What is the physical difficulty level?

The route is mostly flat with dedicated cycle paths and bike lanes. However, you'll ride on some streets open to traffic in Palermo's old town, so intermediate urban cycling skills are essential. Children are welcome if comfortable with city riding.

Who were Falcone and Borsellino?

Both were anti-mafia prosecutors in Sicily whose assassinations in 1992 shocked the nation and ignited widespread public resistance to organised crime. Their deaths became a turning point, inspiring civil society movements and a new generation of activists committed to fighting the mafia.

Addiopizzo is a grassroots anti-mafia movement promoting ethical consumerism by encouraging citizens to support businesses that refuse to pay pizzo (protection money). The tour includes education about the campaign and a visit to affiliated cooperative shops.

Is the gelato stop included in the tour price?

The tour includes a gelato tasting from an award-winning '100% mafia-free' producer. Check with your supplier to confirm if this is complimentary or if a small additional cost applies.

Wear comfortable cycling clothes, bring water (essential in Palermo's climate), sunscreen, and a light layer. A helmet is recommended; confirm availability with your tour operator when booking.

The listing does not specify bike provision. Contact your supplier to confirm whether bikes are included or if you need to arrange your own.

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Antimafia Bike Tour

(36)

Palermo, Italy

Bike ToursCultural Tours

5.0 · 36 reviewsInstant confirmationSecure checkoutNo hidden fees

About this activity

Explore Palermo's transformation from a city marked by organised crime violence to a thriving centre of civil resistance on this 3-hour guided bike tour. Ride through historic alleyways, modern cycle paths, and the waterfront while learning the stories of anti-mafia heroes and grassroots movements that continue to reshape Sicilian society today.

Riding through the pedestrian areas of the old town center of Palermo and along the cycle lanes that connect it with the outskirts, you will discover how Palermo is changing 'inside and outside', healing from the wounds inflicted by the violence of the Mafia which reached its peak with the massacres of 1992.

This tour is a tribute to the memory of heroes like the prosecutors Falcone and Borsellino, whose murders pushed the Sicilian people to react against the Mafia and inspired collective action of a whole generation of antimafia campaigners. Young people today are still committed to improving society and making change, volunteering in grass-roots movements like Libera and Addiopizzo.

The terrain is mainly flat, mostly on cycle paths and bike lanes. Neverthless it is a urban bike tour, so please expect to ride on roads opened to vehicular traffic as well. We recommend that all the participants, especially children, are confortable in riding the bike in town.

HIGHLIGHTS

ride your bike along the alleys of Palermo and by the docks of the harbour
explore the suburbs, well connected to the center through cycle paths
learn who Falcone e Borsellino were and why they mean so much for the Sicilians
discover the grass-roots anti-mafia movement 'Addiopizzo' and its ethical consumerism campaign supporting those who refuse to pay protection money
savour a handmade and award-winning gelato, totally 'mafia-free'
go shopping at the Libera shop that sells products from the land confiscated from the mafia bosses

Highlights

✓Navigate Palermo's medieval old town and harbour on flat, mostly dedicated cycle paths
✓Learn the legacy of prosecutors Falcone and Borsellino, whose 1992 murders catalysed widespread anti-mafia action
✓Discover Addiopizzo, the grassroots ethical consumerism movement supporting businesses that refuse protection payments
✓Visit the Libera social cooperative shop selling products from mafia-seized estates
✓Taste award-winning artisan gelato from a '100% mafia-free' producer
✓Explore how young Sicilians are actively reshaping their communities through civil activism

Insider tips

★Book morning departures to avoid midday heat and enjoy quieter cycle paths through the old town
★Wear comfortable cycling clothes and bring water; the terrain is flat but summer temperatures in Palermo can be intense
★Ask your guide about current grassroots projects—volunteer opportunities with Libera and Addiopizzo are often discussed in depth
★The gelato and shopping stops are genuine social enterprises, not tourist traps—your money directly supports anti-mafia initiatives

Good to know

•Tour covers mostly cycle paths and dedicated lanes, but includes some streets open to vehicle traffic—urban cycling experience required, especially for children
•Terrain is predominantly flat throughout
•Includes stops for gelato tasting and cooperative shop browsing
•3-hour duration; plan for mid-morning or early afternoon start to maximise daylight and comfort

Who it's for

History and social justice-focused travellersCyclists comfortable riding in urban environmentsFamilies seeking educational cultural experiencesAnyone interested in contemporary Italian civic movements and grassroots activism

Best time to visit

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer ideal cycling conditions with mild temperatures. Avoid July–August when Palermo's heat peaks; winter is mild but occasionally rainy.

Frequently asked questions

Rating

5.0

Based on 36 ratings

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