Sicily and Malta are close neighbours, but they are two different countries: Sicily is part of Italy, while Malta is an independent nation with its own history and culture. Combining them in one journey offers an incredible variety of ancient temples, baroque towns, volcanoes, beaches and fortified cities. Here is how we plan a ten-day trip.
Days 1 to 3: Palermo and western Sicily
Start in Palermo, a city of Arab-Norman palaces, golden mosaics and some of Italy’s best street food. Visit the Palatine Chapel and Monreale Cathedral, both part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore the historic markets with a local guide. A day trip can take you to the medieval hilltop town of Erice or the temples of Segesta.
Days 4 to 6: Taormina and Mount Etna
Travel east to Taormina, perched above the sea with its famous ancient theatre and views of Mount Etna. From here, explore Europe’s highest active volcano with a private guide, followed by a tasting at a winery on its fertile slopes. On the way from Palermo, we often include a stop at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento or the Roman mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale.
Day 7: Siracusa and Ortigia
Discover Siracusa, once one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world, and its island of Ortigia, with baroque piazzas and a lively market. The baroque towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa, also UNESCO-listed, are within easy reach.
Days 8 to 10: Malta
From Pozzallo, on Sicily’s southern coast, a fast catamaran reaches Malta in under two hours. Alternatively, there are short flights from Catania. In Malta, explore Valletta, the fortified capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the silent medieval city of Mdina and the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour. A day trip to the island of Gozo, with its quiet villages and dramatic coastline, completes the journey.
Practical tips
- Two countries, one currency: both Italy and Malta use the euro and are part of the Schengen area, but always carry your passport for the crossing.
- Getting around Sicily: distances are significant, so a private driver is the most comfortable way to travel.
- The crossing: the catamaran timetable and sea conditions vary by season, so we plan the crossing carefully and arrange transfers on both sides.
- Best time: April to June and September to October offer pleasant temperatures for sightseeing and warm seas for swimming.
- More time? With two weeks, add the Aeolian Islands, the Egadi Islands or a few days of relaxation by the sea.
Discover more on our Sicily and Malta page, or see our active Sicily journey in our sample journeys.
Planning a trip to Sicily and Malta? Tell us about your journey for a free, tailor-made proposal, or book a free 30-minute call with our team.