Discover the east coast of Sicily
In this guest blog, Roell de Ram shares her 7-day road trip along the east coast of Sicily in Italy. After arriving at Catania Airport, located in the eastern part of Sicily, we quickly find the Alamo.nl rental desk and are on the road in no time. First on the itinerary? A short drive to our holiday home just past Siracusa. Curious about what we did during our week in Sicily? Read all about it below!
1. Siracusa
Since we are staying close to Siracusa, we visit this town regularly. Early in the morning, we head to the market to buy fresh products, something Siracusa is well known for. You can find this market in the Ortigia district on Via Emanuele. Our favourite stall is definitely Caseificio Borderi, where they sell the most delicious sandwiches.
After visiting the market, we usually take a walk through the winding streets of Ortigia, with the impressive Duomo as the highlight. Siracusa is also highly recommended in the evening. The narrow streets fill with terraces, and if you’re not in the mood for pizza or pasta, you can find the best gelato on various street corners. Siracusa is cosy, lively and above all incredibly beautiful.
2. Marzamemi
South of Siracusa, we discovered the village of Marzamemi, a charming place that was originally a fishing village. Be sure not to miss Piazza Regina Margherita during your visit. Here you’ll find photogenic terraces, and you can easily walk to the sea. If you’re lucky, you might even witness a wedding near the church.
3. Cavagrande del Cassibile
Looking for more nature instead of culture? Then Cavagrande is a must-see. From Marzamemi, you can easily drive there. You can take a beautiful hike that eventually leads to a river where you can swim. It’s especially recommended in good weather, as the path may be closed when it rains.
4. Noto
Near Marzamemi and Cavagrande, you’ll find the city of Noto. It seems to be built against the hills, with steep streets in some places. Despite this, the city is home to impressive architecture, especially the cathedral, which is truly stunning.
5. Etna
After spending a day in Siracusa and visiting Marzamemi, Noto and Cavagrande, it’s time for the highlight of Sicily: climbing Mount Etna. Choose a clear day with few clouds so you can enjoy the best views.
We parked our Alamo.nl rental car at the southern parking area of Etna. From there, we took a cable car and then climbed the final stretch. If you’re less mobile or prefer not to walk too much, you can also take large trucks further up the volcano.
Once on Etna, it feels like you’re walking on a deserted lunar landscape. Everything appears grey and black, with occasional patches of red lava rock. In some places, the ground still feels warm and you can even see steam rising. A unique sight that you shouldn’t miss during your trip to Sicily. For us, this was truly the ultimate highlight.
6. Catania
During your visit to the east coast of Sicily, it’s impossible to skip Catania. Like many other towns, it offers remarkable architecture, plenty of restaurants and lots of great shops. One of the highlights we saw was the elephant statue, Fontana dell’Elefante.
In the mood for the beach? Take the coastal road SS114 and turn off towards the sea. Along this road, you’ll find a long sandy beach with many beach clubs during the high season.
7. Taormina
For the ultimate beach day, drive to Taormina in your rental car. Especially the area around Isola Bella is incredibly beautiful and a great place to swim. Isola Bella is a small peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand. As you walk towards the island, you cross a stretch of beach only about two metres wide, with the blue Sicilian sea on both sides.
It’s the perfect place to relax, swim and snorkel. There are also several restaurants along the beach, but it’s definitely worth visiting the historic centre as well, with its charming, photogenic streets.
Would you also like to explore the east coast of Sicily? Check out the rental car options in Sicily here.
