From hikes up volcanic peaks to walks through the salt flats, Sicily is focusing on cultural and outdoors tourism beyond beaches.
Skydiving with Mount Etna views
Active tourism is offering a diverse range of experiences with high experiential value, meeting the demand for adrenaline-fuelled activities by combining them with unique natural settings. On the eastern side, between Syracuse and Caltagirone, skydiving is one of the most sought-after experiences, with jumps from around 4,000 metres offering a privileged view of Mount Etna and the coastline. Also at altitude, paragliding allows for scenic flights between Taormina and Castelmola, showcasing visually striking landscapes.
Kitesurfing, body rafting and canyoning
On the western side, the Stagnone Nature Reserve in Marsala remains an internationally renowned destination for kitesurfing, thanks to its shallow waters and consistent winds. Among freshwater activities, meanwhile, the Alcantara Gorges offer pursuits such as body rafting and canyoning, amidst basalt walls rising up to 25 metres high. Climbing has one of its main hubs in San Vito Lo Capo, particularly in the Salinella cliff area, which offers more than 800 equipped routes overlooking the sea, making it an iconic destination on the European scene. Mount Etna stands out as a key destination for high-intensity outdoor activities, ranging from downhill mountain biking on volcanic terrain to high-altitude trekking up to the summit craters, in a unique setting reaching an altitude of 3,300 metres.
Alcantara Gorges
Salt pans and a salt cathedral
Alongside these experiences, Sicily is expanding its offering by showcasing less conventional settings. In the Aragona area, the Macalube offer an almost otherworldly landscape with its sedimentary volcanic phenomena. In the Nebrodi Mountains, the Argimusco plateau stands out for its distinctive rock formations dating back millions of years. Along the western coast, the salt pans of Trapani and Marsala represent a significant landscape and cultural feature, combining traditional production methods and visual appeal with water basins reflecting the sky and ancient windmills. Underground, near Realmonte, the Salt Cathedral is carved into the salt rock, set within a system of underground tunnels. In the Ragusa area, Cava d’Ispica offers an experience that blends nature and archaeology, with a kilometre-long gorge featuring vegetation, caves, necropolises and evidence of ancient civilizations.
