7 to 10 Days in West Sicily - an essential Itinerary (from a Sicilian)
Hi There!! This guide will help you make your way around one of THE BEST islands in the world. I'm a Local Guide and have traveled everywhere around the world, so trust me when I tell you that THIS is the guide you need for your Sicilian Trip!!
Here you'll find:
📍Ideas for a 7 to 10 days Itinerary in West Sicily (if you’re more interested in the Eastern part of the island, I posted another article, link here)
😋Food not to miss
🚫Mistakes not to make
Ready? AMUNI! (Let’s go in Sicilian)
Ideas for a 7 to 10 days itinerary
Transportation
The main airport in this area are Palermo and Trapani Birgi, once there I definitely recommend renting a car for the entire duration of your stay (except for the 1/2 days you’ll spend in Palermo). Public transport in Sicily is not entirely reliable, having a car will allow you to explore at your own pace and you won't miss out on a thing.
Day 1 - 2: Palermo, Monreale, Mondello
Let's start this trip by exploring Palermo, the capital of Sicily, vibrant with centuries of culture: Spanish, French Arabs, Romans, they’ve all been here and left their mark.
Palermo and its surroundings would deserve way more than 2 days, but here’s a short guide to it.
The Palermo Cathedral
This place is vibrant, authentic, loud, everything is an exaggeration. It's not plastic-like perfection and it'll take some time adjusting, but follow the spirit of the "Siculi" around you and soon you'll be one of them.
When in Palermo, follow this self-walking tour to get a taste of the city.
Being Palermo the former capital, there are many buildings and museums worth visiting. If you have to pick one, go to the Norman’s Palace, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.
One must-do day trip from Palermo is the one to Monreale, about 30-minute drive from the city.
This town is famous for its incredible cathedral, which features some of the best mosaics you’ll see.
How to get to Monreale from Palermo:
By Car: ~30 minutes. Follow the SS186 road.
By Bus: ~40 minutes. Take the AMAT bus line 389 from Palermo’s central bus station.
By Taxi: ~30 minutes - though taxi’s are notoriously expensive in Sicily.
After Visiting Monreale, go back to Palermo and check out Mondello, a great “urban” beach with crystal clear water, and a very alive vibe (it can get quite busy).
Mondello Beach
Day 3 - 5: Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, Sciacca
These 3 stops are not too far from each other, within 40/50 minutes drive. It’s up to you whether to be based in one place or the other for the night, it depends of what type of activities you’ll do during the day. They’re all lovely!
Marsala is located 2h from Palermo and it’s known for its historic wine production and charming, baroque old town.
In a day, you can explore the historic center, visit the wine cellars for tastings, and take a trip to the nearby Stagnone Lagoon to see the picturesque salt flats and windmills. If you can add 1 or 2 extra days to your trip, I highly recommend taking the ferry to the island of Favignana, where you can swim unbelievably blue waters. The island has generally no cars, you can bike everywhere!
Mazara del Vallo is known for its vibrant fishing port and Arab-Norman architecture, including the historic Kasbah district and the famous Dancing Satyr statue. You’ll feel like you magically landed in Morocco.
Sciacca is famous for its thermal baths, charming old town, and lively Carnival celebrations. Here is where the finest ceramics of Sicily are produced.
Here are the highlights, in my opinion:
Kasbah district and Satyr museum in Mazara
Selinunte archeological site
Sciacca center
Beaches between Sciacca and Agrigento (Giallonardo, Heraclea Minoa)
Day 5/6: Agrigento and Valley of Temples
Agrigento is a dream destination for history enthusiasts with its ancient Greek temples. On top of that, is the Scala dei Turchi cliff cascading into the sea. This city is a magical blend of history, culture, and jaw-dropping scenery. You can spend a day here, see the temples in the morning (or even at night), and chill by the beach in the afternoon.
Valley of the Temples: Open daily from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance.
Scala dei Turchi: stunning white limestone cliff formation along the coast. Located about 15 kilometers from Agrigento- it’s best reached by car or local bus. Bring water and sunscreen, as there’s minimal shade.
San Leone Beach: popular sandy beach, just a 15-minute drive from the city center. Accessible by car or local bus, amenities include restaurants and bars. Very lively at night.
DAY 7/8: Cefalu’
After exploring the Western coast of Sicily, we travel from Agrigento across the center of the Island, until arriving in this incredible town, Cefalù, know for it’s beautiful beaches, medieval architecture, and Norman Cathedral. The views from La Rocca, complete this perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. It’s the last leg of your trip, so we’ll focus on relaxing too!
The perfect day in Cefalu’:
Visit the Cathedral
Stroll through the Old Town:
Have lunch at Piazza del Duomo
Relax at Cefalù Beach: The views of the old town from the beach are stunning.
Watch Sunset at La Rocca: the hill overlooking Cefalù
For the nature lovers or if you have extra time: Day Trip to Madonie Regional Park
DAY 9/10: Palermo
Time to return to Palermo. It’s a 1-hour drive from Cefalù.
The city has so much to offer, I suggest going back to Mondello beach, or the harbour, having a look at the Murals, or taking a guided “anti-mafia” walking tour, focused on the history of mafia and the people who fought against it (most of them from Palermo).
If you’d like to know more about the Italian culture and the Mafia history, I’ve posted 2 episodes of my Podcast, “Where am I going?!” covering Italy. Here’s the link, check them out and follow for more episodes!
Food not to miss
There are so many things you should eat while in this part of Sicily, but here's the essential:
Arancino
Pane e Panelle (bread with chickpea pancake)
Sfincione (thick square pizza with tomatoes, onions)
Cannoli
Cassate
Pani ca meusa (bread with liver)
Mistakes not to make
Do not:
❌ Rely on Public transport: Renting a car is the best option and will save you lots of headaches. Make sure you get all the insurance coverages.
❌Eat just pizza and pasta: Sicilian food is one of the most varied in Italy, everywhere you'll go there will be something new to try, don't be shy!
❌ Go in August: If you can, avoid this month. It gets super hot, and you won't be able to enjoy many of the activities
❌Try to do too much: Sicily is almost as big as Belgium, or Netherlands. Try to stick to the eastern or western part if you have just one week.
That is a quick summary of what I would do if I was visiting Sicily for a week.
However, there are dozens of things I left out of this mini-itinerary. If you want an experience designed for you, like a good suit, I suggest you reach out and plan your holiday with me. It’s easy, plan a consultation call and we’ll have a chat.
Ciao!
Vincenzo