If you ever visit Sicily out of warm season and you find yourself curious if there is more to enjoy than granitta, gelato and pizza I can assure you there definitely is! Radicepura Horticultural Park is undoubtedly one of places worth visiting.

It’s located in Giarre, just a short drive from Catania and navigating is easy with good access from autostrada A18. It takes about two hours from Palermo area to get there.

Tickets can be purchased there, the horticultural park is open most of the time throughout the year, but I would recommend to check their Instagram as there are often special events happening and the normal opening hours are subject to change.

The place itself is just breathtaking- there are plants that are usually considered indoors (like Dracenas or Monsteras) I never saw can grow into such enormous size when in right conditions just outside. You can see all kinds of subtropical plants there, cactuses, amazing design ideas that feel as natural as nature itself and the atmosphere is something to experience. The combination of fertile soil from Etna and climate is something unbelievable.

It’s a combination of beautiful sensible design and offering plants and trees the right conditions and letting them show what they have to offer. I can’t tell how long you would need for the visit as ours was cut short by early October thunderstorm, but you can easily spend whole day there to admire, learn or just relax and let time pass by. The park is a live place with some extension works going on when we were there and I honestly am looking forward to have a chance to come back again.