A Tour Along the Foothills of Etna: Nicolosi – Randazzo – Bronte

The great king of our Italian territory is Mount Etna, with its diverse landscapes, vibrant tourist centers, and charming villages that surround it. In this article, we take you on a tour along the foothills of Etna, exploring three enchanting towns — Nicolosi, Randazzo, and Bronte — where artistic heritage meets natural beauty for a truly unforgettable experience.

Let’s discover together the wonders of this journey at the foot of Etna!

Nicolosi: The Gateway to Etna

The first stop on the tour is Nicolosi, an ancient medieval village known as the gateway to Etna thanks to its strategic access to Sicily’s majestic volcano.

Dominating the town is the Monastery of San Nicolò La Rena, a sacred building erected in 1150 and believed to have given Nicolosi its name. The town center, with its narrow alleys, vibrant colors, and unmistakably Sicilian scents, leads to the Church of the Holy Spirit, recognizable by its lava-stone bell tower. This was built after the devastating earthquake and eruptions of 1669 and 1693, which severely damaged the entire settlement.

A key highlight of the tour is the Etna Park, a vast natural reserve covering 59,000 hectares that showcases the area’s incredible flora and fauna. Its fertile soil, warm colors, and sweeping views reaching as far as Malta offer an awe-inspiring spectacle.

The park is also perfect for excursions. Hikers can ascend to Rifugio Sapienza at 1,900 meters and then take the cable car up to 2,500 meters to reach the upper slopes — for an even more striking (and less intimidating!) view of Etna itself.

Randazzo: The City of a Hundred Churches

The second stop is Randazzo, reachable via the A18 motorway by exiting at Fiumefreddo. Known as the city of a hundred churches, Randazzo preserves many of its historic places of worship, open for visitors to admire.

Here, the tour reaches a sublime harmony between architecture and nature. Climbing along Piedimonte Etneo, you’ll pass through Porta San Fratello, two lava-stone obelisks framing a breathtaking view of the volcano. The historic center is filled with churches from various eras, noble palaces, and even 50 murals depicting the relationship between the Arabs and Mount Etna during their rule over Sicily — a fascinating blend of past and present.

Randazzo’s heart is divided into three districts — Latino, Lombardo, and Greco.

• The Latino quarter is dominated by the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, in elegant Gothic style.
• The Lombardo quarter features the Church of San Martino, with its extraordinary bell tower, one of the most beautiful in Sicily.
• The Greco quarter is home to the Church of San Nicolò, with its Baroque façade.

In front of this church stands the statue of the Giant Piracmone, symbolizing the unity of the three districts, affectionately nicknamed Rannazzu Vecchiu. Don’t miss a stroll along Via degli Archi, paved with ancient lava stones for an atmospheric walk back in time.

Bronte: The Homeland of Pistachios

The final stop on this journey is Bronte, the true homeland of pistachios. This charming town is renowned worldwide for its production of the prized green nut, used in exquisite sweet and savory creams.

Bronte also boasts a rich historical heritage. Notable landmarks include the Mother Church of the Holy Trinity, known locally as La Matrice, dating back to the 16th century, and the Royal Capizzi College, founded in the 18th century by priest Ignazio Capizzi to promote youth education. Visitors can book tours to explore its ancient library.

The tour concludes with the majestic Nelson Castle, originally a 12th-century abbey. After its secularization, it was gifted in 1799 by King Ferdinand of Bourbon to Admiral Horatio Nelson, in gratitude for his help in restoring the Bourbon monarchy after the fall of the Neapolitan Republic.

The Etna Foothills Tour awaits you!

A journey through Nicolosi, Randazzo, and Bronte means discovering Sicily’s vibrant soul — a land of fire and stone, faith and flavor, art and nature, all under the watchful gaze of Etna.