Sicily & Malta: An 11-Day Mediterranean Journey
Immerse yourself in the magic of the Mediterranean with an unforgettable journey through Sicily and Malta. From ancient ruins to vibrant cities, from breathtaking landscapes to culinary delights, this adventure will introduce you to the true essence of these Mediterranean gems. An exclusive tour that combines history, culture, and nature, taking you through the wonders of Sicily and Malta, offering new discoveries every day.
Highlights
- Mount Etna and Taormina
- Cefalù and Palermo
- Malta Beyond the Capital
Overview
In Sicily, encounter the contrasts that give the island its character: Mount Etna and Taormina, Cefalù and Palermo, the hilltop streets of Erice, Agrigento's temples and the Roman mosaics of Piazza Armerina. Noto and Syracuse complete the Sicilian route with baroque architecture, ancient monuments and the waterfront streets of Ortigia.
A five-night stay in Valletta provides the base for the Maltese part of the tour. Explore the capital's art and fortifications, visit the southern coast and prehistoric sites, discover Gozo's temples and bays, and walk through Mdina and the Three Cities. Along the way, Sicilian honey and almond sweets bring local flavours into a journey shaped by history, landscapes and island life.
Day by day
- 1
Day 1
Arrival in Catania and Welcome to Sicily
Arrive in Catania and transfer from the airport to your hotel. In the evening, meet your tour escort for a welcome drink and an introduction to the programme.
Your first Sicilian dinner offers the chance to get acquainted with the island through its food. Overnight in Catania.CataniaDinnerCatania Area - 2
Day 2
Mount Etna and Taormina
Travel towards Mount Etna, where cultivated countryside gives way to volcanic terrain. Explore the area around the Silvestri craters, at approximately 1,900 metres, and enjoy a tasting of local honey.
Continue to Taormina for its Ancient Theatre, with views towards the coast and Mount Etna. A walk through the historic centre and public gardens introduces another side of eastern Sicily: elegant streets, garden terraces and the sea below. Overnight in Taormina.TaorminaBreakfast, DinnerTaormina area - 3
Day 3
Cefalù and Palermo
Follow Sicily's northern coast to Cefalù. Its Norman Cathedral, medieval washhouse and narrow lanes bring together monumental architecture and the everyday life of a seaside town.
In the afternoon, continue to Palermo for a guided introduction to the capital. The programme includes the Palatine Chapel, Palermo Cathedral and the royal tombs, revealing the city's Arab-Norman heritage through mosaics, stonework and layers of history. Palermo is your base for the next two nights.CefalùBreakfast, DinnerPalermo - 4
Day 4
Segesta and Erice
Leave Palermo for Segesta, where the temple and ancient theatre stand amid the hills of western Sicily. The setting is as much a part of the visit as the monuments themselves.
Continue to Erice, a hilltop town of stone lanes and medieval buildings. An almond-sweet tasting introduces a local speciality before you return to Palermo. The day brings together archaeological landscapes, town life and a taste of Sicilian tradition.Segesta - EriceBreakfast, DinnerPalermo - 5
Day 5
Agrigento and Piazza Armerina
At Agrigento, explore the Valley of the Temples, where the remains of ancient Akragas trace Sicily's Greek past. Walking among the temples gives a sense of the scale and ambition of the city that once stood here.
Continue inland towards Piazza Armerina for an included three-course Sicilian lunch at a local agriturismo, featuring traditional regional specialities.
Visit the UNESCO-listed Villa Romana del Casale, whose remarkable mosaic floors depict hunting scenes, mythology and everyday life in Roman Sicily. Continue to the accommodation in the Piazza Armerina area for dinner and overnight.AgrigentoBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerPiazza Armerina area - 6
Day 6
Noto, Syracuse and Onward to Malta
After breakfast, depart from the Piazza Armerina area and travel towards southeastern Sicily. Discover the Baroque architecture and historic streets of Noto before continuing to Syracuse. The planned visits include the Neapolis Archaeological Park, with its Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre and Ear of Dionysius, and Ortigia, Syracuse's historic island centre, with the Temple of Apollo, Fountain of Arethusa and atmospheric waterfront streets.
Later in the day, continue towards Pozzallo for the included ferry connection to Malta, normally scheduled for the evening. The order and duration of the visits depend on the confirmed sailing schedule, group transfer times and port check-in requirements; any necessary adjustments will be specified in the confirmed travel proposal.
On arrival in Malta, transfer to your accommodation in the Valletta area for the first of five nights. Dinner is at leisure and is not included on this travel day.Noto \ SiracusaBreakfastValletta - 7
Day 7
Valletta: Art, History and the Grand Harbour
Begin your exploration of Valletta at the Barrakka Gardens, looking across the Grand Harbour towards the Three Cities. At St John's Co-Cathedral, an ornate interior and works by Caravaggio reveal the capital's artistic heritage.
The programme continues with the Grand Master's Palace, the National Museum of Archaeology and Fort St Elmo, connecting Malta's prehistoric past with the history of the Knights and the harbour's defences. Return to your Valletta hotel.VallettaBreakfast, DinnerValletta - 8
Day 8
Southern Malta: Coastal Caves and Prehistoric Sites
Travel to the Żurrieq area and the Blue Grotto, where the coast is shaped by sea caves and clear water. A boat trip may be possible, subject to sea and weather conditions and the arrangements confirmed in your proposal.
Continue to Marsaxlokk, whose harbour is dotted with colourful traditional fishing boats. Explore the waterfront and its local atmosphere before visiting the Tarxien Temples, an important prehistoric complex renowned for its monumental stone structures and carved decoration.
Return to your accommodation in the Valletta area for dinner and overnight.Żurrieq / Blue Grotto · Marsaxlokk · Tarxien · Għar DalamBreakfast, DinnerValletta - 9
Day 9
Gozo: Ancient Temples, the Citadel and Coastal Bays
Set out for a day on Gozo. At Ġgantija Archaeological Park, the scale of the prehistoric temples offers an introduction to the island's long history. Continue to the Citadel, where fortified walls and views across Gozo place that history in a different setting.
Lunch is at leisure and is not included. In the afternoon, visit Xlendi and Dwejra bays, where harbour scenery, cliffs and open sea add a landscape-focused chapter to the journey. Return to Malta and your Valletta hotel.Gozo · Ġgantija · Citadel · Xlendi · DwejraBreakfast, DinnerValletta - 10
Day 10
Mosta, Mdina and the Three Cities
Begin in Mosta before continuing to Mdina, Malta's former capital. Within its walls, narrow streets, historic buildings and the cathedral contrast with the views across the island from the ramparts.
In the afternoon, explore the Three Cities area, taking in Vittoriosa and Senglea. Their streets, waterfronts and fortifications offer another perspective on the Grand Harbour, across the water from Valletta. Return to your hotel for the final night in Malta.Mosta · Mdina · Vittoriosa · SengleaBreakfast, DinnerValletta - 11
Day 11
Departure from Malta
Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel before your included transfer to Malta International Airport, arranged according to your flight schedule.
From Etna's volcanic slopes to Sicily's ancient cities and Malta's harbours, the journey has brought together different landscapes and cultures within one Mediterranean route.VallettaBreakfast
Accommodation
A three-star hotel on Via Etnea in central Catania, beside Villa Bellini and within easy reach of the historic centre.
Taormina (Sicily)
Park Hotel Taormina · 4
Night 2 · BB
Accommodation in the Taormina area for the second night of the tour. The exact property identity and facilities require confirmation before publication.
A four-star hotel near Piazza Politeama, well positioned for exploring Palermo's historic centre and major theatres.
A countryside hotel surrounded by woodland overlooking Piazza Armerina, with a restaurant serving traditional Sicilian cuisine.
Valletta
Roulette · 4
Nights 6–10 · BB
Five nights in a selected hotel in the Valletta area. The property name, exact location, classification and meal arrangements are subject to confirmation in the travel proposal.
Included
- Touring coach and tour escort from the evening of Day 1 to the end of Day 10.
- Arrival airport transfer in Catania and departure airport transfer in Malta
- Ticket for the Sicily–Malta connection specified in the proposal.
- Professional guiding services and local guides where applicable.
- Audio headsets for guided visits.
- 10 nights' accommodation in 3- and 4-star properties.
- Welcome cocktail.
- 10 breakfasts at the selected accommodation.
- 9 dinners, each with a three-course traditional menu.
- 1 three-course Sicilian lunch at an agriturismo.
- Almond-sweet tasting in Erice.
- Honey tasting on Mount Etna.
Not included
- Local accommodation taxes, where applicable.
- Drinks with meals.
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums.
- Lunch on Gozo (Day 9)
- Any service not expressly listed under 'Included'.
Entrance fees & tickets
- Ad Hagar Qim € 10.00
- Menaidra €10.00
- Tarxien € 6.00
- Gozo Temple € 9.00
- Siracusa Archaeological Park: € 16.00 per person.
- Siracusa Cathedral: € 2.00 per person.
- Piazza Armerina Villa Romana: € 14.00 per person.
- Agrigento Valley of the Temples: € 17.00 per person.
- Taormina Greek Theater: € 14.00 per person.
Good to know
- Insider tip
- For casino enthusiasts, we recommend visiting the Dragonara Casino in Saint Julian in the evening. It's easily accessible by taxi.Use the free lunch on Gozo to explore local flavours. Ask your guide for a nearby bakery or casual eatery along the day's route. For a Maltese snack, try pastizzi: flaky savoury pastries with ricotta or pea fillings.
- Accessibility
- The itinerary includes walking in historic centres and archaeological sites, where some routes may involve uneven ground, steps or slopes. Accessibility varies between visits, hotels and transport services.
Please tell us about any mobility, sensory or other access requirements before booking. Accessible rooms, vehicle access, step-free routes and any assistance needed must be checked for the specific departure. Full accessibility of the complete tour has not yet been verified. - What to bring
- Bring comfortable closed walking shoes with good grip, a small day bag and a reusable water bottle. Pack a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and clothing that can be worn in layers, including a warm layer and a windproof jacket for the Etna visit. A light rain jacket is useful for changing weather. Bring suitable clothing for church visits, such as a scarf or light cover-up.
- Important information
- This 11-day tour includes 10 nights: five in Sicily and five in Malta. It starts in Catania and ends at Malta International Airport. Airport arrival and departure transfers and the Sicily–Malta connection are included; connection details will be specified in your proposal.
The package includes 10 breakfasts, 9 dinners and one lunch at a Sicilian agriturismo. Lunch on Gozo is at leisure and is not included. Monument and museum entrance fees, drinks with meals and local accommodation taxes are excluded. The Blue Grotto boat trip is subject to sea and weather conditions and the arrangements confirmed in your proposal.