Last updated on November 16th, 2024.
The east coast of Sicily is a region I know very well.
It’s an area I’ve been visiting for over 8 years and one where we live for part of the year.
And if you’re looking for a simple 7-day East Sicily itinerary, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll be sharing some local ideas about what to see if you’ve only one week in East Sicily. It’ll include some of the best places to explore in Sicily as well as lesser-known towns to visit.
I’ll be providing 2 options within this one-week Sicily itinerary. There’s a lot to see on Sicily’s east coast and it’s unrealistic that you’ll do everything outlined. Instead, you can build and customize your own 7-day Sicily itinerary.
The suggestions will also be helpful for building a 10- or 14-day itinerary for Sicily.
Perfect material for your Italy bucket list, use this post to plan your Italy trip.
Helpful Sicily resources
The following posts provide a good starting point for planning a trip to Sicily:
- Must-read Sicily travel tips
- When is the best time to Sicily?
- How to get around Sicily
- Every airport in Sicily
- Best hotels in Sicily with a view
Why East Sicily?
This Sicily itinerary focuses on the east coast of Sicily because it’s the side that I know best.
And doing this kind of road trip, in my opinion, is one of the best things to do in Sicily.
While I’ve traveled to many parts of West Sicily, including Palermo and Agrigento, my expertise lies in the east.
For me, there is no ‘which side is better, east or west?’ Because you’ll enjoy whichever part of Sicily you decide to visit.
The perfect 7-day East Sicily itinerary
Day 1
Start at Catania
The most common starting point for any East Sicily itinerary is Catania, or more specifically, Catania Fontanarossa Airport.
If you’re lucky, it’ll be a quick and seamless experience; if not, be prepared for a long waiting time.
One big positive of Catania Fontanarossa Airport is the Sicilian food. Reasonably priced, authentic and wholly delicious, we always make sure to eat at any of the cafes before our flight.
The center of Catania is around a 16-minute drive (depending on traffic) from the airport.
On a quick side note, there’s usually heavy traffic leading up to, and around Catania. Because of this, allow more than enough time if you plan on driving back to the airport. Public transport in Catania is available and it may be a quicker and less stressful option.
How long to spend in Catania?
Some visitors like to spend a night or two in Catania after arriving from the airport.
While some of you may be keen, and energized, to see Catania’s center straight away, others may be exhausted.
Whatever you decide, I’d suggest that one day in Catania is enough to see its sights in the city center.
The city center has several landmarks like the Cathedral of Saint Agatha and Teatro Massimo Bellini. However, the center’s small enough that you can comfortably visit in one day.
If by chance you’ve booked a longer stay in Catania, you could consider doing one of these activities:
- Visit Mount Etna on a guided tour
- Stroll by the towns of Aci Trezza and Aci Castello
Day 2 – option 1
From Catania, you have the choice to either head north towards Taormina and the Aeolian Islands or to continue south.
The following itinerary for the East coast of Sicily will outline the first option.
Taormina and Castelmola
For many first-time visitors, Taormina typically tops the list when it comes to the best places to explore in Sicily.
The hilltop town is around 20 minutes from our home in Sicily and is a town we frequently visit.
One of the most beautiful places in Sicily, it takes around 50 minutes if renting a car to get from Catania to Taormina. Heavy traffic is normal leading up to Taormina so be prepared to encounter some.
The hilltop town boasts an Ancient Greek-Roman amphitheater, a charming town center and spectacular views. Not far from the center is Isola Bella, a small island and nature reserve popular with beach lovers in summer.
Taormina was brought to an even wider, and varied, audience thanks to TV shows like The White Lotus. The HBO series was filmed in many parts of East Sicily, Taormina being one of them.
One full day in Taormina is plenty. Should you have time, also consider visiting the nearby town of Castelmola. Much quieter than Taormina, it has great views, Norman castle ruins and a one-of-a-kind bar….
Map of south-east Sicily
Day 3
Borghi and beaches in East Sicily
From Taormina, continue the drive north towards Messina and the Aeolian Islands. If you take the local roads rather than the highway, you’ll be able to visit some smaller towns.
Next door to Taormina is Letojanni. A small beach town known for its stretches of beach and seafood restaurants, it’s a place we often visit.
Should you choose to stop here, book to have lunch (or dinner) at Da Nino. The seafood is excellent, and the Sicilian dishes are like what we eat at home.
Ristorante Da Nino, Via Luigi Rizzo, 29
Two borghi in East Sicily
As you continue the drive north, you’ve the option to visit two borghi: Forza d’Agrò and Savoca.
A borgo can be described as an expansion of a city outside of its circuit of walls. There are many examples of borghi across Italy, Asolo in northern Italy, being one of them.
Forza d’Agrò and Savoca are beautiful hilltop towns and are small enough to see in a few hours. Both towns belong to the group of The Godather movie locations in Sicily. Love the movie franchise? Consider joining The Godfather tour from Taormina to visit all the filming spots.
Should you decide to visit Forza d’Agrò and Savoca, enjoy strolling through its cobbled streets and visiting its churches. In Savoca, be sure to stop by the famous Bar Vitelli to savor a drink in a historic location.
It takes around 24 minutes by car to get from Forza d’Agrò to Savoca.
Explore the lungomare or continue onto Milazzo
From this point, you can choose to visit smaller towns along the lungomare (sea promenade) or continue onto Milazzo.
Should you decide to continue to the port of Milazzo, the drive from Savoca takes around 1hr and 10mins.
The smaller, residential towns are usually where the locals go. Our town, Santa Teresa di Riva, has uninterrupted sea views and some good places to get a granita Siciliana. The beach (aside from August) is usually quiet, and the water is clean and translucent.
Furci Siculo is the next town over, and it also has a pretty beach and promenade. We’re regular visitors here but mainly to visit one place, Bar Mimmo. It serves the best granita, gelato, pasta di mandorle (almond cookies) and cannoli in East Sicily.
A grand title to live up, but I promise that the Sicilian desserts here are really that good.
Bar Mimmo, Via IV Novembre, 183, Furci Siculo
Day 4
Onto Milazzo and the Aeolian Islands
If you decide to drive straight from Catania to the port of Milazzo, the journey time is around 1hr 46mins. This doesn’t factor in traffic so be mindful of this on your trip.
Should we stop in Messina?
You can make a brief stop in Messina as it’s on the way to Milazzo. Some of the main attractions to see include the Duomo of Messina and the marble fountains with mythological figures.
Personally, I’d go straight to the ferry port. There are plenty more attractions to see on the Aeolian Islands and you want to wisely use your one week.
At Milazzo Port
At Milazzo you need to board the ferry (traghetto) that will take you to the Aeolian Islands. The largest of the group is Lipari, of which the ferry journey time is around 1 hour.
I’ve covered the best things to do in Lipari in a separate travel guide. It outlines attractions and activities in more detail so it’s worth a read.
You can book your ticket from Milazzo to Lipari online or buy it from the ticket office.
How many days should we spend on the Aeolian Islands?
For a 7-day East Sicily itinerary, you could allocate 2 days, 1 night to the Aeolian Islands.
You can choose to visit 2 islands, for example, Lipari and Stromboli. Explore Lipari’s town center on a day trip from Milazzo or visit the lava fountains on Stromboli at night.
Personally, I’d allocate a separate trip to the Aeolian Islands.
The islands are ideal for relaxation given the beaches, good weather and ambience and you want to fully enjoy it. If rest and relaxation is your M.O. you should consider spending more time here during your 7-day trip.
The other islands to see in the Aeolian Islands are:
- Vulcano
- Salina
- Panarea (see Panarea and Stromboli by boat from Milazzo)
- Filicudi
Day 2 – option 2
See you in Syracuse
The following East Sicily itinerary starts from Catania and continues south to Syracuse and Noto.
It’s around a 1hr drive to get from Catania Fontanarossa Airport to the city of Syracuse (Siracusa).
Syracuse is a city on the Ionian Coast of eastern Sicily. Like Catania, Syracuse is the name of the city as well as of the wider province. Its most notable attractions are the Neapolis Archaeological Park (home to the Ancient Roman theater) and Ortygia (Ortigia) island.
My post on the 7 unmissable sights in Syracuse and Ortygia outlines these attractions in greater detail.
Again, I suggest spending one full day and even the night in Syracuse/Ortygia to fully enjoy it.
Syracuse makes a great base for visiting neighboring cities and towns given the many roads that connect to the city.
Day 3
Next stop Noto
Onto one of my favorite cities in south-eastern Sicily, the Sicilian Baroque city of Noto.
Noto holds a special place in our hearts as we have family and friends that live here. It’s also just a few minutes’ drive from the exquisite IUTA Glamping & Farm.
From Syracuse, Noto is a quick 36-minute drive away. Because of this, you may prefer to visit Noto after Syracuse and Ortygia.
However, I’d personally recommend allocating sufficient time to both cities, especially if it’s your first time visiting East Sicily.
Beautiful baroque architecture — 7-day East Sicily itinerary
One of the best places to see Sicilian architecture, Noto’s city center is brimming with baroque.
An unmissable city in southeastern Sicily, there are tons of things to do in Noto.
Visit its incredible Duomo (free to enter), walk down Via Corrado Nicolaci and admire the wrought-iron balconies. If you happen to visit Noto in May, I’d urge you to get tickets for the Infiorata di Noto.
A unique floral festival in East Sicily, it’s an event that combines flowers, art and design.
You can choose to spend a full day in Noto and comfortably see the sights and explore the center. Should you finish seeing the sights and want to see other places, you could consider adding the following options to your itinerary:
- Palazzolo Acreide
- Avola Antica
- Lido di Noto (sandy beach)
Day 4
Stop by Ispica
In this southern part of Eastern Sicily, there are plenty of places you can see in 1 day or less.
Around 30 minutes by car from Noto is the magical small town of Ispica. It’s not as well-known compared to the places mentioned, but there are several notable things to do in Ispica.
Spend no more than an hour, 1hr 30mins max in Ispica.
Chocolate fix in Modica
There’s a good reason why visiting Ragusa and Modica are usually twinned together: they’re not far from one another.
By car, it’s a breezy 28 minutes to get from one city to the other. If following this East Sicily itinerary, it’s around a 50-minute drive from Ispica.
Modica is the first small city that you’ll pass through. Like Ragusa, Modica is quite a sight from afar. The dusty limestone color of the homes seemingly stacked on top of one another leaves a lasting impression.
At the heart of Modica’s center is its Duomo of St. George and the Duomo of St. Peter the Apostle. Add to the mix Modica’s most famous export, its chocolate, and the southern Sicilian city makes for a delicious trip.
You can spend a few hours or up to half a day in Modica. Naturally, this depends on whether you plan to book a tour or join any activities.
Rest in Ragusa
Ragusa is a good place to choose as a base in southern Sicily. The town is small, but it’s well connected. There are plenty of excellent restaurants and trattorias that’ll easily fill up an evening.
Ragusa’s main attractions consist of visiting its Sicilian baroque churches. The Duomo of St. George and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist are two of the most noteworthy. Like Modica, you can spend half a day here or a few hours depending on your pace.
We once spent a night at Hotel Locanda Don Serafino – Relais & Chateaux. A boutique hotel experience in Ragusa, we immensely enjoyed the food and hospitality. In short, it’s a place I’d highly recommend.
Day 5
Discover Scicli
The reason I suggest Ragusa as a potential base is because it shortens the drive to the city of Scicli.
From Ragusa it takes around 38 minutes by car compared to 53 minutes from Noto.
Another spectacular city to see, Scicli has baroque churches, Sicilian architecture and is home to a beloved TV detective. The city’s town hall, Comune di Scicli, features as the headquarters of Inspector Montalbano.
The show is a big selling point for fans to visit Scicli. They can follow in the footsteps of their favorite detective by joining a tour of the locations in Inspector Montalbano.
One day in Scicli’s center is sufficient. Other nearby places you may like to visit include the pretty coastal town of Donnalucata. It’s a quick 16-minute drive from the center of Scicli.
Day 6
Sicilian charm in Marzamemi
A small town bursting with color, Marzamemi is one place you may want to add to your East Sicily itinerary.
Located in the commune of Pachino, many visitors usually come to Marzamemi for one activity: to eat.
The coastal town’s famous for its abundance of fresh seafood restaurants. It was home to one of Sicily’s most important tuna fisheries, la tonnara, but this closed in 1969.
There are several things to do in Marzamemi, but allocate half a day here and you’ll see plenty.
If arriving from Scicli, the journey time by car is around 1 hour.
To the end of Italy
From Marzamemi, you’re in a good position to visit Isola delle Correnti.
One of the most southern points in Italy (beaten by Lampedusa), the vacant island is surrounded by sandy beaches. Just 25 minutes from Marzamemi, it’s close enough to visit.
Arriving in Isola delle Correnti at around 1 or 2pm probably isn’t the best time to visit, especially in summertime.
However, visiting around 5pm means you can still enjoy plenty of beach time and the (less harsh) sunshine.
Enjoy the views of the sun setting over Isola delle Correnti and the remoteness of the southern area.
Day 7
The last day of your 7-day East Sicily itinerary all depends on what option you chose at the start.
From Isola delle Correnti, you may decide to visit several of the surrounding beaches and enjoy a day of full relaxation.
From the Aeolian Islands, you may have decided to visit Savoca and Taormina on the way back to Catania Airport.
Both options will work for your Sicily itinerary.
Just ensure that you allow sufficient time to return to Catania Fontanarossa Airport and factor in the heavy traffic.
What do you think of my 7-day East Sicily itinerary? Did I add enough detail, or did I miss something? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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ABOUT me
Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.
What are the best places to visit in Eastern Sicily?
1. Taormina
2. Aeolian Islands
3. Catania
4. Syracuse (Ortygia)
5. Noto
6. Ragusa
7. Modica
8. Marzamemi
I love it when an itinerary includes a ferry ride! It’s such a fun way to build anticipation and just view things from the water side. I’ve always wanted to visit Sicily and I’m glad that you focused on only one part of the country. I also like that you’re such an expert, so I definitely trust your opinion. It seems like there’s a lot to do from water activities to a great culinary scene, plus the history and adventure side of things. It definitely seems like a place to satisfy a lot of different traveling styles.
In Sicily, there’s always the possibility of a ferry ride! I really hope you visit East Sicily one day