“Bike the Baroque” (360km)

Day 1

Arrival at the hotel in Buccheri

Delivery of the bikes, bike fitting and tour briefing.

Overnight in Buccheri

Day 2

Buccheri – Sortino – Solarino – Palazzolo Acreide  65km/850m+

Your start from the hotel with a little uphill to reach the Medieval hamlet of Buccheri. Then you cycle on a ridge from where you can see Mt. Etna on a clear day. First stop, Sortino, a small village famous for its honey production. Perfect for a coffee break before continuing on a beautiful descent with hairpins to the Anapo Valley. You also pass by Solarino, another village, before you start climbing to Palazzolo Acreide, where todays stage ends.

Overnight in Palazzolo Acreide

Day 3

Palazzolo Acreide – (Giarratana) – Ragusa Ibla – Modica 55km/640m+ OR 70km/1000m+

Today you can choose between a short or a longer version. The longer version brings you back to Buccheri and then to Giarratana, while the short version brings you directly to Giarratana. Stop for a coffee break before you continue south to Ragusa Ibla passing by the artifical lake of Santa Rosalia. Ragusa Ibla, a masterpiece of baroque stonework, is situated on a hill top overlooking the surrounding valleys. Take a stroll through the historical center and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants around Piazza Duomo. You continue mostly dowhill along the Irminio river before the last climb to enter Modica, similiar to Ragusa but situated in a valley. 

Overnight in Modica

Day 4

Loop ride Modica – Scicli – Donnalucata – Modica 60km/650m+

Today you leave the hills behind and head downhill towards the coast on a gentle stretch along the Via Fiumara to Scicli, another enchanting baroque town also famous for the italian tv-series “Commissario Montalbano”. Enjoy a coffee break before a short climb that brings you then downhill towards the bright colours of the Mediterranean Sea. From Donnalucata you ride along the coast to Sampieri before you start climbing back to Scicli and eventually Modica. 

Overnight in Modica

Day 5

Modica – Castelluccio  – Testa dell’Acqua – Noto 56km/730m+

You leave Modica on rolling hills until you arrive near Castelluccio. Here you start a beautiful climb on quiet countryroads towards Testa dell’Acqua, a small hamlet and perfect spot for a coffee. A reward for your climbing efforts; a long panoramic downhill overlooking the coast of Noto, where todays stage ends. Noto is the capital of the Sicilian Baroque and was built from scratch after the earthquake of 1693. 

Overnight in Noto

Day 6

Rest day OR Loop ride Noto – Vendicari – Marzamemi – Portopalo di Capo Passero – Noto 77km/380m+

You start downhill to exit the center of Noto. We recommend a visit at the Villa Romana del Tellaro, with it’s splendid mosaics, before heading off to the Nature Reserve of Vendicari, a poupular stop for migratory birds. Leave the bikes at the entrance and discover by foot the remains of the ancient tonnara (tuna fishery), lush mediterranean vegatation and the sandy beach with crystalline water, perfect for a swim! Next stop is Marzamemi, a pretty fishing village with Arab origins. During summer popular among tourist for its colourful square with bars and restaurants. You continue along the coast to Portopalo di Capo Passero, the most southern point of Sicily. If you like fish this is the perfect place for lunch before you head back to Noto. 

Overnight in Noto

Day 7

Option 1: Noto –  Fontane Bianche – Siracusa 50km/100m+

Option 2: Noto – Noto Antica – Cavagrande – Avola –  Siracusa 75km/680m+

Depending on how much energy you have left for the last stage, you can choose between a shorter or a longer ride.

The last stage brings you to your final destination, Siracusa, majestic ancient Greek town of Syracuse (Siracusa in italian). The shorter route brings you easily along the coast passing by Avola and Fontane Bianche. The longer route starts with a climb towards Noto Antica, the original site of Noto until the earthquake of 1693. You continue to the vista point of Cavagrande, the deepest canyon of the Iblei mountains. From here you descend on a spectacular downhill on swithbacks towards the coast overlooking the Mediterrranean Sea until you arrive in Avola. You continue along the coast all the way to Siracusa. Explore the historical center of Ortigia, situated on a small island, perfect for wandering around and explore. 

Return your bikes and all accessories. If you have booked extra night/nights and want to keep the bikes let us know as soon as possible.

Overnight in Siracusa

Day 8

Departure

Thank you for choosing to explore Sicily by bike with us! We hope you enjoyed the ride and had a memorable experience.