Food and wine Sicily itinerary
Few places in the world combine culinary heritage and natural beauty as richly as Sicily. This **food and wine itinerary** leads you through markets, vineyards, and kitchens — from Palermo’s bustling alleys to Etna’s lava-soil wineries and the chocolate workshops of Modica. It’s a journey for the senses, celebrating local flavors, family traditions, and Mediterranean terroir.
- Visit Sicily
- 3 min read
Food and Wine Sicily Itinerary — Taste the Island from Coast to Volcano
🧭 Overview
This 7-day itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to explore Sicily through its cuisine and wines. Each region tells its story through flavor — Arab-influenced street food in Palermo, Greek vineyards near Agrigento, and volcanic wines on Etna’s slopes. You’ll meet producers, taste traditional dishes, and learn what makes Sicilian food so deeply tied to the land.
🗓️ Day 1: Palermo — Street Food and Tradition
- Morning: Explore the historic Ballarò and Capo Markets.
- Try panelle (chickpea fritters), arancine, and sfincione (Sicilian pizza).
- Lunch: Eat at a family-run trattoria — pasta con le sarde or caponata.
- Afternoon: Visit Palatine Chapel and enjoy a cannolo at Antico Caffè Spinnato.
- Evening: Join a street food walking tour or wine tasting at Enoteca Picone.
🗓️ Day 2: Monreale and Marsala — From Mosaics to Wine
- Morning: Stop at Monreale Cathedral, then drive 1.5 hrs to Marsala.
- Afternoon: Tour historic Marsala wineries — Florio or Pellegrino.
- Learn about fortified wine aging in oak barrels.
- Enjoy pairings with Sicilian cheese and almonds.
- Evening: Watch the sunset over salt pans with a glass of Marsala DOC.
🗓️ Day 3: Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
- Morning: Visit the Valley of the Temples, surrounded by ancient olive groves.
- Lunch: Dine at a local farmhouse serving olive-oil-based dishes.
- Afternoon: Taste D.O.P. olive oil at a nearby producer.
- Evening: Enjoy pasta alla Norma or sarde a beccafico in Agrigento’s old town.
🗓️ Day 4: Ragusa and Modica — Chocolate and Countryside Cuisine
- Travel: 2 hrs to Ragusa.
- Morning: Explore Ragusa Ibla and visit Duomo di San Giorgio.
- Lunch: Try caciocavallo cheese and fava bean purée.
- Afternoon: Continue to Modica for chocolate tasting at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto.
- Evening: Stay at an agriturismo — many offer cooking classes and homegrown meals.
🗓️ Day 5: Noto and Syracuse — Almonds, Seafood, and Baroque Charm
- Morning: Explore Noto Cathedral and nearby almond orchards.
- Lunch: Visit a local almond farm or pasticceria to sample granita di mandorla.
- Afternoon: Drive to Syracuse, stroll Ortigia’s market, and buy local cheeses and olives.
- Dinner: Enjoy fresh seafood — spaghetti ai ricci di mare (sea urchin pasta) or pesce spada alla ghiotta.
🗓️ Day 6: Mount Etna — Volcanic Wines and Vineyard Lunch
- Travel: 2 hrs north to the Etna wine region.
- Morning: Visit Etna DOC wineries in Linguaglossa, Randazzo, or Zafferana Etnea.
- Learn about: How volcanic soil shapes flavor profiles of Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grapes.
- Lunch: Farm-to-table meal paired with local wines.
- Evening: Stay overnight in a vineyard estate or mountain lodge.
🗓️ Day 7: Taormina — The Sweet Finale
- Morning: Explore Taormina’s Greek Theatre and Corso Umberto.
- Lunch: Enjoy pasta alla Norma or ricotta-stuffed ravioli.
- Afternoon: Take a cooking class to learn traditional recipes.
- Evening: End your journey with Sicilian desserts — cassata, cannoli, or granita al pistacchio.
🚗 Travel Logistics
- Arrival: Palermo Airport; Departure: Catania Airport.
- Transport: Car rental recommended for winery and countryside access.
- Best time: April–June or September–October — harvest and pleasant weather.
- Suggested bases: Palermo (2 nights), Marsala (1), Agrigento (1), Ragusa/Modica (2), Etna/Taormina (1).
💡 Tips
- Book wine tastings in advance — many estates require reservations.
- Try lesser-known DOC regions like Menfi, Vittoria, and Alcamo.
- Carry a cooler bag for market cheeses and wines.
- Respect meal times — lunch (12:30–14:30) and dinner (19:30–22:00).
🌅 Summary
This culinary itinerary invites you to taste Sicily’s soul — from Palermo’s sizzling street stalls to Etna’s elegant vineyards. You’ll savor every layer of Sicilian culture: Greek olive groves, Arab spices, Norman sweets, and volcanic wines. A feast for both palate and spirit, it’s the perfect journey for travelers who believe that the best way to know a place is through its food.