Things to do in

Nicolosi

Ascend to the summit of the craters of Mount Etna, one of the most coveted excursions a hiker can make. Hike with guide, and marvel at the beauty and wonder of the highest active volcano in Europe, up to 3,000 meters. Depart from Sapienza Refuge in Nicolosi, and ascend 2,504 meters by cable car and begin your hike. You’ll hike 1.5 hours uphill, passing many craters, in particular toward the crater of the 2001 eruption and the moon-like landscape that marks out the area. During the hike you will take long pauses to take pictures and rest. You will then carry on exploring on your hike towards the Cisternazza and the Belvedere on the Valle del Bove, considered the best panoramic spot on Mount Etna on a dazzling volcanic depression dating back to 64000 years ago! Here you will take a break to cherish the surroundings, take a few pictures and simply admire the landscape as from up there you are able to see the coast from Taormina until Syracuse. From here you will reach the Barbagallo craters, up to 3,000 meters, the highest point allowed, and enjoy a privileged view on the summit craters and their constant emission of gases and water vapours. Then you will march back to 2500 mt and take the cable car back to the Rifugio Sapienza. Experience the incredible feeling of being on top of the world in this rocky, beautiful landscape with the giant sky above you.

A valid alternative to the summit craters is the 3,000m Etna excursion. You go up by cable car up to 2,500 meters, then by 4x4 up to 2800 meters. From here begins the path on foot up to 3000 meters. It will be possible to observe the summit craters, then we will stop on a lateral crater (barbagallo at about 3000 meters). You will admire the recent lava flows (1-December-2023) until you reach the inside of a lava channel. We will visit an effusive vent (2002 eruption) and from here we will descend along the sandbanks to the mound from where we will observe the Bove Valley, admiring, on fine days, a view that sweeps from the Ionian Riviera to the interior of Sicily. Duration: 4 hours walking / 5 hours total tour. Departures at 9.30 and 10.30, meeting time 45 minutes before departure (the departure at 10.30 is compatible for those arriving by bus AST from Catania). Meeting Point Shelter Alpine Guides Etna Sud, next to the Refuge Sapienza

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 "Priority pass" ticket office 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. Together with your guide 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, return to the cable car station and make your way back down the volcano with your roundtrip ticket.

Hike to the top of Europe's tallest active volcano with a volcanologist guide. Discover the views from the summit craters, explore a lava tunnel and the Valle del Bove. Meet your guide at the local partner's office opposite the station of the southern Etna cableway. From the top of the cable car you will cross lunar landscapes aboard a 4x4 up to an altitude of 2850-meters in the Torre del Filosofo area. Begin your trek until we reach the edge of the Bocca Nuova (3300-meters) a crater which opened in 1968, one of the most impressive in the area. Stroll to the top and enjoy 360° panoramas and, if the weather permits, see as far as the Aeolian Islands and almost all of northern Sicily. Descend from the summit craters and pass through the craters of the 2002 eruption, then walk inside a lava tunnel and admire the volcanic amphitheater of the Valle del Bove, a spectacular caldera 8 km long and 4 km wide. Return by 4x4 and cable car to the starting point.

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.

Take a beautiful sunset tour of the famed Etna volcano. Explore a lava cave, walk around craters and watch the sunset on the spectacular landscape Begin with a stop at a farm for a sampling of delicious local products. Visit one of the town's most famous organic farms for a delicious sampling of typical local products. Continue your tour of a lava cave 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 your hotel in the evening.

Visit the tallest volcano in Europe and explore Etna Park on a 6-hour tour from Taormina. First stop to visit one of the area’s top organic farms to taste products such as 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.

Enjoy a hike on the highest, most active volcano in Europe. Explore a fascinating landscape and take in breathtaking views on this climbing adventure. Start the tour with an early morning pickup from the meeting point chosen. On the way, there will be a stop for a coffee and to buy something to eat. Arrive at the starting point for your off-the-beaten-track hike. Take advantage of a helmet and all the equipment you need for your hike. As you begin to walk, admire the fascinating landscape of the Valle del Bove, the biggest depression of Mount Etna, and its moonlike deserts. From there take in the breathtaking views of the smoking summit craters and the surrounding landscape facing the Ionian Sea. Finally, in the afternoon, get dropped off back in Catania where your tour concludes.

Stroll on ancient craters at 2,000 meters above sea level on this tour of Mount Etna from Catania. Walk through ancient lava flows and find out about the volcano’s history from your guide. Afterward, enjoy tastings of typical local products. Begin the tour with a free pickup at your meeting point in Catania, then drive toward Mount Etna and hear about the highest volcano in Europe from your guide. Upon arrival, marvel at the lunar landscapes of the volcano and take a walk on the Silvestri Craters at 2000 mt, is a soft trekking suitable for everyone. Admire the varied colors, immerse yourself in the aroma of Etna’s vegetation, and explore volcanic caves where the lava used to flow. Visit the famous Bove Valley, where lava flows down during volcanic eruptions and the famous 1991 lava stream that almost reached a village. Then, taste different local products such as honey, olive oil, and wine, at a local company. At the end of the tour, your guide will drop you off in Catania.

Climb up to an altitude of 3,000 meters and enjoy incredible panoramic views near the top craters of Mount Etna. Join a certified guide on a unique adventure from Rifugio Sapienza and safely explore an active volcano, by staying away from the danger zone. Begin at the Bar Esagonal at an altitude of 1,900 meters. Take a scenic cable car ride up to an altitude of 2,500 meters before starting your trek on Mount Etna. With special authorization for scientific purposes, pass the current altitude limit of 2750 meters and push to a height of 3000 meters with your guide (only without major altitude sickness in the group). Touch fumaroles with hot gas emissions and pass by the banks of still-steaming lava flow from the most recent eruptions. You will visit a small basalt canyon (if not buried by snow) and then arrive at the base of the most active crater at the moment, the Southeast Crater. Next, head to the large craters of 2002, then descend a path (full of snow in winter) to the cable car station to return to the starting point.