Alcantara National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

Sicily: Mt. Etna, Wine and Alcantara Tour

1. Sicily: Mt. Etna, Wine and Alcantara Tour

Tick off two of Sicily’s must-see attractions in one day on this tour with hotel transfers from Catania. Explore volcanic caves and rock pools on a trek through Alcantara Gorges. Walk around the craters of Mt Etna with an Alpine guide. Make a stop at a local winery for a traditional lunch with wine. Start your Sicilian adventure by meeting your guide in Catania, either at your accommodation or another agreed-upon location. Take a brief, scenic drive by an air-conditioned van to either the Sartorius craters or the 2002 crater on the Northeast side of Etna. Let your guide introduce you to the fascinating world of volcanic phenomena. Walk through ancient woods, extinct craters, and old lava flows. Witness deserts of lava and ashes, peculiar formations, and traces of previous eruptions. Reach a maximum altitude of 2000 meters. Then, strap on your helmets and lamps to explore a volcanic cave like the Grotto del Ladroni or Grotta Cassone. Stop at a nice winery up along the mountain road for an authentic Sicilian lunch including appetizer, first course, water, and wine, which will be served outdoors or indoors depending on the weather. Visit the Alcantara canyons, formed thousands of years ago from the lava flow that invaded the bed of the Alcantara river. Enjoy the spectacular scenery along the Alcantara River. End your day back in Catania where you were picked up.

From Taormina: Mount Etna upper craters and Alcantara Gorges

2. From Taormina: Mount Etna upper craters and Alcantara Gorges

Enjoy a full-day tour of the highest volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. Tour guests meet at the bus terminal in Taormina, Via Pirandello. The tour is led by a knowledgeable tour leader. You can enjoy exclusive information of the history of Mount Etna and the surrounding areas. An air-conditioned coach will transport you to the Alcantara Gorges (entry extra). This is an impressive natural sculpture. Thousands of years ago the riverbed was blocked by lava flow from Mount Etna, and as the lava cooled more quickly than the water it crystallized. Tall columns of lava have since stood here and as the river eroded through the lava it has created a series of impressive gorges. Don’t forget your camera. The trip continues on board the Circumetnea, a traditional train that winds around the foot of the volcano reaching up to Adrano in the south. Then. by coach, reach Rifugio Sapienza, at an altitude of 1.900 meters on the southern side. Then, ascend via cable car and jeep to the authorized crater zones, assisted by licensed guides of the Italian Alpine Club (Italian and English speaking). Stop to admire the eventual activity of the summit craters in the area of security. At the end of the tour, you will be driven back to Taormina where the tour ends. Boots and jacket rentable on site.

Motta Camastra: Quad Bike Tour to the Alcantara Gorges

3. Motta Camastra: Quad Bike Tour to the Alcantara Gorges

You'll be able to choose the tour that suits you best, for beginners or experts, without giving up the discovery of this beautiful area at the foot of Mount Etna. You will be accompanied by our open-top guide, who will allow you to explore in complete safety. You will start from the Alcantara Gorges and then head to Francavilla di Sicilia, a historic village of 3,000 inhabitants located in the heart of the Valley. During this route you will travel along both dirt paths and asphalt, always remaining enveloped by a picturesque and characteristic landscape. From time to time there will be a pause that will allow you to admire the landscape and the Alcantara River. If you choose the 2 1/2-hour route, always accompanied by our guide, you will be able to arrive as far as Castiglione di Sicilia.

From Taormina: Full-Day Etna, Wine & Alcantara Canyons Tour

4. From Taormina: Full-Day Etna, Wine & Alcantara Canyons Tour

Travel in a small group with a guide from Taormina to Etna on this full-day tour. See craters, walk along the volcanic underground, enjoy a typical lunch, and visit the Alcantara Canyons. Enjoy a 2-hour hike around the perimeters of extinct craters and along lava-covered paths at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. Visit the volcanic underground, discovering one of the wonders of Etna. Stop for lunch and visit a local winery. Enjoy local products and a tasting of Etna wines. Last on the itinerary is a visit to the Alcantara Canyons, formed thousands of years ago when lava flowed into the Alcantara River, from a panoramic viewpoint.

From Taormina: Mount Etna and Alcantara River Tour

5. From Taormina: Mount Etna and Alcantara River Tour

Depart from Taormina and head to the Rifugio Sapienza on Mount Etna. Learn the history of the volcano and visit the sites of its last eruptions. Choose to trek along the nature paths of the Parco dell’Etna or take the cable car to an altitude of 2,504 meters and continue by 4WD minibus to the Torre del Filosofo. Get stunning views of the scenery stretching down to the sea and admire the craters and old lava flows that characterize the landscape. Explore a lava cave with all the proper equipment. Continue down the mountain and stop at the organic farm for a delicious sampling of local products, including honey, wine, and oil. Discover the different corners of the Alcantara River. Walk down small paths, past cultivated fields, and see the natural pools and waterfalls and continue to get up close to different basalt and unexpected lava formations.

EtnaTour: Etna 3000 and Alcantara Gorges

6. EtnaTour: Etna 3000 and Alcantara Gorges

Enjoy your tour to Mount Etna up to the top of the Volcano. Transfer by bus from your pick up point to Piano Provenzana. Ascent to the top with off - road vehicoles, accompanied by an alpin guide. Soft trekking at the top to see Bove Valley and main craters. Transfer by bus from Piano Provenzana to Alcantara Gorges. Explore the famous park of Alcantara, a lava canyon with a freezing river. Tasting of tipycal sicilian product. To the Botanical Park it is possible buy food and drink. Entry to the Gorges not included in the price.

Alcantara River: Body Rafting & 'Pasta Alla Norma' Lunch

7. Alcantara River: Body Rafting & 'Pasta Alla Norma' Lunch

Your guide will meet you at your hotel, or a meeting place of your choice in Taormina, and take you by comfortable private car the Alcantara river. The river is an ecological wonder, with limestone rocks that make it perfect for letting the rapids take your body on an exciting descent. When you arrive, our specialized guides will take you on your body rafting adventure. Enjoy the views of the rocks as this unique experience allows you to use your body as the raft, with the upmost confidence in your safety. At the end of the tour, your guide will accompany you to the nearby village of Giardini Naxos where you can have lunch with the traditional "pasta alla norma" with good local wine – a just reward for all of your exercise earlier.

Etna: Etna Nord Basic and Alcantara Gorges

8. Etna: Etna Nord Basic and Alcantara Gorges

This tour allows you to reach the highest Volcano in Europe. Transfer by open bus or gran turismo. Once at the refuge at 1810m, free time to do soft trekking up to craters of 2002. Upon returning, continue to reach the Alcantara Gorges: a lava canyon crossed by icy waters. Entry not included. Inside the botanical and geological park, it will be possible to taste typical sicilian product.

Add dates

Alcantara National Park

Go beyond Alcantara National Park

Explore all

Other Sightseeing Options in Alcantara National Park

Want to discover all there is to do in Alcantara National Park? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Alcantara National Park

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 523 reviews

A very nice and interesting day trip! This excursion is 11 hours long, although most of the time was spent on transportation, during which the guide gave interesting facts and highlights. First stop was Alcantara Gorge... beautiful scenery! But we only had 1 hour there so we only went down to the gorge and walked in the cold water (Tip: wear shorts and sea-footwear to be able to walk deeper in the gorge) - we did not have enough time to walk above the gorge. Then with the coach we went to Randazzo and boarded the Circumetnea train... quite interesting but takes too long. Went round Etna and arrived at Adrano - from there to Rifugio Sapienza with coach. Went up with cable car to 2500m and then with jeep up to 2750m. Here we walked with the guide to the Caldera and on the way down we had the opportunity to walk up a crater (quite a tiring walk up-hill but worth the effort!). We had sufficient time here and finally made our way back to hotel.

Great communication. Timely pick up. Full day of activities. No hanging around. Marco was very friendly and knowledgeable. Great explanations of the volcano in perfect English. Good fun. Lunch location was lovely and loads of food - red wine only offered though. Swimming in the gorge was a great experience if you’re up for the cold water and lots of steps. Overall very pleased and good value for money.

Trip as expected. The train ride was a peaceful change from the hectic roads. The gorge was a lovely calming place and Mount Etna was amazing. You need to be prepared for lots of walking and climbing as it’s strenuous but worth it. The guide was very knowledgable as well.

The guide Roberto was amazing, with incredible knowledge and good sense of humor. He picked us up from the hotel parking lot and left us at the same spot. During hiking guide told us many things about etna.

Krásný výlet, výborné víno a jídlo, skvělý průvodce. doporučuji všemi deseti