Day Itinerary
15 Activities
Day 3
65 mi43 mi
Through the Gole Alcantera to the Aeolian Islands
(69 km on foot includes crossing by passenger ferry from Milazzo to Salina).
Leaving Taormina behind, you will drive through Gole Alcantara, a canyon born after the cold river water dug through hot lava, and you'll stop at Gurne Alcantara for a refreshing picnic in the middle of nature.
From there, you will only have one stop for a cold drink or some gelato in Novara di Sicilia, before arriving in time to catch the 3.10 pm ferry from Milazzo to Salina, the greenest Aeolian Island.
You will spend the evening in Lingua, where you'll get to see the migratory birds in the salty lagoon, take in the view of nearby Lipari Island, and enjoy a good swim before dining at a well-known Sicilian restaurant.
Leaving Taormina behind, you will drive through Gole Alcantara, a canyon born after the cold river water dug through hot lava, and you'll stop at Gurne Alcantara for a refreshing picnic in the middle of nature.
From there, you will only have one stop for a cold drink or some gelato in Novara di Sicilia, before arriving in time to catch the 3.10 pm ferry from Milazzo to Salina, the greenest Aeolian Island.
You will spend the evening in Lingua, where you'll get to see the migratory birds in the salty lagoon, take in the view of nearby Lipari Island, and enjoy a good swim before dining at a well-known Sicilian restaurant.
2.1 mi
10 min
08:4545 min
Bell'Assai
Start your day with a nice breakfast at Bell'Assai, as you enjoy the view of Isola Bella and the nearby beach bearing its name.
Bell'Assai is open daily, from 8 am to 12 am.
Bell'Assai is open daily, from 8 am to 12 am.
13.4 mi
30 min
10:0015 min
Gole Alcantara Botanical and Geological Park
The 25-meter-high Gole Alcantara is a natural canyon formed when the cold waters of the river were covered by lava after the Monte Moio volcano erupted around 2400 BC.
The river worked its way through the grey basalt deposits over four millennia, molding them into smooth undulations, deep tunnels, and fascinating cliffs that look like petrified organ pipes.
You have a bit of time to stop for photos in places that you like before reaching the next stop.
Trivia: The name of the gorges is derived from the Arabic al qantara, which means bridge.
The river worked its way through the grey basalt deposits over four millennia, molding them into smooth undulations, deep tunnels, and fascinating cliffs that look like petrified organ pipes.
You have a bit of time to stop for photos in places that you like before reaching the next stop.
Trivia: The name of the gorges is derived from the Arabic al qantara, which means bridge.
2.5 mi
10 min
10:3015 min
CONAD
Time for some quick shopping to prepare a picnic lunch, adding to your grocery list Pecorino Siciliano DOP and Maiorchino (aged sheep's cheese with the texture of Parmesan but a stronger flavor).
This supermarket is open daily from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, and every day except Wednesdays and Sundays, it's also open from 5 to 8.30 pm.
This supermarket is open daily from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, and every day except Wednesdays and Sundays, it's also open from 5 to 8.30 pm.
0.9 mi
5 min
10:505 min
Chiesa matrice
From this church, you will follow a well-marked trail down to the river through citrus and olive gardens, past an old mill.
0.8 mi
15 min
11:101 hr
Gurne Alcantara - Area picnic
After your short walk, you will reach Le Gurne. These are natural ponds between a succession of waterfalls, excellent for swimming in the summer.
Find a nice spot to enjoy your picnic with your feet in the refreshing water.
Find a nice spot to enjoy your picnic with your feet in the refreshing water.
0.8 mi
20 min
12:451 min
Chiesa matrice
Pick up everything from your picnic spot, then head back up to Chiesa Matrice.
18.5 mi
50 min
13:4015 min
Novara di Sicilia
Novara di Sicilia is a beautiful mountain village nestled between the Peloritani and Nebrodi mountain ranges. Its streets are still cobbled, and a maze of steep, mossy-stepped streets twist and weave between abandoned stone homes on each side of the main street.
Take a short break from driving, enter any grocery store to grab yourself a cold drink or enjoy a gelato.
Take a short break from driving, enter any grocery store to grab yourself a cold drink or enjoy a gelato.
26 mi
1 hr
15:0010 min
Porto di Milazzo
Milazzo is where you’ll find the main port with ferries to the Aeolian Islands. Park your car and get ready to board the 3.10 pm ferry to Salina Island.
The ferry ride from Milazzo to Santa Maria Lipari lasts 1h 35m, so you will arrive on the island at 16.45.
Check ferry schedule and book tickets in advance here
The ferry ride from Milazzo to Santa Maria Lipari lasts 1h 35m, so you will arrive on the island at 16.45.
Check ferry schedule and book tickets in advance here
40.2 mi
3 hrs
16:455 min
Porto commerciale di Santa Marina Salina
Salina is the archipelago's second biggest island. However, it’s the greenest Aeolian Island, thanks to freshwater springs. Its slopes are carpeted with woodlands, wildflowers, capers, and rows of Malvasia grape vines, in sharp contrast with the denuded neighbors.
The island has two of the tallest summits in the Aeolians: the extinct volcanoes Monte dei Porri and Monte Fossa delle Felci. They gave the island’s historic name, Didyme (Twin), its current name coming from the Lingua salt extraction works.
Tourism is mainly visible near the principal port Santa Marina Salina. Elsewhere, the world appears to be a long distance away. That’s where you’re going as soon as you get a taxi to take you to La Salina Hotel Borgo di Mare.
The island has two of the tallest summits in the Aeolians: the extinct volcanoes Monte dei Porri and Monte Fossa delle Felci. They gave the island’s historic name, Didyme (Twin), its current name coming from the Lingua salt extraction works.
Tourism is mainly visible near the principal port Santa Marina Salina. Elsewhere, the world appears to be a long distance away. That’s where you’re going as soon as you get a taxi to take you to La Salina Hotel Borgo di Mare.
1.9 mi
10 min
17:0015 min
La Salina Hotel Borgo Di Mare
The first thing to do in Lingua is to check in at the hotel and drop off your luggage. After that, change into your bathing suit and hit the beach!
0.3 mi
10 min
17:2515 min
Oasi naturale - Ex salina di Lingua
Lingua is a popular summer hangout, with a few of hotels, a few trattorias, and a little beach.
It’s dominated by a historic lighthouse, right next to the salt lagoon or salina after which the island is called. Until the 1960s, salt was extracted here for export and the salting of fish and capers.
Today, the lagoon only serves as a stopover for migratory birds on their way to and from Africa in the spring and fall.
It’s dominated by a historic lighthouse, right next to the salt lagoon or salina after which the island is called. Until the 1960s, salt was extracted here for export and the salting of fish and capers.
Today, the lagoon only serves as a stopover for migratory birds on their way to and from Africa in the spring and fall.
0.1 mi
5 min
17:4530 min
Faro di Punta Lingua
Walk along the shore to Faro di Punta Lingua and take in the view of the nearby Lipari Island. Then head to the water and enjoy a refreshing swim at the end of a tiring day.
0.4 mi
10 min
19:0030 min
La Salina Hotel Borgo Di Mare
Head back to your hotel, take a quick shower, and get dressed for dinner.
0.2 mi
5 min
20:001 hr 30 min
Da Alfredo
You'll have dinner at Da Alfredo, a restaurant-bar-gelateria recognized across Sicily for its flavorful granite. It's also Lingua's most famous commercial effort these days.
Da Alfredo is open daily from 9 am to 12 am, except Monday when it's open from 9 am to 4.30 pm and from 6 to 11.30 pm.
Da Alfredo is open daily from 9 am to 12 am, except Monday when it's open from 9 am to 4.30 pm and from 6 to 11.30 pm.
0.2 mi
5 min
22:0010 hrs
La Salina Hotel Borgo Di Mare
Today, you crossed a good part of Sicily and half of Salina. You deserve a good night's rest. See you tomorrow!