7-Day Yacht Itinerary–Sicily, Italy

Start your grand yacht tour of Sicily with its precious Baroque gem. UNESCO-protected Catania is a great destination to get introduced to the island’s culture and gastronomy. Destroyed in two earthquakes, the central part of Catania was rebuilt in a Sicilian Baroque style in the 17th century. You will see the stunning marble-clad Duomo, numerous palazzos along the central Via Etna Street, and beautiful Villa Bellini gardens. Catania is perfect for tasting Sicilian food, such as cannoli (tube-shaped pastry with ricotta filling), pasta alla Norma (fried eggplant pasta), and spaghetti Carrettiera (pasta with garlic and chili pepper). Enter the wonderful courtyard of the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena and explore the Roman Amphitheater. 

But it’s what’s outside of the city that really stuns. Mooring in Catania’s port allows you to visit the marvelous Etna National Park. It’s a vast area around Mount Etna, or one of the world’s most active volcanoes. An excursion usually includes hiking the dormant craters, approaching the fuming summit, and tasting wine from the vines that grow on volcanic soil. If you’re feeling adventurous, get on a bike and take part in one of the cycling tours along the Etna treks. Don’t worry if you don’t have time to visit the national park—the volcano’s smoky summit is seen from Catania’s city center. 

Approaching Taormina from the sea is unforgettable. Perched high up on Mount Tauro, this historic town is surrounded by the azure waters of the Ionian Sea. Dock at the Taormina bay and begin your exploration. The most scenic way to enter the upper town is by taking the Mazzarò Cable Car. As it ascends, you can enjoy the views of the rugged Ionian coast. In Taormina, everywhere you look seems to be made for admiring. Visit the ancient theatre, built in the 3rd century BC, for a stunning vista of the sea and Mount Etna. Order a gelato at Don Diego next to the medieval Porta Messina. Wander through the greenery-filled streets of the Old Town. Being in this town is as cinematic as it gets. 

The film analogies aren’t random. Taormina was a primary filming location for HBO’s show “White Lotus.” In the gorgeous San Domenico Palace, a luxurious hotel in a former medieval convent, to be more precise. After exploring the historic upper part, descend to Taormina’s gorgeous beaches. Isola Bella, overlooking a small island, is among Italy’s finest. You can also sail to Grotta Azzurra, a sea cave with translucent blue waters. Pebbly Mazzarò (also a “White Lotus” filming location) is another beautiful beach to check out. There you’ll find exclusive beach clubs to relax after sightseeing.

Sicily is also a launching pad for smaller, more intimate islands. The Aeolians form a volcanic archipelago off Sicily’s north coast. Lipari is the largest of the bunch, offering a picturesque Marina Corta harbor, cozy streets of the main town, and several fantastic bays and coves to drop anchor at. The island is among Italy’s lesser-known yachting destinations. Time seems to stop at the historic fishing town of Lipari, where you can visit the imposing Castle ruins and explore the frescoed interior of the striking Co-Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew. The center is a perfect stop to sample the seafood delights at the quayside restaurants and settle for a cup of espresso at the cafeteria. 

Lipari is also the ultimate island for beaches. Most of the stretches can only be reached by boat, which makes cruising even more exclusive. Praia Vinci beach gorgeously overlooks the faraglioni (sea stacks) and the dramatic volcanic terrain of the nearby Volcano island. Spiaggia Valle Muria is a black sand stunner of a beach. Check out the White Beach for a seafood restaurant and a stunning cliffside location. You can easily spend more days sailing around the Aeolians; these islands are made for yachting. Vulcano is famous for its crater treks. Salina, to the south of Lipari, takes your breath away with the towering silhouette of its volcanic Monte dei Porri, surrounded by the vineyards. Check out the spellbinding coves of Spiaggia di Cala Junco and Spiaggia Cala Zimmari in Panarea.

Continue exploring Sicilian beauty by sailing to Cefalù, on the northern coast. This town is home to arguably the most stunning urban beach on the island. The panorama is incredible—the tall white rock towers over a labyrinth of streets. Duomo di Cefalù, a Norman-built crown jewel of Sicilian architecture, separates the limestone monolith from the town. To make things even more epic, the medieval castle ruins dot the summit of the rock. It’s a wow moment for sure. The town is an excellent sightseeing stop. Take time to explore its narrow streets, stop at the picturesque Piazza del Duomo, and enter the Cathedral to find the Chiostro Canonicale, a medieval arched cloister. A somewhat curious attraction is the 16th-century Lavatoio, or the laundry house. 

But all the roads in Cefalù lead to the sea promenade. Visit a smaller beach located parallel to the old houses. A wider stretch is situated along the long Lungomare boardwalk. Some of the most beautiful beaches around Cefalù are Spiaggia Torre Conca (a long pebbly stretch with beach bars) and the sheltered Spiaggia di Mazzaforno cove (a top snorkeling spot in the area). While in the Old Town of Cefalu, sit down for delicious pasta a taianu (with meat sauce) and be sure to grab one or more arancini (fried rice balls).

Next up is Palermo, Sicily’s capital and one of Italy’s most astonishing cities. Moor at La Cala Marina and step into the maze of streets of the UNESCO-protected Centro Storico. There will be lots of beauty to explore. The gargantuan Palermo Cathedral is an example of the Arab-Norman architectural style. Visit the vast Palazzo dei Normanni to see the exceptional Byzantine mosaics inside the medieval Palatine Chapel. Catch a performance at Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, Italy’s largest opera house. Quattro Canti, a gorgeous Baroque square, and the 16th-century Fontana Pretoria, originally built in Florence and transferred to Palermo, are the two most photogenic locations in the city. 

Palermo is also the best place to taste Sicily. You can lose yourself among the food stalls of the buzzy Mercato Ballarò. Try the city’s favorite street food there, such as arancini con ragu, sfincione (focaccia-style pizza), and panelle (chickpea flour fritters). Apart from the sightseeing and food, Palermo is also about the beach. Mondello is a mile-long stretch with white sand to the north of the city. The Capo Gallo rock dramatically rises over the turquoise sea there. The beach is dotted by private bathing establishments called lidos, where you can rent a lounger and an umbrella. Classic Sicilian promenade with seafood restaurants and casual bars flanks Mondello.  

On the 6th day, it’s time for the wild Sicily. Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro is the island’s answer to the rugged Amalfi Coast, a 5-mile protected area of rocky cliffs becoming one with the crystal-clear sea. Yachting along the reserve is a spectacular experience, guaranteeing you the best views. Zingaro is also where you find the striking calas, or small coves. Cala Capreria, a tiny pebbly stretch between the cliffs, is for snorkeling. Another underwater world hotspot is Cala della Disa. The most epic cove is Cala dell’Uzzo, offering a sapphire-sea idyll and breathtaking views of the coast. A few minutes to the north is another divine spot, the gorgeous Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo. Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro is a remote beach lover’s paradise.

Sail to San Vito Lo Capo for Sicily’s best family beach. You will find the picture of this resort town on most brochures advertising the island. Nestled under the towering glory of Monte Monaco, the local beach is wide, turquoise, and stunning. The stretch has Caribbean looks with dramatic Sicilian flair. Shallow access and white sand make it a great place for kids to enjoy. If you’re cruising in September, don’t miss the Cous Cous Fest, a unique celebration of the North African dish, which is extremely popular on Sicily’s West Coast. 

Sail past the astonishing Riserva Naturale Orientata Monte Cofano to Trapani, a primary port on the island’s West Coast. This underrated Sicilian destination offers a picturesque, walled Old Town with a pretty medieval bastion. The atmosphere here is relaxing, worlds away from the chaotic centers of Catania and Palermo. It’s a perfect place to taste a Sicilian-style pizza, enjoy grilled seafood in an osteria, and indulge yourself in local desserts at a pasticceria. Be sure to sample local specialties, such as cùscusu alla trapanese (couscous in a fish broth) and genovese cake. Trapani is an intermediate stop before the real star of this side of Sicily, the magnificent Aegadian Islands. 

Closer to Sicily than the Aeolians, this is the group of five islands. If you were to visit one, make it Levanzo. With a modest size of only 2.25 square miles, it offers the best of the unspoiled Mediterranean. You will moor at the beautiful fishing village with cascading, whitewashed houses. It’s possible to enjoy the impossibly blue waters right there, at Cala Dogana. For more stunning cove swims, sail to Spiaggia di Cala Fredda and Cala Faraglione. Levanzo’s north coast is home to Spiaggia di Cala Minnola, a tranquil rocky cove. If you have time, visit Favignana, the largest of the Aegadians. There, you will find a more vibrant town and a wider variety of beaches. Some of the most spectacular are Cala Rotonda (perfect for snorkeling) and Grotta Perciata, an area of natural pools among rocks.