SICILY · HISTORICAL TOURS
Good historical tours fill up weeks ahead; the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Palermo street food and history walk with five tastings, Capo Market, and a Cathedral visit. 3 hours with a local foodie guide.
“Tour was absolutely wonderfully and despite the rain, our guide made sure we all had a wonderful experience!”
Palermo’s UNESCO core in a half-day walk with a local guide, cathedral entry, Martorana mosaics, Piazza Pretoria sights, and a sweet treat.
“Very patient and professional guide. Attentive with all the steps. Had a laser pointer which is a great idea, as we have seen a lot of fantastic and complicated ceilings. I recommend this tour to everyone.”
A 3-hour Palermo walking tour mixing UNESCO Palermo Cathedral, Teatro Massimo legends, Quattro Canti, Fontana Pretoria, and Capo market street food.
“Grazie a Fabrizio abbiamo trascorso una bella mattinata in giro per Palermo, scoprendo storia e curiosità di una città che merita di essere conosciuta. Un’esperienza che consiglierei e che ci ha dato tanti spunti anche su cosa fare nei prossimi giorni di vacanza qui.”
3-hour small-group Palermo walk with old town sights and Ballarò street food tastings, including arancini, local pizza, juice, cannoli.
“We loved Domenico’s valuable knowledge of Palermo and wonderful sense of humour. The markets and trying all the different Sicilian local food was a huge highlight. Thank you!”
3-hour Palermo walk with an Italian guide, Capo market street food, Norman-Arab cathedral, baroque squares, and Fontana Pretoria.
“Grazie a Maurizio che con la sua passione e amore per Palermo ha reso il nostro tour ricco di informazioni e aneddoti. Tour vivamente consigliato.”
Cefalù history and legends walking tour with Ambra. Panoramas, myths, and Sicilian snacks like granita or sfincione in 1.5 hours.
“Really informative, interesting story telling, all questions answered. Refreshing granita at cathedral square. Thanks Ambra!”
3-hour Palermo walk with a private guide, covering UNESCO Palermo Cathedral, Teatro Massimo, Quattro Canti, Fontana Pretoria, Capo Market, and street food.
“The tour guide was very energetic and helpful. Would been better to have audio microphone guide. otherwise very nice.”
Ride Palermo’s historic center by bike, hit major landmarks and markets, then stop for a street-food sample with a live English guide.
“Elena our guide was so warm and engaging. It was a fun, easy and highly enjoyable ride passing all the key points of interest in Palermo. As a local who speaks excellent English, Elena provided new insights on Palermo’s history, beyond the usual guidebooks. What’s more, we ate some local street food which was delicious. Highly recommend this tour and Elena as guide.”
Open-air CruiserCar in Palermo: Mercato del Capo, Capuchin Catacombs, Monreale Cathedral and key squares. English guide, snacks.
“Excelente tour privado, el guía excelente , el chofer fotógrafo genial, todo perfecto, un tour exclusivo”
Palermo historical center walking tour with rooftop views, Palermo Cathedral, convent sweet tasting, and Piazza Pretoria. Private up to 2.
Tour the Florio legacy at Baglio Florio Adamo in Alcamo DOC, tour historic production rooms, then taste Sicilian wines with family hospitality.
“Visita al baglio molto interessante.la proprietaria molto disponibile e preparata. Ritorneremo sicuramente.”
Tour Oleificio Gulino in Ragusa area: historic mill, DOP Erbesso tasting, flavored oils, bread, and oil soap demo. 1 hour.
“The owner was so enthusiastic to share the process of olive oil making and explained in a way that was enjoyable. The best part of course was the tasting of these fine olive oils and I was able to purchase bottles so I was able to travel home with them”
Catania seafront villa class: fresh pasta, Cavateddi alla Norma, Sicilian appetizers, villa dinner, cannolo. Small group.
“Great host, beautiful villa, and delicious recipe! This was our favorite activity in catania. We definitely recommend it to anyone visiting the area,”
Walk Catania’s historic center with an expert guide, from Piazza Duomo and the fish market to Castello Ursino and public squares, for $35.
Small group e-bike tour of Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples and old town, with private Vulcano and Aesculapio visits, plus lunch.
“Tour bellissimo, abbiamo scoperto Agrigento come non c'è l'aspettavamo neanche noi, abbiamo mangiato i dolci del convento in una location a dir poco particolare, paesaggi, stradine chiese e.... il duomo veramente suggestivo, il tutto accompagnato da racconti e anedotti di Angelo e Nadia; ragazzi che trasudano e trasmettono l'amore per questa terra. Poi le mura della valle dei templi, le stradine interrate, i sentieri, i resti di due piccoli templi il tutto sempre accompagnato da riferimenti storici dei nostri accompagnatori. Che dire poi delle biciclette: fantastiche, è stato semplice anche per me che non avevo esperianza con biciclette elettriche con i cambi. Escursione che consiglio vivame...”
Every kind of day out on the island, and the best of each.
