Things to do in Castiglione Sicily, a beautiful sicilian village
- Marco Zagami
- Dec 10, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 18
Places to see and things to do in Castiglione di Sicilia, a medieval village located between the Alcantara River and the mount Etna Park.
How long to stay? | When to visit? | How to reach it? | What province is it in? |
1 day | All year | By car | Catania |
Called "the quastallum" (the castle) by a famous Arab geographer, Castiglione di Sicilia is located on a hill between the Alcantara Valley and the Etna Park, giving to everyone decide to visit it, nice landscapes and breathtaking views among fruit trees and lava flow. The village was dominated by Arabs, Normans and Swabians and it’s famous for two particular awards: the bronze medal for civil merit relating to its participation in the Second World War and the nomination like one of the most beautiful Italy villages. Thanks to its beauty, in fact, the town was declared with a decree on 1994 of great public importance. Here below a list of 10 thins to do or to see in Castiglione di Sicilia, let it starts:
An horse ride to discover the Little Gorges and a Byzantine house
A nice experience into Sicilian scenaries, an horse riding in the Alcantara river park of 1 hour and 30 minutes, to discover the hidden treasures of the Valley. This activity is suitable for both beginners and experienced riders. During this excursion you will see the small gorges, a suggestive volcanic formation and an ancient Byzantine construction, a worship place remained almost intact with a great historical and cultural interest. There is not miss adventure, in fact during the horse ride you will face climbs and descents, passages in the woods and crossings of streams, in short, absolutely not to be missed!
Alcantara Horse Ride
Horse Riding
Not to be missed is the Alcantara Horse Ride to discover the iconic places of the river park.
🕒 1h30min 📍 Castiglione di Sicilia
€ 35,00
Visit to the Castle of Lauria
The castle of Lauria dominates the town of Castiglione, and it was born as a defensive fortress of the city; it was built on the sandstone rock, surrounded by strong defensive walls and was a perfect military defense. From its highest point, in fact, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire valley and villages. In its structural complex two fortifications were included: the "Castelluzzo" and the "Castel Grande", for the first one remain some rest of the tower, the second are preserved some part of the tower and walls fortification.
An Alcantara Quad Tour, Off-road along the paths of the park
It is possible to choose between 3 different quad excursions to the Alcantara river park, each of different duration. Let's start with the 1 hour and 30 minutes trail, for who like put four wheels in various types of terrain: loam, pebbles and water. This is what awaits you in 1 hour and 30 minutes trail through nice natural environments. 2 hours and 30 minutes tour it's an immersive excursion on the Alcantara river park. Mixed trail with a long off-road up to the suggestive medieval village of Castiglione di Sicilia, from here you will enjoy a nice view over the valley. We recommend the 1-hour tour for who don't have much time but still want to have fun.
Alcantara Quad Tour
Off-Road
The Alcantara Quad Tour is an off-road excursion along dirt tracks and water crossings along the paths of the Alcantara river park.
🕒 3 Duration 📍 Motta Camastra
from € 50,00
Reach Venus waterfall with the Alcantara Gorge Body Rafting
For who are looking for strong feelings, we have to reccomend a best excursion gorges Alcantara, it is Body Rafting. This activity will lead you into the lava canyon, surrounded by columnar basalts, walking against the current up to Venus waterfall, between plays of light and bizarre shapes. From here your body will be dragged through jumps and rapids, waterfalls and a lots of fun.
Body Rafting Alcantara gorge
Rafting
Discovering the lava canyon and columnar basalts up to the wonderful Venus waterfall with Body Rafting Alcantara Gorges.
🕒 2h30min 📍 Motta Camastra
€ 45,00
Walking through the old town
Castiglione di Sicilia is a village between the Etna and Alcantara parks. Its narrow and old streets and a castle at the top of the hill attested its ancient origin. The town is full of monuments and artworks, especially churches such as the seventeenth-century Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, embellished with a bell tower with an unusual bulb dome, and the Basilica della Madonna della Catena, which preserves numerous and precious artistic masterpieces.
Etna 4x4 excursion to visit the Volcanological Observatory and the amazing show of the Summit Craters from 3k meters
About 35 minutes away from the village of Castiglione di Sicilia, it is possible to go up to the Pizzi Deneri Volcanological Observatory, using special 4x4 vehicles. It is a beautiful experience suitable for everyone, adults and children. The show starts immediately in front the immense lava fields of the 2002 eruption. On board the 4x4 vehicles, always accompanied by guides, you will reach a considerable altitude. Last turns to reach the moon: an immense field of pyroclastic debris, black lava, no vegetation and a pungent smell, you are at 2.850 meters above sea level. Try to look south, and you will discover imposing giants, that's right, those are the summit craters of Etna.
Etna 3k Tour
Off-road
Etna 3000 excursion from the Etna Nord station to the Volcanological Observatory, at almost 3k meters above sea level with a short trek to the base of the summit craters.
🕒 2h30min 📍 Linguaglossa
€ 69,00
Eating at the Cave Ox restaurant
One of the restaurants will offer you the best of the local products, is surely the Cave-Ox, located in Solicchiata, just a few minutes far from the village of Castiglione. The Cave Ox is the perfect place to appreciate the typical Etna cuisine and the best wines of the area; pizzas and regional oil are also excellent. An absolute reference place for whoever want experience the best food of Etna.
Etna Donkey Trekking, a nice experience for families with kids
Etna Donkey Trekking is an unconventional experience, suitable for families with little children. If you are looking for a way to create contact between your kids, the animals and a genuine nature, this is definitely an activity to try. Accompanied by the carefull and very funny instructor Salvo, you will enjoy a relaxing walk at the feet of Etna, on the back of these peaceful and sweet animals.
Etna Donkey Trekking
Horse Riding
Etna Donkey Trek for the families with kids. In the footsteps of the past along ancient paths on the slopes of mount Etna.
🕒 2 duration 📍 Linguaglossa
from € 25,00
Etna Wine Road
The wine of Etna is famous all over in the world, and what to make unique this wine, is the volcanic soil, that gives at the grapes a secret ingredient that comes from Etna. Every year there are two big events to discover the many wineries of Etna: Calici di Stelle (on August 10), and Le Contrade dell’Etna, the biggest event in Sicily about wine, that take place along the Etna Wine Road. This road passing by three natural parks (Etna, Alcantara and Nebrodi) and includes, in addition to Castiglione town also Solicchiata, Passopisciaro, Verzella and Randazzo. Another wonderful initiative came after the birth of the Etna Wine Road, it is the Etna Wine Train. Taking this train in Catania o Randazzo, you will travel at the slopes of Etna along the wine road, to reach the best wineries that produce the best "Bacchus drink".
The festival of seasoned Bread
From 2014 every year on August, the festival of seasoned bread attracts many visitors and tourists want to delight themselves with delicious local bread seasoned and the excellent extra virgin olive oil produced in the area. During this day, you will taste the typical products of the place such as hazelnuts, provola and good wine. The festival, which takes place in one of the main squares of the town, celebrates the tradition and the art of baking.
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