Explore Val di Noto and South West Syracuse in Sicily

Sicily lies proudly just off mainland Italy, in the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. A cultural melting pot, the island makes for an excellent destination for travellers who want to immerse themselves in its astounding beauty and rich history.

But the island is perhaps best known for its Baroque art and architecture, which are most evident in the eight towns of Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the southeast. Wiped out by a massive earthquake in 1693, the towns were rebuilt and the devastation paved the way for architectural innovation. The reconstruction of Val di Noto has since provided the island with a distinctive and exceptional architectural identity. The famed Baroque churches, palazzi, and villas in Sicily are must-see destinations - and the best way to get around is on two wheels.

Cycling through Caltagirone

What makes Caltagirone interesting is that it fuses pre and post-1693 architecture in its buildings. For instance, the church of Santa Maria del Monte features a 142-step staircase that was built in 1608. Since the town is also known for its production of pottery and ceramics, each of the steps is embellished with handcrafted ceramics. Travellers will see more of this architectural fusion by biking into town and visiting other significant buildings, such as the church of St. James the Apostle, the Civic Museum, and the San Franceso Bridge. And just outside Caltagirone, in Piazza Aermerina, stands one of the most stunning villas in Sicily—the Villa Romana del Casale, which is known for the largest, most intricate collection of Roman mosaics in the world.

Riding Down to Noto

The town of Noto is located in Syracuse, at the foot of the Iblean Mountains. Its slopes are ideal for cyclists who want to explore the numerous palaces and religious buildings, the most notable of which is the Noto Cathedral, which was completed in 1776. Apart from the newer buildings, the remote town also has plenty of archaeological sites that date back to 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. The Villa Romana del Tellaro, one of the oldest Roman villas in Sicily, was built during the late Roman Empire. Its main and most intriguing attraction includes mosaics depicting Hector, Odysseus, Achilles and Diomedes in a scene that was not included in Homer's Iliad.

Circling Back from Portopalo di Capo Passero Contrasting Noto's slopes are the flat roads of Portopalo di Capo Passero, located in the south west of Syracuse. A relaxed ride through the coastal municipality will reveal a breath taking view of the Mediterranean Sea and Portopalo's Castle Tafuri. Travellers can relish the beautiful seascape before continuing the ride to the centre of Syracuse, the Ancient Greek Capital, and back to exploring the beautifully restored Baroque buildings and villas in Sicily nearby.

Looking for your perfect home away from home in Italy? Mark Slaviero is a Director of Holiday Homes in Italy, a company specialising in finding the holiday home, villa or apartment of your dreams. For the ideal villas in Sicily and accommodation in Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Lakes, ski resorts and more, we offer the best in every region.