If you’re planning a 2 week road trip in Sicily, you might automatically think you need to hire a car. But after spending two weeks exploring the island using trains, local buses, FlixBus, and only hiring a car for two days, I can honestly say that a Sicily road trip without a car is completely possible. I would also go as far to say THE BEST way to explore the island.
From colourful coastal towns and crystal-clear beaches to mountain villages, historic cities, and incredible hiking trails, Sicily quickly became one of my favourite places in Europe. The food is amazing, the landscapes constantly change, and every stop feels completely different from the last.
Our 2 week road trip in Sicily route looked like this:
Catania → Taormina / Giardini Naxos (A) → Cefalù (B) → Palermo (C) → Trapani (D)→ Erice (D)→ Favignana (E) → Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro (F) → Palermo airport (G)
This guide covers everything you need to know, including how to get around Sicily without a car, where to stay, what to do, and a few extra places worth adding to your itinerary.
How to Travel Around Sicily Without a Car
A few of the reasons we decided to do a 2 week road trip in Sicily without a car include:
– Crazy Italian traffic (and driving 
)
– Paid parking EVERYWHERE. Most of the signs we saw were €1 for 30 minutes. That adds up fast!
– Lack of parking. I read so many reviews of people not being able to park anywhere near their accommodation
– Narrow streets
One of the biggest surprises during our 2 week road trip in Sicily was how easy it was to travel between major destinations without driving. Here are a few reliable options:
Trains in Sicily
The train network connects many of Sicily’s most popular destinations including:
- Catania
- Taormina-Giardini Station
- Cefalù
- Palermo
Trains are affordable, comfortable, and usually offer beautiful coastal views throughout the journey. Every train we took was modern, smooth and reliable. We didn’t experience any delays and it was by far the most comfortable way to travel Sicily. You can buy a ticket at every station, just remember to validate it by placing it in the machine before boarding the train.
FlixBus
For longer journeys or routes where trains aren’t ideal, FlixBus was incredibly useful. We found buses between certain destinations often faster than trains and often cheaper when booked in advance.
Local Buses
Local buses connect smaller towns, beaches, and villages that aren’t accessible by train.
They’re particularly useful around:
- Taormina
- Giardini Naxos
- Trapani
- Erice
Hiring a Car
For most of this 2 week road trip in Sicily, we didn’t need a car at all. The only time we hired one was for two days to explore the western coastline and visit Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro.
There are public buses available, but we wanted more flexibility to explore viewpoints, beaches, and smaller coastal areas at our own pace.
If we were to hire a car for a longer period, we would have used Discover cars. They offer full insurance and are always so much cheaper than other companies. For us, hiring cars with this company has always worked out well, but do your research and choose what you feel most comfortable with.
Major International Airports in Sicily
I recommend starting your 2 week road trip in Sicily in either Catania or Palermo, and ending at the other. Many people book flights without thinking about the extra driving time you’ll need to do between the two major cities. If it works out well for you with timing and pricing, you can do what we did, and fly into one and leave from the other. Sicily is an island, but a rather large one! Both Catania and Palermo have international airports with many flight routes available.
Best places to visit in Sicily
Catania
Things to Do in Catania
- Explore Piazza Duomo
- Visit the famous Elephant Fountain
- Walk through the historic centre
- Wander Via Etnea
- Visit the fish market
- Try authentic Sicilian street food
If you love food, Catania is one of the best places in Sicily to start.
Make sure you try: Arancini, Cannoli, Pasta alla Norma, Granita with brioche
How Long to Stay in Catania
2 nights is usually enough before continuing your 2 week road trip in Sicily.
Taormina & Giardini Naxos
Taormina is easily one of the most beautiful towns on the island. Perched high above the sea, Taormina offers incredible views of Mount Etna, dramatic cliffs, and the sparkling coastline below.
Because accommodation can be expensive in Taormina itself, we stayed in nearby Giardini Naxos and travelled between the two. There is a public bus, or you can hike up the path (approx 45 mins uphill).
The train from Catania or Palermo stops at Gardinia Naxos which is around a 15 minute walk into Naxos town. If you stay in Taormina, you will need to hike up the hill with your luggage, wait for the public bus that stops at the train station, or pay for a taxi. Taxi rides are approx 20-30€ for the 10-15 minute drive which is a bit steep.
Things to Do in Taormina
Teatro Antico di Taormina
The ancient Greek theatre is one of Sicily’s most famous landmarks. The views alone are worth visiting. I loved this theatre but I will say it’s overpriced for what it is. Price: €16
Isola Bella
A tiny island connected to the mainland by a narrow stretch of sand. The water here is some of the clearest you’ll find during your 2 week road trip in Sicily. We walked down to Isola Bella from Taormina and it took around 30 minutes. We then took a public bus (comes every 1 hour) from here back to Gardinia Naxos.
Wander the Historic Centre
Half the experience is simply walking through the narrow streets, discovering viewpoints, cafés, and hidden corners. There are many restaurants, cafes and food stalls to experience too.
Staying in Giardini Naxos
Giardini Naxos is a great alternative to Taormina.
You’ll find:
- Cheaper accommodation
- Beachfront restaurants
- Easier access to the sea
- Good bus connections
Buses run frequently between Giardini Naxos and Taormina throughout the day.
How Long to Stay
3 nights gives you enough time to enjoy both locations without rushing.
Places to visit in Sicily: Cefalù
Cefalù was one of my favourite stops during this 2 week road trip in Sicily. It somehow manages to feel lively and relaxed at the same time. The old town sits right beside the sea, with colourful buildings, narrow streets, and a beautiful sandy beach. There is also a castle on top of the hill, which overlooks the whole city below.
Going from Catania to Palermo, we decided to stop in Cefalu, primarly to break up the journey. It turned out to be so much more than that.
From Catania, you buy a train ticket to Cefalú (1 change in Messina Centrale – total 3-4 hours).
Things to Do in Cefalù
Climb La Rocca
The hike up La Rocca offers some of the best views in Sicily. It’s steep but absolutely worth it. The entrance costs 5e per adult and is open from 08:00-20:00. Last entrance in is at 18:00. You cannot wear open shoes.
Visit Cefalù Cathedral
The cathedral dominates the town centre and is one of Sicily’s most impressive Norman buildings.
Relax on the Beach
Unlike many Sicilian towns, Cefalù has a large sandy beach right next to the historic centre. It’s perfect for slow afternoons.
How Long to Stay in Cefalu
We stayed just 1 night to break up the journey. However, we would have happily stayed 2 nights. The only thing I will say is that the accommodation options here weren’t the greatest.
Best places to visit in Sicily: Palermo
No 2 week road trip in Sicily would be complete without Palermo.
It’s chaotic, beautiful, historic, and completely unique. Palermo feels very different from the rest of Sicily. You’ll find grand architecture sitting next to busy markets, hidden churches, and some of the best food on the island.
Things to Do in Palermo
Palermo Cathedral
One of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Quattro Canti
The famous crossroads in the heart of the city.
Ballarò Market
A sensory overload of local food, fresh produce, and Sicilian culture.
Visit the Capuchin Catacombs
One of the most unusual and unforgettable experiences during our 2 week road trip in Sicily was visiting the Capuchin Catacombs. Hidden beneath a monastery in Palermo, the catacombs contain thousands of preserved bodies dating back hundreds of years. Walking through the underground corridors, you’ll see monks, nobles, professionals, and even children still remarkably intact, many dressed in their original clothing.
It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re interested in history and want to experience something completely different from Sicily’s beaches and beautiful piazzas, it’s well worth a visit. Price: 5€
Try Palermo Street Food
Don’t leave without trying:
- Arancine
- Panelle
- Sfincione
- Cannoli
How Long to Stay
2-3 nights works perfectly.
Trapani
Trapani has a beautiful old town, stunning sunsets, and easy access to nearby islands. The main reason people visit Trapani is to explore the nearby town of Erice, and visit the Isole islands.
Things to Do in Trapani
- Walk along the waterfront
- Explore the historic centre
- Watch sunset from the city walls
- Use it as a base for Erice and Favignana (the biggest of the Isole islands)
How Long to Stay
2-3 nights.
We took a public bus from Palermo to Trapani. The price cost 10€ per person and was a total of 1.45 hours. It was super easy to get there.
Erice
Erice sits high on a mountain overlooking Trapani and the coastline below. The medieval streets feel frozen in time (and in temperature lol!). I definitely recommend wearing layers. During the day in Trapani it was 25 degrees, yet when we went to Erice we were genuinely freezing. The wind blowing through the streets felt artic.
It did unfortunatelt affect our time there as we couldn’t really concentrate on anything else. However, if you dress more appopriately than what we did, you’ll see stone buildings, tiny alleyways, and incredible viewpoints.
You can reach Erice via:
- Cable car from Trapani (15€ per person return – 10 minutes each way)
- Local bus (approx 45 minutes from Trapani)
- Car (up windy mountain roads).
The cable car is by far the most scenic, and fastest option.
Visiting Favignana Island in Sicily
If you’re looking for crystal-clear water during your 2 week road trip in Sicily, Favignana should be at the top of your list. The island is part of the Egadi Islands and can be reached by ferry from Trapani. The ferry only takes 30 minutes and should be booked online in advance. This ferry completely sells out in summer so make sure to book!
Many visitors rent bicycles to explore the island and I highly recommend that you do. They have normal bikes (5€ per day) and electric bikes (10€) available. This was a great way to explore Favignana and one of my favourite days on the whole trip.
Highlights include:
- Cala Rossa
- Cala Azzurra
- Bue Marino
The water here honestly looks like something from the Caribbean. You can easily visit as a day trip from Trapani.
Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro
This was one of the absolute highlights of our 2 week road trip in Sicily. The reserve stretches along Sicily’s northwest coast between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo. Think dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, turquoise water, and some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Sicily.
The Hike
The main trail follows the coastline and connects multiple beaches and viewpoints. The further you walk, the quieter it becomes.
You can start the hike at the south end (Scopello) or at the north end (San Vito lo Capo).
Getting There
There are public buses available from nearby towns. However, this was the only part of our 2 week road trip in Sicily where we hired a car.
We took a direct bus from Trapani to Palermo Airport (1.10 hours) to pick up a hire car. We rented one for two days because it gave us more flexibility to explore the area and stop at viewpoints along the coast.
For us, it was completely worth it.
Hiking Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro
Allow at least half a day to fully enjoy it, preferably one full day. The entrance fee is €5 per adult, and parking is free if you are lucky enough to park in the main parking. This will be full by early morning, and the second, overflow parking next door costs €10 per car.
The main coastal trail stretches for approximately 7km one way (14km return) and is considered moderate difficulty due to the rocky terrain, elevation changes, and lack of shade, so bring plenty of water and good walking shoes. Along the route you’ll pass around seven stunning coves with crystal-clear turquoise water, making it almost impossible to resist stopping for a swim every few kilometres.
Places to visit in Sicily that We Didn’t Visit (But Would Add Next Time)
The main reason we didn’t get to these places was because we didn’t hire a car in Sicily. There are public buses available from Catania so it is definitely be possible. We however chose to go north to Cefalu on our way to Palermo. If Noto and Ragusa are high on your list, you would take the south coast route around the island.
Sicily is so much bigger than it seems, and visiting these two towns would have easily added an extra 2 days of travelling for us which we didn’t have.
Noto
Often called Sicily’s Baroque masterpiece, Noto is famous for its honey-coloured buildings and beautiful architecture. Many people consider it one of the prettiest towns in Sicily.
Ragusa
Ragusa is split into two parts, with the historic district of Ragusa Ibla being the highlight. Its winding streets, churches, and hilltop views make it a favourite among photographers and architecture lovers.
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