Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort
Sicily, Italy
Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort sits at around 650 metres on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, making it one of the most dramatic golf settings in Europe. The 18-hole, par-72 layout was designed by Luigi Rota Caremoli and is widely regarded as the first full-length course built in Sicily. Fairways weave through oak and hazel woodland, ancient lava stone walls from a 1916 eruption, and terraced vineyards, demanding precision over power at every turn. At nearly 5,900 metres, the course rewards accurate ball-striking and careful course management. The elevated location brings cooler temperatures than the Sicilian coast, clean mountain air, and commanding views across the Etna foothills. Combined with a resort hotel and spa housed in a restored monastery near Castiglione di Sicilia, Il Picciolo offers a golf experience that is as atmospheric as it is technically demanding.