Sicily's south coast: Syracuse to Caltanissetta

Route details

This 329 km Tourer leads from the ancient port city of Syracuse via the baroque city of Ragusa and the Greek temples of Agrigento into the Sicilian hinterland to Caltanissetta.

The Tourer begins in Syracuse, a city with thousands of years of history on the south-east coast of Sicily. The Start point is near the Via Elorina, from where the route initially heads southwest towards the Monti Iblei. The first stage destination is Ragusa, one of the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The old town of Ragusa Ibla is situated on a hill at an altitude of around 520 m and is separated from the newer part of the town by deep ravines.

From Ragusa, the Tourer continues west via Gela, with the route running partly along the SS115 state road. This main artery connects the towns on the southern coast of Sicily from Syracuse to Trapani. Road conditions in Sicily vary greatly: while Main roads are usually well surfaced, many sections have potholes, patches and slippery surfaces in places. Caution is advised on Curves, as the asphalt can be slippery due to the marble mix.

The cultural highlight of the Tourer is undoubtedly the Valle dei Templi near Agrigento, which at 1300 hectares is the largest archaeological park in the Mediterranean. The Doric temples date from the 6th to 5th centuries BC and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The Temple of Concordia is one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world.

From the temple valley, the route leads north-east to Caltanissetta, the largest town in the interior of Sicily at an altitude of 568 meters. The terrain becomes more hilly, the landscape characterized by agriculture, olive groves and sweeping views. The roads in the hinterland are narrower and more winding than on the coast.

For motorcyclists, this route offers a program of contrasts: flat coastal sections alternate with hilly passages through the interior. Traffic is manageable outside the towns. Driving on Sicily is brisk, and overtaking also takes place at blind spots. There is hardly any motorcycle-specific infrastructure and parking at attractions is usually subject to a charge. The best time to travel is in spring or fall, when the temperatures are pleasant. It can get very hot in summer and rains more frequently in winter. The total distance of 329 km can be covered in one day, with sightseeing stops it is advisable to split the trip over two days.