Sicily’s east coast layers ancient history with beachy, kid-pleasing days. Greek theaters face sapphire bays, medieval lanes hide stellar gelato, and Etna’s lava fields thrill curious minds. Traveling as a family is easy here: short hops between sights, plentiful trattorie, and plazas where children can roam at dusk.

The Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Normans all left marks you’ll actually see—think Siracusa’s 5th‑century BCE amphitheater, Taormina’s world-famous Teatro Antico, and baroque piazzas glowing at golden hour. Film buffs will recognize nearby hill towns from The Godfather; food lovers will fall for arancini, pasta alla Norma, pistachio everything, and frosty granita for breakfast.

Practical notes: summer is hot—plan early outings and long lunches in the shade. Town centers have ZTL (limited-traffic zones), so use trains/buses or park outside town. Reserve tables for popular restaurants and bring sun hats, reef-safe sunscreen, and water shoes for pebbly coves like Isola Bella.

Taormina

Perched high above the Ionian Sea, Taormina is the east coast’s glamorous balcony. Its pedestrian Corso Umberto is stroller-friendly and packed with café life, while the cable car whisks you to Isola Bella’s jewel of a cove. The 3rd-century BCE Greek Theatre frames Mt. Etna like a stage prop—sunsets here are unforgettable.

• Top sights: Teatro Antico, Villa Comunale gardens, Corso Umberto, Isola Bella, Castelmola hilltop village.
• Family picks: cable car to the beach, gelato and granita tastings, garden time among shaded palms.
• Where to eat: Bam Bar (famed granita + brioche), Da Cristina (arancini), Trattoria Da Nino (seafood + terrace), Villa Zuccaro (excellent pizza), Osteria RossoDiVino (handmade pastas).

Where to stay (center or near the cable car for easy beach access): Browse family-friendly apartments and hotels in Taormina on VRBO or compare hotels with pools on Hotels.com.

How to arrive: Fly into Catania (CTA). From the airport, buses to Taormina take about 1h15 (~€8), or take a train from Catania Centrale to Taormina‑Giardini in ~50–70 minutes (~€6–€9). Book Europe flights and rail/bus tickets on Omio (Flights), Omio (Trains), or Omio (Buses). Taxis/van transfers take ~50 minutes (budget €90–€120).

Day 1: Arrival in Catania, transfer to Taormina, sunset stroll

Morning: Travel day. If you’re on an early flight, pre-book seats together and pack a small “Sicily kit” (swimsuits, sunscreen, hats) in your carry-on so you can hit the beach right away if rooms aren’t ready. For flights into CTA and backup rail options, compare on Omio and Omio.

Afternoon: Bus or train to Taormina, check in. Stretch your legs along Corso Umberto and the medieval Porta Catania to Piazza IX Aprile’s scenic terrace. Granita stop at Bam Bar—try almond or lemon for kids, coffee with whipped cream for adults.

Evening: Dinner at Villa Zuccaro (wood-fired pizza, family-friendly garden seating). If little ones have energy, continue to the Villa Comunale gardens—wide paths, sea views, and soft evening light.

Day 2: Mt. Etna adventure + beach time + hands-on cooking

Morning: Head up to Europe’s highest active volcano on the Etna Morning Trip. Guides tailor the pace for families, with lava tube peeks and lunar landscapes that wow kids and grownups alike.

Etna Morning Trip

Afternoon: Return to Taormina and ride the cable car down to Mazzarò/Isola Bella (around €3–€6 each way). Rent loungers, snorkel the calm coves, and share a bruschetta plate at a beach bar. Quick, tasty lunch idea: Da Cristina’s arancini near Porta Messina.

Evening: Join a family-friendly class steps from the sea to learn Sicilian staples with a pro chef—fun, tasty, and confidence-boosting for young cooks.

Seaview Cooking Class & Taormina local flavors with Chef Mimmo

Day 3: Godfather hill towns, Greek Theatre golden hour

Morning: Easy breakfast of granita + brioche or fresh cannoli at a local bar. Browse Corso Umberto’s boutiques, then grab a table in Piazza IX Aprile for cappuccini and views that keep kids mesmerized as street musicians set the mood.

Afternoon: Take a cinematic tour through Savoca and Forza d’Agrò—the real “Godfather” villages—led by a local guide who separates film myth from history, with a hearty pasta lunch included.

Godfather vs Mafia Tour & Pasta Lunch (Small Group or Private)

Evening: Visit the Greek Theatre for sunset—bring a light sweater, the breeze can pick up. Dinner near Porta Messina: Trattoria Da Nino (daily fish, spaghetti with clams), or Osteria RossoDiVino (squid ink pasta, excellent Sicilian wines by the glass). Gelato stroll to end.

Travel to Siracusa (Ortigia) – Day 4 morning: Train from Taormina‑Giardini to Siracusa takes ~2–2.5 hours (often via Catania), about €9–€15; direct buses are similar duration. Book on Omio (Trains) or Omio (Buses). Private transfer is ~1h40 (budget €130–€160). Aim to arrive late morning to enjoy lunch in the Ortigia market.

Siracusa (Ortigia)

Siracusa was once a Mediterranean superpower; today Ortigia—its historic island heart—charms with baroque balconies, sea walls, and a cathedral built into an ancient Greek temple. It’s flat and walkable, perfect for strollers and little legs.

• Top sights: Duomo di Siracusa (Greek columns in the nave), Piazza del Duomo, Fonte Aretusa, Castello Maniace, sunset promenade.
• Don’t miss: Neapolis Archaeological Park (Greek Theatre, Ear of Dionysius cave), Ortigia market sandwiches and cheeses.
• Where to eat: Caseificio Borderi (legendary market panini), Fratelli Burgio (salumi boards, pistachio pesto), Sicilia in Tavola (seasonal Sicilian plates), Don Camillo (elegant, refined).

Where to stay (Ortigia island or steps from the bridges): Find spacious family apartments and terraces on VRBO or browse boutique hotels on Hotels.com.

Departure note: Siracusa to Catania Airport is ~1–1h15 by car (taxi/transfer €80–€110). There are frequent buses (~€6, ~1h20) and regional trains to Catania then bus to CTA. Check schedules on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Day 4: Ortigia market flavors and baroque piazzas

Morning: Arrive and drop bags. Explore Ortigia’s open-air market: grab mortadella-and-burrata panini from Caseificio Borderi or sample olives and sun-dried tomatoes at Fratelli Burgio. Let kids pick picnic treats.

Afternoon: Piazza del Duomo dazzles—step inside the cathedral to spot the Doric columns of Athena’s temple. Continue to the seafront at Fonte Aretusa to feed ducks and spot papyrus. Gelato break at a nearby gelateria (pistachio or almond).

Evening: Dinner at Sicilia in Tavola (book ahead; pasta alla Norma, swordfish with capers). Post-dinner passeggiata along Lungomare Alfeo, with street performers and salty breezes.

Day 5: Greek Theatre, cave echoes, and a sunset boat

Morning: Head to Neapolis Archaeological Park (stroller-accessible paths). The Greek Theatre is vast; kids love the echo chamber of the Ear of Dionysius cave. Bring water and hats.

Afternoon: Return to Ortigia for lunch—try caponata, panelle, and a cheese board at Fratelli Burgio. Free time for souvenir browsing (ceramics, lava-stone jewelry) or a puppet show if available (Siracusa’s marionette tradition fascinates children).

Evening: Take a small-boat circuit around Ortigia at sunset to see sea caves and the Maniace fortress from the water (tours run ~1 hour; ask along the harbor). Dinner at Don Camillo for a special night, or keep it casual with seaside trattorie along Lungomare.

Day 6: Beach morning, final bites, departure

Morning: Beach time south of town: Fontane Bianche (shallow, sandy) or Arenella (family facilities, umbrellas). Early swim, then rinse off and pack. Coffee and flaky iris pastries at a local bar if you’re in Ortigia.

Afternoon: Transfer to Catania Airport (CTA). Buses run regularly (~€6, ~1h20); trains to Catania plus airport bus are another option—check Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses). If you have extra time, grab takeaway sandwiches from the market for the plane.

Evening: Flight home with a final taste of pistachio cookies from your picnic stash.

Optional swap-in idea for wine-loving parents (from Taormina/Catania)

If you prefer a relaxed Etna day with vineyard lunch, consider:

Etna Tour and Lunch in a Winery with Wine Tasting

Swap it for Day 2 afternoon/evening if traveling with older kids or with grandparents who can babysit for a few hours.

Dining cheat sheet (save for quick reference):

• Taormina breakfast/coffee: Bam Bar (granita), Pasticceria near Porta Messina (cannoli + cappuccino).
• Taormina lunch: Da Cristina (arancini), beach clubs at Mazzarò/Isola Bella (salads, pasta).
• Taormina dinner: Villa Zuccaro (pizza), Trattoria Da Nino (seafood), Osteria RossoDiVino (seasonal pastas).
• Siracusa breakfast: Bar in Piazza Archimede (cornetti + espresso), fresh fruit cups from the market.
• Siracusa lunch: Caseificio Borderi or Fratelli Burgio (market boards, panini), casual trattorie on Via Cavour.
• Siracusa dinner: Sicilia in Tavola (traditional), Don Camillo (special night), seaside spots along Lungomare Alfeo.

Why families love this route: minimal packing (just two bases), short transfers, beaches and ruins on the same day, and plenty of playgrounds-in-disguise—piazzas, promenades, gardens. Remember ZTL zones in historic centers; if you drive, park in signed lots and walk in.

In six days you’ll savor Sicily’s east coast essentials: Etna’s lava fields, Taormina’s cliffside beauty, and Siracusa’s ancient soul. Expect full bellies, sandy toes, and stories your kids will retell for years.