Ultimate Sicily Itinerary: 4 Days in Sicily

While it might look like a smidge on the map, the dreamy Italian island of Sicily is anything but small. Combining the classics Taormina, Mount Etna with the much lesser known Catania and underdog capital city, Palermo to feed your soul, and have you scrambling to book your return ticket!

Planning on seeing everything in just one ultimate Sicily itinerary feels impossible, no matter how many days you have to spend here. In this ultimate guide to how to spend the perfect 4 days in Sicily, you’ll find the best short Sicily itinerary, with plenty of ways to lengthen your stay or extend your visit if you can.

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Sicily Itinerary

Sicily is a large and diverse Mediterranean island off the “toe” of the boot of Italy. In addition to being one of Italy’s 20 regions, it’s also the largest and most populous island in the Mediterranean Sea. With stunning coastlines, historic towns, and beautiful sites, it’s increasingly a popular travel destination with travelers from around the world.

You’ll have no lack of things to do in Sicily and gorgeous destinations to choose from. With just 4 days in Sicily, you’ll be pressed for time to see everything you might want to add to your Sicily itinerary.

The good news is that the sights included in this Sicily itinerary can all be visited without needing a car. A beautiful train ride connects Palermo to Catania, from where buses run to Taormina and Mount Etna. It is one of the rare spots on the island where both tourism infrastructure and public transportation work together beautifully. 

Is Four Days in Sicily Enough?

While 4 days in Sicily is ample time to get a feel of Sicilian culture, savor the traditional flavors, and see a few of the main highlights, it is not enough time to see everything. Many travelers prefer to dedicate an entire trip to exploring Sicily, spreading out their travelers over about 7 days in Sicily or more.

Just four days for your Sicily itinerary might not seem like much, but you’ll be surprised by how much you can do! Whether you have just one day or ten, you’ll love this beautiful island and enjoy your visit.

Where To Stay in Sicily

For just a short Sicily itinerary, it will be important to base yourself strategically to enjoy the parts of the island you hope to explore.

Distances are much greater than you might imagine, so the choice of where to stay in Sicily is important if you hope to cut down on transportation time and costs. Catania is the most centrally located and offers a wide range of accommodations to fit every budget.

These are our top hotel and guesthouse recommendations for your Sicily itinerary. Whether you do for the urban palazzo or the sprawling, luxurious estate, staying in these lovely spots in Sicily will be a highlight of your trip.

• il Leone Blu ($ – $$)
• Hotel Kalura ($$ – $$$)
• Seven Rooms Villadorata ($$$)
• Monaci delle Terre Nere ($$$$)

4 Days in Sicily

Day 1: Explore Palermo

As Palermo is the capital city of Sicily, there are a ton of things to do in Palermo. One could easily spend a week exploring every nook and cranny of this interesting capital city and not get bored.

While parts of the city leave a lot to be desired, the historical center of Palermo is wonderfully walkable and will allow you to visit a number of the main attractions in the course of the day without having the feeling of being rushed.

Visit the Norman Palace

At the entrance of the historical center of Palermo lies the oldest parliamentary building in continual use in all of Europe. Built in the 12th century for Roger II of Sicily, the palace shows off this former king’s sumptuous taste.

While not all of the palace is open to visitors, sections are open to visitors and are well worth a visit. The most interesting section of the palace is, without a doubt, the Palatine Chapel, which was the private seat of worship of King Roger II.

Covered in 6000 golden glass mosaics, each hand-painted and carefully stuck to the ceiling to depict a glittering array of biblical scenes. This chapel is part of Palermo’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is not hard to see why!

See Palermo Cathedral

Head deeper into the historical center of Palermo and you will undoubtedly stumble upon the beautiful Palermo Cathedral. Ornate and sumptuously decorated on the outside, it’s an incredibly impressive church and one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Sicily.

While the austere white-washed walls on the inside of the church are not particularly interesting, you’ll still want to make sure you get inside when you visit. Make sure to check out the terrace of the Cathedral, which will undoubtedly be a highlight of your visit to the Cathedral. Pay a small fee and head up a winding set of stairs to see the very best view over Palermo.

Go People-Watching in La Vucciria

Palermo has a number of historical markets around the city, the nicest of which are La Vucciria, il Capo, and Ballaro. While these markets can get busy with tourists during the high season of summer travel, they’re still well worth a visit.

Get the true feel of the market by heading out in the early morning to watch locals haggle with the vociferous street vendors who sell anything you might need to whip up a delicious meal.

If you are short on time, visit La Vucciria market. Aside from market stalls, it houses tiny bars & makeshift restaurants where you can try some of the city’s famous street food. The courageous traveler might want to order a scalding hot spleen sandwich, a favorite among the locals.

Explore Palermo’s Churches

The main road of Palermo’s Historical Center, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, is lined with splendid palazzi and churches. Time permitting on your 4 days in Sicily, indulge yourself and go on a church-hopping bonanza. Make sure to explore the Arab-Norman churches of San Cataldo & La Martorana, part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Pop into the Baroque art and architecture heaven known as the Church of Santa Caterina to savor the mouthwatering sweets sold by local nuns before heading up to the two viewing platforms on the rooftop. Tickets for the rooftop are sold separately at the entrance of the church.

Please note that in most churches in Sicily, women will be required to cover their shoulders and knees upon entering. Carry a lightweight scarf with you and make sure to wear a longer skirt, dress, or pants if you look forward to exploring these sites as part of your Siciliy itinerary.

Day 2: Check out Cefalu & Monreale

Spend the second day of your 4 days in Sicily exploring the areas around the outskirts of Palermo. The little villages of Cefalu and Monreale are the perfect day trips from Palermo. 

If you are visiting in the blistering summer months, where temperatures are rarely below 100°F (40°C) a visit to smaller villages outside of the city might offer a welcome reprieve from the scathing sun. Both Cefalu and Monreale are home to UNESCO World Heritage-designated Arab-Norman Cathedrals dating back to the 12th century. 

Roam Around Monreale

The charming village of Monreale is right on the outskirts of Palermo, and a comfortable 30-minute bus ride will get you to Monreale from the center of the city. Many guides will say it is one of the “top things to do in Palermo”, but make no mistake, Monreale is not in fact part of the capital, it is its very own village.

Exploring Monreale should take no more than two hours, between the jaw-dropping cathedral and the picturesque Benedictine Cloister. While neither looks particularly spectacular from the outside, don’t let outward appearances fool you – these spectacular, historic buildings are must-visit spots on your Sicily itinerary.

As you step into the confines of the Cathedral, head for the central nave. Here the 6,500 square meter ceiling is completely covered in tiny golden glass mosaics. These Byzantine mosaics depict various scenes from both the Old and New Testament, with a larger-than-life figure of Christ in the central apse. 

After exploring the Cathedral, pop around the corner to the Benedictine Cloister. Tickets for the Cloister can also be purchased at the entrance of the Monreale Cathedral. The Cathedral itself is free to enter, however, if you would like to see the rooftop terrace – which is recommended! – an additional ticket is required.

Getting to Monreale: Take the direct bus (number 389) departing from Piazza Indipendenza in Palermo (prices are $1.60 for a one-way ticket).

Take a Dip in the Sea in Cefalu

Cefalu is slightly further afield from Palermo, though the train ride from Palermo to Cefalu comes in at just under an hour. Cefalu is larger than Monreale and can easily fill a full day of exploring. But as you have but a mere 4 days in Sicily, an afternoon will do the trick.

The number one thing to do in Cefalu is to visit the Arab-Norman Cathedral, which has endured multiple earthquakes and is still standing firmly planted and ready to marvel curious travelers. 

After exploring the Cathedral of Cefalu, make sure to go swimming in the sea if the weather permits. Cefalu is located right by the water and has a wonderfully long coastline with ample beach space to enjoy. To visit the beachfront, head out in the direction of the Lungomare Giuseppe Giardini. 

Getting there: Take the direct train from Palermo Centrale train station to the Cefalu station. The ride takes between 40 to 55 minutes (prices start at $7 single journey).

Day 3: Delve into Catania

While Palermo is the capital city of Sicily, most international flights will land in Catania. The city has the largest airport on the island, and tickets to Catania tend to be significantly cheaper than those flying directly to the capital Palermo.

In practice, this means that Catania gets a lot more traffic, with many travelers spending at least a few days in Catania before exploring the rest of the island on their Sicily itinerary. Booking hotels and activities in advance is an absolute must if you want to explore Catania during your 4 days in Sicily.

Visit the Local Street Food Market

Catania has a variety of different markets, each held on a different day of the week. If you are looking for the most well-known market in Catania, you can’t miss the city’s famous fish market, which is always brimming with locals and tourists alike.

The market opens around 6:00 AM and runs until 1:00 PM. Most tourists do not make it to the market until well after 9:00 AM, so if you’re looking for the most authentic experience with the most locals, visit as early as you can.

Shortly after the market closes, the market square transforms into a plethora of makeshift bars & restaurants. It’s the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat or a drink in the afternoon or evening.

Explore the Historical Center of Catania

There is plenty to do and see in the historic center of Catania, worth a visit whether you have just 4 days in Sicily or a much longer Sicily itinerary to enjoy. Google Maps reception is spotty at best inside the historical center, so save yourself the headache and simply not turn it on or download Maps.Me ahead of your visit.

Visit the ornate Piazza del Duomo, home to the Catania Duomo, the fountain containing the emblem of Catania (an elephant), and the City Hall. Stroll down the Via Etnea which cuts through the entire city, aptly named after Mount Etna, which can be seen looming in the background.

If you’re interested in exploring some of Catania’s many ornate churches, head to Via Crociferi with the postcard Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolo’ L’Arena. These days the monastery is no longer inhabited by monks but by a different type of eager scholar, university students.

Note that most churches in Catania will close around 1:00 PM, so if you want to visit a few churches, aim to head to Via Crociferi early in the day.

Day 4: Hike Mount Etna & Enjoy Taormina

Exploring Sicily without setting eyes on the active volcano Mount Etna just doesn’t feel right! This is the most important part of the Sicily “skyline,” so make sure you enjoy the best views of the volcano during your visit.

The gargantuan volcano stands tall at just over 11,000 feet (3,357 meters) and looms over the city of Catania. There are a number of ways that visitors can climb Mount Etna or visit its slopes, but before you go, make sure to ask the local tourism office if the volcano is currently safe to visit. The last explosion dates back a mere few years ago, in 2021. 

On average, a tour of Mount Etna will take around 6-8 hours if you want to hike or 4-6 hours if you take a guided tour. Combining a visit to Mount Etna with time in nearby Taormina is completely feasible in one day, though do keep in mind you’ll need to get an early start to this long day.

Visit Mount Etna

There are a few ways to visit Mount Etna if you’re excited to hike the volcano or even just visit its slopes. These are the best ways to plan a visit:

1. Fully-Guided Tour: This option includes a pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, as well as a guide who takes you all the way to the summit. Make sure to double-check that there are no additional costs when booking (for example, cable car tickets). 
2. Guided Ascent: Plan your own transportation to the starting point of the trek at Rifugio Sapienza. Buses run between Catania and Mount Etna multiple times a day.
3. Solo Trek + Guided Summit: Make your way to Rifugio Sapienza on your own accord and climb up to Torre del Folosofo. Here you can either choose a guided hike or jump into one of the jeeps that drive up. 

Keep in mind that the slopes of Mount Etna are lined with a smattering of stops: Rifugio Sapienza (1900 meters), a mountain hut (2500 meters), Torre del Filosofo (2900 meters), the top of Etna (3350 meters).

If you want to clamber up without a guide, this can be done up to 2900 meters (or the Torre del Filosofo). The last portion of the hike between 2900 meters and 3350 meters requires a guide, for safety reasons. 

Explore Taormina

Taormina has always been one of the tourist hotspots in Sicily. However, with the recent success of the second season of the series White Lotus, Taormina has become absolutely swamped with tourists.

If you are visiting in high season, be prepared to share the tiny cobblestoned streets with plenty of other visitors. If you’re looking to explore Taormina without the crowds, consider flipping this section of your Sicily itinerary and visiting in the early morning before heading out to climb Mount Etna.

Aside from strolling around the picture-perfect streets, the number one thing to do in Taormina is visit the third-century BC Greek theater. What makes this theater so spectacular, aside from its remarkable ability to withstand the hands of time, is the views it provides over Mount Etna. Sunsets here are particularly special: as the sun starts to dip behind the volcano, the sky erupts into a million shades of orange, making for some stunning photographs.

During the summer months, the theater is used to host performances of ancient Greek tragedies, which start around sunset. These tend to sell out quickly, so make sure to book your tickets in advance.