered hearty local dishes and authentic Sicilian flavours in a true osteria setting.
We toured Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina in the afternoon. The Roman mosaics were fascinating and well worth seeing.
Overnight in Agrigento at La Baia di Ulisse.
🏛️ Day 7: Temples, Wine & Salt
Started the day with the Valley of the Temples: it’s like Sicily’s own little Greece.
Then we drove to Marsala for wine tasting and lunch at Cantine Florio…yes, I was tipsy by 2 p.m., and yes, I regret nothing!
Finished the day along the Salt Road, with windmills and salt pans that turn pink at sunset.
Slept in Palermo at Mercure Hotel.
🏰 Day 8: Palermo & Monreale
Palermo was one of the places I was most excited to see in Sicily, between the history, the architecture and (of course) the street food. But plot twist…I got sick 😅 so I had to slow it down. Even so, with just one day, Palermo still managed to blow me away. Here’s what we saw:
📍 Palazzo dei Normanni (Royal Palace)
📍 Cappella Palatina (the golden Palatine Chapel)
📍 Il Duomo
📍 Quattro Canti
📍 Fontana Pretoria
Palermo is chaotic, colourful, soulful and unforgettable. One day wasn’t enough…it really deserves the time and space to fully enjoy it and truly appreciate it!
I stopped by I segreti del Chiostro for pastries: hidden in a former convent courtyard and absolutely magical.
Later, we explored Monreale, just outside the city. The cathedral here? Jaw-dropping mosaics. Totally worth the detour.
Dinner Taverna dei Canti (because even when I am not well I need pasta 🍝)
🐚 Day 9: Cefalù
Day trip to Cefalù, a seaside town known for its sandy beaches and winding streets. Exploring the town may require several days to adequately experience its beauty and atmosphere. I hear that sunsets in Cefalù are impressive. I did not have the opportunity to see it, which is one reason I am considering another visit to this beautiful seaside town.
Eventually made it back to Catania and checked into Il Principe Hotel.
🌄 Day 10: Etna (Again!) & Taormina
Yes, I went to Mount Etna twice…it’s that fascinating. This time, I explored different areas and to be honest going in the morning had a completely different vibe than the sunset tour. Which one I liked the best? Hands down seeing Mount Etna at sunset! It was truly a remarkable experience.
Then off to Taormina, one of the prettiest spots on the island.
Back in Catania I went for a stroll and a must detour to the famous Bar Savia and tried the Ragù Arancini – iconic. And of course I finished my evening stroll with an aperitivo in Piazza Scammacca.
🌳 Day 11: Last Bits of Catania + Resort Life Begins
Had a final wander through Villa Bellini, a lovely public garden.
Then transferred to Mangia Brucoli Resort for some well-earned R&R.
🌊 Days 12–14: Just…breathe
No schedules. No to-do lists. Just sun, sea, pool, and Limoncello Spritz.
Sometimes the best part of solo travel is doing absolutely nothing and not having to justify it to anyone.
This itinerary worked perfectly for me. It was the right mix of activity and chill, culture and coast. But if you’re planning your own trip, treat this as a starting point. Although I travel to Sicily on my own joining various tours throughout my stay meant that at least while touring I was never alone.
So do whatever feel right to you, trust your instincts and most importantly…say yes to the gelato.
Happy travels xoxo
Dani ♥ Hearts 