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Sicily food tours introduce you to the sumptuous flavors found across the island. This large and diverse Italian island offers distinctive flavors from one side to the other.
We spent about 6 months in Sicily traveling around the island and exploring the local cuisine.
Taking food tours in Sicily with local guides helped us understand the nuances of the cuisine.
As you plan your visit to Sicily, consider taking a Sicily food tour. Learn the stories and flavors of the local dishes and wines with a knowledgeable guide.
Depending on what part of the island you visit, you’ll find a food tour to meet your tastes.
To help you plan your culinary adventures, here are the 7 best Sicily food tours to sink your teeth into.
Comparison of Best Sicily Food Tours To Choose From
| Sicily Food Tours | Price (USD) | Start Time | Duration (hours) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taormina Food and Wine Tour | $98.31 | 6:30 pm | 2.5 h | Taormina Center |
| Street Food Tour in Syracuse | $132.55 | 11:30 am | 2.5 h | Ortigia City Center |
| Palermo Food And Walking Tour | $65.17 | 10.30 am and 11:00 am | 3 h | Palermo Food Markets |
| Palermo Street Food at Night Tour | $65.17 | 6.30 pm and 7.00 pm | 3 h | Palermo Food Markets and City Center |
| Catania Street Food Tour | $65.17 | 11.00 am | 3 h | Catania market and City Center |
| Catania Food Tour at Night | $65.17 | 6.00 pm | 3 h | Catania market and City Center |
| Etna Countryside Food and Wine Lovers Tour | $164.58 | 10.00 am | 6 h | Etna |
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Best Sicily Food Tours To Take
1. Taormina Food and Wine Tour
The splendor and picturesque beauty of Taormina draws visitors from all over the world. Taking a food tour to explore regional food specialties in one of the most beautiful cities in Italy is an unforgettable experience.
This Taormina Food and Wine Tour takes you on a fascinating discovery of amazing food, wine, and fascinating culture.
Spend about 2.5 to 3 hours in the evening getting to know the city and the best local food stops.
There are three main stops on this Sicily food tour in Taormina. You start out with local wines paired with fresh seafood and mouth watering appetizers.
At a local wine bar, you’ll dive further into Sicily wines as you savor hearty great food.
No tour would be complete without a sampling of traditional desserts. In addition to local pastries and sweets, you’ll also savor dessert wine and limoncello.
This food tour is a history trip of sorts with stunning views of notable edifices and ancient ruins.
This is a great tour for someone who appreciates a mix of history and discovering traditional Sicilian foods.
Cost: About $98.31 per person. Minimum 2 people per tour
Time and Length: Approximately 2.5 hours. Evening tour starts at 6.30 pm
Group Style: Small group tour with a maximum of 12 people
RELATED: The 10 Best Rome Food Tours: Eat Like A Roman in Italy
2. Food Tour in Syracuse
The seaside town of Syracuse or Siracusa in Italian is one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean. And, its historic center, Ortigia, or Ortygia is one of the most beautiful places in southern Italy.
It was once described as the “biggest and most beautiful Greek city” by Cicero, a famous Roman orator.
A visit to Ortigia should not be missed when visiting Sicily. And, its history and flavors are best expressed in this Street Food Tour in Syracuse.
This 2 to 2.5-hour walking tour is dedicated to Sicilian street food and starts with a visit to Ortigia Market.
You’ll learn about local food traditions from market vendors and taste a variety of traditional foods.
Stops at three different family eateries are included where you’ll sample Sicilian appetizers and homemade Sicilian pastries.
Along the way, you’ll stop at landmark sites and learn about the captivating history of Ortigia from your local guide.
Cost: Group tour $132.55 per person. Minimum 2 people per tour
Time and Length: Approximately 2.5 hours. Tour starts at 11:30 am
Group Style: Small group tour with a maximum of 12 people
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Don’t miss exploring the archaeological park of the Neapolis, rich in ancient Greek history and culture. This Half Day Tour of Syracuse explores the Greek Theater, the amphitheater, and other landmarks in the archeological park. Immerse yourself into the fascinating past of Magna Graecia in Syracuse.
3. Palermo Food And Walking Tour
This Palermo Food and Walking Tour is offered by Streaty the original and first food tour company in Palermo.
Created in 2013, it was born from the love of a passionate local to save Italian street food traditions.
Angelo, our tour guide in Palermo gave us food, cultural and historical insights that only a local could provide.
This small group street food tour takes you to two of the city’s most famous – Vucciria and Capo.
For about 3-hours, you’ll navigate the bustling markets, meet local vendors and try seasonal produce right off the stalls and sample the best Palermo street food.
Some of the delicious Palermo street food you’ll try, include panelle or chickpea fritters to arancini or fried rice balls.
Traditional Sicilian sweets also feature on this tour with full portion tastings of granita, a type of slushy to the famous cannoli pastry.
In addition to sampling street food and local wine. You’ll also explore the culture, traditions, and hidden areas of Palermo that you may not discover on your own.
This original food tour in Palermo is one of the best food tours for authentic street food and culture.
Cost: About $65.17 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Morning tours at 10.30 am and 11:00 am
Group Style: Small group tour with a maximum of 10 people
RELATED: Palermo Food Tours: Best Way to Eat Street Food Like a Local in Sicily
4. Palermo Street Food At Night
Palermo by night is a delicious culinary journey on a walking tour with a local guide.
At night, the streets of Palermo come to life in a unique way. With a local guide, you’ll explore the sounds and smells of street food grilling at the best vendors in the city.
This Palermo Street Food At Night tour is an original in the city. It is part of the same company offering the daytime Palermo food and walking tour.
This 3-tour walking tour kicks off with a tasting of Sicilian sparkling wine and delectable bruschetta at a wine bar.
You then move on to enjoy the flavors of traditional street food at food stalls at the local markets.
Your passionate local guide will take you along the backstreets to experience the real and unfiltered version of Palmerian life.
Be prepared to be blown away by authentic tastes. Some foods may be familiar, but most will be new. One of the favorite stops is for a large brioche with gelato or ice cream-filled buns.
The portions are generous. Get ready to eat and have fun as you explore Palermo’s vibrant local night scene.
Cost: About $65.17 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Night tours at 6.30 pm and 7.00 pm
Group Style: Small group tour with a maximum of 10 people
RELATED: 5 Best Cooking Classes In Sicily You Want To Take in 2023
5. Catania Street Food Tour
The culture and food history of Catania comes alive on this unforgettable Catania street food tour.
Our tour was guided by the lovely Agata who is a wealth of knowledge on Catania, Sicilian history, and food.
For about 3 hours, you’ll discover the local mouth watering delicacies the Catanese love as you explore the city.
Your adventure into Sicily food in Catania begins at the main plaza, the Piazza del Duomo, surrounded by cultural treasures.
At the nearby, La Pescheria, one of the largest fish markets in Italy, you’ll learn about seafood in Sicily as you navigate the stalls.
You’ll go underground to a lava tunnel and to the Castelo Ursino, a 13th-century royal castle of the Kingdom of Sicily.
Along the way you’ll stop for several regional specialties and traditional Sicilian dishes. Some of our most memorable foods were baked cipollina and horse meatballs.
Sweet Catania delights like brioche with pistachio ice cream or sweet cakes dedicated to the patron saint will end your tour.
This food tour of Sicily from the point of view of Catania, provides a understanding of the regional cuisine and rich cultural influences.
Cost: About $65.17 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Tour starts at 11.00 am
Group Style: Small group tour with a maximum of 10 people
6. Catania Food Tour at Night
Catania, a student town, has a vibrant evening street food culinary culture.
This Catania food tour at night takes you through the back streets to sample traditional Sicilian cuisine. As you explore the city, you’ll get a glimpse of everyday life, with culinary and local history woven in throughout.
This 3-hour food at night allows you to escape the heat and discover the best local foods.
Staying off the tourist path, you’ll visit historic Catania landmarks and sample a variety of street foods.
Adventurous eaters will enjoy local delicacies like horse meatballs while also understanding the culinary context and significance.
This Catania night tour combines unique flavors with history and culture making the perfect starting point in understanding food in eastern Sicily.
Cost: About $65.17 per person.
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Night tour starts at 6.00 pm
Group Style: Small group tour with a maximum of 10 people
RELATED: 20 Of The Best Restaurants in Catania Sicily for Pasta, Pizza and More
7. Etna Countryside Food and Wine Lovers Tour
Starting from Taormina, this food and wine tour takes you to the Etna countryside for a taste of local Sicilian food and wine.
The tour starts off with a scenic drive towards Mount Etna. You’ll enjoy amazing views and stories about Sicilian food and culture as you pass through the picturesque villages.
Your first visit will be to one of the most beautiful vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna. After an introductory glass of Prosecco and a vineyard tour, you’ll savor Etna Red and White wines with a delicious appetizer platter.
The tour continues to a nearby traditional Sicilian farmhouse for a hearty 3-course lunch.
Wine tastings of local Sicilian wines add to the gastronomic experience.
The food and wine tour ends with sampling authentic Etna liquors before heading back to the starting point.
The best part about this 6-hour day tour is not having to drive. Go ahead and indulge in traditional Etna flavors and leave the driving up to someone else.
Your knowledgeable and entertaining guide will introduce you to the magic of Mount Etna. And, you’ll leave knowledgeable about the culture, food, and lifestyle of the people in this region.
Cost: About $164.58 per person. Minimum 2 people per tour
Time and Length: Approximately 6 hours. Tour starts at 10.00 am
Group Style: Small group tour with a maximum of 8 people. Private transfers from Catania and Messina are available at an additional cost.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you are looking to visit the wineries around Mount Etna, check out our guide about The Best Etna Wineries To Visit in Sicily
What to Consider When Choosing a Food Tour in Sicily
While most Sicily food tours share common elements like discovering local Sicilian food and wine, the experiences vary. The time of day, areas visited, private tour versus group, and length of tours all differ.
Before booking your food tour in Sicily, here are a couple of things to consider.
What Kind of Sicily Food Tour Experience Do You Want
We personally took some of these food and wine tours and enjoyed the rich cultural and culinary scene in this famous Italy region.
You can be assured of authentic and memorable experiences you’ll remember for a long time.
On your Southern Italy visit, what kind of food tour in Sicily would you like to experience?
Do you prefer market food tours or food tours with wine tastings?
Are you more inclined to avoid the heat and hot temperatures and go on a night tour instead?
Is a small group tour your style, or do you prefer a private experience with friends and family?
Whatever your preference, choose the experience that aligns with your tastes and book your Sicily food tour.
What Is Your Budget for Your Sicily Food Tours?
The gastronomic experiences you choose will depend on your travel plan and budget.
The best food tours in Sicily range from about $65.17 to $164.58 per person.
However, depending on the size of your group, you may be able to get discounted rates.
All tours featured continue to adhere to Covid safety guidelines. However, if you prefer some offer personalized tours that you can take enjoy at your own pace.
On a positive note, all these tours allow free booking cancellation up to 24 to 72 hours before your Sicily food tour.
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest