Sicily and/or Malta?

[Montecfo]

Hello all,

We did a southern Italy road trip last year and at one point we were planning to include Sicily and Malta. Then we began to realize we were trying to cover too much ground. So we deferred that part of the trip, which was a good decision.

Now we are heading to Sicily (after a short visit to Madrid) in April and initial plan was to include Malta for a few days. But the more I research I see there is a lot to do both places and Sicily is huge and there are also other islands.

So I thought I would ask this community of seasoned travelers who have been to both places:

1. Should we just visit Sicily and defer Malta for another trip?
2. Visit Malta plus eastern Sicily?
3. Some other itinerary?

We plan to rent a car for the Sicily part. We are returning from Catania. Arrival from Madrid not yet booked, could be Catania or Malta.

You guys have always provided great travel ideas and perspective. Thanks very much.

ETA: 16 days is the total time post Madrid. We wanted to allocate more but are boxed in by other scheduled activities.

 

[Gumby]

You didn't say how long you want to be on the road, but I can tell you about our Sicily trip and that may help with your planning. We flew in to Palermo, rented a car and drove south to Agrigento, then over to Syracuse, up to Taormina, around the corner at Messina and back to Palermo. That was a seven day trip, and if I were to do it again I would slow down and take longer, as there is so much to see. And we didn't even see any of the western half of the island.

 

[braumeister]

When my father visited Sicily quite some time ago, he went by ship to Licata, then overland to Palermo and then finally along the north coast to Messina. He took over a month to make that trek, being slowed down by having to dodge a lot of German bullets.

 

[flyingaway]

In early March, our trip to Israel was canceled, so we went to Malta for a week. Buying one-week bus ticket pass was the choice. March was too cold to get into water (we did see people in water), but April might be OK. Malta does not have good beaches, but their coastlines are equally good. Old towns and churches are also good.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

When my father visited Sicily quite some time ago, he went by ship to Licata, then overland to Palermo and then finally along the north coast to Messina. He took over a month to make that trek, being slowed down by having to dodge a lot of German bullets.

You got me! I didn't catch on until the end.

Recently I was in South Korea, and attended an English-language tour of one of the palaces. In response to something the docent said, a middle-aged Korean man spoke about his military service. I pulled him aside later and told him that my father did his military service in Korea, too, but in North Korea. He looked confused and said "NORTH Korea"?? I said "Well, it was a different time. This was in the early 1950's." Once he understood, he gratefully lauded my father's service.

 

[Montecfo]

You didn't say how long you want to be on the road, but I can tell you about our Sicily trip and that may help with your planning. We flew in to Palermo, rented a car and drove south to Agrigento, then over to Syracuse, up to Taormina, around the corner at Messina and back to Palermo. That was a seven day trip, and if I were to do it again I would slow down and take longer, as there is so much to see. And we didn't even see any of the western half of the island.

Yes this is the challenge. Added trio length to post.

 

[Montecfo]

In early March, our trip to Israel was canceled, so we went to Malta for a week. Buying one-week bus ticket pass was the choice. March was too cold to get into water (we did see people in water), but April might be OK. Malta does not have good beaches, but their coastlines are equally good. Old towns and churches are also good.

Yes. We do not plan to do much beach activity as we find the Mediterranean beaches, while attractive in their own way, to be less desirable than our favored beach places.

But if hit that could change things and I know some of the northern beaches are more appealing.

 

[PlayinwithFIRE]

I went to a conference in Erice many years ago. Lovely. Wished I had more free time to explore
the rest of the island.

pwf

 

[CO-guy]

I don't have any suggestions, but I like your options!

 

[Montecfo]

I went to a conference in Erice many years ago. Lovely. Wished I had more free time to explore
the rest of the island.

pwf

Erice is on the list! Unless we stick to eastern Sicily.

 

[justlikebike]

Did a trip through Sicily and Malta a couple of years ago. We followed Rick Steves "12 Days around Sicily" itinerary. Absolutely loved Sicily. The big cities (Palermo, and Catania) are brutal to drive in and we were warned not to drive a Fiat as the tail lights are easy to steal. Malta you drive on the left so I didn't. Easy to get around by bus and some interesting cities and small islands. Crazy amount of restaurants. I would personally prefer Sardinia over Malta but it depends on what you like.

 

[Montecfo]

Just watched some Steves itineraries. His videos have some great historical content and depth compared to others.

Will probably go to Sardinia at some point. Best beaches in Italy?

Back to Sicily: it seems like Syracuse is a place to spend some time.

 

[audreyh1]

Definitely Siracusa is worth some time.

Sardinia is pretty far from Sicily.

 

[deserat]

I preferred Malta over Sicily, but that's just my preference. I've been to both places twice. Malta is smaller-there is a nice hop on-hop off bus that takes you all around the island. There are two islands in Malta. I swam there and it was nice...Sicily is quite large-lotsvof different areas with their own histories-lots of hiking areas-I hiked an active volcano there-Vulcan and lower Etna. If you watch the Italian Montalbano series, it is filmed in Sicily near Ragusa, so that will give you a flavor of that area.

 

[Montecfo]

Definitely Siracusa is worth some time.

Sardinia is pretty far from Sicily.

Yes. My comment referred to future trip or trips.

 

[justlikebike]

There are lots of nice beaches in Sicily. Our favourite was somewhere around Santa Maria south of Siracusa.
I really liked Trapini on the west coast. Siracusa was quite expensive with added "service" fees at the restaurants, and our AirBnB was terrible, so we didn't enjoy it as much.
Taoromina is cool. Park at the bottom and take the finicular up. Parking at the top is a pain. Mt Etna was interesting. Cefalu was nice if a bit touristy. There are several nice sites to see the ruins. Calatafimi-Segesta was nice and not too touristy. Valley of the Temples was huge but touristy.

​

 

[Gumby]

.... Valley of the Temples was huge but touristy.

​

Going in February is the way to take care of that.

 

[Montecfo]

Here are some places we know we are going to go (all in the east):

Ortigia/Stracuse
Taormina
Catania (we fly out of there)
Noto
Mt. Etna

I think how we split time will depend on to what extent we plan to visit these other locations (mostly west):

Agrigento/Turkish steps
Cefalu
Palermo
Erice
Trapani/nearby islands

Any thoughts on these specific locations? For those who have been are any of these in your top 2 or 3 things you did on Sicily?

Thanks to all

 

[MdaPetralia]

Any thoughts on these specific locations? For those who have been are any of these in your top 2 or 3 things you did on Sicily?

If I had to pick 2 of those, I would say Palermo and Erice.

I'll also throw-in:
Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina
The Duomo in Monreale
Selinunte

 

[justlikebike]

I was disappointed in the Turkish Steps. They are blocked off due to erosion.
Really enjoyed erice and trapini. Villa Romana is worth a visit.

 

[audreyh1]

I was disappointed in the Turkish Steps. They are blocked off due to erosion.
Really enjoyed erice and trapini. Villa Romana is worth a visit.

I would love to see the mosaics in Villa Romana del Casare.

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

If you do travel to Malta, highly suggest making Tartarun restaurant a destination event:

Tartarun | Seafood Restaurant in Marsaxlokk

A local seafood restaurant in Marsaxlokk shaped by the sea and crafted with care. Honest flavours, calm hospitality, and an experience in every bite.

www.tartarun.com

I been years since we were there, but it sure was good and the service was excellent. Full disclosure: We let them know in advance that a chef friend of ours who led a group there was our referral source. That may have helped with the whole experience...or not.

 

[oiseux]

I've been to Sicily about five times, mostly for work in Catania and Taormina, but really want to go back to thoroughly go through the east (Siracusa/Ragusa/Lampadusa), probably stay for up to a month. We also did a scouting trip for a home/expat purchase. Here's a few comments:

* I find Palermo more interesting than Catania (and perhaps safer). See the old Anthony Bourdain tv show for some tips that are still valid.
* I've been to some excellent agritourismos on the slopes of Etna. (I don't recall the names, sadly)
* Trapani is an excellent stop, and you can go the Egadi islands -- the ferry to Favignana is a nice trip.
Take the funicular up to Erice
* Segesta and Selinute are worth stops, and although more traveled, Agrgento (Valley of the Temples) is a destination for a reason.
* There are really nice beaches on the South and west side, with large expanses of white sand. The Turkish Steps (Scala di Turci) can be reached below from the part to the west. There is a little restaurant where we ate with toes in the water and then walked around to the beach below the steps, with great views and photos.
* Driving through the countryside is a pleasure. In the big cities, park it and walk/taxi through it.
* Winery visit on Etna and jeep treks were worth it.
* Bring loose fitting clothing, as you will expand to fit after 16 days.

 

[Gumby]

Agrigento was better than the Acropolis in Athens, in my opinion.

 

[Montecfo]

I've been to Sicily about five times, mostly for work in Catania and Taormina, but really want to go back to thoroughly go through the east (Siracusa/Ragusa/Lampadusa), probably stay for up to a month. We also did a scouting trip for a home/expat purchase. Here's a few comments:

* I find Palermo more interesting than Catania (and perhaps safer). See the old Anthony Bourdain tv show for some tips that are still valid.
* I've been to some excellent agritourismos on the slopes of Etna. (I don't recall the names, sadly)
* Trapani is an excellent stop, and you can go the Egadi islands -- the ferry to Favignana is a nice trip.
Take the funicular up to Erice
* Segesta and Selinute are worth stops, and although more traveled, Agrgento (Valley of the Temples) is a destination for a reason.
* There are really nice beaches on the South and west side, with large expanses of white sand. The Turkish Steps (Scala di Turci) can be reached below from the part to the west. There is a little restaurant where we ate with toes in the water and then walked around to the beach below the steps, with great views and photos.
* Driving through the countryside is a pleasure. In the big cities, park it and walk/taxi through it.
* Winery visit on Etna and jeep treks were worth it.
* Bring loose fitting clothing, as you will expand to fit after 16 days.

Excellent input and ideas. We definitely need to allocate more time but we will get our feet wet this trip.