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A pastry shop tray of Sicilian cannoli with ricotta, pistachio and candied orange peel

FF02 · Sicily · 8 days · moderate pace

Sicily food tour: Palermo street food, Modica chocolate and Etna wine

Eight days from Palermo’s street markets to Modica chocolate and the vineyards of Etna

See dates and pricesDay by day

From $4,290 per person, shared double room

  • Hold your seat with a $300 deposit, by card or bank transfer
  • Balance due 60 days before departure
  • One free change of date or tour up to 45 days before
  • Next date Apr 12, 2027: guaranteed

Questions? [email protected], Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30 Eastern. Booking terms

Cannoli siciliani

Key facts

Length
8 days, 7 nights
Starts in
Palermo
Ends in
Catania
Group size
12 guests at most
Minimum age
18; drinks 18 and over
Pace
Moderate, 3 of 5
Tastings
26 tastings, plus 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Tour code
FF02

Overview

What to expect on this Sicily food tour

Panelle and arancine in the markets of Palermo, chocolate worked cold in Modica, almond granita in Noto, the morning fish market in Catania and two nights among old vines on the north slope of Etna, with a cooking class in a farmhouse near Modica.

Sicily has been ruled by Greeks, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards, and each of them left something in the kitchen: almonds, citrus, rice, sugar, saffron, cocoa from the Americas. The result is a cuisine that is sweet and sour, built on what the island grows and the sea gives, and eaten as often standing in a market as sitting at a table.

The tour crosses the island from west to east. Three nights in Palermo are for street food in the old markets of Ballarò and the Capo, with a morning in Monreale. Then three hours across the wheat-colored interior to the Baroque towns of the southeast: Modica, where chocolate is still ground and worked cold, and Noto, where breakfast is granita and brioche. The last stretch is Catania’s fish market and the volcano, where vineyards climb the lava slopes to almost a thousand meters.

Salvo Grasso, who grew up in Catania and worked for years among the Etna wineries, hosts. Departures avoid the heat of July and August.

More on the destination: Sicily: Palermo, the Baroque South and Etna food tours. Tour categories: Street Food & Markets, Farms & Producers, Wine Regions, Seafood Coasts.

A glass of almond granita next to a round brioche col tuppo at a Sicilian café
Granita with brioche

What you will taste

26 tastings on this Sicily food tour

Tasting portions at the markets, producers, cellars and kitchens on the route, on top of the meals listed. Dishes follow the season, so one or two can change from date to date.

Drinks
Grillo and Nero d’Avola in Palermo, Frappato and Cerasuolo di Vittoria near Modica, Etna Bianco and Etna Rosso on the volcano. Alcohol is poured only for guests 18 and over, the legal drinking age in Italy, with ID; every pour has a non-alcoholic option.
Diets
Vegetarians eat very well in Sicily: panelle, caponata, pasta alla Norma and the sweets. Street food is fried in shared oil and most of it is wheat, so gluten-free guests miss several tastings, though the chocolate and granita are fine. Severe allergies: ask Lena before you book.
  1. 01Panelle and crocchè in a soft rollPalermo
  2. 02Arancine with ragùPalermo
  3. 03Sfincione from a street cartPalermo
  4. 04Cannoli filled to orderPalermo
  5. 05Chocolate worked cold, with cinnamon and chiliModica
  6. 06Scacce and caponata from the classModica
  7. 07Almond granita with briocheNoto
  8. 08Pasta alla NormaCatania
  9. 09Pistachio pastriesBronte

Itinerary

Sicily food tour itinerary: 8 days, day by day

Day 1 is the arrival day: meet your host at the hotel in the late afternoon. The order of the days can shift with the weather, the harvest or a kitchen that closes early; the places stay the same.

  1. Day1

    Arrive in Palermo

    A vendor filling a sesame roll with chickpea panelle at a street food stall in Palermo

    Transfer from Palermo airport to the hotel in the old center, about forty minutes, at group times. Welcome dinner at a trattoria near the Kalsa: caponata, pasta con le sarde with wild fennel and pine nuts, a cannolo, and Grillo or Nero d’Avola.

  2. Day2

    Palermo street food

    A morning in Ballarò, the oldest market in the city: panelle and crocchè in a soft roll, arancine with ragù, a square of sfincione from a cart, and pani ca’ meusa for anyone brave enough to try a spleen sandwich. Blood oranges or a fresh lemon granita between stops. Free afternoon and evening.

  3. Day3

    The Capo market and Monreale

    The Capo market for swordfish, capers and wild greens, then a pastry shop that fills cannoli to order and slices cassata. Twenty minutes up the hill to Monreale for the gold mosaics of the cathedral and lunch with a view of the Conca d’Oro. Evening free.

  4. Day4

    Across the island to Modica

    A couple on a balcony looking over the honey-colored baroque town of Modica at golden hour

    About three hours across the interior, through wheat fields and sulfur country, with lunch at a farm in the hills where the shepherd makes fresh ricotta. Arrive in Modica for an evening walk on Corso Umberto and dinner with Frappato and Cerasuolo di Vittoria.

  5. Day5

    Modica chocolate and a cooking class

    A chocolate workshop in the morning: cocoa ground and mixed with sugar at a low heat, so the crystals stay whole and the bar is grainy. Taste it with cinnamon, chili and orange, and try ’mpanatigghi, pastries filled with beef and chocolate. In the afternoon a farmhouse class: scacce, caponata and cannoli. Dinner is what you cook.

  6. Day6

    Noto, Catania and up to Etna

    Fishmongers with sardines, red prawns and a swordfish under white umbrellas at La Pescheria, Catania

    Almond granita and a warm brioche for breakfast in Noto, then a walk along its Baroque main street. On to Catania for La Pescheria, the fish market behind the cathedral, and a lunch of arancini and pasta alla Norma. In the afternoon up to the north slope of Etna. Dinner at the wine estate.

  7. Day7

    Etna wine country

    A walk across a lava flow above Randazzo, then two family wineries on the north slope: Etna Bianco from Carricante, Etna Rosso from Nerello Mascalese, some of it from vines more than a century old. Pistachio pastries in Bronte. Farewell dinner of local mushrooms, pork and Etna Rosso.

  8. Day8

    Depart from Catania

    Breakfast at the estate and the drive to Catania airport, about one hour and fifteen minutes, arriving around 11 am.

Route map of the Sicily food tour: Palermo, Modica, Noto, Catania and Etna
The route in order; lines are not exact roads. Base map: Esri, HERE, Garmin, © OpenStreetMap contributors

The route

Route and hotels: Palermo to Etna

  1. 1Palermo
  2. 2Modica
  3. 3Noto
  4. 4Catania
  5. 5Etna

Hotels on the route

Palermo3 nights
Boutique hotel in a restored palazzo in the old center, or similar
Modica2 nights
Hotel in a historic building in Modica Bassa, or similar
Etna2 nights
Wine estate guesthouse on the north slope of Etna, or similar

Hotels are listed by class and area; the names come with your confirmation and may be replaced by a hotel of the same standard.

What the price covers

What the Sicily food tour price includes

One price covers 7 hotel nights, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners and the tastings listed, the tastings and classes in the itinerary, transport on the route and your host.

  • 26 tastings
  • 7 hotel nights
  • 11 items included
  • 5 not included

01

Included in the price

  • 7 nights in hotels with breakfast daily
  • Five dinners, including welcome, farewell and the one you cook
  • Five lunches, including street food in Palermo and Catania
  • Street food walk in the Ballarò market and a morning at the Capo market
  • Chocolate workshop and tasting in Modica
  • Hands-on cooking class in a farmhouse near Modica
  • La Pescheria fish market with your host
  • Two Etna winery visits with tastings, and wine with the included meals, for guests 18 and over
  • Entry to Monreale Cathedral
  • Van with driver and airport transfers at group times
  • Salvo Grasso or another of our hosts throughout

02

Not included in the price

  • Flights to Palermo and home from Catania
  • Travel insurance
  • The meals not listed and drinks outside the program
  • Chocolate, pistachio cream and wine you buy to take home
  • Tips for your host and driver

Tell Lena about allergies, diets or mobility needs before you book, and we will say honestly whether this tour suits you.

03

Getting there and rooms

Flights are not included, so you can use miles or fly from any airport. Arrive at Palermo (PMO) by mid-afternoon on day 1 for the group transfer, and fly home from Catania (CTA) after midday on the last day.

Single room
+$890
Deposit
$300 per person
Balance
60 days before departure

Dates and prices

Sicily food tour dates and prices, 2026 to 2027

7 group departures, 12 seats each. Prices per person in a shared double room; the single room supplement is per person.

All deals
Departure dates, prices and seats for the Sicily Food Tour tour
DatesLengthPriceSingle roomStatusBook
to 8 days$4,290$890Sold outJoin the waitlist
to 8 days$4,340$890Sold outJoin the waitlist
to 8 days$4,390$890GuaranteedAsk about this date
to 8 days$4,440$890AvailableAsk about this date
to 8 days$4,440 $4,240Early booking: save $200$890AvailableAsk about this date
to 8 days$4,440 $4,240Early booking: save $200$890Few seatsAsk about this date
to 8 days$4,390 $4,190Early booking: save $200$890GuaranteedAsk about this date
Private date, 6 or more guests8 daysPriced per groupAs bookedYour datesPlan with Grant

Guaranteed means the date runs: at least five guests have booked. Few seats means three or fewer seats are left. A deal price is shown next to the regular price.

Prices per person in US dollars: multi-day tours in a shared double room, flights not included; day tours paid when booked. Deposit $300 per person, balance 60 days before departure, one free change of date or tour up to 45 days before. Booking terms

Before you book

Before you book this Sicily food tour: honest notes

Pace and walking
Moderate: one three-hour drive across the island, market walks of two to three hours on uneven stone, and steep stairs in Modica.
Your host
Salvo Grasso. Salvo was born in Catania and worked for twelve years as a sommelier and cellar guide on the north slope of Etna before he began hosting food tours across the island. He joined us in 2025. All our hosts
What can change
The order of the days can shift with the weather, a harvest or a kitchen that closes early. A stop of the same kind and value replaces anything that falls through.
Weather
Tours run in all weather. If a storm closes a boat trip or a farm visit, we move it or replace it, and if a serious weather warning stops the tour before it starts, you choose a new date or a full refund.
Arrival and departure
Arrive at Palermo (PMO), leave from Catania (CTA). Transfers are included at the group times on the first and last day.
Drinks and age
Adults only, 18 and over. Alcohol is poured only for guests 18 and over, the legal drinking age in Italy, with ID; every pour has a non-alcoholic option.
Diets and allergies
Vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free versions with notice when you book. Tell us about severe allergies first; we will say honestly what we can and cannot promise.
Luggage
One suitcase and a day bag. Leave space for olive oil, coffee or a bottle of wine, and check your home customs rules before you pack cured meat or fresh cheese.

Questions about this tour

Sicily food tour FAQ

General questions on booking, flights, insurance and luggage are on the main FAQ page.

Ask Lena directly

Lena Ortiz in reservations replies within one working day, Monday to Friday.

Is it arancina or arancino?

Both, depending on where you stand. Palermo says arancina and makes them round; Catania says arancino and makes them pointed, like the volcano. You eat both on this tour and can decide for yourself.

How hot is Sicily on these dates?

June and September are warm, often around 85°F at midday in Palermo, cooler on Etna. We start market walks early. April, May, October and November are mild, and we do not run in July or August.

Is Etna safe to visit?

Etna is an active volcano and is watched closely. We stay at about 2,000 feet on the north slope, among the vineyards, and walk only on old flows. If the authorities close an area, Salvo changes the route.

Can I add days?

Yes. Many guests add two nights in Ortigia, the old island center of Siracusa, an hour from Catania. Lena can book them, or Grant Mosley can build a private version with extra days.

Can I join on my own?

Yes. About a third of our guests travel solo. A single room on this tour costs $890 extra, and some dates have no single supplement; we can also try to match you with a roommate.

What if I have a food allergy or a special diet?

Tell Lena when you book. Vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free versions are arranged with every kitchen before you arrive; for severe allergies we tell you honestly which stops we can and cannot make safe.

What if I need to cancel or change?

Your $300 deposit holds the seat, the balance is due 60 days before departure, and you can move once to another date or tour free up to 45 days before. The full scale is on the booking terms page.

Should we tip the host?

Tips are welcome but never expected. Guests who want a guideline usually give 10 to 15 US dollars, or the same in local money, per person for a day walk, or per person per day on a multi-day tour; restaurant tips on included meals are already paid.

Dates and seats

Ask about Sicily food tour dates

Tell us the tour, the date and how many of you are coming. Lena Ortiz in reservations replies within one working day with seats, room options, the total price and any questions about dietary needs.

Lena, Grant and Priya, Charleston

To[email protected]

SubjectSicily: Palermo Street Food, Modica Chocolate and Etna Wine: dates and seats

Please include

  • Tour: Sicily: Palermo Street Food, Modica Chocolate and Etna Wine
  • Date
  • Guests (all 18 or over?)
  • Room type (double, twin or single)
  • Dietary needs or allergies
  • Message
  • Your name, email and a phone number
Write to Lena

Lena Ortiz in reservations replies within one working day. No payment now. A $300 deposit per person holds seats on a multi-day tour; day tours are paid when you book.

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