Sicily is a top spot for cycling! A bike holiday in Sicily is an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression. The memories of a bike tour in Sicily stay with you and you’ll find yourself sharing them with others. As you touch down in either Palermo or Catania, the excitement of the stories, sights, and flavors that await you is palpable. After a brief transfer, you’ll arrive at your first stop, such as Piazza Armerina, home to the renowned Villa Romana del Casale mosaics. Suddenly, you’re immersed in the rich history and culture of Sicily. Your lodgings will likely be a beautifully restored ancestral villa transformed into a hotel. With such incredible experiences in store, your cycling tour in Sicily is sure to exceed all expectations. You can explore below things by cycling in Sicily:
The two major roads flanking the coastal sides of Sicily also include other vital links that lead to major towns such as Ragusa and Agrigento. Nevertheless, our Sicilian cycling tour will stick to the smaller and windier country roads as they are usually surrounded by some spectacular drystone walling. These would be small cozy little villages with beautiful town squares adorned with picturesque churches and fine palaces in them.
They are rarely used but are ideal for recreational rides and slow-paced driving. As expected, there may be few steep climbs but then one hits on the plateau and enjoys seeing breathtaking views followed by a thrilling downhill run. The bicycle types used during our bike tours in Sicily include road bikes, trekking bikes, and even ebikes, which will enable cyclists to achieve utmost satisfaction from their Sicilian cycling tour experience.
Rest assured! In case you have some small cycling problems, the friendly Sicilian hospitality will always be there for you. In every little hamlet, you will find a good-hearted member of the local community ready to help out. Moreover, there is an excellent 4G/5G mobile phone cover on the island making sure that whatever assistance you will require will be reached easily.
There are two main bicycle tours in Sicily. The first, perhaps the most beautiful and famous, is the Baroque cycling tour in the southeastern part of the island. The second, longer and suitable for road bikes and e-bikes, follows the entire coastline from Palermo to Marsala and Selinunte before continuing on to Agrigento and concluding in the Baroque cities of the first tour. Both tours can be combined with a spectacular extension to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, where you can tackle one of the most iconic climbs of the Giro d’Italia.
Mediterras offers two self-guided bike tours: both are ready to book and fully customizable, allowing you to discover Sicily by bike in whichever way you prefer. Click here for the list.
Cycling in Sicily could be done any time of the year considering that it is a Mediterranean island. Nevertheless, it is hot especially in July and August when temperatures rise up to 35C in the shade during summer months. Moreover, during these periods, many Italian schools are always closed causing high traffic volumes all over the various parts of the country because of the increased flow of tourists. However, one can start early in the morning, avoid afternoon heat, and take advantage of the long, bright evenings in summer while cycling in Sicily. Certainly, spring and fall are the best times to discover the island with a bike tour. However, winter is a little wet and cold, where the temperature almost never drops below 5 C (41 F).
Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and, yes it’s true, you can climb it with your bike! Three world-famous climbs will bring you up to 2,000 meters above sea level in a lunar landscape with stunning views of Catania and its coastline. After a tasty light lunch at the refuge and a short hike to the craters, you can enjoy a spectacular 15 km downhill. Memories that last forever.
In a bike tour in Sicily you can’t miss a refuel on local delights. Arancini (rice balls), cannoli (sweet pastry filled with ricotta), fresh seafood dishes, and pasta with traditional sauces like pesto alla trapanese make your cycling in Sicily a sweet and tasty experience. After biking, explore local markets, loved by the locals. Don’t miss the amazing Granita!
Sicily has many historical sites, such as the impressive Greek and Roman ruins at Agrigento, Syracuse, and Segesta. A bike trip in Sicily generally brings you to discover places that seem to be stuck in time, like the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage site. When cycling on the east side of Sicily, you will be surrounded by Baroque architecture. At times, it may be difficult to focus on the road.
Italians love to wander in its historical city centers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. At times, it’s just a way to get some fresh air. Ballarò Market in Palermo is one of the most famous, but every single village has one. Join them and discover these noisy and colorful places. You can’t miss this genuinely local experience on a bike tour in Sicily.
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