Alcantara Gorges tours: compare every tour from Taormina
The best Alcantara tour: the Etna combo
Most people book the Etna & Alcantara full-day tour (€97). That’s because most visitors don’t have a car. The tour solves that problem: a minibus picks you up from your hotel in Taormina, Giardini Naxos, or Catania, drives you up to Mount Etna at ~1,500 m, walks you past the 2002 lava flow and into a lava tunnel (Grotta dei Ladroni), stops for lunch at a local restaurant, then takes you down to the Alcantara Gorges for about an hour on the river. The guide — Rosario, Mario, or others on the team — explains what you’re seeing and knows which season brings what water level. It’s rated 4.8 from over 2,400 reviews.
All Alcantara tours
Six main options: the Etna combo, the Etna combo with smaller groups, two body-rafting experiences, and variations with or without hotel pickup. All are bookable below with free cancellation.
BestsellerSicily: Etna and Alcantara Gorges Full-Day Tour with Lunch
Most reviewedAlcantara River and Gorges: Body Rafting Experience
Top rated
From TaorminaFrom Taormina: Mount Etna and Alcantara River Tour
Hotel pickupEtna and Alcantara Gorges: Pickup from Catania or Taormina
Small groupFrom Taormina: Guided Trip to Mt. Etna and Alcantara Gorges
Which Alcantara tour is right for you?
Three things shape your choice: do you want to combine it with Mount Etna? Are you comfortable in cold water? And do you have a car, or do you need pickup included? Below: the three tours most visitors choose.
| Sicily: Etna and Alcantara Gorges Full-Day Tour with Lunch | Top pickAlcantara River and Gorges: Body Rafting Experience | From Taormina: Guided Trip to Mt. Etna and Alcantara Gorges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €97 | €63 | €124 |
| What’s included | Etna + gorge + lunch | Rafting only | Etna + gorge + small group |
| Duration | ~8 hours door-to-door | ~2 hours in water | ~8 hours |
| Group size | ~8–12 | ~8–12 | ~3–6 |
| Best for | Most people | Water lovers | Private groups |
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.7 | 5.0 |
| View → | Book this → | View → |
The gorge visit itself is only ~1–1.5 hours. That’s why most car-free visitors pick the Etna combo — you get a full day’s experience and the drive is included.
Read the tour reviews
I’ve written up each tour in detail on the tour reviews page — what’s actually included, what hikers say, and who each suits.
Can’t make these dates?
Browse more available alcantara gorges tour and find one that fits your schedule — all with instant confirmation and free cancellation.
Still deciding? How much does it actually cost? explains the money, or read about body rafting or the Etna combo.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an Alcantara Gorges tour?
The most popular tour — Etna & Alcantara full day — costs €97 per person, includes pickup and lunch, and runs most days. Body-rafting tours are €62–€63; the Etna combo with a smaller group is €124. You can also walk in from the €2 municipal stairs and just dip in the river.
Do I need to book ahead?
Not always, but in peak season (Jul–Aug) morning slots fill by early afternoon. Booking a day or two ahead through GetYourGuide locks in your spot with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same-day availability drops fast in summer; book the flagship Etna tour early if you’re visiting then.
Which Alcantara tour should I book?
If you have no car and want a full day, the €97 Etna combo is the best choice. If you’re just here for cold-water rafting, pick the €62–€63 body-raft tour. If you want to see the gorge alone, the €2 municipal stairs get you in.