Travel Report Sicily
8 days in Sicily, including Catania, Taormina, Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, and Brucoli
Eight days in Sicily means a journey full of contrasts – from lively cities like Catania to the elegant streets of Taormina, from the ancient treasures of Syracuse to the Baroque masterpieces in Noto and Ragusa. This tour takes you through some of the most beautiful places on the island and ends in the relaxed coastal town of Brucoli, where Sicily shows its quiet, authentic side. Perfect for anyone who wants to combine culture, nature, and the Mediterranean lifestyle in an unforgettable vacation.
Where is Sicily and what is the itinerary?
Going to Sicily
If, like us, you want to explore historic Sicily, then you should fly to Catania in the east of the island. Palermo in the northwest would be the other alternative. Catania is the ideal starting point for a round trip by rental car.
Rental car in Sicily
A rental car is definitely the easiest and most comfortable way to explore the island, and it’s safe. We always book rental cars through major portals such as Check24 in Germany. They have the best “worry-free” deals. A small rental car is best for the island, as it makes parking in cities easier.
Giardini Naxos
If you want to visit Taormina, you can stay in the town itself or, like us, choose accommodation on the beach, for example in Giardini Naxos.
We opted for the Marriott Group hotel of the same name: Delta Hotel Giardini Naxos.
The Delta Hotel Giardini Naxos is located directly on the sea, overlooking the deep blue Ionian Sea and the majestic Mount Etna in the distance. Just a few minutes from Taormina, it combines modern comfort with Sicilian hospitality. The pool, private beach, and large terrace invite you to simply arrive and breathe deeply.
Hotel rooms are a little dated, but cozy and typically Italian. From the balcony, you have a wonderful view of Mount Etna – majestic, silent, and ever-present.
Taormina
Giardini Naxos is only a few minutes’ drive from Taormina. The best place to park is in the Porta Catania parking garage, from where you can easily explore everything on foot. At the Arke Cocktail Bar, you can enjoy delicious drinks with a view of the cathedral square.
When visiting Ristorante L’Orologio, you should definitely try the Caesar salad – it looks unassuming, but tastes excellent. The Q Lounge Bar is ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle and enjoying a pizza in peace.
If you want to see the ancient Greek theater – Taormina’s highlight – you should arrive early, before the crowds arrive. The view from above is unforgettable – the sea at your feet, Mount Etna on the horizon.
From the Theater Café, you have a wonderful view of Taormina, the cable car to the beach, and even one of the helipads from where you can fly to Mount Etna.
It’s worth leaving the pedestrian zone and strolling through the narrow streets – this is where you’ll find the real Taormina. At sunset, the Hotel Excelsior Palace is one of the most beautiful places to be – with a view of Mount Etna as the sun bathes the sky in gold and red.
Just a few minutes away is Castelmola, high above Taormina – small, quiet, and with one of the most beautiful panoramic views on the island.
Taormina’s train station is also a little gem – a piece of history that many visitors overlook. Although Taormina is high up in the mountains, it also has a beach and the famous Isola Bella. You can reach it by cable car, on foot, or by car – only parking is a little difficult. At low tide, you can simply walk across from the mainland to the island.
Syracuse
From Taormina, we continue on to Syracuse.
Syracuse—and especially the island of Ortigia—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and rightly so. The Ortea Palace Hotel, part of the Marriott Collection, is located right on the island—perfect for exploring the city. Standard rooms are small but elegant—often very expensive, but the tranquility in the middle of the city is priceless.
Everything is within easy walking distance of the hotel. The Tito Mare Restaurant is well worth a visit—it serves fresh fish that is hard to find anywhere else.
Even though it’s touristy, the 30-minute tuk-tuk tour is well worth it – it’s entertaining, enjoyable, and shows you all the highlights. It takes you past the most important sights, but only stops once – at the impressive Piazza del Duomo, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. The Temple of Apollo is the starting and ending point of the tour – and itself a highlight worth seeing.
Afterwards, it’s worth taking a stroll down to the harbor—the Passeo is perfect for a leisurely walk.
For lunch or coffee, we recommend the Clue Lounge Bar & Restaurant on the roof terrace of the Grand Hotel des Étrangers. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of the city—and a quiet retreat above the rooftops of Ortigia.
Noto
The journey continues from Syracuse to Noto.
We stayed at the Zahir Country House, just outside the city, surrounded by olive trees and pure Sicilian flair.
Most rooms are small but tastefully furnished, and you immediately feel at home.
The garden and pool are lovingly designed—every detail bears the signature of the owner.
Then it’s off to Noto, the baroque capital of Sicily. The cathedral towers above everything else – the city’s landmark.
Notos’ streets are bustling with activity, and cafés and restaurants invite you to linger.
The best thing to do is simply drift through the alleys – there is something to discover everywhere.
If you’re a keen walker, you should venture up to the Belvedere del Campanile di San Carlo.
A narrow spiral staircase leads up to the top – for three euros, you get the most beautiful view over Noto.
At sunset, it’s worth taking a detour to Marzamemi – a tiny fishing village that looks like something out of a painting. Here, the evening sun colors the sea golden, and at Cala Maru you can enjoy an unforgettable dinner right by the water. It’s best to arrive early – the best seats are quickly taken.
Ragusa
From Noto, continue through the hills to Ragusa.
A city on two hills – but only one, Ragusa Ibla, is home to the historic heart.
Ragusa is smaller than Noto, but just as beautiful – with Baroque facades and an impressive cathedral. The small green tourist trains, which look like toys, also run through the streets here – a popular experience for visitors. For lunch, it’s worth taking a trip to Cava d’Aliga, then continuing on to Scicli, where you can marvel at an old cathedral on a hill and enjoy the view over the city.
Then we continue to Modica, famous for its chocolate—but also for its impressive architecture. On the way back, you can stop at Lido di Noto, Noto’s beach—nice, but nothing special.
Brucoli
The last stop takes us to Brucoli, to Mangia’s Brucoli Resort – one of the most beautiful resorts in all of Sicily. It has been part of the Marriott Group since 2019 and meets the highest standards in comfort and design.
The rooms are luxuriously furnished, the grounds are spacious and well-maintained, and the view is simply spectacular. From here, you can see the old town of Brucoli and, on a clear day, even Mount Etna on the horizon.
Conclusion Sicily
Overall, our impression of Sicily was mixed. Cities such as Taormina are brimming with money and luxury and are full of tourists, as are Syracuse and Noto. On the other hand, away from the big cities, you can experience the authentic Sicily and Italy, which has its own charm. We really enjoyed our time in Sicily and can highly recommend the tour we took.
Would you like to order calendars from our photo trip?
as of 18,90€, Sizes A2-A5
What photography equipment should I bring ?
The photographic equipment we took with us is listed below. You can also order the photographic equipment we used directly from our Photo-Shop and request further technical details. There are also lots of extras available there.
Kameras:
- Z7ii (Nikon)
- Iphone
- DJI Mavic Mini 3 pro
- Go Pro Hero 8
Objektive:
- Z 24-120mm f/4 (Nikon)