Book Mount Etna Tours & Tickets
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Guided Tour of Mount Etna & Optional Sky Trek with Cable Car Ride
- This is one of the most ambitious destinations for trekkers: Mount Etna.
- Start your adventure at “Rifugio Sapienza” at 1900 mt. (Etna South).
- Hop on a cable car and reach 2500 mt. From there, take the 4x4 bus and ascend to 2900 mt.
- Start your trek from here and up to the Summit Craters at 3340 mt. (with the "Trekking to Summit" option. Cable car and bus to be paid apart).
- Admire the lunar-looking lava fields along the way that will lead you under the summit craters.
- Browse through the different variants we offer and choose the one that suits you best!
- Trekking Tour to the summit
- Etna Easy Trekking
- Etna Sunset - South Side
- Etna Morning - South Side
- Recommended equipment: We advise a good pair of trekking shoes, an anti-wind and anti-rain jacket, a hat, telescopic sticks in order to help yourself in the walk (only if you already have those), and in general dress appropriately for the various temperatures that are possible to find during the excursion.
- This tour is absolutely prohibited for those with heart problems and asthma.
- The excursion is subject to changes in case of volcanic activity and/or adverse weather conditions, so as not to compromise the safety of the participants.
- Please check your final voucher for meeting point information.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Full or Half-Day Tour of Etna Park by Jeep
- Book a full or half-day jeep drive around Sicily’s Mount Etna, the largest and most active volcano in Europe.
- Learn all about the biology, geology, and volcanology of Mount Etna from a professional multilingual guide.
- Taste local wines, honey, and more. Choose between a morning or sunset half-day tour.
- Upgrade your full-day tour tickets to snorkel in the pristine area of Aci Castello, explore the black lava walls of Alcantara, or try the street food at the seaside Acireale & Acitrezza.
This ticket has the following options you can choose from:
- Half-Day Jeep Tour: Morning
- Half-Day Jeep Tour: Sunset
- Full-Day Jeep Tour: Etna, Acireale & Acitrezza
- Full-Day Jeep Tour: Etna & Gole dell’ Alcantara
- Full-Day Jeep Tour: Etna & Aci Castello
- Tip: Stop at a pastry shop in the beautiful city of Acireale and try typical delicacies.
- This tour is available in English, Italian, French, and Spanish.
- The minimum age for the snorkeling activity is 5+.
- The minimum number of participants for the jeep tour is 3.
- Please bring your own snacks, water, and backpack for the trip.
- Dress Code: Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tour at Mount Etna with Round-Trip Cable Car Tickets
- Relax on a scenic cable car ride between Rifugio Sapienza and Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano.
- With the help of your volcanologist, trek to an altitude of 3,000m and visit the most prominent craters, some of which still steam and bubble.
- Discover massive crater depressions, both ancient and new, like the 64,000-year old Valle del Bove, or those formed by the 2001 eruption.
- Your ticket includes light refreshments that keep your energy up during this panoramic adventure.
- Tip: Temperatures will drop as you trek up Mount Etna. Wear layers and a windproof jacket.
- Please wear hiking shoes or shoes with a sturdy grip.
- Do not wear sandals or flip-flops.
- This activity is not suitable for children under seven years.
- This activity is not wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tour of Mount Etna from Catania - with Transport and Lunch
- Book a guided tour around the smokey Mount Etna and learn about its geological origins.
- Walk upon lunar landscapes and paths less traveled and discover the raw beauty of nature.
- Journey into the depths of a cave formed by lava with helmets and torches for guidance.
- Have lunch 2000m above sea level and enjoy local delicacies, wines, liqueurs, and more.
- This tour is available in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Quad Tour of Alcantara Gorges with Optional Mount Etna Tour
- Adventure into the Alcantara gorge on a quad bike as you make your way through lush greenery and unique natural formations owing to Mount Etna’s volcanic eruptions.
- Follow the river that flows on a lava stone riverbed while admiring the prismatic shapes cast on the valley walls
- Keep an eye out for glimpses of the surrounding medieval villages, gushing waterfalls, and Mount Etna on this off-road encounter.
- Amp up your experience by upgrading your ticket and selecting from the Mount Etna half-day tour option or the 2-and-a-half-hour tour option.
This ticket has the following options that you can choose from:
- 1h Quad Tour
- 2.5hr Quad Tour
- Half-Day Tour of Etna
- Tip: The road to reach the Alcantara Gorge might be very busy during the summer months. Choose to visit accordingly.
- Guests must show a valid driver’s license to participate.
- Participants are required to be 18 years of age and above.
- It is advisable to dress appropriately for the season.
- Wearing long trousers and a windproof jacket is advisable for all seasons.
- A pair of sunglasses and a hat are recommended.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Trek a beautiful path along the slopes of Mount Etna on this half-day guided tour with an expert English, French, or Italian-speaking guide.
- Soak in the sprawling vegetation around you, juxtaposed against the black lava that has settled on the ground.
- Explore volcanic cones and lava flows on the highest volcano in Italy, along with its frosty snow caves, all combined to give you a unique diorama.
- On your adventure you will also get to see the calderas and lava caves of the Valle del Bove.
- Tip: Lunch is not included on this tour, but you are allowed to bring your own food. We recommend packing a light meal to enjoy a scenic picnic!
- It is recommended to wear trekking shoes, a hat, and a jacket.
- This experience is not suitable for guests aged 8 and under.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Full-Day Guided Walk at Mount Etna with Wine & Olive Oil Tasting
- Set off on a scenic walk at Mount Etna with an English or Italian-speaking guide and taste delectable Sicilian staples of olive oil and wine.
- Walk along and descend into the Silvestri Craters, before ascending to Sapienza Refuge and its volcanic cave.
- Learn about the harvesting and pressing process of olive oil at an Etnean oil mill and sip on wine at a traditional winery.
- Capture breathtaking panoramas of Catania Plain's unique landscape as you trek to the highest active volcano in Europe.
- Tip: Lunch is not included with this tour but it's a good idea to bring your own snacks for a quick refuel.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Half-Day Guided Tour of Mount Etna with Tasting & Transport from Catania
- Are you short on time but want to experience one of Europe's most active volcanoes? Then this express tour, including convenient round-trip transfers, is perfect for you.
- Admire the changing landscapes from Catania as you travel to 1,900m above sea level in a minivan/minibus, where you will meet your English-speaking tour leader.
- Who says you need to reach the summit to be impressed by Etna? Enjoy an easy hike to the inactive Silvestri Craters formed in the 1892 eruption and spend some time at the natural wonder.
- Visit a lava cave providing the conditions are safe, with helmets and flashlights provided for peace of mind.
- Head back to the Rifugio Sapienza hotel where you can sample delicious, typical Sicilian products before departing to Catania.
- Tip: Rent additional equipment like hiking shoes and poles to make your trek more comfortable.
- Please inform your tour leader in advance about any food intolerances or allergies.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Mount Etna: Italy's Most Active Volcano
An active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Mount Etna is located between the cities of Messina and Catania. The volcano is located above the convergent margin between the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate. Officially one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe with a height of 3325 meters, Mt. Etna is also the tallest peak in Italy. Covering an area of 1190 square kilometers, Mt. Etna is the biggest of the 3 active volcanoes in Italy. The stratovolcano was also added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in June 2013. Planning a Mount Etna tour? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Visit Mount Etna
- A must-do when in Sicily is a Mount Etna tour, and for good reason! The relatively easy trek makes for an exciting journey mostly due to the increased level of volcanic activity, an experience that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
- When Mount Etna was inducted into the list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites, it was described as having outstanding universal value. This fantastically apt description of Mount Etna is a sign of the amazing experience that awaits those who embark on the exciting excursion.
- What makes Mount Etna truly special is the fact that it’s quite easy to reach, unlike other active volcanoes in the world. Etna is located only 45 minutes away from Taormina and Catania. In fact, the craters on the mountain can be reached via 4x4 vehicles or cable cars.
- Its easy access makes Mount Etna a convenient day trip from Sicily’s eastern coast.
- Mount Etna is a volcano with low-viscosity lava — instead of exploring calmly or elegantly, lava is collected in the magma chamber before exploding with gusto.
Your Mount Etna Tour Options Explained
Trekking
Trekking to the Summit Craters
- Witness the site of one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in the world in recent times.
- Get to the top and witness glorious views of the Calabrian Coast and the eruptive theater.
- Ride a cable car and a 4x4 bus to reach 2900 m before you embark on an exciting trek to the Summit Craters.
- During the trek, you’ll get to discover Mount Etna’s rich history and explore the 2002 craters in detail.
- Discounted Tickets: Children aged 6-12 years can avail of reduced ticket pricing upon presenting a valid photo ID.
Jeep Tours
Etna 4X4 Half Day Tour
- Explore Mount Etna and its remarkable national park via a guided jeep tour.
- Head down to the thrilling lava flow cave and explore its depths with torches.
- During the tour, you’ll get to sample decadent wines, honey, and other local Sicilian products.
- Witness the breathtaking Valle del Bove located on the eastern flank of Etna volcano.
- A multilingual guide will share fascinating facts about Mount Etna’s history and origins along with its many recorded eruptions
- You can also opt for a sunset view of the stunning panoramic landscape.
- Discounted Tickets: Children aged 2 and under can join for free. Those aged 3-12 years get discounted tickets as long as they carry a valid photo ID.
Full-Day Etna Jeep Tour
- Hop on a comfortable jeep and embark on a full-day tour of Etna Park and its lush nature trails.
- Learn about the fabled past of Mount Etna courtesy of a knowledgeable multilingual guide.
- Try honey, wines, liqueurs, and other Sicilian delicacies during the fascinating tour.
- In the second half of the tour, you’ll get to visit Aci Castello, Acitrezza, Gole dell’ Alcantara, and Acireale.
- At Aci Castello, you can snorkel under the expert guidance of a marine biologist and diving guide.
- See real canyons formed by black lava walls while Explore the beautiful Gole dell’ Alcantara and witness the real canyons formed by black lava walls.
- Discounted Tickets: Kids aged between 3-12 years can get reduced-price tickets. Please ensure they carry a valid photo ID.
Etna Jeep and Diving Tour
- This full-day guided tour to the explosive Mount Etna will acquaint you with the beauty and majesty of one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
- An expert guide will lead you on a thrilling trail that goes around many dormant volcanic craters.
- Try some delicious local honey, liqueur, and wine during your Etna jeep tour.
- Your ticket also includes a memorable scuba diving experience under the guidance of an experienced dive guide and a marine biologist.
Combo Tours
Etna & Taormina Jeep Tour
- Witness the glorious and offbeat landscape around Mount Etna and Etna Park with this exciting jeep tour.
- A tour guide will accompany you on the journey, making for a delightful experience that’ll allow you to appreciate Mount Etna in all its glory.
- Head deep into a dark volcanic cave created by lava thousands of years back.
- During the tour, you’ll also get to taste some delightful local flavours including liqueurs and wines.
- Your jeep tour also includes a stop at the charming town of Taormina where you can spend time sightseeing or just strolling the beautiful streets.
- Discounted Tickets: Children aged 2 and under can join for free. Those aged 3-12 years get discounted tickets as long as they carry a valid photo ID.
Guided Tour of Mount Etna from Catania
- Embark on a guided tour of Mount Etna with a knowledgeable guide leading the day and learn more about the fascinating stratovolcano.
- During the tour, you’ll get to walk around the rims of massive craters and take in the stunning views.
- Make your way down to a prismatic lava flow cave with helmets and torches for the complete Indiana Jones experience.
- Sample delectable local flavors, including wine, almost 2000 meters above sea level!
- Discounted Tickets: Children aged 2 and under can join for free. Those aged 3-12 years get discounted tickets as long as they carry a valid photo ID.
Etna Jeep and Acitrezza Cruise Tour
- Explore one of the largest active volcanoes in the world and the most popular Sicilian landmark - Mount Etna.
- Learn about the geological history and past recorded eruptions of Mount Etna from a knowledgeable guide.
- Your ticket also includes a sailing cruise in Acitrezza, an enchanting fishing village located to the east of Sicily
- Enjoy decadent wines, liqueurs and other local products from the Sicilian area.
- Discounted Tickets: Children aged 3 and below can join the tour for free.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your Mount Etna tours up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Validity
Your Etna Tour tickets are valid for the date and time selected at checkout.
Best Way to Buy Mount Etna Tour Tickets
Planning a trip can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you like exploring and discovering new places. If you’re looking forward to a Mount Etna tour, you need to make your booking in advance for a relatively smooth experience. Book your Mount Etna tour online for the best experience and to avail great discounts and cashback. There are many advantages to booking your Mount Etna tour online:
- Variety: Chief amongst them is the different options you can choose from and the general variety in place. Depending on the time you have, you can go for a half-day tour or a guided full-day tour.
- Discounts: When you buy Mount Etna tour tickets online, you can also compare the prices and get the best deal. You can also avail of discounts offered by many third-party websites.
- Advance Booking: With tickets pre-booked online, you’ll also be able to plan your itinerary better and make the most out of your trip to Sicily.
Which Mount Etna Tour is Perfect For You?
1. If you're on a budget
If you're on a budget, you can either take a half-day tour or a summit tour. These start at €55 and give you a great experience at Mount Etna. You will get to transverse through the volcanic terrain — you can either trek to the top or enjoy a guided tour around the volcano.
2. If you want to learn more about the magnificent Mount Etna
If you are interested in learning more about the secrets of Mount Etna, take a guided tour. Your expert guide knows the volcano like the back of their hand and is more than qualified to even lead you to the summit should you want to go there.
3. If you want to explore Etna differently
What could possibly be more exciting than transversing the slopes of Mount Etna in a jeep? This comfortable vehicle will take you around the mountain in a short time while letting you admire the gorgeous vistas surrounding the venue.
4. If you want to explore beyond Mount Etna
There are a number of combo Mount Etna tours, where you can explore this majestic volcano along with other venues of your picking. Be it the verdant Etna Park, the quaint village of Acitrezza, or even the gorgeous Aci Castello, there is much to explore around the volcano.
Is It Safe to Visit Mount Etna?
As Mount Etna is an active volcano, there is a lot of speculation about whether or not it is safe to visit it. The volcano has both terminal and sub-terminal eruptions, and the lava usually cools down before it can reach inhabited areas.
It is perfectly safe to visit Mount Etna as long as there are no restrictions imposed by the government. Additionally, the guides are extremely good at judging the situation; hence, it is advised that you only take a guided tour and do not venture up all by yourself.
Explore Mount Etna
When visiting Mount Etna, you will find a myriad of activities to indulge in and lots of things to look out for. The following are some must-do/must-see experiences at Mount Etna.
Mount Etna's summit is at 3300m above sea level. If you want to hike up to here, you will have to get to the starting point, Torre Del Filosofo at 2900m. To get to the 2900 meters mark, you’ll use a combination of a car, a cable car, and a 4x4 bus.
As you climb towards the summit, you will get to witness the beautiful untouched vistas and examine craters, lunar terrains, and old basalt lava flows among other things,
About Mount Etna
You can reach explore Mount Etna through the North or South side of the volcano. On the north side of Mount Etna, you can get up to the platform at 1800 meters above sea level, and is ideal for beginners and those who are not used to climbing great heights. You can't go higher than 1800m from the North Side.
The South Side is perfect for those seeking thrills and adventure. You can drive to 1800m above sea level and then take a cable car up to 2500m. From here, take a 4x4 and head to 2900m above sea level and trek to get to the craters.
When heading towards the summit, a portion of your Mount Etna tour will be spent in a cable car. The quickest way to transverse the long and sloped part of Mount Etna, your cable car ride will take you to the starting point of the trek to the summit.
You will get to look out to the panoramic views of the stunning volcano and admire the surrounding lush and verdant Etna Park. As most Mount Etna tour experiences include the cable car, you don't have to buy tickets separately.
Mount Etna has five main craters — Northeast Crater, the Voragine, the Bocca Nuova, and the Southeast Crater Complex. As you climb up the volcano, you will get to see some of these craters, along with many others that dot the surface of the mountain.
Resultant of the many Mount Etna eruptions over the last 500,000 years, these craters show a significant part of the volcano's history. Your Mount Etna tour gives you the chance to discover these craters and learn more about them.
Mount Etna is Italy's most active volcano and in the last couple of years, its eruptions have been even more intense and frequent. In January 2021, it began erupting very often — at first, there was an eruption every 24 hours, after which the gap increased.
On March 2021, Mount Etna had its tenth eruption, releasing a huge cloud of ash, which fell on surrounding areas of Milo, Riposto, and Giarre.
The most recent paroxysm was on 8/9 July 2021, where the lava shot up to 11 km in altitude.
What Should I Wear on a Mount Etna Tour?
- An excursion of Mount Etna requires that you wear the right clothes. As the summit of the volcano is 3300m above sea level, it is natural that the temperature up there is lower than its surrounding areas.
- It is highly advised that you wear comfortable clothes like sweatshirts and pants, and carry along a jacket and/or cardigan in case you start to feel cold.
- It is also vital to wear proper trekking shoes or sturdy sports shoes. This is because wearing smooth-soled shoes like mocassins puts you at risk of slipping and falling.
- If you are visiting Mount Etna in winter it is best to also carry along hats, gloves, and sunglasses.
Plan Your Mount Etna Tour
You can opt for a Mount Etna tour or visit certain parts of the mountain on your own. Tours to the summit typically begin at 8:30 AM and last for 6-8 hours.
The 4x4 Half Day tour timing options are: 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM
Best Time to Visit Mount Etna
While you can visit and hike Mount Etna all year-round, the best months to visit are those with pleasant temperatures and without the huge tourist crowds that gather during the months of July and August. The best time to visit Mount Etna includes the months of May and late September and October. Even during these shoulder months, you can expect a decent number of tourists at the location given the popularity of the attraction.
Bus: The closest bus stop is VI Aprile Sangiuliano, which is approximately one 1-min away from the meeting point. Buses 2-5, 431N, 439, 530, 534, and more will drop you at the bus stop.
Car: You can drive down to Rifugio Sapienza. You can park here, and then get a ticket for an 20-seater off-road vehicle that takes you up to 8,500 feet. From here, a qualified guide can take you higher or if you want, you can even use their services to ascend to the summit.
Guided Tour: A guided tour is the best way to explore Mount Etna, as your transportation is already arranged. You can choose your type of tour and accordingly head to the volcano, its summit, or even the surrounding national park.
Apart from taking a guided tour with lunch included, you can also explore one of the many restaurants around Mount Etna for some delicious fare, such as:
- Dolceria Salemi: Enjoy cakes, coffee, and lovely Italian food at Dolceria Salemi, about 10 km from Mount Etna.
- Ristorante da Antonio: Get a taste of Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine here. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes are also available.
- Etna Quota Mille: This rustic restaurants offers Souther Italian, Sicilian, and Mediterranean cuisine.
- Trattoria N'Da Calata: Whether you are looking for traditional Sicilian food, vegan or vegetarian dishes, or even a health meal, Trattoria N'Da Calata is for you!
Apart from hiking Mount Etna and learning about its fascinating past, there’s a lot you can do in the general area. Here are some of your options:
- Visit the Silvestri craters
- Enjoy the restaurant and bars at Rifugio Sapienza
- Take an Etna jeep tour
- Visit the Etna Adventure Park with friends and family
- Take the cable car and ski on Mount Etna in the winter
Visitor Tips
- You’ll need to opt for a guided Mount Etna tour if you want to hike all the way to the crater. Guides know the trail like the back of their hands and can navigate them even in bad weather, ensuring you have a safe visit.
- It goes without saying that you’ll be climbing a fair bit during your Mount Etna tour. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes designed for a hike and bring plenty of water and a jacket along.
- Try and reach Rifugio Sapienza (the starting point) by around 8:30 in the morning. While the cable car officially starts at 9 AM, the first lift sometimes begins 15 minutes earlier. If you get here on time, you’ll be able to avoid the massive crowds that generally start arriving around or after 10 AM.
- The southern side of Mount Etna is its best access point and also where Rifugio Sapienza is located. If you want to get to the summit, this is where you need to be since the cable car station is also located here.
- Looking for ways to avoid paying the fees charged for visiting Mount Etna? Take a public bus to Rifugio Sapienza, and hike all the way to the Mountain Hut, which works as the Cable Car station and coffee shop.
All Your Questions About Mount Etna Tours Answered
Yes, Mount Etna tours are available for visitors.
You can book a Mount Etna tour online from various third-party websites for the best deals.
There are many Mount Etna tour options you can choose from including full-day jeep tours, half-day tours, cable car tours, and many others.
Yes, you can get a full refund on canceling your Mount Etna tour up to 24 hours before the scheduled time.
Your Mount Etna tour ticket is valid for the date and time selected during checkout.
This depends on your ticket. Some tickets offer reduced prices for those aged 3-12 years, and some for those aged 6-12 years. It is highly advised you check the tickets before making the booking.
The best way to get your Mount Etna tour tickets is to buy them online and take advantage of a hassle-free shopping experience and great prices offered by third-party websites.
Yes, you can visit the Mount Etna summit but only via a guided tour.
The last eruption of Mount Etna happened on March 7th, 2021.
Some of the things you can see at Mount Etna include the Northeast Crater, the Voragine, the Bocca Nuova, and the Southeast Crater Complex.
If you do not have hiking shoes you can rent them at mountain footwear rentals.
For the most exciting climb, hike Mount Etna from side to side, which is the most complete volcanic hike across the summit.