Add dates

Catania Driving experiences

Our most recommended Catania Driving experiences

Mount Etna: Cable Car, Jeep, & Hiking Tour to Summit

1. Mount Etna: Cable Car, Jeep, & Hiking Tour to Summit

Ascend to the summit of the craters of Mount Etna, one of the most coveted excursions a hiker can make. Hike in full safety with an authorized alpine and volcano guide, and marvel at the beauty and wonder of the highest active volcano in Europe.   Depart from Sapienza Refuge in Nicolosi, and ascend 2,504 meters by cable car. Then, ride in a 4x4 Jeep up to 2,900 meters, to begin your hike. You’ll hike 1.5 hours uphill, passing many craters and taking long pauses to take pictures and rest. Experience the incredible feeling of being on top of the world in this rocky, beautiful landscape with the giant sky above you. After reaching the summit, descend for 2 hours back to the cable car, which will take you to your departure point.

Catania: Mount Etna Sunset Jeep Tour

2. Catania: Mount Etna Sunset Jeep Tour

Learn all about Mount Etna, taste local produce, and watch the sunset over the unique landscape on a half-day guided Jeep tour. Stop for a tasting of wines, spirits, and honey to discover the tastes and smells of the local products made in this volcanic region. Drive along roads framed by breathtaking views of the various dormant craters. Admire the beautiful Valle del Bove and visit an area of ancient explosive activity, Hornitos. At the end of the tour, enjoy a splendid panorama of the landscape at sunset.

Catania: Mount Etna Morning Jeep Tour

3. Catania: Mount Etna Morning Jeep Tour

After pickup from the designated meeting point, drive to Mount Etna to begin your tour. As you ascend to a height of 2,000 meters, your professional guide will tell you about the history of the volcano and explain its unique nature to you. Walk on paths away from the tourist areas to take in the flora and fauna away from the crowds.  Different aspects of the volcano will be highlighted, such as its nature and resources, its amazing landscapes, and the huge lava flows that have destroyed buildings and roads. You will be taken to a viewpoint to see the panoramic view of the Valle del Bove, the most important valley on the east slope of the volcano. Visit an area of ancient explosive activities, Hornitos, a semi-cave and a state refuge. Learn about its origin and the features inside from your guide. You’ll also have the chance to sample the wines, liqueurs, and honeys from this area. At the end of your tour, you’ll be dropped back at your accommodation in Catania.

Mount Etna: Half-day Morning Jeep Tour

4. Mount Etna: Half-day Morning Jeep Tour

Your guide will pick you up at the meeting point and from there, you will begin a wonderful adventure to discover the beauty of Mount Etna. It's the highest active volcano in Europe and, since 2013, has also been a UNESCO heritage site. With the help of the Jeep, you will cross the remains of ancient lava flows that destroyed villages and the Etna woods. Equipped with a helmet and torch, visit a beautiful volcanic cave that was formed from a lava tube. You will also discover the incredible Valla del Bove, an ancient volcanic caldera. Accompanied by your hiking guide, take a walk around the now extinct side craters (there are about 300 side craters around Etna in total) at a height of 2000m. Cross the volcanic desert and discover the few endemic plants that survive here. Throughout the journey, your guide will tell you everything that you'd like to know about the history, fauna, flora, and geology of Mount Etna as you admire its unique landscapes At the end of the tour, you will be driven back to the meeting point.

From Nicolosi: Mount Etna Quad Volcano Tour

5. From Nicolosi: Mount Etna Quad Volcano Tour

Explore the beautiful forest and lava flows surrounding the famous volcano, Mount Etna. Enjoy a guided adventure from Nicolosi, and ride quad bikes through forests, over old lava flows and an eruptive fracture. Travel through Etna's famous "broom trees" only found in Sicily. Descend along lava flow channels and ride on the basin of a dried torrent. See various volcanic features and evidence of past eruptions while on the tour, see explosive craters, and visit a lava flow cave with the tour leader. Return to the tour's starting point at the end of n exciting 2-hour quad bike tour of Etna.

Taormina and Catania: Mount Etna Exploration and Cave Tour

6. Taormina and Catania: Mount Etna Exploration and Cave Tour

Begin your trip to Etna with an easy walk around the Sartorius Craters, whose eruption is dated back to 1865. This excursion to Mount Etna will allow you to understand the different types of eruptions that can take place on volcanoes, as you undergo an easy trek of about 4 kilometers up and down this interesting fissure eruption site. Afterward, head to the Etna Nord Ski Resort, where a lunch break is planned in a beautiful chalet at 1,900 meters above sea level. Following lunch, embark on a cave exploration of a lava tube. Created by a prehistoric lava flow, it is now enriched by the Etna birch forest which surrounds it. This cave was allegedly used for some time by bandits, whereas others say the tunnel was used to store snow during winter to then be used in the warmer seasons. Whatever the truth behind its common use during the past centuries, it's a wonderful place to explore with caving equipment such as helmets and torches to ensure a safe visit. If time allows, the excursion will conclude with a free tasting of Etna's finest products, including honey, wine, liqueurs and much more at a local producer in Zafferana Etnea. This village of honey sits along the Etna Wine Route, which will lead you back to your accommodation where you will be dropped off at the conclusion of your tour. Alternatively, upgrade your experience to a private tour and enjoy an itinerary adapted to your desires, specifications, and pace. The guide will follow a tailor-made itinerary based on your requests, a route that can also be reviewed during the day.

From Taormina or Catania: Full-Day Mount Etna Hike

7. From Taormina or Catania: Full-Day Mount Etna Hike

Hike on Mount Etna's finest trails to discover one of Europe's most famous volcanos. Enjoy a trek over extinct craters, lava flows, lava tubes, and have a fantastic view over the dramatic beauty of the Valle del Bove caldera. During your hike discover the beauty of Mount Etna and see the vibrant active craters of the summit. Enjoy the view along the volcano's flanks and see the Ionian Coast from Taormina to Catania. This tour is adaptable to all levels of hikers and transportation is carried out with off-road pickups vehicles. Depending on the season, your lunch includes a picnic in the outdoors or at a restaurant with typical Sicilian products. If time allows, your excursion will conclude with a complimentary tasting of Etna's finest products, including honey, wine, liqueurs and much more at a local producer in Zafferana Etnea. This village of honey sits along the Etna Wine Route, which will lead you back to your accommodation where you will be dropped off as the tour concludes.

Mount Etna: Full day Jeep Tour with Lunch & Transfers

8. Mount Etna: Full day Jeep Tour with Lunch & Transfers

Your driver will meet you at your hotel and you’ll head off on the drive to Etna volcano. Spend 5 hours on this jeep adventure, and ride up to a maximum altitude of 1,900 meters. Enjoy great views and taste a special local product as you discover the hidden treasures of the most active European volcano. During the first stop, your driver will provide an introduction to Mount Etna, and you’ll visit a lava front. Next is a 50-minute walk through lava craters (Sartorius Mounts, at 1,700 meters) or, if you prefer, free time at Rifugio Citelli. Later the jeep will take you up to 1,850 meters (Piano Provenzana) to see some of the lava flow from the 2002 eruption. In between the trip, you’ll stop for lunch in a local rustic restaurant with wine included. Make a final stop at a lava cave before the drive back to Taormina.

From Catania: The Godfather Tour in a Vintage Car

9. From Catania: The Godfather Tour in a Vintage Car

Step into iconic scenes from “The Godfather,” one of cinema’s biggest masterpieces, on this private self-guided tour that visits filming locations from the movie. Hop on board a vintage car with a driver and begin your tour in Catania, driving toward Taormina. Cruise along the island's eastern coast, passing through Acireale, Giarre, Mascali, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, and Giardini Naxos. Make your first stop in Taormina and enjoy a nice walk along its main street, Corso Umberto. Following a brief stop to admire Isola Bella, arrive in Letojanni and Forza d'Agrò, a village with some significant scenes from the film. Enjoy the scenery as you drive through Santa Teresa di Riva to Savoca, a magnificent medieval village and, above all, the acknowledged protagonist of "The Godfather." Here some scenes have been filmed featuring the young Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino. Don't miss the Bar Vitelli, where Michael met his wife's father, and the Church of San Nicol, where the marriage between Michael Corleone and Apollonia was celebrated.

Catania: Etna and Snorkeling Tour by Jeep

10. Catania: Etna and Snorkeling Tour by Jeep

After meeting with your guide in Catania, you will embark on your 8-hour guided tour which will inform you of the biology, geology and volcanology of the Etna volcano. You will have the opportunity to walk in paths immersed in nature, away from the tourist areas on several dormant craters. The fauna and flora of Etna will be your traveling companions, as you learn of the history of this unique territory in terms of endemicity. You will later enjoy a fantastic tasting of wines, liqueurs, honey, and much more, which will help you discover the flavors of this volcanic region. In the company of a marine biologist and an underwater environmental guide, you will later take the road to the marvelous lava beds of "Isola deiCiclopi" (Aci Castello), which is a Marine Protected Area. There you will discover underwater columnar basalt, lava cords, lava cushions, and colorful marine life and plants. This scene will be the unique setting for an unforgettable snorkeling excursion. At the conclusion of your 8-hour experience, you will return to the tour meeting point in Catania.

16 activities found
Sort by:

Frequently asked questions about Catania

What are the best day trips and excursions from Catania?

The best day trips and excursions from Catania are:

Mount Etna

Other Sightseeing Options in Catania

Want to discover all there is to do in Catania? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Catania

An excellent excursion with a guide who explains the life of Etna well. Even if we could not climb to the top due to an access ban, we climbed up to 2900 m to admire the most recent lava flow. And we went through different places that would not be accessible without a guide. I recommend with eyes closed

Excellent tour riding safely off road with Land Rover . Fabrizio is great guide, took us to amazing places; volcano desert, 4 level secret cave, caldera and many interesting places where other tour guides will not take you without 4x4. Very safe tour, good for kids and older people. Worth money !!!

We did the 6-hour tour to one of the top craters of Mount Etna and the guide explained us a lot about the nature, the minerals and the entire landscape. It was very well organized, we got all necessary equipment and had a super day!

Reaching the top was not possible because of volcanic activities but an alternative route was proposed and a partial refund given. It’s great they kept the hike, the colours and the views are amazing

Most enjoyable, beautiful, interesting day on Mt Etna. Roberto was super knowledgeable. We learned a lot about volcanoes and the area and we would go again!