22 days in Syracuse & Palermo Itinerary

Philosopher Cicero once described Syracuse as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all." A powerful city-state of ancient Greece, Syracuse now is the capital of the eponymous Italian province on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Step off the beaten path and head to Fishing Charters & Tours and Riserva Naturale Orientata Cavagrande del Cassibile. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Syracuse: Scicli (Piazza Busacca, Municipio di Scicli, &more), Lido di Noto (Spiaggia di Eloro & Lido di Noto) and Modica (Mulino ad Acqua - Museo Cavallo d'Ispica & Church of San Pietro). There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to Isola delle Correnti, step into the grandiose world of Azienda Agricola Pupillo, pause for some serene contemplation at Chiesa di San Giovanni Alle Catacombe, and examine the collection at L'Angolo del Papiro.

To find where to stay, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Syracuse tour planner.

Hannover, Germany to Syracuse is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also take a train; or do a combination of car and ferry. You'll have a few hours on the 14th (Wed) to wrap things up before traveling to Palermo.

The capital of Sicily, Palermo was founded by the Phoenicians under the name of Ziz.

Explore hidden gems such as Ustica and Scuba & Snorkeling. Change things up with these side-trips from Palermo: Museo del Motorismo Siciliano e della Targa Florio di Termini Imerese (in Termini Imerese), Baia Santa Margherita, Castelluzzo di S.Vito Lo Capo (in Trapani) and San Vito lo Capo (Santuario Di San Vito, Caletta del Bue Marino, &more). Spend the 19th (Mon) surrounded by wildlife at Riserva Naturale Dello Zingaro. There's still lots to do: explore the fascinating underground world of Grotta Mangiapane, kick back and relax at Spiaggia Caldura, pause for some serene contemplation at Chiesa Inferiore della Cappella Palatina, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Cala Bianca Beach.

To see more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read Palermo route planner.

You can drive from Syracuse to Palermo in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.