Sicily is a great Italian region that will make you fall head over heels in love with itself. Sicily offers you an experience of a lifetime with remarkable architecture, exquisite art, and pleasurable gastronomical culture. If you plan on visiting Sicily, you should prepare to stay here for at least a week to do justice to its attractions. Although exploring it via car is one of the most convenient options, it is not the only one. Thanks to multiple alternate options available, like buses and trains, you can visit Sicily without a car.
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If you are wondering how that might be possible, here is our Sicily travel guide and three of the best itineraries to Sicily that will let you enjoy many amazing destinations all without the need of driving a car!
Itinerary One: 7-Day or One-Week Itinerary to Ortigia Old Town – Cala Zaffiro – Noto – Catania
Begin your Sicily itinerary in a way that sets you on the right track for the amazing days to come. This can be done by choosing the picturesque Ortigia Old Town. Imagine the narrow, cobblestone streets lined by aesthetic buildings Europe is famous for – you will find them abundant here. Lose yourself in the maze of roads that snake through the heart of the city. Indulge in gastronomical pleasures along the way, as they cannot be missed. Head to the food market and prepare to be set in a food coma, a coma you would not want to emerge from.
Since this is a Sicily itinerary without a car, hop onto a local taxi and head to Cala Zaffiro, the second stop on your itinerary and a destination that will make you admit there is heaven on earth. Spend your day on its rocky beaches that overlook the spectacular, sparkling blue ocean. The visuals are so mesmerizing that you will leave your heart here while returning.
After spending a day of relaxation and pleasure at Cala Zaffiro, return to Ortigia and prepare to catch a bus to Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The recognized high status of Noto means that you can expect it to deliver brilliantly, which it sure does, with its remarkable collection of Baroque architecture. Walk around the city, from building to building, and be blown away by how incredible each’s architecture is. When you are hungry, head to Café Sicilia, one of the most famous eateries in town.
Following your exploratory excursions in Noto, board a bus to Catania, a city known for its spectacular architecture, vibrant nightlife, and lively culture. It is a city worth your time and money, for its offerings, are so amazing they will absorb you completely. Some of the most popular destinations you should visit are Cattedrale di Sant’Agata, Castello Ursino, and Elephant Fountain. And when the sun sets, head to one of its famous bars and party the night away.
Travel Guide & Resources for this Sicily Without a Car Itinerary:
Enjoy this one week in Sicily without a car itinerary? With this guide, now you can find the best flights, train tickets, buses, or if you change your mind during your trip and want to rent a car for your trip to Sicily you can do all that with the links provided.
Also, here you can browse our list of the best hotels in Ortigia Old Town, Cala Zaffiro, Noto, and Catania to stay in.
Need more ideas to add to your 2-week or 14-day Sicily without a car itinerary? Find top attractions & things to do in Ortigia, Cala Zaffiro, Noto, and Catania in addition to what already mentioned here.
Itinerary Two: 10-Day Itinerary to Palermo – Agrigento – Selinunte – Trapani
Palermo is an excellent place to start your journey. With its wealth of historical architecture, monuments, and sights of interest, you are set in the mood for the days to come. You should spend a day exploring the usual architectural wonders, like the Norman Palace, St. John of the Hermits, and the Palermo Cathedral. Dedicate the following day to explore an alternate side of the city, focusing on Sicilian scents (Ballaro Market) and catacombs. There are over 8000 mummies stored here!
The second step in your Sicily itinerary without a car is Agrigento, a must-see destination in Sicily. The city is known for its stunning collection of ancient ruins that reflect the height of the splendor of the great Roman Empire. From the Olympian Zeus Temple to Valle Dei Templi, the destination is littered with breathtaking exhibits worth your notice. You should also grab the opportunity to visit its out-of-this-world beaches. White cliffs line white sand, which overlooks clear blue waters, creating a view so picturesque that you will be left amazed.
Following Agrigento, you should head to Selinunte via bus. It is another fantastic seaside city, with many modern establishments featuring ocean views as their highlights. You will find some of the most amazing restaurants and clubs along the beaches and should try the opportunity to dine in them. Besides this, you must also include Selinunte archaeological park in your trip, for it holds amazing historical temples.
If you are to visit Sicily without a car, Trapani is another excellent destination you should have in your itinerary, for it captures the essence of Sicily. Thanks to its strategic positioning, Trapani is close to several other remarkable sites, with the to and fro journeys only lasting an hour at most. You should explore its sea, the neighboring Aegadian Islands, and the historic village of Erice, which is perched on a cliff. While heading to Erice, opt for the cable car, which allows you to witness jaw-dropping panoramic views of the location.
Travel Guide & Resources for this Sicily Without a Car Itinerary:
Enjoy this 10-day in Sicily without a car itinerary? With this guide, now you can find the best flights, train tickets, buses, or if you change your mind during your trip and want to rent a car for your trip to Sicily you can do all that with the links provided.
Also, here you can browse our list of the best hotels in Palermo, Agrigento, Selinunte, and Trapani to stay in.
Need more ideas to add to your 10-day Sicily without a car itinerary? Find top attractions & things to do in Palermo, Agrigento, Selinunte, and Trapani in addition to what already mentioned here.
Itinerary Three: 14-Day or 2-Week Itinerary to Catania – Syracuse – Modica – Scopello – Taormina
Given that you have two weeks to explore the region of Sicily, you will have enough time to enjoy the offerings of each city thoroughly. Not only should you dedicate time exploring the good old architectural remains and historical highlights, but you should also indulge in other, exhilarating sports. For example, during your stay in Catania, you should supplement your tours of places like Piazza del Duomo, Duomo di Catania, palazzo dell’ Universita, etc., with other fun activities like kayaking, snorkeling, mountain biking, and boating. You should also consider a guided gastronomical tour. Those are amazing!
There is much to be done in Syracuse, but nothing beats the gastronomical delights the destination has to offer. The region gives you the crux of Italian cuisine, flavors you can live and die for. Embark on guided gastronomic tours and discover what cuisines Syracuse has to offer. When you are done eating, cool down on a kayaking tour or embark on a hike to the Pantalica necropolis.
One can argue that there is only a certain number of architectural wonders one can see and enjoy before getting bored. However, this is not true with Sicily, for each destination has something unique to complement its offerings. Modica, for example, is one of the most interesting towns in all of Sicily. Not only does it contain remarkable architectural marvels such as the garibaldi theater and the Castle of Modica, but it also has seven more things. For example, Modica’s chocolate is known throughout the world for its politically speaks exquisite flavor. The chocolate is generally manually ground, giving it its unique texture and making it so desirable you should check out the numerous varieties available. From lemon to almond to pineapple to Raspberry – there is a lot to choose from.
You may not be someone in nature, but Scorpello has this excellent characteristic that will make you fall in love with it. Although there is nothing much to occupy you if you are not traveling for scenic beauty, you can rest assured that you will not be bored. The views are just so fantastic! The region is popular for its remarkable beaches, which offer stunning and picturesque views of the sea. Plus, there is a wide variety of beach types available – you have everything from long stretches of fine sand to beaches that feature stunning rock formations. While you are here, make sure that you take the opportunity to swim in its beautiful coves, embark on meaningful hikes, and relax on the beaches.
The best way to finish your Sicilian itinerary is to visit the small town of Taormina. The city is very pleasant and welcoming, with its attractions engrossing and its people inviting. Stroll through the alleys and streets and climb atop the Madonna dell Rocca Sanctuary to witness gorgeous panoramic views of the city. You should also consider kayaking, boating, and snorkeling tours, all of which will enhance your experience immensely!
Travel Guide & Resources for this Sicily Without a Car Itinerary:
Enjoy this 2-week in Sicily without a car itinerary? With this guide, now you can find the best flights, train tickets, buses, or if you change your mind during your trip and want to rent a car for your trip to Sicily you can do all that with the links provided.
Also, here you can browse our list of the best hotels in Catania, Syracuse, Modica, Scopello, and Taormina to stay in.
Need more ideas to add to your 2-week or 14-day Sicily without a car itinerary? Find top attractions & things to do in Catania, Syracuse, Modica, Scopello, and Taormina in addition to what already mentioned here.
Video Guide: Sicily Without a Car | The Best of 7-14 Day Sicily Itinerary Ideas Without Driving
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Additional Travel resources for planning trip to Sicily
To make planning a trip to Sicily (with or without a car) easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip to Sicily and other European cities.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Want to spend the best 7-14 days in Sicily and need help planning?
Want to plan your trip to Sicily but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a multi-city trip to Sicily without a car are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations.
To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.