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Sicily Grand Tour: 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 8-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · 8-day plan · 10-day plan · best time to go.

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8
days
838 km
distance
18.5 h
driving
48
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Palermo → Cefalù

4 curated stops
Transit
2h51
Finish
~15:20
Temperature
14.0°C–22.6°C
Rainy days
~4
Daylight
14.1h
09:00
Monreale read more map ↗
Enjoy panoramic views and admire a Norman-Byzantine cathedral's beauty.
50 min · Palermo
10:15
Palatine Chapel cappellapalatinapalermo.it read more map ↗
Admire dazzling mosaics and Arabian-style decorations within the chapel.
50 min · Palermo · included in the Normans palace tickets
open: M-F 09:00-11:45, 15:00-16:45; Sa 09:00-11:45; Su 09:00-09:45, 12:00-12:45
11:15
Palermo Cathedral read more map ↗
Gaze upon honey-coloured stones and a porphyry sarcophagus of Frederick II.
50 min · Palermo
14:30
Cefalu Cathedral read more map ↗
Admire the intricate Arab-Norman architecture and stunning mosaics that adorn this historic cathedral in the heart of Cefalù.
50 min · Cefalù
Overnight: Cefalù
e.g. Hotel Al Pescatore · Hotel Tourist Cefalù
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Palermo

6 curated stops
Transit
2h28
Finish
~16:50
Temperature
14.0°C–22.6°C
Rainy days
~4
Daylight
14.1h
10:00
Catacombe dei Cappuccini palermocatacombs.com read more map ↗
Walk among well-preserved mummies lining ancient catacomb walls.
50 min · Palermo · €3
open: 09:00-12:30 and 15:00-17:30
11:00
Palazzo dei Normanni read more map ↗
Explore the oldest royal residence in Europe with Arab-Norman splendor.
50 min · Palermo · €15.50
12:00
San Giovanni degli Eremiti read more map ↗
See brilliant red domes shining against a peaceful garden backdrop.
50 min · Palermo
open: M-Sa 09:00-19:00
13:00
Church of the Gesù read more map ↗
Marvel at polychrome marbles adorning floors and walls of this church.
50 min · Palermo
14:00
Museo Archeologico read more map ↗
Explore rich collections of Punic and Ancient Greek art in this historic Palermo museum.
50 min · Palermo
15:00
Palermo Botanical Garden ortobotanico.unipa.it read more map ↗
Stroll through diverse plant collections and experimental garden plots.
50 min · Palermo · €6
open: Opens at 09:00, closes at different times based on the season (e.g. 17:00 in winter, 20:00 in summer)
Overnight: Cefalù
e.g. Hotel Al Pescatore · Hotel Tourist Cefalù
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Taormina

6 curated stops
Transit
3h17
Finish
~17:40
Temperature
13.4°C–21.4°C
Rainy days
~3
Daylight
14.0h
11:50
Teatro Antico read more map ↗
Marvel at ancient Grecian theatre views and Roman brick.
50 min · Taormina
open: From 09:00 daily; Nov-Feb to 16:00, Mar & Oct to 17:00, Apr & Sep to 18:00, May-Aug to 19:00
12:50
Parco Duca di Cesarò taormine.com map ↗
Stroll through serene gardens with crumbling mock-oriental follies.
50 min · Taormina
open: 08:00 to sunset
13:50
Palazzo Corvaja read more map ↗
Explore a 10th-century Arab-influenced medieval palace.
50 min · Taormina
14:50
Odeon search map ↗
Spot Roman remains of a small theatre from the streets.
50 min · Taormina · free
open: 24h
15:50
Piazza IX Aprile search map ↗
Take in the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna from a balcony.
50 min · Taormina
16:50
Casa Cuseni search map ↗
See vibrant murals and bespoke furniture in this artist's home.
50 min · Taormina
open: Tour by reservation only, daily at 11:00 in English, 16:00 in Italian
Overnight here
e.g. Cohen Smart House · Gianni House
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Around Taormina

6 curated stops
Transit
0h30
Finish
~15:50
Temperature
13.4°C–21.4°C
Rainy days
~3
Daylight
14.0h
09:00
Isola Bella search map ↗
Gaze at the tiny volcanic island from hillside terraces.
50 min · Taormina · €4
open: Dec-Mar: Tu-Su 09:00-14:00
10:00
Villa Caronia search map ↗
Peek inside this small, currently closed museum.
50 min · Taormina · €4
open: Tu-F 09:30-13:30
11:00
Naumachie search map ↗
Walk along the foundations of a grand Roman nymphaeum.
50 min · Taormina
12:00
Torre dell'Orologio/ Porta di Mezzo, search map ↗
See the clock tower and gate to southern Taormina.
50 min · Taormina
13:00
Palazzo Badia Vecchia search map ↗
Admire the elegant Gothic tower of the former abbey.
50 min · Taormina
14:00
Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano search map ↗
Explore this stately mansion housing Mazzullo's art collection.
50 min · Taormina
14:50
Gelatomania search
Savor generous scoops of gelato, including dairy-free options.
60 min · Taormina
open: Daily 09:30-00:30
Overnight here
e.g. Cohen Smart House · Gianni House
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 Syracuse

6 curated stops
Transit
2h12
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
13.1°C–24.6°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
14.0h
10:45
Castello Maniace comune.siracusa.it read more map ↗
View Vauban-style bastions at this medieval fortress.
50 min · Syracuse · €6
open: M-Sa holidays 08:30-16:30
11:45
Antica Fonte Aretusa read more map ↗
Listen to water flow among papyrus reeds in a poetic pond.
50 min · Syracuse
12:45
Cattedrale della Natività di Maria Santissima read more map ↗
See Doric columns from a once-Greek temple turned church.
50 min · Syracuse · €2
13:45
Museo Archeologico Regionale "Paolo Orsi" read more map ↗
Discover Sicily's second-most important archaeology collection.
50 min · Syracuse · €10
open: Tu-Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 09:00-14:00 …
14:45
Latomia del Paradiso read more map ↗
Explore shadowy stone quarries, including the Ear of Dionysius.
50 min · Syracuse
16:00
Basilica Santuario Madonna delle Lacrime madonnadellelacrime.it read more map ↗
Enter a vast concrete cone church inspired by weeping statue.
50 min · Syracuse
open: 07:30-12:30 and 16:00-20:00
16:50
Zenzero search map ↗
Savor vegan and vegetarian dishes in a cozy atmosphere.
60 min · Syracuse
Overnight here
e.g. Alla Giudecca · Grand Hotel Villa Politi
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 6 Around Syracuse

6 curated stops
Transit
0h51
Finish
~16:10
Temperature
13.1°C–24.6°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
14.0h
09:00
Teatro Greco read more map ↗
Look down on this rebuilt Greek theatre from above.
50 min · Syracuse
10:00
Parco Archeologico della Neapolis comune.siracusa.it read more map ↗
Stroll among ancient ruins and grab a snack nearby.
50 min · Syracuse · €16.50; combined ticket €21.50 (+ either archaeological museum Paolo Orsi or Palazzo Bellomo Gallery)
open: Daily 08:30-18:30 (last entry 17:00)
11:00
Anfiteatro romano read more map ↗
Picture tiered seating in this grassy Roman pit.
50 min · Syracuse
12:00
Tempio di Apollo read more map ↗
Gaze at two standing columns and a fragment of wall.
50 min · Syracuse
13:00
Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Bellomo read more map ↗
Admire diverse artworks housed in the elegant Palazzo Bellomo in Syracuse.
50 min · Syracuse · €8
open: Tu-Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 14:00-19:30
14:20
Castello Eurialo e mura di Dionigi read more map ↗
Glimpse one of Sicily's biggest ancient fortresses remains.
50 min · Syracuse
15:10
Kaos Pizza search
Enjoy flavorful pizza and pasta in a casual setting.
60 min · Syracuse
open: Daily 11:00-01:00
Overnight here
e.g. Alla Giudecca · Grand Hotel Villa Politi
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 7 Agrigento

5 curated stops
Transit
3h22
Finish
~17:20
Temperature
11.6°C–23.1°C
Rainy days
~3
Daylight
14.0h
12:00
Valley of the Temples parcovalledeitempli.it read more map ↗
Marvel at towering Greek temples standing proudly in an open field.
50 min · Agrigento · park only, combined with museum
open: Main path and Temple of Jupiter: 08:30–19:00. Remote areas (e.g. Demeter, Hellenistic quarter): 08:30–17:00
13:00
Museo Archeologico Regionale "Pietro Griffo" parcovalledeitempli.it read more map ↗
Discover ancient artifacts from Akragas in a modern museum setting.
50 min · Agrigento
open: Tu–Sa 09:00–19:00; Su M 09:00–13:00
14:00
Monastero di Santo Spirito search map ↗
Admire Baroque stuccoes and taste traditional almond pastries.
50 min · Agrigento · Free or donation
open: Often open in the mornings; check locally or with the tourist office
15:30
Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci search map ↗
Visit a Norman church built on an ancient Greek temple foundation.
50 min · Agrigento · Free admittance
open: Nov-Mar: Tu-Su 10:00-13:00; Apr-Oct: Tu-Su 10:00-13:30, 15:30-19:00
16:30
Museo Diocesano di Agrigento museodiocesanoag.it map ↗
Explore sacred art and centuries-old liturgical treasures in a historic palace.
50 min · Agrigento · (reduced , under 10 free)
open: M–S 10:00–13:00, 16:00–19:00; Su 10:00–13:00
Overnight here
e.g. Camping Nettuno · Camping Valle dei Templi
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 8 Agrigento → Palermo

6 curated stops
Transit
3h01
Finish
~18:00
Temperature
11.6°C–23.1°C
Rainy days
~3
Daylight
14.0h
09:00
Casa Natale di Luigi Pirandello search map ↗
Walk through the Nobel laureate’s childhood home filled with memories.
50 min · Agrigento · (reduced )
open: Tu–Su 09:00–13:00, 15:30–19:00
10:05
Cattedrale di San Gerlando search map ↗
Take in sweeping valley views from this historic cathedral’s heights.
50 min · Agrigento
open: Nov-Mar: Tu-Su 10:00-13:00; Apr-Oct: Tu-Su 10:00-13:30, 15:30-19:00
11:05
Biblioteca Lucchesiana bibliotecalucchesianaagrigento.it map ↗
Browse rare manuscripts in a wood-paneled 18th-century library.
50 min · Agrigento · Free, donation welcome
open: M–F 08:00–13:30; check ahead for weekend openings
12:05
Church of San Lorenzo (del Purgatorio) search map ↗
Feel the drama of Baroque interiors and Serpotta’s stucco work.
50 min · Agrigento · Free
open: Variable; usually open mornings or by request
13:05
Villa Bonfiglio search map ↗
Relax on shaded paths with fountains and sea views in a park.
90 min · Agrigento · Free
open: Always open
14:45
Quartiere Ellenistico–Romano search map ↗
Stroll along ancient paved streets lined with cisterns and mosaics.
50 min · Agrigento

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Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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