Cycling in Sicily

Name: Cycling in Sicily
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (51 reviews)

51 reviews

Activity

Cycling

Overview

Discover the Mediterranean’s largest island by bike: an alluring blend of coastlines, culture and cuisine

Classic Mediterranean landscapes, millennia-old history and some of Italy’s best food: Sicily is the perfect destination for a well-balanced cycling adventure. On the bike, we explore the southeastern part of the island, riding along the coast, through vineyards and to the edge of Cavagrande del Cassibile, one of the deepest canyons in Europe. Off the saddle, there’s culture and architecture in the UNESCO-listed baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica, Scicli and Noto, plus the chance to sample the superb regional cuisine and wine.

Key Information

Trip Code: MWY
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Italy
Carbon Footprint: 13kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 7 Classic nights (hotels)
All breakfasts and two dinners
Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available
Local bike hire of a fully serviced Fuji Absolute (touring/hybrid) bike

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. On this trip local taxes (approx. €15) are not included. If you want to upgrade to an e-bike, these are available for an additional cost.

6 days of Cycling

Pace:

Moderate: 8mph-10mph (13kph-16kph)

Terrain:

Low altitude; 95 percent paved and some short sections of gravel. Generally quiet, rural and rolling roads

Day 2: 53 km / 32.9 miles
Day 3: 59 km / 36.7 miles
Day 4: 45 km / 28 miles
Day 5: 35 km / 21.7 miles
Day 6: 47 km / 29.2 miles
Day 7: 43 km / 26.7 miles

Highlights

Discover the best of Sicily by bike with a small group of like-minded adventurers
Ride through UNESCO-listed baroque towns in the Val di Noto, Marzamemi and Syracuse
Cycle to Cavagrande del Cassibile, one of the deepest canyons in Europe
Cool off with refreshing dips in hotel pools and in the Mediterranean Sea
Sample the exquisite regional cuisine and wine of Sicily

Itinerary

First Destination: Palazzolo Acreide
Next Destination: Syracuse

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Palazzolo Acreide
Next Destination: Syracuse

Begin your adventure at Feudo Bauly, a restored 14th-century estate and former noble residence, now a charming 4-star retreat offering comfort, history, and Sicilian authenticity.

Around 6pm, say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other, have our bike fitting, and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over a group dinner.

Want more time in the Sicilian countryside? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Feudo Bauly (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

Start our cycling with a ride through the beautiful lower valleys of the Hyblaean Mountains, passing olive plantations and dry-stone walls that characterise this area. We then climb into the highlands to Ragusa Ibla, a town built over three hills separated by a deep valley, and home to beautiful baroque churches and buildings. We then cycle to Modica, a Sicilian baroque town at the bottom of a gorge, where we spend the night.

Accommodation: Ferro Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

We leave Modica and ride along a ravine that slopes downhill until we reach another outstanding example of Sicilian baroque architecture, Scicli, where the popular Inspector Montalbano TV series was filmed. We continue further south until we meet the Mediterranean coast, where we stop for lunch and a swim. Getting back on the bikes, we cycle along the shore to the area of San Lorenzo, where our agriturismo (converted farmhouse) is located.

Accommodation: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

A loop ride takes us through vineyards and past cherry tomato greenhouses (where the renowned Pomodoro di Pachino tomatoes are cultivated). If we are lucky, we may spot flamingos, herons and other migratory birds in marshes along the way. We then follow the coastline to Portopalo di Capo Passero, the southernmost village in Sicily (further south than Tunis). Here, we stop for coffee and a chance to swim where the Mediterranean and Ionian seas meet. We reach our lunch stop in Marzamemi, a picturesque fishing village of Arab origins, before returning to the agriturismo for a second night.

Accommodation: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

A short ride brings us to the beautiful Vendicari Nature Reserve. This narrow stretch of marshy coastline provides a rare and now completely protected habitat for migratory bird species and the local flora and fauna. A short walk will take us to beautiful sandy beaches, perfect for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. As we leave the reserve behind, we head north to Noto, another Unesco World Heritage site. It’s a planned town in the Late Sicilian baroque style, all built in a beautiful honey-coloured stone. A must-try in Noto is the delicious cannoli alla ricotta and almond pastries. We stay overnight in Noto.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Sofia (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

We start our day with a challenging but rewarding 4mi (6km) climb to San Corrado di Fuori, where we stop for a well-deserved coffee. Continuing the cycle, we reach the archaeological site of Noto Antica, the original settlement of Noto, which was destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. Another ascent takes us to the viewpoint of Cavagrande del Cassibile (1,657ft/505m), one of the deepest canyons in Europe, where we enjoy a lunch stop with sweeping views of the gorge and the Cassibile river far below.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a magnificent descent with hairpin bends towards the coast, before returning to Noto for a second night in this wonderful city.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Sofia (or similar)
Upgrade to a superior room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

Today’s gentle ride will lead us first to Avola for an espresso or cappuccino, then along the coast to Syracuse, passing beautiful beaches where we will stop for a refreshing sea dip. Once we arrive in Syracuse, described by Cicero as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all”, our tour leader will provide a short orientation tour of Ortigia, the island where the city was founded. In the afternoon, there is free time to explore at your own pace, do some shopping or visit the archaeological park with its spectacular hillside Greek theatre. We stay overnight in Syracuse.

Accommodation: Hotel Centrale (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

The trip ends in Syracuse after breakfast. If you’d like a bit more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Call us on 0203 733 5948

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

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Accommodation

Hotels and an agriturismo

On this cycling adventure in Sicily, we stay in hotels and an agriturismo, which were selected for their friendly atmosphere and character. Most are conveniently located near the UNESCO-listed historic centres we visit. Below are the properties normally used.

Upgrade to a superior room on Day 5 and 6 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Palazzolo Acreide: Feudo Bauly (night 1)

Cycling in Sicily

Our adventure begins in this historic hotel run by the Corsino family. The stone-walled restaurant serves traditional Sicilian cuisine made from local, seasonal produce – you might even see black truffles sourced from nearby Bauly Forest on the menu. There’s also a swimming pool when you’d like some downtime.

Modica: Ferro Hotel (night 2)

Cycling in Sicily

Within a renovated building once used for railway workers, the Ferro Hotel takes us to modern Sicily. The contemporary décor pays tribute to the locomotive history of the building and there’s a varied spread for breakfast. The hotel itself is within walking distance of the main town.

Marzamemi: Agriturismo Tenuta Arangio (nights 3-4)

Cycling in Sicily

Enjoy a rural idyll with a stay at this agriturismo (farm stay). It’s a traditional Sicilian estate, owned by the Arangio family since 1980, and they still grow produce here. There’s also a large swimming pool area in the courtyard, where you can relax under the shade of olive trees.

Noto: Grand Hotel Sofia (night 5-6)

Cycling in Sicily

Back to more conventional hotel comforts, the Grand Hotel Sofia has an outdoor swimming pool with a bar (and happy hour). There’s also a restaurant, Limoneto, which serves Sicilian and Mediterranean dishes made from local produce, plus a small bar area.

Syracuse: Hotel Centrale (night 7)

Cycling in Sicily

The majority of groups spend their final night at Hotel Centrale, though some stay at Hotel Posta, Grande Albergo Alfeo or Hotel Gargallo, depending on availability. Centrale is one of the oldest hotels in Syracuse and close to local attractions including the Archaeological Park of Neapolis. When you’re not out exploring, the hotel has a garden and reading room.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate) and classified as Road. For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Six days of cycling
Partial vehicle support (due to limited seats) and a cycling guide.
The route is 95 percent paved

Cycling profile: All the rides are door-to-door, meaning there are no transfers to or from hotels. Most of the cycling is along flat to hilly paved roads (mainly traffic-free); days 2 and 6 include more demanding ascents and rolling routes, so a reasonably good level of fitness is required. As we approach the main towns and cities, such as Syracuse, and around popular beach areas, there are busier sections with traffic at peak hours.

Support vehicle: A support vehicle, with limited spare seats and driven by a bicycle mechanic, is available throughout the trip, following at all times (pedestrian areas excluded). The driver will help you at junctions by giving route directions and allowing you to access any items you don’t wish to carry on the bike.

E-bikes: E-bikes are available on request for a fee payable prior departure.

Weather: The region normally has a relatively mild and sunny climate, but heatwaves and heavy rains are possible. This, along with consecutive cycling days, may increase the difficulty of the trip.
Considering all of this, we recommend you arrive physically prepared to tackle slightly more challenging routes by exercising regularly before the trip. You should also bring suitable equipment with you and always stay hydrated.

Key information

Start hotel: Feudo Bauly, C/da Bauly, 96010 Noto SR, Italy
Phone: +39 0931 882088
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm in the evening.
Airport: Catania Airport (CTA)

Getting to the start hotel

Your options for this journey are:

Take an Exodus transfer

Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Make your own way

It’s possible to reach the start hotel by public transport, but the journey is complicated. We therefore recommend joining the group transfer where possible. If not, speak to your sales representative to organise a private transfer. On arrival at the hotel, please make the reception staff aware that you are part of an Exodus group and they will have more details on meeting with your leader and group

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport that’s scheduled to align with a flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

Sicilian cuisine is a mix of the different cultures that have called this island home over the millennia: from the Greek and Arabs to the Normans and Spaniards. Soil here is incredibly fertile, with a perfect climate for the cultivation of fresh produce, such as olives, oranges, lemons, aubergines (eggplant), tomatoes, pistachios, almonds, grapes and more. Additionally, mussels, clams, tuna, swordfish and anchovies are fished right off the coast. This wide range of high-quality ingredients serves as a base for myriad dishes, resulting in a cuisine that’s fresh, varied and delicious.

Sicilian wines are also superb: grillo and inzolia are excellent white wines, Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Nero d’Avola are both fabulous reds, and marsala, moscato and zibibbo are wonderful dessert wines. As nearly 90 percent of Italian lemons grow in Sicily, sampling the local limoncello is a must.

Dinners are taken at the hotels or local restaurants recommended by your guide, according to your budget and preferences.

Sicily has a good year-round climate, with plenty of sunshine and warm-to-hot temperatures. The summer departures ought to have daily hot sunshine and temperatures can reach 30C-35C (86F-95F). The earlier and later departures will be cooler with a slightly higher chance of rain – make sure you pack some warm clothing if you travel in low season. In late summer, there is the possibility of heavy thunderstorms, but these are usually short-lived.

Learning of Ancient Noto. Amazing history in this SE corner of the island. Wonderful baroque towns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Perfect leader. Excellent knowledge of island, history and invaluable guiding to best restaurants and stops. Well designed week. Well looked after on the road.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Could be hot at the end of June! Made the moderate rating just enough for this average cyclist. Do be ready to jump in the sea; it’s lovely - and welcome! All the hotels are good quality. Singles and couples in equal rooms.

Read all reviews

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Cycling in Sicily

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Discover the Mediterranean’s largest island by bike: an alluring blend of coastlines, culture and cuisine

Key Information

What's Included

Don't Forget To

6 days of Cycling

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Hotels and an agriturismo

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Italy