Eastern Sicily in 7 Days: from Catania and Etna to the Baroque of the South-East

One day

The first day is for Catania, the largest city in Eastern Sicily. It’s easy to get around on foot, but there are so many things to see that you’ll hardly manage to see them all in one day: you’ll be here for the first three nights, and you can finish your visit in the evening. Many attractions are along via Etnea, which runs through the centre. In Piazza del Duomo, you’ll find the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, the Badia di Sant’Agata (it’s worth climbing to the dome for the view), the Elephant Fountain, and the Amenano fountain. Enter the Roman Theatre and the Odeon, then head to Castello Ursino and Porta Garibaldi. If you can, book a guided tour of the large Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena, and conclude with a stroll in the Giardino Bellini.

One day

Today, you’ll rise early to ascend Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. From the south side, you can reach the Rifugio Sapienza by car in about an hour, at around 1,900 metres. There are also buses from Catania, often needing to be booked the day before. From the refuge, a short circular path leads around the Silvestri Craters, formed in 1892 and now extinct, suitable even for those who don’t walk much. From here, you can take the cable car up to about 2,500 metres and continue on foot along the marked trails. Higher up, to the summit craters, you can go only with authorised alpine or volcanological guides. Etna is constantly changing: during active periods, some areas are closed. If the volcano is not accessible, an alternative is the Alcantara Gorges Park, where lava met the river water. On the way back, stop at Aci Castello, a small village with a castle on a rocky spur in front of the main square. In about twenty minutes on foot along the sea, you’ll reach Aci Trezza, with its famous faraglioni.

One day

Set your alarm early to arrive in Taormina before the tourist buses. Along Corso Umberto, the main street, you’ll find most of the attractions: Porta Catania, the Duomo, the Clock Tower, Piazza IX Aprile, and the Palazzo Corvaja. Don’t miss the Ancient Theatre, with a panoramic position over the coast and Etna, a testament to the Greek and Roman era. If you still have energy, climb to the sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocca for a view over the town. Then head down to Isola Bella, for a visit or a swim. In the mid-afternoon, head back towards Catania and stop at Acireale, a baroque city with Piazza Duomo and many churches. Take a stroll in Villa Belvedere, with views over the Timpa, the sheer coastal cliffs, and finish at the village of Santa Maria la Scala, where boats return at sunset.

One day

Today, you enter the Val di Noto, where after the earthquake of 1693, the cities were rebuilt in baroque style and are now a UNESCO heritage site. Set off early: it takes about an hour and a half from Catania. From tonight, it’s advisable to stay in the South-East, for example in Marzamemi or Ragusa Ibla. Ragusa has two centres on two hills: Ragusa Ibla, the old town, and Ragusa Superiore, the new one. Start from the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, descend to the Church of Santa Maria alle Scale and Palazzo Cosentini, and climb back up to Ibla: Piazza Duomo with the Duomo di San Giorgio, the Circolo di Conversazione, and the Giardino Ibleo. In the afternoon, visit Modica, famous for its chocolate, with two duomos: San Pietro below and San Giorgio at the top of a staircase. Don’t miss the rock church of San Nicolò Inferiore, the Castle of the Counts, and the viewpoints.

One day

The fifth day is all for Ortigia, the historic centre of Siracusa, connected to the city by two bridges. Slow down: the island is small but has so much to see, and in summer you can also take a dip in one of its little beaches. At the entrance, you are welcomed by the remains of the Temple of Apollo, then the Fountain of Diana in Piazza Archimede and Piazza Duomo, where the Cathedral hides a Greek temple dedicated to Athena. Don't miss the Vermexio Palace, with the lizard carved on the corner. Stroll along the Foro Vittorio Emanuele II, the Fonte Aretusa with the papyrus, the Castello Maniace, the Giudecca and the Forte Vigliena.

A day

Today is a day almost entirely of nature. The Vendicari Reserve is ideal for combining landscape and beach: you park outside the entrance and continue on foot through the marshes, the ponds parallel to the coast, until you reach the tonnara (with the chimney), the Torre Sveva from the 15th century and the beaches, including Calamosche. Set aside a couple of hours in the late afternoon for Marzamemi, half an hour by car: an ancient fishing village that developed around a large square, with the tonnara, the palace of the princes of Villadorata, the two churches and the little harbours.

A day

The last day combines Siracusa and Noto, both UNESCO heritage sites. In Siracusa, outside Ortigia, two must-see stops: the guided tour of San Giovanni alle Catacombe, with the crypt of San Marciano and the catacombs, and the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, with the Greek theatre, the Roman amphitheatre, the Ear of Dionysius and the large altar of Hiero II. Then Noto, the “capital of Baroque”, with almost everything along Corso Vittorio Emanuele: the church of San Domenico, the Tina Di Lorenzo Theatre, San Carlo, the Cathedral at the top of the staircase and Palazzo Ducezio. Finish with the Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, with the decorated ballroom, and the Porta Reale.