Get on a minivan to reach Monreale from Palermo and start the eco-friendly tour Biking Monreale and Palermo Area together with your cycle guide! The first stops will be the famous Monreale Cathedral and Cloister, the attractions that make this wonderful village famous worldwide.
Thanks to its Arab-Norman architecture, the Cathedral (more info and pictures here) were declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2015. Arabs established their stronghold in Monreale because of its strategic position overlooking the valley. The Norman era played a significant role in the town’s beauty, which gained international fame because of Santa Maria Nuova Cathedral and its monastery. The Cathedral is considered a magnificent building with its Byzantine mosaics, a work of art rich in history and artistic influences. Il was realized in 1174 by Guglielmo II. Close by to the Duomo, lies The Benedictine convent’s Cloister, another astounding example of Byzantine design.
Then, the real cycling can finally start! First, you will enjoy a suggestive ride along the path of an ancient abandoned railway that you will climb to reach Piana degli Albanesi, famous for its Albanian Heritage and the World’s best Cannoli. And that’s the reason why you will have the chance to taste a special Cannoli filled on sight during the stop here!
After that, your environment-friendly Biking Monreale and Palermo Area tour will continue circumnavigating the lake of Piana degli Albanesi with its alluring vistas. Finally, you will go back to Palermo on a very scenic road that descends till it crosses the city’s historic center, bringing you full circle back to where the adventure began.