Walking around and getting lost in the narrow streets of cities is one of the best ways to get to know their true essence. In Sicily, you can explore many cities through actual urban treks that allow you to see them with new eyes, admiring panoramic views, encountering the locals, and discovering the cuisine of the place!
Here's our selection of routes in some of the most beautiful Sicilian cities.
These are very simple routes, which means you don’t need to be very fit, and you can easily adapt them to your schedule. Even families with children accustomed to walking can do them without any problems. Each route, in fact, can be done uphill or downhill - the choice is yours!
From Upper Ragusa to Ragusa Ibla: through the Stairs or along the Santa Domenica Valley
In Ragusa, you can take an easy downhill route to explore the two UNESCO historic centers. A pleasant walk with stunning views will take you all the way from Piazza San Giovanni in Upper Ragusa to the Iblei Gardens, passing by several amazing Baroque churches and palaces. Once you reach Ragusa Ibla, try wandering through alleys and staircases: the challenge is to get to the uppermost part of the district and then descend to Piazza Duomo. You can also choose to walk through the Santa Domenica Valley, the green lung of the city, for the first part of the route.
Prehistoric tombs at Santa Domenica Valley
Panoramic view in Ragusa
Modica: From the San Benedetto Belvedere to Pizzo
Modica also offers a beautiful urban trekking route, starting from the San Benedetto Belvedere. You can descend to the main street, and if you're not tired yet, climb up to Modica Alta passing by the church of San Giorgio and the Castle to reach the Pizzo Belvedere.
Panoramic view of Saint George in Modica
Modica old quarters
Taormina: The Saraceni Trail to Castelmola
If you want to spend a day around Taormina, why not walk to Castelmola following the Saraceni Trail? It's an ancient mule track with breathtaking views of the bay below.
Panoramic view of Taormina
Path of Saracens
Path of Saracens
Agrigento: From the Cathedral of San Gerlando to the Kolymbetra
In Agrigento, you can start from the Cathedral of San Gerlando and descend to the Valley of the Temples along a route winding through the alleys of the Girgenti hill to the Kolymbetra garden to understand the true history of the "most beautiful city of mortals," as Pindar defined it.
Temple of Concordia
Cathedral of Agrigento
Palermo: Monte Pellegrino and the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia
And if you're in the Palermo area, why not climb up to the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia? Start from Largo Antonio Sellerio for your "acchianata" (Sicilian for a climb) of Monte Pellegrino and reach the "santuzza" on a path that rises to over 400 m above sea level.
"Acchianata"in Monte Pellegrino
Monte Pellegrino panoramic view
Useful tips and... sweets!
Like for any trekking, don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, avoid the hottest hours, and bring water and snacks, especially on Taormina and Palermo routes. The other itineraries take place in cities, so it's not necessary to carry a lot because you can always stop at a bar for a refreshing drink or ice cream to regain energy!
Breaks are necessary, and gastronomic specialties are part of the discovery of our cities: in Ragusa, you could start with a little pastry at Caffè Italia in Piazza San Giovanni or wait until the end of the route and go to Pasticceria Iudice to taste its sweet specialties. In Modica, once you reach the main street, you'll be spoiled for choice! You can taste the famous Modica chocolate in one of the many bars and shops offering typical products, and if you want to enjoy one of the best granitas in the area (and beyond), make sure to stop at Adamo’s.
The Agrigento trek is longer, so we recommend stopping for a quick lunch on the way before reaching the Valley of the Temples. For Taormina and Palermo, you must reach the end of the route to enjoy a well-deserved sweet or savory reward. In Castelmola, you can visit the eccentric Bar Turrisi.
If you want to explore these paths with a tour guide, contact us and request more information. We'll be happy to accompany you in discovering unusual and less crowded routes, sharing stories and anecdotes that you won't find in a printed guidebook or on line!