Sicily - Getting to know the land and the people on a cycling tour 

Exploring Sicily by bike might sound a bit daring to some. Of course, the island’s various altitudes require experience and good physical condition, otherwise you might better leave it be.

Those, however, who feel a certain thirst for discovery and are experienced cyclists, or at least used to riding a bike very often, might consider cycling holidays on Italy's largest island to be a great idea.

The pros are plenty. You get to know the land and the people in a way you never would as a package tourist. Breathtaking scenic and cultural sights/sites await you.

So, get ready and go! It only needs a bit of preparatory work before starting on your journey, for example overhauling your bike, maybe exchanging the tires and packing up some spare parts, then off you go to Sicily on a cycling holiday!

Here is a short survey of selected tours taken from and described in more detail in the cycling guide "Sizilien per Rad" by Carmen Fischer and Helmut Walter (only in German).

Cycling in the Catania/Etna/southeast area

Fiumefreddo di Sicilia – Acireale (26 km)

At Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, it is easy for Cilentano guests staying at hotel La Terra dei Sogni to start on the tour directly from the accommodation. Except for the last 5 km, it is an easy route in the foothills of Mount Etna.

At Acireale, health resort and bastion of carnival, there are many Baroque buildings to admire.  

Aci Castello – Nicolosi (20 km)

According to the cycling guide, this tour starts at Catania. We have decided to avoid the traffic at Catania and to start on the tour at Aci Castello on the coast of the Cyclops, from where we cycle up towards Nicolosi, which is located on the edge of the Etna National Park and which is a starting point for hiking tours in the Etna area.

From Ortigia, the Old Town of Syracuse, to Noto (42 km)

The southeast is convenient for easy cycling tours along the coast on level roads. Do not forget to take along swimwear, because there are many beautiful beaches along the way. Our starting point, Ortigia, the centro storico of Syracuse on Isola di Ortigia, is quite an experience in itself. Do allow for a stroll through the Old Town before starting on the tour – it is absolutely worth the time! This tour ends at Sicily’s most splendorous Baroque town, UNESCO World Heritage listed Noto.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Palazzolo Acreide – Modica (34 km)

At Palazzolo Acreide in the Monte Iblei (Hyblaean Mountains), you should not only admire the Baroque churches but also enjoy culinary delights. Emphasis there is put on meat dishes instead of fish dishes, the latter in general more common along the coast.

The tour takes you farther into the heart of the mountain range, with steep ascents and plateaus. On the side roads, there is, however, only light traffic.

Modica is not only well-known for its opulent Baroque, but also famous for its chocolate, which is said to be based on an Aztec recipe. Top off the tour by treating yourself to a dessert made from exquisite Cioccolata di Modica!

Exploring Sicily’s heartland by bike

Catania – Morgantina – Piazza Armerina/Villa Casale (100 km)

This is not the shortest way to go, but it is the most convenient. After crossing the fertile Piana di Catania (Plain of Catania), you are into a charming mountain region, which requires good physical condition.

At Morgantina, you might stop at the museum to have a look at the finds of a Greek settlement. Your goal, the picturesque small town of Piazza Armerina with its imposing castle was built onto three hills by the Normans in the 11th century. The townscape was later completed by Baroque buildings, one of them the cathedral of Santissima Assunta.

Only 7 km from Piazza Armerina lies Villa Casale, a Roman villa dating from the 3rd century with magnificent mosaics. Early risers can take their time to enjoy the villa before crowds of tourists arrive.

Nicosia – Calascibetta – Enna (48 km)

If you want to get a better impression of Sicily’s history and if you want to get to know the charming upcountry landscape, then you should definitely decide on the tour from Nicosia to Enna. Enna is the heart of the Trinacria, which is another name for Sicily and refers to its triangular shape.

Enna is the highest town on the island. One of Sicily’s largest castles was built there, some say by order of Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II – Castello Lombardia, which was later used as a summer residence by the Spaniards.

Cycling holidays near Palermo/northwestern Sicily

Castellammare – Scopello/Parco dello Zingaro (14 km)

This tour takes vacationers staying at the accommodations we arrange for not too far from Palermo through well-known territory. For detailed descriptions of the sights turn to our pages Excursions northwest and Villages.

Castellammare – Segesta – Erice (50 km)

This cycling tour requires extremely good physical condition, above all with regard to the final leg of the tour. However, the ancient temple of Segesta and the very well preserved medieval town of Erice, located high above the sea, are absolutely worth the effort. For more information about the sights/sites see Excursions northwest.

Via del Sale: Trápani – Marsala (30 km)

From Trápani, you start onto Via del Sale, the Salt Road, which runs through the famous 'saline landscape' of western Sicily. The table salt produced there is exported throughout Europe. On this tour, the view of the islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo is your steady companion.

At Marsala, history was made. It was there that Garibaldi set foot on land in 1860; he liberated Sicily, which then became part of the new Kingdom of Italy.
The very sound of the town’s name might make some people's mouths water, especially those of wine connoisseurs. Marsala is home to the dessert wine of the same name.

Have fun cycling on Italy’s sunny island – Sicily!