In this episode of French People Arr. Rude, Sean and Brandon take aim at every lazy Sicily itinerary ever written. This isn’t “do it in three days” Sicily podcast advice. This is real-deal Sicily: dialects within dialects, almond cookies for breakfast, and why that cute Taormina hotel might not be worth the hype. They share where to go, what to skip, and how to plan a trip that doesn’t suck.
What We Cover in This Episode
- Sicily Tips & Myths
- Getting to & Around Sicily
- Where to Stay
- Brief History of Sicily
- Things to Do in Sicily
- What to Eat in Sicily
- Our Ideal 7-Stop Sicily Itinerary
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
- Sicily Guide
- Where to Stay in Sicily
- What to Eat in Sicily
- Best Restaurants in Sicily
- Top Things to Do in Sicily
- Best Tours in Sicily
🎧 Listen on Spotify
Sicily Podcast: One-way?, Homer, Dialects Within Dialects, Talking Heads
Segment 1: Sicily Tips & Myths
Not Just Another Italian Region: Sicily may be Italy’s largest island, but it has its own rules, its own rhythms, and its own attitude.
Dialects Within Dialects: Every town has its own version of the Sicilian language. Even locals sometimes struggle to understand each other.
You Can’t Screw Up the Food: The food in Sicily is consistently incredible. Even at the most touristy of touristy traps, your meal will be phenomenal.
Taormina Is Not Really Sicily: It’s beautiful, but it’s also very polished. Spend a night or two here, max.
Sicily Deserves a Full Trip: Don’t tack it onto a larger Italy itinerary. One week is a minimum, 10 to 14 days is ideal, and three weeks is even better.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the Best Things to Do in Sicily.
Segment 2: Getting to & Around Sicily
How to Get to Sicily: You’ll find direct flights to Palermo from JFK and Newark, plus loads of options from major European cities into Palermo or Catania. A train complete with a ferry ride exists, but plan for it to take the entire day.
How to Get Around: Rent a car. It’s the only way to access the tiny villages and remote beaches. Public transportation is limited and slow—you’ll miss too much trying to make it work.
Segment 3: Where to Stay in Sicily
Below, you’ll find our recommendation mentioned in the Sicily podcast. For a full list, check out our article on Where to Stay in Sicily.
- Go for 4- and 5-Star Hotels: Look for places near the water and double-check that they have a pool.
- Agriturismo: Like a farm stay but fancy and often with olive groves and farm-to-table dining.
- Best Areas to Stay: Consider Marsala or Scopello for the west, San Vito Lo Capo for beach access, and Ortigia if you’re drawn to history and sea views.
- Cefalù: A charming coastal town with great swimming, restaurants, and plenty of hotel options.
- Consider the Aeolian Islands: For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, head north by ferry.
- Skip Palermo (Mostly): Use it as a final stop if your flight leaves early, but don’t spend your precious Sicily time here.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the Best Places to Stay in Sicily.
Segment 4: Brief History of Sicily
- Greeks Built Pretty Stuff: Temples, amphitheaters, and white marble—they made Sicily look good.
- Carthaginians Made it Complicated: Always fighting the Greeks. Eventually lost to the Romans, like everyone else.
- Romans Took What They Wanted: Grain, ports, soldiers. Sicily was useful, so Rome slapped their name on it.
- Arabs Fixed Everything: They irrigated the land, planted the best ingredients, and actually built things that lasted.
- Normans Got the Credit: They conquered what the Arabs built, threw some cathedrals on it, and called it a day.
Segment 5: Things to Do in Sicily
Below, you’ll find our favorites mentioned in the Sicily podcast. For a full list, check out our article on the Top Things to Do in Sicily.
- Valley of the Temples (Agrigento): One of the best-preserved Greek temple complexes outside of Greece. Visit at sunset when the columns glow gold.
- Neapolis Archaeological Park (Syracuse): Gladiator fights, ancient theaters, a cave shaped like an ear—think Rome’s Colosseum but without the crowds.
- Villa Romana del Casale (Piazza Armerina): So much more than a former Roman hunting lodge with a dazzling floor.
- Castelmola: A tiny hill town above Taormina with the best view on the island.
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Segment 6: What to Eat in Sicily
Below, you’ll find our favorites mentioned in the Sicily podcast. For a full list, check out our article on the Best Food and Drinks to Try in Sicily.
- Pistachios, Almonds & Eggplant Rule the Menu: These local staples show up in nearly every savory and sweet dish across Sicily.
- Pasta alla Norma: This Catania-born dish features sautéed eggplant with tomato sauce and ricotta salata.
- Arancini: Deep-fried rice balls stuffed with meat, cheese, or peas. Often eaten standing up with a napkin in hand.
- Caponata: A sweet-and-sour eggplant dish with olives, capers, and vinegar.
- La Milza: Spleen in a bun…
- Pasta di Mandorla: Soft almond cookies with a crisp edge, best with an espresso mid-morning.
- Cannoli: The only acceptable answer to “What’s for dessert?” in Sicily.Granita: Like sorbet but less sweet. Try almond or lemon with a brioche roll for breakfast.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the Best Food and Drinks to Try in Sicily.
Segment 7: Seven-Stop Sicily Itinerary
The plan mentioned in our Sicily podcast fits into a 7-day trip, but it’s far better stretched over 10 days, two weeks, or longer.
Stop 1: Scopello or San Vito Lo Capo
Fly into Palermo, pick up your rental car, and drive west to the cliff-lined Zingaro Nature Reserve.
- Stay: Agriturismo with sea views.
- Do: Zingaro hikes, boat rental (cheap!), eat your weight in seafood.
Stop 2: Marsala
Explore salt flats, visit the Egadi Islands, and sip vino in the vines.
- Stay: Baglio Oneto, a castle-turned-winery.
- Do: Sunset aperitivo at Peola Stagnone, rent a boat to Favignana, wander the old town.
Stop 3: Agrigento & Enna
Drive southeast down the coast to the cliffs of Scala di Turchi before turning inland for Agrigento and Enna.
- Stay: Agriturismo near Enna.
- Do: Valley of the Temples, Scala dei Turchi, Norman castle in Enna.
Stop 4: Syracuse & Ortigia
On the southeastern coast, Syracuse has some of the best-preserved ancient sites in Italy, while Ortigia is a little island off its coast dripping in charm.
- Stay: On Ortigia—it’s romantic, walkable, and full of character.
- Do: Neapolis Archaeological Park, boat rental, gelato by the sea, day trips to Noto or Modica for baroque facades and chocolate.
Stop 5: Taormina
This glamorous hilltop town may be touristy, but where else can you swim below a Roman amphitheater, then drink wine on an active volcano?
- Stay: Anywhere with a balcony and a view.
- Do: Cruise to Isola Bella, day trip to Mt. Etna, walk up to Castelmola, grab a spritz at Pizzichella.
Stop 6: Cefalù
Back in northern Sicily, take a day or two to unwind and recharge in this sleepy beach town.
- Stay: Hotel Kalura (budget with a view) or La Calette (higher-end).
- Do: Swim from the west cliffs, explore the old town, catch sunset aperitivo.
Stop 7: Aeolian Islands
If you have time for one more stop, catch a ferry from Milazzo to explore these wild volcanic islands before returning to Palermo.
- Stay: Lipari for convenience, Salina for something romantic and remote.
- Do: Hike Stromboli, swim in black sand coves, forget what day it is, miss your flight home.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the Best Things to Do in Sicily.
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