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Bicycle Tours — Italy

Eastern Sicily: Cycling Baroque Cities and Magna Grecia

Self-Guided - Palazzolo Acreide to Siracusa - 8 days

This tour explores southeastern Sicily and the famous baroque towns of the Val di Noto. The Spanish occupied this area in the late 17th century when 45 towns were destroyed by a single earthquake in 1693. In rebuilding the cities in the region they left a legacy of the most significant collection of baroque churches anywhere. Add to this the culinary delicacies (like the famous chocolate from Modica and local seafood) of the region, the famous red wine "Nero d'Avola" and the "Moscato di Noto" and you have an unforgettable bicycle ride. The ride takes you along the coast of southeastern Sicily to the southernmost point of the island. This is a perfect tour in the Spring and Fall. Add mileage to the easy day rides if you want more exercise or just take it easy and enjoy Sicily!

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  • Day 1

    Arrive in Syracusa

    Highlights: Welcome to Sicily!

    Individual arrival in Siracusa, handover of the bikes and the roadbook and maps with all the information you will need

    Accommodation: Hotel Gargallo, or similar

  • Day 2

    Siracusa – Palazzolo Acreide

    Highlights: Syracuse, Palazzo Acreide

    Leaving the bustle of Siracusa behind, your cycling holiday in Sicily begins. You will first gradually cycle up through a beautiful landscape. These quiet country roads take you past orange, lemon and olive groves. When the weather is clear, you can catch a glimpse of Mount Etna. You will also visit the town of Ferla, one of the most beautiful Sicilian villages.

    Daily distance: 53km (33 miles)
    Elevation gain: +960m (3150 ft)

    Accommodation: Hotel Feudo Bauly, or similar.

  • Day 3

    Bicycle from Palazzolo Acreide to Modica

    Highlights: Greek ruins at Akrai, the world famous chocolate of Modica, World Heritage towns of Palazzolo and Modica

    Your ride today takes you first through the unique landscape of Monti Iblei; next, the stage stops in Ragusa Ibla, one of the most beautiful Sicilia Baroque towns, picturesquely located on a hilltop. Your final destination is Modica, famous throughout Sicily and Italy for its chocolate! Modica chocolate seems to be a residual treasure from the Aztec world brought to Modica by the Spanish in the 16th century. For some reason, Modica artisans picked up and preserved the craft of making traditional Aztec chocolate while that skill has disappeared everywhere else. So chocolate tasting should be on your list for this afternoon and tomorrow morning.

    Short option: 56km (35 miles)
    Long option: 60km (37 miles)
    Elevation gain: +842m (2760 feet)

    Accommodation: Ferro Hotel, or similar.

  • Day 4

    Bicycle from Modica to Scicli and Pozzallo

    Highlights: Scicli and bicycling along the coast

    Before leaving Modica you might want to stock up on chocolate! There are something like twenty producers in town! The most famous flavors are the vanilla and cinnamon flavoured chocolates. Most unique is the chocolate with the hot peppers said to be derived from the Aztec chocolatiers in the 16th century. So be sure and pick some up for the road. Your route today takes you across the limestone plateau to Scicli and on to the coastal town of Pozzallo. Pozzallo has some of the best beaches in Sicily and is also a departure point for ferries to Malta.

    Daily distance: 42 km (26 miles)
    Elevation gain: + 343m (1125 ft)

    Accommodation: Hotel 1921, or similar.

  • Day 5

    Bicycle the coast from Pozzallo to Marzamemi

    Highlights: The southernmost point in Sicily, coastal rides, flamingos and wetlands, fishing villages

    Take time to enjoy an extra morning coffee in the square of Palazzolo or return to the ruins of Akrai to enjoy the site of this ancient Greek colony. Over the centuries Palazzolo absorbed the influence of the Arabs, Normans, and the Spanish Baroque architecture in its 16th-18th century churches.
    You'll reach the Southernmost point in Sicily today as you pedal along the coast from Pozzallo to Marzamemi. The British contingent of the allied invasion of Sicily occurred along this coast in July and August of 1943. Near Marzamemi you ride by the coastal marshes of Longarini and Cuba, important stopping points for pink flamingoes and herons among other waterfowl. At Capo Passero you can look North to the Ionian Sea and South to the broad Mediterranean Sea extending South to Libya and Southwest to Tunisia. Stop for a delicious seafood lunch along here. Your ride ends just north of Marzamemi on the San Lorenzo Beach.

    Daily distance: 57 km (36 miles)
    Elevation gain: + 277 m (910 ft)

    Accommodation: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio, or similar.

  • Day 6

    Bicycle from Marzamemi to Noto

    Highlights: Coastal cycling and Noto, the "capital" of Italian baroque cities

    Spend a little time on the beach today if you wish as we have a short and easy ride to Noto later this morning. We continue past more coastal marshes, including the natural reserve of Vendicari. Our destination is Noto, famous in Italy as one of the principal baroque towns of Italy. Noto harbors a number of baroque churches built by the Spanish after the 1693 earthquake (that destroyed something on the order of 45 towns and cities in Southeastern Sicily).

    Daily mileage: 35km (22 miles)
    Elevation gain: + 360m (1180 ft)

    Accommodation: Grand Hotel Sofia, or similar.

  • Day 7

    Bicycle from Noto to Syracuse

    Highlights: An easy ride along the coast; the ancient city of Syracuse

    Today you have two options that will take you both to the capital of Magna Grecia and the famous Greek colonial town of Syracuse. Choose between cycling along the coast up North or pedaling through the inland to the panoramic point of the Cavagrande del Cassible gorge and then downhill to the coast.
    Get an early start so you can take time to explore the archeological ruins of Neapolis with the large Greek theater. In the center of old Syracuse is the island of Ortygia where the Greek goddess Leto is said to have given birth to Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo.

    First option: 38km (23.6 miles) with + 150m (490 ft) elevation gain.
    Long option: 55km (34 miles) with + 600m (1960 ft) elevation gain.

    Accommodation: Hotel Gargallo, or similar.

  • Day 8

    Tour ends today

    Highlights: Syracuse and the Greek ruins

    The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Take more time to explore this beautiful city.
    Thank you for coming with us. Buon viaggio!


    PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.

Includes Includes
7 nights in 3-4 star hotels
All breakfasts
Rental of a quality 24-27 hybrid bicycle (aluminum trekking bike)
Bike delivery and collection
Bike fitting and briefing
Detailed route descriptions
Map
GPS with preloaded tracks (1 per group)
Luggage transfers

Not Included
Travel to and from the tour start and end
Bicycle rental (see Prices tab)
Entrance to museums or other activities
City hotel tax (2 to 5 euro per night per person, to be paid locally by traveler)
Any meals or beverages not indicated as included

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Luggage transfers are included in your package.
The luggage is normally collected at the reception of the hotel and is delivered at the following hotel. Every piece of luggage must be marked with a visible luggage tag. Please make sure yours have correct tags. If your luggage is not ready by the time the driver comes to collect it, you may have to pay a local taxi for the service.

Please consider that the luggage is not insured during the transport. You need to have your own insurance. Do not leave valuables or fragile items in your luggage.
Normally, the luggage transport service cannot be used by participants to skip the cycling stage. In case you need help to skip the cycling stage, please contact our emergency number and we will arrange it for you.

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PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability. City hotel taxes are not included.

Tour code: itbs2144
Countries Italy
Begin/End Siracusa / Siracusa
Arrive/Depart Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)
Total Distance 288 to 307 km (180-192 miles)
Daily Distance 35-55 km (22-34 miles)
Rating 101 to 201
About Tour Ratings »
Notes This tour is part of our Partner Tours Collective: operated by select local partners that we know and trust, the tour is similar in quality to those we operate directly in many ways. Please click here for more details.
Terms Terms & Conditions
Dates Prices Single Supplement
Dates Tour can start any day of the week from January 22 to November 26.

* 2024 price, per person based on double occupancy; minimum 2 participants per departure.


Solo traveler departures are also available (only one person on the departure), with a supplemental fee of €395. This fee also includes the cost of the single / double room supplement.

Half board option possible with an additional fee of €250

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High-Season surcharge (July and August): €150 per person surcharge is applied on high-season departures. If joining an existing, confirmed departure date, the fee may be waived - please inquire.

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Bike Rental options:
We offer quality bikes in different styles, all great options for this bike tour. Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition.

Electric bikes, carbon road bikes, tandems and chariot for kids are available for an extra charge.
The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour, including delivery to starting point and collection from ending point, as well as bike fitting.

Upgrade Bike Rental Rates
  • Road Bike: €70
  • Carbon Road: €105
  • E-bike (hybrid with straight handlebar): €110

  • For more details on bikes, please see Sicily Bikes.

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    Additional useful information:

    • Do you have any questions about how our bike tours work? Check out our FAQs page!

    • Curious about the difference between our Casual and Classic self-guided tours? Check out our introduction blog on Casual Self-Guided Tours.

    • If the self-guided formula isn't right for you, check out this blog introducing the differences between Guided and Self-Guided Tours.
    Prices €1265 per person *
    Single Supplement €245
    Next Step Request space on this Bicycle Tour »
    • 10 out of 10: Well organised tour that took all the stress out of being in a new country. Varied hotels that created different experiences. Thanks for a memorable experience - we love Sicily and will come back!

      Nemelia W., Canada, 2022

    • Route notes were excellent! We had no problem and it was nice to go at our own pace! The self guided tour of the Baroque towns of south east Sicily is perfect! We would highly recommend. Wouldn''t change a thing! Location of the hotels was excellent. Walking distance to historical sites, and great restaurants. Service was truly amazing! We enjoyed the whole experience. The scenery, from mountains to oceans, the towns, so unique and awe-inspiring; the accomodations clean and varied, all very enjoyable; every Baroque town had a lot of history and appeal; the food was incredible; the Sicilian people were friendly and helpful; the weather was perfect; and the local staff was available to answer our questions at all times. We are not avid cyclist, and we are in our late 50''s so the elevation, hills and distance was perfect for our ability. A challenge, but we were able to cycle up every hill! We liked that there were options for distance every day. So we could take the shorter route or the longer route, depending on how we''re we''re feeling.

      Diane B.
      Canada
      April 2018

    • We had many beautiful days and a number of really good evening meals (often recommended by hotel staff). We were also amazed by the cities of Ragusa, Noto and Syracuse (Ortigia), and were lucky enough to be in Ortigia for the St Lucia celebrations - that was probably the real high point! The trip was superb overall.

      Keneva K.
      Iceland
      April 2017

    • Our favorite experience on this trip was being immersed in a new culture while riding bicycles - a unique way to experience another country.
      Enjoyed the entire trip - worst part was the travel just to get to Sicily!

      Jeremy N.
      WY, USA
      June 2015

    • The trip was really really great. We enjoyed it tremendously, and I appreciate all of your support and flexibility in the planning for it.

      Brenda K.
      Switzerland
      April 2015

    • Hi Stefania we are back in Australia after our bike ride in Sicily Thank you and everyone who help us (especially Guiseppe the driver ,who was great) All the hotels where wonderful and the staff very helpful. Best Wishes

      Mike & Wendy
      Australia
      March 2015

    • The entire trip was great. The countryside was beautiful, the hotels were perfect ( varied and just the right combination of comfort and charm, and all run by friendly, helpful people), the bikes worked very well. The rides from town to town were laid out very well: great cue sheets. Thanks so much for your help in arranging a wonderful trip for us.

      Stephen S.
      MD, USA
      May 2014

    • All of the hotels we stayed in were excellent with the staff being very helpful and friendly.Once again thanks for the fine organization we had.

      Jack B.
      Ohio, USA
      November 2011

    • Guiseppe was very helpful - a great representative for your tour company.

      Kerrie F.
      Australia
      June 2012

    • The helpfulness and great attitude provided by the different support of Bikerentalsplus was spectacular.

      Kathy B.
      Massachusetts
      Sept. 2012

    • While bicycling through South Sicily we not only saw beautiful sites but the Sicilians were always friendly and interested in being helpful. Several times Sicilians offered to help while we were looking at our maps and find our directions

      Bill B.
      Massachusetts
      Sept. 2012