Alcantara Gorges

The Alcantara Gorges are a canyon carved out of lava rock through which the river flows slowly. They can be explored on foot and are a 15-minute walk from the Villa Valentina Taormina Bed and Breakfast. It is one of the main attractions near Taormina.

Where to park:

There are several car parks, both public and private, all close to the entrance. The best approach is to arrive in the area and then decide where to park based on the prices on offer. The location is marked on maps as ‘Gole delle Alcantara’.

What to see and do:

The best thing to do, on your own, is to walk along the river within the gorges to admire these high lava rock walls with their distinctive formations.

My first piece of advice is to wear swimwear and water shoes (flip-flops or sandals) so you can walk comfortably in the river and take a dip if you fancy a swim.

My second piece of advice is to bear in mind that the little beach will be absolutely packed with people, so if you’re planning to venture into the gorges with the intention of having a swim, don’t bring anything that could be damaged by water, as there’s nowhere to leave it inside the gorges. Leaving it on the beach risks it being stolen.

The current is slow, and the depth ranges from 50 cm outside the gorges to 1.80 m inside the gorges at points where the water flows slightly faster. It’s all safe as the seabed doesn’t drop off suddenly but gradually; moreover, the seabed is visible as the water is clear and crystal-clear, with no mud but rather stones, pebbles and rock.

Once you arrive at the car park, the first thing to do is head to the small beach (no. 1), either via the public steps – for a flat fee of €1.00 – or via the lift at the private facility, which costs around €8.00–10.00. Once you’ve done this, wearing rock-walking shoes, you head into the gorges, walking through the river. At a certain point, the current picks up slightly and the water gets deeper, but for the more adventurous, it’s possible to swim against the current for a few metres to reach a spot where the water is 70 cm deep again. Then carry on walking and swimming a second, third and fourth time until you reach the start of the gorges. Here there is a small pond and some waterfalls about 2 metres wide and 4 metres high.

Once you’ve finished exploring the gorges, head downriver for a few dozen metres to reach area no. 2. In this area, small beaches form where the river flows gently, making them ideal for relaxing for a few minutes.

For those who love adventure, one of the activities on offer is body rafting, organised at the facility above the gorges. Various types of rafting are organised for both adults and children. You can find all the information here.