Malta & Southeast Sicily Cross-Border
Take a fast ferry from Valletta to Pozzallo, connecting the Val di Noto, Syracuse, Mount Etna, and Taormina.
Spend the first four nights in Valletta, taking day trips around Malta and Gozo. On Day 5, cross the sea by catamaran to Sicily. Travel through Modica, Ragusa, and Noto to Syracuse, then head north to Catania, Mount Etna, and Taormina, departing from Catania. This open-jaw route avoids backtracking and is perfect for first-timers wanting to see both regions. Comino is excluded on the Malta side, and only the eastern half of Sicily is covered.
Ferry crossings are reduced in winter and easily affected by rough seas. High-altitude areas of Mount Etna may have snow and access restrictions.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival & Valletta Stroll
Malta（Valletta、Upper Barrakka Gardens & Saluting Battery）
Take a taxi or bus from the airport to Valletta (approx. 30 mins). Spend the afternoon exploring the historic city and gardens on foot.
Stay: Valletta
Day 2 · Knights' Heritage & Three Cities
Malta（St. John's Co-Cathedral、Grandmaster's Palace、Birgu (Vittoriosa) & the Three Cities、Fort St. Angelo）
Explore the historic city on foot in the morning. After lunch, take a small ferry from Valletta's waterfront to Birgu (a few minutes' crossing).
It is highly recommended to book tickets for St. John's Co-Cathedral online. Opening hours often vary on Sundays and public holidays.
Stay: Valletta
Day 3 · Mdina & Dingli Cliffs
Malta（Mdina、St. Paul's Catacombs、Dingli Cliffs）
Take bus 51, 52, or 53 from Valletta to Mdina (approx. 40 mins), transfer to Dingli, and return to Valletta afterwards.
Stay: Valletta
Day 4 · Gozo Day Trip
Malta（Ġgantija Temples、Gozo & Cittadella、Dwejra Bay & Inland Sea）
Take the fast ferry from Valletta to Mġarr (approx. 45 mins). Join a tour or hire a driver on Gozo, returning in the evening.
Buses on Gozo are infrequent and do not reach some sights. Hiring a driver is recommended for a day trip.
Stay: Valletta
Day 5 · Ferry to Pozzallo & Transfer to Modica
Pozzallo → Syracuse & Val di Noto（Modica）
Take the ferry (1 hour 45 mins) to Pozzallo. Use the ferry company's shuttle bus (approx. 20 mins) to Modica, then transfer to Ragusa.
The ferry terminal in Malta is located in Marsa. Schedules change frequently, so check times and book tickets a week in advance.
Stay: Ragusa Ibla
Day 6 · Ragusa Ibla & Noto
Syracuse & Val di Noto（Ragusa Ibla、Noto）
Pick up your rental car in Ragusa, drive to Noto (approx. 1 hour), and then continue to Ortigia (approx. 45 mins).
Car rental options in Pozzallo are limited. Confirm in advance that you can drop off the car at Catania Airport.
Stay: Ortigia Island
Day 7 · Ortigia & Greek Theatre
Syracuse & Val di Noto（Ortigia Market、Ortygia, Syracuse、Fountain of Arethusa、Neapolis Archaeological Park）
Explore Ortigia Island on foot in the morning. In the afternoon, take a taxi or drive to the Neapolis Archaeological Park (approx. 10 mins).
The market is liveliest in the morning. Ortigia has a ZTL (restricted traffic zone), so park your car in the parking lots outside the island.
Stay: Ortigia Island
Day 8 · Catania Old Town & Fish Market
Catania（La Pescheria, Catania、Piazza del Duomo & Elephant Fountain, Catania、Via dei Crociferi、Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena）
Drive from Ortigia to Catania (approx. 1 hour). Explore the old town on foot and park your car at your hotel or a public parking lot.
The fish market is only open in the morning and is closed on Sundays, so make an early start.
Stay: Historic Centre (Piazza del Duomo)
Day 9 · Mount Etna South Slope to Taormina
Catania（Mount Etna South Slope: Silvestri Craters & Rifugio Sapienza） → Taormina & Etna（Corso Umberto & Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina）
Drive up the mountain from Catania to Rifugio Sapienza (approx. 1 hour). In the afternoon, drive to Taormina (approx. 1.5 hours).
Volcanic altitude restrictions change with activity. Check local advisories before setting off and bring a warm jacket.
Stay: Taormina Old Town
Day 10 · Ancient Greek Theatre & Departure
Taormina & Etna（Ancient Theatre of Taormina、Isola Bella）
Spend the morning walking around the ancient theatre and enjoying bay views. In the afternoon, drive to Catania Airport to return your car (approx. 1 hour 15 mins).