My partner and I are planning our first trip to Sicily, flying in and out of Palermo. I’ve seen itineraries ranging from 5 days to 2 weeks and I honestly cannot figure out the right amount of time.
We want Palermo (street food, markets), Taormina (the views), probably Agrigento for the temples, and maybe Syracuse. Do we need to add Catania or can we skip it? Is the driving between these places stressful or is it scenic and enjoyable?
Thinking maybe 8 to 9 days total. Is that comfortable or will we still feel rushed? Saw a few self-drive tours on TourRadar that do 7 days but I’m not sure if those are realistic or just marketing.
I definitely think 3 full days is a good amount of time for Athens — 2 days would feel rushed to me. Beyond the Acropolis and the main archaeological sites, there’s a lot of atmosphere in the older neighborhoods too. I loved just wandering around places like Plaka, Anafiotika, and Psiri, stopping for coffee and taking things slowly instead of rushing from sight to sight.
And honestly, the evenings were one of my favorite parts. Sitting in a taverna for hours, listening to music, eating mezze, and soaking up the energy of the city felt very ‘Athens’ to me
If you enjoy history, local neighborhoods, and food, I really don’t think you’ll be bored on a third day.
