Sicilia Antiqua

Sicily was Greek before it was Roman.

Sicily was Greek before it was Roman. Mamertine wine from Messina was Julius Caesar's favorite. Mount Etna's volcanic wines have been made for 3,000 years. This adventure explores the island where Western wine culture began.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

10 experiences 🇮🇹 Italy challenging 1-2 weeks

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Stops

Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
    🗺️

    Taormina Greek Theatre & Etna

    Spectacular Greek theatre with Mount Etna as backdrop — possibly the world's most dramatic setting. Wine bars below serve volcanic Etna wines. The view hasn't changed in 2,300 years.

    tour $$
  2. 2
    🍷

    Mount Etna Wineries

    Ancient vines at 1,000m elevation on volcanic soil. Some vines are pre-phylloxera (150+ years old). The elevation and volcanic minerals create wines unlike anywhere else.

    tasting $$
  3. 3
    🍷

    Catania Fish Market & Wine

    Roman Catina was a major port. The fish market (La Pescheria) is sensory overload. Wine bars nearby serve Etna wines with fresh seafood — the combination is perfect.

    wine_bar $$
  4. 4
    🗺️

    Syracuse Archaeological Park

    Greek capital, then Roman prize. The archaeological park has an immense theatre, Roman amphitheater, and the Ear of Dionysius cave. Wine bars in Ortigia serve local wines.

    tour $$
  5. 5
    ⛰️

    Noto & Baroque Southeast

    UNESCO baroque town rebuilt after 1693 earthquake. The Val di Noto produces excellent Nero d'Avola and sweet Moscato. The honey-colored stone glows at sunset.

    adventure $$
  6. 6
    🗺️

    Agrigento - Valley of Temples

    The most impressive Greek ruins outside Greece. The Temple of Concordia is perfectly preserved. Wine at sunset overlooking the temples is transcendent.

    tour $$
  7. 7
    🗺️

    Marsala - Fortified Wine Capital

    Named from Arabic "Marsa Allah" (port of god), this Roman port became famous for fortified wine. The historic cellars date from 1796 but the wine tradition goes back millennia.

    tour $$
  8. 8
    ⛰️

    Selinunte - Temple Wine Picnic

    Massive Greek temple ruins on the coast — the largest archaeological park in Europe. Pack a picnic with Sicilian wine and dine among fallen columns with the sea as your backdrop.

    adventure $
  9. 9
    🍷

    Menfi & Southwest Coast

    Ancient wine coast where Romans loaded ships with Sicilian wine. Modern producers like Planeta and Settesoli have revived quality. Excellent beaches and value wines.

    tasting $$
  10. 10
    ⛰️

    Pantelleria - Island of Passito

    Volcanic island closer to Africa than Sicily. The dammuso houses and UNESCO vineyard landscape are unique. Passito di Pantelleria is made from sun-dried Zibibbo grapes.

    adventure $$$

Plan the trip

Insider tip. Time your visit to Etna for eruption activity if safe—watching lava flow while sipping Nerello Mascalese is otherworldly.

Getting there and around

Car required
Yes
Parking
Free at wineries; paid in major cities
Nearest airport
Catania (CTA) for east, Palermo (PMO) for west
Drinking and driving
Hire driver for Etna slopes—roads are challenging
Other airports
  • Trapani (TPS) for Marsala focus
Without a car
Coastal trains exist but very slow; car essential

Where to stay

Base yourself in
Taormina or Catania, then Noto, then Marsala
Why there
Sicily requires moving bases—too large for single location
Booking tip
Book Taormina 2+ months ahead in summer
Nightly range
€80-350/night

Recommended stays

Budget
Catania B&Bs, Noto agriturismi
Luxury
Taormina: Grand Hotel Timeo; Ragusa: Locanda Don Serafino
Mid-range
Taormina: Hotel Villa Belvedere; Noto: Masseria degli Ulivi
Vineyard stays
Several Etna wineries offer accommodation

What it costs

Includes
Accommodation, tastings, meals, transport
Meals
€40-80/day with wine (Sicily is affordable)
Per person
€700-1,500
Ways to spend less
  • Sicily is great value compared to mainland
  • Street food (arancini, granita) makes cheap breakfasts
  • Many wineries are free or low-cost to visit
Tasting fees
€15-40 per winery

Booking and timing

Lead time
1-2 weeks for most wineries
Closed days
Some closed Sunday; Marsala varies
Peak season
August is extremely hot and crowded
Best time of day
Early morning for ruins (heat), afternoon for tastings
Group size
Etna tours often combine hiking with tasting

Where to eat

Lunch
  • Taormina: Granduca for views
  • Catania: Fish market stalls (arancini, seafood)
  • Noto: Caffè Sicilia for legendary granita
Dinner
  • Etna: Cave Ox (inside volcanic cave)
  • Syracuse: Don Camillo
  • Marsala: Osteria Il Gallo e l'Innamorata
Winery restaurants
  • Planeta estates offer excellent dining
  • Many Etna wineries have casual lunch options
  • Donnafugata has restaurant at Marsala estate

If your time is short

Do not miss
If you only have one day
If it rains
Syracuse archaeological museum; Marsala cellars perfect for rain
Skip if time is short

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't underestimate Sicily's size—it's almost as big as Belgium
  • Don't skip Etna if you love wine—it's Italy's most exciting region
  • Don't drink only Nero d'Avola—the whites and Etna reds are stunning
  • Don't visit ruins at midday in summer—heat is brutal
  • Don't rush the Valley of Temples—it deserves sunset and sunrise

Worth stopping for

  • Taormina theatre with Etna smoking in background
  • Valley of Temples at golden hour
  • Etna vineyard with lava stone walls
  • Noto cathedral in warm afternoon light
  • Marsala salt flats sunset with windmills