If you are on holiday in Sicily, have chosen to stay in Palermo, but don’t have a car and don’t want or can’t rent one, but would still like to see other beautiful places on Italy’s largest island, then you should consider traveling by train. Below we suggest 7 train trips from Palermo that will take you to some of Sicily’s most important sights.
In fact, the best way to get around Sicily is by train, as it allows you to travel quickly and cheaply from the various cities on the island while enjoying the scenery. Be sure to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines. Buses are another affordable travel option, and they may be your next best option.
There are 1,369 kilometers of railway tracks in Sicily that connect the island’s nine provinces, including those connecting Palermo airport with the city center. Trenitalia, Italy’s leading train company, operates regional trains in Sicily. There is also the Circumetnea train service, which connects the towns around Mount Etna and the underground systems of Catania and Palermo.
Ticket prices were valid at the end of 2022, but you can find them updated on the Trainline website. We’ve added a bus alternative where train travel time is too long.
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1 Palermo – Cefalu (68 km)
Perhaps the small town of Cefalu, on the northern coast of Sicily, lacks the glitz and glamour of Taormina – which is known to be the pearl of the island. But Cefalu’s atmosphere, beaches, and scenery certainly have the gift of instantly winning over the traveler, who should know that the little town has been the star of several landmark films, including the Oscar-winning Cinema Paradiso.
The location of the old fishing port is excellent. The Norman cathedral dominates the beach below the Rocca, the colossal limestone cliff on which, if you ‘climb’, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view stretching as far as Palermo, 70km to the west.
Cefalu is known for its beautiful sunsets, unpretentious charm, and summer holidays sprinkled with authentic Italian ingredients. The beaches are sandy, the historic town has charm, and the Sicilian food is delicious. What more could you want?
Minimum time by train: 44 minutes. Minimum round-trip price: 12.40 euro
2 Palermo – Messina (224 km)
Messina is the third largest city in Sicily, and it attracts the eye first of all for its beautiful landscapes and fascinating monuments. Moreover, it is one of the region’s most important ports thanks to its strategic position on the Mediterranean. Thanks to this, Messina has always played an essential role in Italy’s life, and its history is reflected in the monuments and buildings that have remained.
Cathedral of Messina, the lighthouse of Cape Peloro, the Church of the Holy Annunciation to the Catalonians, San Marco D’Alunzio, The Madonnina del Porto, and the fountains of Messina are just some of the most important sights in Messina.
Minimum time: 2 hours and 44 minutes. Minimum round-trip price: 28.20 euro
Alternatively, here is how to get from Taormina to Messina by bus.
3 Palermo – Taormina (270 km)
The city of Taormina is, without a doubt, one of the Sicilian jewels. Indeed, mass tourism has changed the city’s character, filling it with hundreds of travelers who disturb the peaceful life of the 10,000 inhabitants of Taormina.
Placed on a cliff at 200 meters high on the edges of Mount Tauros, Taormina is a jewel docked on a natural terrace. Founded in 403 BC by Greek exiles from the island of Naxos, the ancient colony of Tauromerion. Razed by Syracuse, Greek itself, but imperialist, the city was rebuilt and adored by the Romans.
The Greek Theatre in Taormina is one of the city’s beautiful attractions. Although the amphitheater’s architecture is Roman, its interior layout reveals similarities to Greek theatres. Although the seats have been replaced, most of the 2nd-century theatre remains intact. The atmosphere in Taormina is relaxed, the town is dotted with quaint restaurants, and the sea views from some places are breathtaking. Taormina hosts a lot of cultural events and a lot of… weddings.
Minimum time by train: 4 hours and 14 minutes (one change). Minimum round-trip price: 32.20 euro
4 Palermo – Trapani (103 km)
Often considered a base for tourists in Sicily, Trapani has a lot to offer for day-trippers. Palermo is laid-back, but Trapani’s Old Town is bustling with historical landmarks such as the Porta Oscura and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. A local archaeological museum is also located in Ligny Tower, a fortification along the waterfront. In fact, the main attraction of Trapani is its salt pans, which lie just south of the city. The salt pans around Nubia are visible below traditional windmills by the coast. Visitors can even learn about the history of sea salt harvesting at the Salt Museum.
Minimum time by train: 4 hours and 10 minutes (one change). Minimum round-trip price: 24.80 euro
Alternative: bus – 1 hour and 55 minutes. Minimum round-trip price: 18.60 euro
5 Palermo – Agrigento (126 km)
The small medieval town of Agrigento is located south of Sicily. During the Golden Age of Ancient Greece, the city was called Akragas and was one of the most populated places. Today, much of the city is very modern, but many medieval elements and monuments have been preserved in the streets.
The Valley of the Temples, Cattedrale di San Gerlando, Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Botanical Garden, Museum of gems, and the spectacular white cliffs called the Turkish Steps are among the most visited places in Agrigento.
Minimum time by train: 2 hours and 4 minutes. Minimum round-trip price: 19.80 euro
6 Palermo – Syracuse (278 km)
Syracuse is mainly known for its role in ancient times when it was considered one of the most beautiful cities in Ancient Greece. It was the Greeks who founded this city in the 8th century B.C. The history of this city was eventful. Until the 5th century B.C. Syracuse was one of Sicily and Greece’s most powerful and prosperous cities.
Syracuse, like many cities, is made up of a historic center and a more modern city. The historical center of Syracuse is based on an island, the island of Ortygia, and the best thing to do is to start your visit on this small island. Ortygia is not very big, about 1 km long and 500 meters wide. It is accessible via three bridges, and it is enough to walk there, to survey its lanes, its places, and even if it is difficult to get lost there, try all the same!
Other lovely places to see are the Temple of Apollo, Cathedral Square, Archimedes Square, Maniace Castle, and Archeological Park Neapolis.
Minimum time by train: 4 hours and 37 minutes. Minimum round-trip price: 34.60 euro
Alternative: bus – 3 hours and 20 minutes. Minimum round-trip price: 26.80 euro
7 Palermo – Catania (229 km)
Ancient city founded around the eighth century B.C., Catania is an attractive old lady, typically southern, with a strong temperament: destroyed and rebuilt seven times in the course of its history by natural disasters, conquered and shaped by many successive civilizations, it became over the centuries a privileged space of exchange and interbreeding.
Dedicated to St. Agatha, the patron saint of Catania, Catania Cathedral is located on the east side of Piazza del Duomo. It is the most important religious monument in the city, built between 1078 and 1093 by Count Roger Norman and consecrated in 1094. The original building underwent continuous renovation work due to damage suffered by natural phenomena.
Other places you should visit in Catania are Piazza del Duomo, the fish markets, Stesicoro Square, and Massimo Theatre.
Minimum time by train: 3 hours and 3 minutes. Minimum round-trip price: 29.80 euro
Alternative: bus – 2 hours and 40 minutes. Minimum round-trip price: 28 euro
Conclusion
Public transport in Sicily does not have an outstanding reputation. But don’t worry, the service is quite good on the main train lines that connect the major Sicilian cities. We are talking about the lines between Messina, Taormina, Catania, Syracuse, Messina, Trapani, and Palermo. Therefore, a holiday in Sicily can become an absolute pleasure if you take a few train trips from Palermo.
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