Our most recommended things to do in Nicolosi

Mount Etna: Guided Volcano Summit Hiking Tour with Cable Car

1. Mount Etna: Guided Volcano Summit Hiking Tour with Cable Car

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, 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.

Nicolosi: Mount Etna Cable Car, 4x4 Excursion, and Trek

2. Nicolosi: Mount Etna Cable Car, 4x4 Excursion, and Trek

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 2750 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 (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 30 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

Mount Etna: Roundtrip Cable Car and 4x4 Bus Ticket

3. Mount Etna: Roundtrip Cable Car and 4x4 Bus Ticket

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.

From Catania: Mount Etna Sunset Tour

4. From Catania: Mount Etna Sunset Tour

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, including honey and wine. Continue your tour to 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.

From Catania: Etna Nature and Flavors Half-Day Tour

5. From Catania: Etna Nature and Flavors Half-Day Tour

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, 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.

Full-Day Etna and Wine Tour from Catania

6. Full-Day Etna and Wine Tour from Catania

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 take 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.

Funivia dell'Etna: Priority Cablecar Return Ticket

7. Funivia dell'Etna: Priority Cablecar Return Ticket

Book your Funivia dell'Etna cable car ticket in advance and secure your seat for this unique cable car experience. Validate your ticket at the "Priority pass" ticket office 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.

Etna: Summit Craters 3357 m. Trekking Tour

8. Etna: Summit Craters 3357 m. Trekking Tour

Learn the history of Mount Etna while traversing its sandstone trails and peering into its famous craters. Embark on an adventure under the careful guidance of a certified volcanological or alpine guide. The tour begins in Piano Provenzana Square (Linguaglossa - Etna North). Meet the guide by the ticket office and ascend to a height of 2,800 meters in a specialized 4x4 jeep. Start with a 1.5-hour climb along an easy section of trail that leads to the edge of the Bocca Nuova Crater (also known as La Voragine), at 3,250 meters. Along the way, your guide will explain the geology and historical background of the Etna Volcano. Continue in a clockwise direction along a nimble path to the Central Crater and then to the North East Crater, formed in 1911. If the weather conditions allow, you may even be able to walk up to its rim and take a quick peek into the depths below. Enjoy the vistas from the summit of Mount Etna. If the weather permits, hikers can admire panoramic views of the Aeolian islands as well as the coasts of Taormina, Catania, Calabria, and Stromboli with full clarity. Last but not least, explore the South East Crater, one of Etna's most active. From here, look over the valley del Bove below. After touring all 4 craters, start the 30-minute descent through a steep but manageable sandstone section that brings you down to 3,000 meters. Here, choose to walk along a sand gully to Piano Provenzana (1800 meters above sea level), or return to the meeting point by jeep.

Mount Etna Hiking tour from Taormina or Giardini Naxos

9. Mount Etna Hiking tour from Taormina or Giardini Naxos

Tick an unforgettable activity from Taormina. You’ll trek on one of Europe’s most active volcanoes departing comfortably from Taormina or Giardini Naxos and watch the landscape change as you ascend, preparing to live an unforgettable experience into the nature of Mount Etna. At your arrival at the slopes of Mount Etna, you will meet your guide who will take you to the trekking path on the volcano. Start climbing towards the top of some of the 7 so called lateral craters which were formed during the 1865 eruption, creating an amazing “buttons shapes” effect: several cones in succession aligned on the eruptive axis as if they were buttons. Dip into the special atmosphere that marks out the area, between pyroclastic materials produced from the volcano during the explosive phase of the eruption such as scoria, lapilli and volcanic "bombs" and exciting natural: you will have the chance to admire splendid tree species such as the betula aetnensis, a kind of birch usually growing in North Europe which is found in Sicily only on the North side of the Mount Etna. Along the hiking route, if you will be lucky enough to have a sunny clear day, you will be blessed with incredible panoramas, from Calabria to Taormina: sometimes it is even possible to see Stromboli island! Be ready to take many pictures of this once in a life experience!

Catania: Mount Etna Morning Jeep Tour

10. 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.

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What people are saying about Nicolosi

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 2,215 reviews

Ended up getting a private tour (since it’s the past the holidays and low season). Our guide, Andrea, was phenomenal… so knowledgeable about Etna, Catania, Sicily (in general), and volcanos! He answered all of our various questions and spoke English really well. We decided to do the cable car option ($30 each) and then trek ourselves to the crater created during the 2001 eruption (instead of the Jeeps which would have been another $38 each)… very happy with that decision since clouds rolled in blocking the Jeep’s panorama viewpoint. I am young but not the most fit, however, Andrea’s pace allowed me to ascend slowly without feeling rushed. It wasn’t the easiest but absolutely worth the views once inside the crater. The local food/wine tasting and lava tube (cave) parts of the tour are like the cherry on top of an already great day. This tour ranks as one of my favorite excursions during my month-long travel. Worth every penny and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Even despite the closure of the roads leading to Mount Etna due to bad weather conditions, our optimistic, joyful and patient guide was able to provide a wonderful trip to our group. We were able to visit most of attractions of the program (even though with small alterations) while listening to the numerous interesting stories about Mount Etna and its relations to the city, myths and history of Catania. The tasting of local products like honey, olive oil and pistacchio cream took place in a small antique museum of the tradition of beekeeping, which was the perfect location to round up the trip.

Pick up on time and nice journey to the larva cave for a quick stop and walk in the cave. Carried on to Etna visitor centre but as the weather was really bad and the list was shut due to winds had a short hike around and lots of info from the guide. Left and stopped off at a winery for tasting. Wine, flavoured olive oils znd antipasti. All very nice and no hard sell on any products. Returned about an hour early due to weather but only nature's fault.

Our guide Enzo was brilliant he was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Such a knowledgeable and kind guide and well rounded tour!