Italy · TOURS IN SICILY
Good tours in Sicily fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend about 10 hours at sea and ashore with Tarnav, visiting Panarea and Stromboli from Milazzo. You get free time for walks, shopping, swimming, and food, then watch Stromboli’s eruptions from the boat after sunset. The official tour language is Italian, and the boat is wheelchair accessible.
“Very enjoyable but you have to choose your seat carefully which means boarding early.”
Walk Agrigento’s ancient temple plateau as the sun drops, with a guide such as Rosanna, Liz, or Alessio bringing the ruins to life in English or Italian. You’ll see Hera Lacinia, Concordia, Heracles, and Olympian Zeus, then watch the temples glow under evening lights. Expect a two-hour walk, airport-style security, and little shade.
“Truly amazing guide. Rosana was exceptional and very helpful. The tour was magnificent. We're very satisfied. Thank you”
Spend eight hours at sea from Trapani, visiting Favignana and Levanzo by motorboat. You get two hours in Favignana, one hour in Levanzo, a coastal cruise past Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, a swim stop, and pasta with Trapanese pesto and fruit. Crew members including Lorenzo and skipper Kevin have earned praise for friendly service.
“Fantastic day out with the family! We are a family of 5 and everyone of us had a blast! The staff were so lovely and friendly and my kids gobbled up the pasta dish they served up. There was plenty to do on Favignana - highly recommend maybe looking into a tour while you are there for 2 hours. Or bringing comfortable shoes to rent a bike!”
Hike with Ashàra Etna & Stromboli Guides from Piazza San Vincenzo to the 400-meter viewing area at Sciara del Fuoco. Guides such as Giuseppe, Giovanni, Federico, and Nino explain Stromboli’s geology and island life as you climb. Expect a steady five-hour outing, sunset views, volcanic bursts, and a dark descent by headlamp.
“Nice Tour, good Guide. Unfortunately the clouds covered the volcano so that we could only slightly see one explosion when it was still to bright”
Spend a full day at sea from Milazzo, with about 2 hours 45 minutes in Lipari and 2 hours 30 minutes in Vulcano. Explore Lipari’s old town, shop, swim from Vulcano’s black-sand shore, and see sea-carved rocks such as the Faraglioni and Piscine di Venere. Commentary is in Italian.
“The boat was busy but the trip was overall great! We stayed just enough time on each island. We had a nice walk and bite in Lipari and had a relaxed time on the beach on Vulcano.”
Visit Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples with a one-day entry ticket and digital audioguide. Exchange your voucher at the Temple of Juno ticket office, then walk among the Temple of Concordia, Temple of Zeus, Temple of Heracles, aqueducts, and gymnasium. Bring water, plan for heat, and allow time for a large archaeological site.
“My self-guided tour through the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento was an enriching experience. The ancient ruins exuded a profound sense of history and culture, allowing me to immerse myself in the grandeur of the past. Navigating the site was fairly straightforward with the help of the informative maps provided. The atmosphere was serene, offering ample opportunities for reflection and appreciation of the architectural marvels. Exploring at my own pace provided a sense of freedom, enabling me to soak up the rich heritage at my leisure.Read more”
Join Syracuse Excursion for a one-hour cruise around Ortigia, with live commentary in English or Italian. You’ll pass the Umberto I Bridge, Arethusa Spring, Castello Maniace, the Alfeo Promenade, and Grotta del Corallo, with time for a swim when sea conditions allow. Captains such as Otto, Ottavio, Ninni, and Davide are praised for friendly guiding.
“The views were beautiful and the guide was very informative. A great activity overall.”
Join Captain Mirko, or another member of his friendly local crew, for a 90-minute cruise around Ortigia and Syracuse. You’ll pass Maniace Castle, Aretusa Fountain, the Grand Harbor, and Umbertino Bridge, then enter sea caves and stop for swimming. Masks and fresh water are included, but bring a towel and your own snorkel tube if you prefer one.
“Amazing tour, Captain Mirko was very informative and so friendly! Definitely worth doing this!!”
Travel from Messina to hilltop Castelmola and Taormina on a six-hour guided outing. Expect sweeping views, a walk along Corso Umberto, free time for food and shopping, and commentary from guides such as Sabrina, Gabriella, Katia, or Mariarita. The route uses winding mountain roads and returns you to the port.
“Great tour with Sara. Driver navigated skillfully on narrow roads and got us close to stops. Sara has lived in Sicily her whole life and has lots of knowledge of history, good sense of humor! Highly recommend. Meeting place right at cruise pier, very convenient!”
Circle Ortigia by boat with an Italian, English, or Spanish-speaking skipper. See Maniace Castle, Arethusa Spring, Umbertino Bridge, and several sea caves, including the heart-shaped Cave of Love. You’ll also get time for a 10-minute swim or snorkel, plus seasonal fruit, juice, and Prosecco.
“The guide Stephen was great and very kind. He was super available and because the tour was just a few people he could stop for a longer bath. The tour itself is amazing and you can see the whole old and new town. Highly recommended. It's absolutely stunning and there's prosecco and fruits onboard😉”
Set out from Pontile Pizzichella with an Italian or English-speaking captain, often Francesco, Antonio, or another member of the local team. Cruise past Taormina’s caves and Faraglioni, stop for a 25-minute swim near Isola Bella, view the Blue Grotto, and coast past Mazzarò Bay. Snacks and a welcome drink are included.
“It was amazing and so much fun. We had the best guide FRANCESCO. He took great photos and videos for all of us. He’s the best guide ever!!!”
Ride an electric scooter through Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples for one or two hours. You’ll follow the Via Sacra past the Temples of Hera, Concordia, and Hercules, Roman roads, tombs, olive groves, and almond trees. An audio guide is included, while the entrance ticket is extra. Guides such as Claudio and Fabrizio may add local stories and help first-time riders.
“This was a great way to see the temples. Our guide was great!”
Meet your skipper outside A Surgiva in Siracusa for a 1.5-hour speedboat trip around Ortigia and the coast. See Castello Maniace, Fonte Aretusa, old churches, and sea caves, with time to swim. Guides including Antonino, Antonio, and Chris provide history, music, and local charm in English or Italian.
“It was a lot of fun. Amazing views, nice people, happy music and entertaining guide. 10/10! Only recommendation is to put up a sign of the company because there is construction at the designated meeting point.”
Set out from Tropea on an 11.5-hour boat trip to Lipari, Panarea, and Stromboli. You get time for island walks, lunch, shopping, swimming, and village views, then watch Stromboli’s fiery Sciara del Fuoco from the sea. A live guide speaks English, Italian, French, or Dutch.
Spend a full day sailing from Milazzo to Lipari and Vulcano, with about two and a half hours on each island. Walk Lipari’s old town, shop along its narrow streets, see volcanic rock from the boat, and relax near Vulcano’s black sand and warm sulfur-rich water. Commentary is available in Italian and English, with other languages on some departures.
“Excellent day wonderful staff. Thank you. Regards: Stephen Gauci”
Pick a ruin, a gallery, a kitchen or a coastline.
