Cycle the Backroads of Sicily: Self-Launched

Fly into Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA). Skip the private group transfer and take the AST public bus directly from the airport to Palazzolo Acreide — buses depart at 12:15 PM and 2:15 PM from the ATS ticket counter near arrivals, costing around €9–12 (~£8–10) per person and taking approximately 2 hours. Check into a budget guesthouse or B&B in this charming UNESCO-listed hilltop town. Spend the afternoon wandering the winding Baroque streets, spotting the famous 'teste di moro' ceramic vases on balconies. Head to a local trattoria for a dinner of fresh seasonal Sicilian produce — budget around £15–20.

🚌AST public bus from Catania Airport to Palazzolo Acreide — departs 12:15 PM or 2:15 PM, ~2 hrs, €9–12 (~£8–10). Buy tickets at the ATS counter near airport arrivals.

🛏B&B or guesthouse in Palazzolo Acreide — e.g. RTA Palazzo Judica or similar locally run B&B. Budget ~£35–50/night for a private room.

• →Arrive Catania Airport (CTA)
• →AST public bus to Palazzolo Acreide (~£9, 2hrs)
• →Self-guided walk through Palazzolo Acreide's UNESCO Baroque old town
• →Spot the 'teste di moro' ceramic vases on balconies
• →Dinner at a local trattoria

Pick up your pre-hired hybrid bike (arrange rental in advance via a local Catania or Noto bike hire company — expect £15–20/day). Today's ride (~32 miles, ~4 hrs cycling) descends through the rolling Monti Iblei hills before a challenging climb through the rugged interior. Stop for lunch in Ragusa Ibla, the hilltop Baroque gem — grab a panino or arancino at a local bar for £5–8. Continue to Modica, famed for its ancient Aztec-method chocolate. Visit the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto or similar for a self-guided chocolate tasting (£5–10). Check into your B&B and enjoy dinner at a traditional Modican restaurant — budget £15–20.

🚌Cycle the route independently on your hired hybrid bike (~32 miles). No motorised transport needed today.

🛏B&B in Modica — e.g. B&B Tetti di Siciliando or similar. Budget ~£35–50/night for a private room.

• →Cycle 32 miles through Monti Iblei hills to Ragusa Ibla and Modica
• →Explore Ragusa Ibla's Baroque streets and architecture (free)
• →Chocolate tasting at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto or similar in Modica (~£5–10)
• →Self-guided tour of Modica's historic centre (free)
• →Dinner of Sicilian antipasti at a local restaurant (~£15–20)

Today's longest ride (~48 miles, ~5 hrs cycling) takes you south through panoramic Sicilian countryside. Pass through Scicli — lock your bike and spend 20–30 minutes exploring this Baroque town's streets before continuing to Pozzallo for a swim and a gelato (£2–3). Cycle past the Longarini and Cuba marshes — free birdwatching en route. Stop at Terre di Noto winery for a guided tour and lunch with wine pairing — book directly via their website or GetYourGuide (~£25–35 including lunch and tastings). Finish the day in Portopalo di Capo Passero, Sicily's southernmost point, in time for a stunning sunset from the rocky shore.

🚌Cycle the route independently (~48 miles). No motorised transport needed.

🛏Seafront guesthouse or B&B in Portopalo di Capo Passero — e.g. Hotel Vittorio or similar. Budget ~£35–50/night.

• →Cycle 48 miles through Sicilian countryside via Scicli
• →Self-guided explore of Scicli Baroque town (free)
• →Swim and gelato stop at Pozzallo beach (~£2–3)
• →Free birdwatching at Longarini and Cuba marshes (free)
• →Guided winery tour and lunch with wine tasting at Terre di Noto (~£25–35, book direct or via GetYourGuide)
• →Sunset at the southernmost point of Sicily

Ride north along the scenic coastline (~39 miles, ~5 hrs cycling). Stop first at the quaint fishing town of Marzamemi for a coffee and browse the picturesque piazza. Continue to the Vendicari Nature Reserve — lock your bike at the entrance and walk the 45-minute trail through coastal wetlands, spotting flamingos and migratory birds (free entry or minimal fee). Cool off with a swim in the reserve's crystal-clear waters. Continue to Noto, the 'capital of Baroque Sicily'. Check into your B&B and enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant featuring Sicilian classics and local wine — budget £15–20.

🚌Cycle the route independently (~39 miles). No motorised transport needed.

🛏B&B in Noto — e.g. B&B Giardino Barocco or similar. Budget ~£35–50/night.

• →Cycle 39 miles north along the coast via Marzamemi
• →Coffee stop in Marzamemi's picturesque fishing piazza (~£2)
• →45-minute self-guided hike through Vendicari Nature Reserve (free or minimal entry fee)
• →Birdwatching — flamingos and migratory species
• →Wild swim in Vendicari's crystal-clear waters (free)
• →Arrive and explore Noto, UNESCO Baroque capital
• →Dinner at a traditional Noto restaurant (~£15–20)

The most challenging day of the trip (~36 miles, ~5 hrs cycling). Ride toward Noto Antica, the ancient town ruined by the 1693 earthquake, then tackle a steady 3-mile climb to the breathtaking Cavagrande del Cassibile viewpoint — one of Europe's deepest canyons, with sweeping panoramic views across the valley. Pack a picnic from the Noto morning market (budget £5–8) and enjoy it at the canyon viewpoint. Then descend via exhilarating hairpin bends back toward the coast and return to Noto for the evening. Explore Noto's Baroque corso and try a granita or cannoli at a local pasticceria.

🚌Cycle the route independently (~36 miles, including the 3-mile canyon climb). No motorised transport needed.

🛏B&B in Noto (same as Day 4) — B&B Giardino Barocco or similar. Budget ~£35–50/night.

• →Cycle 36 miles via Noto Antica with 3-mile canyon climb
• →Self-guided explore of Noto Antica ruins (free)
• →Viewpoint at Cavagrande del Cassibile canyon (free)
• →Picnic lunch at the canyon viewpoint (self-catered from Noto market, ~£5–8)
• →Exhilarating hairpin descent back to the coast
• →Evening granita or cannoli in Noto (~£3)

A more leisurely coastal day (~31 miles, ~4 hrs cycling). Pedal north along the coast, stopping for a swim at Avola's sandy beaches (free). Continue past the rocky Plemmirio Peninsula for contrasting coastal scenery. Roll into Syracuse and check into your hostel or B&B in Ortigia, the ancient island heart of the city. Spend the afternoon wandering Ortigia's narrow streets, ancient ruins and welcoming squares — all free to explore. Drop your bike back at the hire company's Syracuse point if arranged, or coordinate return logistics. Enjoy a free-choice dinner in Ortigia — plenty of great restaurants for all budgets.

🚌Cycle the route independently (~31 miles along the coast). Return hired bike at Syracuse drop-off point if agreed with hire company.

🛏Hostel or B&B in Ortigia, Syracuse — e.g. Alla Giudecca or similar. Budget ~£30–45/night.

• →Cycle 31 miles along the coast to Syracuse
• →Swim stop at Avola's sandy beaches (free)
• →Scenic ride past Plemmirio Peninsula (free)
• →Self-guided afternoon explore of Ortigia island, Syracuse (free)
• →Visit ancient ruins and piazzas in Ortigia (free)
• →Free-choice dinner in Ortigia (~£15–20)

After breakfast, make your way from Syracuse to Catania Airport for your flight home. Take the Interbus or FlixBus coach from Syracuse bus terminal to Catania Airport — services run regularly, journey is ~1.5 hrs and costs around £5–8. Alternatively, the train from Syracuse to Catania takes ~1.5 hrs and costs £6–10 (book via Trenitalia). If your flight is in the afternoon, consider a morning stroll around Ortigia or a final Sicilian breakfast at a local bar before heading to the airport.

🚌Interbus or FlixBus coach from Syracuse to Catania Airport (~£5–8, ~1.5 hrs). Alternatively, train from Syracuse to Catania via Trenitalia (~£6–10, ~1.5 hrs).

🛏No accommodation needed.

• →Final Sicilian breakfast at a local bar (~£4–6)
• →Optional last morning wander around Ortigia
• →Interbus or FlixBus from Syracuse to Catania Airport (~£5–8, 1.5 hrs) — or train via Trenitalia (~£6–10)