Cycle Sicily's South

This cycling tour is suitable for occasional riders seeking to discover a region from the saddle, and comfortable riding up to 60km and over consecutive days. Distances of the stages range between approximately 35-60km / 20-40miles. Daily elevations vary from 80-600m / 130-2000ft. Some days have some shorter options.

Before your tour, we recommend cycling a couple of consecutive days, so you get used to riding back-to-back days and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Be sure to take into account the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

The route follows a combination of quiet country roads, stretches of rolling terrain and busier roads when approaching and departing the towns and cities. Please always be mindful of other roads users at all times, especially when cycling on routes shared with traffic.

You will encounter some stretches of shallow hills, but these usually don't last for too long.

This tour is graded easy to moderate. Within the tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

You'll spend most nights in 3-star and 4-star hotels, with one night in a traditional agriturismo. Each stay is based on a standard room. Should any of the listed accommodation be unavailable, we'll provide a hotel of equal standard in its place.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included each morning and typically consists of fresh pastries, breads, fruit, yogurt, cheeses, meats and granola, often with a selection of Italian cakes too. If you have any special dietary requirements, just let us know when booking. Lunch and dinner aren't included, but being in Italy means you're never far from a bowl of fresh pasta or freshly caught seafood.

This tour is available to start on any day between March and November. We'd recommend getting in touch as early as possible if you're considering travelling during the peak season of May to June or in September.

Spring (April, May and June) brings warm sunshine, fewer crowds and pleasant cycling conditions, with wildflowers typically in bloom in May. Autumn (September, October and November) is also a lovely time to visit, with cooler weather and striking seasonal colours, though the later in the year you travel, the greater the chance of rain, and some shops and restaurants may have reduced hours or be closed for the winter from late October. July and August can be very hot for cycling, so you'd need to start early and carry extra water, though the towns and villages are at their liveliest during these months.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person. Luggage transfers are included in the price of your tour - if you need an additional luggage allowance, please contact us before final payment.

It’s vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.​

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Catania Airport has excellent connections across Europe. On arrival, an included private transfer takes you to your first night's accommodation in Palazzolo Acreide. If you'd like an extra night in Catania, or to be transferred from Catania city centre rather than the airport, just let us know when booking.

The tour ends in Syracuse, which doesn't have its own airport. A regular train service runs from Syracuse Central to Catania Central, taking just over an hour, and a private transfer between the two can also be arranged and added to your booking at any time.

You'll need your standard cycling gear. Bike hire comes with a pannier rack and bag, a pump, lock, a basic repair kit, and handlebar phone. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

Since you'll have your bike with you, shortening or skipping sections may not be easy. For the best local advice on transport options for cyclists, please consult your accommodation provider or reach out to our local bike partner, where applicable.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation

We hire bikes suited to the terrain, including e-bikes for a bit of extra assist, in a range of sizes - just let us know your height when booking so we can get your frame right. If you would like to bring your own bike then, in the majority of cases, this is not a problem – please contact us to talk it through. We encourage all cyclists to wear a helmet, and it is law in many countries across Europe. We recommend bringing your own helmet for hygiene and safety reasons, however on most tours you can hire one.

The following bikes are available for hire:

Hybrid Bike: Fuji Absolute 1.7 or 2.1, aluminium frame, Shimano Altus groupset, Shimano disc brakes, sizes 17/19/21/23, available in male and female frames.

E-bike: Droessiger Trekking eSport, step-through frame, Shimano 500Wh intube battery, range 64-160km depending on assist level, Shimano hydraulic brakes.

Carbon Road Bike (Superior): Bottecchia Aerospace, carbon frame and forks, disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra groupset and cassette, Selle Italia saddle, Fulcrum Racing 800 Disc wheelset.

Tandem: Droessiger TDA, aluminium frame, Shimano XT groupset and cassette, Magura brakes, sizes S/M/L.

Brand and model may vary depending on availability. Minimum age for e-bike hire is 16 years.

Please provide your height for bike sizing, and head circumference if you'd like to hire a helmet, when booking.

Bike hire includes a spare inner tube, repair kit and pump, a pannier bag (not on the road bike), a lock, a phone mount, and a battery charger for e-bikes. Helmets are included only for travel in 2026 - we'd still recommend bringing your own.

Many people choose an e-bike for the extra assistance, though note e-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles. Gravel and road bikes are only recommended for experienced cyclists comfortable with the riding position and fitness demands of this style of biking.