About Mount Etna

Nestled in the eastern coast of Sicily, Mount Etna is one of the tallest and most active volcanoes in the world. It is about 11,000 feet tall, with a history of eruptions dating back centuries. Mount Etna is both a popular tourist destination and a source of great scientific interest.Visitors are usually in awe of various interesting things about this place such as the burning volcano craters, old and new lava flows, etc. Mount Etna is also a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013. Ancient terraces on Mount Etna have been used to make wine for thousands of years. Some of Italy's best wines are produced in this Mountain's microclimate, in fertile soil with a high mineral content. If you are thinking of doing Mount Etna Tour, there are a few things you should know. First, be sure to check the current conditions before you go. While the volcano is relatively safe, there is always a risk of eruption, so it is important to be prepared. Second, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be hiking up the volcano. Finally, do not forget your camera. Mount Etna is truly a sight to behold

Why Visit Mount Etna

Visit Mount Etna
  • This easy Mount Etna Trekking is exciting and thrilling because of the increased level of volcanic activity.

  • UNESCO described Mount Etna as an outstanding world heritage site with a wonderful environment. This beautiful and apt description is a sign of the amazing experience that waits for those who are going for Mount Etna Tour.

  • On terraces carved onto the lower slopes of the mountain, vineyards and apple, chestnut, and hazelnut orchards flourish. A trip to Mount Etna isn't complete unless you try the native wine made from the rich volcanic ash. It is one of the best regional goods and one of the area's special treasures.

  • Two of Sicily's three ski resorts are available on Etna's snow-covered slopes. You will get to see them if you visit there during the winter. You may enjoy the beach one day and ski the volcano's slopes the next from November to March.

Best things to do at Mount Etna

Silvestri craters at Mount Etna
Visit the Silvestri craters

The Silvestri craters were formed during the eruption of Mount Etna in 1892. The craters are located at an altitude of 2,900 meters. The craters are accessible by a chairlift from the Rifugio Sapienza. From the Rifugio, it is a short hike to the craters, making visiting this place one of the best things to do in Mount Etna.
The Silvestri craters offer stunning views of Mount Etna and the surrounding area. Also, you can see the city of Catania, and the Ionian Sea. The craters are also a great spot to watch the sunset.

cable car ride at Mount Etna
Enjoy the cable car ride

One of the best things to do at Mount Etna is to take a ride on the cable car. The views from the top are simply breath-taking and it is a great way to get a closer and personal look at the volcano.

There are two cable car stations, one at Rifugio Sapienza and one at Piano Provenzana. Rides typically take around 30 minutes, and there are plenty of stops along the way so you can get out and explore. Tickets can be bought at either station.

Etna Adventure Park
Enjoy the Etna Adventure Park

Living the adventure in a theme park can also be a fun bonding activity for your group while visiting Mount Etna. If you are looking for this kind of excitement, you must visit the Etna Adventure Park. 11 rides in total—5 for kids and 6 for adults and 2 climbing walls with and without harnesses will give your mind the adrenaline rush it needs. Enjoy your day exploring Full, or Full + climbing packages, which have respective prices of €18 and €20.

Ski at Mount Etna
Ski on Mount Etna

Skiing on Mount Etna is one of the best things to do at Mount Etna, for which you have to take a cable car that is located 1,900 metres from ground level. You need to arrive at Montagnola where there are ski resorts in winter with the help of a cable car and then enjoy skiing on Etna. Then, drive down six ski-runs: two Amphitheatre, 1 Monte Conca (high), 1 Coccinelle, Monte Conca (low), Baby/Tanau Rpi; where you can ski in the woods. The tickets cost €28 per adult and €16 for children aged from 4 to 10 years. There are also different rates according to your needs. There is also a half day ski pass.

Best Time of Day/ Avoiding Tourist Crowd

One of the best things about Mount Etna is that it is active at all hours of the day and night. This means that you can avoid the tourist crowds by visiting during the less popular times. The best time of day to visit Mount Etna is early in the morning or late at night. This way you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountain while avoiding the heat of the midday sun. The clouds also tend to form later in the day. Hence, you can enjoy the amazing view of the mountain at that time without any climatic disturbances.

Mount Etna Tour Options

Mount Etna
Etna Trekking

Mount Etna Trekking is a full- or half-day guided excursion that lets you explore Europe's largest active volcano on foot, hiking to its most fascinating craters and panoramic slopes. Board a 4x4 at the meeting point and set off to take on medium to challenging trails as you learn about the mountain's history and geothermal activity along the way. Visit a lava cave (full-day hike) or relax over a tasting of local specialties (half-day hike). Hiking Mt. Etna with a guide is the best way to avoid getting lost on the lava fields. You will also be able to enjoy sweeping vistas from the upper-altitude craters across the valley and coast. You can choose to go on a medium-level half-day hike or a challenging full-day hike. They also have hiking gear available for rent, and offer pickups in Catania (for an extra charge).

Mount Etna
Etna Tour in 4x4

Explore Europe's loftiest active volcano with this Jeep tour on Mount Etna. Join a nature guide and head over to about 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) to discover lava overflows and defunct craters, plus take in the views over the Caldera del Valle del Bove. Also slip a helmet and headlamp and adventure into a lava tube to learn how lava overflows are formed and cool. Cover further ground on UNESCO- listed Mt. Etna with a Jeep Tour. Explore with a guide for perceptivity into the volcano’s history and geology. Admire the bird’s- eye views over the country and ocean from 6,500 feet. Visit lava fields and craters, plus enter an underground lava tube.

Mount Etna
Etna Morning Trip

Located on the islet of Sicily, Mt. Etna is the altitudinous active volcano in Europe. Explore its different aspects on this active tour from Catania that includes hiking up the volcano along a trail to the inner crater. See ancient lava flows, learn about the geological history of the volcano, explore panoramic views and hike into a lava delve. Experience this active volcano closely. Hike along a mountain trail up to 1200mt to spot lava flows and enter a lava delve. Hear about its geological history, and see native foliage. Enjoy the views of the Sicilian geography.

Etna Horse Riding
Etna Horse Riding Tour One Day

Explore the amazing nature of Etna with the exclusive horse riding activity as you explore the area in a unique way. As you venture out on Etna, you can feel the passage of climates and cultures from the florid citrus groves, to the stations, to the fruit trees and to the groaner timbers of beeches and pines up to the areas of high desert bones where thin juniper backwoods alternate. Etna housed a veritably rich fauna that also included the otter, the wolf, the wild boar, the roe deer, the deer, etc. species that now faded. Presently among the mammals are the fox, the wild cat, the porcupine, several weasels and dormice, as well as rabbits and hares. As for the birds you can meet the red woodpecker, the magpie, the jay, pairs of imperial crows, crows, wood pigeons and rock partridges. In the high mound, you can still see the golden eagle.

Etna Helicopter Tour
Etna Helicopter Tour

The Etna Helicopter Tour is the unmissable activity to discover the knockouts of the loftiest volcano in Europe. With this instigative excursion you will be able to take a complete Mount Etna Tour in a short time. From the departure base in Castiglione di Sicilia (CT), you will board the chopper and fly over the volcano. In a short time, you will reach a mound above 3000 metres. The chopper will approach the peak area, giving you an exclusive viewpoint from which you can admire the frequently still smoking Summit Craters, the ancient and more recent lava flows.

Etna Cave Tour
Etna Cave Tour

The Etna Speleological Tour is a unique occasion to admire the fascinating physical and geological characteristics of the volcanic caves. The adventure place that you will witness with this excursion is the Three Levels Cave, one of the longest lava caves on Mount Etna.
This particular lava cave is located at an altitude of 1630 meters in the Casa del Vescovo area, in the home of Zafferana Etnea (CT). The name of the Three Levels Cave was chosen since, near the main entrance, there are three different lapping situations. With this Mount Etna Tour you will witness the exhilaration of exploring the meanders of Mt. Etna along some of the lava channels of the most active volcano in Europe. Like numerous other Etna caves, the Three Levels Cave can only be visited accompanied by guides and equipped with speleo outfit.

Plan Your Visit

Timings
How to reach
Best Time to Visit
Tips to Visit
Plan Your Visit to Mount Etna

You can opt for a Mount Etna tour or visit certain parts of the mountain on your own. Tours to the peak generally begin at 8.30 AM and last for 6- 8 hours. However, The 4x4 Half Day Tour timing options are: 8.30 AM and 3.30 PM.

FAQs

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