After two weeks exploring London, England, and Scotland, I was ready to slow down and soak up the sunshine in Sicily. Italy has always been my favorite country in the world, and being back here reminded me why, the food, the history, the landscapes, and the people all feel magical. My final week was spent weaving through Sicily’s gems: Messina, Taormina, Mount Etna, Cefalù, and Palermo.

Day 1: Messina – Gateway to Sicily

My week began in Messina, the entry point for many travelers coming from mainland Italy. The city buzzes with energy, ferries, piazzas, and wide boulevards set the tone. The highlight was the Messina Cathedral with its astronomical clock, where at noon the mechanical figures spring to life in an incredible show of art and engineering.

Travel Tip: I will share my honest opinion here, if you only have a week I would give Messina a miss. It didn’t have the vide of the other places I visited. When I arrived it was like a ghost town and then at 7pm people appeared from nowhere to fill the restaurants. I would suggest adding Syracuse, we didn’t get there, but from all accounts by other travellers we met, they loved it, some more than Taormina.

Day 2–3: Taormina & Mount Etna

From Messina, I made my way down the coast to Taormina, perched high above the Ionian Sea. Taormina feels timeless, with cobbled lanes, vibrant balconies, and endless gelato shops. The jewel here is the Greek Theatre, where the sea shimmers below and Mount Etna towers on the horizon.

On the next day, I ventured closer to Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano. Driving up the slopes felt surreal — lava fields, craters, and views that stretch across the island. It’s both humbling and exhilarating to stand on the edge of such a powerful force of nature.

Travel Tip: Visit Taormina’s Greek Theatre early in the day, and if heading to Etna, bring layers, even in summer, it gets chilly up high. At 1900 feet it is cool, when you get to 2500 feet it is freezing. Wear closed in shoes and you can hire jackets when you disembark the cable car at 1900 feet.

Day 4–5: Cefalù – Seaside Bliss

Heading north, I arrived in Cefalù, a dreamy coastal town where the pace slows right down. I spent the days wandering its medieval streets, visiting the Norman Cathedral with its Byzantine mosaics, and lounging on the golden sandy beach. Evenings here are pure magic, with the sunset painting the sea and old town in golden light.

Travel Tip: Stay at least one night in Cefalù — the evenings here are when the town truly shines. Before sunset find a seat and have a drink at Bordomari Sea Lounge Bar (pictured below) and watch the sun go down as you sit on a boarwalk on the edge of the ocean.

Day 6–7: Palermo – Sicily’s Capital of Culture & Chaos

The trip ended in Palermo, a city of contrasts. Chaotic, colorful, and bursting with life, Palermo is where Sicily’s cultures collide. The architecture tells stories of Arab, Norman, and Baroque influence, while the street markets bring it all to life with sizzling food and vibrant noise.

I sampled arancini, panelle, and cannoli, wandered through Ballarò Market, and admired the grandeur of the Palermo Cathedral and Teatro Massimo. Palermo is a city that overwhelms at first, but then draws you in until you don’t want to leave.

Travel Tip: Embrace Palermo’s chaos , get lost in the markets, taste everything you can, and let the city surprise you.

Other Practical Tips

Check for lifts in your accommodation – Many Sicilian hotels and apartments are in older buildings, and we got caught hauling 20kg+ suitcases up several flights of stairs and if your no spring chicken like me it was hard work.

Train tickets are easy – Know the train schedule but just buy them from the machines at the station, this way you keep the freedom to leave when you want instead of being locked into pre-booked schedules.

Bring food and drink with you – At Taormina station we found no food or drink options before boarding, so it pays to plan ahead.

Wear comfortable shoes – In Cefalù and Taormina, expect climbs, cobbled streets, and plenty of walking, but the views and atmosphere make every step worth it.

Reflections on a Week in Sicily

This week in Sicily was the perfect finale to my travels. From the gateway charm of Messina to the elegance of Taormina, the raw power of Mount Etna, the seaside calm of Cefalù, and the vibrant energy of Palermo, Sicily has captured my heart.

If you’re after a destination with sunshine, coastal beauty, and cultural depth, Sicily deserves a place at the very top of your travel list. All that is required is a Sense of Adventure and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.