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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.
Its strategic location, in the center of the Mediterranean sea, has made it attractive to various empires and populations throughout the centuries.
As a result, this mixing of populations has influenced the cuisine and the flavors of traditional Sicilian dishes.
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 food.
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.
Please note, hours and availability may vary based on local restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic. Make sure to follow the local health regulations.
Table of Contents
Palermo Food Tours
Palermo, Sicily’s capital city is a world-famous European destination for street food.
A cradle of many cultures, the street food dishes are part of the defining symbols of Sicilian cuisine.
The best way to get to the heart of the local culture and cuisine is with a knowledgeable local food tour guide.
From the bustling markets to the quaint eateries on narrow streets, you’ll discover the hidden gems as you learn about the rich culinary heritage.
While in Palermo, we loved the Palermo food and walking tour we took. This day time walking tour took us to the markets and street stalls for authentic specialties.
If you want to avoid the blistering heat on a summer day, take the street food at night instead. Both these walking tours are authentic, entertaining while offering a diverse sampling of Sicily’s amazing food.
1. 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, was quite an entertainer and he gave us cultural and historical insights that only a local could provide.
On this small group food tour you explore two of the most famous open-air food markets in the city – Vucciria and Capo.
As you navigate the alleys your experienced local guide will regale you with stories at various stalls and family owned eateries.
You’ll watch vendors prepare local foods, try seasonal produce right off the stalls and sample the best Palermo street food.
Eat your way through five to six unique foods. From panelle or chickpea fritters to the Palermo 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.
On of our favorite stop was a fascinating visit at one of the oldests tavern’s in Palermo. There you’ll wash everything down with local wine while soaking in the local Sicilian ambiance.
The leisurely 3-hour tour goes beyond simply showcasing 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 $58.28 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Morning tours at 10.30 am and 11:00 am
Group Style: Small group Palermo food tour conducted in English.
2. 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 the 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.
It is a great alternative to the tour we took with Angelo. Especially during the heat of the summer or if you’re looking to soak up the Sicilian night atmosphere.
This 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 fares 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. Be ready to eat and have fun as you explore the food and local culture.
Cost: About $58.28 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Night Tours at 6.30 pm and 7.00 pm
Group Style: Small group food tour conducted in English.
Catania Food Tours
Catania, on the Eastern side of Sicily, is rich in history and full of amazing food. The food
Dominated by Mount Etna, an active volcano, you’ll discover unexpected flavors and fresh ingredients at local family eateries in the city.
During our 3-month stay in Catania exploring the local food specialties, we took a Catania food tour with a local Catanese guide.
Deeply informative and delicious we explored the stories, legends and street foods of this culturally rich city.
Discover some of the oldest streets in the world in a city famous for its arancino shaped like Mount Etna.
Dive into the flavors of Sicily’s second largest city with the first and original Catania street food tours.
3. 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 tips.
Your time will be spent discovering the local delicacies the Catanese love while learning about the associated culture.
The 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.
Agata, who know the foods and streets like the back of her hands, will take you off the beaten path.
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 bites to taste local specialites. Our most memorables where the 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.
And Agata is willing to give more food addresses where the locals go for you to check out.
Cost: About $63.25 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Tour starts at 11.00 am
Group Style: Small group tour conducted in English.
4. Catania Food Tour at Night
Catania, a student town, has a vibrant evening street food culinary culture.
This Catania food tour at night takes through the back streets to sample the popular specialties like crispy crispellas and more.
As you walk around the city, you’ll get a glimpse of everyday life, with culinary and local history woven in throughout.
This 3-hour food tour starts off with refreshing local beer and a Catania cipollina specialty.
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 food tour is by the same company that offers the day time tour. You get the same depth of insights from passionate local guides.
Escape the heat and discover the best local food in Catania. This Catania night tour combines unique flavors with history and culture making the perfect starting point in understanding food in eastern Sicily.
Cost: About $63.25 per person.
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Night tour start at 6.00 pm
Group Style: Small group Sicily food tour conducted in English.
RELATED: 20 Of The Best Restaurants in Catania Sicily for Pasta, Pizza and More
Other Food Tours in Sicily
If you’re visiting other parts of the island beyond Palermo and Catania, consider going on a culinary tour with a local guide.
We had the opportunity to visit all the places mentioned and highly recommend you to do the same.
In Taormina, a hill top village perched high above the Ioanian Sea, uncover the secrets of Sicilian food on a guided tour.
If you visit Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, discover the fresh ingredients and produce growing on volcanic soils.
A Mount Etna food tour also includes wine tours and tastings of the local grape varieties.
Syracuse or Siracusa in Southern Italy is a world famous ancient Greek city. It was the most important city of Magna Graecia and has distincitive Greek influences in the food.
An immersion into the local food culture with a local guide will introduce you to the nuances of Sicilian regional food.
5. Taormina Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
The splendor and picturesque beauty of Taormina draws visitors from all over the world. It has has been described as one of the most beautiful in Sicily, and we concur.
Exploring the regional food specialties and the rich mix of cultures is best experienced on a tour.
This Taormina Gourmet Food and Wine Tour takes you on a discovery of mouth watering food, rich history and fascinating culture.
While regular tourists flock to Corso Umberto, the main street with cafes and souvenir shops, you’ll avoid these tourist traps with your guide.
Instead, your small group will explore the hidden gems and follow the less traveled food and wine routes.
Each of the stops and local experiences are designed around the best street food, Greek ruins and traditional wine and cheese shops.
The four food tastings which feature organic food will surprise and delight you.
You’ll get to know baked sfoglie di Taormina a stuffed focaccia, stuffed sardines, pidone, cheese filled fried dough and more.
These hearty tastings are rounded off with local delicious wine made from ancient Sicilian grape varieties.
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.
Over a 2.5 to 3-hour evening tour, you dive into the flavors of a mix of Greek, Catanese and Messinese influences.
This is a great tour for someone who appreciates a mix of history and discovering traditional Sicilian foods.
Cost: About $84.69 per person. Minimum 2 people per tour
Time and Length: Approximately 2.5 hours. Tours in the evening starting 6.30 pm
Group Style: Small group Sicily food tour conducted in English.
6. 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 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 long 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 $127.45 per person. Minimum 2 people per tour
Time and Length: Approximately 6 hours. Tour at 10.00am
Group Style: Small group tours conducted in English. 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
7. Food Tour in Syracuse
The seaside town of Syracuse or Siracusa in Italian is one of the oldest cities in the Mediterrenean.
The historic center of Syracuse, Ortigia, also spelled Ortygia is one of the most beautiful places to visit in southern Italy.
It was once described as the “biggest and most beautiful Greek city” by Cicero, a famous Roman orator.
A vsit to Ortigia should not be missed when visiting Sicily. And, its history and flavors are best expressed on Siracusa Food and Wine Tour.
This 2.5 to 3 hour walking tour starts with a guided tour of key Sircusa landmarks. You explore Ortygia’s historic city center visiting Santa Lucia church, Piazza Archimede and the nearby Fountain of Diana.
The food tasting at three different family owned recipes are varied and diverse. Savor authentic delicacies like fish dishes, Sicilian appetizers and homemade Sicilian pastries.
In addition to Sicilian wine, you’ll relish traditional liquors from Siracusa as you go deeper into the local food culture.
If you’re looking to combine tasting traditional Sicilian dishes and wines with a history walk, the 3-hour Syracuse Food and Wine Tour is a great option.
Even though Ortigia is a compact little city, it has a captivating history and food gems scattered throughout.
The evening culinary tour offers you a great way to indulge in traditional Sicilian foods while relishing the flavors and beauty of Siracusa.
Cost: Group tour $95.32 per person. Minimum 2 people per tour
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Evening tours at 6.30 pm
Group Style: Small group tour and also available as a private tour.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Don’t miss exploring the archaeological park of the Neapolis, home to some of the most important Greek Roman. This Half Day Tour of Syracuse explores the Greek Theater, the amphitheater and other landmarks in the archeological park. We particularly enjoyed touring the park and going inside the Ear of Dionysius. From there you visit the Ortigia learning about the different influences and architectural styles. While this is not a food tour, a short visit to the local market to taste authentic and delicious Sicilian food can be added on.
Comparison of Best Sicily Food Tours To Choose From
| Sicily Food Tours | Price | Start Time | Duration | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palermo Food And Walking Tour | $58.28 | 10:30 am and 11:00 am | 3 hours | Palermo Food Markets |
| Palermo Street Food at Night Tour | $58.28 | 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm | 3 hours | Palermo Food Markets and City Center |
| Catania Street Food Tour | $63.25 | 11:00 am | 3 hours | Catania market and City Center |
| Catania Food Tour at Night | $63.25 | 6:00 pm | 3 hours | Catania market and City Center |
| Taormina Gourmet Food and Wine Tour | $84.69 | 10:00 am | 2.5 hours | Taormina Center |
| Etna Countryside Food and Wine Lovers Tour | $127.45 | 10:00 am | 6 hours | Etna |
| Syracuse Food and Wine Tour | $95.32 | 6:30 pm | 3 hours | Ortigia City Center |
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.
As you choose a food tour in Sicily, there are a couple of things to consider.
Once you’ve identified the tour specifics and the area to explore, book the Sicily food tour that meets your needs.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make sure to have travel insurance for your Sicily trip. It can cover you in case of unexpected cancellations and last minute changes. We use and recommend Allianz travel insurance which is an affordable option for US residents. Another great option we also recommend is World Nomads travel insurance which covers residents from all over the world.
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.
Before you book any food tour, it is important to list your preferences and expectations from it.
Do you prefer to stick to one area or explore several neighborhoods?
Are you more inclined to avoid the heat and sunshine and go on a night tour?
Are you open and adventurous to try unique Sicilian street foods?
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 $58 USD to $128 USD.
However, depending on the size of your group, you may be able to negotiate 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 the event.
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Claire is a culinary explorer who travels the world in search of the best local foods. She is always looking for her next culinary adventure to bring you the best bites while exploring new places.