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Highlights
Walk from Palermo to Agrigento on an ancient pilgrim’s trail
Explore the dazzling metropolis of Palermo, Sicily’s eclectic capital city.
Discover ancient fortresses and spectacular monasteries.
Walk through the Caraci Mountains Nature Reserve, among wetlands and thick forest, surrounded by rich biodiversity.
Visit the picturesque villages of Sutera and Raculmuto, brimming with traditional Sicilian culture and charm.
Walk the Magna Via Francigena Trail, crossing the island of Sicily from Palermo in the north, to Agrigento in the south. This 8-day walking tour will introduce you to the heart of this island and grant you a front-row seat to the thrilling landscapes of inland Sicily.
The Magna Via Francigena Trail, also known as the Frankish Knights' Great Road, is an ancient trail traversed by pilgrims and travellers for millennia. Setting out from the Tyrrhenian Sea in the north, you'll walk from Palermo, making your way through the heart of Sicily, until you reach the Mediterranean Sea in the South and your final destination of Agrigento.
The roads of Sicily, masterfully designed by the Romans, have connected people and cultures for centuries. These are the roads that will take you through Corleone's agricultural fiefdom and the magical valley of the Platani River. Crossing enchanting countryside, you'll encounter traditional pilgrim hospitality and the endless wonders of this island.
Discover the beating heart of Sicily on foot and experience all that this beautiful island has to offer!
Walk the Magna Via Francigena Trail, crossing the island of Sicily from Palermo in the north, to Agrigento in the south. This 8-day walking tour will introduce you to the heart of this island and grant you a front-row seat to the thrilling landscapes of inland Sicily.
The Magna Via Francigena Trail, also known as the Frankish Knights' Great Road, is an ancient trail traversed by pilgrims and travellers for millennia. Setting out from the Tyrrhenian Sea in the north, you'll walk from Palermo, making your way through the heart of Sicily, until you reach the Mediterranean Sea in the South and your final destination of Agrigento.
The roads of Sicily, masterfully designed by the Romans, have connected people and cultures for centuries. These are the roads that will take you through Corleone's agricultural fiefdom and the magical valley of the Platani River. Crossing enchanting countryside, you'll encounter traditional pilgrim hospitality and the endless wonders of this island.
Discover the beating heart of Sicily on foot and experience all that this beautiful island has to offer!
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Magna Via Francigena Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive
Benvenuti in Sicily! A private transfer from the center of Palermo or from the airport will take you to your start point in Santa Cristina Gela.
Santa Cristina Gela is a small village of Albanian origin, and its well-preserved traditions and language make it a truly unique place. Settle into your accommodations here before embarking on your first Sicilian adventure (optional).
Walk to Monreale to visit the famous cathedral here, one of Italy’s most outstanding Norman architecture examples. You can also get your first taste of the Magna Via Francigena trail today, walking to Piana degli Albanesi and then back to Santa Cristina.
Top of your day with the delicious “Iris with ricotta” pastry found in the many pastry shops that grace the city center.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Santa Cristina Gela
Distance: 1.5 hours, 5 km (optional)
Meals: None
Day 2 Nature Preserves and Monasteries on the road to Corleone
You’ll jump right into your Sicilian walking adventure today, with an exciting 25 km of walking in store!
After breakfast, you’ll head to the Magna Via Francigena trail to begin your journey. The Bosco della Ficuzza and Rocca Busambra natural reserves provide a rich and stunning backdrop for the first leg of your journey.
Reaching the Tagliava Monastery, you can enjoy this picturesque setting, enjoying a short break before continuing to Corleone.
Corleone, known by the world as the mafia’s birthplace, is rich in history and boasts many spectacular churches that are well worth seeing. Climb the Rocca Soprana Tower for breathtaking views over the city, or check out the famous Anti-Mafia Museum and Ethnographic Museum.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Corleone
Distance: 6 hours, 25 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk the Park of the Sicàni Mountains
Today’s trail takes you through the park of the Sicàni Mountains, where you’ll be greeted by wondrous archeological sites and walk among rich forest teeming with life. The area is named after the Sicàni people, who are the oldest known inhabitants of Sicily and were made extinct around 300 BC.
Walking today’s trail reveals the deeply rooted history of this land, unknown to many, but yours to discover!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Prizzi
Distance: 5 hours, 19 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Carcaci Mountains Nature Reserve
Departing Prizzi, you’ll embark on your journey across the Carcaci Mountains Nature Reserve. Scenic forests and wetlands characterize this beautiful landscape, rich in biodiversity.
After crossing the reserve, The Magna Via Francigena trail will take you to Castronovo di Sicilia, a village and fortified Norman fortress. Admire the multitude of baroque fountains throughout the village and visit the open-air museum, where you’ll discover remnants of ancient settlements and a well-preserved cemetery dating back to the 6th century BC.
After a good dose of history in Castronovo, a transfer will take you to Cammarata, where you’ll find tonight’s accommodations.
On request, it is possible to shorten today’s hike from 25 km to 19 km.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cammarata
Distance: 5.5 hours, 25 km
Shorter option: 4.5 hours, 19 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk the County of Caltanissetta
You can request to shorten the walk on the Via Magna Francigena with a short transfer at the beginning of the day. Today’s walk will take you from Cammarata to Sutera, through a bountiful land fed by the Platani River and covered in rich pastures. Green pistachios and juicy mountain peaches are among some of the fine produce grown here.
Entering the county of Caltanissetta, you’ll encounter quaint farmhouses and Masseria that provide the perfect place to rest awhile before continuing the trail.
On the trail to Sutera, you’ll walk through its suburb of Rabad, an Arab district made up of winding alleys and huts providing an authentic cultural experience.
Once in Sutera, be sure to visit Sutera’s monolithic fortress, where you’ll find the Sanctuary of San Paolino.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sutera
Distance: 5 hours, 20 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Discover the Roman Bridge of Campofranco
Your journey continues, leading you to more spectacular sights today!
Back on the Magna Via Francigena Trail, today’s walk will introduce you to the Sicilian thòlos tombs of Milena and the Neolithic settlements of Serra del Paco (5000 BC).
The trail will end today in Racalmuto, the famous birthplace of the writer Leonardo Sciascia.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Racalmuto
Distance: 6 hours, 22 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Explore Petra of Calathansuderj
With the smell of sulphur in the air, you’ll no doubt have learned about the sulphur mines of Racalmuto. Leaving this unique town behind, you’ll soon encounter the spectacular limestone crag known as Petra of Calathansuderj. Once a Byzantine-Arab-Norman stronghold, this geological masterpiece rises above the hills and was once at the seat of a prehistoric village at this site. Archeologists found fragments of pottery dating back to the bronze age inside the rock, making this site a fascinating encounter of history.
Following your final steps on the Magna Via Francigena trail today, you’ll catch a train to Agrigento, where you’ll enjoy your last evening of the tour before saying arrivederci tomorrow.
In Agrigento, you’ll be greeted by the golden south coast set on the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a magical place to spend your last evening of the tour- enjoy and soak it up!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Agrigento
Distance: 3.5 hours, 13 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Depart Agrigento
If time permits before departing, check out the Monastery of Santo Spirito and the Valley of Temples, two sights you won’t want to miss in Agrigento.
Make your way to the airport to depart beautiful Sicily!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures: The departures are available daily, from February 1st to November 20th.
- Single room: from EUR980*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR790*
Accommodation on the Magna Via Francigena Walking Tour
This tour is based in 3-star hotels and B&Bs. The hotels offer pleasant rooms with ensuite bathrooms and great locations. Rooms are double occupancy and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel.
What’s Included in the Magna Via Francigena Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included on this tour.
Transportation during the Tour
Private transfers on day 1 and day 4 are included on this tour. All luggage transfers between hotels are also included.
Also Included
- Maps and route directions
- Phone assistance between 8 am and 9 pm
- Credential of Magna Via Francigena
Not included
- Flights to and from Sicily
- Airport transfers
- Local public transport on day 7
- Visas if required
- Travel insurance
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Meals or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Fees not mentioned as ‘included’
- Guide
Optional Extras
- Activities and excursions unless otherwise mentioned as included
- Single room supplements
- Solo traveller supplements
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
- How hard is the Magna Via Francigena Walking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
- Are meals included on the Magna Via Francigena Walking Tour?
- How much should I budget for tourist taxes?
- What equipment should I bring on the Magna Via Francigena Walking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Palermo to start this tour?
- Where does the Magna Via Francigena Walking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Italy?
- When is the best time to travel to Italy for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. There is a fair amount of walking involved in the tour and some of the terrain can be challenging. Average walking time each day is between 3.5 hours and 6 hours, with up to 25 km covered. The tour allows you to walk at your own pace and take breaks whenever needed.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Tourist taxes in Italy vary depending on accommodation star rating and might be anywhere between 0.8 to 3 euro per night per person. This tax does not apply to children up to 10 years old.
Comfortable walking shoes and/or hiking boots are recommended, as well as a water bottle, sunscreen, swimsuit, hat, and a waterproof jacket in case of rain.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Palermo Airport (PMO) is the closest airport to your start point from where you will be picked for a transfer.
From your endpoint in Agrigento, you can return to Palermo by train, taking approximately 2 hours. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer to the airport.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Sicily for this tour is in the spring (April-June) or fall (September-October) when the weather is pleasantly warm but not too hot.
Customer Ratings
Slow Active Tours is a tour operator specializing in “slow pace” outdoor activities, which mainly concern cycling, trekking and snorkeling in beautiful Italy. Based in Puglia, the wonderful heel of Italy, Slow Active Tours was born from a long experience in responsible and sustainable tourism, combined with a love for culture and a strong passion for traditions, history and respect for nature.
Dynamic holidays “at a slow pace”, because in this way it is possible to savor every moment of a great journey, full of adventure, hearty breakfasts, moments of peaceful well-being, food and wine tastings, fresh dips in the most beautiful seas of Italy, smiles and chat with the locals.
Each trip includes everything you need to make the experience comfortable and to be free to travel safely.
