Sicily, one of Italy’s most southern regions and the largest Mediterranean island, is known for its rich history, pristine beaches, and amazing food. While Sicily has always been a popular destination amongst Italians, the island has only recently gained traction since its feature in White Lotus. Planning a trip to Sicily, but don’t know where to go in Sicily or how to organize your trip? Below I’ve outlined my improved itinerary on the west side of the island, plus a few tips on how to make the most of your trip to this Mediterranean gem.
Where To Go in Sicily: West vs. East
The type of vacation you want will influence which side of the island you’ll want to explore. In terms of where to go in Sicily, each side offers a unique perspective of the island. Western Sicily has the best beaches but has fewer tourists than the eastern side, while eastern Sicily has more tourists and is home to the prettier towns. We chose the western side because we were set on a 100% beach vacation, and we also wanted to see the Egadi Islands, which I talk more about later. There is no wrong choice when deciding which side of the island to do — but each side deserves at least 1 week to explore. If you’re in Sicily for 2 weeks, you can make the most of it and discover the island in its entirety!
Sicily Weather
The best times to visit Sicily are between April and October. Between these months, the island experiences the least rainfall and sunniest weather. You will find more options for where to go in Sicily if you visit during the warmer months. After all, Sicily is an island, so the bulk of things to do are outdoor activities.
One thing to note is that summer in Sicily gets extremely hot. I would argue that the best times to visit Sicily are actually between May and June or September and October. We visited at the end of June and, while hot, found the weather perfect for enjoying the beach.
Below are some temp highs and lows of the recommended months to Sicily:
- April: High of 66ºF/19ºC and low of 55ºF/13ºC
- May: High of 75ºF/24ºC and low of 63ºF/17ºC
- June: High of 82ºF/28ºC and low of 70ºF/21ºC
- July: High of 88ºF/31ºC and low of 73ºF/23ºC – note that in July 2023, temperatures surpassed 40ºC/104ºF. Consider heat spikes during July and August when planning your trip to Sicily.
- August: High of 88ºF/31ºC and low of 75ºF/24ºC
- September: High of 82ºF/28ºC and low of 70ºF/21ºC
- October: High of 75ºF/24ºC and low of ºF/18ºC
Where to Stay in Sicily
We opted to spend a few days in separate towns as we continued along our planned route, which worked well for us. Finding hotels in western Sicily was tough though, as many hotels in the cities didn’t have parking. Below I’ve listed all the hotels we’ve stayed at, plus a few other options we considered.
Where We Stayed in Sicily:
- San Vito Lo Capo – B&B A casa di Aurora rooms – our price: €110 per night
- Trapani – Hotel Punta Tipa – our price: €134.50 per night (while this hotel was nice, it was far from everything and felt secluded from Trapani, so keep this in mind before booking)
- Agrigento – Camere a Sud – our price: €112 per night
- Palermo – Casa di Lucky Airbnb – our price: €85 per night
Where To Go in Sicily: Other Hotel Options
- San Vito Lo Capo – Monte Monaco B&B
- Trapani – BADIA NUOVA Apart Hotel
- Agrigento – Casuzza di Girgenti Airbnb (2 night min)
- Palermo – B&B Dietro il Teatro
- Palermo – Loft between stars and fish. Palermo Airbnb
Transportation in Sicily
There is only one way to discover the coast of Sicily: by car. Public transportation between cities around the island does exist by either bus or boat, however, renting a car will give you more freedom during your trip. Not having to rely on public transportation will be less stressful as well. Driving in Sicily was not nearly as difficult as I expected as the highways between cities are quite large. Our driving within the cities was kept to a minimum since most cities are quite walkable.
Rental Cars
We booked our rental car through Rentalcars.com. I recommend getting a car on the smaller side to make parking easier within the cities. Note: we did get quite an old car, meaning there was no navigation or radio. It did have working AC though, which was the most important thing considering the heat. Unless you like road trips in silence, I recommend bringing a portable speaker to enjoy some tunes in the car.
Our driving route around western Sicily. You can either start or end in Palermo, it is up to you! Regardless, you’ll be making a trip to the airport to drop off the car.
Helpful Tips for Visiting Sicily
Language
They don’t really speak English in western Sicily outside of Palermo. Staff at big tourist stops, like the Valley of Temples, will be the only places where people speak English comfortably. Places like restaurants and even some hotels won’t speak English, so come prepared with a few phrases in Italian. People are extremely friendly though, and speaking a little Italian will go a long way in making your trip more pleasant.
Duration
We spent 8 full days on the west coast and flew home on the 9th day. I think this trip could be shortened, with a bit of shuffling and eliminating, you could get the trip down to 6 or 7 days. Ultimately, it is up to you and how leisurely you want to spend your vacation! If I needed to shorten my trip, I would skip the following: visiting Marsala, the salt flats, and Scala dei Turchi. Skipping these things should free up at least a day and a half.
What I Wish I Did
Don’t skip Zingaro Reserve. We drove past Zingaro Reserve thinking we didn’t have time for a day hike. Looking back, I would’ve easily traded my day in Marsala for a day in Zingaro Reserve! Marsala was a beautiful little town, but it was extremely quiet, and there was honestly not much going on. Personally, I think Marsala is skippable and your time is better spent exploring something else.
Skip the Scala dei Turchi. We dedicated a half day to this, and honestly, it was underwhelming. While the view is pretty, I think it was skippable as the beach wasn’t really all that nice and you aren’t even able to climb the steps anymore due to erosion. I felt all the photos I’ve seen online made them look so much more aesthetic than what they were in real life. In my opinion, skip the steps and plan a different activity.
Our Itinerary – Where To Go in Sicily in 8 Days
Day 1 – Temple of Segesta & Beach Day in San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo is a laid-back beach town about 2 hours west of Palermo. It is extremely charming, with a busy city center full of souvenir shops, gelato spots, and restaurants. Where to go in Sicily, especially on your first day, if not the beach? San Vito Lo Capo’s beaches are voted as some of the best beaches in Sicily, with clear, clean water. The views from the beach include Monte Monaco, which has a trekking route (warning: it is a bit of a steep trekking route) of about 4.5km to the top.
Temple of Segesta
On the way to San Vito Lo Capo, we stopped at the Temple of Segesta. The temple was constructed in the 5th century BC by the Elymians (indigenous people believed to be heavily influenced by the Greeks). Though the temple was never finished, it is remarkably well-preserved. It has 36 columns arranged in a classic hexastyle pattern.
Tickets for visiting the temple are €6 for adults and €3 for people aged 18 to 25 as long as you bring a valid ID.
Day 2 (What I Wish I Did) – Scopello & Zingaro Reserve
When it comes to figuring out where to go in Sicily, do not skip Scopello and Zingaro Reserve. As I’ve mentioned, western Sicily is known for its beaches, and what I know now is that they are mostly located in the northwest part of the island. Even more importantly, the beaches along Zingaro Reserve are amongst some of the best of them!
Scopello
Scopello is a picturesque little village nestled on the northwest coast of Sicily. You’ve probably already seen photos of Scopello all over social media. Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the village is renowned for its ancient tonnara (tuna fishery) and the iconic Faraglioni di Scopello, which are dramatic limestone cliffs rising from the sea. Going Home Broke posted a great review of the tonnara and Scopello in general, that can better inform your visit to this iconic location.
Zingaro Reserve
Encompassing over 1,600 hectares, the Zingaro Reserve is a protected nature reserve that showcases rugged cliffs, crystalline waters, and untouched Mediterranean foliage. Within the reserve is a network of hiking trails, with the most popular trail being a 7km (that’s one way, so technically 14km) hike. While the hike is long, the trail itself is well-marked and firm, making it relatively easy. Many visitors allocate a full day for the hike as there are many opportunities to stop at secluded beaches along the way.
Day 3 – Erice & Trapani
Erice
Another great spot to add to your list of where to go in Sicily spots is Erice. Atop a mountain on the western coast of Sicily lies the preserved medieval village of Erice. The cobblestone streets of Erice wind through impeccably maintained Norman architecture lead to notable landmarks such as the Venus Castle and the Gothic-style Mother Church. The panoramic view from Venus Castle, overlooking Trapani and the Tyrrhenian Sea, is an unmissable highlight.
Despite its many attractions, Erice is small and highly walkable, making it an ideal destination for a day trip. In any comprehensive “where to go in Sicily” list, especially western Sicily, Erice stood out as one of the island’s most picturesque villages for me. Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip though, because those cobblestone streets are slippery!
Pasticceria San Carlo
Be sure to make a stop at Pasticceria San Carlo, a humble bakery serving up traditional Sicilian pastries. I went here specifically to order genovesi, which is one of Erice’s specialties. Genovesi are disc-like short pastries filled with cream and covered in powdered sugar. The actual origins of this pastry are unknown, but the popularity of genovesi is owed largely to the nuns that once lived in Erice. Whatever the origins, they are delicious! We ordered some filled with lemon cream and Nutella.
Day 4 – Egadi Islands Boat Tour
Favignana
If I were to recommend one place in regards to where to go in Sicily, it would be the Egadi Islands. The Egadi Islands were a big reason why I chose to focus on the west side of Sicily vs. the east. The Egadi Islands are a picturesque cluster of islands off the western coast of Sicily comprising Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo. Favignana, the largest, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and the historic tuna fishery, while Levanzo captivates with its prehistoric cave paintings. Marettimo, which we did not visit, is the most remote and offers rugged terrain and a sense of tranquility.
Boat Tour Options
We booked a day-long boat tour to see the islands and had a blast. The water is impressively blue, and the tour made multiple stops for us to dive into the turquoise water. We also briefly stopped at Levanzo to take in the views of this quaint fishing town from the boat. Below I’ve listed a few boat tours to consider when making a day trip to the Egadi Islands:
- Favignana and Levanzo tour: one day on the Egadi Islands (96€ per person, 8hrs – this is the tour we booked)
- Egadi Sail Boat Tour to Favignana and Levanzo (€112.00 per person, 8hrs)
Food in Favignana
Food on the island of Favignana is another experience of its own. We were able to make a stop at Favignana for lunch, where I munched on a seriously divine tuna sandwich. Red tuna has been an export of Favignana for centuries, and the island once had one of the largest tuna fisheries in the Mediterranean.
Our lunch location: U’Coppu, Streetfood
Day 5 – Marsala, Salt Flats & Drive to Agrigento (skippable if needed)
Saline di Trapani e Paceco
If you’ve got time on your hands and are looking for more options on where to go in Sicily, then a trip to the salt flats could be worth your while. We went because we found ourselves with an extra day in our itinerary, and I had seen recommendations previously to check out Sicily’s salt flats.
Sicily’s history with salt production is deeply ingrained, dating back to ancient times when the island was a crucial hub for this precious commodity. We visited the Saline di Trapani e Paceco, and learned all about the salt harvesting process in their visitor center. Fun fact: the salt flats turn out to be an ideal environment for flamingos in August due to the pink shrimp that thrive in the flats. So if you happen to be visiting in August, you might see the flamingos feasting in the salt flats!
You can’t leave the salt fields without buying the high-quality salt there, so we took home a bag of extra coarse sea salt to use at home. If you’re looking for another spot to add to your where to go in Sicily list, consider making a trip out to the salt flats.
Day 6 – Valley of Temples & Scala dei Turchi
Valley of Temples
The Valley of the Temples, situated near Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily, is a must-visit for those planning their itineraries for what to do in Sicily. In short, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a large collection of well-preserved ancient Greek temples.
The Valley of the Temples was created during the ancient Greek colonization of the region in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. The Greeks, specifically settlers from Gela, Akragas (ancient Agrigento), and other nearby cities, established this monumental complex to honor their deities. The site offers a glimpse into the ancient Greek civilization’s legacy in Sicily and makes for an amazing visit even if you aren’t a history buff. The preservation of these temples is truly remarkable — even more so because they are all in one place — and visiting the Valley of Temples was a highlight of our trip.
The park takes about half a day to visit. I recommend going in the morning to avoid the summer heat as best as you can.
Scala dei Turchi
This might be an unpopular opinion – but if there is one thing I would recommend you skip when it comes to where to go in Sicily, it would be the Scala dei Turchi. The Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) is a natural staircase of white limestone cliffs in Realmonte, Sicily. While you used to be able to climb them, they closed in January 2022 due to a case of vandalism, and since then have not reopened.
While the cliffs were beautiful to see, there really wasn’t much to else do since the cliffs were closed. There is a beach, however, but the beach was not nearly as nice as some of the others in western Sicily.
If you are still set on seeing the Stair of Turks, here is a blog with tips to visit responsibly.
Day 7 – Palermo
Palermo is one of the main cities to visit in Sicily, and is the capital of the island. There are a lot of historical sites in Palermo, and in fact, Palermo is one of the cities with the largest number of UNESCO sites in Europe! Additionally, Palermo is known for its vibrant food scene, with bustling markets such as Ballarò and Vucciria. You can’t visit Palermo without savoring local street food like arancini and cannoli at the local markets.
Pro tip: I found the markets quite intimidating to navigate, and wish we had booked a food tour to experience the markets to the fullest. Unfortunately, there aren’t many food tours available to book, but this one on Viator seems legit and has great reviews.
Below is a list of must-sees for a day in Palermo:
- Norman Palace
- Ballarò market
- Palermo Cathedral
- Quattro Canti
Day 8 – Cefalù
Cefalù, a wonderful, charming little beach town close to Palermo was my favorite city that we visited in Sicily. Cefalù has it all, from gorgeous sandy beaches, charming cobblestone streets, and a hilltop castle (La Rocca) that you can hike up to. Cefalù is guaranteed to make an amazing stop when considering where to go in Sicily.
We mainly chilled out and enjoyed the beach since we visited Cefalù at the end of our trip. By then, we were so tired of the heat and walking everywhere, we just wanted to relax. Beach beds here cost anywhere from 30-40 euro for two people for the day.
Day 9 – Palermo + Fly Home
And that is a wrap on our western Sicily itinerary! If you’re looking for more trip inspiration, check out What To Do in Sicily – 10 Things Not To Miss When Visiting Sicily.
