Sicily

What sounds more exciting than cycling in Sicily? This island is a region renowned for its Baroque architecture, its lemons, oranges and olives, its artistic influences (many poets and writers were born here) and of course its excellent cuisine!! The cuisine in Sicily is different from the rest of Italy because of the various cultures it was exposed to, for example the Greeks, Romans, Normans, Arabs, Spanish and French – all of whom left their traditions and flavors behind. In addition to its great wines, dinner in Sicily usually consists of eggplant, plenty of seafood, vegetables and yes, lots of pasta and olive oil.

Don't miss the town of Caltagirone, which received its name from the Arabs and is renowned for its decorative ceramics. Also not to be missed are the famous 142 steps! In Modica, the upper town is watched over by the magnificent 18th century façade of the church of San Giorgio. Be sure to try some of its famous spicy chocolate!

Cycle Sicily style, and enjoy this amazing bike tour in Italy!

8 day tour:

Day 1: Arrival in Caltagirone
Day 2: Caltagirone - Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 3: Caltagirone - Modica, 32 + 25 mi. (50 km + 40 km transfer)
Day 4: Modica - Pozzallo, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Pozzallo - Marzamemi, 35 mi. (55 km)
Day 6: Marzamemi - Noto, 13 mi. (20 km)
Day 7: Noto - Siracusa, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Siracusa

Variation possible, with arrival in Caltagirone on Sunday and biking to Modica on Monday, making the tour 7 days / 6 nights.

DAY 1: Arrival in Caltagirone
Individual arrival in Caltagirone. Evening at your disposal to explore this intriguing little town. Perhaps take an evening stroll up the famous 142 decorative steps and browse in the many ceramic shops along the way.

DAY 2: Caltagirone - Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone, 22 mi. (35 km)
Organized transfer with bikes to Piazza Armerina with its famous Villa Romana del Casale, 5 km northwest of town. First excavated in 1950, it was probably a hunting lodge and summer home and is decorated with multicolored mosaic floors that are unique throughout the Roman world in their quality and extend. After a visit, you'll cycle back to Caltagirone! There's an excellent seafood restaurant Il Locandiere at 57 Via Luigi Sturzo.
Caltagirone's Baroque style dates back to the rebuilding of the entire city after the 1693 earthquake. Well before that, however, Caltagirone had acquired a reputation for the excellence of its ceramics. The Arabs introduced local craftsmen to the glazed colors, in particular blues and yellows, which have subsequently become typically Sicilian in execution.

DAY 3: Caltagirone - Modica, 32 + 25 mi. (50 km + 40 km transfer)
From Caltagirone, this bicycle tour in Italy takes you southward until reaching Comiso where a transfer will take you to Modica. On the train route, you'll ride via Ragusa. Ragusa Ibla, the older lower part of Ragusa, was also totally rebuilt into the side of a hill just a few years after the 1693 earthquake. Modica is an enjoyable place to spend half a day. The upper town is watched over by the magnificent 18th century façade of the church of San Giorgio. Modica is famous for its chocolate, and we highly recommend trying some!

DAY 4: Modica - Pozzallo, 22 mi. (35 km)
Before leaving Modica, one should at least try the famous spicy chocolate. From Modica you will gradually descend alongside the caves characteristic of the Iblei Mountains to Scicli, totally rebuilt in the Baroque style after the earthquake. Scicli is an amazing little town with beautiful architecture! Continue onwards to the coastal town of Pozzallo.

DAY 5: Pozzallo - Marzamemi, 35 mi. (55 km)
This day of cycling in Sicily is on an almost completely flat course along the coast and will bring you through Portopalo di Capo Passero, continental Europe's southernmost point where it is closest to Africa. Before arriving in Marzamemi, the beautiful island of Correnti marks where the Ionian and Mediterranean seas meet.

DAY 6: Marzamemi - Noto, 13 mi. (20 km)
Another day of flat terrain and easy cycling in Sicily, the route takes a turn to the north passing through the relatively untouched and pristine natural preserve of Vendicari, where you can relish the beauty of the countryside. The trip continues north, ending the day at the city of Noto, considered to be the finest Baroque town in Sicily, and it is quite a sight to see! Completely devastated in the earthquake of 1693, the city was rebuilt in the style of the day with beautiful honey-colored sandstone buildings with ornate churches and monuments surrounding attractive piazzas.

DAY 7: Noto - Siracusa, 25 mi. (40 km)
Heading north, the route continues through Avola towards Siracusa, the capital of Ancient Greece and home to Archimedes. The centre of Siracusa is a wonderful display of an ancient city that has endured the presence of various Mediterranean civilizations and accumulated the wealth and culture of their passing for over 3,000 years. The island of Ortigia is joined to the mainland of Siracusa by two bridges, and is a fascinating web of ancient buildings and narrow streets. There are 2 main piazzas that are well worth visiting either by bicycle or on foot.

DAY 8: Departure from Siracusa
Your Sicily cycling holiday will end after breakfast.

7 day tour:

Day 1: Caltagirone
Day 2: Caltagirone – Modica,  (50 km by bike + 40 km transfer)
Day 3: Modica – Pozzallo,  (35 km)
Day 4: Pozzallo – Marzamemi,  (55 km)
Day 5: Marzamemi – Noto,  (20 km)
Day 6: Noto – Siracusa,  (40 km)
Day 7: Siracusa

Day 1: Caltagirone
Individual arrival. Caltagirone is one of the Baroque towns of the famous Val di Noto, a UNESCO world heritage site.
 
Day 2:  Caltagirone – Modica,  (50 km by bike + 40 km transfer)
From Caltagirone you start cycling southwards until you reach Comiso, where a transfer will bring you to Modica. The upper town is watched over by the magnificent 18th century façade of the church of San Giorgio.
 
Day 3:  Modica – Pozzallo, (35 km)
Before leaving Modica don’t miss the famous spicy chocolate! From Modica you will gradually descend alongside the characteristic caves of the Iblei mountains to Scicli, totally rebuilt in the Baroque style after the earthquake of 1693. Continue onwards through the marine centre of Pozzallo.
 
Day 4:  Pozzallo – Marzamemi, (55 km)
This day of cycling on an almost completely flat course will bring you to Portopalo di Capo Passero, continental Europe’s southernmost point. Before arriving to Marzamemi, the beautiful island of Correnti marks the meeting point of the Ionian and Mediterranean seas.
 
Day 5:  Marzamemi – Noto, (20 km)
The route takes a turn to the north passing through the relatively untouched and pristine natural reserve of Vendicari, where you can relish the beauty of the countryside. The trip continues north, ending in the city of Noto, considered to be the finest Baroque town in Sicily. Completely devastated in the earthquake of 1693, the city was rebuilt in the style of that time with beautiful honey-coloured stone buildings, ornate churches and monuments surrounding attractive piazzas.
 
Day 6: Noto – Siracusa, (40 km)
Heading north, the route continues towards Siracusa, the most important Sicilian town in Ancient Greece and home to Archimedes. With the Island of Ortigia in the background, the centre of Siracusa is a wonderful example of ancient city.
 
Day 7:  Siracusa
Departure after breakfast

If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.

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