Gole Alcantara Botanical and Geological Park — Attraction in Motta Camastra

This park offers a diverse range of activities and the entrance fee depends on what you want to do. We chose to do the "Walking" tour (€10 adult, €5 child), which was the cheapest option after "Basic". It includes a walk along the most beautiful trails of the park, with some really nice views into the canyon. The park itself has a wide variety of plants and trees, lots of olive trees and giant cacti. Very neatly maintained.

There is also a museum ("Museum of Land"). I'm not quite sure what to make of the exposition (in Italian and English).The "4D experience", about the volcanic history of the region is just bad, skip it. There is a souvenir shop that also serves drinks, snacks and ice cream at the park entrance.

After visiting the park, you can take the elevator down to the "beach" (in quotes, because it's just the rocky river bed). The canyon is really impressive. You can walk through it upstream and see the layered vulcanic rock from below. Bring a swim suit, water shoes (also for sale in the shop for €13 a pair) and a camera! The water is cold, but doable.

Do expect a lot of people there though, and on hot days it is hard to find shade down there. All in all, we had a nice day despite the heat.

Please note that if you're only here for a walk through the water and you don't mind taking the stairs down and back up, you can take the public entrance for something like €1,50, and you can save...

The gorge is about a half hour drive inland from Taormina and is well worth a visit. There is a small car park across from the gorge and a ticket must be purchased from a kiosk just up the hill. You can buy a combined ticket for the gorge and the botanical park or either separately. From the botanical park there are several lookout points down into the gorge below. There are steep steps down to the bottom of the gorge or a lift if you pay extra. You can walk through the gorge until the first set of rapids and the rock formations are really fascinating - further access is only allowed with water activity staff and you must be in wetsuits and helmets. There are lots of activities available if you enjoy water sports but it would be best to pre-book. It's a beautiful site and very interesting. Lots of people sunbathing by the river and I imagine it would be very busy in high season. Access to the river and gorge is only in the summer months so do check if it is open if going earlier or later. A small café serving drinks and snacks at river level and a restaurant and shop...

hello, this company is privitizing a significant part of the gole alcantara. most of it was once part of the commune and only costed 2 euros to enter and see. this is a reasonable price to keep the nature reserved and do good for the community. but now it seems like a company just bought it of the commune and wants 11 euros per person just to see this gole entrance. it's just a small part with a nice view. there's no reason to let it cost that much. you're also not allowed to get very close to it. it's a tourist scam and a total rip off. for the time being it's possible to get to the same and even better view for free from the other side of the river. but it seems like they're starting to build their park there too and try to lock off the public from this beautiful natural landmark.

we need to stop the privitization and capitalization of the nature!!! dont give these people your money. there are plenty of free hiking trails and beautiful spots along the alcantara river. this is...