10 Oct 2026
Twin share
£4,069pp
Single from £4,744
Escorted tour
Malta, Gozo & Classical Sicily – 16 Days
Gozo, Valletta, Mdina, Syracuse, Agrigento, Palermo, Etna and Taormina, with a small group of up to 18.
16 days
From £3,769
Tour overview
This 16-day small-group tour explores two great island destinations of the Mediterranean, combining the prehistoric temples and Baroque cities of Malta and Gozo with the Greek, Roman and Norman treasures of Sicily. Groups have between 4 and 18 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader and local guides. You travel by private bus, ferry and boat, with a short flight from Malta to Catania, and stay 15 nights in comfortable hotels, including the Hotel Calypso on Gozo and the Grand Hotel Villa Politi in Syracuse. Breakfast is included most days, with a food and wine tasting lunch in Malta and two dinners in Syracuse.
The tour begins on Gozo, with a walk in the island capital, Victoria, and a visit to the Ġgantija temples, among the oldest free-standing structures in the world. At Dwejra you see some of Gozo's most dramatic coastal scenery before a walk to Xwejni Bay and the ferry to Malta. From Sliema you explore Valletta, built by the Knights of St John and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with St John's Co-Cathedral and the Grandmaster's Palace. Next come the historic Three Cities and a Grand Harbour cruise, the clifftop temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra with a local food and wine tasting, and the silent walled city of Mdina, San Anton Gardens and the Mosta Dome.
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In Sicily you have a free day in Syracuse before a guided visit to its Greek theatre and Roman amphitheatre and the island quarter of Ortigia. You admire the Roman mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale and the Greek temples of Agrigento, climb to the medieval hilltop town of Erice and explore Palermo with its Palatine Chapel and the golden mosaics of Monreale Cathedral.
The final days follow the northern coast to the fishing town of Cefalù, then take you up Mount Etna, one of Europe's most active volcanoes, and into elegant Taormina.
The physical rating is medium, with plenty of walking on cobbles and uneven ground. This tour suits travellers who love history and want to explore both islands in depth. Free time in Syracuse, Palermo and Taormina lets you follow your own interests.
Trip highlights
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The Ġgantija temples on Gozo (Day 2)
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Valletta and St John's Co-Cathedral (Day 4)
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The Three Cities and a Grand Harbour cruise (Day 5)
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Mdina, Malta's silent city (Day 7)
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The Villa Romana del Casale and the Valley of the Temples (Day 11)
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Mount Etna and Taormina (Day 15)
Your route
21 stops from Cirkewwa to Taormina
- Cirkewwa Day 1
- Gozo (Marsalforn) Days 1–2
- Ggantija Temples Day 2
- Dwejra Day 3
- Sliema Days 3–7
- Valletta Day 4
- Vittoriosa Day 5
- Ħaġar Qim Temples Day 6
- Mdina Day 7
- Catania Day 8
- Syracuse Days 8–10
- Villa Romana del Casale Day 11
- Valley of the Temples Day 11
- Trapani Day 11
- Erice Day 12
- Palermo Days 12–13
- Monreale Day 13
- Cefalù Day 14
- Giardini Naxos Days 14–16
- Mount Etna Day 15
- Taormina Day 15
Why choose this tour
Malta, Gozo and Sicily in one trip, with a flight between the islands. Prehistoric temples, Greek ruins and Norman mosaics with local guides.
Best suited to
- History and archaeology lovers
- Travellers with time for a longer trip
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
- Food and wine lovers
Day-by-day itinerary
16 days from Malta International Airport to Giardini Naxos, Sicily
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Day 1 · Malta, Gozo Arrive in Malta
A group transfer from the airport and ferry to Gozo.
- Hotel
- Hotel Calypso or similar
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Day 2 · Xlendi, Victoria, Ġgantija Victoria and Ġgantija
Walk in Victoria and visit the Ġgantija temples.
- Hotel
- Hotel Calypso or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Dwejra, Xwejni Bay, Sliema Dwejra to Malta
See Dwejra, walk to Xwejni Bay and take the ferry to Malta.
- Hotel
- Plaza Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Valletta, St John's Co-Cathedral Valletta
A walking tour of Valletta and its cathedral.
- Hotel
- Plaza Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Senglea, Vittoriosa, Grand Harbour The Three Cities
Explore the Three Cities and cruise the Grand Harbour.
- Hotel
- Plaza Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra Temples and tasting
Visit the clifftop temples and enjoy a food and wine tasting.
- Hotel
- Plaza Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 7 · Mdina, San Anton Gardens, Mosta Mdina
Walk Mdina, then visit San Anton Gardens and the Mosta Dome.
- Hotel
- Plaza Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Catania, Syracuse Fly to Sicily
Fly to Catania and drive to Syracuse.
- Hotel
- Grand Hotel Villa Politi or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 9 · Ortigia Free day in Syracuse
Explore Ortigia at your own pace.
- Hotel
- Grand Hotel Villa Politi or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 10 · Neapolis Archaeological Park, Piazza Armerina Neapolis and Ortigia
A guided visit to the Greek theatre, then travel inland.
- Hotel
- GH Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Villa Romana del Casale, Valley of the Temples, Trapani Mosaics and temples
See the Roman mosaics and the temples of Agrigento.
- Hotel
- B&B Hotel Trapani Crystal or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Erice, Palermo Erice to Palermo
Visit the hilltop town of Erice, then drive to Palermo.
- Hotel
- Hotel Posta Palermo or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Monreale, Palatine Chapel, Palermo Monreale and Palermo
See Monreale Cathedral and tour Palermo.
- Hotel
- Hotel Posta Palermo or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Cefalù, Giardini Naxos Cefalù to Giardini Naxos
Follow the north coast via Cefalù.
- Hotel
- Hotel Palladio or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 15 · Mount Etna, Taormina Etna and Taormina
Explore Etna's lava fields, then spend the afternoon in Taormina.
- Hotel
- Hotel Palladio or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 16 · Giardini Naxos Trip ends
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Gozo (2 nights) Hotel Calypso or similar
- Sliema (5 nights) Plaza Hotel or similar
- Syracuse (2 nights) Grand Hotel Villa Politi or similar
- Piazza Armerina (1 night) GH Hotel or similar
- Trapani (1 night) B&B Hotel Trapani Crystal or similar
- Palermo (2 nights) Hotel Posta Palermo or similar
- Giardini Naxos (2 nights) Hotel Palladio or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 15 nights in comfortable hotels
- Breakfast most days, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
- Private bus, ferries, a harbour cruise and a flight from Malta to Catania
- Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples
- Valletta, St John's Co-Cathedral, the Three Cities and Mdina
- Syracuse, Villa Romana del Casale, Agrigento, Erice, Palermo and Monreale with local guides
- Mount Etna and Taormina
- Arrival transfers at set times and a tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not listed
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
- You dislike frequent hotel changes — you stay in seven places
- You want most meals included — many are free to choose
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,769 per person, twin share, tour only. 23 upcoming departures.
17 Oct 2026
Twin share
£3,815pp
Single from £4,490
24 Oct 2026
Twin share
£3,769pp
Single from £4,444
27 Feb 2027
Twin share
£3,855pp
Single from £4,440
06 Mar 2027
Twin share
£3,989pp
Single from £4,574
03 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,969pp
Single from £4,694
10 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,955pp
Single from £4,700
17 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,939pp
Single from £4,684
24 Apr 2027
Twin share
£4,019pp
Single from £4,764
01 May 2027
Twin share
£4,019pp
Single from £4,764
08 May 2027
Twin share
£4,019pp
Single from £4,764
22 May 2027
Twin share
£4,019pp
Single from £4,764
29 May 2027
Twin share
£4,019pp
Single from £4,764
05 Jun 2027
Twin share
£4,219pp
Single from £5,034
12 Jun 2027
Twin share
£4,219pp
Single from £5,034
04 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,319pp
Single from £5,134
11 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,319pp
Single from £5,134
18 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,319pp
Single from £5,134
25 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,319pp
Single from £5,134
02 Oct 2027
Twin share
£4,319pp
Single from £5,134
09 Oct 2027
Twin share
£4,119pp
Single from £4,934
16 Oct 2027
Twin share
£4,119pp
Single from £4,864
23 Oct 2027
Twin share
£4,119pp
Single from £4,864
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Is the flight to Sicily included?
Yes, the flight from Malta to Catania is included.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes, two group transfers from Malta airport on Day 1, at midday and 4.30pm.
How much walking is there?
Plenty of walking on cobbles and archaeological sites, at a moderate pace.
What is the internal flight like?
A short flight from Malta to Catania. Check in on the airline app, as printed boarding passes are not accepted. Arrival in Sicily can be late in the evening.
Which countries do we visit?
Malta and Italy.
How many people travel together?
Between 4 and 18 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary