Sicily is where the Mediterranean’s crossroads come alive—Greek theaters, Arab-Norman palaces, Spanish courtyards, and Baroque churches packed onto one island. Empires once fought for this sunlit rock; today travelers come for golden beaches, volcanic moonscapes, and food that’s grandmother-taught and market-fresh. In a week, you’ll taste panelle and pistachio, stand under Byzantine mosaics, and look into the smoking breath of Mt. Etna.

Palermo, the island’s bustling capital, is your entry into UNESCO‑listed Arab‑Norman architecture and legendary street markets. Taormina, on Sicily’s eastern cliffs, dazzles with Ionian Sea views, the ancient Greek Theatre, and easy access to Etna. With these two bases, you’ll cover west and east without rushing.

Practical notes: Summer gets hot—break midday with a granita or beach dip. Many shops observe a mid‑afternoon pausa. City centers have ZTL (limited traffic) zones—park outside or go car‑free. For flights, trains, buses, or ferries to Sicily and between cities, compare options on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), Omio (buses), and Omio (ferries).

Palermo

Palermo is kinetic and irresistible—Arab domes beside Norman fortresses, citrus-scented cloisters, and markets where vendors sing prices. The city’s UNESCO Arab‑Norman route includes the Palatine Chapel’s gold mosaics, the Cathedral’s royal tombs, and nearby Monreale’s shimmering vaults.

Eat like a local: breakfast brioche con gelato; lunch on panelle (chickpea fritter sandwiches) and arancini; dinner on just-landed seafood. Aperitivo spills into piazzas; dessert is the famed setteveli cake or a pistachio cannolo.

• Where to stay: Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Palermo or hotels on Hotels.com Palermo.
• Getting there: Fly into PMO or arrive by overnight ferry (e.g., from Naples) via Omio ferries. From mainland Italy, trains roll onto the ferry at Villa San Giovanni—see Omio trains.

Day 1 — Arrival, Kalsa stroll, and Sicilian comfort food

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs through La Kalsa and around Quattro Canti and Piazza Pretoria. Pop into San Cataldo and La Martorana to admire Arab-Norman domes and glittering 12th‑century mosaics.

Evening: Aperitivo at Bocum in Kalsa (artsy cocktails, Sicilian wines). Dinner at Antica Focacceria San Francesco for classics like “pani cà meusa” (spleen sandwich) or baked anelletti. For a lighter option, try Ferro di Cavallo for grilled swordfish or pasta con le sarde. Gelato nightcap at Cappadonia (try pistachio from Bronte).

Day 2 — Markets, street food, and the Palatine Chapel

Morning: Espresso and cornetto at Bar Marocco, then dive into Ballarò Market for sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and ricotta-filled cannoli. Join a guide to decode flavors and history on the Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty (small-group; tastings included).

Afternoon: Tour the Palazzo dei Normanni and the Palatine Chapel—Arab muqarnas meets Byzantine gold. Swing by the Cathedral for royal tombs and rooftop views. Coffee at Torrefazione Stagnitta behind Piazza Bellini.

Evening: If you love opera, check schedules at Teatro Massimo. Dinner at Osteria Ballarò (charcuterie from the Madonie, seasonal pasta) or Osteria Mercede for seafood couscous. Granita at Brioscià with a warm brioche.

Day 3 — Monreale mosaics, Mondello beach, and sunset in the Foro Italico

Morning: Bus or taxi 30 minutes to Monreale Cathedral: 6,000 square meters of gold mosaics depicting biblical cycles. Coffee with an almond biscotto in the cloister café.

Afternoon: Head to Mondello for pale sand and aquamarine shallows; lunch at Da Calogero (fried anchovies, spaghetti alle vongole) or Bye Bye Blues (Michelin; book ahead). Return via the scenic Monte Pellegrino road.

Evening: Sunset walk along the Foro Italico. Dinner at Bisso Bistrot (Sicilian classics in a literary setting) or Gagini (creative tasting menus using island produce). Digestivo of Amaro Averna at Ferramenta.

Taormina

Taormina is Sicily’s balcony: lanes draped in bougainvillea, piazzas hovering over the Ionian Sea, and the Greek Theatre framing Mt. Etna like a living backdrop. Below, pebble coves and Isola Bella lure swimmers; above, the medieval eyrie of Castelmola pours almond wine.

The town’s rhythm is simple—morning swims, lazy lunches, twilight passeggiata along Corso Umberto, and late shows in the ancient theatre. It’s also your gateway to Etna’s craters, lava caves, and cool‑climate wines.

• Where to stay: Find terraces with sea views on VRBO Taormina or check hotels—from boutique to beach clubs—on Hotels.com Taormina.
• Getting from Palermo to Taormina: Morning train Palermo Centrale → Taormina‑Giardini is ~3h20–4h with a change (approx €15–€30). Compare times/prices on Omio trains. Direct buses take ~3.5–4h (often cheaper; see Omio buses).

Day 4 — Transfer east, Greek Theatre, and Taormina nights

Morning: Depart Palermo after breakfast; enjoy coastal views along the north and east shores. Check in near Corso Umberto.

Afternoon: Explore the Greek Theatre—Hellenistic bones, Roman edits, unmatched Etna-and-sea panorama. Stroll to Belvedere di Piazza IX Aprile for musicians and photos. Snack on arancini at Da Cristina.

Evening: Aperitivo at Morgana Lounge (inventive signatures). Dinner at RossoDiVino (market-led, excellent seafood) or Tischi Toschi (homey, short seasonal menu). Finish with granita and brioche at the beloved Bam Bar.

Day 5 — Etna nature, lava caves, and tastings

Morning–Afternoon: Join the Mount Etna nature and flavors half day Tour from Taormina for old craters, a lava flow cave with helmets, valley viewpoints, and local product tastings (often honey, olive oil, wines). Wear layers and sturdy shoes; conditions change fast on the volcano.

Evening: Back in town, dine at Trattoria da Nino (terrace, swordfish involtini) or Osteria Nero D’Avola (island wines by the glass). Gelato at Pasticceria D’Amore.

Day 6 — Godfather hill towns, Isola Bella, and Castelmola views

Morning: Drive or taxi to Savoca and Forza d’Agrò (45–60 minutes) for atmospheric alleys and churches used as “Godfather” locations. Order a granita al limone at Bar Vitelli in Savoca.

Afternoon: Swim at Isola Bella—take the funicular down to Mazzarò and walk the sandbar at low tide. Lunch beachside at Il Barcaiolo (book; simple grilled fish) or Lido La Pigna (salads, pasta, sea views).

Evening: Sunset in Castelmola above Taormina with a glass of sweet almond wine. Back in town, pizza at Villa Zuccaro (long-fermented dough) or seafood at Al Saraceno (lights twinkling below).

Day 7 — Sicilian cooking class and departure

Morning: Cap your trip with the Cooking Class with Seaview & Taormina's Market with Chef Mimmo—shop with the chef, then prepare caponata, fresh pasta, and cannoli with a seaside lunch.

Afternoon: Depart from CTA (Catania) or return to Palermo depending on flights—compare options on Omio flights and train/bus connections on Omio trains / Omio buses.

Evening: If you have extra time, one last passeggiata and a final espresso at Bam Bar or a glass of Etna Rosso along Corso Umberto.

Optional add‑ons and swaps

• Palermo half-day with a local: Customize your interests on the Palermo: Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide (history, neighborhoods, hidden chapels).

  

• Etna wine focus: Swap Day 5 for an Etna winery immersion with tastings and vineyard views on the Private 6-Hour Tour of Three Etna Wineries.

  

Breakfast & coffee favorites (handy list): Palermo—Pasticceria Cappello (setteveli), I Segreti del Chiostro (nuns’ sweets), Ke Palle (creative arancini). Taormina—Bam Bar (granita), Pasticceria D’Amore (cassata), Andrea Gelato & Sorbet (fruit sorbets).

Good to know: For performances in Taormina’s Greek Theatre, check schedules on arrival. On Etna, weather can drop 10–15°F (6–8°C) vs. the coast; bring a wind layer. Many Palermo streets fall in ZTL—park in garages outside the center or rely on taxis and walking.

Viator activities included above (for easy reference):

• Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty
• Palermo: Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide
• Mount Etna nature and flavors half day Tour from Taormina
• Cooking Class with Seaview & Taormina's Market with Chef Mimmo

In one week, you’ve traced Sicily from Palermo’s gilded chapels and boisterous markets to Taormina’s ancient stage and Etna’s lava fields. Come back for the islands (Favignana, Aeolian), Baroque Val di Noto, and more of the island’s generous kitchens.