Sicily rewards curious families with golden beaches, ancient theaters, and the thrill of active volcanoes. From Palermo’s Arab-Norman palaces to Taormina’s clifftop lanes, the island blends Mediterranean sunshine with millennia of history—Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, and Spanish—all leaving flavors on the plate and patterns in the stone.

For two weeks, you’ll eat your way through bustling markets, sail past volcanic silhouettes in the Aeolian Islands, watch Stromboli glow after sunset, and venture onto Mount Etna’s lunar slopes. It’s a pace designed for kids and adults alike: beach time, gelato breaks, and hands-on experiences woven between headline sights.

Practical notes: Sicily is best explored with flexible ferry and train planning. Summer is hot; spring and fall are ideal for families. Pack sun protection and closed-toe shoes for volcano days. Always check volcano advisories for Stromboli and Etna before departures, as access can vary with conditions.

Palermo

Days 1–4: Markets, Monreale mosaics, Mondello & Cefalù

Base your trip in Palermo, Sicily’s energetic capital where domes, souks, and street shrines share the skyline. Kids love the open-air markets and puppet traditions; adults get Byzantine mosaics, fragrant food stalls, and late-afternoon Passeggiata energy.

• Historic core: Start at Quattro Canti and the nearby Pretoria Fountain, then duck into the Norman Palace to see the glittering Cappella Palatina mosaics.
• Market crawl: Capo and Ballarò markets brim with arancini, panelle, sfincione, and seasonal fruit. It’s a delicious, low-cost way to feed a family.
• Monreale Cathedral: A short ride uphill for 12th‑century gold mosaics and cloister lions—an easy half-day with panoramic views.
• Beach breaks: Swim at Mondello (shallow, kid-friendly), and day-trip by train to Cefalù for a long sandy beach and Norman cathedral.
• Family culture: Pop into the International Puppet Museum and see a traditional Opera dei Pupi show.

Recommended activities (Palermo)

Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty — a tasty way to explore markets with a local.

Palermo: Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide — tailor pace and content to your family’s interests.

Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view — hands-on Sicilian recipes with garden-fresh ingredients, great for kids.

Where to eat & drink

• Breakfast: Pasticceria Cappello for the seven-layer Settevveli cake; Pasticceria Costa for ricotta cannoli and pistachio pastries.
• Street food lunch: Nni Franco U’ Vastiddaru for pani cà meusa and panelle; Antica Focacceria San Francesco for sfincione and eggplant dishes.
• Sit-down dinner: Ferro di Cavallo (hearty Sicilian plates, good value), Osteria Ballarò (seasonal Sicilian tasting plates) or Ai Cascinari (family-run, classic pasta con le sarde).
• Sweet stops: Il Signor di Carbognano for gelato; Try brioche con gelato on hot afternoons.

Stay (Palermo) — For space and value, look for 1–2 bedroom apartments near the historic center or Politeama. Browse: VRBO Palermo or Hotels.com Palermo.

Getting in & around

• Fly into Palermo (PMO). Compare options on Omio (flights in Europe). Airport train or bus to Palermo Centrale takes ~1 hour (about €6–7); taxis ~45 minutes.
• Local transport: Palermo is very walkable in the center; use buses or taxis for Monreale and Mondello.

Aeolian Islands (Lipari base)

Days 5–9: Island-hop to Vulcano, Salina & Stromboli

Shift to island time. Base in Lipari—the Aeolians’ practical hub—for ferries, sandy coves, and pastel sunsets. Families can pick easy beach days, short coastal hikes, and a memorable sunset cruise to see Stromboli’s “Sciara del Fuoco” glow after dark.

• Lipari town & beaches: Explore the castle-acropolis and the Aeolian Museum’s obsidian tools; swim at Canneto or Spiaggia di Valle Muria. Try granite at Pasticceria Subba.
• Vulcano: Day-trip for black-sand Spiaggia Sabbie Nere and fumarolic shoreline. Note: crater access may be restricted; check current advisories locally.
• Salina: Quiet green island famed for capers and Malvasia wine; at Lingua, Da Alfredo serves the island’s cult granita and “pane cunzato.”
• Stromboli by night: Evening boat tours watch lava bursts from the water—dramatic and usually comfortable for kids if dressed warmly.

Island dining

• Lipari: E’ Pulera (garden setting; fresh pastas, grilled fish), Ristorante Filippino (historic, terrace views), Il Corallo (casual seaside).
• Vulcano: Trattoria La Forgia for grilled fish and kid-friendly pastas near the port.
• Stromboli: Ristorante Osservatorio for pizza with volcano views (book for sunset); Gelato break at Il Gelato di Vincenzo.

Stay (Lipari) — Choose a family apartment near Marina Corta or Canneto for easy swims and ferry access. Browse: VRBO Lipari or Hotels.com Lipari.

Getting there & around

• Palermo → Lipari: Train Palermo–Milazzo ~2.5–3.5 hours (usually €15–25) via Omio (trains), then hydrofoil Milazzo–Lipari ~1–1.5 hours (typically €20–30) via Omio (ferries). Aim for a morning departure.
• Island-hopping: Use frequent hydrofoils between Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, and Stromboli on Omio (ferries). Many Stromboli sunset cruises can be booked in person along Marina Corta.

Suggested pacing (Days 5–9)

• Day 5: Travel to Lipari, sunset stroll, gelato at Subba.
• Day 6: Beach morning at Canneto; afternoon Aeolian Museum; seafood dinner at E’ Pulera.
• Day 7: Day-trip to Salina (Lingua for granita); return for harbor-side dinner.
• Day 8: Lazy beach morning; Stromboli sunset boat in the evening.
• Day 9: Vulcano’s black sands; back to Lipari for a simple pizza night.

Taormina & Mount Etna (plus Catania coast)

Days 10–14: Greek Theater views, Isola Bella, and Etna adventures

Finish on Sicily’s dramatic east coast. Taormina’s medieval lanes and cliffside terraces lead down by cable car to pebble coves and turquoise water. Nearby Mount Etna offers kid-thrilling craters, lava tubes, and honey-colored villages on its slopes.

• Taormina highlights: Greek Theater (bring cameras), stroll Corso Umberto, and ride the cable car to Mazzarò. Snorkel at Isola Bella or play in the shallows at Giardini Naxos.
• Etna day: Pick an option suited to your family—from gentle morning hikes and lava-cave exploration to 4x4 adventures or the cable car to the upper stations (weather permitting).
• River fun: Alcantara Gorge offers basalt canyons and chilly wading; great on a hot day.

Recommended activities (Taormina & Etna)

Etna Morning Trip — family-friendly pacing with short treks and a lava-cave visit.

Etna Tour in 4x4 — reach higher viewpoints by jeep; a hit with kids who love off-road rides.

Pizza Cooking Class — a hands-on class in Taormina’s center; kids get flour on their sleeves and eat their own pies.

Cooking Class with Seaview & Taormina's Market with Chef Mimmo — market-to-table with sea views for an elevated family food memory.

Where to eat & drink

• Breakfast: Bam Bar for famed granita with brioche (pistachio and coffee-chocolate are favorites).
• Casual lunches: Trattoria Tiramisu (homemade pastas), Da Cristina (takeaway arancini and scacciate). On the beach, Lido La Pigna has easy kid options.
• Dinner with a view: Trattoria da Nino (grilled swordfish, seasonal contorni), Osteria RossoDiVino (seafood pastas). For pizza night, Porta Messina is lively.
• Catania side-trip eats: Pasticceria Savia for arancini and cassatine; FUD Bottega Sicula for Sicily-meets-burger fun the kids will love.

Stay (Taormina area) — For a beach-first base, consider Giardini Naxos or Mazzarò (easy cable car). Search: VRBO Taormina or Hotels.com Taormina.

Getting there & away

• Lipari → Taormina: Ferry to Milazzo (1–1.5 hours) via Omio (ferries), then train Milazzo → Taormina-Giardini ~1–1.5 hours (often €6–12) via Omio (trains).
• Departing Sicily: From Taormina-Giardini, trains or buses to Catania Airport typically take 1–1.5 hours; compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains).

Suggested pacing (Days 10–14)

• Day 10: Travel to Taormina; Greek Theater at golden hour; gelato on Corso Umberto.
• Day 11: Beach day at Isola Bella; afternoon cable car ride; evening pizza class.
• Day 12: Etna morning tour; relax in the afternoon at Giardini Naxos.
• Day 13: Alcantara Gorge splash and picnic; sunset aperitivo overlooking the bay.
• Day 14: Leisurely breakfast at Bam Bar; transfer to Catania Airport.

Logistics, budget tips, and family extras

• Budget (50/100): Mix apartments and midrange hotels; rely on markets and trattorie for wallet-friendly meals; beaches are free or low-cost with optional sunbed rentals.
• Transport: Stick to trains, buses, and ferries via Omio (trains), Omio (buses), and Omio (ferries). Book earlier in high season.
• Volcano safety: Conditions on Etna and Stromboli change. Tours provide helmets where needed; wear sturdy shoes, bring layers and water, and follow guides’ instructions.
• Family add-ons: If you need a mainland buffer day near the ferry, consider a Messina-based excursion like Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina.

Travel between cities (estimate, morning departures)

• Palermo → Milazzo (for Lipari): Train ~2.5–3.5 hours (€15–25). Check trains. Walk or taxi to Milazzo port; hydrofoil to Lipari ~1–1.5 hours (€20–30) via ferries.
• Lipari → Taormina: Hydrofoil to Milazzo, then train Milazzo → Taormina-Giardini ~1–1.5 hours (€6–12) via trains.

Summary: Two easy weeks give your family Sicily’s greatest hits without rushing: Palermo’s story-rich streets, Lipari’s island rhythms and the fiery magic of Stromboli, plus Taormina’s sea-and-stone scenery capped by a safe, guided encounter with Mount Etna. Sun, history, and food memories—balanced with beach time—make this a trip everyone will talk about long after the gelato melts.