inor

We plan to visit Mount Etna and we won't have a car. Is taking the Ferrovia Circumetnea from Randazzo to Gairre/Riposto worthwhile?
Thank you, Inor

sparkchaser

Define "worthwhile".

inor

Thank you. Do you also think visiting wineries on Mount Etna is as worthwhile?

PalenQ

I thoroughly enjoyed the Circumetnea train - trundles right down main streets of small towns and Randazzo, where I got off(for a bus to Taormina) was an interesting bigger town. If you want to make a whole day of it - interupt your train ride to go to Philosopher's Tower for gondolas and 4-wheel drives up to the crater. check www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com for coverage of thistiny narrow-gauge train that goes thru huge lava fields (and periodically is cut during eruptions) - you do not get close to the crater but circle the base of the huge volcanic pile.

Note I took the train from central Catania to Randazzo - do not think the part you are talking about is very long or maybe as interesting - not sure but I'd do the Catania to Randazzo for sure and onto G-P, a stop on the main trains into and out of Catania.

PalenQ

NOT a fancy tourist train at all - loved seeing the locals get on and off en route! (Railpasses not valid if you have one I believe)

https://www.google.com/search?q=circ...w=1745&bih=868

PalenQ

I enjoyed walking around Catania itself- for Sicily the most elegant city I saw - big city that is andMt Etna always hovers on the horizon and sometimes in your nose.

PalenQ

And I had no problem getting on the train - no reservations possible I think - it's like a metro really with people getting on and off in each town or village - just show up and buy a dirt-cheap ticket.