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Cycling - suggestions for tours


Stop for a rest wherever and whenever you want, discover hidden corners which are difficult to reach by car. Bike tours on the island of Sicily, preferably in spring or autumn when temperatures are agreeable, take you to the traces left by the island’s millennia-old history and through its varied, charming landscape.

 

Cycling - suggestions for tours


Stop for a rest wherever and whenever you want, discover hidden corners which are difficult to reach by car. Bike tours on the island of Sicily, preferably in spring or autumn when temperatures are agreeable, take you to the traces left by the island’s millennia-old history and through its varied, charming landscape.

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.

For all those, however, who feel a certain thirst for discovery and are experienced cyclists, or at least used to riding a bike very often, a cycling holiday on Italy's largest island might just be the right thing.

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 cycling tours taken from the cycling guide "Sizilien per Rad" by Carmen Fischer and Helmut Walter. Detailed information about the tours is found in the guide (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 at 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, you should not only admire the Baroque churches but also enjoy culinary delights. At this town in the Monte Iblei, emphasis 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 Monte Iblei, with steep ascents and plateaus. There is, however, only light traffic on the side roads.

At Modica, also well-known for its opulent Baroque, the famous chocolate based on an Aztec recipe is a must-try. Top off the tour by savoring a dessert of 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 plain of Piana di Catania, you are into a charming mountain region, which, however, 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, for example 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 Trinacria, which is another name for Sicily and based on its triangular shape.

Enna is the island’s highest town. 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 holiday 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. Detailed descriptions of the sights are found on our sites 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. Detailed information about the sights/sites is found under Excursions northwest.

Via del Sale: Trápani – Marsala (30 km)

From Trápani, it is on to Via del Sale, the Salt Road, which passes 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 sound of the town’s name might already be mouth-watering, especially to wine connoisseurs. Marsala is home to the dessert wine of the same name.

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