Sicily & Malta | 11 Day Small Group Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
10 breakfasts, 1 dinner, 1 lunch, street-food experiences and Sicilian wine tastings
Why we've chosen this tour
This itinerary gives travellers an efficient and appealing way to combine Sicily and Malta without treating either island as an afterthought. The Sicily portion has strong escorted structure, while Malta adds guided sightseeing and free time around Valletta, Mdina and the coast.
Is this tour for you?
Best suited to travellers who want culture, archaeology, island scenery, food and wine in a small-group format. The pace includes several guided walking days and a mid-tour flight, balanced by free time in Palermo, Catania, Taormina and Malta.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
Sicily and Malta make a natural pairing for travellers drawn to layered history, island culture and the warm rhythm of the Mediterranean. This 11-day journey begins in Palermo, where Arab-Norman landmarks, lively markets and street-food traditions set the tone, before travelling across western Sicily to Erice, Marsala and the reflective salt pans of the Stagnone Lagoon.
The route then turns east through Roman mosaics, Catania, Syracuse, Ortygia, Mount Etna and Taormina. Sicily is fully escorted, with local guides where needed, and the included Catania to Valletta flight keeps the transition to Malta simple. Once in Malta, the style becomes a little more independent, with shared guided sightseeing and free time around Valletta, Marsaxlokk, Mdina, Rabat, Dingli and Mosta.
Food and wine give the itinerary much of its character: arancina in Palermo, Marsala wine country, Syracuse street food with wine, and volcanic Etna wines all add context to the places visited. It is a strong choice for travellers who want a compact two-island journey with cultural depth, practical logistics and a small-group feel.
Inclusions
- Ten nights’ accommodation in selected 4-star and 5-star hotels
- Ten breakfasts
- Welcome dinner in Palermo
- Lunch in Mdina
- Street-food lunch experience in Syracuse with a glass of wine
- Arancina tasting in Palermo
- Marsala winery visit with wine tasting and light lunch
- Visit to the Marsala salt pans
- Mount Etna winery visit and tasting
- Entrance fees for listed included visits
- Deluxe motor coach transport in Sicily, or minivan with English-speaking driver for groups of eight or fewer
- English-speaking tour escort during the Sicily portion
- Local guides where required
- Whispers audio kit for groups of more than 10 travellers
- Hotel porterage
- Transfer from Catania hotel to Catania Airport on Day 7
- Return airport or harbour transfers in Malta on Days 7 and 11
- Economy flight from Catania to Valletta, including one checked bag up to 20 kg and one hand luggage item up to 10 kg per person
- Shared sightseeing in Malta with multilingual local guides, with English guaranteed
- Local assistance during the programme
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Palermo
Arrive independently in Palermo and settle into the hotel. In the evening, meet the tour leader and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner, a warm first introduction to Sicily’s hospitality and island character.
Overnight: Palermo
Day 2 - Palermo
Explore Palermo with a guided visit through a city shaped by Arab, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish influences. The morning includes the historic centre, Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini and Palermo Cathedral.
Continue into one of the city’s open-air markets and taste a traditional Sicilian arancina. The afternoon is free in Palermo, with the option to join an excursion to Cefalu for its Arab-Norman cathedral, medieval washhouse and seafront atmosphere.
Overnight: Palermo
Day 3 - Erice, Marsala And The Salt Pans
Travel west to Erice, a beautifully preserved medieval village set high above the coast. Continue to Marsala, known for its fortified wine, for a cellar visit and wine tasting with a light lunch of Sicilian flavours.
In the afternoon, visit the Stagnone Lagoon and its historic salt pans, where shallow waters, windmills and open skies create one of western Sicily’s most distinctive landscapes. Return to Palermo for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Palermo
Day 4 - Piazza Armerina And Catania
Leave Palermo and travel inland to Piazza Armerina to visit Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO-listed Roman villa celebrated for its remarkably preserved mosaics.
Later, continue to Catania on Sicily’s eastern coast. After arrival, enjoy free time to begin discovering the city’s baroque streets, lively piazzas and Etna-framed setting.
Overnight: Catania
Day 5 - Syracuse And Ortygia
Visit Syracuse, once one of the most powerful cities of the ancient Greek world. The day begins at the Neapolis Archaeological Park, home to the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Ear of Dionysius and Latomia del Paradiso.
Continue to Ortygia, Syracuse’s atmospheric island heart, where Greek, medieval and Baroque layers meet beside the sea. See landmarks such as the cathedral, Fountain of Arethusa and Temple of Apollo, and enjoy a curated street-food lunch with local Sicilian specialities.
Overnight: Catania
Day 6 - Mount Etna And Taormina
Travel towards Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, passing lava fields, vineyards and mountain landscapes on the way to around 1,800 metres. Visit the Silvestri Craters before continuing to an Etna winery for a tasting of volcanic wines with cheeses, cured meats and regional specialities.
In the afternoon, spend time in Taormina, with free time along Corso Umberto and at its sea-facing viewpoints. Travellers may choose to visit the Greco-Roman Theatre independently before returning to Catania.
Overnight: Catania
Day 7 - Catania To Malta
Transfer from the Catania hotel to the airport for the included flight to Valletta. On arrival in Malta, meet the local transfer and continue to the selected 4-star hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure, giving time to settle in and begin enjoying Malta’s harbour views, promenades and compact island atmosphere.
Overnight: Malta
Day 8 - Marsaxlokk And The Blue Grotto
Join an extended half-day excursion to Marsaxlokk, a fishing village known for its colourful luzzu boats and lively waterfront market. Continue to the Blue Grotto area and its sea caves, where an optional boat ride may operate depending on weather.
The excursion also includes one of Malta’s traditional villages before the rest of the day is free for independent exploring.
Overnight: Malta
Day 9 - Valletta
Discover Valletta, Malta’s UNESCO-listed capital, on a guided visit through its fortified streets and historic centre. See the Upper Barrakka Gardens, with views over the Grand Harbour, and visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, known for its art and richly decorated interior.
Walk along Republic Street past the Grandmaster’s Palace before The Malta Experience brings the island’s long history into focus. Depending on the departure, this excursion may operate in the afternoon.
Overnight: Malta
Day 10 - Mdina, Rabat, Dingli And Mosta
Spend a full day exploring Malta’s inland heritage, with lunch included. Begin in Mdina, the ancient fortified capital known as the Silent City, then continue to Rabat to visit early Christian catacombs.
The route continues to Dingli Cliffs for wide coastal views, San Anton Gardens near the Presidential Palace, Ta’ Qali Crafts Village and Mosta, whose church is known for one of Europe’s largest domes.
Overnight: Malta
Day 11 - Departure From Malta
After breakfast, transfer to Valletta Airport or the harbour for onward travel.
Tour Highlights
- Explore Palermo’s historic centre, Arab-Norman heritage, cathedral, markets and street-food traditions.
- Visit the medieval hilltop village of Erice, Marsala wine country and the Stagnone salt pans.
- Step into ancient Roman life at Villa Romana del Casale, renowned for its extraordinary mosaics.
- Discover Syracuse and Ortygia, from the Neapolis Archaeological Park to Baroque streets by the sea.
- Travel to Mount Etna for volcanic landscapes, Silvestri Craters and an Etna wine tasting.
- Enjoy time in Taormina, one of Sicily’s most graceful coastal towns.
- Fly from Catania to Valletta, keeping the Sicily to Malta connection smooth and efficient.
- Experience Malta’s fishing villages, Blue Grotto coastline, Valletta, Mdina, Rabat, Dingli Cliffs and Mosta.
- Combine guided sightseeing with free time to enjoy both islands at your own pace.
Accommodation
Accommodation is based on well-located 4-star hotels in Palermo and Malta, with 4-star or selected 5-star hotels in Catania. Hotels listed are those normally used for this itinerary, with similar properties provided if a change is required.
- Palermo: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa or similar
- Catania: Katane Palace Hotel, Hotel Principe Catania, Palazzo San Giorgio or similar
- Malta: Hotel Verdi Gzira Promenade or similar
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
A moderate level of fitness is recommended. This journey includes guided walking in historic centres, archaeological sites, markets, hill towns and coastal villages, with uneven surfaces, stairs and periods of standing during visits.
Exclusions
- International flights
- Transfers on arrival in Palermo
- Travel insurance
- City taxes, payable locally at hotels
- Beverages unless specifically mentioned as included
- Meals not listed as included
- Extra luggage charges at Catania Airport
- Optional Blue Grotto boat ride in Malta
- Optional Cefalu excursion
- Optional Greco-Roman Theatre visit in Taormina
- Personal expenses and anything not specified as included
Important Information
The Sicily portion is fully escorted. The Malta portion combines shared sightseeing with local guides and more independent time.
Itinerary order and visits may be adjusted due to public events, religious holidays, sporting events, weather, opening hours or operational requirements. If minimum numbers are not met, the departure may operate with a minivan, English-speaking driver and local guide services at the main sites.
Departures operating from April to June and in October may have the Valletta and Malta Experience excursion scheduled in the afternoon.
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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