The Way To Italy: Your Perfect 72-Hour East Coast Sicily Guide
- TheWayToItaly
- Sep 10
- 3 min read
If you love island life, ancient ruins, and seriously good food, Sicily’s east coast is calling. This easy 72-hour plan centers on Catania, Taormina, Mt. Etna, and Ortigia-Syracuse, with plenty of time for spontaneous wanderings and unforgettable bites.
Why Catania makes a great base
Catania is the island’s largest airport hub, at the foot of Mt. Etna. It’s a convenient, well-connected base that's roughly equal distances to Taormina and Ortigia, so day trips feel relaxed rather than long and rushed.
Day 1: Explore Catania (with guided options)
Drop your bags and wander the streets at your own pace.
Option A:
Take a guided walking tour of the UNESCO-listed city. You’ll stroll Baroque piazzas, peek at ancient ruins, and admire Gothic cathedrals.
Option B: Join a guided evening walking food tour in the city center for tasty bites and local stories. If you’re still hungry after that, your evening can continue with recommendations from your guide or a favorite spot you discover along the way.
Tips:
- Come hungry for street food and aperitifs.
- Don’t miss La Pescheria (the local fish market) for a sensory peek into daily life.
Day 2: Mt. Etna and Taormina
Morning: Mt. Etna adventure
- I recommend a guided jeep tour up Europe’s largest active volcano. It’s terrain you won’t forget, and the guides share fascinating geology and history.
- Lunch option: Many tours include a winery visit and lunch, letting you taste wines produced from grapes grown in volcanic ash. It’s a tastily unforgettable contrast to typical wines.
Afternoon: Taormina’s ancient theater and town vibes
- After Etna, head to Taormina for a Greek Theatre visit and some downtime in the lively town center.
- Stroll the Corso Umberto for shops, gelato, and panoramic views over the sea.
Tips:
- Wear sturdy shoes for the volcanic landscape.
- Bring a light jacket; high-altitude areas can get breezy.
Day 3: Ortigia & Siracusa
Morning to afternoon: Ortigia Island
- Visit the cultural and historic heart of Siracusa. Ortigia is postcard-perfect: narrow lanes, sea views, and a compact vibe that’s perfect for a relaxed sightseeing day.
- You can explore on your own or book a guided tour that covers highlights like the Piazza del Duomo, the Fountain of Arethusa, and the ancient market ruins.
Evening: Return to Catania
- Schedule your return in time for a sunset cruise with an aperitivo back in Catania. Or book a rooftop spot or sea-view terrace restaurant for a memorable finale.
Tip:
- If you’d prefer a more laid-back pace, swap in a full Ortigia guided tour and a later return to Catania for a sunset stroll along the harbor.
If you’ve got more time
Sicily deserves time. If you’re lucky enough to stay 7–14 days, you can widen this loop to include:
- A full Taormina-and- Giardini Naxos day trip
- A wine-and-food day around the Aeolian coast
- A slower pace with longer stops in Ragusa or Noto’s stunning baroque towns
- A climb of Castello Normanno-Svevo or a coastal drive to the southern edges of the island
-Several nights on the Western side of the island -Palermo or neighboring villages like Cefalu or Castellrre del Golfo.
Quick recap
- Base: Catania (easy airport access; central to Taormina and Ortigia)
- Day 1: Explore Catania (walk, or a foodie evening tour)
- Day 2: Mt. Etna jeep tour + Taormina Greek Theatre
- Day 3: Ortigia/Syracuse highlights, sunset cruise or dinner back in Catania
- Longer stays: stretch to 7–14 days to savor more towns and coastlines
Ready to start planning? The Way To Italy is your go-to for relaxed pacing, flavorful bites, and not-to-miss sights along Sicily’s east coast.
The Way To Italy has been providing fee-based, custom travel planning for travelers to Italy for 23 years. I handcraft once-in-a-lifetime Italy experiences down to the last detail.
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