Catania

Day Trips

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.

Enjoy an adventurous day trip to Mount Etna, including handy roundtrip transfers from Catania. Best of all, customize your tour according to your needs, choosing from either a private or small-group experience in a choice of languages. Explore the volcano’s ancient craters, a lava flow cave, and try some local products, while taking in some breathtaking panoramic views along the way. Start your day with a pick-up from your Catania accommodation in an air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan. Digest some fun facts about the volcano from your professional guide as you drive 2000 meters up. Hear about everything from the volcano’s natural resources, memorable landscapes, and flora, to lava flows that have swallowed roads and buildings in past spurts of activity. Once you reach 2000 meters up, take a guided walk around the ancient craters, recent lava flows, and other-worldly landscape. Rest easy as the trek is an easy one, suitable for both families with younger children and older family members. Try a mini-sampling of Sicilian delicacies during the trek, with some "cantucci" biscuits and "zibibbo" wine both up for tasting. After a short break, head to your next stop — a lava flow cave. Using a helmet and flashlight, you’ll discover the cave’s origins and stand-out features in ample time with your guide. Your last stop is a panoramic viewpoint at Monte Pomiciaro, granting you unforgettable views and photo opportunities over the Valle del Bove, the volcano’s most important valley. If the sunset option is selected, take in breathtaking views of Etna during 'Golden Hour'. After your volcanic adventure, head back to Catania, where your tour will conclude.

Take a guided tour of iconic Mount Etna. Discover the natural landmark's history, sample local produce, and watch the sun set over the outstanding landscape. Climb aboard a 4x4 Jeep and begin your half-day guided tour. Learn about the history and science behind the Etna volcano. Stop for a wine, liquor, and honey tasting to discover the flavors and smells of local products that are made in this volcanic region. Drive along roads that are framed by breathtaking views of the various dormant craters. Admire the beautiful Valle del Bove and explore an old lava flow cave with lamps. Finish your tour by enjoying the beautiful panoramas of the sun setting behind the landscape. 

Embark on a trek of iconic Mount Etna with a naturalist guide. Take in outstanding views, learn local history from your guide, visit a lava cave, and see the southeastern crater, Etna's most active area. Enjoy included trekking poles, shoes, and warm clothing. Following your pickup, you will head in the direction of Etna. Passing off-road through Trazzere where you can see the lava flows of 1792, your guide will explain the fauna and flora of the volcano of Etna. Learn Mount Etna's history as you travel in the direction of the Bove Valley, which is an ancient caldera formed about 64,000 years ago due to the collapse of 2 major eruptive centers. You'll soon arrive at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, where your hike starts. Follow quiet trails away from the tourist paths. Pass recent lava flows and soak up views of the coastline. Throughout the trek you can stop to taste sandwiches and local products, and will visit inside a lava cave. At the conclusion of your experience, you will be returned back to your point of origin.

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 if you'd like (costs not included). 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.

Take part in a buggy adventure on Mount Etna. Take in scenic sights, walk around the top of Silvestri Craters and explore the Cassone lava cave. Explore the Etna volcano by buggy on this unique 4-hour activity. After a quick briefing on how to drive your buggy, head off with the guide to the villages of Pedara and Nicolosi. Continue along a track that passes an old lava rock quarry, and experience the buggy’s off-road abilities. Drive on a scenic road leading to Rifugio Sapienza. After a coffee break, take a walk around the top of the Silvestri Craters. Next, take the road down to the Cassone lava cave. Enjoy a quick visit inside, equipped with a helmet and a flashlight. Continue on the route, stopping to admire the immense Valle del Bove from Mount Zoccolaro on the way to Zafferana Etnea, Viagrande and San Gregorio.

Following pick-up at a pre-arranged pick-up point, depart Taormina at about 08:30 and journey to the foothills of Mt. Etna. Travel in a small group of no more than 8 people for a more intimate and personalized experience. You will be accompanied by a guide trained in volcanology, biology or geology for your convenience. Upon arrival at the active volcano, hike for approximately 1.5 hours around the perimeters of some of its extinct craters. Walk through ancient woods and along paths covered with lava about 2,000 meters above sea level. Get a better appreciation of this emblem of Sicily and its surrounding landscape from a different perspective. Learn about the fascinating volcanic phenomenon, before heading underground to explore one of the lava caves. Then, head to a local café for a typical savory snack of a sandwich, wine, a dessert and a tasting of almond wine, which is a typical Sicilian sweet wine. Return to your hotel at around 14:30 at the end of the tour services.

Enjoy the experience of riding on an ATV through the untouched nature of the Etna Volcano. Pass by some of the most stunning spots in the region. Set off from the Alcantara Gorges, following dirt tracks in the direction of Castiglione di Sicilia, famous for its winemaking. Stop to admire the breathtaking views of the valley. Continue on a bike trail to Linguaglossa, where you can see the little volcano of Moio Alcantara, Etna's farthest crater from the epicenter. Along the way you will have the chance to see the lava flows formed during numerous eruptions. You will then climb to Piano Provenzana at an altitude of 1,850 meters.

Benefit from pickup at your accommodation in Taormina. Taste local produce at an organic farm and savor the flavors of the local honey and wine. Continue to a lava cave created during the 1792 eruption of the volcano. Enter the stunning site to learn about the lava flow and forces that created them. Then, stroll along the mountain trails to reach the Sapienza Refuge on the slopes of Mount Etna. Walk around the different lava flows created by the latest eruptions and see the ancient Silvestri craters from the eruptions of 1892. Watch the sunset from the top of the mountain before returning to your hotel after dark.

Your adventure begins when you meet your captain on board your boat for the day, decked out with three double cabins, a bathroom with a shower, an outside shower, a kitchen, and a refrigerator. You’ll then set sail to Ulysses’ Caves. Be amazed by the gorgeous underwater scenery of vibrant blues and greens as you sail past these breathtaking lava-formed caves. Next, while sailing towards Acitrezza, you’ll pass under the medieval castle of Acicastello and enjoy a spectacular view of the castle by the sea. You’ll notice the characteristic pillow lavas found under the castle due to the rapid cooling of submarine eruptions.   Once you reach Acitrezza, you’ll be shown a marine reserve dubbed "The Cyclopean Isles”. The only way to access the reserve is via a pedal boat, which is included in your tour depending on seasonal availability. If the pedal boat isn’t available or if you prefer not to use it, you’ll instead have the chance to visit the charming little village of Acitrezza for one hour. When you arrive back on board you’ll be served a delicious traditional lunch including an appetizer, pasta with mussels, fruit, water, and local white wine. Finally, during your return trip, you’ll make a short stop with the chance for another quick swim before arriving back in Catania at around 6:00 PM.