Sicily by racing bike from Syracuse to Etna through the Iblean quarries

Name: Sicily by racing bike from Syracuse to Etna through the Iblean quarries
Brand: Cyclando
Price: 860 EUR
Availability: InStock

Sicilia

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Half

Road cycling holidays

Duration

8 days

Duration

754Km

Self-guided

The beauty of this package is in the freedom it offers: without a guide, you are free to decide the timing, pace, and stops of your journey. Travel freely, travel your way!

5/5 Challenging

Difficult, between 60 and over 100 kilometers per day with an elevation gain between 800 and over 2000 meters.

Linear

The starting point is different from the ending point, with overnight stays in different hotels and daily stages.

Description

Day 1: Syracuse
Individual arrival or transfer to Syracuse. Briefing and bike delivery.

Day 2: Syracuse – Noto (73 km; +1200 m or 129 km; 2215 m)
On today's stage, you will ride through the Iblei plateau, with its numerous canyons, known to locals as caves. Leaving Syracuse, the climb begins to and along the Climiti mountains. Just before reaching Sortino, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Plain of Catania, with the Etna volcano in the background, the final destination of our road bike tour of Sicily. From Sortino the fast descent starts for the Anapo Valley. A long undulating stretch will lead you to the coast, where the last challenging climb of the day begins, leading you to Cavagrande del Cassibile. The stage ends in Noto, the capital of late Sicilian Baroque.

Day 3: Noto – Palazzolo Acreide (96 km; +2180 m or 130 km; +2550 m)
Today's stage again shows you the rich and varied landscape of the Iblei Plateau and two authentic jewels of Baroque architecture: Modica and Ragusa Ibla. After a first climb, you reach Ancient Noto, the original city of Noto, razed to the ground by the terrifying earthquake of 1693. Continuation to the town of Castelluccio, the start of the descent to the valley. Back uphill to Modica and Ragusa Ibla. Don't forget to taste the renowned Modica chocolate, in one of its many variations (try it with chili).

Day 4: Palazzolo Acreide – Caltagirone (69 km; +920 m or 137 km; +2180 m)
The fourth stage of the Sicily road bike tour will guide you from the Iblei mountains to the Erei. Along a constant up and down, you will cross numerous mountain towns like Cassaro, Ferla, Sortino, Buccheri and Vizzini. The route ends in Caltagirone, the center of Sicilian ceramic art.

Day 5: Caltagirone – Caltagirone (61 km; +1155 m or 96 km; +1650 m)
Today our road bike tour of Sicily starts from Caltagirone on a low-traffic road, towards Piazza Armerina, in the Sicilian hinterland. Of great agricultural importance, it is thanks to this municipality that Sicily was defined by the Romans as the granary of Rome. You will also admire extensive prickly pear plantations. Possibility to visit the Roman Villa of Casale, near Piazza Armerina, famous for its flooring rich in polychrome mosaics from Roman times, in excellent state of preservation. After the visit, you will return to Caltagirone.

Day 6: Caltagirone – Nicolosi (110 km; +1560 m)
Today's stage only has one variant. After leaving Caltagirone, you start downhill before tackling the first climb of the day, towards the town of Mineo. From Mineo, you continue towards Militello, a small town with a nice Baroque center. Cross the plain of Catania, with numerous citrus plantations, towards Etna. The majestic view of the volcano will accompany you throughout the day. With a bit of luck, you will be able to admire the gas outflow (fumaroles) from a crater. From Paternò, the climb to Nicolosi starts, on the slopes of Etna, where the stage ends.

Day 7: Nicolosi – Etna – Nicolosi (51 km; +1535 m or 152 km; +3550 m)
This final ride around Etna is the most interesting part of any Sicily road bike tour. Its two long and challenging climbs are a perfect challenge even for an ambitious cyclist. You will travel next to ancient lava flows and up to 1900 meters above sea level. We also offer a shorter route that includes the most beautiful climb of the volcano. The choice is yours.

Day 8: Nicolosi
After breakfast, end of services and individual departure.

By choosing to travel by bike with us, you help us make the world a better place: we plant a tree for every trip sold

Why book online on Cyclando?

Because we guarantee you the lowest price and if your tour is not available or confirmed, you can always opt for the refund of the amount paid, or choose another tripfrom the over 800 on the platform.

Our cancellation insurance is the most advantageous you will find around!

Cancel for any reason

Trip cancellation for any documentable reason: pregnancy, illness, work and more, guaranteed.

Coverage of all costs

Full insurance covers all travel costs and penalties from companies, without worries.

Refund in 7 days

With Smart Claims, we guarantee fast refunds in just 7 days for complete peace of mind.

✅ What is included in the trip?

Travel/Medical Insurance 24/24
Overnight stay and breakfast
Luggage transfer
Local telephone assistance 7/7
Detailed description and maps of the itinerary
GPS or navigation APP

❌ What is not included?

Transfers not listed as "Included"
City tax
Tips
Journey to/from the starting point of the tour
Meals and drinks not listed as "Included"
Bike rental
Extras
Entrance fees, ferries and anything not listed as "Included"
Welcome briefing

💸 Cancellation fees

Time Range
Full refund
More 28 days of departure
50%
From 13 to 28 days before departure
30%
Up to 7 days before departure
Not refundable

Sicily by racing bike from Syracuse to Etna through the Iblean quarries

To start from Syracuse and arrive at the exciting panorama on the Plain of Catania, with the Etna volcano in the background
To visit the pearls of Sicilian Baroque art: Noto, Ragusa Ibla and Modica, famous for its chocolate
To arrive in Caltagirone, known for the traditional production of ceramics and whose historic center is part of the Unesco heritage
To pedal among citrus plantations, prickly pears and expanses of wheat, which gave Sicily the nickname of granary of Rome by the Romans
To admire the extraordinary polychromatic mosaics of the Roman Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina, wonderfully preserved
To challenge the majestic Etna on its long and challenging climbs, in a tour of Sicily by racing bike suitable for experienced cyclists

🙋 Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my own bike?
Of course! You can participate in any tour with your own bicycle or rent one. However, we recommend renting because not all spare parts are the same, and only with our bikes can we guarantee the best mechanical assistance.
What kind of assistance will I have during the trip?
You will always have an emergency phone number to refer to. In self-guided trips, you should be able to perform minor repairs, like replacing a tube in case of a puncture, or fixing a dropped chain, but you can always count on local assistance for more serious breakdowns.
How do I know if a tour is within my capabilities?
We classify tours on a scale from 1 to 5 based on length, elevation, and complexity of the itinerary, but if you have doubts, contact us and we will help you find the most suitable journey for you.
What is the cost of renting bicycles?
The rental cost varies depending on the bicycle model and the duration of the tour. For some tours, we offer the possibility to rent different types of bicycles. During the purchase process for each route, you will be asked to indicate your preferred bike type and the corresponding price will be shown, so you can choose freely and without surprises.
Are rented bikes equipped with accessories like lights or bags?
Yes, rented bicycles are equipped with all necessary accessories to comply with road traffic regulations (lights, bell, etc.). A lock, repair kit, and a bag to carry everything you need for a day in the saddle are always included in the rental. Additionally, we offer the option to request extra accessories based on your needs.