Italy Self Guided Bike Tour – Eastern Sicily’s Baroque Towns
Sicily’s strategic position, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, resulted in it being not only the prized possession of foreign powers in its tumultuous history, but also a battleground between warring nations. Sicily’s long history of foreign domination has produced an incredible mix of traditions and cultures, leaving behind some of the most remarkable works of art and architecture found in the Mediterranean world.
Eastern Sicily offers a variety of fine and astonishing sceneries. Through time, nature has modeled the area. A very important factor that modified the architectonic aspect of the area was the devastating 1693 earthquake. The towns and villages of the area were so severely damaged that most of them had to be built a new. Great architects and craftsmen were called in to design and build the new cities, using the “new” style of the times, thus the Baroque style was applied in the building of an amazing sequence of monumental cities, very much intact still today. Intricately carved portals, windows and railings, richly decorated churches and palaces will astonish all travelers.
Nature will also bring on great emotions as you cycle though the Iblei countryside, bright green during spring and autumn, turning yellow brown-under the midsummer sun. As you enter the Anapo Velley you will be impressed not only by the vast orange and lemon plantations, but also by the fact that this area was chosen by the ancient civilization that populated the area from XIII BC as their territory. The most tangible proof of the presence of these people is the impressive Necropolis of Pantalica, the most famous in the world, built along the bank of the river.
2025 Price: €1780 Euros pp double occupancy
Price Includes:
- 7 nights’ accommodations with breakfast
- 2 dinners
- luggage transfers
- phone assistance during tour
- GPS tracks to be downloaded to phone or personal GPS
- Bike fitting and tour orientation
- 1 light lunch with cheese tasting
Price Does Not Include:
Bike rental, lunches, dinners (1 dinner is included) beverages, transfers to the start of tour or from the end of the tour.
Tour Difficulty
This is a very hilly tour with daily distances between 40 – 60 km and several days with more than 900 m climbing (3,000 feet). We suggest electric hybrid bike or electric road bike rentals and for very strong riders, carbon road bike rentals are also available.
Tour Highlights
- Amazing Baroque Architecture
- The Iblei Mountains
- The Greek theatre of Akra
- The charming Scicli and the fisherman villages by the coast
Itinerary
Day 1- Arrival to Catania Airport
Transfer on your own to Ragusa – Ibla. You can take a bus transfer from Catania airport to Ragusa and cab from Ragusa to your hotel in Ibla, the ancient part of Ragusa. Private taxi service is available on request. Ibla is the ancient side of Ragusa, located in the city’s eastern section. After the devastating 1693 earthquake that hit the entire South East Sicily, all of this corner of Sicily was rebuilt in Baroque style. Ragus rebuilt the village with beautiful Baroque works of art, astonishing monuments, and impressive buildings. This is why it is possible to admire 14 World Heritage monuments in this area.
Accommodations: Ibla
Day 2 – Bike loop to Modica Distance: 57 Km – Climb: 930 m
Explore the lovely Baroque towns of Ragusa Ibla and Modica! Both are beautiful villages worth exploring by foot – each step will unveil lovely details and surprises. This area is used often for the setting of movies and television shows and Modica is known for its tradition chocolate produced according to the Aztec way. The Modica chocolate is a unique and traditional type of chocolate. What sets Modica chocolate apart is its distinctive production process, which is rooted in ancient traditions that date back to the Aztecs.
Accommodations: Ibla
Day 3 – Ride to to Palazzolo Acreide Distance: 47 Km, Climb: 948 m
This morning, you’ll leave Ibla and cycle to Palazzolo Acreide. This is another jewel of the Val di Noto area, where the Baroque contrasts the ancient ruins. Akrai has been a mythological place, swallowed up by time and the absence of documents. Historian Tommaso Fazello discovered Akrai at the end of the 16th century. The archaeological excavations that ran at the beginning of the 19th century under the direction of Baron Gabriele Iudica dug up significant evidence about the ancient history of eastern Sicily. Ancient Akrai was founded by the Siracusans in 664 b.c. in a strategic position overlooking the surrounding countryside and the “via Selinuntina,” the road that joined Syracuse to the coastal towns south of the island. The accommodation for this night is in the countryside of Palazzolo Acreide, in a peaceful place. This ancient property from the 1300s is now converted into accommodation with a pool. In the 18th century, it was the noble residence of Baron Gabriele Judica, the archaeologist who started the excavations of the Greek Theater of Palazzolo.
Accommodation for 2 nights Dinner is included.
Day 4 – Loop Ride Buccheri and Ferla Distance: 50 Km, Climb: 930 m
Today’s loop ride lets you discover two little baroque gems in the Unesco Val di Noto: Buccheri and Ferla. The villages are known because of their charming atmosphere. They are located in the Val di Anapo, an area of significant natural and archaeological importance. Ferla and Buccheri have narrow streets, traditional architecture, and historical sites. Picturesque landscapes surround the villages, and the Anapo River flows nearby. Visitors can explore historical churches, such as the Church of St. Sebastian and the Church of St. Michael Archangel. Along the way you’ll stop at a local farm for a visit and a light lunch and cheese tasting. Dinner is included tonight.
Day 5 – Ride to Noto Distance: 48, Climb: 625 m
This is another beautiful ride that includes lovely descents along quiet roads, drystone walls on the sides, and olive trees. Noto is considered among the finest examples of the Sicilian baroque style, making the city a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rebuilding after the 1693 earthquake, the Spanish governor didn’t engage in the reconstruction of damaged buildings. Instead, He decided to rebuild the whole town according to new aesthetic values that fit the requirements at that time, above all, the ostentation of political and religious powers. The exceptionality of Noto and the baroque towns of this area resides in the imposing design of palaces and churches, a classic of the baroque style that mixes with cozy courts and hidden perspectives.
Accommodation: Noto
Day 6 – Scicli Distance: 62 Km, Climb: 815 m
Today’s ride is one of the quietest and characteristic of the entire Iblei countryside. You’ll ride along gentle up and down. Scicli is another beautiful UNESCO baroque town that became famous in the last ten years due to Montalbano’s fiction; the town hall is the Police central station of the Commissaire in the novel.
Accommodation for 2 nights: Scili
Day 7 – Loop ride from Scicli Distance: 48 Km, Climb: 475 m
The ride of today is about a small fisherman village and sandy beach. Relax at the beach before to ride back to the town.
Accommodation for 2 nights: Scili
Day 8 – Tour Departure
After breakfast the tour ends. There is local bus service to Catania or a private transfer may be arranged.
Please note: You might consider spending an extra night or two in Catania at the start or the end of your bike tour.