Italy: Western Sicily Bike Tour
Seven nights; seven days of coastal cycling on paved and predominantly flat roads in Western Sicily, with one day of hill cycling in Central Sicily.
"The route is fabulous, taking advantage of bike paths when they are available and never requiring travel on roads that felt unsafe. The experience of the mountain villages was particularly unique and wonderful. The food was exceptional. The accommodations were simply unbelievably wonderful. The hosts were warmhearted, attentive, and so welcoming." - Jill & JoAnne
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Easy coastal cycling on a mountainous island, along majestic sea cliffs and dense expanses of orange and olive groves.
- Sicily’s first nature reserve at Zingaro with its coastal walk and stunning beaches.
- One of the best-preserved Greek temples at Segesta Archaeological Park.
- Migratory bird wetlands of the famous Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco.
- Exquisite regional cuisine; Cannoli, Pasta alla Norma, Arancine.
- Oldest Carthaginian settlement at Marsala.
- Ancient Greek colony of Selinunte and its acropolis.
- The beach town of Secca Grande and the hill towns of Aragona and Sutera.
- UNESCO World heritage site The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.
- Agrigento, recognized as The Italian Capital of Culture 2025.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
The route is almost entirely paved along quiet roads and dedicated cycle track. The terrain is relatively easy, with a few rolling hills, and distances averaging 50km/day. Van transfers will be available for hilly sections on the last day of riding.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Transfer to Scopello ~1 hour; trail walk at Zingaro Nature Reserve ~7km.
- 2: Scopello to Trapani ~68km (+950m / -1025m).
- 3: Trapani to Marsala ~39km (+220m / -210m).
- 4: Marsala to Marinella di Selinunte ~72km (+475m / -380m).
- 5: Marinella di Selinunte to Montallegro ~82km (+950m / -950m).
- 6: Montallegro to Agrigento ~32km (+555m / -500m).
- 7: Sutera to Aragona ~35km (+770m / -590m).
- 8: Transfer to Palermo.
(Click image to enlarge)
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Palermo, 13:00, day one.
Finish: Palermo, 11:30, day eight.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Transfer to Scopello ~1 hour; trail walk at Zingaro Nature Reserve ~7km.
Start with a transfer from Palermo to the Zingaro Nature Reserve to walk a 7km coastal path with uninterrupted views of stunning coves, dwarf palms, olive trees and Mediterranean scrub. After stretching your legs, transfer to Scopello where you will be introduced to your agriturismo lodging for the night.
Meal Inclusions: Dinner.
Agriturismo Tenute Plaia, Scopello.DAY 2:
Scopello to Trapani ~68km (+950m / -1025m).
You will begin your bike ride this morning out of Scopello towards the historical landmark of Templo de Segesta. This unfinished fifth-century Doric temple is sat on a dramatic hill overlooking stunning views into the valley. After taking in the sights, continue your ride onto the ancient city of Trapani.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Badia Nuova Apart Hotel, or Hotel San Michelle, Trapani.DAY 3:
Trapani to Marsala ~39km (+220m / -210m).
After a quick espresso and cannoli, you'll cycle past the ancient salt pans at Saline di Trapani, in use since 700BC. After a picnic lunch, continue along toward the Island of Mozia, which held a significant Carthaginian fortress and bustling commercial colony. Once back on the Sicilian mainland, continue through Stagnone Nature reserve and finish the day in Marsala, home to the famous Marsala Wine and the starting point for Guiseppe Garibaldi's famous Expedition of the Thousand march that led to Italian reunification.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel Carmine, or; Viacolvento Marsala, Marsala.DAY 4:
Marsala to Marinella di Selinunte ~72km (+475m / -380m).
From Marsala you will head along the coastline, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Bring your swimmers and have a dip! Stop for a late lunch at the hamlet of Torretta Granitola, before continuing on to the archaeological park of Selinunte where five Ancient Greek temples await your arrival. Finish the day in the quaint fishing village of Marinella di Selinunte, and dine at a local family-owned fish restaurant.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Case di Latomie, or Agriturismo Baglio Vecchio, Castelvetrano.DAY 5:
Marinella di Selinunte to Montallegro ~82km (+950m / -950m).
Today you will cycle along the Sicilian Riviera, winding through small fishing villages and vineyards and passing by the Reserve Naturale di Capo San Marco, famous for its magnificent panorama and sandy beaches. Continue through the riviera town of Sciaccia, home to the most ancient Carnevale celebration in Sicily. Optional transfer to the nearby village of Montallegro. Enjoy a well-earned local wine, this is your longest day of cycling.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Relais Briuccia, or Luna Minoica, Montallegro.DAY 6:
Montallegro to Agrigento ~32km (+555m / -500m).
Leave Montallegro and continue back towards the coast towards the Scale dei Turchi (the Turk's staircase), white chalk cliffs, with a natural staircase which offered easy access to the surrounding villages to Turkish pirates. This site was made famous by the much-feted Inspector Montalbano television series. After a delicious picnic, continue onto the UNESCO world heritage site the Valley of the Temples, the most outstanding example of intact ancient Greek architecture outside of Greece, and a demonstration of the riches and power the Sicilian Greek colonies held. After your visit, continue onto your luxurious B&B in the city of Agrigento, announced as the “2025 cultural capital of Italy”.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Terrazze di Montelusa, or I Segreti Della Valle B&B, Agrigento.DAY 7:
Sutera to Aragona ~35km (+770m / -590m).
This morning you will transfer to the small agricultural borgo of Sutera, known as “the balcony of Sicily”. Looming over the town is the Mount San Paolino which on clear days grants views of Mount Etna. After a brief visit to Sutera, start riding toward Aragona, experiencing authentic inland Sicilian life in the towns of Milena and Racalmuto, going along verdant valleys where the last generation of Sicilian shepherds still herd their flocks by foot. End your ride in the town of Aragona where you will have the chance to reflect on your trip at your tranquil bio resort.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Organic Farm Resort Fontes Episcopi, or Turismo Rurale "Principe di Aragona", Aragona.DAY 8:
Transfer to Palermo.
Following breakfast, you will be transferred about 2 ¼ hours back to Palermo arriving before noon.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2025 DATES:
2026 DATES:
Don't see what you want?
(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: C 5755 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners, guide and van support, maps and route instructions, luggage handling, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 5295 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, welcome briefing, maps and route instructions, inn to inn luggage transfers, essential transfers, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add C 1045
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: Included
Change to Gravel: C 150
Change to E-bike: C 250
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is March-May and September-October.
Sicily experiences hot, dry summers and mild variable winters and springs.
- Spring, March, April and May, averages high temperatures range from 13 to 19 °C (55 to 66 °F).
- Summer, June to August, can be quite hot, typically peaking around 25 °C (78 °F) but sometimes reaching over 30 °C (86 °F). Beaches and towns can be quite crowded during tourist season.
- Autumn, is the wettest time, and still quite mild, with temperatures similar to spring.
GET TO THE START
Fly into Palermo International Airport (PMO). From there, trains and buses depart regularly to the city center.
If you are arriving from elsewhere in Italy, consider overnight train service direct from Naples or Rome via Europe’s only train ferry across the Messina strait. Passenger ferry service to Palermo is offered from Genoa, Civitàvecchia, and Naples.
AFTER THE FINISH
On the morning of day seven you will be transferred back to Palermo where connections to the rest of Europe can be made via rail, air, or ferry.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
An extra day in Palermo before or after your tour. Situated at the northwestern tip of Sicily facing north into the Tyrrhenian Sea, Palermo is the cultural, gastronomic, and political hub of Sicily. The city has played a major role in trade of goods and ideas in the Mediterranean since settlement by Phoenicians in the 8th century BC. Under Phoenician rule, the city enjoyed a long period of prosperity by trade with nearby Carthaginians of north Africa before being conquered by Rome in 254 BC.
The city changed hands a number of times during the middle-ages with an extended period of Arab rule in the first century, before a long string of power transfers between various European noble families, only becoming part of the kingdom of Italy in 1860 following Giuseppe Garibaldi’s Expedition of the Thousand. This culturally diverse history is reflected in the architecture and cuisine of the city, revered within Italy for the seamless use of ingredients and cooking techniques from throughout the Mediterranean.
We recommend the following accommodations in Palermo for before or after your tour; please let us know if we can assist with reservations:
Grand Hotel et des Palmes , or; Alma Hotel
If you have several days:
Spend a week before or after you tour exploring other parts of Italy and Western Europe with a Freewheeling Adventure.