Looking for some input on our trip to Sicily at the end of the month- we are a couple interested in architecture, gardens, art and exploring. We are wondering about the middle part of the trip, when we plan to rent a car and explore. Here is the itinerary so far:

Day 1-3: Palermo (Hotel Bastione Spassimo)
Day 4-6: rent a car- head to Agrigento or Villa del Casale? Baroque towns (which is best?) and Siracusa- where to stay?
Day 7-8: 2 nights in Catania- fly back from Catania in the evening of Day 8

Any suggestions about Day 4-6 highlights and accommodations, keeping in mind that many hotels in the countryside are closed at this time. Also Catania hotel suggestions are welcome! We don't want to do too much driving each day. Thanks!

Hi Manu423, My two posts below are very old so do double check beforehand, but the venues remain current so I hope you get some good ideas. I regret missing Villa del Casale and might vote for that over Agrigento if mosaics interest you.

Please share your experiences with everyone.

Sicily 2002 - A Trip of Miracles

2002 - More Miracles - Sorrento, Pompeii, Amalfi, Capri

ps...just realized second section leaves Sicily...oops!

We stayed for a similar amount of time in Sicily a few years ago.

We really enjoyed both Agrigento and Villa del Casale, if time permits. In Siracusa we stayed right on the main town square at Antico Hotel Roma 1880 which was a great location. We traveled from Siracusa straight to the airport in Catania and didn't stay in Catania.

Have a great trip!

I've done this both by car and by public transport in January. Since then public transport has only got better and cars with ZTLs and narrow lanes can be a pain.

Certainly the main routes between Palermo, Agrigento, and Palermo, to Catania and then Siracusa are very easy to do by public transport. Getting to the Villa Romana del Casale (which for me is only beaten by the temples in Agrigento and the Duomi in Palermo and Montreale ) and to some of the Baroque towns (which left me un- interested) need a bit more skill in the off season and a car might well suit for that part.

We stayed in Ortigia (whose Duomo is an old temple to Alexander) (timed ZTL required contact with accomodation to secure no fines) we stayed at the Albergo Domus Mariae which is owned and run by an order of nuns right on the sea front. In high season this is expensive but out of season very pleasant

While your trip seems rushed to me, I’m sure you’ll see some wonderful things.

In Palermo, don’t miss the cathedral in Monreale.

You’ll probably want a full day in Agrigento – so at least one night, maybe two.

Stopping at the Villa Romana del Casale en route is an excellent idea.

The only Baroque town I visited was Noto. I’m not a great fan of Baroque architecture, but I thoroughly enjoyed Noto – the stone is a gorgeous hue and the carvings are delightfully humorous.

Like KTravel and bilboburgler, I think Siracusa has more to offer than Catania. If you stay in Siracusa, definitely look for something in Ortigia.

Two weeks ago I embarked on a week-long trip to Palermo, Italy. The highlight of my visit was attending Swan Lake at Teatro Massimo, the third largest opera house in Europe. The building itself is a stunning architectural marvel.

Palermo’s culinary scene is exceptional, and I highly recommend making reservations. The seafood is particularly noteworthy.

Some of the lesser know attractions to visit which are exceptional are:

- Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita

-Oratorio di San Lorenzo

I used the Rick Steves Sicily book for planning my trip and Jacqueline Alio was recommended as a tour guide. As an American living in Palermo, she provided an exceptional tour with a wealth of historical insights that I can’t recall. We spent a half-day exploring Palermo and another in Monreale. Jacqueline Alio is highly recommended as a tour guide.

Monreale Cathedral is a must-see attraction. It boasts a rich history and exquisite interior mosaics.

The weather during my visit was pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There were occasional light rains, but the compact nature of the city made the weather conditions manageable.

On a windy day, I visited the beach in Cefalu. The restaurants along the beach serve the freshest seafood for lunch or dinner. Another interesting church caught my attention, but the strong winds prevented me from climbing the rock for a view.

Palermo surprised me in many ways. It’s easy to navigate, there are many high-quality restaurants, and there’s a rich history with beautiful churches and chapels.

We enjoyed our stay at the Ortea Palace in Ortigea. Took bus from Catania airport to Ortigia followed by a short Uber ride. Easy parking outside hotel after picking up car later during our stay. Driving easy in Sicily as long as you do not go into the cities like Palermo and Catania. Good seafood in Cefalu which is a short train ride from Palermo.

Thanks for all of the input! will definitely check out these suggestions.
Is anyone out there a fan of Catania?

We enjoyed the baroque towns, and stayed in Ragusa ibla. Another vote for Ortigia (we had an apartment from booking.com), while in Siracusa. Unfortunately, we didnt visit Catania.

We spent 14N in Sicily in April 2022, flew into Palermo and out of Catania. Only used public transportation, both train and bus, it was easy and convenient, luckily we didn’t encounter any issues due to strikes, etc.

Don’t miss Monreale, an easy day trip from Palermo. Agrigento was another highlight, we also Ortigia, where we stayed at an apartment. There’s a convenient bus service into Siracusa, you can walk too. In fact we walked also from the bus station to our apartment.

Catania is often overlooked, but we spent 2.5 days there and loved the vibe of this university town. Three amphitheaters, the cathedral St Agata which is built over Roman baths and the 13th century Castello Ursino, with the looming hulk of Mt Etna in the background. We found more than enough to see and do in town.

Manu,
It's great that Geetika offered some perspective on Catania. So few of us have been there and decision-making becomes easier when info is spread more widely.

As for Palermo, one might consult the ever-friendly poster/mod on the resurrected Lonely Planet Thorntree forum who goes by 'LucaPal'. He is bilingual, lives in that city and is one of the Travelsphere's most seasoned travelers. Luca and I go back a ways and trust me, he'd be happy to answer any queries. *plz tell him that I will return his guidebook to Swingers clubs soon.

Btw, IMHO its Ortigia all the way. Vibe and atmosphere all day long.

Taste belle cose
I am done. The Butera28 lodgings

PS Petralia Soprano makes for a good daytrip to a less-trodden town.

I would advise checking news for update about road rail and hotel closures due to devastation from Cyclone Harry 2weeks ago which could impact travel Eastern Sicily coastal areas. I have a trip planned for October and am hopeful it will not be canceled.

No issues with Catania. Just limited by time. Really really enjoyed Ortigia and would gladly return. Taormina not so much.

Thanks for all the input.

WE are now thinking: 3 nights in Palermo, 1 night Agrigento, 1 night Ragusa, 1 night Ortigia and 1 night Catania (1.5 days).

It’s a bit of a rush, I agree but fortunately the driving distances are short.

Should we cut back and spend 2 nights in one of the locations?

Only one night in Ortigia? It's easy to spend 3 or 4 very busy days there. Personally, I'd cut Ragusa and Catania to make more time for Siracsa. You can easily see one of the Baroque towns en route, or Noto is an easy day trip from Ortigia. Your trip, your call.

Itinerary by car:
Palermo - Cefalu - Agrigento - Enna - Casale -Gela - Ragusa - Modica - (Noto) - Siracusa - Catania/Taormina

With all due respect to neckervd, I would find this itinerary ridiculously over-busy for the time the OP has. I spent nearly two weeks covering much -- NOT all -- of that territory! Of course, it depends on what the OP wants to see and experience.

To kja:
The OP wants to go from Piazza Armerina to Siracusa.
The shortest way goes via Enna - Catania Ovest
The itinerary that I mentioned (E45) is just 1 1/2 hrs longer and gives the OP the oportunity to visit one, two or all three baroque towns en route.

I would rather spend my nights in Ortegia and day trip via train to Taormina or Catania. Can do car trips to the smaller towns like Noto or Ragusa etc.

We had a different kind of vacations and stayed to Catania for 1 week (visiting our friend). I could ask for hotel recommendations if eventually you are interested in staying there. There are some pages you might find useful for Catania like this one, this, this and this. I see how it can feel rushed to visit all these places but 1. you are off season so less crowded and you will have an easier time visiting places you are interested in and 2. the distances are not that big and it's ok if you rush things -as long as it's something that suits you.