From Messina to Palermo: a journey through the wonders of Northern Sicily

DAY 2 – MILAZZO AND SANTO STEFANO DI CAMASTRA

Leaving Messina behind, follow the Tyrrhenian coast westward. After about 40 kilometres you’ll reach Milazzo, an ancient town that today serves as a gateway to the Aeolian Islands. Its historic centre is dominated by the Castle of Milazzo, one of Sicily’s largest fortresses, surrounded by the atmospheric old town.

Continue for another 90 kilometres to Santo Stefano di Camastra, a village renowned for its centuries-old ceramic tradition. You can recharge your car at the Via Umberto I charging point while exploring the artisan workshops that line the streets.

Here, vivid colours and intricate decorations tell stories passed down through generations — floral patterns, bright lemons, and bold geometric designs that celebrate the island’s artistic soul. The town itself reflects its craft: many squares, stairways, and facades are covered in hand-painted tiles, transforming the streets into an open-air museum that changes with the light of day.

DAY 3 – CEFALÙ

Heading further west, the route leads to Cefalù, about 70 kilometres away. The town welcomes travellers with the twin bell towers of its Norman Cathedral, standing tall at the foot of the massive limestone cliff known as La Rocca.

Begin your visit along the seaside promenade, where the Lido di Cefalù stretches out in golden sand and crystal-clear water. If you’re travelling in summer, you’ll find more hidden gems nearby — Mazzaforno, Sant’Ambrogio, Settefrati, and Salinelle beaches are all worth a stop.

In the old town, houses rise directly from the sea, some with ancient passages that once served as docking points for small boats. Narrow cobbled lanes lead to the Medieval Wash House, once fed by a natural spring, and to Corso Ruggero, the main artery of the town.

In the afternoon, climb La Rocca for panoramic views over Cefalù and the coastline, before ending the day at the Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site adorned with magnificent Byzantine mosaics — most notably the awe-inspiring Christ Pantocrator that dominates the apse.

DAY 4 – PALERMO

The final leg brings you to Palermo, the capital of Sicily and a cultural crossroads of the Mediterranean. If your car needs a quick recharge before exploring, stop at the Via Oreto charging point.

Start your visit from the waterfront and the historic centre — a maze of palaces, markets, and monumental churches. The city’s most iconic landmark is its Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century and part of the UNESCO site “Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale.”

Just a few streets away stands the Teatro Massimo, Italy’s largest opera house and one of Europe’s most prestigious. Not far from there, the Palazzo dei Normanni hides the dazzling Palatine Chapel, its golden mosaics and intricately carved wooden ceiling among the finest in the world.

Continue towards Piazza Pretoria, with its stunning 16th-century fountain, and on to the nearby Quattro Canti, a monumental Baroque crossroads where Via Maqueda meets Via Vittorio Emanuele. Each of its four facades represents a season, a Spanish king, and a patron saint — together forming a symbolic map of the city.

Four days along Sicily’s northern coast, from Messina to Palermo — a journey through sea and art, hilltop villages and centuries of history.

Made even smoother by the charging points along the way and the Plenitude On The Road App, this itinerary invites you to experience a Sicily that never stops inspiring.