Etna Park

Discover the fascinating landscapes of Etna’s northern slope on a guided tour. Enjoy the impressive views of Etna’s foothills, see up close and touch ancient lava flows, admire craters still in activity, and appreciate a typical Sicilian landscape with its crops and rural villages. Stop for a lunch break at a local etnean restaurant and take a more relaxing turn with a visit to the refreshing Alcantara Gorges lava canyon. Start your tour with pickup from an arranged meeting point in locations such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Catania, and Linguaglossa. Travel by SUV or minivan (up to 8 passengers per vehicle) to the first stop of your tour, an off-road route to the massive 2002 eruption lava front, the largest eruption of recent times which destroyed the Piano Provenzana ski facilities and part of the Ragabo Pine Forest. Pass through the Ragabo Forest, following the Mareneve road, and reach the starting point of the trek to the Monti Sartorius craters near Rifugio Citelli. Enjoy a hike of easy difficulty, suitable for everyone, on a route about 3 km long, starting from an altitude of 1665 m and arriving at an altitude of about 1775 m. Hike along a characteristic Etnean path, among white birch trees and "button" side crater (“bottoniera”), the Sartorius Craters, on the northeastern slope of Etna. Reach several vantage points with unique and spectacular views of Calabria and the Aeolian Islands. Explore an Etna volcanic cave after your trek to the Sartorius, the Grotta dei Ladroni (also called Grotta delle Nevi). Equip yourself with the helmet and flashlight we will provide and venture inside this lava flow tunnel to discover its formation and history. Admire an original lava flow tunnel that has been partially excavated by man, as evidenced by the date engraved on a stone at the top of the entrance: 1776. Learn how Etna’s inhabitants used this cave in centuries past to store snow in the winter months, later reselling it in the warmer months. Stop at an Etnean restaurant to rest and enjoy a delicious meal: the first course dish, drink, and coffee are included in the price of the tour. Continue to the Alcantara Valley, passing through Castiglione di Sicilia, one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, with features similar to a medieval village, famous today for its wineries that produce excellent Etna wines. End your tour with a visit to the Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges, located in the “Alcantara River Park”. Admire the Gorges, which are a fascinating natural lava canyon excavated by the Alcantara River through lava flows of ancient times. Descend inside the Alcantara Gorges via the municipal entrance with the entrance fee included in the price. Be free to relax by the beach or take a walk/swim in the refreshing Alcantara River. After finishing the visit of the Alcantara Gorges the tour will end by getting back to the initial meeting point.

Ride the cable car up Mount Etna and enjoy a tour at the bottom of the summit craters. Explore the area in a 4x4 bus designed to manage the terrain. Step out of the bus to learn about the volcano on a short walking tour with your guide. Validate your ticket at the Dedicated checkout which is located at the entrance of the "Funivia dell'Etna" station. Your adventure begins at an altitude of approximately 6,300 feet (1.900 m) at the “Funivia dell’Etna” departure station. Reach the upper station at approximately 8,200 feet above sea level (2.500 m). In case of strong wind, your ascent will be carried out by the 4x4 buses. Once reaching the upper station, board a special 4x4 bus to reach the maximum summit height area allowed (approximately 9,500 feet/2.900 m). Continue your experience with an alpine-volcano guide to check out the surrounding area. Along with the staff, who will ensure your safety, appreciate the enchanted scenery at the bottom of the Central Crater that, with conditions of full visibility, allows you to get lost in the view of a large part of eastern Sicily. In case of snow, your ascent will be carried out with special tracked vehicles (snowcat). After spending about 30 minutes exploring the area, return to the cable car station and make your way back down the volcano with your roundtrip ticket.

This tour is suitable for children and adults because of easy level. You will admire the lunar landscapes created by “Mamma Etna” having the chance to carry out a soft hiking on ancient craters, walk among ancient lava streams characterized by different shades of colors, feel the smell of Etna’s vegetation and explore volcanic caves where the lava used to flow. In addition you'll taste small tastings of typical local products such us etna honey, local wines and olive oils. During the tour a naturalistic guide will explain you all the secrets about the highest volcano in Europe. Pick up at meeting point in Catania. Tasting of typical products in a local farm in Zafferana Etnea town Visit of “Bove Valley” and the famous 1991/93 lava stream that reached the town of Zafferana Etnea Visit of Volcanic cave (helmets and torches provided) Visit of Silvestri Craters at 2000 meters. Drop off at meeting point in Catania.

Take a beautiful sunset tour of the famed Etna volcano. Explore a lava cave (if applicable) , walk around craters and watch the sunset on the spectacular landscape Begin with a stop at a local producer for a sampling of local delicacies such as honey and oil. Continue your tour of a lava cave (if applicable) created during the 1792 eruption and enter the stunning site to learn about lava flows and the forces that create them. Then, stroll along the mountain trails to Mount Etna's Sapienza Refuge, and enjoy a pleasant walk around the lava flows created from the latest eruptions and the ancient Silvestri craters dating back to the 1892 eruption. From this supreme peak, watch the sunset over the breathtaking landscape before returning to the departure place in the evening.

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.

Visit the tallest volcano in Europe and explore Etna Park on a guided tour from Taormina. First stop to visit one of the area’s top local producers to taste delicious honey and olive oil. Later, put on a helmet and headlamp and head inside a lava cave to learn how lava flows are formed. At Rifugio Sapienza, see both the newest eruptions of the volcano and the old Silvestri craters dating from the 1892 eruption. Trek along a nature path enjoying breathtaking views, before the drive back to Taormina.

Book your Funivia dell'Etna cable car ticket and secure your seat for this unique cable car experience. Validate your QRcode at the Dedicated Line which is located at the entrance of the "Funivia dell'Etna" station at an altitude of 1923 meters (approximately 6,300 ft). Travel in style onboard a new generation cable car and reach the upper station at 2500 meters (approximately 8,200 ft). At that high altitude, you will find yourself in front of a unique panorama ready to admire the summit craters of the volcano from below and the Ionian coastline. Experience the rugged beauty of Mount Etna and the surrounding area, before relaxing on the return cable car journey back down. Just so you know, the ticket office is currently undergoing renovations, so a dedicated entrance may not be guaranteed.

Explore Etna Park on a day tour that takes you up to the Sapienza Refuge and admire views from 1,986 meters. Learn how craters and lava tunnels are formed from your guide and try local products. At the Sapienza Refuge, see both the newest eruptions of the volcano and the old Silvestri craters, dating from the 1892 eruption. Enter a lava cave (if applicable), with a helmet and headlamp, to learn how lava flows are formed. Later, visit a well-known farm and taste local products, such as honey, olive oil, and wine.

This day trip begins with a drive up to Rifugio Sapienza, with stops at viewpoints en route. The guide will provide commentary on the volcano's history and point out sites of previous eruptions. Trek along one of the nature paths up to 2,000 meters or buy the Etna high altitude option. For the high altitude option, ride a cable car and special 4x4 minibus to the maximum altitude allowed. Afterward, explore a lava cave, equipped with a helmet and flashlight. The final stop will be at one of the area’s top wineries, with a tasting session that includes 4 still wines. During the tasting session, enjoy local cold cuts, cheeses, pate and olive oil.

Break away from classic tourist itineraries to discover unique landscapes of Etna on this guided tour from Taormina or Giardini Naxos. Travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned, 4WD vehicle. Have your experience enriched by stories and fun facts from your guide.  Begin your private adventure with hotel pick up from Taormina or Giardini Naxos. Relax on the drive over regular and unpaved roads as you ascend the extinct craters that sit at an altitude of 2,000 meters.  Walk through lunar landscapes on Europe's highest active volcano at a UNESCO-listed site and view ancient lava flow. Admire the Etna forest, the Valley of Bove, and extinct craters. Put on your helmet and headlamp and make your way through a long, underground tunnel, formed by lava flow. Ascend the summit area at 3,0000 meters where you can purchase a cable car ticket on the spot. Be dropped off at your hotel at the end of your tour.