visit etna

• Customer care: (+39) 379 104 5234
• Write to us

Takes you off the beaten path

Visiting Mount Etna

This guide aims to explain how to visit Mount Etna in Sicily. We will share suggestions on self-guided tours both on foot and with a Mountain Bike. We will advise how to get to Mount Etna by bus, by car, and the price range for guided tours on Mt. Etna departing from Taormina or Catania. We are going to explain the differences between the south side of Mount Etna and the north side. If you wish to know more about how to visit Mount Etna, keep on reading this 2023 ultimate guide.

mount etna sicily

Etna is a stratovolcano located in Sicily, the southernmost region of Italy. The geological history of Etna begins with underwater activities 500,000 thousand years ago. Around 300,000 years ago, Mount Etna's activity became sub-aerial, and the volcanic building began to form. Only 170,000 years ago, it moved to the current eruptive center. Around 35,000 years ago and for about 20,000 years, Etna goes through a more explosive phase, which produces large pyroclastic flows, the ashes of which reach as far as Rome. Around 9,000 years ago, the volcano's east flank collapsed, sliding into the Mediterranean sea, forming a gigantic depression called the Valle del Bove. The collapse of the east side of Etna generated a tsunami that reached and destroyed most of the eastern coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The last major lateral eruption that destroyed the ski lifts, two hotels, and a series of shops dates back to October 2002. From 2002 to March 2022, Etna produced at least another 35 summit eruptions from the southeast crater, the most active of the four craters that form the summit apparatus. The height of Etna is 3328 meters (10,912 ft). The fertile soils along the sides of Etna have always supported flourishing agriculture. In the last thirty years, a young and innovative generation of oenologists and entrepreneurs has given birth to a  wine district visited every year by tourists worldwide. Hiking up to the summit craters is also an important income source for tourist agencies that organize day trips. During the winter, two ski lifts are in operation.

How to Visit Mount Etna

Mount Etna is undoubtedly a Sicilian icon that draws hundreds of thousands of tourists to the summit area and along his flanks every year. But, How can we visit Mount Etna? We can cycle from the woodlands to the edge of the lava desert at 3000 meters; we can hike for days and days or just for a couple of hours. We can explore Mount Etna riding a horse or in the company of a lama. We can decide to drive to the cableway, at 1900 meters and then go for a self-guided walking tour, or choose an Etna Guided tour from Taormina or Catania. Let us find out how to visit Mount Etna and how to get to Mount Etna from Catania and Taormina.

Shall I Go to The South or North Side of Mt. Etna?

Before you decide how to visit Mount Etna, you should know the differences between the south and north sides of the volcano. The Northside of Mt. Etna has a vast forest, many cycling trails, a series of fantastic hikes, and is not crowded. The main tourist cities close to the north side are Taormina and Giardini Naxos , even Castelmola and Letojianni are located north of Mt. Etna. From 2023 it's possible to hike all the way to the summit of the volcano from the north side, this means that if you are staying in Taormina you do not need to drive all the way to the cable car at "Rifugio sapienza". The south side is more barren, but thanks to the Etna's cable car is the ideal side if you decide to climb to the summit area starting from Catania. The south side at Rifugio Sapienza is crowded, but still, the landscape is stunning and worth a visit. Remember! Catania is closer to the south side, while Taormina and Giardini Naxos are closer to the north side.

When to visit Mount Etna

The best time of the year to cycle or hike on mount Etna is between April and the beginning of November. While between December and March, Mount Etna offers the chance to enjoy some skiing thanks to the two ski lifts on the north and south side and, a Nordic ski trail located at Piano Provenzana on the north side.

Mount Etna clothing

The recommended clothing to visit Mt. Etna varies according to the season. When visiting Mount Etna between November and March heavy clothing is Paramount. We recommend wearing winter trousers, waterproof shoes, a good sweater, a jacket, gloves, and a hat. Bring always a pair of extra wool socks in the rucksack just in case you will get your shoes wet, you do not want to freeze your feet. From April until October you can opt for lighter clothing, but carry always a jacket and a pair of trekking boots. Lava rocks are sharp as razors.

Mount Etna temperature

The average temperature on Mount Etna between 1000 meters and 2000 meters is 12degrees Celsius. August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 22-24 degrees Celsius. Between December and February above 1400 meters, temperatures can drop below zero even during the day.

Visiting Mount Etna with a guided walking tour

Out there, the offer for tours on Mount Etna is broad. Still, at the end of the day, there are three or four essential excursions worth buying to explore this Italian volcano.  When buying a tour ask always if the price includes, pick up to your hotel, walking boots, and walking poles.

Mount Etna summit tour price range €119 - €189

When buying the Etna Summit Tour , make sure it goes to the summit active craters at 3320 and not just to the Barbagallo Craters at 2900 meters on the south side, or it stops at the observatory of vulvanology on the north side, be careful!  Ask if the price for the summit tour includes cable car, Unimog, alpine guide, walking poles, and trekking boots. Some tour operator advertises the tour to the summit at a very low cost, but soon you will realize the price was just for transport. We recommend Sicily Active is a reliable tour operator based in Taormina that sells without hidden fees.

Mount Etna Long Hike Bove Valley price range €79 - €99

This Etna hike is almost unknown to the mainstream, but if you love walking and, want to get off the beaten path, this is the excursion you should buy. This full-day excursion departs from the Rifugio Citelli (A Mountain shelter)  on the north side of Mount Etna. This excursion lasts 8 hours; it covers 14 kilometers and delivers one of the most beautiful views of the volcano; the lunar Bove Valley. Along the trail, there is the suggestive Serracozzo cave.

Etna and Alcantara tour price range €69 - €89

This is an evergreen among Etna's tours. Who choose to buy this  Alcantara Etna excursion will get to see in a single day two of the most iconic landscapes of Sicily’s east coast; Mount Etna and the picturesque Gorges of the Alcantara . This full-day tour lasts 8 hours. It includes a 2 hours walk, the descent into a cave, and finally, after lunch, a visit with a swim into the river that plows the fantastic Canyon of the Alcantara.

Mount Etna Wine tour price range €99 - €139

Yes, the flanks of Mount Etna host a large and picturesque wine district. The Tour of Mount Etna and the wine district is the ideal solution for those travelers who wish to visit the volcano and taste some Etna wines paired with local food. A wine tour includes; some off-road through the Etna woodland, a brief walk (45-60 minutes) the tasting of wines, a full lunch, and in the afternoon a drive through the Alcantara Valley, and a walking tour of the town of Castiglione di Sicilia. When buying this tour, ask if the company uses Jeeps.

Can you climb Mount Etna without a guide?

Well,  yes, you can climb Etna alone, as long as you do not go over 2800 meters (9500 Ft.)   Is it worth hiking far from the summit of Mt. Etna? Yes, between 1500 and 2800 meters ( 5000 and 9500 ft.), there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails, and the landscape is fantastic. To find out more about Etna's self-guided tours, you can read our dedicated article about Hike in Sicily . Please keep in mind that even though Etna is not a very explosive volcano, it is one of the most active on the planet. The closer you get to the summit, the higher the risk of accidents becomes. Therefore, please be always cautious and evaluate if it’s the case to stop your climb to the summit.

Where to eat on Mount Etna?

There are just a few places where to eat on Etna's north side. The Mountain Chalet Clan Dei Ragazzi is an excellent choice. They serve a wide range of first and main courses, sandwiches and salads. This lovely Chalet built in a pine forest has rooms and a Mountain bike rental. The Rifugio Citelli instead is a mountain shelter; they serve some pasta and some meat-based dishes. The Rifugio Citelli has a dormitory where hikers sleep. At Piano Provenzana always on Etna nord there is “Chiosco Mare Neve”. This place is a bar, but last year they extended the site. From 2021 they have started to serve some main courses, sandwiches, and the typical “Panino with the sausage”. A couple of hundred yards from the Chiosco Mare Neve, there is Monte Conca Restaurant. This is an authentic restaurant; they have a wide range of food, even though we found that clan Dei Ragazzi food is much better. On Etna south side, at Rifugio Sapienza by the Etna Cable car, you will see many places where to eat and do some souvenirs shopping

How to get to Mount Etna north side from Taormina

The distance from Taormina to Etna's north side is around 40 kilometers. By car, It takes 45 minutes to get to Piano Provenzana, where the road ends at an altitude of 1800 meters. From Taormina, drive along the A18 motorway towards Catania, exit at Fiumefreddo junction, and then follow the road sign to Lingualossa di Sicilia. 

How to get to Mount Etna South Side from Taormina

To get from Taormina to Etna's south side, drive along the A 18 Motorway, exit at Giarre junction, then follow the road sign to Zafferana Etnea. The Distance from Taormina to Rifugio Sapienza is 55 kilometers, and by car, it takes 1 hour and twenty minutes. The south side is where the Etna cable car is located.

How to get to Mount Etna Northside from Catania

From Catania, drive along the A18 towards Messina, exit at Fiumefreddo, and then follow the road sign to Linguaglossa di Sicilia. The distance is 54 kilometers, and it takes 1h and 20 minutes to reach Etna North Side.

How to get from Catania to Etna southside

From Catania to reach Etna south side at Rifugio Sapienza, the distance is 35 kilometers, and it takes 50 minutes. Drive towards Gravina, then follow the road sign towards Nicolosi and then drive toward Rifugio Sapienza, where the Etna cable car is located.

• Alcantara Gorges

Related Articles

Mount Etna what to wear

Piano Provenzana

Mount Etna volcanic vortex smoke rings

Ragabo forest

• Places and cities
• Attractions
• Map of museums and parks
• LIVING SICILY
• Itineraries
• Travel proposals
• How to reach Sicily
• Tourist information
• Safe Holidays

There are places that can undoubtedly be said to be the most enchanting on earth, and if Mount Etna looks like hell on the inside, it can rightly be said that it looks like heaven on the out (P. Brydone)

Every respected Grand Tour pays homage to the highest volcano in Europe , which is among the most active in the world – standing 3327 metres tall with an average basal diameter of 40 km – which dominates the entire island with its size.

Mount Etna , also called Mongibello , is one of the most monitored volcanoes in the world. The spectacular eruptions and fiery lava flows have always been of great interest to scientists and visitors from all over the planet. All updates on volcanic activity are available on the NIGV’s (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology) Catania Section .

A UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its globally important geological features, Mount Etna’s first eruptions date back to about 570,000 years ago. The volcanic structure’s construction has been interrupted over the centuries by numerous collapses. The most striking of these is the Valle del Bove, on the eastern side, which formed 9200 years ago and contains much of the volcano’s recent geological history.

The visit to the active craters in the summit areas (4 craters in all, the Central, the West Voragine or “New Mouth”, the Northern subterminal crater and the structure of the Southeast subterminal crater) is a favourite for hikers in summer.

In winter, this volcano also offers the surprising chance to practise winter sports, a few kilometres from the sea.

The various hikes climb along the Mount Etna Park nature trails, between woods and verdant orchards, up to the highest altitudes with fascinating views of lunar landscapes, centuries-old lava flows, active caves and steam vents, revealing the charm of this extraordinary natural oasis.

Picturesque moonlike landscapes, which are typical of volcanic activity, interspersed with exceptionally beautiful natural environments. The courses of the two great rivers that flow around the volcano – the Alcantara to the north, with its natural canyons and the Simeto to the west – give us very interesting natural spots.

Mount Etna offers great biodiversity with a rich Mediterranean scrub and numerous forest species: oak, beech, holm oak, pine, downy oak, Etna broom and chestnut trees. In the Sant’Alfio territory, you can find the oldest and largest tree in Europe, the Castagno dei Cento Cavalli , recognised by the UNESCO Messengers of Peace. The light bark birches , proof of ancient ice ages. If you travel with small explorers, you absolutely have to uncover the other botanical wonders Sicily are hiding.

There are lots of sports to practise on Mount Etna.

The Nicolosi ski resorts in Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza (South Etna) and Piano Provenzana-Linguaglossa (North Etna) are equipped with appropriate ski lifts, red and blue ski slopes, ski schools and equipment rental centres. If you prefer Nordic skiing, you can practise on the trails plotted by the Mount Etna Park and Forest Authority in Piano Vetore (Nicolosi), Piano Provenzana (Linguaglossa) and the loop in the Maletto area.

Ski mountaineering trips where there’s snow are always possible and there’s no risk of avalanches.

In winter, the snowshoe hike is a truly special experience: what could be more exciting than watching the unbeatable sight of the blue Ionian Sea from above, while the volcano rumbles or “snorts”?

The most popular activity are hikes to the summit craters , to be done safely with the help of expert guides and with appropriate clothing.

Closed shoes and windproof jackets are recommended, even in the middle of the summer season. You can hike all year round, with itineraries that are suitable for both beginners and the most experienced. The region offers the opportunity to visit the lava flow caves, where you are always accompanied by expert speleological guides. Among the most famous of these caves is the grotta del Gelo that houses the southernmost glacier in Europe, the grotta dei Lamponi dei Ladroni and the grotta di Serracozzo .

There are many trails to explore by mountain bike , from the easiest ones, which are suitable for everyone and for all ages , to the most challenging ones that climb along the Volcano’s slopes. One of the most well-known is the Pista Altomontana , which goes up along the western slope from Piano Vetore , south of the volcano, to Pineta Ragabo , near Piano Provenzana to the northeast.

How about hitting the Etna trails? You can hike behind strong, well-behaved, faithful donkeys: a new way to get to know the wonders of this mountain! Horse riding tours, on the other hand, are organised by different equestrian associations, always undertaken in the company of expert nature guides.

In addition to organising guided tours with specialised staff, the Park provides interactive maps for different nature trails, according to their difficulty level, from the easiest to the most challenging itineraries at high altitude, which take place at higher altitudes and last for longer.

Experience the Park to the fullest by downloading the App !

For hopeless romantics, we recommend taking rail tours via the Circumetnea trains, which depart from Catania-Borgo Station and arrive at Riposto . You can discover the most beautiful wine cellars and culinary wonders by going on the northeast wine tour, the northeast having the most beautiful landscapes of Etna that can be explored by bicycle on board the Two-Wheeled Train or other interesting tours..

In the summer evenings, from June to September, for the passionate stargazers, a visit to the . Astrophysical Observatory in Ragalna , in Contrada Serra La Nave, on the southern slope of Mount Etna is unmissable. Registration is required.

Suitable for families , school groups and anyone who wants spend a day outdoors, the Monte Serra Park in Viagrande offers the Casa delle Farfalle : hiking trails, a synthetic ski slope, equipped areas, bike trails and much more.

The Amusement Park of Sicily Etnaland , in the town of Belpasso , offers an exciting experience with magnificent attractions like Acquapark, one of the 20 best water parks in the world, Prehistory Park and Theme Park, where you can have amazing experiences in AVR (augmented virtual reality).

For those of you who want to have fun outdoors, experiencing the thrill of climbing and challenging gravity, the adventure parks in Milo , Nicolosi and Ragalna are a new organisation in the heart of Etna Park: they consists of paths suspended between the tall trees or between the rocks, with levels suitable for children and adults.

Finally, the Botanical Garden Nuova Gussonea [Sicily botanical gardens] in Contrada Serra La Nave on the southern slope of Etna – over 10 hectares with different species of Etna flora – can be visited in the company of expert guides and only by booking.

Excluding the summit areas, large areas of the Etna region are dedicated to outstanding agricultural and wine production. The north-western side is renowned for cultivating the green Bronte pistachio , a PDO product, with its endless, varied confectionery production.

In the territories of Castiglione di Sicilia, Linguaglossa, Sant’Alfio and Milo there are picturesque plots of hazelnuts, a raw material for local confectionery products. The orchards (Etna apples and pears, peaches, cherries, medlar, walnuts, chestnuts) are very common, but mainly in the areas of Ragalna, Pedara, Nicolosi and Trecastagni. There are also high-quality strawberries from Maletto.

The production of PDO olive oil is mainly concentrated in the area of Santa Maria di Licodia, Biancavilla, Belpasso and Ragalna. Don’t miss the traditional honey and cookies for skiers, which are produced in Zafferana Etnea, and the zeppoles or rice crispines, which are found everywhere.

As in all mountain locations, there are mushrooms that enrich different dishes, as well as the famous sausages. Find out where to taste them in Sicily

You might also come across pale purple flowers: this is the autumn saffron , which grows spontaneously in some wooded areas of Sicily. But be careful: it’s not suitable in the kitchen! The golden red flower grows not far from here, in Raccuja sui Nebrodi

And what about the wines ? The whole area is full of cosy cellars where you can taste good PDO Etna wine accompanied by local food.

Share this content!

Autumn , Spring , Summer , Winter

Sport and Adventure , Territory , Trekking and Outdoor , UNESCO

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED

Archaeological Sicily Art in Sicily Traveling you learn UNESCO

The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento

The rediscovery of Akragas began towards the end of the 18th century, when the first European travellers arrived and ventured [...]

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT – SICILY

Via Notarbartolo, 9 – 90141 – Palermo

Tourist Informations

This website is not for profit, anyone who sees a possible infringement of copyright can report it and we will promptly remove the specific content.

VISIT SICILY

ACCESSIBILITY

• Toggle High Contrast
• Toggle Font size

© 2022 Regione Siciliana – All rights reserved

VAT number: 02711070827 – Tax Code: 80012000826 – Privacy

DATA PROCESSING

Privacy preview.

Visit Etna Volcano: a complete guide for first time excursions

• Antonella Ravidà
• December 9, 2022
• Day trip from Catania , Mount Etna , Natural Parks , Outdoor , Sicily
• 19 Comments

Table of Contents

This article is a full guide about Mount Etna to help you choose the best excursion and activity for your first visit to the volcano.

Mount Etna facts

Visiting Mount Etna should be an unmissable experience of any trip to Eastern Sicily.  So if you are wondering whether it is worth visiting Etna or not, here you find some facts about Etna that will certainly clear your mind.

1.We are referring to the highest active volcano in Europe which is also part of the UNESCO World heritage list since 2013.

2. The Vulcano has a surface of 1,190 km 2 and its Natural Parc – Parco dell’Etna – covers 59000 hectares whose landscapes and biodiversity are protected.

3. Etna’s fertile soil produces some of the finest Sicilian local food excellences such as the worldwide famous pistachio ( Pistacchio di Bronte IGP ), the unique wine Etna “DOC” , the sweet honey from Zafferana Etnea and much more!

4. Mt Etna peculiar position on the eastern side of Sicily allows you to enjoy amazing views over the Ionian Coast and the sea from its summits!

5. The volcano activity affecs many aspects of local people’s lives: for instance, Catania’s Airport is sometimes forced to close due to the volcano ash.

What is the best way to visit Mount Etna?

There is no best way to visit Mount Etna but, on the contrary, there are many fantastic experiences and activities to try during your visit to Etna!

That said, I will try to show you here some of the most significant and coolest excursions to Etna volcano that you might want to consider for your first visit to ‘a Muntagna (“the mountain”).

Etna at a glimpse

It is worth mentioning a few more general information about this Sicilian volcano in order to prepare your excursion at the very best.

The map above shows just the southern side of Etna – Etna Sud – and you can already get a feeling of the dimension and the many highlights on this territory: craters, signs of past lava flows, paths and viewpoints…

The starting point of any excursion to Etna Sud is Rifugio Sapienza , an historic hotel/restaurant at 1900m asl around which you will find a parking area, the volcanological guides shelter, souvenirs shops, restaurants and tour companies offices.

Next to Rifugio Sapienza you find the cable car entrance, Funivie dell’Etna , from which you can take the cable car up to 2500mt asl (you can also hike all the way up).

The guided excursion with a volcanological guide is the only way to reach the summit craters of Etna at 3300mt (in 2022 local authorities allow to reach max 3000mt).

What about Etna Nord , the northern slope of Mt Etna?! This side of the volcano is probably the least known to tourists because there is no cable car service and less organized tours start from here compared to Etna Sud.

However, its beautiful pine woods – such as Pineta Ragabo – and its unique caves, like Grotta del Gelo and Grotta dei Lamponi , offer to visitors enchanting atmospheres.

My Tips for visiting Mt Etna

A few tips I want to give you before your trip to Mount Etna:

• Regardless of which period of the year you will go to Etna, do not forget that the weather up there is very different from the average temperature of the surroundings. For instance, if in a normal summer day in Catania there are 32° C, make sure that on Etna there will be at least 20° C or even less on its summit. Moreover, the wind can be strong also on a summer day, this is why it is essential that you carefully check the weather forecast before your visit to the volcano and equally important that you wear warm clothes .
• Bring the right equipment. Since Etna is a 3350mt high mountain, anytime you go for an excursion, you should take with you the usual trekking gear and do not underestimate the characteristics of its natural landscape. Even if you will not hike to its summit but you will just go for an easy walk, always remember to bring proper trekking shoes, wind jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, suncream, enough water, some snacks, and a GPS (especially if you are going without a guide). By the way, if your trip to Mt Etna is during the winter season, you might find the volcano covered in white snow , which means you will need to bring car chains and snowshoes.
• Book in advance! Mount Etna is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sicily and Etna tours are the most requested, getting sold out very easily, especially during high season.

Do not hesitate to get in contact with me for a discovery call to learn all about the best Etna tours suitable for you!

Etna Volcano guided excursions

It can be difficult to choose the best guided tour of Etna among the countless offers available on the web, especially if it is your first excursion.

As a Travel Designer , I collaborate with many companies, private guides or associations that offer tours or experiences on Etna. For this reason, I will try to resume here some of the best options you should consider in order to book the right Etna tour for you.

Guided small group tour

If you want to explore Mt Etna but you also do not feel like climbing up for many hours, than this might be the good tour for you.

Usually you join small groups of 6/8 people for an half day excursion lasting roughly up to 6/8 hours.

Often, these tours include the pick up from your accommodation in Catania where you meet your naturalistic guide. After one hour drive to reach Mt Etna, you then explore the side craters at 2000mt asl – Silvestri Craters .

During the walk, the local guide explains you the characteristics of Etna landscape, its history and territory. The excursion continues with the visit of a lava cave and a final stop at a local farm/shop for a delicious tasting of typical products such as honey, wine or olive oil.

My advice is to book this tour if:

• You are not used to hike a mountain and/or do not fancy it
• You are visiting Etna with kids
• You do not have a car and you do not want to use public transport
• You want to join a group with other people
• You like to be guided and learn more about what you see

My guests at B&B Oblò in Catania often choose to join this easy group excursion to Mt Etna (click on the link to check availability and book the excursion) and I am always happy to help them find the best tour option according to their needs.

Etna private tour

Have you ever considered the possibility to book an exclusive private tour to Etna with a local guide? This is a great option for those of you who really want to get to know the volcano’secrets and explore less beated tracks with the help of a professional guide.

The private excursion can be crafted as you wish; you can choose the meeting point with the guide, the lenght of the excursion, the routes and locations of your interest as well as the activities and experiences!

Usually a local travel advisor like me can help you find the most reliable guide and choose together the correct excursion, according to your wishes.

Choose this tour if:

• You are not keen to join a tour with other people
• You are a group of friends or family
• You need the tour guide to speak a specific language
• You want to visit a specific place which is not usually covered on the standard tours
• You want to know Etna more in depth with a guide totally dedicated to you

Hiking Etna summit craters

Maybe the most exciting excursion you can experience on Etna is climbing up its summit craters at 3300mt ! One question usually arises is: “Can you walk up Etna’s Summit without a guide?”

The answer is not! And this is due to the danger you can face climbing an active volcano alone and without expert guides who perfectly know its paths, risks and current condition.

Is Mount Etna summit open in 2022? At the time of writing, the excursion to the top of Etna is limited at roughly 3000mt but the excursion is constantly adapted to the current situation due to the volcano’s unpredictable nature.

  You can climb Etna summit only accompained by the alpine guides. You can book a group excursion (usually max 20 people) or a private excursion (please note that this is only convenient if you are a group, otherwise it is quite expensive).

There are many companies that, partnering with the volcanological guides, offer the complete excursion to the summit – many including the pick up from your accommodation and the cable car tickets.

Alternatively, you can book the group tour directly with the volcanological guides , but you will need to get to the meeting point (at Etna South guides shelter) on your own by car, public bus or private transfer (I will give you more information on that later in this article).

How long is the walk up Etna? Before booking the complete excursion to Etna summit, bear in mind that this is a trekking excursion that includes roughly 5h uphill trekking and for this reason it is addressed to people who are used to mountain hiking and do not suffer from any cardiovascular or respiratory issues.

Usually, you start at 1900mt asl, then take the cable car to 2500mt asl and bus 4×4 to 2750mt. From here, you start to climp up the path which leads you to the summit craters, enjoying spectacular views over this lunar like territory .

The complete excursion is usually from 10h00 to 16h00, walking roughly 11,5 km .

Children from seven years old and that are used to walk are allowed to join the excursion.  

Visiting Etna on your own without a guide

In case you are planning your visit to Etna without a guide, you may be reassured that you are allowed to walk Etna volcano on your own, as long as you do not exceed the permitted limits.

There are many trails inside Etna natural park where you can walk in a charming landscape made of lava stone, chestnuts, pine forests and lava caves. Check some of the most popular Etna trails or the interactve maps on Etna paths.

You can reach Etna Sud on your own by car from Catania in roughly one hour following the route through Paesi Etnei, getting to Nicolosi town or Pedara. I suggest you to park at Rifugio Sapienza parking area, because from there, you can either start walking along the trails or take the cable car up to 2500mt asl.

In order to visit Etna by public bus you will need to take the AST bus from Catania central station (Piazza Giovanni XXIII) departing every morning at 08.15h.

Unfortunately, as this is the only public bus journey to Rifugio Sapienza, it is recommended you get quite early at the bus station to take your seat. A a matter of fact, you can buy the ticket via their website/app or at the ticket office, but you cannot book a seat for a specific date.

The bus ride from Catania to Etna Sud lasts two hours (arrival at 10h15) however, many tour companies wait for the bus arrival to start their group excursions so, no worries!

The journey back from Rifugio Sapienza to Catania is at 16h30 and usually all tours are over by then, but always inform your tour guide in advance about it.

Currently in 2022, you can walk Etna volcano without the guide up till 2750mt asl.

Funivie dell’Etna cable car

One of the easiest and fun experiences you can do on Mt Etna is by far taking its cable car!

Etna cable car price might seem a bit high but this is due to the high risk of the system being disrupted by the volcano activity.

You can choose to buy the return cable car ticket which costs € 30,00 or include the 4×4 bus (68€ total per person). The 4×4 buses connect the cable car ending point 2500mt asl to Torre del Filosofo at 2950mt asl (currently in 2022 you are not allowed by the local authorities to reach 2950mt on your own, so the buses stops at 2750mt . You can walk higher only accompained by a volcanological guide).

The complete return cable car + 4×4 bus ticket includes a tour through some popular craters and view points of the volcano, accompained by the alpine guides that will wait for you at the different stops.

Once you reach the 4×4 stop, you are free to spend as much time as you wish to visit around. Anyway, consider that the whole excursion takes about two/three hours including the cable car ride which lasts 15 minutes .

The cable car is open all year round and you can check Etna cable car seasonal timetable on their official website .

Discover more about my personal experience with Funivie dell’Etna cable car soon.

Alternative experiences to the usual Etna tours

Did you know that Etna volcano offers also unlimited exciting activities and unique experiences?

Have a look at some examples of these special Etna tours:

Etna E-bike tour

In the last few years e-bikes have become such a popular and fun alternative to the more classic hikes or to the exhausting MTB rides!

If you wish to explore the volcano territory on two wheels, this is the right excursion for you! There are several Etna e-bike tours and usually they start from Rifugio Sapienza or Piano Provenzana and lasts from 4h to 7h depending on the trail and the difficulty level.

Bear in mind that you will be on a e – MTB as you will be cycling on dirt roads and mountain trails, so it is suggested a minimum previous experience.

This was me cycling the “Pista altomontana” on a e-bike a few years ago 🙂 . I was not feeling 100% confident about it but it was a lot of fun!

If you are curious to know more about e-bike tour on Etna , check out this cool excursion !

Etna and wine tour

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, Etna and its surrounding territory offer a very fertil soil for many agricultural products.

Etna wineries are very charming places where you could spend a day trip or even a few overnights if you choose some of the many welcoming Etna wine resorts .

Imagine yourself walking among the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna, sipping a glass of Nero d’Avola red wineafter your guided excursion to the volcano…super!

If wine tours are your passion, do not miss out the interesting Strada del Vino dell’Etna (Etna’s wine route) which organizes many tours around Etna wineries including a train ride.

Etna on quad excursion

This is an adventurous tour through explosive craters, lava caves and typical old buildings of Etna. You will drive your quad across the Etna’s forest stopping at beautiful viewpoints for your pictures, always accompained by a local guide who will lead you and explain you about the volcano’s nature.

The excursions usually last roughly two hours in the morning or at sunset.

Etna sunset tour

What about a nice afternoon walk on some of the many paths of Etna’s natural park?! These sunset excursions are scheduled only during the summer season, when anyone who wish to escape from the morning heat can, eventually, enjoy some fresh air in the woods and assist to the magic of the sunset on top of an active volcano!

What is the best period to visit Mt Etna?

Let’s start saying that Etna volcano, with its huge natural park, can be visited all year round. Actually, each season offers a unique different image of this big mountain and you have the chance to make incredibly different activities according to the month you plan your Etna excursion.

The ideal season for nice long walks or trekking is for sure from April to October . The snow has melted by then and the temperatures are nice and warm.

Autumn is a fantastic season to enjoy the brillant foliage on Etna’s forests, to pick mushrooms or chestnuts and avoid the high season “crowds”.

Last but not least, winter is dedicated to snow experiences and outdoor sports.

From November to March, Etna is covered by white abundant snow, thanks to which the volcano becomes a great ski run! There are two ski areas open in winter on Etna : Etna sud and Etna nord ski runs.

If your Etna visit is during these months, you could book a fun snowshoeing across the volcano or simply opt for a hot chocolate at some Etna’s shelters.

Paesi Etnei: Etna villages and towns

You already visited the volcano and would like to know more about its history, inhabitants, economy and traditions?! Then, I strongly suggest you to visit some of the many beautiful little towns and villages on the slopes of Mount Etna!

Each of them is a precious witness of a still connected to the roots lifestyle, made of familiar places, old recipes, countryside fields, fresh clean mountain breeze and authentic local delicacies.

The archetecture you find in the majority of Paesi Etnei is characterized by the grey lava stone and you will be impressed by the beauty of the marvellous churches and squares.

Walk among the streets of these tiny towns, shop at their local markets, taste their food specialties – such as the “Siciliana” (fried sort of calzone filled with tuma cheese) in Zafferana Etnea or some mushrooms fettuccine in Milo – but overall, talk to the local people to get great memories of this charming area of eastern Sicily.

The most popular towns close to Etna are Nicolosi, Zafferana Etnea, Milo, Pedara, Randazzo, Linguaglossa, Bronte and so on…!

By the way, did you know that there is a beautiful old train journey which connects Catania to Paesi Etnei, called Circumetnea ?! I tell you more about this experience soon.

Best Hotels and restaurants near Etna

Choose to spend a few days at some accommodation close to Mt Etna, if you want to immerse yourself into the volcano atmophere.

There are tons of big hotels, boutique resorts, B&B and shelters located at strategic positions near Mount Etna.

This is a brief list of the best accommodations near Etna :

– RIFUGIO SAPIENZA, ETNA SUD

Open since 1947, it is one of the historic first shelters on top of Etna volcano , today a three stars hotel. Its wooden rooms perfectly convey the cozy mountain style.

Its restaurant is very well attended by locals and offers a variety of typical Sicilian meat based meals as well as great pizzas.

Of course its position next to the cable car station represents its strong point.

– HOTEL CORSARO, ETNA SUD

Not far from Rifugio Sapienza and Funivie dell’Etna, this 4* hotel is the right choice if you want to be close by the main Etna trekking trails without renouncing to the comfort of a four star hotel with restaurant.

Last but not least, the hotel has a lovely SPA where you can relax after your outdoor excursions, not bad!

– MONACI DELLE TERRE NERE, ZAFFERANA ETNEA

A charming boutique hotel with restaurant and swimming pool on the slopes of Mount Etna. You can taste fine km0 meals at its restaurant Locanda Nerello and enjoy the slow living in its vineyards.

– CLAN DEI RAGAZZI, ETNA NORD

A lovely chalet located inside Ragabo pine forest on Etna northern side. The chalet has many rooms and cabins simply fornished with no wifi or tv to really immerse in the mountain dimension.

  – BORGO SAN NICOLAO, RANDAZZO

This rustic agriturismo was an old “borgo” (borough) in Randazzo, totally refurbished and converted in a farmhouse. Spending a few days here means immersing yourself in the unique Etna’s countryside with the vineyards, the fields, the stable and the wood.

An authentic place where to experience the Sicilian ospitality.

Among the many excellent restaurants near Mt Etna , these are some of the best you could try:

– PARCO STATELLA, RANDAZZO

  A lovely agriturismo where to stop for lunch or even better, to spend a whole day. The food respect the Sicilian tradition and the locally produced ingredients. The natural environment around the restaurant deserves your visit.

– I 4 ARCHI, MILO

A small restaurant located in Milo town. Its historic cuisine is a landmark of the good quality food on Etna territory. The restaurant atmosphere is very welcoming and warm especially during winter nights.

– LA CANTONIERA, ETNA SUD

Located at 1950mt asl near the cable car station, this restaurant offers a traditional menu in a familiar atmophere. It has many tables both inside and in the outside terrace and it is a great choice for a Sunday lunch on top of the volcano.

– TRATTORIA NONNA VITA, FORNAZZO

A family run trattoria in the heart of the tiny Fornazzo village. If you go during the warm season, you can seat in the table outside in the square, enjoying the fresh air in a totally quiet and relaxing atmophere.

Come here if you want to eat fresh Etna mushrooms still cooked as “Nonna” used to. My advice: do not go if you are in rush, as you might wait a bit for your meal, but you are not going to regret it!

CONCLUSIONs

Here ends my guide for your first visit to Etna volcano. I will share with you many more suggestions and experiences to discover this unique natural paradise in its many facets.

In the meantime, follow my instagram profile and check out my reels on Mt Etna and surroundings!

If you want to get more insights on what to do on Etna or wish some advice and good tips for your Sicilian holiday, book a discovery call now and let’s plan together your next trip to Sicily!

• Authentic Sicily , food tour , Nature , Trekking , Volcano , Walking tour

Ciao! My name is Antonella and I am a Sicilian Travel Designer based in Catania, Sicily. My mission here is to share my knowledge and love for this amazing island of Southern Italy and to help you tailor your dream trip to Sicily.

mypersonalsicily

Sicilian Personal Travel Designer📝 Travel planning & tailor made itineraries ✈️ Travel Blogger✍️💻🗺 Owner @oblobb - www.oblobb.it 🛏

Top 5 exclusive things to do in Sicily in 2024

Here you will find a selection of my top 5 exclusive things to do in Sicily in 2024, according to a local travel designer!

Christmas in Sicily: holidays tips from a local travel designer

Have you ever considered spending your Christmas holidays in Sicily?! Visiting Sicily during Christmas time is a great choice for sure.

Classic Tiramisu Recipe – Homemade Tiramisu

My family easy and traditional homemade recipe of Tiramisu, the way my mum has always made and from whom I learnd.

Theatre in Sicily: ancient amphiteatres, classic plays, Opera, Puppets shows & festivals in the island

Let’s discover the enchanting world of theatre in Sicily from classic plays to Opera, concerts and festivals that you should not miss during your trip to this island.

Best Time to Visit Sicily according to a local travel designer

As you plan your journey to this captivating island, one crucial question arises: when is the best time to visit Sicily? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.

THE WHITE LOTUS TOUR: itinerary through Sicily filming locations

“The White Lotus” is a critically acclaimed American TV series. Find out my ultimate White Lotus Tour which includes the map and the day by day itinerary of this luxurious Sicilian vacation!

19 Responses

Many years ago, my husband climbed Mount Etna. After he got out, he found the courage to court me… I think it brought us a lot of luck and we should think about going there together for our next anniversary!

what a romantic story! This is one of the many powers of Etna volcano!

One of my travel plans is to climb Mount Etna. Unfortunately when I was there, I hasven’t been able to realize this project because of the weather conditions but I promised myself to go back to Sicily as soon as possible.

I am sorry you could not climb Etna during your stay, unfortunaly as usually happens on top of mountains, the weather conditions are very umpredictable and you cannot avoid this, next time you’ll be luckier!

That must be an amazing experience: walking to the top of the mountain, and looking into the crater! I remember going to Sicily on a school trip ages ago – we took the cable car, but that was the end of our Etna experience. I didn’t know about the Etna wine route and I bet this would be an interesting way to discover the local wine and wineries.

There are many different ways of exploring this amazing volcano and I tried to show some of the most appreciated by travellers!

I was on Etna in 2016, it seems like a lifetime ago! I haven’t done much trekking but I was still able to admire its majesty!

Mount Etna welcomes everyone regardless of whether people come for a short visit, a long trekking, a picnic or skiing, there are endless possibilities to live this active volcano!

I have never been to Sicily but I would love to visit it. Mount Etna would certainly be the top of my trip; I think it must be very fascinating to see an active volcano. Thank you so much for your tips!

I wrote this article thinking of all the first time visitors like you, so glad you enjoyed it!

It The only time I visited a volcano was a long time ago in Tenerife, with the Teide! What a beautiful experience should it be with Etna!

Mt Etna is so stunning and its territory is wide and various, a great experience to try!

I have visited Etna 2 times, but both were a long time ago. I am happy to have found your guide, concise but full of interesting ideas and useful advice, we have been planning a tour of Sicily for some time, I hope this wish will come true soon.

I really wish you to be able to eventually arrange your holiday to Sicily, you won’t be disappointed!

Super useful! I’ve never been there, but it’s on my wishlist and now I know how to do it safely! Thank you very much!

A visit to Mt Etna should be in any travel wishlist as it is such an iconic place! The good side is that anyone can go and enjoy the volcano safely, you just need to know the options 😉

Wow, i never knew there were so many ways to experience Etna! Climbing all the way to the crater is definitely a must for anyone visiting the area!

Yes, Mount Etna is really a wide territory offering different experiences to all kind of visitors!

We have made several road trips on the Sicilian coasts but we have never stopped to explore Etna there. Too bad, it would be nice to see with children. We will next time!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Get inspired! Subscribe to my newsletter and receive exclusive trip ideas, tour suggestions and up to date curiosities about Sicily

Plan my trip

• Fill out the form on the side
• Drop your email
• Receive my personal travel proposal for free

You can also contact me directly to schedule a call or send me an email! 

Dominating the landscape of eastern Sicily, Mt Etna is a massive brooding presence. At 3326m it is Italy's highest mountain south of the Alps and the largest active volcano in Europe. It's in an almost constant state of activity and eruptions occur frequently, most spectacularly from the four summit craters, but more often, and more dangerously, from the fissures and old craters on the mountain's flanks. This activity, which is closely monitored by 120 seismic activity stations and satellites, means that it is occasionally closed to visitors.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Mount Etna. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Funivia dell'Etna

Funivia dell'Etna runs a cable car from Rifugio Sapienza (1920m) up the mountain to 2500m. Once out of the cable car you can attempt the long walk (3½ to…

Plan with a local

Experience the real Italy

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Latest stories from Mount Etna

Filter by interest:

• All Interests
• Adventure Travel
• Art & Culture
• Beaches, Coasts & Islands
• Food & Drink

Sep 22, 2016 • 5 min read

Until recently known as a viticultural wasteland of bulk-blended plonk, sun-bleached Sicily is fast becoming one of Italy’s most dynamic wine regions…

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Mount Etna with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

• Contact us on WhatsApp!
• (+39) 348 1574899
• [email protected]

Home » Blog » Mount Etna: Where is it? How to visit? Can I climb it?

Mount Etna: Where is it? How to visit? Can I climb it?

Where is mount etna.

Mount Etna is located on the east coast of Sicily , Italy, specifically in the province of Catania. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, famous for its frequent eruptions. Those visiting Sicily must definitely plan a visit to Mount Etna, one of the most important landmarks of the island . The coordinates of Mount Etna are approximately: Latitude 37° 45′ 00″ North; Longitude 15° 00′ 00″ East.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, Mount Etna has played a significant role in the history and topography of Sicily. With an impressive elevation of about 3,340 meters and a circumference at its base of about 150 kilometers, Mount Etna dominates the landscape of Sicily’s east coast and is the highest active volcano in Europe . Its smoking craters and the remains of ancient and recent lava flows never cease to fascinate visitors from all over the world , offering an extraordinary and unforgettable experience .

How to visit Mount Etna?

How to visit Mount Etna? Visiting Etna can be a memorable experience thanks to its unique and breathtaking volcanic landscapes. Here is a general guide on how to visit the Volcano Etna:

Starting base:

Decide from which base to start your visit to Mount Etna. Catania is a common choice because of its proximity and good transportation links. Other popular options include Taormina , Giardini Naxos , Linguaglossa or other towns in eastern Sicily.

By plane: The closest airport to Mount Etna is Catania-Fontanarossa (CTA) , an excellent option particularly for those coming from abroad.

By car: Renting a car offers the flexibility to explore Etna with more flexibility.

Public transportation: Buses and trains also connect Catania and other cities to Etna. However, these services are limited to specific areas and have less schedule flexibility.

Guided tours:

Consider joining a guided tour, many tour operators offer guided excursions to Mount Etna, such as Dream Island. Popular tours include: “ Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion “, “ Etna sunset at 2000 meters “, for wine lovers “ Etna Excursion and Wine tour ” and for more experienced hikers “ Bove Valley and Serracozzo Cave tour “. These guided tours include transportation, knowledgeable guides, and a curated and well-organized experience.

Tours may include visits to craters, lava caves and other volcanological and natural points of interest.

Visitor centers:

Reach one of the tourist visitor centers on Mount Etna. For the northern slope of Etna, the reference point is definitely Piano Provenzana , but you can also rely on Dream Island in the center of Linguaglossa . On the southern side, on the other hand, Rifugio Sapienza is a common starting point for many hikes and offers tourist information centers on the history, geology, and guidelines for a safe visit to the volcano.

Cable cars and off-road vehicles:

You can reach trails and paths at lower elevations by car, to reach higher elevations it may be necessary to use cable cars and off-road vehicles operated by local authorities or tour operators.

Check volcanic activity:

Before planning your visit check the current volcanic activity . Mount Etna is an active volcano and conditions can change, so it’s recommended to properly inform yourself before venturing to the volcano. Alternatively, you can rely on expertly guided tours so as to ensure the safety of the visit. Among the various resources available to you, we particularly encourage you to pay attention to the announcements of the Etna volcanological observatory and of the Protezione Civile (Civil Protection) .

Can I climb Mount Etna?

Can I climb it? Yes, it is possible to climb Mount Etna and many visitors choose to do so to experience the volcano’s unique landscape and geological features. Here are some important things to consider if you are interested in climbing the Volcano Etna:

Guided Tours:

Although it is technically possible to explore some areas independently, it is highly recommended to join a guided tour, particularly to reach higher elevations. Professional guides know the terrain, the safety procedures and can provide valuable information about the volcano.

You can choose your ideal Mount Etna tour on the page: https://dreamisland.it/en/etna-excursions/

Access to higher elevations:

You can reach the summit area of Mount Etna by a combination of cable cars, off-road vehicles and trekking. Higher elevations may not be accessible without the right means of transportation. Visits to the summit areas are strictly regulated so the presence of a licensed guide may prove mandatory , all visits must be conducted in accordance with existing ordinances .

Safety precautions:

Mount Etna is an active volcano and safety must be a top priority of any visit. If you are not an experienced hiker and do not have the right equipment always act with caution. If you choose a guided hike on Mount Etna always follow your guide’s directions.

Physical fitness:

Be aware that climbing Mount Etna can involve some fatigue, especially at higher elevations, varying depending on the route you choose. Make sure you are physically ready for your chosen hike and in good health . Excursions in the higher altitudes are not compatible with some diseases so inform yourself properly or ask your tour operator.

Depending on the activities and altitudes you plan to reach you may need specific technical equipment , such as sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles, warm clothing and possibly protective gear.

Weather conditions:

The weather on Mount Etna can be unpredictable and can change rapidly. Be prepared for variable conditions, especially at higher elevations.

Permits and regulations:

Check if permits are required for specific activities on Mt. Etna. Comply with applicable ordinances and regulations for a safe and responsible visit.

Volcanic activity:

• Before planning your visit check the current volcanic activity . Etna is an active volcano and conditions can change, affecting access to certain areas. We recommend paying attention to the announcements of the Etna volcanological observatory and of the Protezione Civile (Civil Protection) .

By visiting Mount Etna with a guided tour you can have an organized and safer experience during your excursion to Etna. The guides are knowledgeable about the area, the safety protocols, and can tell you different facts about the volcano, making your visit to Etna even more interesting .

• December 28, 2023
• Dream Island

Recent Articles

Taormina: A journey through history, culture and excursions in Sicily

Don Tommasino and Castello degli Schiavi: The Godfather

Wolfgang Sartorius, a German geologist in search of Mount Etna’s Treasures

The best Mount Etna tours from Taormina

More information.

We will gladly help you choose your tour.

We are available daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

• Richard: (+39) 348 1574899

NEED A SUGGESTION?

Need advice or to book one of our excursions? Fill out the dedicated form on the relevant page or contact us directly. We will be happy to help you!

Dream Island LTD

The Whispers, Ross Street, Office n.6 Paceville St.Julians, STJ3109 VAT: MT24188711

• Mon - Sun | 08:00 - 21:00
• @dreamislandexcursion
• @touroperatordreamisland
• @Dream Island

Secure Payments

• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Terms and conditions

WhatsApp us

• Countries visited: 115
• Currently in : Singapore 🇸🇬
• Partner with us
• SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS COMMUNITY

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here . Never leave without travel insurance .

Everything you need to know before visiting Mount Etna

Hiking Mount Etna is one of the most popular things to do in Sicily, if not the most popular one, and with good reason. The trek is a pretty exciting excursion because of its high level of volcanic activity and easiness to climb to the top.

The popularity of hiking Mount Etna is increased by the mountain’s prestige thanks to its inscription on UNESCO’s world heritage list in 2013 because of its “outstanding universal value”.

Furthermore, unlike other active volcanoes in the world which can be hard to reach, Etna is located a mere 45min drive from Taormina and a similar distance from Catania, and the craters are reachable by cable car and 4×4 vehicles, making it a convenient day trip from Sicily’s eastern coast. 

Mount Etna is considered Europe’s most active volcano and the world’s most active stratovolcano, that is, a volcano whose lava has low-viscosity, so instead of exploding easily and elegantly, lava accumulates in the magma chamber and then explodes violently.  

In the case of Etna, magma accumulates and constantly explodes in different places and at varying degrees, mostly through the side vents that are found on its flanks rather than through the top crater.

As a result of this constant activity, Mount Etna volcano is forever changing in height and shape as each explosion minimally alters its look.

But Italy is no stranger to volcanoes. The country has three and Mount Etna is the largest and tallest . You may be more familiar with Mount Vesuvius, which created the Pompei landscapes, but that is a third of Etna’s size. 

At the base, Etna measures 140 square kilometers and at the top, it has four summit craters. You cannot land in Catania or fly over Sicily and miss its majestic shape from the plane.

Because of the mountain’s size and its large cone, you can hike Mount Etna from two sides, north or south. Your experience will differ greatly depending on which one of the two sides you choose because of tourism development, infrastructure and volcanic activity. It is also possible that one side is closed due to activity, while the other is open.

Is Mount Etna dangerous?

If it is so active, is hiking Mount Etna safe?

Etna has had hundreds of explosions since its formation 500,000 years ago, the most important of which in our time occurred at the end of the 17th century. At that time, lava reached the walls of Catania but it took 5 weeks to get there because it advanced slowly. 

Short closures of the mountain and airport because of dangerous fumes or explosions are a constant feature at Mount Etna and are monitored live by the local authorities . 

Experts believe that Mt. Etna has exploded more than 50 times since the 17th century, half of those in the 20th century, and many in the last two decades. 

The last significant explosions took place at the end of 2018 , in February 2019 and in May 2019 , with lava spewing from the top and rising ash causing the closure of the airport in Catania. 

Etna’s explosions can be either from the top craters or from one of the hundreds of vents on the flank, some of which are very close to the near 1 million population that live on the mountain. 

These vents can be very low to the ground level and you may be able to get really close to them depending on recent activity when you visit, while the top craters can only be visited with experienced guides .

The top explosions usually stay within the top crater without any lava coming outside and are dangerous because of the fumes and ashes, while the explosions from the vents on the flank of the volcano are the ones to carry lava. 

The experts are always on site monitoring volcanic activity, there are even live cams on the mountain, and local authorities have in the past built barriers and walls to minimise damage by deviating lava flow like they did in 2001 . 

When important explosions occur, ash, lava and all the consequences of volcanic activity, are more likely to cause more damage to infrastructure than to people. 

However, Mount Etna is thought to have killed 77 people in its history, and 13 in the 20th century. Given the low relative mortality rate, it is considered one of the safest volcanoes , and the amount of tourism infrastructure and people living around and on the mountain are testimony to its relative danger. 

That being said, nature is unpredictable and, as my guide stressed and repeated half a dozen times, Etna is famous especially for its unpredictability and, even expert guides like himself who live on the mountain, are not able to anticipate an explosion taking place the next day.

Case in point, all those 13 people killed in the 20th century were taken by surprise explosions expelling rocks.

So you have two options. Accept a low risk and hike Mount Etna to the highest point, or join one of the tours that stays below 2,000m above sea level where the risk is minimal. If you are set on your choice, you can find the best options for tours here .

If you are still considering to hike Mount Etna, you will be happy to know that, while other volcanoes around the world, such as Santa Ana Volcano in El Salvador or Pacaya in Guatemala , require you to hike for hours up a steep incline to get close to the action, you practically get carried up Mount Etna with minimal physical exertion to almost 3,000m.

So let’s take a look at what it takes to hike Mount Etna.

Plan your visit to Mount Etna Volcano

So you are up for it and want to hike Mount Etna volcano, but you are unsure about what you can actually see and how best to hike to the top of Mount Etna. Believe me, I know. 

The information available online or from tour companies is confusing and does not explain really what goes on or how to plan your trip to Mount Etna. 

Some say you go to 2,000m above sea level, some talk about lava fields, lava flow, lava caves, hiking around the edge of the volcano, cable cars, 4×4 rides. But really, what does this all mean?

Let me clarify all this for you.

First of all, you can only climb Mount Etna to the top on a tour like this one , the volcano is active and general access without expert hiking guide is limited to the 2,800-2,900m above sea level which in turn is only accessible with Alpine or Volcanology guides. 

Secondly, there are two sides to Etna , the north or the south side, and each will give you a different experience. If you type Mount Etna on Google Maps that will take you to the South side which is the most popular and the only one allowing access to the top. 

Lastly, you need to decide if you want to visit Mount Etna independently or on a tour. And if you prefer the hassle-free tour option, what is the right tour?

Let’s look at all of the options for hiking Mount Etna.

The two sides of Mount Etna

You can visit Mount Etna from two sides , the north side and the south side. 

Some of the tours which do not ascend to the top will go to the north side, whereas the only way to get to 2,900m or to the top is via the south side Sapienza Refuge.

Mount Etna’s North side

On the north side of Mount Etna you will be able to get up to the platform at 1,800m above sea level where all the tourist development is, see the lava fields created from previous explosions and hike around, but you will not be able to get close to the top. 

There is no path or way to go further up on that side. If you are not sure about safety, you should pick the north side and stay at 1,800m .

Mount Etna’s South side – Sapienza Refuge

Via the south side is where you can actually get up and close with the volcano and really see the craters, the previous lava explosions and the constant smoke coming out of the top. 

You can drive up to the platform at 1,800m above sea level, leave the car and then take the cable car to the 2,500m cable car station. From there, you get on a 4×4 bus to 2,900m and then a guided hike up a few more meters to the craters. 

In terms of tickets and prices, you have three options :

• Drive up Mount Etna to 1,800m above sea level by car (free if you go on your own)
• Reach 2,500m above sea level by cable car (35 euro)
• Hike Mount Etna to 2,900m above sea level by cable car + bus + guide (65 euros)
• Hike Mount Etna to 3,300m above sea level only on a guided tour (45 + 65 euro)

You can buy the cable car tickets on their own to climb to 2,500m above sea level, or the combined cable car plus bus and a guided tour around the crater at 2,900m. If you want to go to the top you will need a guide at 45 euro for the group tour I suggest.

The latter two options are the most expensive, but they are the best ones . In fact, I would go as far as to say that they are the only options you should consider. There is no point in staying at 1,800m or at 2,500m.

Why? Let’s look at what you see at each level.

Climbing Mount Etna to 1,800m

Staying at 1,800m above sea level (i.e. not getting the cable car but staying at the parking level) is nice but does not show you anything of what Mount Etna has to offer and the effort to get to the top is so minimal that it more than compensates for the extra effort. 

At 1,800 you see the volcano a bit closer than from the bottom, but you don’t learn anything about it. At this level you have the cable car offices, a few restaurants, a large parking lot and some tour companies and rental gear shops.

If safety is what you are concerned about, remember that nobody has been harmed by Etna’s explosions since the 1980s.

Climbing Mount Etna to 2,500m

Staying at 2,500m (i.e. getting only the cable car ticket without the bus and guide to the top) will not give you much more than staying at the 1,800m platform, and you will have spent 35euro. 

At 2,500m there is a basic restaurant and souvenir shop but you are not allowed to climb up to 2,900m on your own , you need the bus+tour guide for that. The views from here, on a rare clear day, are nice but you only see part of the top of the volcano as the craters are hidden behind. You don’t see the smoking top crater from here either.

What if you just walk up to 2,900m on your own?

Fair to say that there are a lot of people and the staff are not stressed about people doing their own thing. Nobody will stop you from walking up to 2,900m on your own (I even saw a few people from the bus who were doing just that), but it is dangerous and treacherous, and you will need a really long time. 

The rocky, sandy/dusty path is tough and really steep, and in the winter months (which extend until June at Etna), it is covered in snow. 

Even if you made it to 2,900m, without the explanations from the guide, you would not learn much about the volcano because there are no signs.

Climbing Mount Etna to 2,900m

The best option when visiting Mount Etna is to go all the way to 2,900m above sea level and join one of 20min tours with a guide from the Italian Alpine Club . This option gets you to almost 3,000m from where you can clearly see two of the craters and walk around the rim. 

The 65 euro ticket to the top is extremely pricey, probably one of the most expensive entry tickets to an attraction I have ever paid, but a must-visit place like Etna justifies it and not getting to the top is missing out.

To get there, take the cable car then get out of the building and join the queue for the 4×4 buses that ride to the top. You need to scan the ticket at a machine, so don’t lose it. 

When you reach the top the 4×4 buses will stop at the Torre del Filosofo which is a small hut, get off the bus and look for a guide that is gathering a group of people by the path up to the volcano and then just follow him.

This part is a bit messy and disorganised because there can be a lot of people in the high summer season and there are no signs, so people jump queues and there is a general sense of chaos.

The guides from the Italian Alpine Club vary in quality. They are all very knowledgeable, after all they spend their days at Etna, but they don’t all speak great English or have an interest in teaching. 

I noticed three of the guides during my hike up to Etna. One was patient, explained things for people to hear and spoke good English. 

At the other end was our guide, who spoke really fast, in very poor English and without much interest to share. His English was so poor that he could not even answer standard questions so I felt really disappointed that I could not make the most of the visit. 

If you are not in a rush, it pays to simply wait and listen to more than one guide for a couple of minutes until you find one with good enough English. Tours are departing constantly as buses fetch people from the cable car to the top continuously. 

The tour at the top is interesting because you get the chance to walk around the two extinct craters and hear a bit about the volcano. The guide will take you literally around the two craters that are in an eight shape and interconnected.

The lava here takes on several colors from the various explosions, and you can also see the dried lava fields around the craters and flowing down.

The guide will point at the fumes coming out of the main crater (because Etna is always active) and at the heat and smoke coming out from the ground. You can just move a few of the rocks to find vents from where the heat escapes.

When the tour is done, simply follow the same itinerary down. You can stay at the top for as long as you like, nobody will check.

Climbing Mount Etna to the top 3,300m

The only way to climb to the top is on an organised and guided tour with expert volcanologists or alpine guides. This is essential because they are knowledgeable on the terrain, on the safe paths, and are able to identify weather patterns, smoke or ashes that would make the hike dangerous.

The climb to the top follows the same way as the hike to 2,900m but continues at that point up the last 400m to the volcano’s rim. This part can be quite tough depending on the weather, especially the wind that sometimes blows intensely.

The last hike can take up to 2h depending on the fitness level of the entire group as the guides will wait for the slowest climber. You need to be relatively fit to hike to the top of Etna volcano.

Bear in mind that the weather and volcanic activity will determine whether you actually are allowed to make it to the top and that the guide may decide to abort the climb or to stay at a lower level if he deems it unsafe.

Visiting Mount Etna on your own or as part of a tour?

Mount Etna is one of the volcanoes that you can actually visit on your own without a tour, except if you want to hike to the top where a guide is required. 

That does not mean you can get to 2,900m unaccompanied, it means you don’t have to join a pre-scheduled tour but can simply just show up and get cable car tickets with the package to the top and minimal to no wait.

But let’s look at the pros and cons of going on your own vs. booking an organised tour.

Hiking Mount Etna on your own

If you want to hike Mount Etna on your own you will have to drive to 1,800m in your own car (the road is in perfect condition and Google Maps works) and then decide how far up the mountain you want to go. It’s a good stop over if you’re having a road trip across Europe .

Contrary to what you may read online, independent travelers can go all the way to 2,900m high (100m below the top), although a guide from the Italian Alpine Club will have to escort you to 2,900m. 

Going on your own means you can organise your day as you please, go at your own speed, and then visit other sights in the area. We got up at sunrise (thanks to jetlag) were done with breakfast by 8am and then drove to Etna.

We stayed in the area after Mount Etna to visit some other places like a honey farm, and had lunch at a traditional restaurant housed in an old winery.

Visiting Mount Etna on a tour

If you prefer to be driven and get more insights from a tour guide, or you want to climb to the top , you can join one of the many tours that visit Etna. 

Tour companies will pick you up from your hotel or a pre-agreed meet-up point (depending on the tour you choose) and provide a guide which will add to the visit. 

However, guided tours at 2,900m are only provided by guides from the Italian Alpine Club and your own guide cannot take you there, so the information at the volcano is the same whether you drive or join a tour.

If you want to climb to the very top, your guide will hike up with you all the way.

Most tours of Mount Etna start early and include other sights in the area such as the honey farm, oil groves, restaurants, wineries, lava fields, lava caves and even the Alcantara Gorge, depending on the tour. 

Things to check when booking a tour to Mount Etna:

• Does the tour actually go up to Mount Etna (to 2,900m) or does it stay at 2,000m only? Most of the tours advertised as Mount Etna tours do not go up to the volcano but stay at the lava fields found at 2,000m
• Is the price of the cable car included? If not, this can be between 35-65 euro. If you see a tour costing less than 80 euro you can be sure it does not include the cable car ticket
• Is gear such as hiking boots and jackets provided? Mount Etna is really cold even in the summer months (zero Celsius in June for example) and most tour companies will offer rental of equipment or give it for free. Alternatively, you can bring your own or rent it from the cable car store. See the section below about what to bring for more details
• Do they pick you up from your hotel? If not, you should look at the cost of getting to the pick up point. Note that the tour to the top of Mt. Etna starts on the mountain already

Here are some of the best tours of the volcano which you can easily book with Get Your Guide (and cancel up to 24h before the tour starts). Note that most of the tours which include the hike to the top mention the “Upper craters”:

• Sunset ascent of the volcano where you can actually see the sun setting and then sample the local honey and wine at organic farms. This tour includes all equipment so you don’t have to pack your own (trekking or snow) shoes and jacket as well as the trip to 1,900m (Silvestri craters). They also pick you up from your hotel.
• This is a semi-DIY tour of the volcano for those who don’t want commitment. You get transport to 1,800m and then you can choose if you want to take the cable car and all to the top or not. The price for this is not included so you need to pay extra, and then you get taken back after lunch. So it is basically transportation only (which is why it is so cheap). However, bear in mind that there is not much else to do in the area so you might spend a lot of time being idle, unless you want to chill around, take photos and hike around the area at 1,800m on your own.
• This one is the regular tour with all included , same as the previous but with the price of the cable car added (no price arbitrage, the difference in price between the two is the cost of the cable car ticket). Equipment rental and meals are not included either. Meet up point is the bus station at Taormina.
• To make a day of it, choose this tour which includes the ascent to 2,900m and then also lunch and Alcantara Gorges. Bear in mind the entry ticket to Alcantara Gorges is not included and neither is lunch. Meet up point is the bus station at Taormina. This is a good choice if you want to visit Etna and also the gorge which is stunning. 
• If you want to hike Mount Etna to the top, here is one of the few tours providing that. Note that the tour price is just the cost of the guide, cable car and 4×4 bus to the top are not included, as aren’t any meals and drinks but you will get trekking shoes. This tour starts at the Sapienza Refuge already so you need to get your own transportation to the mountain.

How long does it take to climb Mount Etna

With all the details above you should have a good sense for how long you need to climb Mount Etna but let’s look at the breakdown:

• The drive from Taormina to Sapienza Refuge is about 45min each way and 90min return
• Queueing for the cable car tickets then taking the 20min cable car is another 45min return 
• Queueing for the bus up to 2,900m plus the 10min bus ride is another 30min return
• The guided tour is 20min and you can always stay a bit longer for photos so let’s say 30min
• Hike to the top and descend: 3h
• Total time to hike to the top of Mount Etna: 6h 15min minimum. If you like to take things easy, have a drink on the way, buy souvenirs, etc. then make it 7h to be safe

Best time to hike Mount Etna

Etna is an all year-round destination , if you are dressed appropriately. 

As mentioned before, you can climb all the way to almost 3,300m above sea level, so, even if the beach temperature is steaming well above 30 degrees Celsius, Etna can still be covered in snow.

The best time to visit Etna is between June to September, when the snow has melted and the landscapes are green and covered with colorful flowers. Especially in June, the beautiful flowers that spring on the slopes are stunning.

From October to May, Etna can be really cold and walking on the snow much tougher, so make sure to dress adequately. This is also when the weather can be most unpredictable with winds and snow close the mountain.

If the day is clear, the trucks working in the area will make sure snow is removed from the path, but wearing proper shoes is essential to walk around the craters and to the top.  

If you don’t have your own, or don’t want to pack it on your travels, this is when a tour where gear is provided is most recommended because they can give you snowshoes and sticks to be able to walk on the powder snow. Bonus for the brave winter tourists, you can ski on Mount Etna and will most likely see very few tourists at the top.

What to wear to hike Mount Etna

Coming prepared for your Mount Etna hike is essential and don’t be fooled by the temperature at the ground sea level, Etna has snow all the way until June on many years. That means that the temperature at the top is close to zero year-round.

Because of this, and because they know visitors don’t necessarily come dressed for the occasion, there are shops at the cable car stations that rent equipment out, namely jackets, hiking boots, scarves and gloves. Rental prices are however exorbitant and you can almost buy these items for the price.

Bottom line, make sure to wear appropriate clothes, or book a tour that includes them, or you will pay the price, literally. Here is what you need to wear to hike Mount Etna:

• Hiking boots are not essential if you are not going to the top, we trekked Mount Etna in trainers and that was more than enough. You will be walking mostly on gravel-like lava rocks. If you are going to the top you want to wear proper hiking boots which will protect you from falls, ankle twists, and the heat from the ground. In winter time, you will need extra footwear such as snow shoes, so make sure the tour company provides them. I have had these hiking boots from Timberland since my gorilla trip to Uganda in 2009 and they are durable, comfortable and perfect for light treks.
• A good jacket is a must-have item when hiking Etna volcano, you will need it even in the summertime. In winter, temperatures can drop significantly and you will be walking on snow so bring a really warm one. In summertime expect to be between 0 and 10 degrees, in spring and autumn, you should expect temperatures close to zero Celsius. Columbia makes really lightweight jackets with hood .
• Gloves, hats and scarves are not essential outside of winter if you have a good jacket, but if you plan to take photos, you will need good gloves to keep warm. In winter, gloves and scarves are a must.
• A bottle of water and snacks are a nice to have, or you can simply buy anything you need from the cable stations. Remember that you will not be spending a long amount of time at 2,900m. If you are climbing to the top, to 3,300m then bring water and snacks to keep your energy for a 3-4h hike return.
• Sunglasses are key. In winter, the reflection on the snow can blind you and in summer the sunshine will. I always wear polarized Oakley sunglasses because they truly protect my eyes and never fall. Plus when I don’t need to wear them they stay put on my head holding my hair. They are not a fashion statement, they are a functional life saver. I have been using the same model since 1996 when I was a lifeguard on the beach and stared at the sea and beach 8 a day.
• Sunscreen is essential as there is absolutely no shade. Don’t be fooled by the cold into thinking that you will not sunburn, sun rays are even stronger at higher altitudes. I have been using biore sunscreen for years because they are not sticky, you can even wear make-up over the sunscreen so it’s perfect for when you are not at the beach and don’t want to look oiled up. 
• Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa .
• Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing .
• I find all of my flights on KAYAK . Check their Deals section too.
• Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway .
• I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide , they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
• Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb .
• Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com .
• Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com

You may also like

Top-3 unesco countries: china, spain and italy –..., things to do in cape town as recommended..., the quaint and godfather-famous village of savoca, the godfather filming locations in sicily, slow travel: the beautiful art of wood carving..., slow travel: making olive oil in tuscany, the..., slow travel in tuscany: hand made biodynamic wines..., slow travel in tuscany: combing cashmere goats, slow travel in tuscany: cigliano chianti classico tuscany..., slow travel in tuscany: chasing ancient maremmane cows.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

7 Best Experiences On Sicily’s Mount Etna According To A Local Guide

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• Outdoor Activities

Siciliy’s show-stopping jewel, Mount Etna, is an active volcano looming over the city of Catania. It lies on the convergence between the African and Eurasian Plates. Etna is a stratovolcano (composite volcano) formed by many eruptions over time.

According to Earth Watch , the Mount Etna volcano is “the tallest active volcano in Europe, currently 3,329 meters high, though this varies with summit eruptions.” That equates to almost 11,000 feet tall and growing with every eruption. Etna is one of three active volcanoes in Italy and stands about two and a half times as tall as Mount Vesuvius. A UNESCO World Heritage Site , Mount Etna is one of Mother Nature’s unpredictable gifts.

I had the pleasure of touring Mount Etna with Giovanni Puglionisi, an experienced naturalistic guide and tour leader. He grew up at the base of this massive volcano and possesses an intimate knowledge of the landscape and the volcano’s pernicious moods.

1. Hiking Mount Etna

Hiking up Mount Enta is the number one thing to do for intrepid travelers. Hiking up an active volcano is too cool to pass up, even if you only opt for a short hike around one of the cinder cones. The feel of the volcanic gravel beneath your feet puts Italy’s tumultuous volcanic history in sharp perspective.

When you are planning to explore a vast and unpredictable place like Mount Etna, it is always best to explore the backcountry with a knowledgeable local guide. The volcano is constantly shifting and erupting; therefore, knowledge of what areas are open and which ones may be closed is key to a safe visit. Due to the unpredictable volatility, safety measures can change day-to-day.

When To Hike Mount Etna

I asked Puglionisi about his favorite season to hike Mount Etna. “Speaking about the top craters, the best season is the summer. Instead, for the other altitudes of the volcano, the best for hiking are spring and autumn. In spring, I suggest May and June. In autumn, the best is the foliage period, so in between the end of October and the beginning of November.”

Even beginner hikers can enjoy the majesty of Mount Etna. “One [hike] for beginners is to the Monti Sartorius,” said Puglionisi. “It is a group of lateral craters on the east side of Etna from the eruption of 1865 surrounded by our white birches and provides a great panorama.” The Monti Sartorius 2-mile loop trail is ranked as easy by AllTrails .

“For beginners with good fitness, the Schiena dell’Asino is a panoramic path on the south side that culminates in a breathtaking 360-degree view towards the Valle del Bove, the east coast, and the top craters,” explained Puglionisi. Schiena dell’Asino is, according to AllTrails, a 4.7-mile moderate loop. Hikers are challenged by some rocky scrambles and rewarded with gorgeous views.

Shorter Hikes

If you are not prepared for an all-day hike, try a more manageable hike around one of the cinder cones. A cinder cone is a steep conical hill that forms from a volcanic vent, typically formed by lava eruptions without explosive force. A volcanic crater is a near bowl-shaped depression caused by volcanic activity. Etna is dotted with cinder cones and is home to a number of craters.

The Crater Silvestri is less than a mile hike around the rim of one of Etna’s most accessible vantage points. The Crater Silvestri is ranked as easy, however, be prepared for an uphill climb and a shifting rocky surface. Leave the flip flops for the beach and be sure to wear supportive sneakers or hiking shoes. Even for this short hike — really more of a walk — you will be rewarded with glorious views of Catania and the village of Nicolosi.

2. Vineyards 

With over 180 picturesque vineyards and wineries in the Mount Etna region, visiting them all would be a herculean task. Fortunately, Sicily Active has reviewed the top seven Mount Etna wineries so we can vicariously peruse their offerings.

The rich volcanic soil makes for a perfect terroir and the high elevation is a happy growing ground for grapevines. The hot Mediterranean sun coupled with the temperate breezes extend the traditional growing season, giving the grapes more time on the vine. The temperature variation from day to night due to the high altitude also works in the vineyard’s favor.

However, the steep incline of the mountain makes tending the vines difficult. Most of the vineyard work is done by hand. Additionally, Mount Etna is a fickle and volatile volcano — the risk/reward for vineyard owners can be thrown out of balance by the volcano’s fickle whim.

If you have the opportunity to taste wine from this region, jump at the chance. It is highly memorable.

3. Ristorante La Cantoniera

A quick stop at Ristorante La Cantoniera , near the entrance of Crater Silvestri, is a perfect spot for a cappuccino and a bathroom break. Be sure to have a few coins on you, WCs (water closets) in Europe tend to charge a usage fee.

You will love ogling over the souvenirs lining the walls and display cases. They carry lots of fun trinkets to pack into your suitcase. Peruse the light dining menu; it will satisfy hungry travelers ready to sit, relax, and enjoy the view.

Be sure to sample their fiery liquor — Lava Dell’ Etna. It will warm you up on a chilling volcano hiking day. The shot is like a fireball warming you from the inside out.

Skiing down a volcano is not something many of us do every winter. It’s one of those activities you pine for, plan for, and finally execute. When you do check skiing on a volcano off your bucket list, you definitely will have some amazing stories to tell.

Puglionisi recommends skiing Piano Provenzana on Etna’s north side. You can also enjoy sledding, snowshoeing, groomed cross-country skiing trails, and alpine touring.

Finish off your downhill day with a steaming cup of rich hot cocoa or a strong shot of grappa.

5. Valle Del Bove

Valle del Bove is a surreal lava valley on the eastern side of Mount Etna. This massive and rugged region should only be explored with an experienced guide.

This is one of Puglionisi’s favorite spots where he recalled his feelings. “The majesty of the place and the silence. It is a big valley created in time by the activity of Etna and even the place of old Etna volcanic buildings. All the hiking around or inside the valley is the best [on] Etna and extremely interesting.”

6. Alcantara Gorge

The Alcantara Gorge is stunning. Arrive early if you plan to spend the day. Lifts help you descend to the gorge for a day of splashing and exploring in the chilly waters. If you have the time, the Alcantara Gorge is a memorable experience from your visit to Sicily.

Puglionisi said, “Alcantara is the river that comes from Nebrodi mountains, surrounding Etna along the north side in about 62 kilometers [about 39 miles] and ends on the east coast. A several-thousand-year-old lava flows with prismatic columns of basaltic lava, often with a six-angle section. It is possible in summer to explore the first meters of the canyon with [a] swimsuit in the cold water of the Alcantara River that crosses the canyon for 800 meters [about 2,600 feet]. With more technical equipment and guides, the interior of the canyon is accessible using wetsuit helmets and even ropes and harnesses.” 

7. Lava Flows

Watching a lava flow is mesmerizing. The slow, deliberate path of destruction that typifies Mount Etna’s molton march to sea level is beyond your imagination.

“The lava in here flows down like honey, just to give you an idea,” said Puglionisi. “It is moving, warm, and making noise like broken glasses, because it is rich in silicates… to suggest to you that is something living! Forget the avalanche of hot material that runs down chasing you, in here, many times, we can stay so close to feel the heat, but paying close attention. And very few times, opening a lateral crater at a lower altitude, it could be able to reach a town; powerful but slowly giving time for the evacuation.”

Puglionisi’s description of his beloved mountain is beautifully poetic.

Visit Mount Etna

This was my long-awaited, first trip to Sciliy and I loved it. We spent several days exploring and eating our way around the island; it was a magical experience. While you are visiting, you must make the time to visit Etna — even if it is for a partial hike. The view, the volcano, and the vino are well worth the trip. I can’t wait to return and explore more of this stunning island paradise. To connect with Giovanni Puglionisi and set up your personalized tour, email him at [email protected] . You can follow Puglionisi’s excellent adventures on Facebook — his photography is stunning.

Pro Tips: Preparing For Etna

Etna is a fickle mountain with changing weather patterns and fluctuating temperatures. For the very best experience, wearing appropriate clothing is key to enjoying all the beauty Mount Etna has to offer. Like any exploration experience, you need to carry appropriate gear for any circumstance. “Many tourists think that Etna is only its top craters and it is so much more,” said Puglionisi. “Many make the mistake of coming with the wrong shoes like sandals or flip flops and dressing incorrectly. Listen to your guide.” It can be cold at the top even in the summer months. Appropriate clothing, footwear, and outerwear will enhance your Etna adventure.

Related Reading:

• 5 Beautiful Boutique Hotels In Sicily With Stunning Views
• The 8 Most Unusual Experiences You Can Have In A Volcano
• 7 Amazing Places To Visit In Beautiful Sicily

Sandi loves writing about culture, cuisine, adult beverages, cruising, golf, skiing, road trips, hiking, New England, and photography. Traveling solo, with hubby Chris, or the entire Barrett clan there is always a story waiting to be told.

Etna Touring

• See all photos

ETNA CENTRAL CRATER EXCURSION (3,345 m a.s.l.)

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Etna Touring - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• How to go to Mount Etna: everything you need to know
• Places and Tours

Etna is the largest volcano in Europe and is beautiful to visit. But how to go to the top of Etna ?

The idea of climbing Mount Etna is super exciting and we show you how to go there easily. But climbing to the top allows you to see a wonderful sight: you will discover its craters up close, as well as a viewpoint over Catania and Sicily that is unique in the world.

For a safe visit, here are our tips on how to go to Mount Etna . A guided day or half-day excursion is ideal for getting to know this striking place. Equip yourself with trekking shoes and a windproof jacket and explore one of the most beautiful volcanic territories in the world.

Hiking on Mount Etna. How to dress before an excursion

First of all, an important question for those planning how to go to Mount Etna is how to dress before a hike. Answer: it depends on the season and temperatures.

If you go in winter , even in Sicily, there may be low temperatures, and on Etna, it is easy to encounter gusts of freezing wind and snowstorms. It is, therefore, necessary to bring a good jacket or coat, preferably waterproof or windproof; it is a good idea to cover your head with a cap or woolen hat and, of course, snow gloves and a scarf. A good pair of hiking boots and you already have everything you need for a safe excursion.

If, on the other hand, you visit the volcano during the summer , don't be fooled by the hot temperatures in Sicily. On Etna, it may still be windy and colder due to the altitude. It is a good idea to dress comfortably and in layers: long but light trousers, a t-shirt, and a good sweatshirt. If your hike is in the evening, it will be better to cover up with a little extra. As for shoes, it is best NOT to opt for sandals or open shoes. Hiking or mountaineering shoe is ideal; if this is not available, a sneaker with a non-slip sole will also do to avoid losing contact with the ground.  

Whatever the season of the year, you will be more comfortable in your travels by hiring a car that will allow you to move around independently. You can also take extra clothing with you to cope with any weather changes due to the altitude.

How to get to Mount Etna from Catania

Whether you want to leave by private car or by public transport, to visit Etna's various craters at their best, you must first reach Rifugio Sapienza , which is about two thousand meters above sea level. Once there, you can climb almost a thousand meters by special 4x4 and continue to the top on foot for another two kilometers. 

If you leave Catania by car , drive along State Road 120 to Rifugio Sapienza, where you will find a suitable place to park your vehicle. Always check the pressure of your tires and the obligation to have chains on board. If you have any problems, contact specialized centers on-site such as Centro Auto Pruiti . Once on-site, you can take the Etna cable car up to an altitude of 2,500 meters, and then continue on foot to the summit, immersing yourself in its marvelous scenery. 

To reach the Refuge by public transport , you can leave daily from Piazza Giovanni XXIII at 8.15 a.m., arriving in about two hours. The return is scheduled for the afternoon at around 4.30 p.m. You can buy a return ticket for about 6.60 euro both at the ticket office or directly on the bus.

Another option? Rely on a tourist transfer.

How to get to Mount Etna from Palermo

If you are in Palermo and still want to visit Mount Etna, you can get there both by car or by public transport. First, however, you will have to reach Catania or go directly by car to the Refuge.

There are several roads that allow you to get to Mount Etna by car or motorbike. The main ones are these, the distance to cover is about 230 km:

Provincial road 92 Nicolosi-Rifugio Sapienza

Provincial road 92 Zafferana Etnea-Rifugio Sapienza

Strada Mareneve Zafferana Etnea-Rifugio Citelli-Linguaglossa

State road 120 Linguaglossa-Randazzo

State road 284 Randazzo-Adrano

If you are travelling by public transport , you can reach Catania by bus in about 4 hours or by train from the main stations in about 5 hours. Then take the bus from Piazza Giovanni XIII as indicated above. Have a good trip!

How to get to Mount Etna from Taormina

If you have the opportunity to visit beautiful Taormina , don't miss the chance to explore an iconic volcano. We recommend useful hikes if you are planning how to go to Mount Etna . From Taormina, you must reach Rifugio Sapienza. The drive takes about an hour. From here, take the A18 motorway in the direction of Catania to get to the southern summit of Etna. From the Giarre exit, you must follow the signs for Etna.

The north side can be reached from Piano Provenzana, the route in this case is 45 minutes. The motorway is always the A18 towards Catania until the Fiumefreddo di Sicilia exit, then follow the signs for Linguaglossa and the Mareneve road.

The roads are regularly asphalted, from 15 November to 15 April there is an obligation to have chains on board. The closest tourist resort to Taormina is Etna Nord and is recommended in summer because it is less frequented by tourist groups.

Public transport is usually compatible with the timetable of excursions to go to Etna's summit . Transfers by reservation allow you to choose when to leave and to relax during the trip. Cars, either owned or rented, allow total freedom of stops during the day.

We recommend

• Travel Tips
• Attractions

Things to do

• Food & Wine
• Art & Culture

Rest of the world

5 Reasons to Visit Mount Etna & What to Know Before You Go

• Off the beaten path
• Planning your trip

January 25, 2023

Sicily’s Mount Etna boasts the most otherworldly scenery in Italy. It’s a lunar landscape of   black sand, volcanic rocks, and oozing lava flows that is as stark as it is beautiful. 

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 for its “exception level of volcanic activity” as well as global scientific, culture and educational importance, Etna is an important part of Sicily’s topography, not to mention simply gorgeous. As S icily’s most beautiful natural attraction, this massive mountain is worlds away from the lazy beaches and historic architecture throughout the rest of the island but it’s also one of the top attraction in Sicily. Below are all the reasons you should visit Mount Etna and what you need to know before you go. 

Table of Contents

Why You Should Visit Mount Etna

It’s one of southern Italy’s most significant (and historical) landmarks

Etna formed about 35,000 years ago. Its first recorded eruption was in 1500 BC, and it has continued to erupt regularly since then (some 200 times!). Not only is Mount Etna gorgeous and exciting to visit, its legend and influence are integral to the history of Italy. The ancient Greeks who controlled the island believed that the imposing volcano was the home of the legendary one-eyed monster, the Cyclops. It was featured in Homer’s Odyssey and played a central role in various myths as the home of both Vulcan, the god of fire and metalworking, and Typhon, a 100-headed monster.

Despite being a place of some particularly fearsome legends, locals have found many pragmatic uses for Etna. Chief among these has been ingeniously repurposing the roughly 200 lava-formed caves as both burial grounds and storage cellars for meat and wine. 

It’s enormous, and still active!

Mt. Etna sits closest to the city of Catania, yet on a clear day the volcano is visible from well over half of Sicily. It is the highest mountain south of the Alps and the highest active volcano in all of Europe. And it sure is active!  Mount Etna’s last eruptions was on May 17th, 2016, spewing plumes of ash and smoke above Sicily. Geologically, all these eruptions make it one of the most geologically important spots on the continent and also one of the most picturesque. Counterintuitively, they also make it a very safe volcano to visit. Without major buildups up lava and gas, eruptions tend more toward lava flows as opposed to massive explosions. Watching a lava flow (from a safe distance) on a starry night should be one every travelers’ Italian bucket list. 

It offers great hiking and even better views

Mount Etna is the highlight of the Etna National Park. Founded in 1987, the park stretches over 224 square miles (581 kilometers) and about 20 towns. If you visit mount Etna during the spring, summer, or fall you will enjoy landscapes varying from volcanic craters to barren fields of lava to swatches of woods and vineyards. Whatever time of year you go, Mt. Etna offers the best views of the entire island. Make your way to the top to ogle the lunar landscape, and then look beyond it to the ash fields, vineyards, rolling hills and medieval towns below.

It has great skiing

Included in the UNESCO protection are two tourism zones, including hotels, car parks, restaurants, ski lifts and ticket booths for guided drives or hikes. The National Park offers many different trails and paths to choose from for all levels. If you visit Etna in winter the snow-covered slopes offer two of Sicily’s three ski resorts. From November to March you can ski the slopes of the volcano one day and enjoy the beach the next! 

Its volcanic ash grows excellent wine

The volcanic soil surrounding the mountain is extremely fertile and supports extensive agriculture. Vineyards, as well as apple, chestnut, and hazelnut orchards grow on terraces cut into the lower slopes of the mountain. No Mount Etna visit is complete without tasting the local wine that grows from the rich, volcanic ash. It is a hyper-local product and one of the region’s unique treasures. Some oenophiles claim that the wine from Etna alone is enough reason to visit Sicily. 

Know Before You Go

Travelers can visit Etna year round. Sicily is one of Italy’s most southerly islands (just a short hop across the med from North Africa) and stays pretty balmy throughout the winter. The island can be boiling in the summer, but a little rise in altitude as you ascend Etna brings pleasantly cooler air temps. Remember that Mount Etna tourism is all about being outside, so no matter when you go, be sure you bring enough layers to prepare for typically more extreme weather the higher you go on the mountain. You’ll want a jacket not only for the cold, but also to protect your skin against the sun and potential flying ash or dust if it’s windy. On that note, a pair of sunglasses is useful too. Wear sturdy tennis shoes or hiking boots if you plan on hiking the volcano. There are some restaurants and tourist points that sell food on the mountain, but compared to the usual mouth-watering cuisine of Sicily they can be lackluster and overpriced. Bring sandwiches or plan your day to eat at one of the many beautiful towns that dot the landscape below the volcano.

Mount Etna is a wildly active volcano, so check weather and eruption conditions before you go. At times public access to the top of the volcano is prohibited for safety reasons. Most trips will begin from Rifugio Sapienza , the Sapienza Mountain Hut, on the south side of the mountain. From there, you can head up the volcano by foot or cable car. Weather permitting, the cable cars run all day and prices include a minibus from the cable car station to the main crater. The walk around the crater from Rifugio Sapienza takes about four hours.

by Gina Mussio

Book a tour.

Pristine Sistine - The Chapel at its Best

1794 reviews

Premium Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum Palatine Hill

850 reviews

Pasta-Making Class: Cook, Dine Drink Wine with a Local Chef

121 reviews

Crypts, Bones Catacombs: Underground Tour of Rome

401 reviews

VIP Doge's Palace Secret Passages Tour

Legendary Venice: St. Mark's Basilica, Terrace Doge's Palace

286 reviews

You May Also Like

October 19, 2012

Guide to Sicilian Cuisine: Arancini, Caponata, Involtini, Sfincione & More

Here's a rundown of the best food to eat in the beautiful...

June 05, 2023

7 Amazing Ancient Ruins in Sicily: Greek Temples & Roman Theaters

Where to find the best ancient ruins and art in...

August 18, 2012

All About Sicily’s Aeolian Islands: Lipari, Panarea, Salina & More

Few of Italy's islands are as beautiful as the Aeolian islands of Sicily, here's what to...

July 11, 2013

The Pelagie Islands of Sicily

The Pelagie islands of Sicily boast some of the best beaches in...

November 13, 2013

Mount Etna: The Surprising Way to Ski Sicily

You can ski Sicily… at its ski resort at Mount Etna!...

August 27, 2015

Things To Do in Palermo, Sicily: Insider’s Guide to Markets, Museums, & More

Find out the best things to do in Palermo in our Walks of Italy Guide to the...

Stay up to date with travel tips, local insights and all things Italy on our social channels!

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get curated Italy travel tips delivered to your inbox!

Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

Climbing and visiting Mount Etna

Written by Sam Van den Haute aka CheckOutSam

Mount Etna or the Etna volcano is one of those sights that you simply can not miss when you visit Sicily. This active volcano is 3300 meters high (10,800 ft) towers above the Italian island, but you don't have to worry. Although the volcano erupts regularly, large eruptions haven't taken place in several hundreds of years. And therefore it's perfectly safe to climb Mount Etna!

Hi, I'm Sam , the blogger behind CheckOutSam !

What will you read in this blog?

Excursion to Mount Etna?

Want to explore Mount Etna with a guided tour? Good idea! It makes your visit much more interesting and completely hassle-free! Check-out the excursions on GetYourGuide: they always show real reviews and almost always you can to cancel for free up until 24 hours in advance . Perfect for when the weather conditions aren’t ideal to get a panoramic view from the top – for example!

Volcanic landscapes and extraterrestrial vistas

If you go on holiday in the north of Sicily, you can see Mount Etna from just about everywhere. The gigantic mountain is beautiful from a distance, but even more spellbinding when you climb the steep flanks.

It seems like you’re visiting another planet. This fire-breathing mountain caused some of the world’s most bizarre landscapes. Dozens of craters in black, brown and green hues adorn the area, and when you climb Mount Etna the strange plants that grow there immediately catch the eye. The black lava stone characterizes the region and contrasts sharply with the bright blue sky and the Roman cities that you see from the top. Photos and descriptions can never show how beautiful this region is. And so I advice everyone to just go and visit Mount Etna by yourself. I think it’s one of Europe’s most beautiful natural attractions.

Personally, I didn’t think the climb was very hard, but nevertheless don’t underestimate it. The Etna is pretty steep! You can explore the volcano on your own, or with the help from a day trip. I discuss both options below.

The yellow-green plants stand in stark contrast with the dark background. What a magical landscape!

It can cool down quickly if you climb this high. Staying in motion is therefore necessary!

Visit Etna as a day trip

From certain cities in Sicily it is possible to arrange a full-day excursion to Mount Etna. Most of these trips can be arranged from Catania. This second largest city in Sicily is a one-and-a-half hour drive from the volcano and is therefore the perfect base for exploration. From Palermo it’s also possible to visit Mount Etna, but be warned: the trip to the volcano from Palermo takes at least three and a half hours…

You don’t pay that much for a day trip either. On average, a tour goes from €50 to €100 per person . However: do pay attention to the differences offered by the tour operators. At some organizations you get lunch and guides included, with others you don’t get any of that… Curious about the price and possibilities? Look at these excursions:

» All tours and excursions to the Etna

Visit Mount Etna by public transport

Are you adventurous enough to arrange the trip to Mount Etna by yourself? Or would you like to save money on expensive day trips? Then of course there is always the possibility to plan your visit to Etna on your own. Because this is such a popular tourist attraction, there aren’t that many possibilities to commute by public transport. But… There are some!

The AST bus at the station in Catania. You have to board this bus to vist Mount Etna.

Taking the bus from Catania to Etna

There is only one way to explore Mount Etna on your own, and that is by taking the bus from Catania.

From Catania a single bus leaves daily (from the company AST, see photo above) to Mount Etna at 8:15 AM. The AST bus departs from the large bus stop right in front of the central station of Catania. This large tour bus has a clear sign on its window with “ETNA” written on it.

Before you get on the bus you still have to buy tickets. A single ticket costs €3.30. A return ticket costs €6.60. You buy the tickets in the AST store which is located near the pick-up point of the buses. The exact address of the store is the ‘Via Luigi Sturzo 232’ and you can see a photo of what it looks like below.

It takes about two hours to travel from Catania to Mount Etna, and you make one stop on the way. If you didn’t have breakfast yet, don’t freak out. Because along the way you’ll have a break of about half an hour. After the short pause you zigzag through the steep lava landscapes until you finally reach 2000 meters.

From this parking lot, only one bus leaves for Catania every day. So make sure that you’re back on time: at 4:30 PM the AST bus leaves, and when you return you take about one and a half hour to get back to Catania.

So… In short:

• From Catania Centrale you take the AST bus towards Etna at 08:15 AM in the morning.
• Tickets can be purchased at Via Luigi Sturzo 232 and cost (round-trip) €6.60 per person.
• From the Etna parking spot, the AST bus departs at 4:30 PM back to Catania.

You’ll have to buy the AST tickets from here if you want to take public transportation to Mount Etna.

Because there is only one bus a day, it can get quite crowded on the bus…. The seats are often taken well in advance, and some people need to stand the whole drive. So be on time!

Tips for a pleasant ride on the bus:

• Be on time! Since there is only one bus a day, the buses are often full. When I took the bus some people had to stand the whole ride… I visited Etna outside the high season (October), so I expect it to be much busier in the summer. A good time to get on the bus is 7:45 AM – 8 AM.
• To be certain of a seat during the return, you should perhaps head to ‘La Cantoniera’. A hotel that is located five minutes from the parking lot (where you have been dropped). From the bus parking you should already be able to see the AST bus parked here. The bus to Catania leaves from here at 4:20 PM.

The crater closest to the parking lot. If you climb a little higher you get a very nice view over this crater.

Visit Etna with your own transport

Another possibility is to visit Mount Etna with your own transport. The drivers in Catania are quite wild, but all in all it seems to me that you could still drive here. The road to Mount Etna is very quiet, and shouldn’t cause any problems for anyone with a driving license. Be sure to read this article about my experience with renting a car in Sicily.

Climb the Etna

From the parking lot you start your trek to ‘Mount Etna’. I recommend starting with the two easiest climbs: the crater right in front of Mount Etna, and the viewpoint right in front of it. Both are fairly easy to climb but take some time.

If you found this difficult, the further climb to Etna (2500 meters or 2900 meters / 8200 ft or 9515 ft ) may be too difficult for you. But you don’t have to climb them! To help visitors, a cable car was installed on Mount Etna. If you want to go higher than 2500 meters you’ll need to hire the help of a jeep.

Cable car and jeeps on Mount Etna

For a single ride on the cable car you pay €24 ($30 or £21), for a return ticket you pay €30 ($37 or £26) If you want to go higher without climbing, you also have to purchase a jeep trip with a mandatory guide (€9 / $11 / £8). You pay €24 / $30 / £21 extra for the jeep. To climb from 1910 meters to the summit of Etna (2900m or 9500 ft) with the help of both the cable car and jeeps you pay €63 / $80 / £55.

Are you climbing Mount Etna? Make sure that you packed good hiking boots!

Ladybugs Everywhere?!

As I put my hands in my pockets at this height to get them warm again, I thought I was beginning to hallucinate. I saw a ladybug.

You wouldn’t expect these small creatures at such a high altitude, right? After I saw ten more – and more than a thousand at the end of the day – I knew that there was something that attracted these little creatures. Strangely enough, scientists aren’t entirely sure why these small insects migrate to the high volcano tops (or mountains) en masse. It’s certain that they are spending part of their hibernation here, and that’s probably because they aren’t being bothered by predators at these great heights…

According to estimates, millions of ladybirds are visiting Mount Etna annually, accounting for a total weight of more than 1800 kilograms (3970 lbs)! Don’t think that you start to hallucinate when you come across these black-dotted red insects. You’ll probably see a lot more during your climb!

When you’re climbing the Etna you might come across thousands of ladybugs! How bizarre!

Some tips and facts about the Etna

• There are plenty of restaurants to be found at this altitude. You don’t necessarily have to pack your own lunch. In the parking lot (where all buses, including day trips are found) are a lot of shops and restaurants. They offer tasty lunch packages or hot meals. For a picnic I paid €6 (sandwich + a biscuit + an apple + water). You pay €2.50 for one liter of water.
• Don’t forget to pack some extra clothes! When I climbed Etna it was 26° C (79° F) in Catania, but only 8°C (46.4 °F) on Mount Etna!
• Are you too cold? The souvenir shops at the bus parking sell hats, gloves and even coats!
• Even if you visit the Etna volcano by public transport, you can arrange a guide on the spot.
• Take good walking, hiking or climbing shoes with you. The Etna is steep!
• Don’t be put off by bad weather. The weather and the view around Etna is very changeable, but often there are also clearances. Moreover, a misty day on Mount Etna gives a completely different experience than on a clear day. Both are fun!
• If you would like to know more about the recent eruptions and the damage they caused, I recommend entering some restaurants or souvenir shops. In many you see TV screens with videos or photos that show the damage of the fast flowing lava.

If you’re really lucky (or terribly unlucky…) you might even see the Etna erupt!

And if you are afraid that Etna will bring you closer to purgatory … This religious man is happy to help you with your search for enlightenment!

Related Post

Car rental in italy: tips, cost and my own experiences.

• The 6 best things to do in Trapani

Visiting the Vatican: everything you need to know

Are you following me on Social Media?

8 thoughts on “ climbing and visiting mount etna ”, andrew says:.

Great and informative, just what I was looking for, thanks.

Checkoutsam says:

Thanks for the feedback Andrew! Glad I could help 🙂

Maria says:

It is a really valuable and high quality article – thank you Sam! I hoped to visit both Italian volcanos in just one week but now (thank to you) I know it is not that easy. It is better to be prepared (proper shoes, clotes etc.) than to spoil such an opportunity! 🙂

Thank you for those kind words! It definitely is a good idea to be prepared. Whichever volcano you choose to see: they’re both quite the adventure!

milos says:

when I buy bus ticket to etna so is there a seat number on it or I just get random seat? my second question: is any chance that bus will not take me back even if I have return ticket?

No, you just can pick your own seat. But I advice you to be on time, because otherwise you’ll have to stand the whole time. On our bus about 5 people had to stand the whole time, and believe me; no one is willing to give up their seat 😛 I am not sure about your second question. They still take people, even if they can’t sit but stand. But of course the bus also has a limited capacity… Just make sure that you arrive early and you will be fine.

Hi Sam, if I was to go to Etna by public transport and hire a guide on the spot so that I can go to the summit do you know how much this would cost?

I’m almost 100% sure there are no guides on the spot and I also couldn’t tell you how much they would cost… Sorry!

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes:

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Follow me on social media!

• 19 amazing things to see in Catania, Sicily
• The 14 best places to visit in Sicily
• Climbing the cathedral of Palermo

Book a tour

Tip: Book your tour in advance so that excursions aren’t sold out. You can book online with these experienced tour operators.

» Alle day excursions to Mount Etna

Accommodation

» Popular hotels in Catania.

» Family friendly hotels in Catania.

» Budget hotels in Catania.

» Luxurious hotels in Catania.

» All hotels in Catania.

» Hotels near Mount Etna.

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Go it alone - Mount Etna

• Europe    
• Italy    
• Sicily    
• Province of Catania    
• Catania    
• Catania - Things to Do    

Go it alone

We did a tour with a company for convenience. It was anything but. The morning was fantastic and Mt Etna looked glorious in clear blue skies. The tour began at 7.30am. One hour to do pick ups, a stop at a gorge, Etna still under blue skies. Another detour to see how honey was made, clouds building. It was 1.30pm before we made the cable car station. Etna had its head in thick cloud - so dissapointing. We had limited time to explore before having to head back. Another hour of drop-offs... :-( Etna was spectacular and menacing - despite the cloud and the disinterested vulcanologist 'guide' couldn't give a fig about yet another group of tourists. Mt Etna is unmissable - it is a spectacular trip, but if you can - do it independently. I reckon for a group of four it would be cheaper to hire a car. Make sure you have good footware. A warm jacket can be hired for 2 Euros - when its cloudy you will need it. Brrr! A few on our tour had open sandals and the terrain is rough and can cut you to ribbons. The tourist shops at the foot of the cable car ARE missable. I've not seen such bad tourist tat since a trip to Blackpol in the 70s. My high rating is for Mt Etna itse of and not the tour!p

A great deal of rubbish lying about, lots of coach trips with little opportunity to eat in any restaurants if you were not part of the coach trip

If you are in the Catania area, take the time to go to Mount Etna, Italy's tallest active volcano. We took an excursion that also included Taormina. It was arranged through our hotel, Manganelli Palace, with a local tour company, and our guide was first rate!

We took a trip to Etna with company called GEO ETNA EXPLORER. Our guide was man from Catania called Sebastian. His passion about lava and Etna is contagious. Sebastian has a impressive knowlidge about everything from Etna to Italy plus other parts of the world. Well done Sebastian we had a wonderfull time. Thank you

It was a beautiful day when we visited mt Etna, but one bit of advice: we are a fit outdoors-family of five and the total trip with the cable car and Unimog-drives would've cost us €300. Instead we hiked as many people do. We did take the cable car half way up to save some time, but that would've not been necessary. The hike up was easy and safe and as nobody was allowed any further up the extra for a guide is not so important as the cable car company says. The slope is not steep and with good shoes it's possible to cut corners and not follow the serpentine road. The ascend took us about 1,5 h and descend 0,5 h. Our friends with small children took the Unimog-drive for practical reasons and didn't feel they got any special guidance. Our older children loved the hike and the view on the top was rewarding. There is a small cafe on the top where you can have you espersso, beer, water or whatever.

Must see it, it's really spectacular! Make sure you pick an excursion that goes to the top otherwise you'll have to pay an extra 60€.