Sicily Bike Tour – Baroque Eastern Sicily Self Guided: Sicily is a destination unlike any other, with its colorful landscapes, sparkling seaside, delicious food, Baroque architecture and history, and distinctively “Sicilian” culture. The sea is a predominant feature, with its many shades of turquoise and blue, contrasting sharply with the white salt mines and small villages, and the yellows, greens, and browns that you find inland. Rolling hills in rural areas are abundant with olive groves, vineyards, and citrus orchards. Delicious Sicilian food and wine is abundant, and the many colorful dishes use the wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables found locally. Not to mention, there is an abundance of almond based desserts in this region! Archaeology and history enthusiasts will delight in visiting Noto Antica, Ibla, Akrai, Palazzolo Acreide, Pantalica necropolis and the Anapo Valley Reserve. On this self-guided Sicily bike tour, you will enjoy cycling through this magical area, rich not only in beautiful landscape surrounded by history and architecture, but also wine and cuisine!
Tour starts in Ibla and finishes in Scicli, which can be best accessed from Catania Airport. Bus and/or taxi to/from your first & last hotel. Private transfers are available on request and for a supplemental cost.
Not Included:
Standard Hotels:
Upgraded Hotels:
About: All lodging includes private bathroom and a variety of other amenities. Hotels are subject to availability at the time of receiving your booking. Advance booking (3+ months) is strongly encouraged.
Local Experts: Our local expert, Clelia, is a certified Naturalist Guide in Sicily. She is passionate about cycling tourism, and is a champion enduro mountain biker in Sicily. Clelia can tell you all about the sites and will offer ‘local’ expertise to enhance your trip experience! During your tour you will have telephone assistance available to you in English as well as with our main office in Italy. Other languages: Spanish, French, Italian.
Welcome to Sicily! Your self-guided Sicily bike tour starts with your arrival to Catania Airport and from there, make your way to your hotel in Ibla. Ragusa Ibla is the ancient historic centre of the city of Ragusa. It is world-famous for having over fifty churches and many palaces, examples of the best Baroque art in Sicily. This afternoon, go for a stroll and take in the numerous cultural attractions, before enjoying your first Sicilian dinner!
Overnight: Ibla
Today’s ride is a loop ride focused on Modica, a Baroque UNESCO town that is also famous for the production of the chocolate. In Modica you can visit of one of the most famous “chocolaterie,” where they produce the chocolate according to the old Aztec process, originating from the time of the Spanish kingdom. Modica is split into two parts – upper Modica (Modica Alta) and lower Modica (Modica Bassa). Upper Modica is the oldest part of town and you will want to explore its narrow medieval streets, beautiful views, and memorable churches.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 42 km / 25 mi, +680m
Overnight: Ibla
This morning, you will leave Ibla and pass through the small town of Giarratana, located on the slopes of Monte Lauro, the highest peak of the Iblei Mountains Soon, you will reach Palazzolo Acreide. Palazzolo Acreide is one of the jewels of the Val di Noto area, where the Baroque is in sharp contrast to the ancient ruins. Akrai is a mythological place, swallowed up by the passage of time and mystery. Discovered Akrai at the end of 16th century, ancient Akrai was founded by the Siracusans in 664 b.c., due to its strategic position overlooking the surrounding countryside and the “via Selinuntina,” the road that joined Syracuse to the coastal towns in the south of the island. Your accommodations are nearby in a remote yet beautiful historical property that dates to the 1300’s. Dinner included.
Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: 38 km / 23 mi, +670m
Overnight: near Palazzolo Acredie
Today’s loop ride focuses on two baroque gems in the Unesco Val di Noto: Buccheri and Ferla. The villages are known most for their charming atmosphere. Located in the Val di Anapo, an area of significant natural and archaeological importance, Ferla and Buccheri have narrow streets, traditional architecture, and historical sites to explore. Picturesque landscapes surround the villages, and the Anapo River flows nearby. While there, be sure to visit the historical churches, such as the Church of St. Sebastian and the Church of St. Michael Archangel.
Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: 59 km / 35 mi, +1155m
Overnight: near Palazzolo Acredie
Today you’ll bike to Noto, the ride is mostly flat and with some stretches by the coast. Noto is universally recognized as the capital city of the Baroque Style, a cross-section of wonders completely rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake. The rebuild was carefully designed to create a linear urban centre with beautiful vista throughout, in perfect alignment with the sun’s angles throughout the day. The city is mostly built from limestone, which absorbs the sun rays and creates a radiant, golden quality. This evening, be sure to catch the sunset and notice how the city is aglow!
Near Noto is the Vendicari Nature Reserve, and you may consider adding an extra night in Noto to visit the reserve. The Vendicari Nature Reserve is a wonderful natural area by the sea, with a beautiful sandy beach and home to many bird species.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 48 km / 29 mi, +623m
Overnight: Noto
Today’s ride is one of the quietest and most characteristic of the entire Iblei countryside. You’ll ride along with gentle ups and downs, enjoying beautiful views throughout. Scicli is another beautiful UNESCO baroque town that became famous in recent years from the Inspector Montalbano books by Andrea Camilleri. Once in Scicli, you’ll stay in an authentic accommodation in the center of town: a renovated historical house that has been converted to individual hotel rooms.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 55 km / 33 mi, +620m
Overnight: Scicli
The ride of today highlights Sampieri, a typical Sicilian fishing village located in the southeast coast of Sicily, in Ragusa area. Sampieri is a common destination in Sicily for people who want to have a relaxing time and enjoy a beautiful seaside. Take your time here: relax at the beach before riding back to town.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: 48 km / 29 mi, +474m
Overnight: Scicli
Today your tour comes to an end. Return to the airport is on own; taxi from your hotel can be arranged.
Meals: breakfast
Dates: Plan your trip at a time that fits your schedule best! Pure Adventures tours have flexible start dates and do not have fixed departure dates.
2024 Tour Rates: (based on double occupancy)
Standard Three & Four Star Hotels:
Upgraded Hotels:
Hybrid Bike Rental: 225 euros
Road Bike Rental: 372 euros
E-bike Rental: 225 euros Example Model
Gravel E-bike Rental: 372 euros
Need to Know:
