Mount Etna
Etna
Europe's tallest and most active volcano, at about 3,350 metres and a World Heritage Site; a cable car and 4×4 vehicles take you up to around 2,900 metres to see the craters.
Mount Etna lies north of Catania, at an altitude of about 3,350 metres (which changes with eruptions). It is Europe's highest active volcano, with eruptions recorded almost every year, and it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2013. There are two main approaches. The southern slope's Rifugio Sapienza (1,900 metres, reached by a daily AST bus from Catania, about 2 hours) is the most popular entrance. From there you can walk around the free Silvestri Craters, then take the cable car to 2,500 metres (round trip about €50), and transfer to a 4×4 off-road vehicle with a guide to climb to about 2,900 metres to see the main crater complex (cable car, off-road vehicle, and guide package from about €80). The northern slope's Piano Provenzana is less crowded and is mostly used as a starting point for hiking groups. Above 2,900 metres, a licensed volcano guide is required. The summit is 15–20°C cooler than Catania, so even in summer bring a windproof jacket, long trousers, closed-toe shoes, and sunglasses, as volcanic ash roads are very slippery. You can also ride the Circumetnea mini-train around the volcano, or join a half-day or sunset tour from Taormina or Catania; the Etna DOC wine tour with winery tastings is very popular. When volcanic activity is high, the cable car and summit routes may close temporarily, so check the official website or ask your hotel before setting out. Nearby Zafferana Etnea is known for its honey, and Bronte produces the famous pistachios.
Opening hours
Cable car about 09:00–16:00 (extended to 17:30 in summer); subject to volcanic activity and weather
Nearby sights
- Etna Wineries (North Slope)
- Randazzo & Circumetnea Railway
- Acireale
- Alcantara Gorge
- Naxos Archaeological Park
- Giardini Naxos
- Castelmola
- Corso Umberto & Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina