Updated October 2026
Seven days is the perfect length for a first Sicily road trip from Catania. You land at Catania Airport, pick up a rental car and loop through the east and south of the island — Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, the baroque towns of the Val di Noto and the Greek temples of Agrigento — before driving back to the airport. Driving times below are approximate and without stops.
Compare car rental at Catania Airport
DiscoverCars compares local and international rental companies at Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA). Most bookings come with free cancellation.
Compare Car Hire in CataniaCar hire search by DiscoverCars. Prices and rental conditions are shown on their website.
Day 1: Catania — arrival and the baroque old town
Pick up your car at Catania Fontanarossa Airport and check in. The historic centre of Catania is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL), so leave the car at your hotel or in a paid car park and explore on foot: Piazza del Duomo with the lava-stone elephant fountain, the fish market and Via Etnea. If you have energy left, it is only 20 minutes to the coast at Aci Castello.
Day 2: Mount Etna — craters, lava caves and wine
Drive about one hour via Nicolosi to Rifugio Sapienza (1,900 m) on Etna’s southern slope. Walk the Silvestri craters on your own, take the cable car higher or join a guided tour — a summit hike if you are fit, or a sunset tour with lava cave and tasting for a relaxed day. In the afternoon cross to the northern slope for a winery visit around Linguaglossa or Castiglione di Sicilia. All the details are in our guide to driving to Etna.
Day 3: Taormina and the Alcantara Gorges
Taormina is about an hour north of Catania. The town centre is closed to traffic, so park in the Lumbi or Porta Catania multi-storey car parks and walk up. See the Greek theatre with Etna in the background, Corso Umberto and the beach of Isola Bella. On the way back, stop at the basalt canyon of the Alcantara Gorges — around 30 minutes inland.
Day 4: Syracuse and Ortigia
Drive about one hour south to Syracuse. Ortigia, the island old town, is a ZTL as well: use the Talete car park at its northern tip. Spend the morning in the Archaeological Park of Neapolis (Greek theatre and the Ear of Dionysius) and the afternoon in Ortigia’s lanes, the cathedral square and the seafront. Stay overnight in Syracuse or Ortigia.
Day 5: Noto, Modica and Ragusa
The baroque towns of the Val di Noto are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and close together. Noto is 40 minutes from Syracuse, Modica about 45 minutes further (try the local chocolate) and Ragusa Ibla another 20 minutes. Park below each old town and walk up — the streets are steep and narrow. Sleep in Ragusa or Modica.
Day 6: Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
The longest drive of the trip: about two and a half hours west along the south coast to Agrigento. Visit the Valley of the Temples in the late afternoon, when the light turns golden and the heat is gone, and see the white cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi nearby. Stay overnight around Agrigento.
Day 7: Villa Romana del Casale and back to Catania
Drive inland to Piazza Armerina (about 1.5 hours) to see the famous Roman mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale, then continue about 1 hour 15 minutes to Catania Airport to return the car. Plan an evening flight, or add an extra night in Catania.
Do you need a car for this itinerary?
Yes. Trains and buses connect the main cities, but they are slow between the baroque towns and Agrigento, and you would miss the countryside, the beaches and the Etna wineries. With a rental car, seven days is relaxed; with public transport you would need ten. Read our tips for driving in Sicily before you go.
Tips for a Sicily road trip
- Book the car early for summer — automatic cars are limited and sell out first.
- A small car is easier in old towns, on mountain roads and in tight parking spaces.
- Return the car to the same airport to avoid one-way fees — this loop starts and ends in Catania.
- Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the best seasons: warm, green and less crowded.
