Southern Sicily Bike Tour

Arrive in Palazzolo Acreide at your own pace, ready to begin your Sicilian adventure. You'll be handed the keys to your bike, along with your roadbook and maps, packed with everything you need to explore the island your way.

Before setting off, take some time to explore the historic old town of Palazzolo Acreide, home to the beautiful baroque churches of San Sebastiano and San Paolo. From here, ride into the Monti Iblei, a striking landscape of rugged hills, green countryside and traditional dry-stone walls. You'll pass through Ragusa Ibla, one of the most beautiful baroque towns in the Val di Noto, perched dramatically on its hilltop, before finishing the day in Modica, another baroque gem. Don't miss the chance to visit the church of San Giorgio.

Before leaving Modica, treat yourself to a taste of its famous chocolate, spiced with chilli, following a recipe brought over by the Spanish from the Aztecs. Freewheel downhill through a beautiful Iblei canyon into Scicli, another Val di Noto town well worth a wander through its narrow alleyways, before continuing down to the coast at Pozzallo. With its long sandy beaches, it's the perfect place to end the day with a refreshing swim in the sea.

A completely flat day in the saddle, riding past the wetlands of Pantano Longarini and Pantano Cuba, a popular stopover for migratory birds travelling between Africa and Europe. Follow the coast to Isola delle Correnti, the southernmost point of Sicily and the meeting point of the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas. Continue on through Portopalo di Capo Passero and the ancient fishing village of Marzamemi, finishing your ride in San Lorenzo.

Head north along a flat coastal road to the entrance of the Oasi di Vendicari nature reserve, an unspoilt wildlife sanctuary home to rare birds including pink flamingos and kingfishers. From here, ride inland through vineyards to Noto, widely regarded as the capital of Sicilian Baroque, with its magnificent palazzi and churches.

Today gives you a choice of routes. Follow the coastline north, or head inland for a detour to the viewpoint over the Cavagrande del Cassibile gorge, followed by a spectacular hairpin descent back down to the coast. Either way, you'll continue on to Siracusa, once a great metropolis of ancient Greece. Be sure to visit its stunning archaeological park, home to one of the largest Greek theatres of Magna Graecia, before rounding off the day with a stroll through the picturesque old town on the island of Ortigia.

Your tour comes to an end today. Depart at your own pace, or extend your stay to explore further. We'd recommend spending time on Ortigia island, the historical and cultural heart of Siracusa, over 3,000 years of history await, with archaeological traces of nearly every great Mediterranean civilisation, plus Siracusa's lively fish market, right on your doorstep.