Three weeks exploring Naples, Matera and the island of Sicily.
Southern Italy at a relaxed, unhurried pace.
Driving the Sicily loop Ancient ruins and baroque towns Cave cities and island food A relaxed southern rhythm Return visitors to Italy Food and archaeology enthusiasts Travelers who love to linger
Key Facts
Norman Palermo
Palermo, Sicily
Twelfth-century gold mosaics in the Norman palace's royal chapel.
Palermo, Sicily
A layered mix of Norman, Gothic and neoclassical styles in one building.
Palermo, Sicily
The liveliest market in the city; eat where the vendors eat.
Monreale & Cefalù
Monreale, Sicily
A 30-minute drive; the cloister's mosaic columns are unmatched anywhere.
Cefalù, Sicily
An hour further east; swim off the beach below the Norman cathedral.
Palermo, Sicily
Drive back in about an hour for dinner near the Politeama theater.
Erice Hilltop
Erice, Sicily
About 1.5 hours on the A29 to the medieval hill town above Trapani.
Erice, Sicily
Norman castle ruins and a drop of a view over the salt pans.
Erice, Sicily
Maria Grammatico's confectionery is famous for a reason; buy a box.
Valley of the Temples
Agrigento, Sicily
About 2 hours 15 minutes south along the island's western coast.
Agrigento, Sicily
The Temple of Concordia stands almost intact among almond trees.
Realmonte, Sicily
White marl cliffs above the sea turn golden at sunset.
To Siracusa
Piazza Armerina, Sicily
Detour to Piazza Armerina for the finest Roman floor mosaics in Europe.
Siracusa, Sicily
About 2.5 hours to Ortygia, the island at the city's heart.
Siracusa, Sicily
Dinner on a laneway under the walls of the cathedral.
Greek Syracuse
Siracusa, Sicily
The Greek Theatre and the Ear of Dionysius carve deep into the limestone.
Siracusa, Sicily
Prehistoric finds, then a slow walk to the Arethusa spring.
Siracusa, Sicily
The 13th-century castle at Ortygia's tip catches the last light.
Baroque Towns
Noto, Sicily
About 45 minutes south; the Corso Vittorio Emanuele is a honey-colored set piece.
Ragusa, Sicily
An hour on; the cathedral square and its stairways wrap around a ravine.
Siracusa, Sicily
Back in about 1.5 hours; dinner by the marina.
Taormina Views
Taormina, Sicily
About 1 hour 45 minutes up the Ionian coast to the terraced town.
Taormina, Sicily
The Teatro Antico frames Mount Etna behind its Roman arches.
Taormina, Sicily
Window-shop the main street and eat cannoli on a terrace.
Mount Etna
Mount Etna, Sicily
About an hour to the south-side base station at 1,900 meters.
Mount Etna, Sicily
Ride to about 2,500 meters, then a guided trek over lava fields.
Taormina, Sicily
Wind back down for a seafood dinner in the old town.
Taormina Leisure
Taormina, Sicily
A tiny island reachable by footbridge; swim in clear green water.
Taormina, Sicily
Learn to make pasta and caponata in a hillside kitchen.
Taormina, Sicily
Wine on a terrace above the bay as Mount Etna turns pink.
Naples First Day
Naples, Campania
Spaccanapoli street in Naples in morning light, the narrow straight old-city lane running between tall buildings, church facades, pedestrians and scooters, bustling historic street photography
Naples, Campania
The Art Nouveau metro station, then street food along the historic lane.
Naples, Campania
Campanian pasta and wine under the baroque facade of the church.
Catania Arrival
Catania, Sicily
45 minutes south past the slopes of Etna to the baroque capital.
Catania, Sicily
The elephant fountain and the roaring fish market behind it.
Catania, Sicily
Black lava stone streets under Mount Etna's peak at night.
Departure Day
Catania, Sicily
A baroque monastery and one of Europe's grandest libraries.
Catania, Sicily
Last-minute shopping and a final espresso before the airport.
Catania, Sicily
Fontanarossa is 15 minutes from the center; allow time for car return.
Museums & Castles
Naples, Campania
Farnese sculptures and the finest Pompeii finds outside the ruins themselves.
Naples, Campania
The Veiled Christ and the anatomical machines of Prince Raimondo di Sangro.
Naples, Campania
Watch the sun drop over the gulf from the oldest castle in the city.
Vesuvius Day
Pompeii, Campania
The Circumvesuviana gets you there in 35 minutes; a guide decodes the streets.
Mount Vesuvius, Campania
Buses climb to 1,000 meters, then a 30-minute path to the crater rim.
Naples, Campania
Naples historic center at dinner time, a wood-fired margherita pizza on a rustic table, warm trattoria lighting, glasses of wine, Neapolitan evening atmosphere, lively food photography
Amalfi Arrival
Sorrento, Campania
About an hour south, then a ferry west to Positano's beach.
Positano, Campania
Stairways wind through the pastel houses down to Spiaggia Grande.
Positano, Campania
Aperitivo on a terrace high above Positano's glowing beachfront.
Amalfi & Ravello
Amalfi, Campania
The coast's principal town; its cathedral steps face a tiny square of cafés.
Ravello, Campania
Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone hang over the sea from the clifftop.
Positano, Campania
The last ferry or SITA bus winds you home along the coast road.
Path of the Gods
Bomerano, Campania
Start at Bomerano and walk the clifftop trail toward Nocelle.
Nocelle, Campania
Village terraces and a well-earned lunch high above the sea.
Positano, Campania
Sea bass on the beachfront as the cliff lights flicker on.
To Matera
Salerno, Campania
Bus or ferry from the coast to Salerno's main station.
Matera, Basilicata
MarinoBus covers Salerno to Matera in about five hours.
Matera, Basilicata
Belvedere Piazzetta Pascoli frames the cave city at dusk.
The Sassi
Matera, Basilicata
A furnished cave house shows how families lived in the stone city.
Matera, Basilicata
Cross the ravine to the painted crypts of the Murgia plateau.
Matera, Basilicata
Orecchiette and local bread inside a room carved from rock.
Fly to Sicily
Palermo, Sicily
About one hour on a domestic flight; pick up a hire car at the airport.
Palermo, Sicily
The baroque crossroads and the fountain square mark the old city's center.
Palermo, Sicily
Evening stalls sell panelle, arancine and fresh seafood by candlelight.
Transport Between Stops
Rental Car
The Sicily loop needs a car; most drives run 1.5 to 2.5 hours
Ferry
Cross the Strait of Messina in 20 to 30 minutes; use Amalfi ferries
Flight
Naples to Palermo is about 1 hour on domestic airlines
Where to Stay
Book cave rooms in Matera and sea views on the coast.
$ Budget
$$ Mid-Range
$$$ Luxury
Typical cost per person
Accommodation
€90–€280 per night
Food
€45–€90 / day
Entry Fees
€200–€290
Transport
€380–€650
Total Estimated
€4,200–€8,500
What This Itinerary Skips
Depth over more miles
This trip deliberately leaves out central and northern Italy — Florence, Venice and the lakes belong on another journey. The focus stays on southern Italy and Sicily, where Matera's cave city and the island's Greek temples reward the slow, measured pace this plan builds in.
Customize This Itinerary
- Add 2 Days: San Vito Lo Capo beaches, west coast
- Swap Matera: Add Puglia's Alberobello instead
- Extend Sicily: Aeolian island stop at Stromboli
Seasonal Adjustments
- Summer: Sicily runs hot; start drives early, book ferries.
- Spring / Fall: Ideal for Etna hikes and Greek temples.