Search

Rail Escape

Sicily Tour: Catania & Beyond

Nine-day rail tour through southeastern Sicily from Catania to Ragusa

Illustration of Sicily Tour: Catania & Beyond

Rail Escape's 9-day Sicily Tour departs Catania and travels by train through the baroque towns of southeastern Sicily to Ragusa, returning to Catania on Day 8. The journey mixes rail legs with multi-night stays, allowing you to explore each city unhurried. You'll walk Catania's Via Etnea and visit its cathedral, spend two days discovering Siracusa's Greek theaters and Roman ruins on the island of Ortigia with time for a boat tour, learn about chocolate making in Modica, tour the baroque architecture and gardens of Ragusa Ibla and the 19th-century Castello di Donnafugata, and on the return to Catania take a cable car up Mount Etna. Four-star-plus hotels and daily breakfast are included; a cooking class and most activities and meals are optional. This trip suits history lovers drawn to Greek and Roman sites and baroque churches, food-and-wine travelers interested in Sicily's culinary traditions, couples seeking leisurely multi-city rail travel, and repeat rail travelers who want several rail days in succession.

What to know before you look closer

  • Some regional trains operate in second class only, despite the package advertising first-class rail travel throughout.
  • Excursion entrance fees, meals beyond breakfast, local transportation, and activities such as the Mount Etna tour and cooking class are not included and must be booked separately.
  • The final hotel in Catania (Day 8) is a return to Hotel Villa Romeo, not a new property; confirm the exact room if you prefer an upgrade.
  • Hotel options vary by city tier (Popular Alternative and Luxe Alternative upgrades are available), meaning your final accommodation depends on which tier you select when booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Catania

    Arrive in Catania

    Benvenuti a Catania! Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Start exploring with a walk along Via Etnea, the city's main street, to Piazza del Duomo. Visit the iconic Fountain of the Elephant and the Cathedral of Sant'Agata. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Sicilian dinner at a local trattoria in the historic center.

  2. Day 2overnight: Catania

    Explore Catania

    Begin your day at the bustling fish market, La Pescheria. Then, visit the Roman Theater and Odeon. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Castello Ursino, a 13th-century castle. End your day with a stroll through the beautiful Giardino Bellini and dinner in the lively Piazza Vincenzo Bellini area.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Siracusa

    Catania to Siracusa

    After breakfast, take a train to Siracusa. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the afternoon exploring the island of Ortigia, Siracusa's historic center. Visit the Temple of Apollo, Piazza Archimede, and the stunning Duomo. Enjoy dinner at a seaside restaurant with views of the Ionian Sea.

  4. Day 4overnight: Siracusa

    Discover Siracusa

    Dedicate this day to Siracusa's archaeological park. Visit the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Ear of Dionysius. In the afternoon, take a boat tour around Ortigia or visit the Papyrus Museum. End your day with a puppet show at the traditional Sicilian puppet theater.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Modica

    Siracusa to Modica

    After checking out, take a train to the baroque town of Modica. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the town's famous chocolate shops and learning about traditional Modica chocolate making. Visit the stunning Church of San Giorgio and enjoy the panoramic views from the upper town.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Ragusa

    Modica to Ragusa

    Start your day with a visit to Modica's Civic Museum before taking a short train ride to Ragusa. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Begin your exploration of Ragusa Ibla, the town's historic center. Visit the Duomo di San Giorgio and wander through the charming narrow streets. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant with views of the illuminated baroque architecture.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ragusa

    Explore Ragusa

    Dedicate this day to fully exploring Ragusa. Visit the Castello di Donnafugata, a 19th-century castle with beautiful gardens. Return to Ragusa Ibla to visit the Giardino Ibleo and the Church of San Giuseppe. In the evening, take a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Catania

    Ragusa to Catania

    After breakfast, take the train back to Catania. Check into your hotel for your final night. Spend the afternoon visiting Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Take a cable car ride or a guided tour to explore the lunar-like landscapes. Return to Catania for a farewell dinner featuring local specialties and Etna wines.

  9. Day 9

    Depart Catania

    On your final morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and perhaps some last-minute shopping at Catania's local boutiques. Visit the Monastero dei Benedettini if time allows before heading to the airport for your departure. Arrivederci, Sicilia!

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Walk along Via Etnea to Piazza del Duomo in Catania and visit the Fountain of the Elephant and the Cathedral of Sant'Agata.
  • Day 3Explore Ortigia, Siracusa's historic island center, visiting the Temple of Apollo and the Duomo with views of the Ionian Sea.
  • Day 4Visit the Greek Theater and Roman Amphitheater in Siracusa's archaeological park, then attend a traditional Sicilian puppet theater performance.
  • Day 5Learn about traditional Modica chocolate making in the baroque town's chocolate shops and visit the Church of San Giorgio.
  • Day 8Take a cable car ride or guided tour of Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, and explore its lunar-like landscapes before a farewell dinner featuring Etna wines.

Included

  • Welcome Package with travel essentials and detailed itinerary information
  • First-Class Rail Travel throughout (some regional trains second-class only)
  • 4-Star Plus Hotel Accommodation in all cities, near train stations
  • Daily Breakfast at all hotel accommodations
  • Airport Transfers on arrival and departure

Not included

  • International Airfare
  • Excursions, Activities and Entrance Fees
  • Meals Beyond Breakfast
  • Local taxes or fees (e.g. hotel tourism taxes)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Tips and Gratuities
  • Local Transportation

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes first-class rail travel on routes connecting Catania, Siracusa, Modica, and Ragusa, though some regional trains operate second-class only.
What is included in the price from USD 3,289?
The price covers four-star-plus hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, first-class rail travel, airport transfers on arrival and departure, and a welcome package with itinerary information.
What is not included?
International airfare, entrance fees to attractions, meals beyond breakfast, local taxes, personal expenses, tips, and local transportation (buses, cable cars, boat tours) are not included.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
The itinerary includes some guided tours (Castello Ursino in Catania, the archaeological park in Siracusa, a cooking class in Ragusa) and independent exploration time in each city.
How many nights do I stay in each city?
Three nights in Catania (Days 1-2, then Day 8), two nights in Siracusa, one night in Modica, and two nights in Ragusa.
Can I upgrade my hotel?
Yes. Rail Escape offers Popular Alternative and Luxe Alternative hotel upgrades in each city; confirm availability and pricing when booking.

Similar journeys