Itineraries for Your Trip to Sicily
3 Days in Sicily for Foodies
Sicily offers one of the most varied and fascinating regional cuisines in Italy for curious foodies to explore. This island has been influenced by thousands of years of invaders from the ancient Greeks to the Spanish Bourbons, and each new wave has left its mark on Sicilian food.
I experienced my first Italian fusion cuisine in Sicily, with specialties like couscous and gattò that are both multiethnic and deeply Sicilian. Each area of this sprawling island has its own gastronomic nuances, and each city reveals surprises from its humble market stalls, traditional trattorias, and Michelin-starred dining rooms. It would take a lifetime to sample all the delights Sicily has to offer, but here’s how to get an overview of its culinary highlights in three days.
Sicily sees some of the highest temps in Italy each summer, so do as the locals do and dine late in the evening when the heat abates.
If you only have time for one thing, visit one of Palermo’s raucous markets for a moveable feast of street food specialties.
The fertile slopes of head up to Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, are blanketed with vineyards, fruit and nut orchards, and family farms that produce some of Sicily’s most prestigious gourmet specialties. Kick off your time on the island by exploring some of these artisan producers.
In the afternoon, head to the nearby town of Taormina, one of the most attractive in Sicily. Take in the views and visit the town’s spectacular 2nd-century Greek theater before connecting with a local host for an evening of food and culture.
The coastline just south of Syracuse was once a tuna fishing hub. Today, it is a protected nature reserve and one of the most scenic spots along the eastern shores. Join a guide this afternoon for an excursion through the Vendicari Nature Reserve to learn about its importance in Sicily's cuisine and economy.
Cut across inland Sicily by car or train and head to Palermo, arguably Sicily’s culinary capital. Explore the food markets where lively vendors and locals haggle over everything from fresh produce to piping hot fried arancini (rice balls). Pair your market visit with a city walk for an overview of Palermo’s architectural treasures.
Now that you’ve enjoyed an overview of Sicilian cuisine, learn how to prepare some of the most traditional dishes yourself with a home cooking class. Join a Palermitana host in their kitchen and get to work creating island delicacies from scratch, then celebrate your new skills over dinner.
