TLDR: With a long weekend available in my calendar, and a need to update some of my Italian travel content on the site, I decided to return to the country via Palermo on a cheap flight from London and see if I could whistlestop tour some of the island’s best bits. So, based on my experiences, this guide should help you plan your own Sicily trip, with the best way I believe on how to spend 3 days in Sicily. Whether it’s a solo trip – travelling alone, or one with a partner (which was what I did), I’ve tried to add some extra personal thoughts, to cover both types of visitors.
Quick 3 Day Itinerary Info: Palermo Airport > Cefalu > Agrigento > Palermo Centrale/Mondello Beach > Home – Jump to the itinerary
Key Highlights of 3 days in Sicily
What you can expect:
- Aperol on the beach
- Unique street food experiences
- Ancient Greek ruins
- Snorkeling in the Med
3 days in Sicily Itinerary Route
For the short of attention who just want to see a 3 days in Sicily travel route, I’ve layered it above. I’ve circled in black the key stops, but also marked another with a dashed line if you are using a hire car and fancy a novel detour back to Palermo. This option takes you through the town of Corleone. While the name is famous from the Godfather films, no filming was done there.
Besides, getting a Corleone town sign to pose in front of, caps off a trip to Sicily perfectly. If not a little stereotypically!
Booking links for 3 days in Sicily travel:
- Palermo Airport to Cefalu by train: Book here >>
- Cefalu to Agrigento by train: Book here >>
- Agrigento to Palermo by train: Book here >>
Before you go: About Sicily
Sicily is a lot bigger than most imagine, the size of Wales in fact and somewhere you will want to spend a lot longer than 3 days, nonetheless it’s an often overlooked destination by European and UK visitors used to other options such as the Balearics or the Greek Isles. Americans seem to be drawn here more and they have learned already that its a great snapshot of everything people love about Europe.
Great beaches, historic ruins, charming old towns, great food, warm waters, warmer weather and a good evening experience too.
It, contrary to stereotypes painted by its historic association with the Mafia, is a very safe place to visit too. Similar to my other 3 day guides, I’ve already spoken at some length about pre trip planning and prep – what to know, safety and more for the Mother Country, so I will avoid repeating myself here and focus primarily on the details of a Sicily in 3 days itinerary.
But if you want to learn more, the link below will get you that.
For more info on travel prep to the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the mainland, read our complete guide: Italy Travel Guide
It’s the largest island in the Med, has a number of airport entry points, Palermo, Trapani and Catania, and can also be reached by the mainland around Messina. It has been home to nearly a dozen civilisations, and this has helped shape much of what you see on the island. While a deprived area relative to the more economically powerful North, it is fast growing with infrastructure support, low cost of living and a burgeoning tourism industry. White Lotus the Netflix show has helped the latter massively.
Safety Information for Sicily
As a point of importance though, because I know safety when travelling matters, particularly for solo travellers; up to date Sicily and Italy travel notices can be found from both these reputable sources.
- UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office – Travel Advisory for Italy >>
- US State Department – Sicily/Italy Travel Safety >>
My take – it’s a really safe place to visit, with low risk of crime. Just take care of personal belongings in busy locations, although theft rates for Palermo are significantly lower than the big cities of the mainland, such as Venice, Milan and Rome, and far safer than London or NYC.
Who wrote this 3 days in Sicily guide
This is me, sat on some cobbled steps in a Sicilian village trying to look every bit the travel blogger. I think I failed with the picture, but I hope I haven’t with the guide. A lot of travel content gets written by machines and not people who have stepped foot on the floor, so this is my little bit of proof to say, what you’re reading is based on real human experiences.
I travel alone, with friends, with a son (he’s 8, and amazing – I think all parents say that) and sometimes with a female companion. So, that means I have a pretty good handle on exactly what different types of visitors want to see when they go somewhere. A lot of my travels have been as a solo traveller, so I’ve tried to write this guide with those Sicily solo adventurers at the forefront of my mind. But don’t worry, I have a great recommendation for some romantic things to do as well!
Having got back and knowing a lot people venture this way for long weekends, I decided to put finger to keyboard and share this with you. So, this 3 days in Sicily guide is based around what I got up to, and hope that it gives you some inspiration on planning your own trip here. I hope you love Sicily like I did.
The 3 day Sicily Itinerary
You can jump to a specific day with the jump links below or just scroll on down. A few commonly asked questions about a 3 day trip to Sicily are at the bottom.
Jump to: Day 1 – Duomos & Dolphins | Day 2 – A Date With History | Day 3 – Street Food & Piazza Parties
Day 1: Palermo Airport to Cefalu
Day 1 of 3 and I promise the view gets better. From Palermo Airport, it makes most sense to catch a train and head straight out to the beach town of Cefalu. A once sleepy and since the 70s, a quite popular coastal town that is a preferred spot for Sicilians to visit for a holiday. While I say ‘popular’, it isn’t saturated in the way other destinations on the mainland gets.
The best way to describe Cefalu is like a mini Italian Riviera town. Overlooked by a steep hill reachable by foot, a wide promenade, sandy beaches and quaint cobbled streets lined with cafes, granita stores and historic residential and ecumenical buildings.
Where: Cefalu is East of Palermo, on the North coast of Sicily and easily accessed by a direct train from Palermo Centrale, in around an hour.
How to get to: The easiest option is to take a train with Trenitalia or Restalia. These are direct, air conditioned (generally) and really affordable. You can board a train from Palermo Airport, or take a shuttle bus into the city and then catch a train onwards from the main train station terminal. Trains pull into Cefalu, and from there, it’s a 10 minute walk into the old town.
Travel time/cost/links: If you hire a car you can reach Cefalu from the airport in an hour and a quarter. While a train route will usually require a transfer in Palermo, totalling 90-120 minutes when you account for waiting time.
For the rail route, expect to pay £12/$15 from Punta Raisi (Palermo Airport) to Cefalu. You can book here with Omio >>
What you should do: If you arrive into Cefalu around lunchtime, this gives you time to drop your bags off at your accommodation and head out for an activity that allows you to explore the coast here and enjoy a cold drink in the sun – boat trip!
On my own visit recently, I made that my first item to do – a really affordable 3 hour boat cruise booked on GYG. For solo travellers, it’s a way to break the sense of isolation, and for all visitors it means you can do so much more in a short space of time. From snorkelling in the waters, to sipping an Aperol at sea, I can’t recommend doing this enough. It’s also a fantastic way to get your bearings. From the water, we could identify the best beach spots and learn a little about the town.
I got back to shore at 5pm, then grabbed a local gelato (box tick), explored the streets, visited the Duomo in the Piazza on foot before sundown and then headed back to change for dinner.
Having done a little research I knew of some lovely restaurants with great reviews and which are able to give you that Italian side street cosy dinner feel. If you’re here at a weekend, some of these places will have considerable waiting queues, so book in advance or just stroll around for somewhere on a less busy stretch.
In the morning, I’d recommend hitting one of the many cute breakfast spots, trying a local coffee and then climbing the Rocca di Cefalu, which feels like you’ve done some exercise, and gives you incredible views of the coast. Doing this myself, I wanted to get it done before late morning heat, so my goal was to be out in good time, including breakfast and be able to be back before checkout.
There’s a great breakfast spot in Cefalu called Karma Bistro that do everything from healthy to naughty and has poseur height tables in the window so you can watch the world go by.
The walk takes around 2 hours, and will likely have you breaking into a sweat. Which is why you want to be back before checkout, to freshen up. If you’ve got time after this, you can visit Lungomare, the longest beach in the area, and grab a bite to eat before heading on to Agrigento.
It’s very much a whistlestop visit, and it’s understandable if you decided to just stay here – it’s a lovely place to visit. If you want to learn more about my visit here, you may want to read this guide next: how to spend 48 hours in Cefalu.
Why this above all other options: For solo travellers, this spot works as it’s a honeypot for visitors from all over the world. While it doesn’t have backpacker accommodation in any great quantities, having a coast line lends itself well to lots of local group activities. From boat trips to group hike and walking tours. It’s also a very very safe place to be. It’s neighbourhood friendly and for English speakers, they won’t struggle to find help if needed.
From a purely enjoyment factor, Cefalu is quite lovely. Sandy beaches, as opposed to only rocky shores; a great hike for active travellers; calm warm waters; lovely food; affordable and steeped in history. It’s a very more-ish destination. It’s also, super easy to reach from a main airport by cheap public transport.
Win.
Where to stay
It’s not a backpacker hostel heavy location, in fact there really isn’t anything of that style. So for solo travellers in Sicily who are looking for that meetup culture, you probably will have to pass on it here.
But, what you do have is a lot of historic style apartments with cute balconies looking over the town and plush resorts along the beachfront. For ease of access, getting in and out of the town, I stayed in the old town, close to the Duomo and if you’re on your own, you don’t want to be walking miles to remote accommodation. Not because it’s a dangerouse place, it’s just a bit of a boring thing to do on your own.
To help you start your search, here’s a few recommended options
- Best for Location/Price (Where I stayed): The Duomo Apartments – Rated 9.2 (600+ Reviews on Booking) – 0.1 km from the Duomo – Great location, apartments have their own kitchens and feel a little more homely than some of the more regal options nearby. No lift, so mobility issues may render this less helpful for some. But a real good balance between price p/n, space and location. Priced from £80/$100 p/n for a 1 bed studio apartment.
- Best for Zen/Beauty: Le Calette Bay – Rated 9.1 (200+ Reviews on Booking) – 1.4 km from the town – Hidden away on a smaller beach around the North East of the headland of Cefalu, this is a premium luxury option, which gets booked by solo travellers and couples alike, but would make an amazing romantic getaway spot. Priced from £220/$300 p/n for a junior suite in off peak months, and rising to £500-900/$650-1200 for peak nights. (I said it wasn’t cheap! 😂).
- Best for Italian Architecture Lovers Palazzo Villelmi – Rated 9.1 (430+ Reviews on Booking) – 0 km from the Duomo Square – Just beautiful. Stunning views, incredible location. Priced from £120/$150 for a private room p/n
A little further away from the town and around the coast near the marina (where boat trips run from), there are a number of boutique homesteads and houses that you can find on Airbnb that offer lovely sea views, your own kitchen and are really affordable. If you are driving, then I would recommend looking around here, simply due to parking, or by the hotels in Lungomare. If you’re coming in via public transport though, stick to the town centre – as everything is walkable.
Activity links for this day:
- 3 hour boat trip with Popeyes on GYG – Discover it here >>
- Group walking tour of the town and Cathedral/Duomo – Discover it here >> (Or you can DIY this yourself using Gemini and Wikipedia, but you won’t make friends as a solo traveller in Sicily that way!)
Day 2: Cefalu to Agrigento
From Cefalu, it’s time to explore the interior of Sicily on a route down to the South and Agrigento. A hilltop town famous for it’s Greek ruins and essentially like a little Athens I suppose. Do that morning walk up the Rocca di Cefalu and grab some recovery fuel along the beach before heading off – it’s a fair journey.
You can take a one way tour to Agrigento from Cefalu using an established tour operator, which brings with you some sense of structure, but if you’re planning on staying overnight, then it’s a route you can take on your own initiative. Very different from Cefalu, the town of Agriento sits in an elevated position, which is partially why it was built upon by the Greeks for its imposing temples and structures. Visibility from all around.
The route here takes you through the interior of Sicily, and gives you a chance to see a different perspective of the region. It’s one I took as I originally came here fascinated by the 1 Euro Sicily homes schemes. Many of those properties are located in mountainside towns situated along the journey. If you have extra time, you can always stop off and have a stroll around, but in truth Agrigento Old Town will give you a taste of that experience.
Where: Agrigento is located on the South Coast, due South of Palermo and Termini Imerese. Situated on a hilltop, it features an Old Town and the nearby Valley of the Temples, as well as a growing more modern part of the region with a population of over 50,000.
How to get to: If you’re self driving, you can reach Agrigento by road in around 2 hours, taking the A19/E932 and SS640. Some of the route features tolls, which you can pay by card and are at least infinitely more affordable than those on French roads. You need a mortgage for them! You can also reach by rail. While some choose to head back to Palermo Centrale to shuttle down; Termini Imerese midway between Cefalu and Palermo gives a direct option also. Either way, expect 1 change.
Travel time/cost: By car the journey is 140km and depending on how fast you drive, or how busy some stretches are (generally not that bad most days), it will take between 1 hour 40 and 2 hours. By train, considering you will need to switch at either Termini Imerese or Palermo Centrale, account for 4.5 hours. If you go from Cefalu to Termini Imerese, this takes 17 minutes, while the Termini Imerese to Agrigento stretch is around 3 hours 50 minutes.
- Book a train from Cefalu to Agrigento: Check here for live prices and booking.
- Check prices on rental cars for 3 days in Sicily (Change sort order to price – low to high): Check pricing here >>
What you should do: Having been here, I’m confident you can see what you would want to see in a day. That’s probably why there are a lot of 1 day tours to the region. The two main features are the Valley of the Temples and the Steps of the Turks. Two very different visuals, one is Greek civilisation the other is a natural landform which makes for a pleasant stroll and photos.
There is an old town and a burgeoning artistic community, which ensures that your evenings can be topped off with cute dinner, and quaint little breakfast stops, but it didn’t warrant enough to keep me around beyond what I’d seen.
The Temples are made up of 3 main ones, one of which is insanely well preserved, these being the Temples of Heracles, Concordia and Olympian Zeus. It’s thought that there may be more artefacts yet to be excavated in the region, which is something our tour guide dived into more. There’s a wonderful temple tour that runs at sunset, which just gives the best photos (if you don’t have a rubbish phone like me) and you can book these for under £30/$40.
Can you do it yourself? Sure, I just always feel that when you have a guide, you break the isolation, especially for when I’m travelling solo, and you aren’t staring at your phone trying to piece things together. I am a simple man, I saw one that had the most reviews and a certification and opted for it. The link is down below but our guide Rino was superb and really does help to bring the Temples to life.
After this, and probably best in the morning, considering the travelling done the previous day, hop in a taxi and go see the Scale of the Turks. Or go by hire car if you have that. If you would rather have it all managed for you, there are a number of boat trips that take you around the coast to see the sights, hop in the sea and have a drink or two onboard. These will pick you up from the town centre and return you there too – saving you a lot of hassle. I even came across an ebike tour of the area, which might suit those who fancy doing a little exercise before sitting on a train for 4 hours plus.
Thinking about it, It’s a big regret of mine I didn’t do this. I love a boat trip, but cycling around in the warm air, checking out some beaches would have been infinitely more active than sat on a boat interspersed with a few paddles in the water now and then. I love mixing exercise with travel, so this would be my ‘must do’ item on a future visit.
How did I visit the area? A grabbed a 3 hour boat tour from the port of San Leone, which is a seaside spot in South Agrigento (and where I recommend you stay overnight). Hosted by our Captain Francesco, and pretty reasonable at £60/$80, and operated very similar to my one in Cefalu. Drinks on board, swim stops and other human beings to socialise with. If you’re solo travelling in Sicily, these types of activities are a real win. The only downside of them, is if you’re here for a day, you don’t really have time to bond again.
Still, it’s a nice dopamine hit of human engagement.
- Sunset Temple Tour – A top pick on GYG and Certified by the platform too – Cheap too! See here >>
- Ebike Tour of Scale of the Turks – Discover more >>
- Boat tour of the coastal spots – Discover more >>
Why this above all other options: Short of flying to Greece, or Croatia’s Pula, this is one of the greatest examples of Greek civilisation in existence; and you can experience it while in Sicily. Taormina has some wonderful sites as well, but Agrigento is almost unrivalled. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason.
But a visit here offers something aesthetically different. If you’re on a 3 day Sicily itinerary, seeing something unique each day, just leaves a remarkable impression on you. To go from a Mediteranean seaside town, to Greek Temples in a dessert style backdrop and then a European city all in a few days, makes you feel like you’ve done a lot.
Which is the point of this route really!
Where to stay
Sicily is warm, so you don’t want to suffocate with inland heat. For that reason and for the proximity to looking at the sea, availability of accommodation and being near activity bases, San Leone, the coastal part of the region is the best pick:
- Best for affordable happiness: From £55/$70 p/n for your own private ensuite in Hostelworld’s best rated option – Arco Ubriaco
- Best for couples: From £70/$90 p/n and offer lovely seaview balconies and cute rooms – Le Notti Di Morfeo
- Best for solo vibe: There isn’t a solo traveller hostel style place out here, so I’d go with the Arco Ubriaco above as it’s promoted on Hostelworld, or the 9.2 on Booking rated Hotel Foresteria Baglio Della Luna, as it’s centrally located and has a family managed vibe to it. So you’ll feel safe and well looked after. Not a cheap option though at around £180/$210 p/n in shoulder season months. So, consider it a bit of luxury for yourself!
Day 3: Palermo for 1? Agrigento to Palermo City
Bit of a life hack here. Well, more like some better travel time news. While the route from Cefalu to Agrigento is 4 to 5 hours, the route from Agrigento to Palermo Centrale (The city), takes 2 hours 45 mins by bus north. You can get a train, but due to the route the railway line has to follow inland, you are better off grabbing a bus.
And it’s cheap! But Day 3 – or night 3, sends us into one of the biggest cities in Italy and gives you a chance to sample some urban life before you head home.
We are going to Palermo.
Famous for its Catacombs, lovely architecture, cocktail stands on the street and two regionally famous Arab inspired street markets. Palermo is a walkable city, that feels youthful. I don’t mean visually. Obviously it has a lot of architectural history, big buildings etc, but it feels young in terms of the demographic. It’s affordable compared to the mainland, which may play a part, and it has something gritty about it.
If you like an outdoor bar and food scene, a little hustle and bustle and a sense of bohemian culture, then you’ll like Palermo.
I did but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.
Having reflected, I think it feels a bit of a rough diamond. The streets have their pot holes, there are some scruffy rows of buildings abutting stunning piazzas, old cars and scooters make up the bulk of traffic, it feels hot in a trapped urban heat kind of way and it doesn’t feel affluent. But that adds to the charm. It feels safe, it feels loved, it feels like people are very comfortable wearing the badge of a Palermian.
This doesn’t feel like Disneyland in the way parts of Venice might or Lake Como – and this is a good thing. You’re in a real town. People live in those apartments, they chat across the balconies, they drink beer in the Piazzas from a plastic cup bought at the newsagents, street vendors yell about their wares in song, restauranteurs treat you in a way that suggests they don’t take tourism for granted and the next generation seem proud of their identity. That makes for a very cool place to be.
Where: Palermo is on the North coast of Sicily, with the city being about 30-40 km from the airport. A linear city, it stretches from the beaches of Mondello West of the City, through the port area to the Old Town of La Kalsa in the East.
How to get to: I would suggest for it’s direct route and price, grab a bus to Palermo from Agrigento. You can catch a train, which will take about 50-60% longer in time, or hire a car for the fastest route. The journey overland is quite delightful, so if you do take a car you can detour the route a little and go and get that classic Corleono town sign photo; as well as stopping for lunch or a bite to eat somewhere.
Travel time/cost: The journey by car takes around 1 hour 45 mins, while bus varies depending on service between 2 hours 45 and 3 hours 20. The buses are very regular and approximately £11/$14 one way per person. You may try looking for a train, but you often find that trains require a bus transfer – you really may as well just stick on the bus.
What you should do: There’s a lot to do in Palermo, with some of the popular usuals:
- The Catacombs – Visit the macabre
- Palazzo private tours
- Hop in a Apia and explore Palermo
- Grab a cocktail from an Aperol stand on Via Roma
- The Arab Norman Church/Cathedral
- Party in the Piazza
- City walking tour – Plug in your Gemini app and build your own walking tour or take a guided trip and learn from a local
- No-Mafia tour
- Ballarò Street Market – Street food central and a market that has existed here for over 1000 years
During my own visit which I wrote about here: “How to spend 24 hours in Palermo”; I opted for a walking tour to get my steps in and explore the old churches and fantastic Baroque architecture including the Quattro Canti; before heading in to the street market and trying out washed goat’s intestines barbecued!
If I had had more time, I’d have locked in a trip to the opera, but settled for being serenaded by a street performer doing his own operatic renditions outside the Church of San Cataldo. (This is the church with the red terracotta coloured domes on top) As I turned the corner of the street approaching the church, I could hear the incredible sounds of a man singing with an exquisite voice. It felt perfectly Italian.
While the streetfood was an experience in terms of eating, I made a visit to a cute local family run restaurant one of my evening things to do. I’d done some research before heading here and bookmarked places to eat in Palermo and opted for: Lo Scrigno di Donna Rosa. A meal that left me thinking this was a great decision.
After dinner, I spotted queues of people buying beers from convenience stores, served in a plastic pint cup. Those customers would then take it outside and chat away till late in one of the many piazzas around La Kalsa. I love the way the community has embraced turning historic squares into cordial public beer gardens. While this could go awry in some cities in the world, the atmosphere was friendly and the age ranges were quite broad.
Night time in Palermo is lively, whether you want a late night gelato (I did want – I did get), an Aperol Spritz from a little cocktail stand or a place to party, it is the best place for hours around for that type of activity. I didn’t let myself get too wild, knowing I was heading home the next day, but got up early the following morning to explore a former noble palace that runs private tours by descendants of the family.
If you are flying home late in the day, you could head across to Mondello beach, or just mooch around leisurely in the city, grab a pizza and sign off your 3 days in Sicily in tasty but stereotypical fashion. I went for the pizza.
Why this above all other options: Palermo is a key destination on a 3 days in Sicily itinerary, so you really have little option but spend time here, or Catania if you were heading on an alternative 3 day Sicily itinerary. Ultimately, it offers a very different visiting experience against your coastal trip to Cefalu and historic town trip to Agrigento. It gives a very nice balance to the vacation and has plenty to do, including good nightlife.
For solo travellers in Sicily, there are some great backpacker and solo travel friendly hostels, with many running group meetup events, meaning you can have a party gang on hand. Which leads me to the recommendations of where to stay in Palermo for exactly that.
Where to stay
I’ve touched on some of these already in my 24 hours in Palermo guide, so will avoid boring you with the same passage of text and just reiterate what I said then. The main thing to say is that if you’re here for a short period, you don’t want to be too far away from the old town. For this reason, I am recommended places near La Kalsa, which is the prime district. It’s a safe area for solo travellers, and puts you close to all the best bars, restaurants and places of interest.
My own choice was Family Affair, as I wanted to treat myself to somewhere with a feel of what it is like to stay in a classically decorated Sicilian city apartment with a balcony looking out.
- Best for sociable solo travellers: There’s only one for this Ostello Bello Palermo – It’s in a great spot for seeing things and they host a ton of events, including beer pong, sociable mixers and have a lovely pool. It’s Hostelworld’s best rated and it gets popular. They have private rooms even in July from £110/$140 and dorm beds from £43/$52. Shoulder months are considerably lower. Great value for what you get if you want some fun before heading home.
- Best rated for solo travellers on a budget: Another highly popular spot that’s a little north (0.35km) of La Kalsa and close to the waterfront area, is Ostello Vucciria. It’s got a 9.7 rating on Hostelworld and is priced from £35/$45 for a dorm bed. They also have private rooms. This sells out in advance, so worth looking ahead.
- Best mid range class for couples in La Kalsa: Settimo Cielo al Massimo – Find it on Booking, it’s priced from £100/$130 p/n for two people. With dual aspect window rooms you get stunning views of the city. Nice modern rooms to wake up with someone you love next to you.
- Best for Decor & Aesthetics: Family Affair Luxury Rooms & Suite – This place is beautifully decorated and if you’re looking for something that feels a little aspirational without totally blowing your budget, then you should see if they have any space. It’s on a quiet street and the building itself looks classically Sicilian too. Great location too. Priced from £125/$150 p/n in near off peak months.
Getting back to Palermo Airport: From Palermo town, the easiest option is to grab a train to Palermo Airport via Palermo Centrale. The train takes around 45 minutes and is priced at £6/$8 per person 1 way. If you’re staying in and around La Kalsa, then it’s a 5 to 10 minute walk to the train station and there is enough space on the train for your bags. Save spending a ton of money on an Uber.
How much to budget for 3 days in Sicily?
After accounting for flights, and depending on how you want to do this trip, eg: backpacker style or luxury (or a balance), you should plan to budget the following per person: £150-250/$200-325 for food and drink; from £150/$250 for accommodation (this considers those places recommended already); £70/$90 on activities; and around £50/$65 for transport. It’s not unrealistic as of 2026, to spend 3 days in Sicily, living very comfortably, eating out well for under £420/$590 USD for one person. If you are flying in from the UK, you can even pick up cheap flights for under £100 return. That’s a lot of experience for under £600/$780. (Data based on shoulder season personal experience, accommodation pricing from Booking/Hostelworld, flights from Skyscanner, activities from GetYourGuide)
What to pack for 3 days in Sicily?
I found I lived in walking trainers and Birkenstocks mostly. For women, daytime sandals can pair well with any evening wear you’d likely dress in, while gents may want to take a more dressy shoe or sneaker for night times. The weather is warm at sea level, so beach wear and light outfits are fine, so you don’t sweat at dinner. If you hike into the hills it can get cooler at night or later in the day, which means a light jacket or windbreaker is great for guys. I have a nice black Columbia windbreaker, which is also waterproof. It passes as cool enough to wear with jeans if I go to bars and the temp has dropped. And its light enough that I can really pack it down into a small cabin case. I took a small wheel on case and a 20-30 Litre day pack, which carried more than I wore, and even fitted in my DSLR. My female companion took a wheel on case and a beach style bag, athleisure wear for a hike and maxi dresses for nighttime. These are great like my coat as they take up so little space and are both lightweight and dressy enough if you head out at night.
Is 3 days in Sicily enough time?
You can have a nice taste of Sicily in 3 days but 10 days is probably the sweet spot. While the West coast offers some stunning spots to see, the core places of interest that most travel for, are located around Palermo in the North, Catania and Syracuse in the East and Agrigento in the South. Getting to these locations and not feeling rushed, as well as stopping along the way in the mountains, means 3 days is too short in truth. But don’t let that put you off if you only have 3 days in Sicily to spare. You can always come back and take another bite of the island by flying into a different airport. Taormina, Ortigia and beach towns near to Catania can make for one trip, and Palermo, Agrigento and Cefalu another.
…and that’s 3 days in Sicily
So that was my 3 days in Sicily itinerary and some tips on how you could shape yours. I’ll be back later in the year to go through the second route, by flying into Catania. I hope this has given you some useful insights. But I’ll leave you with this – Sicily is a safe place for solo travellers, it’s more affordable than the mainland, and it has everything you would want in an Italian break. The architecture, the cute villages, the food, the weather, beaches and places to let your hair down.
You won’t regret going.
Thanks for reading.
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