Etna North Side day trip from Taormina or Catania
A day trip to Etna's north side from Taormina or Catania: up through the pine woods to Piano Provenzana, the north-side base of the volcano at about 1,800 m, down to Linguaglossa, where the Mareneve road starts, and on to Randazzo, the medieval town of black lava stone, with its Basilica of Santa Maria, ending at the basalt walls of the Alcantara Gorges. The south side, with Rifugio Sapienza and the cable car, has its own page, Mount Etna. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Etna North Side in 1 day
Day 1
Piano Provenzana (Etna north side)
The north-side base of Etna at about 1,800 m, among pine woods and recent lava, where guided summit tours start and winter skiers come.
Historic centre of Linguaglossa
Small wine town at the foot of Etna's north slope, where the Mareneve road starts to Piano Provenzana; stop for lunch and Etna wine.
Historic centre of Randazzo
Medieval town of black lava stone on the northern slope of Etna, with old walls, Gothic windows and quiet lanes between its churches.
Basilica of Santa Maria, Randazzo
Randazzo's main church, a medieval basilica built of dark lava stone, at the heart of the old town.
Alcantara Gorges
Narrow gorge where the Alcantara river cuts through old lava, leaving walls of basalt columns over clear, very cold water.
Watch: Etna North Side
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Getting there
A car is best: from Taormina the road climbs through Linguaglossa to Piano Provenzana in about an hour, and the Alcantara Gorges are about 30 minutes from Taormina on the way back. From Catania, Piano Provenzana is about an hour and a quarter by car. The slow Circumetnea railway runs round the volcano from Catania to Randazzo and Riposto, a scenic ride but not a way to reach Piano Provenzana.
Staying in Taormina or Catania? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Etna North Side
Late spring to early autumn is the best time, when the high roads and summit tours run most days and the gorges are pleasant for a paddle in summer. In winter Piano Provenzana is snowy, with a small ski area, and tours are limited. The grape harvest in September and October is a good time to visit the north-side wineries. Weather on the mountain changes quickly, and eruptions can close the upper slopes.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Etna North Side on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Etna North Side on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Etna North Side on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Etna North Side
- The summit craters can be reached only with authorised guides, by 4×4 and then on foot, on tours of five or six hours: book ahead and drop the later stops if you go up, and expect tours to change or stop with volcanic activity and weather.
- Bring warm layers and a windproof jacket even in summer: at Piano Provenzana it is much colder than on the coast.
- At the Alcantara Gorges a public stairway off the main road at Motta Camastra leads down to the river from about April to October; the private park next door, with a lift, is open longer and rents waders in summer.
- The river water in the gorges is icy even in August, and the rocks are slippery: wear shoes with grip.
- The north slope is Etna wine country: book a tasting at a winery between Linguaglossa and Randazzo, but keep a driver sober.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Basilica of Santa Maria, Randazzo: trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Historic centre of Linguaglossa: gnuckx, CC BY 2.0
- Historic centre of Randazzo: Luca Sartoni from Vienna, Austria, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Piano Provenzana (Etna north side): Matteo Magnano di San Lio, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
