Chat with us, powered by LiveChat Escorted Group Holidays to Sicily & Malta for Solo Travellers | Solos

What to expect

UNESCO-listed Marvels

UNESCO-listed Marvels

Discover Catania & Valletta's sights

Natural Wonders

Natural Wonders

Explore Mount Etna & the Blue Grotto

Historic Towns & Islands

Historic Towns & Islands

Visit Palermo, Taormina & Gozo

Traditional Cuisine

Traditional Cuisine

Enjoy Sicilian & Maltese delicacies

About this trip...

Embark on a captivating 11-day journey through Sicily and Malta, where history, culture, and natural beauty unite in perfect harmony. Begin in Palermo with a warm welcome before travelling through Sicily’s iconic landscapes—exploring medieval Erice, the coastal charm of Marsala, the ancient Greek temples of Agrigento, and the exquisite mosaics of Piazza Armerina. Discover the seaside allure of Taormina and the volcanic wonders of Mount Etna, then trace cinematic footsteps in Savoca and Forza D’Agrò before wandering the baroque streets of Catania. In Syracuse, step back into ancient history on the island of Ortigia before crossing to Malta, where Valletta’s grandeur, Mdina’s medieval charm, and Gozo’s rustic beauty await. From dramatic cliffs and hidden grottoes to UNESCO treasures and vibrant villages, this tour promises an unforgettable Mediterranean adventure rich in culture, cuisine, and breathtaking scenery.
Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's included?

  • Return flights & transfers
  • Ferry from Sicily to Malta
  • Airport taxes & charges
  • Twin/double room for sole use including private facilities
  • Solos Board: Daily breakfast & seven dinners
  • Welcome drink
  • Sightseeing as per itinerary
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
  • Fully Financially Protected

What's extra:

  • For insurance, please click here
  • Accommodation tax: Palermo €5 ppd, Agrigento €4.00 ppd, Naxos - Taormina €3.00 ppd, , Catania €3.50 ppd

Itinerary

  • Arrive in Palermo
  • Palermo - Erice - Marsala - Agrigento
  • Agrigento - Taormina
  • Mount Etna
  • Taormina - Savoca - Forza D’Agro - Catania
  • Catania - Ortigia - Syracuse
  • Pozzallo (Syracuse) - Malta
  • Valletta
  • Mdina, Rabat, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto & Dingli Cliffs
  • Gozo
  • Depart Malta

What you'll be doing

Day One: Arrive in Palermo

Day One: Arrive in Palermo

Welcome to Palermo, the capital city of Sicily! Upon arrival at Palermo Airport, we will be transferred to our hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, we are free to explore the city at our leisure before meeting our fellow Solos travellers for a welcome drink, information meeting and welcome dinner.
 
  • Dinner at hotel included
 
 
 
 
Day Two: Palermo -> Erice -> Marsala-> Agrigento

Day Two: Palermo -> Erice -> Marsala-> Agrigento

It's time to leave the capital and explore the true essence of Sicily as we head to Agrigento, known for its famous Greek temples. Along the way, we'll visit some of Sicily's highlights. Our first stop is the medieval village of Erice, perched atop a hill and featuring impressive medieval fortifications. We stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets before we move on to the seaside town of Marsala. Our final destination is Agrigento, another stunning hilltop city with a rich history. Its most renowned attraction is the Valley of the Temples, home to one of the best-preserved Greek Doric temples in the world, the Temple of Concordia. We'll admire these magnificent structures before enjoying dinner at our hotel and spending the night in Agrigento town.
 
  • Breakfast & dinner at hotel included
Day Three: Agrigento ->  Taormina

Day Three: Agrigento -> Taormina

We leave the southern part of the island to drive towards the east coast, to the beautiful seaside village of Taormina which offers a mix of historical, cultural, and natural attraction. On the way, we stop at Piazza Armerina, a town rather than a square, and one of Sicily’s most popular tourist spots. The town is home to Villa Romana del Casale, built in the 4th century AD as a hunting lodge, and known for its extensive and well-preserved Roman mosaics. After exploring the villa, we continue to our hotel located near Taormina, in the beachside town of Giardini di Naxos.

 
  • Breakfast & dinner at hotel included
 

Day Four: Mount Etna

Day Four: Mount Etna

After breakfast, we set off early to visit one of the island's natural marvels - Mount Etna. Boasting over 400 craters, it is the largest active volcano in Europe and is in a perpetual state of activity. For the adventurous, there is an opportunity to ascend to 1900 meters above sea level and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from its summits. We then return to Taormina for the remainder of the day, allowing us to relax or explore at our own pace*. 

 
  • Breakfast & dinner at hotel included
 
*Please note: the hotel is set in a hilly area. Guests with good mobility will find it easy to explore on foot, while taxis are also readily available (at your own expense) should you prefer a more comfortable option.

Day Five: Taormina-> Savoca -> Forza D’Agro -> Catania

Day Five: Taormina-> Savoca -> Forza D’Agro -> Catania

We start our day with breakfast at the hotel, before meeting our driver and heading to the charming villages of Savoca and Forza D’Agrò, famous for being filming locations of iconic scenes from Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather trilogy. In the afternoon, we enjoy some leisure time exploring Catania's UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre, featuring stunning baroque palaces and ancient Roman ruins, during a guided city tour.

 
  • Breakfast & dinner at hotel included

Day Six: Catania-> Ortigia -> Syracuse

Day Six: Catania-> Ortigia -> Syracuse

We begin our day by meeting our guide and driver at our accommodation or a designated meeting point. Enjoy a comfortable transfer to Syracuse, one of Sicily's oldest and most historically significant towns. At its zenith, Syracuse was the largest city in the ancient world, surpassing even Athens and Corinth. Today, it is a charming seaside city with its old town situated on the fortified island of Isola di Ortigia. We can take a break for lunch at a local restaurant, where we can savour traditional Sicilian cuisine.

 
  • Breakfast & dinner at hotel included

Day Seven: Syracuse -> Malta

Day Seven: Syracuse -> Malta

Today we say bongu (hello) to Malta as we prepare for the next leg of our adventure before driving to Pozzallo to board the ferry* to Malta and transfer to our hotel for four nights.

 
  • Breakfast included
  
*Please note, there is no porterage of luggage on the ferry. There is also a 3-4 minute walk from the coach to the hotel entrance in Malta. You must be able to transfer your luggage from coach to ferry / coach to hotel independently.

Day Eight: Valletta

Day Eight: Valletta

Our day begins in Valletta, Malta’s stunning capital city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valletta seamlessly blends culture, history, and leisure, offering picturesque streets, vibrant squares, and breathtaking architecture. We’ll take a leisurely stroll to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, where we’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the Grand Harbour and the historic Three Cities: Senglea, Vittoriosa, and Cospicua. From there, we proceed to one of Malta’s greatest treasures—St. John’s Co-Cathedral. A true masterpiece of baroque architecture, the interior will leave us in awe with its intricate details and rich history. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore more of Valletta at our own pace or grab a coffee at one of the charming cafés (coffee break not included). The final stop of the day is 'The Malta Experience', a captivating 45 minute audio-visual show presented in a specially designed panoramic auditorium. This must-see production brings to life 7,000 years of Maltese history, offering an engaging and enriching overview of the island’s past—perfect for setting the scene for the rest of your journey.

 
  • Breakfast included

Day Nine: Discover Mdina, Rabat, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto & Dingli Cliffs

Day Nine: Discover Mdina, Rabat, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto & Dingli Cliffs

Our tour begins with a journey back in time to the silent city of Mdina. Known as Città Vecchia or Città Notabile, this ancient fortified city was once Malta’s capital and is one of Europe’s finest examples of a medieval walled town. Stroll through its narrow, winding streets and admire the elegant mix of medieval and baroque architecture. A stop will also be made to view the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral from the outside. Next, we move to neighbouring Rabat, home to the St. Paul’s Catacombs—an intriguing network of underground burial chambers that date back to early Christianity in Malta. A walk through Rabat offers a more local flavour, with charming alleys and traditional townhouses. We then make our way to the southern coast to visit the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk, known for its colorful luzzus (traditional fishing boats) and its vibrant Sunday market (if visiting on a Sunday). Enjoy some free time to stroll along the waterfront promenade or sample fresh seafood at one of the seaside restaurants (lunch not included). Our next stop is the breathtaking Blue Grotto, where, weather permitting, you’ll have the opportunity to take an optional boat ride (not included) through the stunning sea caves known for their crystal-clear waters and brilliant reflections. The day concludes with a peaceful visit to the Dingli Cliffs, Malta’s highest point, offering dramatic views over the open sea. It’s the perfect spot to relax, take photos, and reflect on a day filled with history, culture, and natural beauty.

 
  • Breakfast included

Day Ten: Gozo

Day Ten: Gozo

Today we have an earlier start as we travel over to Gozo. There's no better way to discover the island's highlights than on this full-day tour. We'll explore all four corners of Gozo, taking in attractions such as Qala Point, Xlendi Bay, the Inland Sea, and the Victoria Citadel, amongst others. We also have the chance to see some of the island's most famous landmarks, including the Neolithic

Ġgantija Temples and the medieval charm of Victoria, the island’s capital. We’ll visit the salt pans and limestone quarries, as well as a craft centre and the renowned Inland Sea — a peaceful lagoon linked to the open sea by a natural rock tunnel.

Gozo is known for its many natural beauty spots and this excursion packs a lot into one day!

This evening we head to the heart of Valletta for our farewell dinner.

 

  • Breakfast at hotel & dinner in a local restaurant included
Day Eleven: Depart Malta

Day Eleven: Depart Malta

After breakfast, we bid goodbye to an amazing adventure exploring the best of Sicily and Malta and transfer to Malta International airport for our onward flight.

Accommodation

Mediterranean Gems: Malta & Sicily

We stay in a selection of four-star traditional and comfortable hotels as detailed below (or similar):
  • Principe Di Villafranca, Palermo - 1 night
  • Mosè Hotel, Agrigento - 1 night
  • Hotel Olimpo - Le Terrazze, Taormina-Letojanni - 2 nights
  • Airone Wellness Hotel Catania - 1 night
  • Hotel Relax Syracuse - 1 night
  • Argento Hotel, St Julians - 4 nights

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info Regional flights
11 May 2026 21 May 2026 10
£3899
  Please call for regional flights

Essential Information

Health Requirements

Compulsory vaccinations: None.

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

  • check the latest information on health risks and find out what vaccinations you need for Italy on TravelHealthPro
  • check where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Italy, including the Alps and the Dolomites. More information about altitude sickness is available from TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Malta

 

Important Information
A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required for this tour as there will be a lot of walking and uneven surfaces with comfortable shoes recommended.
 
There is no porterage available when travelling on and off the ferry between Sicily and Malta and on the 4 minute walk from the coach to the hotel on arrival in Malta, so you must be able to transfer your luggage from coach to ferry to coach and then from coach to hotel on your own.
Transfer Time
The transfer time from Palermo Airport to your hotel is approximately 35mins.
 
The transfer from from your hotel to Malta International Airport is approximately 20 mins.
Passports and visas

Sicily

A full 10-year passport is required valid for at least the duration of your stay. Holders of passports with the inscription “British Citizen” or “European Union” do not require a visa. 

 
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. 
 
All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Italy Foreign Advice 

 

Malta

To enter Malta your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.

A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. Please note that stays in other EU countries counts towards this 90 day period.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Malta Foreign Advice

If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.

From the 12th October 2025 the EU is introducing a new European Entry System (EES) that will be phased in and fully operational by the 10th April 2026. Non-EU nationals including British passport holders will now be required to complete biometric checks on arrival and exit to Schengen countries, which will include facial recognition and fingerprints. There is no cost for this, and no action needs to be taken prior to departure.

Currency
Euros €
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €40.00. 
 
Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.

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Rated as Excellent (4.8/5) by our customers

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First Class

I’d highly recommend Solos to people looking to travel on their own with a group of like minded people.
-David F

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Fabulous experience

Solos are extremely organised and provide fantastic holidays for people on their own. The tour leaders are of a very high standard and are extremely caring with the guests.
-Carole

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Don't Delay any Longer!

This was my first Solos holiday and it hugely exceeded my expectations. Lovely, lovely people made the holiday so special.....it will stay with me for always
-L Heaton

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Well worth going

I’ve recently returned from my first Solos holiday and had a fantastic time. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute, and the memories will last a lifetime.
-Patricia B

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