Self-Guided Cycling in Sicily

Over View

Cycle along the western coast of Sicily on this self-guided cycling holiday. Discover colourful landscapes as you ride on quiet coastal roads through the countryside. Explore imposing Greek ruins and Favignana Island, a hidden gem in the Mediterranean.

Salt Mining – See the Salt Mining Reserve, marshes and windmills

Marsala – Optional wine tasting

Gastronomic Sicily – Delicious culinary specialties, accompanied by superb local wines

Itinerary

Day 1 Holiday starts in Marsala

Arrive in Marsala and check in to the hotel. Depending on the time that you arrive, you may choose to spend the afternoon mingling with the locals as they promenade on marble cobbled streets from one piazza to the next or simply relax and unwind.

Your bike will be delivered either today or tomorrow morning

Public transport and taxis can easily be organised on arrival from Palermo Airport (PMI) or Trapani Airport (TPS).

Day 2 Cycle to the salt pans. Marsala wine tasting (optional)

Today’s flat ride takes you to the characteristic Infersa salt flats, a patchwork of shallow coastal lakes and salt pans lined with ancient windmills and home to many migratory birds and a small salt museum (optional). Return by bike, using the same route to the hotel in Marsala and once back in town maybe visit a winery and taste some of the excellent locally made sweet Marsala wines.

Total cycling distance today is approximately 23 kilometres (Total 20 metres ascent and 20 metres descent)

Day 3 Ride inland to Buseto Palizzolo

Leaving the bustling seaside towns behind cycle inland, gradually ascending via a succession of pastures and fields of wheat. For the first part of the ride when leaving Marsala there will inevitably be more traffic and there are some up hill sections. Once away from the coast this sparsely populated, vast expanse of beautiful nature dotted with crumbling, old farm houses is a joy to the eye and a pallet of contrasting colours that change with every season. Spring is ripe with the lush green wheat that turns bronze yellow in summer then ochre and brown as the fields are ploughed. For the next two nights you stay in a small family-run organic farm or agriturismo, located just outside Bruca, serving wonderful home grown and locally sourced Sicilian specialties prepared by ‘mamma’.

Total cycling distance today is approximately 52 kilometres (Total 620 metres ascent and 300 metres descent).

Day 4 Ride to Segesta Greek Temple

Start the day with a short and easy ride through the rolling hills to the imposing archaeological site of Segesta – an ancient ‘Elimian’ town. You may start to wonder if you are hallucinating as you see perched on top of a hill overlooking a deep canyon, an unusually well-preserved (though unfinished) Doric temple built sometime in the late 5th century BC. A pleasant walk up the hill past a series of buildings dating back to various periods takes you to the ancient Greek theatre carved into a natural rock hollow. In the afternoon you may wish to continue by bike to some public hot springs. Alternatively you may choose to return directly to the accommodation and relax by the pool in which case you will have cycled a total of 16 km (total 180 metres ascent/descent). After relaxing your muscles in the warm waters, return to the hotel by the same route.

Total cycling distance today is approximately 34 kilometres (Total 330 metres ascent/descent)

Day 5 Cycle down to Trapani. Optional cable car to Erice

Heading back towards the coast today wind your way through the hills and then speed down to the lively city of Trapani where you spend the next two nights. Along the way the ancient town of Erice looms high above and is said to have been founded by exiled Trojans. This was also an important religious site and a famous temple dedicated to Aphrodite (Venus in Roman times) allegedly stood here. After stopping for lunch in Trapani, spend the afternoon enjoying a stroll and people watching along the pedestrianised historic centre. Later this afternoon you may like to take the cable car from Trapani up to Erice.

Total cycling distance today is approximately 34.5 kilometres (Total 260 metres ascent and 450 metres descent).

Day 6 Visit car-free Favignana Island

This morning take the local ferry (approx. 40 mins and 25) to Favignana island; the largest of the three Aegedian Islands, set just off the western coast of Sicily and well known for its tuna fishing tradition. Cycling its flat coastal roads you will contour the turquoise coloured coves and bays that tempt you to go for a dip before relaxing in the village square, drinking a coffee and watching the locals come and go. There are no cars on the island which makes for peaceful cycling.

Total cycling distance today is approximately 24 kilometres (Total 40 metres ascent and 40 metres descent).

Day 7 Holiday ends Trapani

After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday comes to an end.

Public transport and taxis can easily be organised to return to Palermo Airport (PMI) or Trapani Airport (TPS).