Sicily is a true Mediterranean gem just off Italy’s coastline, filled with diverse landscapes, cultural treasures, and delicious traditional cuisine. Our Cycling in Sicily trip is an excellent way to uncover the island’s fascinating history, warm hospitality and interesting culinary influences that blends different cultures while keeping all of Italy’s original charm.
Over the past 10,000 plus years, Sicily has seen many different settlers including Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Romans, Arabs and Normans. And on this beautiful cycle through South-eastern Sicily, you’ll catch glimpses of what these cultures left behind.
Cycle through the rugged Iblean Mountains
Bordering the south-eastern side of Sicily, the Iblean Mountains are packed with natural beauty and splendour. Enjoy exhilarating descents down cycling paths bordered with olive plantations, farmlands and dry-stone walls, while admiring the Irminio River, as it begins its journey here, near Mount Lauro, and flows throughout the province.
Make your ascent to Cavagrande del Cassibile viewpoint
The breathtaking Cavagrande Del Cassibile is one of the deepest canyons in Europe. With its natural turquoise lakes, limestone cliffs and seemingly endless displays of greenery, the canyon offers a spectacular backdrop to your cycle route. On our Cycling in Sicily trip, you’ll reach one of the region’s best viewpoints at 505 metres, where you can truly appreciate this dramatic scenery. In season, you can also marvel at the wild orchids and rare plant life or take the opportunity to explore the wondrous caves the canyon has to offer.
Adventure across Noto Valley’s Baroque Towns
Noto Valley, (Val di Noto), is home to some of Sicily’s most picturesque Baroque towns, all captivating in their own unique way. Although some towns and villages in the area were destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, the locals rebuilt key buildings in the late-Baroque style to maintain their history and beauty. In Modica, Scicli and Ragusa, you can look out for the famous filming locations of the popular BBC4 TV show, Inspector Montalbano.
Although the cycle ride between the villages is undulating, the ride is not a difficult one, especially for more experienced cyclists. Take in the archaeological sites and natural quarries of Noto Valley on your journey, while enjoying the Sicilian countryside lined with terraced green fields, almond trees and prickly pears radiating lovely, sweet aromas.
Take a detour to bask in the beauty of the Cathedral of San Giorgio
Sicilians take pride in their architectural talent, crafting their buildings into beautiful works of art, and the Cathedral of San Giorgio, in Modica is just one example of this. As you walk around the cathedral, you’ll see its 60-metre-long tower and marvellous limestone pillars with intricate carvings. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the cathedral is a must-see for travellers while cycling through the region.
Explore the lush Riserva di Vendicari on two wheels
Another place you can explore while cycling through Sicily is the Riserva di Vendicari, a gorgeous nature reserve on NOTO’s coastline. With no cafes, bars or other man-made buildings to spoil its raw natural beauty, the reserve is a tranquil slice of untouched nature and the perfect place to stop for a picnic. The reserve’s dedicated waymarked trails are great to cycle down to find salt lakes, golden sands and if the month is right, some magnificent bird species, such as storks, flamingos, and herons.
We’d recommend making a pit stop close by Marzamemi, a quaint coastal fishing village, to enjoy a drink paired with some local seafood dishes, like Nasello alla palermitana or Pesce spada alla siciliana, at one of their traditional cafes and restaurants. Here, you can take the opportunity to soak in views of the glistening turquoise waters, before continuing your exploration of this alluring island.
Sicily combines natural beauty and cultural intrigue at its best. Its gorgeous scenery, rich culture and temperate climate make Sicily a perfect place for a cycling adventure all year round. If you’re interested to explore the island’s undulating terrain take a look at our Cycling in Sicily trip, or for trekking holidays and culinary experiences, browse our collection of Sicily holidays.
