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If you’re planning a Sicily Road trip and wondering where you should actually stop, you’re in exactly the right place. We have travelled Sicily extensively and want to share some of the best things to see and do on a road trip. This includes some of the “iconic must do attractions” and some of our favourite hidden gems too.
Sicily is big, dramatic, packed with history, and surprisingly varied. So planning your route properly really does matter. We’ll walk you through what makes each stop special, what to expect, and a few practical things you might want to think about, especially if you’re travelling with kids. Preparation is key.
Before you read on, please note that this isn’t a road trip route – just a few of our top pick spots to visit on your trip. These places are perfect whether you have a small run around car or a campervan. They are mostly located on the East of Sicily – so you could easily plan a route that includes these stops.
Map of the best places to visit on a Sicily Road Trip
Driving in Sicily
Ok before we share the challenges – driving is a great way to get around Sicily. Having your own car is super convenient because it allows you to go places which may be more tricky to access by bus or public transport. But having your own vehicle definitely has its challenges too: For example, we found driving around Catania quite challenging. There are some quite high-speed roads with quite complicated junctions, and that can make it stressful, especially if you’re driving a rental car around and you’re not used to the roads in Sicily.
Having said that, the roads in Sicily are relatively similar to other countries in Europe, so it’s not a big adjustment if you’ve practised driving around Europe before. The road signs are mostly in English. We also found the speed limits are very generous, which allows you to get around Sicily quite quickly, and we didn’t really have any problems with heavy traffic. We found the traffic pretty light and manageable in most places we visited.
Driving around some of the smaller towns may be beautiful, but it can also be stressful. Navigation can be quite difficult around some of the smaller side streets, and you can also run into quite tricky one-way systems that can make manoeuvring difficult. Driving in smaller towns can be particularly stressful in a camper van because some of the roads are very narrow, and you get the impression that other drivers may be frustrated by you being there, especially if you’re having difficulty manoeuvring.
Parking can also be quite challenging, especially in more popular spots and smaller towns. You need to pay careful attention to road signs and parking restrictions. You can often find public car parks around, but if you’re in a camper van, you may find that there are restrictions on even using public car parks, not just for overnight parking, but even parking in the day can be restricted, which can be really frustrating, and it can actually make it ironically difficult to see things. Despite the sort of vision of a free and easy trip around Sicily in your own camper van, you end up driving around looking for parking spaces and maybe not even seeing attractions that you wanted to.
So it’s important to plan this for your trip. Think about where you’re going to park, where you’re going to sleep overnight if you are using a camper van, and definitely be aware that driving through some of the smaller towns, especially with smaller roads, can be very stressful.
1 Taormina
Taormina is one of the best and most iconic spots in Sicily for good reason. It overlooks Ionian Sea and it is beautifully framed by steep hills. However, with all the insta-perfect charm you wont be surprised to find that parking can be challenging. Especially in summer. Especially if you’re driving anything larger than a small car. We’ve found that trying to force your way into the centre in a campervan isn’t usually worth it. You might prefer to park at a campsite outside town and take a shuttle or taxi up. It sounds inconvenient, but it tends to remove a lot of stress.
The Teatro Antico di Taormina is the main draw. It dates back to the 3rd century BC and entry is usually around €10 for adults. The theatre itself is impressive, but if we’re honest, it’s the backdrop that people really come for. When you’re standing there looking through the arches, with Etna behind the sea, you’ll probably understand why so many photos are taken from that exact angle.
The town itself is polished. A little glamorous, even. There are boutiques and tidy piazzas and plenty of gelato shops. It can be busy. You’ll almost certainly notice that in peak season. But we wouldn’t skip it just because of the crowds. If you go early, or linger later into the afternoon, it becomes much easier to appreciate.
2 Acireale
Acireale sits north of Catania, and you could easily drive past it without realising it’s worth stopping. But we’d suggest pulling in.
The historic centre has that classic Sicilian feel pale stone churches, open squares, local cafés that don’t feel overly curated. It’s not trying too hard. That’s probably what we liked about it.
The cathedral in the main square anchors the town, and the surrounding streets are good for wandering without a plan. You might grab a coffee. Maybe a pastry. The pace feels different here compared to central Catania. Slightly calmer. Slightly less chaotic.
Along the coastline near Acireale, you’ll notice the volcanic geology straight away. Dark lava rock meets bright water. There are small swimming spots if conditions allow. It’s not a resort beach scene. It’s simpler than that. But sometimes that’s exactly what works on a road trip.
3 La Grotta – East Side of Mount Etna
Driving up the eastern slope of Mount Etna is something we’d strongly recommend if conditions are good. The road is free to use. There aren’t gates or ticket booths stopping you along this section.
It is winding. It does climb steadily. In winter, snow can make it completely different, so you’ll want to check before you head up. But in most seasons, even larger vehicles can manage the ascent if you take it slowly.
La Grotta is actually a campsite, so you can stay overnight if that suits your plan. Even if you don’t, the surrounding landscape is what makes the stop worthwhile.
This area was heavily shaped by the 2002–2003 eruptions of Etna. You’ll walk across old lava flows hardened, jagged, black underfoot. There’s very little vegetation in places, and the terrain feels stark and exposed.
From there, you can reach a lava cave. It’s essentially a tunnel formed when lava flowed and cooled. You can walk inside. The rock is entirely black. The air is cooler. It’s a strange contrast after being out in the open sun.
You’re not near the summit crater here, but you are properly inside the volcanic environment. It’s not a manicured tourist site. It’s just raw geology. And that’s part of the appeal.
4 Syracuse and Ortigia
Syracuse is one of those places where you’ll probably want to allow more time than you initially planned.
The Neapolis Archaeological Park includes the Greek Theatre, carved into the rock and dating back to the 5th century BC. Entry is usually around €13–€15. The scale is impressive. You might find yourself standing there for a while, imagining performances that happened thousands of years ago.
Then there’s Ortigia the island at the heart of Syracuse. You cross over a bridge and immediately the atmosphere shifts. Narrow streets. Faded stone. Small cafés tucked into corners.
Yes, it gets busy. Particularly in summer. But we’ve found that even when the main squares are full, you can usually turn down a side street and find somewhere quieter. It helps not to rush it. Maybe sit for a drink. Wander without a strict objective.
Ortigia works better when you let it breathe a little.
5 Punta Arenella
If you feel like escaping the crowds around Syracuse, Punta Arenella is an easy adjustment to your route.
Parking is generally straightforward. That alone can make it appealing.
The beach is clean, the water is clear, and when the sea is calm it’s a lovely swimming spot. You can walk out along the rocky headland for views across the bay. The cliffs are low and textured, the water often a deep blue-green.
It’s not dramatic in the same way Taormina is dramatic. It’s simpler. Lower key. But it might end up being one of the stops you relax into most easily.
For campervans, there are areas nearby where you can park without feeling like you’re squeezing into something too tight.
6 Modica
Modica climbs steeply up its valley, and when you approach it, you’ll probably notice how layered it looks.
The Duomo di San Giorgio rises above the town, and climbing the long staircase to reach it is part of the visit. In summer, you’ll want water with you.
Modica is known for its chocolate, and the Museo del Cioccolato di Modica costs around €3–€5. It explains the town’s cold-processing method, influenced by techniques that date back centuries. The chocolate itself has a slightly grainy texture, which surprises some people the first time they try it.
Compared to Ragusa, Modica often feels a little quieter. You might find it easier to wander without navigating heavy foot traffic. It doesn’t feel overly curated. It feels lived in.
7 Ragusa
Ragusa Ibla is one of Sicily’s UNESCO-listed baroque towns, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693.
The architecture is ornate. Curved balconies. Detailed façades. The Duomo di San Giorgio stands prominently at the centre.
It is more visited than Modica. You’ll likely notice that. But even so, the setting across the hillside is striking. The streets twist and slope in ways that make you slow down whether you intended to or not.
If you have time for both Ragusa and Modica, we would. They complement each other well.
8 Enna
Enna sits inland, high above the surrounding countryside. As you drive toward it, you’ll probably understand why people compare it to something cinematic. It rises sharply from the landscape.
From a distance, it may actually look more impressive than when you’re inside it.
The Castello di Lombardia is the main highlight. It’s one of the largest medieval castles in Italy, and you can explore the ruins and climb sections of the towers for wide views across central Sicily.
Enna doesn’t feel heavily touristed. It can feel quieter than coastal towns. If you’re looping inland before heading back toward the east coast, it adds a different tone to the trip. More exposed. More elevated.
It may not be the stop where you linger longest, but it changes the rhythm of the journey.
