Carousel Western Sicily & The Aegadi Islands | 6 Day Small Group Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
5 breakfasts, welcome dinner, Marsala wine tasting light lunch and Aegadi mini-cruise light lunch
Why we've chosen this tour
We like this itinerary because it keeps the focus tightly on western Sicily, where the combination of Palermo, Erice, Marsala and the Aegadi Islands feels coherent rather than rushed. It is especially appealing for travellers browsing Sicily tour options who want culture, wine country, island scenery and a little independent time in a short format.
Is this tour for you?
This tour suits travellers who prefer a shorter small group journey with guided sightseeing at the start and more flexible coastal time at the end. It is best for guests comfortable with walking in historic towns and boarding a boat excursion, and who understand that the Aegadi Islands day is weather dependent.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
Western Sicily has a distinct rhythm: Palermo’s layered capital-city energy, Erice’s hilltop lanes, Marsala’s wine heritage, salt-pan landscapes and island waters just offshore. This six-day journey focuses on that western story rather than trying to cover the whole island.
The first half is escorted and experience-rich, with Palermo’s historic centre and market culture followed by Erice, Marsala and the Stagnone Lagoon. From there, the pace relaxes around Marsala, with a full-day mini cruise to Favignana and Levanzo and a leisure day that can be kept slow or personalised with optional food, wine or archaeological experiences.
It is a useful choice for travellers who want Sicily’s culture and coast in one short journey. The Aegadi Islands add a different texture to the tour, with harbour towns, clear water, swimming opportunities when conditions allow and coastal scenery that feels wonderfully separate from the mainland.
Inclusions
- Two nights accommodation in a selected 4-star Palermo hotel
- Three nights accommodation in a Sicilian baglio or centrally located 4-star hotel in the Marsala area
- Five breakfasts and one welcome dinner
- Palermo arancina tasting
- Marsala cellar visit with wine tasting and light lunch
- Visit to the Marsala salt pans
- Transport by deluxe coach on touring days, or minivan with English-speaking driver for smaller groups
- English-speaking tour escort for the first three days where group size applies
- Full-day mini cruise to Favignana and Levanzo in the Aegadi Islands, including light lunch
- Round-trip hotel/port transfers for the Aegadi mini cruise
- Local guide in Palermo
- Whispers headset kit for groups of more than 10 passengers on guided touring days
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Palermo
Arrive independently in Palermo and settle into the hotel. In the evening, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Palermo
Day 2 - Palermo
Explore Palermo with a guided visit through the historic centre, including landmarks such as Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini and Palermo Cathedral. Continue to one of Palermo’s open-air markets, where the atmosphere and arancina tasting introduce the city’s everyday food culture.
The afternoon is free in Palermo, or an optional Cefalu excursion may be available for travellers who would like to visit the coastal town, cathedral and seafront.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Palermo
Day 3 - Erice, Marsala And The Salt Pans
Travel to Erice, a medieval hilltop town overlooking western Sicily’s coast. Its cobbled lanes, stone buildings and panoramic views make it one of the region’s most atmospheric places to wander.
Continue to Marsala for a guided cellar visit, wine tasting and light lunch, then visit the Stagnone Lagoon salt pans before settling into the Marsala area for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast and light lunch
Overnight: Marsala area
Day 4 - Aegadi Islands: Favignana And Levanzo
After breakfast, transfer to the port and join a full-day mini cruise through the Aegadi Islands Marine Reserve. Visit Favignana, known for its harbour, turquoise water and tuna-fishing heritage, with free time to explore the town or relax by the waterfront.
Continue to Levanzo, a small island village with whitewashed houses and clear water. Weather permitting, there may be time to swim and enjoy the coastal scenery before returning to Marsala in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast and light lunch
Overnight: Marsala area
Day 5 - Marsala At Leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure in the Marsala area. Keep the day relaxed at the hotel or resort, or choose from optional experiences such as a cooking class, pastry class, an excursion to Selinunte or a farmhouse lunch with olive oil tasting, subject to availability.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Marsala area
Day 6 - Marsala
After breakfast, check out and make individual onward arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Highlights
- Small group western Sicily touring with a maximum of 20 guests
- Palermo’s Arab-Norman heritage, historic markets and arancina tasting
- Medieval Erice and Marsala wine country
- The Stagnone Lagoon salt pans
- Full-day Aegadi Islands mini cruise to Favignana and Levanzo
- Time at leisure in the Marsala area for optional experiences
- A guided start followed by a more flexible coastal extension
- Exclusively English-language touring
Accommodation
This tour combines a Palermo city base with a Marsala-area stay, giving the first half convenient access to guided sightseeing and the second half a more relaxed western Sicily setting.
Indicative hotels include Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa or Hotel Politeama in Palermo, and Baglio Donnafranca Wine Resort, Baglio Oneto or Hotel Dome in the Marsala area, or similar.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This tour includes guided walking in Palermo, Erice, Marsala and port areas, with uneven stone, cobbled streets, steps and boarding for the Aegadi Islands mini cruise. A moderate level of mobility is recommended, and the boat excursion is weather dependent.
Important Notes
- Triple-room pricing is on request.
- The optional Cefalu excursion is available at additional cost and requires minimum participation.
- Optional day-five activities are at additional cost and subject to availability.
- The itinerary may be adjusted for public events, religious holidays, sporting events, adverse weather or operational reasons, with similar visits arranged where possible.
- If the group has eight or fewer participants, touring may operate by minivan with an English-speaking driver and local guide services at main sites.
- The Aegadi Islands boat excursion is weather dependent. If adverse conditions affect the cruise, the day may be modified or alternative arrangements offered where possible.
Exclusions
- Transfers in and out unless otherwise arranged
- City tax, payable directly at the hotel
- Beverages unless specifically included
- Optional excursions, room upgrades and personal expenses
- Anything not clearly listed under inclusions
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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