Sicilian Secrets: Self-Launched Sicily & Malta Adventure
11 days · Sicily & Malta
Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl charges £2,020
No-markup version: ~£880 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An independent, self-launched take on Dimensione Sicilia's 11-day Sicily & Malta group tour. Travel from Catania around Sicily's UNESCO highlights — Syracuse, Ragusa, Modica, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Etna and Taormina — then ferry across to Malta for Cottonera, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, Valletta and Mdina. Same destinations and experiences, but using local buses, trains, ferries and self-bookable guides at a fraction of the guided operator price. Costs are approximate per person and based on budget/backpacker rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Catania
Catania, Sicily
Fly into Catania-Fontanarossa and take the Alibus shuttle (€4, ~25 mins) into the city centre; check into a budget guesthouse or hostel near Via Etnea. Spend the late afternoon exploring Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral and the Liotru (elephant) fountain, then wander Via dei Crociferi and the Monastery of San Benedetto. In the evening, join the locals strolling Via Etnea and grab a cheap arancino or pasta alla Norma near the piazza.
🚌Alibus airport shuttle €4; city on foot
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Catania centre (~£18-25)
- →Piazza del Duomo & Cathedral
- →Liotru fountain
- →Via dei Crociferi walk
- →Evening passeggiata on Via Etnea
Syracuse, Ortigia & Noto
Syracuse & Noto
Take an early Interbus/AST bus or the Sicilian rail line from Catania to Syracuse (~1.5 hrs, ~£7). Explore the Archaeological Park of Neapolis (Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Ear of Dionysius) — entry ~€13 — then cross the bridge to Ortigia island for the Cathedral, Piazza Duomo and Arethusa's Fountain. In the afternoon, hop a bus or train to Noto (~30 mins) for its Baroque centre on foot. Overnight in Syracuse/Ortigia.
🚌Interbus/AST Catania–Syracuse ~£7; local bus Syracuse–Noto ~£3
🛏Budget B&B/hostel in Syracuse/Ortigia (~£20-28)
- →Archaeological Park of Neapolis
- →Ortigia walking tour
- →Arethusa's Fountain
- →Noto Baroque town
Ragusa Ibla & Modica Chocolate
Ragusa & Modica
Head southwest to Ragusa by bus (~1.5 hrs). Walk down into Ragusa Ibla's historic centre, see the Cathedral of San Giorgio and the Giardino Ibleo gardens. Continue to Modica (short bus ride) to visit Sabadì or Antica Dolceria Bonajuto for a chocolate tasting (~£5-8), sampling flavours like nepitella and Sicilian lemon. If time allows, push on toward Piazza Armerina to see the Villa Romana del Casale's mosaics (entry €12).
🚌AST bus Syracuse–Ragusa ~£8; local bus Ragusa–Modica ~£2
🛏Budget guesthouse in Ragusa or Modica (~£20-28)
- →Ragusa Ibla historic centre & Cathedral
- →Giardino Ibleo
- →Modica chocolate tasting
- →Optional Villa Romana del Casale mosaics
Agrigento & on to Palermo
Agrigento & Palermo
Travel to Agrigento and spend the morning at the Valley of the Temples (entry €12) — the Temple of Concordia, Hera and Heracles with a self-guided audio app. Then journey north to Palermo by bus (~2 hrs). Optionally break the trip near Marsala to wander the salt flats ('Salt Road') between Trapani and Marsala, and self-book a Florio Cellars wine tasting if you have time. Overnight in Palermo.
🚌Bus Agrigento–Palermo ~£10; optional local buses to Marsala/Trapani
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Palermo centre (~£18-25)
- →Valley of the Temples
- →Marsala salt road (optional)
- →Florio Cellars wine tasting (optional, self-booked)
Palermo & Monreale
Palermo & Monreale
Morning walking tour of Palermo: Cathedral, Martorana Church, Cappella Palatina (combined ticket ~€19), Teatro Massimo and Piazza Pretoria. Take local bus AMAT 389 or the Monreale bus up to Monreale to see its Arab-Norman Cathedral and Cloister (entry ~€6). Spend the evening at Palermo's street-food markets — Ballarò and Vucciria — for panelle, sfincione and a cheap local dinner.
🚌AMAT city buses ~£1.40/trip; Palermo–Monreale bus ~£2
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Palermo (~£18-25)
- →Palermo Cathedral & Cappella Palatina
- →Teatro Massimo & Pretoria Square
- →Monreale Cathedral & Cloister
- →Ballarò street food market
Cefalu & back to Catania
Cefalu & Catania
Take a train or bus along the coast to Cefalu (~1 hr). Visit the Norman Cathedral and walk the old town to the beach. Catch a train onward to Catania (~2 hrs, ~£9). Back in Catania, revisit the Duomo area and reward yourself with a Sicilian granita and brioche at a historic pasticceria (a few euros).
🚌Regional train Cefalu–Catania ~£9; local train/bus Palermo–Cefalu ~£4
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Catania (~£18-25)
- →Cefalu Norman Cathedral
- →Cefalu old town & beach
- →Granita & brioche tasting
Mount Etna & Taormina
Etna & Taormina
Self-book a half-day Etna excursion or take the public AST bus up to Rifugio Sapienza (cable car + 4x4 to ~2,900m, ~£55-65 total). Walk the Crateri Silvestri volcanic cones and sample local honey. In the afternoon, continue to Taormina by bus to see the Greek Theatre (entry €10) and stroll the medieval Corso Umberto. Note that Taormina sits on a hill and is best reached from the train station by local bus.
🚌AST bus Catania–Etna Rifugio Sapienza ~£6; bus Catania–Taormina ~£6
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Catania or Taormina (~£20-30)
- →Mount Etna excursion to Rifugio Sapienza
- →Crateri Silvestri cones
- →Taormina Greek Theatre
- →Taormina medieval town walk
Ferry Catania to Malta
Catania to Valletta, Malta
A relaxed morning exploring Catania's Pescheria fish market. Then transfer to Catania's port/airport — the easiest route to Malta is a short budget flight (~£35-60) or the Virtu Ferries service from nearby Pozzallo (seasonal, ~£60-80 one way). On arrival in Malta, take the X4 or X2 bus to Valletta/Sliema, and settle into a budget guesthouse near the bus hub. Evening free to wander Valletta's streets.
🚌Budget flight Catania–Malta ~£35-60, or Pozzallo–Malta ferry; Malta airport bus X4 €2
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Valletta or Sliema (~£20-30)
- →Catania Pescheria fish market
- →Free evening in Valletta
Cottonera, Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto & Dingli
Malta: Three Cities, Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto, Dingli
Use Malta's cheap public buses (2-hour ticket €2) to explore the island. Start at the Cottonera (Three Cities): Senglea, Vittoriosa and Cospicua. Ride the 81/85 bus to Marsaxlokk fishing village with its traditional luzzi boats and market stalls. Continue to Wied iz-Zurrieq for a self-booked boat trip into the Blue Grotto (~€10), then head to Dingli Cliffs for sunset. Prefer Gozo or Comino? Take a day trip instead — a self-booked Comino/Blue Lagoon boat trip or Gozo day tour (Ta'Pinu, Dwejra, Victoria, Citadelle).
🚌Malta public bus day ticket €2; Blue Grotto boat ~€10
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Valletta or Sliema (~£20-30)
- →Cottonera / Three Cities
- →Marsaxlokk fishing village
- →Blue Grotto boat trip at Wied iz-Zurrieq
- →Dingli Cliffs
- →Optional Gozo or Comino day trip
Valletta & Mdina
Malta: Valletta & Mdina
Self-book a half-day Valletta walking tour (~£15) or explore independently: Casa Rocca Piccola, St John's Co-Cathedral (€15), the Barrakka Gardens and the Grand Master's Palace. In the afternoon, take the 51/52 bus to Mdina, the 'Silent City', for the Cathedral of St Paul and a walking tour of its lanes and viewpoint over Malta. Return to Valletta by bus in the evening.
🚌Malta public buses ~€2 per trip; Valletta–Mdina bus ~€2
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Valletta or Sliema (~£20-30)
- →Valletta walking tour / independent sights
- →Casa Rocca Piccola
- →St John's Co-Cathedral
- →Barrakka Gardens
- →Mdina walking tour & viewpoint
Departure from Malta
Malta
Enjoy a final breakfast in Valletta before your departure. Take the X4/X2 bus or a shared taxi to Malta International Airport (bus €2, ~30-40 mins). Onward flights or ferries home — nothing else scheduled.
🚌Malta public bus X4/X2 to airport €2
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Free morning in Valletta
- →Departure from Malta International Airport
Self-launched vs. Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£880 | £2,020 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,140 per person (56%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl-style trips? Check them out here.~£880
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Sicilian Secrets: Self-Launched Sicily & Malta Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £880 per person for 11 days in Sicily & Malta. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl?+
Yes — Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl charges around £2,020 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £880 — a saving of roughly £1,140 (56%) per person.
How long is the Sicily & Malta trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Sicily & Malta.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, foodie, city-breaks trip through Sicily & Malta, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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