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Baroque Towns Cycling Tour in Sicily

8 days / 7 nights
Sicily - Self-guided road cycling - E-bike tours - Private groups
Without guide - Comfort - Luggage transfer

Last updated: 20/10/2023

price from
~1198 $ [1100 €] per pers.

Sicily, the largest of the Italian islands is a concentration of history, architecture and gastronomic delights.
It is one of the pearls of southern Italy and can be discovered, understood and experienced through this itinerary dedicated to the island's history and traditions.



Prepare your trip

Your day by day program

1
Piazza Armerina

Arrival in Piazza Armerina, a pretty and historic town nestled into the heart of Sicily. Have a chance to wander around its beautiful winding streets. There are many wonderful buildings to see including the 18th century Duomo, which dominates the town standing majestically on top of a hill, the elegant town hall, and grand old palazzi such as the Palazzo Trigona.
Overnight stay in Piazza Armerina.

2
Piazza Armerina to Caltagirone (35 km / D+635 m)

Your bikes and information for the tour will be delivered to you this morning. Heading out of Piazza Armerina, after about 4Km you will reach Villa Romana del Casale, the centre of the large estate upon which the rural economy of the Western Empire was based. This majestic imperial villa dates back to the 4th Century A.D. and is one of the most luxurious of its kind. It is especially noteworthy for the richness and quality of the mosaics, which are considered as the most beautiful and best-preserved of their kind and which made the Villa a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Today’s destination is Caltagirone, one of the Baroque towns of the famous Val di Noto.
About 35 Km.
Overnight stay in Caltagirone.

3
Caltagirone to Palazzolo Acreide (68 km / D+1200 m)

From Caltagirone you will cycle to Palazzolo Acreide, Akrai for the Greeks. A city of great cultural interest, it owes its fame to the nearby archaeological excavation. Thanks to the many fascinating buildings in Baroque style, Palazzolo Acreide has been incorporated into the list of World Heritage sites since 2002.
About 68 Km.
Overnight stay in Palazzolo Acreide.

4
Palazzolo Acreide to Ragusa Ibla (37 km / D+600 m)

Today you will cycle along the Hyblaean Plateau, characterized by dry-stone walls which divide swathes of land heading to Ragusa. This area offers some of the best red wines of Sicily and wonderful artisan cheeses. The town is divided into three parts: the modern Ragusa, the upper town Ragusa Superiore, and the oldest part, Ragusa Ibla, which is the most interesting for visitors. Ragusa has been described by UNESCO World Heritage as "representing the culmination and final flowering of Baroque art in Europe".
About 37Km.
Overnight stay in Ragusa Ibla.

5
Ragusa Ibla to Ispica (59 km / D+660 m)

Today the tour leads you from Ragusa Ibla to Ispica. The first stop will be Modica, one of the area's UNESCO-listed Baroque towns. Particularly famous for its chocolate, Modica is situated in the dramatic landscape of the Monti Iblei. From here you’ll continue your ride to Scicli, where you can visit the Church of San Bartolomeo. Finally you will reach Ispica. The centre of Ispica is home to a handful of elegant churches, such as Santa Maria Maggiore, with its splendid collection of frescoes, and the Chiesa dell'Annunziata. The town's streets and squares, some lined with fine palazzi, such as the current town hall, will lead you to the former covered market, which now houses a café and restaurant.
About 59 Km.
Overnight stay in Ispica.

6
Ispica to Noto (55 km / D+545 m)

Leaving Ispica, you will come across Marzamemi, one of Sicily's prettiest seaside villages. Here you can see the small and characteristic houses of the fishermen which border the main square. They were renovated during the construction of the Palazzo of the Prince of Villadorata. Continue cycling towards the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a mixture of lagoons (pantano), sand dunes, rocky coastlines, and sandy beaches. The Reserve was created in 1984 and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Thousands of migrating birds pass a few days here on their way to or from Africa. Today's ride ends in Noto, perched on a plateau overlooking the Asinaro valley, covered by citrus, olive and almond trees. Admire the palaces, churches, balconies with wrought iron railings and cherubs that decorate the facades. Noto is called the “Garden of Stone” because of its typical stone.
About 55 Km.
Overnight stay in Noto.

7
Noto to Syracuse (37 km / D+215 m)

The final day's ride will take you from Noto to Syracuse, a city among the most noble and elegant from all over the Mediterranean. Full of charm, history and natural landscapes, enviable and envied, the city is divided into two different groups: the urban part of the city and Ortigia, the beautiful island of the city, increasingly rich in tourism. In 2005, Syracuse has become part of the Unesco World Heritage.
About 37 Km.
Overnight stay in Syracuse.

8
Syracuse

End of the holiday. Arrivederci Sicilia!​

Departure board

Any day in the week throughout the year.

Technical information

Fact sheet
Starting point
  • Beginning of the tour in Piazza Armerina at the time of your choice.
End
  • End of the tour in Syracuse after breakfast on the last day.
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in 3* hotels and B&B
Number of people
  • Minimum of 2
Level of difficulty
  • Moderate level: from 35 km to 68 km per day.
Carrying
  • Carry only what you need for the day (camera, wallet etc)
Options
  • Departures from 14 April to 18 April, from 15 July to 23 August and from 23 December to 7 January.  : 480€
  • Departures from 01 June to 14 July and from 24 August to 22 September : 170€
  • Departures from 08 to 22 August : 220€
  • Single room supplement : 305€
  • E-Bike rental : 235€
  • Hybrid bike rental : 100€
  • Roadbike rental : 185€
  • Transfer Catania>Piazza Armerina (1 or 2 people) : 250€
  • Transfer Catania>Siracusa (1 or 2 people) : 190€
Included
  • Bed & Breakfast in 4-star hotels
  • Luggage transport service
  • Information material and route description
  • GPS with the necessary routes
  • Local hotline
Not included
  • The transfers between airport and hotels
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunch, evening meals
  • Tourist taxes
  • Bike rental

Map

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