Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Mount Etna

As you drive through eastern Sicily, you can’t help but notice the domineering presence of Mount Etna, which rises above towns and cities, smoking menacingly. Mount Etna, or “the Etna” as locals call it, is the tallest peak in Sicily and Europe’s most active volcano. Despite its menacing presence and history of destruction, Mount Etna is Sicily’s most visited tourist site.

We visited Mount Etna on our recent road trip through Sicily, and it was a highlight of our travels on the island.

If you’re planning a trip to Sicily, I recommend making time in your itinerary for a visit to Mount Etna. Mount Etna was a highlight of our recent trip to Sicily, and I’ve outlined below everything you need to know for planning your time there.

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Where is Mount Etna?

Mount Etna is in eastern Sicily, 21 miles north of Catania and 35 miles west of Taormina, making it an easy day trip from either location. Most people will need to rent a car or arrange a tour to visit Mount Etna, although in general, I recommend renting a car when visiting Sicily.

The roads up Mount Etna are in great shape, mostly because they are repaired every few years after the volcano erupts!

Is Mount Etna Worth Visiting?

The short answer is, YES! Mount Etna is definitely worth visiting! As the most popular tourist destination in Sicily, there’s just something about Mount Etna that draws visitors from around the world. Maybe it’s the stunning views, the thrill of trekking an active volcano, or the sense of walking atop history, but regardless of what attracts you to Mount Etna: Visiting Mount Etna is worthwhile!

History of Mount Etna

Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano, erupting on average 200 times per year! The earliest known record of Mount Etna erupting is from 1500 BCE. The frequent eruptions are also increasing the height of the mountain, which grew 100 feet during the first 6 months of 2021.

Mount Etna is the reason Sicily is considered the breadbasket of Italy. Millenia of eruptions have made the soil around Etna some of the most fertile and mineral-rich in the country, supporting acres of farms, vineyards, and citrus groves.

Most of Mount Etna’s eruptions don’t pose a risk to nearby towns. However, there’s evidence that the city of Catania was covered at least 6 times by lava flow from the volcano.

When to Visit Mount Etna

You can visit Mount Etna year-round but visiting in the winter months will help you avoid the crowds. If visiting in the winter, the mountain will likely have snow and temperatures will be cold.

The best time of day to visit Mount Etna is the morning. The sky becomes hazier throughout the day, and if you visit in the afternoon your views of the valley and sea may be less than clear.

What to expect when visiting Mount Etna

Parking

There is free parking available at Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza (GPS coordinates: 37.700277, 14.998836), as well as a larger paid lot up the street (Parcheggio; GPS coordinates: 37.699470, 15.000478). While the Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza lot is free, an “independent contractor” may request a euro or two for the privilege of parking there. It’s best to just pay and not try to argue the fee. Consider it a security deposit.

Cable car up the mountain

From the parking area, walk to the cable car entrance (Funivia dell’Etna). The cable car ride begins at 1,923 meters (6,309 feet) and brings you up to 2,500 meters (8,202 feet). From there, you can hike up to 2,800 meters (9,186 feet) or take a guided Jeep or snowcat expedition up to 2,900 meters (9,514 feet).

Guided Snowcat or Jeep

From the top of the cable car, snowcats or jeeps, depending on the season, will bring you up to 2,900 meters (for a price, of course). The ride is quite bumpy. Having done this with a three-year-old and one-year-old, I can attest that the experience is kid-friendly.

At 2,900 meters you will be led on a 45-minute guided tour of the rim. The guide will discuss the history of Etna’s eruptions, the geology of the volcano, and the landscape below. The walk along the rim is easy and mostly flat, suitable for all levels of fitness. If visiting Mount Etna with kids, I recommend bringing a carrier for children unable to walk or be held for half a mile. The rim walk is not stroller-friendly.

At the time of this posting, the summit of Mount Etna was closed due to volcanic activity. All the aforementioned activities are still operating.

Equipment rental on Mount Etna

If you are visiting Mount Etna in the winter when temperatures drop and snow is present, but don’t want to pack winter gear for just a couple of hours on the mountain, then breathe easy because you can rent jackets and boots for your visit.

Jacket and boot rentals are available at the top of the cable car, and cost 5 euros each. Kids sizes are available, but not for younger children and babies.

Hiking and other options when visiting Mount Etna

In lieu of taking the cable car, visitors to Mount Etna can opt to hike the main volcano as high as 2,800 meters. There are also two lower craters that visitors can hike for free.

What does it cost to visit Mount Etna?

Visiting Mount Etna can be expensive, but it’s worth the splurge! The cable car up to 2,500 meters costs €50 for adults, €30 for children 5-10 years old, and free for kids under 5.

To reach 2,900 meters on Mount Etna, the cost is €78 for adults and €50 for kids 5-10 years old (children under 5 are free). This price includes the cable car, a jeep or snowcat ride to 2,900 meters, and a 45-minute guided tour along the rim.

If you’re visiting Mount Etna on a budget, you can skip the cable car and hike as high as 2,800 meters. Above that, a guide is required.

Concessions on Mount Etna

At 2,500 meters where the cable car lets off, the Mountain Hut contains a bar and café serving pizzas, arancini, hot drinks, and alcohol. There are also chips and other snack foods available, along with a souvenir shop. Concessions are overpriced, but during the winter months, a hot beverage could be particularly satisfying.

At the base of the cable car is another similar concession, which you can visit for a snack or meal on your way back to the car. We picked up some arancini here but found them disappointing. My recommendation is to skip eating on Mount Etna (if possible – sometimes travel with kids means less flexibility with mealtimes) and instead drive to nearby Zafferana Etnea for lunch.

Where to go near Mount Etna

The nearby town of Zafferana Etnea, famous for honey made by black bees, is only a 30-minute drive from the Mount Etna visitor parking. Via Roma, the main street, is dotted with restaurants and sweet shops. A stop in Piazza Umberto I Belveder, across from the church, will provide a stunning view of the volcano you were just on.

Note that, at least in the winter months, Zafferana Etnea closes down in midday for siesta, so try and arrive before 2:00 PM in order to grab lunch and taste some of their famous honey.

Final Thoughts

A visit to the top of Mount Etna is a Sicily trip highlight. It requires time and money but is ultimately an unforgettable experience the whole family will appreciate. Riding the cable car up the mountainside, bouncing along in the snowcat, then walking along the rim under the smoking summit is a worthwhile use of your precious travel time.

I hope this post answered your questions about the logistics and experience of visiting Mount Etna. I’d love to hear all about your time there in the comments!

Until Next Time,

Tamar