Just got around to sorting through my camera roll from a solo trip through Sicily back in July. I spent 10 days moving through Palermo, Taormina, Giarre-Riposto, Catania, and Mount Etna, mostly getting around by local trains and buses.
Honestly, the sheer contrast of the island caught me off guard. You can go from the elegant, cliffside views in Taormina to the raw, chaotic energy of Palermo in just a couple of hours, and it feels like two completely different worlds.
The highlight was definitely Etna. It happened to be actively erupting while I was there, which was completely surreal to witness in person. Watching ash plumes while standing on volcanic gravel is something I won't forget anytime soon. Catania had this gritty, beautiful charm with all the dark basalt architecture built right from past eruption lava, while Giarre-Riposto offered a much needed quiet breather right between the coast and the mountain.
Here are 8 of my favorite places from the trip:
Photo locations, in gallery order:
1-2: Taormina (cliffside views and the ancient theatre area)
3-5: Palermo (street life, market energy, and historical architecture)
6-7: Mount Etna (the craters and active eruption plumes)
8: Catania (piazza vibes and basalt streetscapes)
Sicily was intense in the best way possible, especially doing it solo in the July heat. 10 days was enough to get a solid taste, but I definitely barely scratched the surface!!