Things to Do at the Alcantara Gorges

The Alcantara Gorges cut through black basalt formed by an old Etna lava flow, on the volcano's north side around 30-50 minutes from Taormina or Catania. The river is genuinely cold year-round — wetsuit and boot hire at the entrance is worth paying for rather than skipping — and the walkable stretch is short, so this pairs well with a wine or oil tasting in the surrounding villages rather than filling a whole day alone. Water levels and access can change after heavy rain, so it's worth checking before you commit to a full itinerary around it.