Cycle from the heart of Sicily to the charming Ortigia. Ride among baroque architectures of rare beauty, gaudy ceramics, ancient autochthon vines and taste delicious foods. This tour will touch your heart.
Style
Touring
Gain
2770 m
Distance
211 km
Level
Easy
Tour overview
BIKE THE MAGICAL ISLAND OF SICILY
Enjoy a relaxing ride from the Italian island’s heart to the charming Ortigia. Pedal among rare beauty baroque architectures, gaudy ceramics, and ancient autochthon vines.
Taste the local cuisine, delicious foods, and outstanding wines. Take in and experience heartwarming stories, races, and cultures. Cycling in Sicily is a magical experience.
This self-guided tour includes GPS tracks and detailed maps so you can travel at your own pace. Our support van transports all of your luggage from hotel to hotel. If you have any problems, the helpful team will be there to help.
Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com
Idyllic coasts and rugged interiors
Highlights of your cycling trip
Historical Sites
Sicily has an incredible history that is heavily influenced by the Greeks as well as Roman heritage. As you pedal across the island you will be able to soak up the diverse culture and fall in love with the magic of Sicily.
Charming Accommodation
Each hotel has been carefully chosen for its idyllic setting. Throughout your journey, you'll feel well rested after each day in the saddle. Every hotel is of high quality, with fantastic facilities that will make your trip even more memorable.
Self Guided
Pedal at your own pace, following the maps and tracks provided during the pre-tour briefing. We'll recommend places to stop for lunch and sightseeing along the way. If technical assistance is required, it will be provided throughout the event.
Tour destination
SICILY - ITALY
The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 20 regions of Italy. The eternal beauty of the gorgeous island of Sicily continues to seduce travellers with its dazzling diversity of landscapes and cultural treasures. You will quickly fall in love with Sicily as you pedal the quiet roads and immerse yourself in the beauty.
Winter months get down to around 13ºC and summer reaches 30ºC+ on some days. Ocean breezes roll across the island but cycling Sicily is definitely best suited for those who like it hot! Expect rainfall in the winter, and a hot/dry summer season.
Terrain
Oceans, volcanoes, and mountains make for spectacular biking terrain. The coastlines are gleaming, but the interior is rough and ready. Dust off your cleats and gather your gear; climbing in Sicily is an excellent preparation for more difficult routes.
Culture
Sicily has a rich and diverse culture, as well as a fascinating history that runs throughout the island. The arts and architecture are important on the island. It also has significant archaeological and ancient sites, such as the Pantalica Necropolis and the Valley of the Temples.
Throughout the week you’ll be staying in beautiful four-star hotels. Each one has been specifically selected to make sure you are able to rest and relax after a full day of exploring. They also have all the facilities you will need as travelling cyclists.
The villa is a historic residence with elegant and romantic rooms. It’s only a few steps from the historic centre and has a beautiful garden.
Villa Jacona’s rooms are super comfortable and perfect for after a long day in the saddle.
A luxury hotel in Ragusa Ibla, located in an 18th-century building brought back to its original beauty respecting the ancient structure and materials.
Luxurious and detailed with stunning architectural features, the San Giorgio Palace is just one of several amazing hotels you’ll stay in throughout this tour.
Tour itinerary
Your guide to a perfect cycling tour
Welcome and warm up ride
Tour briefing, bike fitting and warm up ride
We meet at the airport of Catania and, after about an hour of transfer, we reach the elegant Villa Trigona, immersed in the heart of the Sicilian countryside. After the bike fitting, we go out for a short bike ride to discover the enchanting mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale.
Overnigt stay : Piazza Armerina
Piazza Armerina to Caltagirone
Distance
30 km
Climb
500 m
We leave the lush gardens and orchards of Piazza Armerina and travel to the most typical landscapes of Sicily’s interior, which consist of bare hills surrounded by fields and dry stone walls. We stop for lunch in the lovely old town of Caltagirone, where we visit a local potter’s workshop and climb the magnificent Santa Maria del Monte staircase. In the afternoon, we continue through the Caltagirone countryside, where we spend the night in a comfortable rural residence.
Overnight stay: Caltagirone
Caltagirone to Ragusa
Distance
60 km
Climb
840 m
The first part of the day is spent winding through olive groves and vineyards as far as the eye can see. After lunch, we begin the ascent to the Ibleo plateau, with breathtaking views of the surrounding valley from the characteristic white limestone walls. The stage concludes in one of Sicily’s most magical locations: Ragusa Ibla, a wonderful monumental city known throughout the world for its beauty as well as the quality of its gastronomy, with three-starred restaurants.
Overnight stay: Ragusa
Modica loop tour
Distance
36 km
Climb
590 m
Today we allow ourselves an easier day, so that we can devote more time to the beauties of Ragusa rather than going to discover Modica, another casket of south-eastern Sicily, where we will taste the famous chocolate (ciucculatta muricana) still made according to the ancient Aztec recipe imported from the Spaniards in the Modica County in the 16th century.
Overnight: Ragusa
Ragusa to Palazzolo Acreide
Distance
37 km
Climb
590 m
Today is one of the toughest days of the tour, with two ascents of the Iblei mountains. The countryside is one of the most beautiful in Sicily, and to admire it at best we suggest a stop for lunch on the beautiful terrace of a farmhouse overlooking the valley, run by a local warm family. After lunch, you’ll climb to the ancient village of Palazzolo Acreide, where you deserve a coffee break in a delicious pastry shop on the village’s picturesque main street.
Overnight stay: Palazzolo Acreide
Palazzolo Acreide to Siracusa
Distance
48 km
Climb
250 m
A long and gradual descent from the hills to the citrus orchards of Siracusa countryside, up to the sea bastions of Ortigia, an ancient Greek settlement that gave rise to the Mediterranean’s most powerful Greek colony. Ortigia contains a number of impressive buildings and monuments, the most notable of which is the wonderful Cathedral of Syracuse (Cathedral of the Nativity of Mary Most Holy), a building of rare interest because it incorporates the ancient Temple of Athena, the Doric columns along the walls that close the side aisles of the church are easily identifiable.
An aperitif on the ancient walls, overlooking the sea, and dinner in one of the best restaurants in town will round out the day and our fantastic tour of south-western Sicily.
Overnight stay: Siracusa
Recovery ride in Siracusa
Arrivederci Amici!
It’s time to say goodbye, but we are sure this part of Italy will touch your hearts and you’ll come again to visit more! Take one last recovery ride in the local area before continuing your journey.
Getting there
Information to help you book your flights and get around.
Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]
Flying in
Fly in airport options: Catania
When best to arrive: in the morning the day the tour starts
Where the tour starts: transfers are included from Catania airport to the Sicilian countryside
Transfers: included from Catania airport
Flying out
Fly out airport options: Catania
When best to depart: in the evening of the day the tour ends after 17:00
Where the tour ends: in the afternoon in the town of Siracusa
Transfers: included to Catania airport
Tour essentials
What’s included in your cycling trip.
Breakfast and Accommodation
Standard accommodation is a double room shared with one other person with ensuite facilities. Breakfast and some dinners are included.
GPS Routes
Access to GPS routes through the RIDE WITH GPS mobile application.
Transfers
Transfers to and from Catania Airport are included.
Daily Luggage Transfer
Support vehicles will transport your luggage on to the next hotel, so you only have to carry your essentials.
What’s not included in your cycling trip.
Flight
Flights are not included in the tour package. Please follow our advice about which flights will be best suited for this tour. Reach out to us if you have any questions about flights.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential and we always recommend you carry out your own insurance search for your specific needs.
Extra
Bike rental
Only €190 for the entire trip
It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, road bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour. To make sure you get the maximum from your bike for your trip, we’ve partnered with some of the best brands in cycling to give you the latest choice of equipment.
With a variety of sizes available, we can ensure your bike fits you perfectly. All rental bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every hire so you can have peace of mind that your bike will be running smoothly from start to finish!
You can select this option when you proceed to checkout.
Brands and models may vary.
Fitted to you and ready to ride!
More things to maximise your cycling trip
EXTRA
Single accommodation
€204 per person for entire trip
If you’d like a whole room to yourself, that’s no problem. For an extra €204 for the trip duration, you can enjoy the comfort of your own room. Just select this option when you proceed to book your tour.
Booking options
Choose when you want to travel
Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.
This tour has flexible dates. We can make it start and finish the day you need. Contact us to request alternative tour dates!
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