Sicily - Etna Roundtrip

Mount Etna, Taormina and the Ionian Sea

Itinerary

Route

Tourprofile / level 2

You will be cycling on flat streets with some hilly parts with low traffic. You will not cycling on cycling paths as Sicily does not offer separated cycling roads such as you will find in Germany/Austria. Minimum of condition is required as there is also some upcycling. Do not forget to bring your bikini/swimsuit with you as the tour offers many possibilities to enjoy a bath in the sea.

Day 1: Nicolosi

Individual arrival.

Day 2: Roundtrip Ethna, approx. 20 km downward

A public bus or private transfer will take you to the Sapienza refuge today. There you have the opportunity to visit Mount Etna (cable car to the vicinity of the crater, hike not possible due to time constraints). You cycle back to Nicolosi on a pleasant downhill ride. If the weather does not cooperate, there is the option of a city tour in Catania (not included)

Day 3: Nicolosi – Bronte, approx. 49 km

From Nicolosi, by riding on secondary roads with low car traffic, almost all the way downhill you will get to the wild park Forre laviche del Simeto and see the famous Ponte dei Saraceni bridge. Gardens planted with Pistachio trees extended as far as the eye can see introducing the slope up to Bronte (approx. 5 km). A transfer to the hotel in Bronte is available up on request. (not incl.)

Day 4: Bronte – Randazzo, approx. 30 - 36 km

Bronte is renowned for being the European capital of Pistachio that in Sicily is called the tasteful green gold. A visit (and a tasting) at one of the numerous enterprices who transform Pistachio fruits into delicious gastronomic delicacies is strongly recommended to all lovers of a good cuisine. A few km from Bronte’s downtown, at Maniace, you will visit the famous Nelson Castel and the former Norman abbay of S. Maria di Maniace. The tour, then, keeps following secondary routes directly to Randazzo, charming little town of medieval origin.

Day 5: Randazzo – Castiglione – Giardini Naxos, approx. 44 km

Easy leg, with almost no slopes. It is dedicated to the typical tastes and flavours of this part of Sicily. You will be riding your bicycle on the so-called "la strada dei vini dell’Etna" (wine roads) and be tasting typical fine Sicilian foods. Also strongly recommended a visit to Castiglione di Sicilia, from where you will be able to see, in the distance, the next stop of the tour: the Alcantara valley. Carved during the centuries by the Alcantara river fiume this canyon separates two worlds close to each other but amazingly different: the Etna and the chain of Nebrodi mountains.

Day 6: Roundtrip Taormina, approx. 20 km

This stage lasts only a few kilometres, some of which are uphill, to go and visit Taormina, called the Ionic pearl. Due to the marvellous view of the sea, the wonderful panorama and the romantic atmosphere, the destination is worth a visit as much as the whole tour. In the evening back to Giardini Naxos.

Day 7: Giardini Naxos – Acitrezza, approx. 37 km

This is another quite easy leg, riding along the riviera dei limoni (lemon seaside): the Ionic coast of Sicily. The so called salita della  Timpa, (Timpa slope), about one and a half kilometres long, confirms that you are almost arrived at Acitrezza. From the nice garden of the downtown’s villa you will enjoy the view of a spectacular panorama, perhaps tasting the very good local craftmade icecreams. Then a pleasant walk among the narrow charming roads of the downtown. The tour ends in Acireale.

Day 8: Acitrezza

Individual departure or extended stay.

Services

  • 7 overnight stays

  • Daily breakfast 

  • Luggage transfer

  • Service hotline

  • Map- and information material per room

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type
    S1   01.03. - 30.06.25
    S2   01.07. - 31.08.25
    S1   01.09. - 31.10.25

    Extras

    Supplements
    Single traveller 130
    Transfer for arrival after 10pm 10
       
    Discount 3rd bed (in room with 2 full payers)
    0-5,99 yrs -100%
    6-10,99 yrs -50%
    11-13,99 yrs -25%
       
    Bike & Equipment
    24-/27-speed bike 100
    fitness bike 110
    E-bike 180
    Tandem 190
    Trailer 50
       
    Extra nights
    Nicolosi (dbl/sgl) 40/60
    Acitrezza (dbl/sgl) 50/70
       
    Transfers (payable on spot)
    Airport transfer Catania - Nicolosi (min. 2 persons) 35
    Airport transfer Acitrezza - Catania (min. 2 persons) 35

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Accommodation

    Hotel samples

    You will be accomodated in 3-star hotels and typical sicily bed&breakfast


    Nicolosi: B&B La Porta dell’Etna
    Bronte: Feudo Marullo
    Randazzo: B&B Ai Tre Parchi
    Giardini Naxos: Hotel San Giovanni
    Acitrezza: Hotel Lachea


    Note: Please be informed that these are hotel samples and therefore subject to alteration! Find Your final hotel bookings at Your hotel list after/at booking.

    Bicycle

    Bicycle incl. saddle bag

    • 24-speed or 27-speed women or menframe;
    • 27-speed Fitenssbike;
    • E-bike (UNISEX model)

    All bikes are equipped with a saddle bag and a tacho. One repair kit incl. an air pump per booking.


    E-bikes | Electric bikes | Pedelecs

    With an electro bike every bike tour is a breeze! If you had few opportunities to cycle over the last weeks or if you are not sure concerning your fitness, but also with physical disabilities, every bike ride is a treat! The shiftable, low noise electric drive of our modern E-bike relieves you of some of the work and increases the pedal force up to 3 times. So you can now book a bike tour together with cyclists who have different fitness level. Acclivity can be handled easily. Please note that it won’t be possible to fix the handlebar bags on some of our E-Bikes.

    Note: E-bikes are a great development, but should be - due to their driving characteristics (high weight + high speed) - booked only by very safe and experienced cyclists with a very good sense of balance. Not suitable are electric bikes for people who rarely ride a bicycle

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking - Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Catania (CTA)
    You can reach Nicolosi whether by rental car (car rental at the airport) or by private transfer. (reservation at booking)


    Arrival by car

    Parking: at the starthotel on request (pre-reservation)

    Arrival by car via highway A3 until San Giovanni in the South of Italy. It is highly recommended to inform you about the highway costs prior arrival. Via ferry you get from San Giovanni to Messina. The ferry from Calabria to Sicily starts each 30 min. (approx. 20 min) Information via one of the 2 ferry operating ferry companies: Caronte or Bluferries.


    Transfers

    Airport transfer from/to Catania airport bookable - surcharge for arrivals after 10 pm (see details under "Dates and prices"), reservation on booking


    Additional information

    Required taxes have to be paid locally.

    Tips:

    • For high season (end of June to end of August) the coastal stages are increased in traffic.
    • Stage Nicolosi / Etna: if the public bus to Etna is already fully occupied, or if there are more than two participants, the owner of the Nicolosi B & B will gladly organize a private transfer for the guests: approx. € 25 per person (min )
    • It is not allowed to take bikes on public transports

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