Prices
7 Days from Caltagirone to Syracuse Among Baroque Towns, Sea Views, and Authentic Flavors
Caltagirone-Palazzo Acreide-Modica-Noto-Siracusa
If you dream of a cycling holiday in Sicily filled with breathtaking landscapes, baroque towns, and Mediterranean scents, this 7-day road bike itinerary is the perfect choice. From Caltagirone to Syracuse, you’ll ride through the beating heart of southeastern Sicily, discovering golden hills, artistic cities, and scenic roads perfumed with orange blossoms and sea breeze.
Your journey begins in Caltagirone, famous for its colorful ceramics and traditional craftsmanship. From there, the route climbs towards Palazzolo Acreide, a charming village where time seems to stand still and where you can savor the first delights of Iblean cuisine — from homemade pasta with pork ragù to local cheeses. The ride then continues to Modica, home of the world-famous Modica chocolate, and onward to Noto, the “capital of Sicilian Baroque,” where the scent of roasted almonds blends with citrus groves and crisp local white wines.
Each stage is a celebration of the senses: a glass of Nero d’Avola or Cerasuolo di Vittoria after a long climb, a drizzle of local extra virgin olive oil, or a leisurely outdoor lunch overlooking the rolling Iblean countryside. The tour concludes in Syracuse, on the island of Ortigia, where you can toast your arrival with a seafood dinner and Etna wines, surrounded by the timeless beauty of one of the most captivating cities in the Mediterranean.
This cycling tour in Sicily is more than just a bike trip — it’s a journey that blends sport, culture, and gastronomy, designed for those who wish to experience the island’s true essence by pedaling through its history, coastline, and authentic flavors.
The daily program of the 8-day tour
Individual arrival at Caltagirone, famous for its ceramics made of the excellent quality clay of the area. After the 17th century earthquake Caltagirone is reconstructed in the Baroque style from which you see nice examples in the old town centre. Famous is the Scalinata (stairs) of Santa Maria del Monte tile with hand painted mosaics. Worthwhile is also to visit the museum of ceramics. At the end of the afternoon, handing over of the bikes, if rented, the road book, maps and all the information you need to make a success of this tour.
Overnight with breakfast in Caltagirone.
You leave Caltagirone and cycle along quiet country roads to Piazza Armerina. Here you could make a stop to visit the famous roman mosaics of the roman Villa del Casale. This Roman Villa of the 4th century AD was discovered in 1950 and is a unique example of a roman country estate decorated with multi-coloured mosaics (3500 square metres). Beautiful are the hunting and circus scenes.
Overnight with breakfast in Caltagirone
Distance: 96 km / 60 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 1524m – 1524m
The route of today is various and interesting both from historical as naturalistic point of view. The first stop is at Vizzini, a small town with architectural and artistic interesting monuments. There are many churches, but be sure to also see the other monuments such as the town hall and the tanneries… From Vizzini you continue cycling towards the plateau with its deep canyons, called “caves”. One of the most interesting canyons is the Valle dell’Anapo, which is surrounded by the villages Ferla, Cassaro and Palazzolo Acreide. A continuous up- and downhill cycling characterize this stage.
Shorter route:
Overnight with breakfast in Palazzolo Acreide
Distance: 71 km /44 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 1193m – 1134m
Longer route:
Overnight with breakfast in Palazzolo Acreide
Distance: 92 km /57 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 1514m – 1455m
Before leaving Palazzolo Arceide you have still time to visit the old centre of town with its many churches. The ancient Greek city lies on the hill above the modern town. The auditorium of the small theater is well preserved. Then in the saddle and your cycle tour begins! You are pedalling through the beautiful territory of the Monti Iblei (Hyblaean Mountains), a unique landscape, where rugged and wild areas alternate with an enchanting green scenery, characterized by the typical stonewalls. Modica is divided in Modica Alta (Upper Modica) and Modica Bassa (Lower Modica). Modica has maintained some of the most beautiful architecture in the Sicilian Baroque style recognizable by its grinning masks and putti and a particular flamboyance that has given Sicily a unique architectural baroque identity. A good example is the Cathedral of St.George (S.Giorgio).
Overnight with breakfast in Modica
Distance: 62 km /38 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 1514m – 1455m
Do not leave Modica before you taste the famous chocolate, e.g. spiced with hot chili peppers. Cruising downhill through a beautiful Iblei canyon, you will arrive at Scicli, well worth a stroll along the small alleys and zip a glass of nice Sicilian wine at one of the small terraces. You continue your ride downhill to the coast and arrive to the island “Isola delle Correnti“, a small rocky island, which lies on the same latitude as Tunis and marks the watershed between the Ionian and the Mediterranean Sea. Continuing through Portopalo di Capo Passero and Marzamemi, an ancient fishing village. Then you will reach the entrance to the natural preserve and wildlife sanctuary “Oasi di Vendicari“, one of the more representative humid zones of Europe. It is a wonderful and uncontaminated reserve full of interesting plants and rare birds. Here you can find hundreds species of birds that choose every year this reserve as a resting place in their travel towards their reproduction zones. After you leave the reserve, you continue pedalling to the most famous baroque town, Noto. In 2002 Noto and its church were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight with breakfast in Noto
Distance: 107 km /66 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 642m – 855m
Today start with an uphill ride to San Corrado, the archaeological area of Noto Antica on the mountain ‘Monte Alveria’ until you arrive to the view point of the nature reserve Cava Grande del Cassibile (505 mt). Dominating in the landscape is the canyon Cava Grande created by erosion of the small waterways running to the sea. It is 300m deep. You continue and arrive at Siracusa (Syracuse), an important colony of ancient Greece, where you certainly will want to visit the stunning archaeological park with the huge Greek theatre. It is worthwhile to visit Ortigia (Ortygia), a small island, which is the historical heart of Siracusa. It is connected to the main land by three bridges. The tight-knit lanes are pleasant for strolling, and much of the island’s charm lies in wandering down narrow medieval lanes, past romantically Baroque palaces and churches, enjoy a good meal in one of the cosy restaurants or sit down at an outdoors cafe table on the main square.
Overnight with breakfast in Siracusa
Distance: 65 km / 40 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 642m – 855m
Free day for visiting Syracuse and the fascinating Ortygia Island, the historical and cultural centre of the city. The Old Town of Siracusa captivates immediately with more than 3000 years of history and archaeological evidence of practically all great civilizations of the Mediterranean
End of this stunning racing bike tour in eastern Sicily.
Impressions of a Sicilian road bike tour
Caltagirone-Palazzo Acreide-Modica-Noto-Siracusa
LEVEL 4
The route follows mainly less frequented secondary roads. Some days there is significant up-and downhill cycling. This tour is suitable for all healthy and experienced road bikers. Daily distances between 63 km / 39 mi and 107 km / 66 mi
Total km: 409 km / 254 miles or 429 km / 266 miles
DEPARTURES:
Every Saturday from January to December 2026.
Departure on other weekdays on request.
PARTICIPANTS:
1 or more people.
START / FINISH:
Caltagirone / Siracuse
Three Regions road bike tour
This is the right tour for racing bike enthusiasts. It is for those who would like to discover green Umbria in all its aspects on a road bike.