Summer Island Hopping… by Train? Sicily, Corsica, and the Greek Peloponnese
For summer travelers who crave sun-soaked adventures beyond crowded beaches, Europe’s lesser-known island and coastal railways offer a thrilling alternative.
Swap ferries for vintage carriages, chugging through citrus groves, clifftop villages, and ancient ruins.
This 10-day itinerary explores Sicily, Corsica, and the Greek Peloponnese—three Mediterranean gems where train travel isn’t just transport, but a window into local life, history, and wild landscapes.
Sicily: The Circumetnea Railway & Volcanic Villages
Why It’s Special: Sicily’s Circumetnea Railway loops around Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, blending lava fields, citrus orchards, and timeless villages. This narrow-gauge line, running since 1895, is a local secret often overshadowed by Sicily’s beaches.
- Start Point: Catania Borgo Station, Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII, 95129 Catania
- End Point: Riposto Station, Via Stazione, 95018 Riposto
- Distance: 110 km (3.5 hours)
- Experience Duration: Full day (6–8 hours with stops)
Unique Highlights:
Randazzo: A medieval town built from black lava stone. Stop for granita (iced dessert) at Bar Venezia (Via Umberto I, 25) with pistachios from nearby Bronte.
Mount Etna Detour: At Bronte, hike the Piano delle Concazze trail (3 hours) through recent lava flows.
Giarre: End your ride with a swim at Marina di Cottone, a pebble beach with Etna views.
Pro Tip: Buy a Circumetnea Day Pass (€8.50) for unlimited hop-on, hop-off access. Visit June–July for wild poppy blooms along the tracks.
Corsica: The Trinighellu & Mountain Wilds
Why It’s Special: Corsica’s Trinighellu (“Little Train”) is a UNESCO-listed narrow-gauge railway slicing through the island’s rugged interior.
The Bastia to Ajaccio route climbs from coastal cliffs to pine-forested peaks, with open-air carriages offering 360° views.
- Start Point: Bastia Station, Place de la Gare, 20200 Bastia
- End Point: Ajaccio Station, Cours Napoléon, 20000 Ajaccio
- Distance: 158 km (4 hours)
- Experience Duration: Full day (with stops)
Unique Highlights:
Ponte Leccia to Corte: This 1.5-hour stretch passes the Vecchio Bridge, a stone viaduct towering 93m above the forest. Hike to Restonica Valley from Corte for glacial pools.
Vizzavona: A hamlet where the train stops at Col de Vizzavona. Walk 10 minutes to Cascades des Anglais, waterfalls where Victorian aristocrats once picnicked.
Ajaccio: Cap the journey with sunset oysters at Le 20123 (2 Rue Roi de Rome), a seafood shack by the tracks.
Pro Tip: Book the “Train et Randonnée” pass (€25), combining train travel with curated hiking routes.
Greek Peloponnese: The Diakofto-Kalavryta Rack Railway & Ancient Trails
Why It’s Special: Greece’s Odontotos Railway (Diakofto-Kalavryta) is a 22-km rack-and-pinion line clinging to the Vouraikos Gorge. Built in 1896, it tunnels through cliffs and zigzags past waterfalls, linking the coast to a mountain monastery.
- Start Point: Diakofto Station, Diakopto 250 03
- End Point: Kalavryta Station, Kalavryta 250 01
- Distance: 22 km (1 hour)
- Experience Duration: Half-day (3–4 hours with stops)
Unique Highlights:
Vouraikos Gorge: Keep your camera ready for the “Portes” (Gates), a narrow pass where the train squeezes between limestone walls.
Mega Spileo Monastery: Detour at Zachlorou Station to visit this 4th-century cliffside monastery. Monks still make herbal remedies from local thyme.
Kalavryta: Rent an e-bike to explore Lousios Gorge, dotted with Byzantine chapels.
Pro Tip: Pair your trip with a visit to Nafplio (accessible via bus from Diakofto), a Venetian seaside town with a car-free old quarter.
Practical Tips for Mediterranean Train Travel
Passes & Tickets:
- Sicily: Circumetnea Pass (€8.50/day) or Trenitalia Regional tickets.
- Corsica: Corsica Rail Pass (3 days, €55) covers all lines.
- Greece: Odontotos tickets cost €10 round-trip; no pass needed.
Timing:
- Sicily/Corsica: June or September for fewer crowds.
- Peloponnese: April–May for wildflowers; avoid July–August midday heat.
Pack Smart: Lightweight hiking shoes, a refillable water bottle, and a sun hat.
Local Flavors:
- Sicily: Arancini (stuffed rice balls) at Catania’s Savia (Via Etnea 302).
- Corsica: Fiadone (cheese tart) from U Furnellu (Corte’s train station café).
- Greece: Sfela (grilled cheese) at To Koutouki tis Marinas (Diakofto harbor).
Where Rails Meet Summer Magic
From Sicily’s fiery slopes to Corsica’s chestnut forests and the Peloponnese’s mythic gorges, these railways prove that islands aren’t just for boats.
Summer train travel here means slow, immersive journeys—where the clatter of tracks blends with cicadas, and every stop invites a dip, a hike, or a feast.
For those willing to wander off the ferry routes, the Mediterranean’s hidden rails await.
