Visit the Etna: climbing the famous Sicily volcano

planning a trip to Sicily without going to the Etna would be a shame! Here are our tips to visit the Etna!

Considered as the most active volcano in Europe with more than one hundred eruptions in the twentieth century, it is also the second highest of the continent after the Teide (3 718 meters) from the island of Tenerife , to Canary ( Spain ).

From the top of its 330 meters, this 500 000-year-old volcano overlooks Sicily and the city of Catania, and attracts thousands of tourists all year round.

The slopes, composed of flowing lava castings and ash accumulated over the eruptions, drew a volcanic building made of less steep slopes, with several caldeiras and a dome at the top, making it a stratovolcano.

The first eruptive activity dates back 500,000 years ago and the last one dates back to 2016. Here are our tips for hiking on the slopes and climbing on the Etna.

L’Etna, ID card

The formation of this mountain of fire is attested to 500,000 years back and the eruptions of the volcano are mostly effusive, with very fluid lava giving basaltic rocks by cooling.

The Etna has five sommital craters: the north-eastern crater appeared in 1911, the Voragine created in 1947, the Bocca Nuova appeared in 1968, the south-eastern crater constituted in 1971 and the new south-east crater, appeared in 2007 at the east foot of the old, regularly active since then.

The city of Catania, the tenth largest city of Italy and close to the crater, has suffered the imprecations and anger of the volcano several times during the history: lava flows and destruction, rains of pyroclastic materials...

When time is clear, it is possible to see the volcano on a large part of the east coast of Sicily. Its eruptions are one of the most important geological sites in Europe. The advantage of an effusive volcano is that it is also not dangerous to climb on its slopes.

In fact, the eruptions release a panache of ashes and smoke, but there are no explosions of gas or burning clouds, this pyroclastic breath devalues the slopes at a speed between 200km/h and 600km/h and at a temperature between 300°C and 500°C.

A national park of the Etna was created in 1987 and the site was registered in UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the Etna allows you to admire all year round, except in winter, varied landscapes, ranging from volcanic craters to sterile lava fields, through woods and vineyards.

A lunar landscape reveals itself to the hiker as it climbs the slopes, which become increasingly steep towards the tops. Finally, the Etna covers an area of 1,200 km2.

Mount on Etna : what you need to know

By car, we'll take the direction Nicolosi at the departure of Catania: it is the last village before entering the Etna Park, on its south side.

The road to reach the Etna is quite simple: you will have to climb to the Sapienza refuge, where you will be close to the Silvestri crater, considered inactive. Parking is nearby to park and start visiting the Etna. Like all tourist sites, there will be shops, restaurants and bicycle rental shops.

In Sapienza, it is possible to take the funicular to climb to 2,500 meters above sea level, Funivia terminal . Careful, the funicular is closed when the fog makes its own or by violent winds .

It is accessible from 9 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. in summer and 9 hours to 15:45 in winter . To get up to Funivia terminal on foot, the hike lasts 4 hours .

Once at the Terminal, you can take a minibus that takes you to 2,920 meters above sea level, to turn the crater and observe the smokers that escape. The most ski resorts will be able to walk to the Etna, adding a 2-hour walk on the marked trail.

Trek and excursion to Etna from Catania, Palermo and Taormina

Would you like to visit Etna alone? Or do you want to enjoy the experience, anecdotes and advice of a guide? So know that there are many excursions or treks, one day or more. With a tourist guide, these expeditions can be made from Catania, Palermo or Taormina.

Prices obviously differ depending on the duration of the trip and the benefits included. You can also choose the time of day, morning or evening for example, or the means of transport. To help you choose, we have listed some of the guided tours of the Etna available.

Guided hike to the Etna craters

The most common guided tours generally include the journey to the Sapienza refuge. The cable car and minibus ride are not always included. Some excursions however include a private 4×4 ride to the top. So you will not have to pay the minibus in that case.

Also be careful that the trip takes you well in charge of your hotel. Some start on the cable car only. Others will lead you from the city of Catania, even Palermo or Taormina. With this option, you do not worry about transport to the shelter.

With these excursions, you will obviously be accompanied by a guide to the top. The hike around the craters of Etna lasts then 2 hours during which you will discover this incredible place.

Your guide will lead you through the lunar landscapes of the fields of lava, along the natural paths. Along the way, the latter will tell you various anecdotes and information of this largest volcano in activity in Europe.

Note that this type of treks is not recommended to pregnant women and persons with reduced mobility . The average level hike requires to be well equipped: hot clothes and walking shoes.

In terms of rates, count on 50€ to 80€ per person for this guided hike at the top of the Etna. These experiences last on average 6 a.m. and start in the morning .

Hiking at sunset or sunrise

To enjoy an even more striking experience, you can also choose a hike at sunset or sunrise to visit the Etna in an original way. As with the previous tour, the hike will be only in craters .

Pay attention to what is included or not when booking your activity. There are obviously excursions from Catania, Taormine or Palermo.

With this experience, you will usually enjoy the same options as a classic excursion. You will discover the different craters, explore the same paths and enjoy sublime panoramas.

But you will admire these surrealistic decors under the light of the rising or declining star! The colors and atmosphere are quite different, the visitors are much less numerous. This experience usually costs as much or slightly more than a classic hike .

Trek guided to the summit of Etna

With this type of excursion, you will not travel to the cable car craters. You will be accompanied by a guide from the refuge of Sapienza and will climb on foot!

Trekking for a duration of 4 hours will lead you through the fantastic landscapes that cover the Etna. You will also enjoy various beautiful views of the surrounding area.

Finally, you will end with the craters, hikes shown above for 2 hours. These excursions usually last a full day.

Depending on the chosen trip, you will be taken care of or not at your hotel. In terms of rates, count on €50 per person .

Other thematic ascents and experiences

You already know that, but the Etna is not just lunar landscapes, flowing from cold lava and smokeful craters. The volcano is surrounded by a protected natural park. And with rocky decors are added forests, vineyards and other plants that try its landscapes.

Various quality local products are produced on its sides and surroundings. These products are enriched with unique minerals that are hidden in their special soils. So you can book excursions, ascents and other experiences on the theme of gastronomy.

After discovering the craters or the base of Mount Etna, you can taste some of these local products. These specialties include wines produced on the Etna soil, honey or olive oil.

You can opt for a trip, with a top hike and under the conditions described above. At the end of this trek, you will enjoy a tasting of local products in a dedicated site, sometimes a farm in the region. For this type of experience, count again between 50€ and 90€ for half a day (6 hours).

You can also choose to take a trip on the topic of Etna specialities only! You will not go hiking at the top, but discover a variety of farms or family cellars.

At the key, tasting of local wines or specialties, or both. You will only have to choose the gastronomic excursion that best suits you. For example, for rates 100€ for a trip on the theme of wine, with lunch.

What to see at the top of the Etna?

To visit the Etna, it may be interesting to stop at Torre del Filosofo , a former refuge located on the way, at 3,000 meters above sea level. You can see the summit, consisting of a cone of 200 meters wide and the great dome.

The path leading to the crater’s dome bypasses the west: 3,250 metres above sea level, with unique panoramic views of Sicily, a view of the three craters, Boca Nuova, crater of the southeast and crater of the northeast, with red smoke and sulphur emanations.

Attention to those who wish to visit the Etna on a free visit: in high mountains, the fog can quickly settle , or the lunar and flat landscape up to 2,500 meters of altitude can quickly make us lose its markers without an approved guide.

If you decide to climb on the Etna in winter, the volcanic colossus even has a ski resort on its northern side: the resort Plano Provenzano . You don't want to revive or are lovers of strong sensations? Fly over the helicopter volcano from Castiglione di Sicily!

Visit Etna: our practical advice

Rising on Etna is not to be taken lightly during your holiday in Sicily. First, you need to plan quality market shoes, so you don’t bite the ankle. Rocks and rocks jonches the paths and a misfortune can happen quickly.

Even if it is 30 degrees down the slopes of Etna, plan warm clothes! Every time you pass meter of denial, the temperature will drastically decrease and the winds will blow stronger.

When you're almost at the top, you'll need a large coat or windbreak for cold landing and violent winds.

Where to stay near Etna?

If you want to climb the Etna the first ones, lodge down the slopes of the volcano perhaps a good solution. Indeed, you might want to attend the sunrise on the slopes of Etna, which is a magical experience to live!

Similarly if you want to enjoy the landscapes around the Etna, there are all-designated accommodations for that. You can watch them accommodation in Nicolosi , which is the most provided village at the foot of the Etna. You will also find some Airbnb in the region.

A good solution, more authentic, is to stay in agriturismo near Etna. There are many of them like Agriturismo Valle dell’Etna , Agriturismo Biologico Dell’Etna , Agriturismo dell’Etna , or Agriturismo Etna-Mare .

The views of the Etna from your window are amazing! Imagine having a breakfast with Etna on the backdrop... To view all possible options, feel free to use a Compare hotels. .