Discover the Sicily coast driving along sunny highways with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and uncovering some hidden gems the region has to offer. Uncover a more intimate side of this gorgeous island with its glittering seas, mighty mountains, and the hulking volcano that is Etna. You can also explore places with Byzantine mosaics, Norman churches, Classical temples, dazzling Baroque architecture and get a taste of Greek mythology, enthralling island culture, along with fabulous architecture inspired by many cultures and periods.
Plan about a week-long itinerary to explore all the places thoroughly. To experience this amazing route, you can book and pick up your car rental at your convenient location and embark on a road trip through Sicily. The comfort and convenience of your rental car in Sicily will allow you to explore this magical, mythical route at your own pace and on your terms.
Sicily Eastern Coast Road Trip Itinerary
This complete Sicily road trip itinerary will guide you to the best of attractions on the Sicilian coast while leading you along some of the most scenic roadways in Europe.
Start Your Journey from Palermo
Palermo is an eclectic mix of cultural influences, both European and North African, which is evident in everything from its architecture to its cuisine. Palermo is a city of distinct charm, winding streets, Byzantine mosaics, arching domes, and boisterous markets. This city is all about the food, so make sure to explore the city’s amazing culinary scene in depth. Visit markets like Vucciria and devour as much of Palermo’s famous street food as possible. Panino alla milza, pane e panelle, and skewered octopus are some of the must-try dishes.
Visit Palermo Cathedral, which is entirely covered in glittering gold mosaic. You can also check out the Royal Palace, get creeped out in the catacombs, get lost in the pretty streets, and hang out in the Kalsa neighborhood.
Explore the hilltop city of Agrigento
Agrigento is a modern metropolis however, this place is far more ancient and mythical. The amazing city of Agrigento is a charming medieval old town with a vibrant nightlife, beautiful churches, along with the main street of the old town, lined with restaurants, serving delicious local food and bustling bars. Sicily’s main attraction from the days of yore is the Valley of the Temples(the best-preserved Greek temples in the world), which is in Agrigento. While the city is famous for its Valley of the Temples, its overlooked town center is worth exploring. Check out the colorful stairs of the winds — a popular canvas for local street artists. You can also pay a visit to Villa Romana del Casale with its elaborate mosaic murals.
Check out the stratovolcano of Mount Etna
Next on this road trip itinerary is Mount Etna, a fiery summit that looms in the background of many towns along the eastern Sicilian coast. It is also the highest active volcano in all of Europe. The Ancient Greeks believed that Typhon, the largest and most fearsome beast in all of Greek mythology, was defeated in battle by Zeus, who then trapped the monster under the mountain. Having a rental car makes visiting Mount Etna a breeze because, going by a self-driven vehicle, you can reach all the starting points of the varied nature trails and excursions on Mount Etna.
Discover the beach town of Cefalu
The gorgeous beach town of Cefalù with its Arab-Norman fortress-cathedral decked in mosaics, its medieval squares, cobbled streets, and honey-colored buildings, has the soul of an old fishing village. The town is a perfect destination for photo ops opportunities. Visit the jewel-like cathedral, which is a must if you are a culture-lover as it is decorated inside with glittering golden mosaics. You can even go hiking to La Rocca, which is a Gibraltar-like giant rock set up above the town with exceptional views over the town’s rooftops and hulking church. During sunset, relax or walk along the seafront promenade and treat yourself to an Aperol spritz.
Aside from being beautiful, Cefalu is also a perfect destination to be a final stop for your Sicily road trip. Cefalu is just over an hour along the highway from Palermo Airport. So, you can either go back to Palermo, or you can extend your road trip to discover other popular destinations in Italy.