New Aquitaine by Train: A 7-Day Car-Free Itinerary
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Published on 7/3/27
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Are you planning a trip to Sicily? Well, here's a A must-do experience when visiting one of the island's landmarks, Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano (and one of the most active in the world), near Catania. Built in the late 19th century, the Circumetnea lets you see the volcano in a whole new light. A tour of 110 km all around Mount Etna, from urban areas to agricultural countryside and volcanic slopes, with a magical view of the stunning Sicilian landscapes and ancient lava flows, and the the crater of Mount Etna in the background. A closer look at one of Europe’s most unique trains!
What is the Circumetnea? A tourist and commuter train that circles Mount Etna over a distance of 110 km, stopping at 30 stations between Catania and Riposto.
How do I get to the Circumetnea from Catania? Starting in March 2026, take the subway to Nesima, then the replacement bus to Santa Maria di Licodia, where the train now begins its route.
How long does the entire trip take? About 3 hours and 15 minutes for the train portion of the trip (Santa Maria di Licodia–Riposto), plus the metro and bus connection from Catania.
How much does the ticket cost? From €1.90 (10 km) to €6.80 (110 km) depending on the distance, or €13 for a day pass.
When is the best time to go? Ideally during the shoulder seasons, to avoid winter snow and the intense summer heat on the trails of Mount Etna.
Before I tell you more about the “Etna Train,” here’s a quick note about this fascinating volcano. Europe's highest active volcano, it reaches 3,329 meters in height, covers an area of approximately 1,190 km², and has a base diameter of 40 km!
What if he had experienced more than 200 eruptions over the past two centuries, its volcanic activity is nothing new, as it has been documented since ancient times. In fact, in Greek mythology, Mount Etna was considered the home of the blacksmith Hephaestus (or Vulcan among the Romans) and was associated with legends about the Titans.
Today, Mount Etna and its regional nature park - created to protect its biodiversity and geological heritage - are very popular with hikers and nature lovers. Guided tours allow visitors to explore its craters and lava flows, and the upper parts of the volcano are accessible by cable car and through marked trails.
This extraordinary line was originally built between 1895 and 1898 to connect cities Adrano, Bronte, Maletto, Randazzo, and Linguaglossa—areas that had been difficult to reach until then. It was a success, as it helped an entire region break out of its isolation.
At the time, the service was used for both tourism and commercial purposes, specifically for transporting goods. Today, this historic line is used by both tourists and locals alike for everyday trips.
Fun fact: Throughout its history, the train has had to stop four times due to eruptions of Mount Etna and lava flows blocking rail traffic! Fortunately, the most recent one occurred in 1981.
The train itself is an attraction! Stepping aboard its old, creaky orange and green cars (there are also more modern trains) is a bit like taking a trip back in time… and through space. Very quickly, the city fades away, giving way to a exceptional view on the volcano encircled by railroad tracks, but also on the Sicilian landscapes, which alternate between Etna's lava fields, lemon groves, vineyards, pistachio plantations, and prickly pear cacti.
Tolt aboard La Circumetnea
The Circumetnea connects Catania to the seaside town of Riposto and passes through 30 stations and several historic villages, with a maximum elevation gain of 960 meters!
⚠️ Good to Know (updated in August 2026): Since March 2026, the section between Catania and Santa Maria di Licodia has been closed to trains while work is underway to extend the Catania metro. A replacement bus service has been set up: from Catania, first take the metro to the station Nesima, and then the bus takes you to the train station at Santa Maria di Licodia (about 40 minutes, with stops at Paternò, Valcorrente, Piano Tavola, and Misterbianco). The train ride to Randazzo and Riposto now begins at this station. Since there is significant construction underway, it’s best to check the updated schedule on the Circumetnea's official website before leaving.
We recommend that you stop along the way in the various towns and villages you pass through, all of which have a fascinating history to discover:
You'll also be able to perform optional stops at the stations in Passo Zingaro and Gurrida to go on a field trip on foot, particularly in the Lake Gurrida.
If you'd like to make a bike ride, keep in mind that some trains allow bicycles on board for free (the newest trains)! But be careful—we recommend planning ahead, as space is limited (4 to 8 bicycles maximum). Trains equipped to carry bicycles are marked with a “bicycle” symbol in the timetables.
To return to Catania, you can get back to the train station at Randazzo to catch the train heading toward Santa Maria di Licodia, then take the replacement bus to the subway station Nesima, and finally the subway to the center of Catania.
The entire trip takes about 3:15 to connect Catania and Riposto (110 kilometers), with a transfer in Randazzo.
© Tolt
About ten trains run in each direction every day, except Sundays and holidays. Be careful, though, Some trains do not run during certain times of the year. Be sure to check the train's availability, schedule, and frequency in advance on the company website. In any case, bus routes operate year-round.
The schedules are also posted on site at the station, in both directions. The first trains leave at 6 a.m., and the last ones arrive after 5 p.m.
The ticket price depends on the number of kilometers traveled. There are currently 8 fare brackets, ranging from €1.90 per 10 km at €6.80 for 110 km (entire route). To explore the entire line, you'll need a "Fascia 8" ticket.
Please note: If you want to travel the entire route from Catania to Riposto or vice versa, you can buy a €6.80 ticket and get off at the various towns along the way. However, if you want to make a round trip (e.g., Catania–Randazzo and then Randazzo–Catania), you’ll need to buy another ticket or purchase a day pass for €13.
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© circunmetnea.it - Fare schedule based on the number of kilometers (left column), effective as of October 2024.
In our book Travel by train with HOURRAIL!, here's a 2-day itinerary broken down into two stages:
From Catania, take the metro to Nesima, then the replacement bus to Santa Maria di Licodia (about 40 minutes), before boarding the Circumetnea train bound for Randazzo.
First, among other stops, we recommend that you take the time to explore this village built of lava stone. You can visit its beautiful churches (especially the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta) and sip a granita while nibbling on a brioche (Santo Musumeci Pastry Shop, Piazza Santa Maria 5), before taking in the sheer scale of Mount Etna (over 3,000 meters high!) from the hiking trails that climb the slopes of the Nebrodi Mountains.
The next day, you can take the train back toward Riposto. We recommend getting off at Linguaglossa for a day of hiking on Mount Etna. At this altitude, you can hike the trails on your own (as long as you stay on the marked paths!), provided you’re wearing proper footwear. Otherwise, we recommend visiting Emilio Sciacca, a natural wine producer who offers tastings and tours of his estate, about a 20-minute walk from the train station (you can book your experience here).
Finally, the last leg of the line will take you to Riposto, right by the sea. The station is served by Sicilian regional trains, which head toward Catania or Taormina (the choice is yours!).
Please note that it snows in winter at the summit of Mount Etna, which may prevent you from hiking, and temperatures can be extreme in summer. We therefore recommend that you go during the shoulder seasons for a perfect day!
Snow-capped Mount Etna in the background.
And aside from the La Circumetnea experience, if you're not sure what to do in Sicily, we recommend you (re)watch this video by Tolt, in which he recounts his adventure in Sicily:
And for all the behind-the-scenes details of her trip (prices, tips, etc.), feel free to check out this video.
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
