Modern self-guided touring in Sicily makes independent exploration a breeze.
Using your smartphone, you’ll find three standout options: Taormina’s audio walking tour delivers clear history and culture through an easy-to-follow app with offline maps.
In vibrant Catania, a clever mystery-themed walk turns sightseeing into a fun detective game, perfect for keeping kids engaged.
My favorite is Syracuse’s scavenger hunt tour – it cleverly connects the ancient city’s top sites while teaching you local history.
Let’s explore Sicily’s most rewarding self-guided adventures.
Key Points
- The Taormina Self-Guided Audio Tour offers a flexible 1-hour experience with lifetime access to audio content, maps, and geodata via the VoiceMap app.
- The Catania Self Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game provides a private, smartphone-based tour that leverages the city’s streets and landmarks.
- The Syracuse Scavenger Hunt and Landmarks Self-Guided Experience offers an app-based navigation through the city, highlighting various landmarks and sights.
- These self-guided tours in Sicily allow visitors to explore at their own pace, with features like free cancellation, service animal accessibility, and confirmation upon booking.
- The tours cater to different interests, from a scenic audio tour of Taormina to a mystery-solving experience in Catania and a landmarks-focused scavenger hunt in Syracuse.
Taormina: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Sicily’s Hilltop Town
Taormina, a picturesque hilltop town in Sicily, beckons visitors with its rich history, stunning vistas, and charming streets. For those looking to explore this gem at their own pace, the “Taormina: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Sicily’s Hilltop Town” is a fantastic option. The tour, available in English, lasts approximately an hour and is priced at $11.99 per person.
The tour features lifetime access to the audio content, maps, and geodata, which can be accessed offline through the VoiceMap app. Travelers can start, pause, or restart the tour at any time, making it a flexible and personalized experience.
The meeting point is at the Terrazza Panoramica su Giardini Naxos, and the tour ends at the Ristorante Pizzeria Porta Messina.
Accessibility is limited, as the tour isn’t wheelchair-friendly, but most travelers can participate. The tour is available from March 15, 2023, to December 7, 2025, with operating hours running 24/7.
While the tour doesn’t provide guided access to museums or attractions, it offers an immersive way to discover Taormina‘s charms at your own pace.
Read our full review: Taormina: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Sicily’s Hilltop Town Review
Book now: Check availability
Catania Self Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game
For those seeking a more interactive way to explore Catania, the “Catania Self Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game” offers an engaging and immersive experience.
Developed by City Game Sicily, this private tour leverages the city’s streets and landmarks to create a detective-themed adventure. Starting and ending at Piazza Università, participants use their smartphones or other devices to solve a Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery as they navigate through Catania.
The experience is suitable for most travelers, though it’s not recommended for those with certain medical conditions. Priced from $21.42 per group of up to 4 people, the tour provides flexibility with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
While not wheelchair accessible, the tour is near public transportation and allows service animals. With confirmation provided at booking, this self-guided experience promises an innovative way to discover Catania’s charm and uncover its hidden secrets.
Read our full review: Catania Self Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game Review
Book now: Check availability
Syracuse Scavenger Hunt and Landmarks Self-Guided Experience
This Syracuse Ortigia Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour from World City Trail offers an engaging way for travelers to discover the city’s rich history and iconic landmarks.
Available from 11/10/2023 to 10/12/2025, the tour can be enjoyed daily from 12:00 AM to 11:30 PM, providing flexibility in exploring the stunning Sicilian city at one’s own pace.
The self-guided experience starts and ends at the Chiesa di San Tommaso al Pantheon, allowing participants to navigate the app-based tour independently.
For $6.44 per person, the tour includes access to the World City Trail app, navigation, and a rundown of Syracuse’s highlights.
While not recommended for those with certain medical conditions, the tour is accessible to most travelers, with the option to bring service animals.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience, and travelers can secure their spot while staying flexible by reserving now and paying later.
This self-guided tour provides an enriching and convenient way to uncover the enchanting city of Syracuse.
Read our full review: Syracuse Scavenger Hunt and Landmarks Self-Guided Experience Review
Book now: Check availability
The Sum Up
Sicily offers a range of engaging self-guided tours for travelers. Taormina’s audio tour takes visitors through the historic hilltop town, while Catania’s Sherlock Holmes-themed game provides an interactive mystery experience. In Syracuse, a scavenger hunt leads explorers to the city’s renowned landmarks. These tours provide an independent and immersive way to discover Sicily’s rich culture and scenic landscapes at one’s own pace.