Palermo is vibrant, layered, and full of history — but just beyond the city are towns that tell deeper stories of Sicily: Norman kings, medieval hilltop villages, and even modern history shaped by resilience.
Here are three day trips you can easily do independently from Palermo:
How to visit:
• Bus or taxi from Palermo
• Ideal for a relaxed half-day (2–3 hours)
Erice
High above Trapani sits Erice, a medieval town of stone lanes and sweeping views.
Walk up to the Castello di Venere for panoramic scenery, then stop at Pasticceria Maria Grammatico to try the town’s famous pastries. The Genovesi Ericine — warm custard-filled pastries — and traditional almond cookies are local specialties.
How to visit:
• Train or bus from Palermo to Trapani, then cable car up to Erice
• Best as a full-day excursion
Corleone
nland from Palermo lies Corleone, a small town surrounded by rugged countryside.
The CIDMA (International Documentation Center on the Mafia and the Anti-Mafia Movement) provides documented insight into Sicily’s modern history and the long fight against organized crime.
This topic remains sensitive in Sicily. If you choose to visit, it’s important to approach it with respect and awareness rather than through the lens of film or fiction.
Beyond the museum, Corleone is a modest Sicilian town with a central piazza and everyday life unfolding at a slower pace.
How to visit:
• Car rental recommended from Palermo
• Allow half to a full day depending on your pace
If You’re Arriving in Palermo Before a Tour
If you’re planning to arrive in Palermo a few days before Food N' Wine Vacations tour to Sicily, these destinations offer wonderful opportunities to explore different aspects of the island independently.
For guests joining a Food N’ Wine Vacations Sicily tour, arriving early allows you to discover even more — from Norman art to medieval villages to Sicily’s modern history — before the group experience begins.
