Seven days in Sicily – your guide to the best of southern Sicily in a week
- By Simpson Travel
- 07 Apr 2026
- Where to go
With the scale and history of Crete, the drama and majesty of Corsica and a passion for life that’s unique to Italy, holidays in southern Sicily bring you all the very best of the Mediterranean. It’s an ideal destination for explorers as well as sun-seekers, so here’s how to see the highlights of the Val di Noto in just seven days. Want to dig deeper and discover more? Read our comprehensive guide to the beaches, towns and best things to do in Syracuse and south east Sicily.
Day 1
Depending on which villa you chose, it should take about an hour and a half from the airport to your accommodation in the southeast of Sicily. Time to settle in and then take a walk on the beach at Santa Maria del Focallo. Dinner and sunset in Pozzallo, or pick up pizza to go and enjoy your first night in your villa.
Day 2
Get ahead of the pack with an early trip to Noto, and kick start your day with an espresso and a refreshing almond granita. Take in the Baroque beauty of Noto with a stroll along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele to San Nicolo cathedral and the grand Palazzo Ducezio. Grab a picnic lunch from the bakery and head to one of the Vendicari nature reserve beaches like Cittadella dei Maccari for a walk and a quiet afternoon swim.
Day 3
Head to Modica for one of Sicily’s least expected specialities: artisan chocolate – try before you buy, then use that sugar rush to get you around the narrow streets and steep steps of Modica. If you’ve room for lunch, look out for the local classic pasta alla Modica. You could spend an hour or two in Ispica on the way home, or head straight for the fine golden sand of Santa Maria del Focallo beach to relax.
Day 4
We’re sticking to the coast today. Begin with a little beach hopping from Santa Maria to Punta Cirica and then the rocks at Porto Ulisse, followed by a simple seafood lunch and a lazy afternoon poolside at your villa. Dinner in Marzamemi’s atmospheric main piazza is your evening treat - it’s a popular place so try to avoid the weekends if you can.
Alternative: Spend the day exploring Syracuse, about 1 to 1.5 hour's drive to the north. This delightful coastal city lies partly on the island of Ortigia. It’s a magical place to wander, skirting the island along the old city walls. The old town fizzes with life, from flamboyant Baroque buildings to bustling fresh markets, stylish small shops to superb seafood restaurants that bill themselves as a ‘food experience’.
Day 5
A longer day today, combining Scicli & Ragusa Ibla. Start in Scicli, then take a drive through the countryside to Ragusa Ibla. As part of the UNESCO-listed Val di Noto Baroque towns, Ragusa captivates with its beauty and views, popular with Italian visitors who come for typical Sicilian cuisine and to see the filming locations for the famous TV series Inspector Montalbano.
Day 6
If it’s not too hot for walking, there are two choices today: the Vendicari nature reserve for flat coastal strolls, flamingos and a swim at Calamosche beach, or a more strenuous walk along the Cavagrande del Cassibile canyon, past waterfalls, natural swimming pools and fascinating limestone formations. Start early and take plenty of water.
Alternative: Visit Taormina and Mount Etna – ask your concierge about a guided trip.
Day 7
If you don’t want to spend your last day simply enjoying your private pool, this is the moment to stock up on treats to take home. Ceramics, almonds, pistachios and olive oil (if your luggage allows) are all top-quality local produce; head back to Marzamemi to shop its charming back streets, or revisit Noto for a wider choice.
