Driving the Targa Florio circuit today: a self-guided stop-by-stop guide

The route: the Circuito Piccolo delle Madonie

The classic short circuit runs roughly 72 km in a loop: Cerda (the historic start/finish on the SS120) → up to Caltavuturo and Scillato → over to Collesano → down to Campofelice di Roccella on the coast → back to Cerda. It climbs from near sea level into the mountains and back, through more than 800 corners — which is exactly why it became legendary and lethal.

Today it's normal public road; drive it like the scenic mountain route it is, not a race. Allow a relaxed half-day with stops. A GPX of the Collesano old-town walk is on our homepage if you want the town portion on your phone.

Collesano: the stop the motoring sites skip

Porsche, Hagerty and the driving blogs all describe the drive and pass through Collesano — but none tells you what to do when you park. Here's the stop. Collesano sat at the crossroads of the old Grande, Medio and Piccolo circuits, and it kept a deep bond with the race.

Start at the Museo Targa Florio on Corso Vittorio Emanuele — photos, helmets, trophies and race cars, run by the Club Piloti (see our full visit guide for hours, the €2 ticket and the cash-only / call-ahead tips). Then walk the old town: look for the ceramic plaques set into walls around town, each marking a different edition of the race. From car to museum to coffee is a ten-minute stroll.

Where to stop for coffee, lunch and a sweet

Collesano is a real working town, so refuelling is easy and cheap. On the main viale, Caffè del Viale and Caffè Civello (the oldest bar in town, since 1902) do espresso, granita and pastries; ask for the cassatina di Collesano, the local ricotta-and-chocolate sweet. For a proper lunch there are honest trattorie and a wood-fired pizzeria. See our free Taste Collesano food route for the full list.

Getting there and timing

Cerda and the circuit are easy to reach: roughly 45 minutes from Cefalù and about one to one and a half hours from Palermo's Falcone–Borsellino airport. Spring and autumn are ideal — summer is hot and the roads busier. A camera and a full tank are all you need.