Welcome to the heart of Baroque Sicily. Perched dramatically on a limestone hill, Ragusa Ibla is a masterpiece of golden stone, ornate balconies, and winding lanes. The town’s domes and bell towers rise from a tangle of rooftops, glowing amber at sunset. Stroll through its maze of alleys, pausing in Piazza Duomo for your first taste of Sicilian life — perhaps a creamy cannolo or a chilled glass of local Cerasuolo di Vittoria. This is the Sicily of painters and poets: radiant, refined, and deeply alive.

Your first ride brings you from the highlands down toward the shimmering coast. You'll follow quiet backroads through olive and almond groves, crossing fertile farmland framed by dry-stone walls — the timeless markers of the Hyblaean countryside. As you descend, the sea breeze begins to mingle with the scent of citrus. Marina di Ragusa awaits with its golden sands, lively promenade, and the turquoise expanse of the Mediterranean. It's the perfect place to unwind with grilled seafood and a view of the waves.

From the sea, your route climbs gently inland, tracing the contours of the Hyblaean plateau. You’ll pass tiny hamlets and sun-drenched vineyards on the way to Modica, one of Sicily’s most enchanting towns. Built into a deep ravine, Modica tumbles down two hills, connected by stairways and crowned with magnificent Baroque churches. Don’t miss the chance to sample its world-famous chocolate, made the ancient way with cold-ground cocoa and sugar crystals — a culinary tradition passed down since Spanish rule.

Today’s route carries you further east through a patchwork of carob and olive trees, winding toward Ispica, a quieter but equally beautiful Baroque town. En route, you can explore the Cava d’Ispica, a vast canyon carved into limestone and dotted with prehistoric caves and Byzantine rock chapels. Arriving in Ispica, you’ll find a warm town center of palazzi and piazzas where life moves at a slow, sunlit rhythm.

You’ll pedal south toward the sea again, following peaceful roads lined with citrus orchards and vineyards. The air grows saltier as you near the coast. The route leads you through Pachino, birthplace of Sicily’s prized cherry tomatoes, before reaching Marzamemi — a postcard-perfect fishing village where golden-stone houses frame a luminous blue harbor. Once a tuna-fishing center, it’s now a haven for cafés, wine bars, and sunset dinners beside the water.

Your final cycling day is a feast for the senses. Begin along the edge of the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a protected coastal oasis rich with birdlife and ancient watchtowers. Flamingos wade through shallow lagoons, and waves break gently along untouched beaches. Gradually, the route turns inland toward Noto, the “Garden of Stone.” Its honey-colored architecture, broad boulevards, and graceful cathedral create one of the finest Baroque ensembles in Europe. You’ll return your bikes here and enjoy a leisurely evening soaking up the town’s golden glow.

After breakfast, make your way to the train station for the short, scenic journey to Syracuse (train ticket not included). Once the capital of Magna Graecia, Syracuse brims with layers of history — from its Greek amphitheater to the baroque lanes of Ortigia Island, surrounded by sea. Spend your final afternoon wandering through open-air markets perfumed with capers, lemons, and oregano, or enjoy an aperitivo at sunset as fishing boats drift by.

After breakfast, your Sicilian adventure comes to an end. Take time for one last stroll along the Ortigia seafront, where light and sea meet in an unforgettable farewell to Sicily’s southern soul.