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A Taste of Southern Sicily by Bike
A Taste of Southern Sicily by Bike is a 6-day, 5-night self-guided cycling tour from Catania to Syracuse through the Baroque south-east of Sicily, rated moderate to challenging. Over four riding days you pedal through Caltagirone, city of ceramics, the Iblei towns of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli, then Ispica and Noto before reaching Ortigia, the island heart of Syracuse.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Catania
Arrive independently in Catania, Sicily's second-largest city, rebuilt time and again after earthquakes and eruptions of nearby Etna. Take time to see Palazzo Biscari, the finest example of Catania's Baroque architecture, and the Benedictine monastery of San Benedetto. Overnight in Catania.
- Day 2
Catania – Caltagirone
77 km · +900 mElevation profile
After the bike handover and route briefing, you leave Catania and ride inland to Caltagirone. Spread over three hills with sweeping views of the valley below, the town is famous for the quality of its ceramics. Climb the tiled staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, look for its nativity scenes and admire the Baroque heritage recognised by UNESCO. Overnight in Caltagirone.
- Day 3
Caltagirone – Modica
77 km · +1,269 mElevation profile
The toughest day crosses the Iblei plateau, a landscape of dry-stone walls cut by deep gorges. First stop is Ragusa, where the view from the upper town across to Ragusa Ibla on its own hilltop is unforgettable. You finish in Modica, built at the foot of a rocky ridge where two rivers once flowed, former capital of the County of Modica and today split between Modica Alta and Modica Bassa. Overnight in Modica.
- Day 4
Modica – Ispica
45 km · +566 mElevation profileA shorter stage leads first to Scicli, less famous than its neighbours Ragusa and Modica but every bit as beautiful. You then ride on to Ispica, where the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Mother Church of San Bartolomeo are worth a visit. Overnight in Ispica.
- Day 5
Ispica – Siracusa
71 km · +581 mElevation profile
The morning takes you to Noto, set on a plateau above the Asinaro valley among citrus, olive and almond groves. Its golden stone has earned it the name Garden of Stone: palaces and churches with wrought-iron balconies and façades adorned with cherubs line the streets. In the afternoon you ride on to Syracuse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, and its island old town of Ortigia. Overnight in Syracuse.
- Day 6
Siracusa
The tour ends after breakfast. If you would like more time in Syracuse and Ortigia, extra nights can be booked, and a transfer is available on request. End of services.
Tour details
- Duration
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Tour type
- Self-guided, with navigation app
- Area
- South-east Sicily
- Distance
- 277 km
- Level
- Moderate to challenging
- Departures
- Daily
- Participants
- Minimum 2
- Accommodation
- Choose between Economy (B&B and 3-star hotels) and Deluxe (4- and 5-star hotels).
- Meals
- Bed & breakfast
- Bikes
- Touring bike, Road bike, E-bike
Prices and services
Prices per person in a double room
| Category | Low season | Mid season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| EconomyB&B / 3* hotels | € 800 | € 850 | € 950 |
| Deluxe4* / 5* hotels | € 1,095 | € 1,150 | € 1,270 |
Seasons
| Season | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Low season | 7 Jan – 27 Mar · 7 Apr – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec | 7 Jan – 21 Mar · 5 Apr – 18 Apr · 3 May – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec |
| Mid season | 1 Jun – 13 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep | 22 Mar – 4 Apr · 19 Apr – 2 May · 1 Jun – 12 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep |
| High season | 28 Mar – 6 Apr · 14 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan | 13 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan |
Easter was in high season in 2026 (28 March–6 April); in 2027 Easter and the spring bank holidays fall in mid season.
Included in the price
- 5 nights' accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Touring bike rental
- Bike equipment: helmet, lock, pannier
- Repair kit: spare tube, pump, tyre levers
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
- Access to our mobile app with preloaded GPS tracks, roadbook and practical and tourist information
- Telephone assistance
- Travel insurance (medical and luggage) – see the insurance information
Not included
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Airport transfers
- Tourist taxes
- Anything not listed under "The price includes"
Supplements
| E-bike rental | € 115 |
| Road bike rental | € 55 |
| August supplement (1–24 August), category A | € 185 |
| August supplement (1–24 August), category B | € 360 |
| Single room | +30% on the base price |
| Solo traveller | € 240 |
| Extra nights | on request |
| Transfers | on request |
Prices are per person in a double room and based on a minimum of 2 participants. Travelling solo? The tour is available with a solo traveller supplement of € 240.
Bikes available for this tour
Touring bike
Road bike
E-bikeRoute map
Questions about this tour
How long is the tour and how much does it cost?
6 days and 5 nights, from € 800 per person in a double room (Economy category, low season). The Deluxe category with 4- and 5-star hotels starts at € 1,095.
Where does the tour start and end, and how do I get there?
It starts in Catania and ends in Syracuse. Catania Fontanarossa airport, the busiest in Sicily, is the most convenient gateway; Comiso airport, 15 km from Ragusa, is an alternative. Transfers are available on request.
How difficult is it and how many kilometres do I ride?
Moderate to challenging: 277 km in four riding days. The hardest stage, Caltagirone–Modica, is 80 km with +1,365 m of climbing, and Catania–Caltagirone is also 80 km.
When is the best time to go, and are there seasonal supplements?
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for cycling, and May and late September to mid-December are low season. Prices rise in mid and high season, and an August supplement of € 185 (category A) or € 360 (category B) applies from 1 to 24 August.
Which bikes are available? Can I ride an e-bike?
Yes. A touring bike is included, and you can upgrade to an e-bike for € 115 or a road bike for € 55. We recommend the e-bike if you do not cycle regularly.
What is included in the price?
5 nights with breakfast, bike rental with helmet, lock and pannier, a repair kit, luggage transfers between hotels, our app with GPS tracks and roadbook, luggage and health insurance and telephone assistance. Lunches, dinners, airport transfers and tourist taxes are not included.
