Alcantara Valley tour: Gorge, wine tasting and lunch

Walk inside a basalt gorge carved by eight thousand years of river flow, then taste wines grown a thousand meters above sea level.

This six to seven hour tour of the Alcantara Valley near Taormina combines four stops: the Alcantara Gorges where you can wade through shallow river water between sheer rock walls, the Gurne natural pools fed by waterfalls, the medieval village of Castiglione di Sicilia with a break for cannoli and granita, and Gambino Winery on Mount Etna for wine tasting and lunch. Private transportation, a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian, and all food and wine are included. Pickup from your hotel is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore nature and wine tasting

• Visit Alcantara Gorges
• Admire Gurne dell'Alcantara pools
• Walk in Castiglione di Sicilia village
• Taste cannoli and granitas
• Tour Gambino Winery and vineyards
• Enjoy wine tasting and typical lunch

The experience

The Alcantara Gorges open the day. Eight thousand years of the river cutting through basalt rock has carved a deep canyon with small beaches along the banks and sheer walls rising on both sides. You can walk into the shallow water inside the gorge to see the geological formations up close, or stay on the rim if you prefer. Either way, the scale of the place (the depth, the precision of the erosion) is what stays with you.

From there the tour moves to the Gurne dell'Alcantara, natural pools formed where waterfalls have worn through the rock. The vegetation is thick here, and the sound of the river and falling water fills the space. In Castiglione di Sicilia, a medieval village perched above the valley, you stop at a local pastry shop for cannoli and homemade granita before a short walk near the Lauria castle and the basilica of San Giacomo, both built on the cliff edge overlooking the gorge below.

The final stop is Gambino Winery, located at a thousand meters on Mount Etna's slopes where Nerello Mascalese grapes are grown. The tasting presents five wines (three whites and two reds) paired with a typical lunch at the table. A sommelier guides the tasting and explains each wine. Before or after, you can walk through the vineyards and see the winemaking area.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian.
• entry to all four stops.
• five wines tasted at the winery.
• a typical lunch paired with the wines.
• cannoli and granita at the pastry shop in Castiglione.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (17 to 70 years) · Senior (71 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 16 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Sicilydaytrips

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day combining four stops (river canyon, natural pools, medieval village, and winery) with private transport and a leisurely pace that lets you linger over lunch and tastings rather than rush through.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 16 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

Can I walk in the water at the Alcantara Gorges, or do I have to stay on the rim?

The Alcantara Gorges let you choose. You can wade through the shallow water inside the gorge between the rock walls, or admire the geological formations from outside if you prefer not to enter the river.

What wines will I taste at Gambino Winery?

The tasting includes five glasses: three white wines and two reds, all grown on Mount Etna's slopes. A sommelier explains each one as you taste them alongside a typical lunch.

What is Castiglione di Sicilia, and how long do we spend there?

Castiglione di Sicilia is a medieval village that sits high above the Alcantara Valley. The tour includes a short walk near the Lauria castle and the basilica of San Giacomo, both built on the cliff, and a break at a local pastry shop to taste cannoli and granita.

Does the tour include transportation from my hotel?

Yes, private transportation and hotel pickup are included. Your guide will be live and speak English, Spanish, or Italian.