Private tours and tailor-made journeys with Eva PolinoTalk to Eva
Sicily · With Eva Polino
Private, Tailor-Made Journeys in Sicily
Start with the Sicily you want to get to know. Follow mosaics from Palermo to Monreale, walk the streets of Ortigia, or give the volcanoes, hill towns and islands time of their own.
Choose the places that matter most to you before deciding where to stay. Palermo, the western coast, Etna and the Baroque south-east can each anchor a different visit. Eva can help you put together a route with time to spend in the places you came for.
Places to begin
Ten ways into Sicily
From cities and archaeological sites to the smaller islands. Choose what you’d want time for, then explore how it could fit into your journey.
Start with mosaics and layers of architecture, then choose a market, a quieter quarter or a place to stop for lunch. Monreale can be the focus of its own visit.
Palatine Chapel and Norman PalaceFollow the mosaics and painted ceiling inside Palermo’s royal complex.
Palermo Cathedral and the old cityExplore the cathedral in the context of the streets, squares and buildings around it.
Ballarò market and Palermo street foodLet the market set the pace, with time to talk about what people buy, cook and eat.
Kalsa and Palazzo ButeraExplore the city’s waterfront quarter through streets, courtyards and a collection of art.
Monreale Cathedral and cloisterTake time with the mosaics, then look closely at the columns and carvings in the cloister.
Choose between Cefalù’s shoreline and cathedral or a day inland in the Madonie. A town like Castelbuono can be a good place to give the mountains time.
Cefalù cathedral and old harbourLink the Norman cathedral to the lanes that lead down to the old harbour.
La Rocca above CefalùConsider an uphill walk for views of the town and coast if conditions suit your group.
Castelbuono and its castleTake time in the old centre and around the Ventimiglia castle.
Petralia Soprana and the MadonieSpend time in a mountain village or discuss a walk in the surrounding park.
Western Sicily’s hill towns, archaeology and coast
Segesta, Erice and the salt coast
A journey west might revolve around Segesta’s archaeology, the lanes of Erice, or the salt pans near Trapani and Marsala. Keep room for time with local food and wine.
Segesta temple and theatreGive the temple and theatre time in the landscape that surrounds them.
Erice medieval townFollow stone lanes and views over the western coast.
Trapani and the salt pansExplore the landscape of salt production and give Trapani’s old town time of its own.
Marsala wine and the Stagnone lagoonTalk with Eva about a winery visit or time beside the lagoon.
Mozia and its Phoenician remainsConsider a separate visit to the island, depending on boat access and conditions.
Selinunte Archaeological ParkAllow time for this extensive site and choose the areas that most interest you.
Zingaro Nature ReserveDiscuss coastal walking distance, heat and current trail access with Eva.
Start with the temples and decide how much archaeology you want in one visit. A longer stay gives you time for the landscape and old towns of the southern coast.
Valley of the Temples and Temple of ConcordiaExplore the sanctuary landscape with time to look closely at the Temple of Concordia.
Pietro Griffo Archaeological MuseumSee objects that put the ancient city and its temples into context.
Agrigento old townLeave time for a walk through the streets above the valley.
Scala dei Turchi coastal viewpointsDiscuss a viewpoint that suits the group and the access conditions on your dates.
Mosaics, archaeology and ceramics inland
Piazza Armerina, Morgantina and Caltagirone
Let one interest lead the day. Roman floor mosaics, the ancient city of Morgantina and the ceramic tradition in Caltagirone each deserve time.
Villa Romana del CasaleLook at the Roman villa through the stories told on its mosaic floors.
Morgantina Archaeological SiteExplore the remains of the ancient city in Sicily’s interior.
Aidone Archaeological MuseumPair the museum with Morgantina if you want to connect the finds with the site.
Caltagirone ceramics and Santa Maria del Monte staircaseSee how the town’s ceramic tradition appears in its streets and tiled staircase.
Choose what draws you to Etna, from the volcanic landscape to the vineyards and slope towns. Catania, Taormina and the Alcantara valley each suggest a different kind of day.
Etna volcanic landscapesDiscuss the terrain and the kind of visit that suits you. Mountain access depends on current conditions.
Etna vineyard and wine visitMake time for a producer visit and a conversation about growing vines on the mountain.
Catania old town and fish marketExplore Piazza Duomo and let the market offer a different view of city life.
Taormina and its Ancient TheatreGive the theatre time for both its history and its setting above the sea.
Alcantara GorgesAsk Eva about suitable routes and current access to the gorge.
Give Ortigia a visit of its own, or follow an archaeology thread through Syracuse. Pantalica belongs in the conversation if you want time outdoors and are comfortable on uneven ground.
Ortigia, Piazza Duomo and the waterfrontTake time with the cathedral square and the streets that lead out to the water.
Neapolis Archaeological ParkExplore the Greek theatre and quarry landscape at a pace that suits your group.
Paolo Orsi Archaeological MuseumSpend time with objects from different periods of Sicily’s past.
Rock-cut necropolis of PantalicaDiscuss a route that matches the weather and your comfort with rocky paths.
Choose one or two towns to explore on foot. You might pair architecture with time for Modica’s chocolate, or give the wetlands and coast a day of their own.
Noto Cathedral and Corso Vittorio EmanueleFollow the street through the cathedral square and the surrounding Baroque buildings.
Ragusa Ibla and San GiorgioExplore the old town on foot, allowing time for slopes, stairs and pauses.
Modica old town and chocolateCombine time in the old town with a conversation about its chocolate tradition.
Scicli and Via Francesco Mormina PennaMake room for streets, churches and a slower look at the town’s civic architecture.
Vendicari Nature ReserveDiscuss a coastal walk that suits the season and the group.
Marzamemi harbourLeave time for the harbour and its connection to the former tuna fishery.
Island stays, volcanic landscapes and sea crossings
The Aeolian and Egadi islands
Give an island group time of its own. Talk through ferries, weather and whether you would rather stay on one island or plan a short crossing.
Lipari old town and archaeological museumExplore the old town and its archaeology as part of an island stay.
Salina villages and MalvasiaMake time for villages and discuss a wine visit if it suits the season.
Stromboli volcanic landscapesTalk through suitable viewpoints and current local guidance before planning any outing.
Favignana and the former tuna worksFollow the island’s fishing history and leave time for the coast.
Levanzo and Grotta del GenoveseDiscuss advance arrangements and sea conditions before planning a cave visit.
Forests, mountain towns and views over the coast
The Nebrodi and the north-east
Give the north-east a day that follows landscape and local life. Pick a park outing, a town visit or a coastal viewpoint according to how far you want to travel.
Nebrodi Regional ParkTalk through a forest or mountain outing that suits your group and the weather.
San Marco d’AlunzioTake time for the old hill town and views towards the coast.
Tindari and the coastChoose between the ancient site and time for the coastal landscape nearby.
Yes, if you can give each area separate days. Tell Eva where you arrive and leave so she can help decide if a change of base is worth it.
Is Etna only for hikers?
There are several ways to spend time around the volcano. Tell Eva if you would rather focus on the landscape, wine or a walk, and discuss what suits your group and dates.
How should we choose a base?
Decide which story matters most to you, then look at the time needed between places. Eva can help build the plan around one base or divide it across two.
