How to Get to Grotta delle Colombe in Sicily

You may have stumbled across this article after seeing a mysterious staircase from the sea along the Sicilian Coast on social media. At least, that’s what happened to me. Months before my yearly Sicily trip to visit my family I came across a random post on Instagram. Adding this spot to my summer itinerary was a must. This opened the door to figuring out how to get to the Grotta delle Colombe. This article makes it easy so you don’t have to guess!

If you’re debating whether or not to make time to add this spot to your itinerary, I’d argue that it’s an absolute must. It was one of my most cherished memories from this year’s trip!

What is the Grotta delle Colombe?

This is what I scoured the internet to understand. Locals call it “rutta ri pallummi” or the “cave of the doves” in English. It is located between the towns of Trappeto and Terrasini. Not much is known about the magical cave and the even more magical staircase (with various platforms) built into the coastline. Here’s what we know: the cave is 100 meters long and was caused by the catastrophic 1669 eruption of Mt. Etna. The staircase and surrounding structure seem to be part of what was once a World War II bunker (though this doesn’t explain the very unique and whimsical architecture).

Fun fact: This area of the coast is known as the twin of the Zingaro Coast (in between Scopello and Castellamare). If you have time, a day trip to the “Riserva dello Zingaro” is a must. You can read tips for that here.

How to Get to Grotta delle Colombe

NOTE: Do not set your navigation directly to the “Grotta delle Colombe.”

Travel Tip: The town of Terrasini is about a 20-minute drive from the Palermo Airport. You can make a day of this adventure with spending time exploring Terrasini, having lunch, and then enjoying the afternoon at the Grotta.

Setting your Map: This is incredibly important as the map will guide you to the wrong spot which is actually a gated private property. Instead, route to “Spiaggia San Cataldo.” When you go down the dirt road, pretty quickly on the left you’ll spot a parking lot.

Parking: There was a sign to pay for parking when we arrived, but no parking attendant or box was there at the time. Other reviews have noted that it’s about €3 per hour.

Walking to the Grotta: There is no signage posted so you’ll need to be a bit adventurous. Follow a pebbled path to the right once you leave your vehicle. (You’ll see a tower). Keep following the path to the right and eventually, you’ll spot steps in the distance. There are usually people coming and going, so in reality it isn’t that hard to find!

Tips for Visiting the Grotta delle Colombe

While the “hike” to the Grotta isn’t that bad (~10-15 minutes), where it gets a bit dicey is once you reach the stairs. The space isn’t in the best condition and the steps up and down are quite steep. This isn’t a spot to visit if you’re afraid of heights or have mobility difficulties.

What to Bring: Closed-toe shoes for hiking, water, a towel, a hat, and flip flops. (And wear your swimsuit under your clothes)
Jump in the water! This was one of the most special experiences of our entire trip.
You don’t need more than an hour / 1.5 hours at most here. Due to the landscape of the area, it’s more of a space to explore, jump in the water and head out.
Watch where you step. There are a couple of spots where the platform has caved in, so always look where you’re going!