Etna: Day Trips and Tours from Catania

Etna, one of the world's most famous and active volcanoes, boasts over 500,000 years of history. Day trips from Catania to Etna offer exploration of craters, valleys, and lava tunnels, bringing you close to the site of major eruptions. These family-friendly excursions are suitable for all ages and provide an engaging way to learn about volcanoes.

Here's all you need to know about Etna, one of the most exciting day trips from Catania.

Getting there

Etna is located in the eastern region of Sicily — an island located just off the southern tip of Italy. The mountain range is just under 40 kilometers from the city of Catania.

• By car: By car, Etna is an easy journey from Catania, taking under an hour. Head northwest on SP10 to Nicolosi, then merge onto SP92 to reach the mountain.
• By public transport: A daily bus departs Piazza Giovanni XXIII at 8:15 AM, arriving at Refugio Sapienza in about 2 hours. The return bus leaves at 4:30 PM, with tickets costing under €7 per person.
• Guided tours: Alternatively, book a guided 6-8 hour excursion to Etna with transportation included. These tours offer convenient hotel pickup between 8:30 and 9 AM. After exploring, you'll be returned to your accommodation to enjoy the rest of your day in Catania.

Itinerary

Etna day trips vary by itinerary but share common features. After hotel pickup, you'll travel to Etna and ascend the volcano on foot, by bike, cable car, or jeep, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. Explore underground lava tunnels and visit a local farm for tastings of honey and cheese.

Some tours return to Catania, while others continue to Taormina or the Alcantara River for additional sightseeing. You'll return to Catania in the late afternoon.

Our selection of the best tours

Mount Etna Morning or Sunset Day Trip with Tasting

• Guided trek around Etna's craters, landscape, and lava flow cave
• Sicilian cantucci biscuits and zibibbo wine tasting
• Price: From €59
• Duration: 6 hours

Mount Etna Sunset Jeep Tour

• Guided Jeep tour of the Etna Volcano National Park at sunset
• Tasting of Sicilian products and local wines
• Price: From €60
• Duration: 5 hours

Mt. Etna and Taormina village full day tour

• Full-day tour of Mount Etna and Taormina from Catania
• Cable car ride up the active volcano of Mount Etna (own expense) + lava caves
• Price: From €93
• Duration: 9 hours

More tours

There are several different Etna day trips available to choose from, depending on your own personal preferences and travel style.

Day trip

Choose a morning or sunset excursion and head out of Catania toward Etna. Ascend over 2,000 meters by vehicle, then hike through Etna’s craters, learning about its history and geology. Enjoy local Sicilian refreshments, explore an underground lava tunnel, and admire panoramic views from the Monte Pomiciaro viewpoint.

Sunset jeep tour

For thrill-seekers, consider a 4x4 jeep tour to Etna. These tours include stops to sample local products like wines, honey, and cheese. Upon reaching the volcanic region, you'll traverse the rugged terrain, exploring colossal craters. The tour concludes at a breathtaking viewpoint to watch the sunset over the mountain.

Day trip to Etna plus Taormina

This Etna day tour starts with a scenic drive from Catania to the foothills of Sicily’s mountains. At Refugio Sapienza, you can hike or take a cable car up the volcano. Explore a lava tunnel and sample local produce. Then, visit a viewpoint for a glimpse of Isola Bella before heading to Taormina. Spend the afternoon exploring its 3rd-century Greek theater, cathedral, exquisite churches, or enjoy the views from a cafe in Piazza IX Aprile.

Mountain biking day tour to Etna from Catania

For the adventurous, cycling tours offer a challenging way to explore Etna. Spend 3 hours biking up slopes, through valleys, and dense pine forests. Starting at Refugio Sapienza, cycle to ancient calderas where eruptions have occurred since 1,500 B.C. Visit a lava tunnel to witness the progression of eruptions, with at least 190 explosions recorded in this region since records began.

Day trip to Etna plus Alcantara River

This Etna day tour begins with a journey to Refugio Sapienza, where you'll learn about the geological region. Choose between a trek or a cable car ride to volcanic craters, offering stunning views from over 2,000 meters above sea level. Explore further by visiting the Alcantara Canyons along the Alcantara River, passing through an organic farm to sample Sicilian goods. Marvel at the 50-meter-high basalt walls formed by a volcanic eruption 4,500 years ago. Before returning to Catania, explore the ruins of Francavilla Castle.

Prices

Day trips to Etna start at around €60 per person for group tours of 14-16 people, with the option to upgrade to a private excursion for an extra charge.

For a sunset jeep tour, the cost is also €60 per adult, with children aged 3-11 joining for €50 each and those under 3 for less than €30.

A Sicily bike tour of Etna is €80 per adult, with children aged 6-9 joining for half price, limited to two participants.

Combining Etna with a visit to Taormina typically costs around €90 per person aged 12 and over, accommodating up to eight guests, with discounted rates for children aged 3-11 and additional costs for those under 3.

Day trips to both the Alcantara River and Etna also cost €90 per person and operate in small groups of up to eight guests.

Highlights

Etna, towering over 3,300 meters high, is among the world's most active stratovolcanoes. Its continual eruptions have shaped its colossal size, expanding with each event. This UNESCO World Heritage site, steeped in Greek mythology as the realm of Zeus and Typhon, has a history spanning over 500,000 years, although recorded eruptions date back to the 5th century B.C.

The volcano boasts over 20 craters, with its summit hosting five distinct ones, including the Northeast Crater and the Bocca Nuova. Notably, a 17th-century eruption, lasting over 4 months, ejected massive amounts of lava, reshaping the landscape without causing any fatalities among the local population.

Visitors to Etna can witness the Valle del Bove, a visible remnant of a volcanic collapse around 10,000 years ago, which enriched the soil and fostered fertile lands. Today, vineyards, notably growing Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes, thrive in this volcanic environment.

Best time to visit

Etna welcomes visitors year-round, with optimal times depending on your activities. Late spring and early autumn offer mild weather and fewer crowds, ideal for hiking and exploration. Summer is great for combining volcano visits with beach outings and culinary delights.

Tours to Etna from other cities

• Day trips to Etna from Taormina
• Day trips to Etna from Messina
• Day trips to Etna from Palermo

Travel tips

• Even in the summer, temperatures on Etna can be much lower than at sea level. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes suitable for hiking and don't forget to bring a hat and sunscreen for protection against the sun.
• The air at higher altitudes can be dry, so remember to drink plenty of water, especially if you're doing a lot of physical activity.
• Before you go, check the weather forecast and the current status of volcanic activity. In certain weather conditions or during periods of increased activity, some parts of the volcano may not be safe to visit.