Mount Etna tour from Taormina
Description
Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a true icon of Sicily. This is your chance to venture either 1,900 or 2,900 metres above sea level to check out the lunar-like landscapes of the volcano's craters. You'll be driven from Taormina to Rifugio Sapienza, where – if you've chosen to go up to 2,900 metres – you'll switch to a cable car and 4x4 vehicle to reach the main crater for a guided walk and some epic views. If you opt to stay at 1,900 metres, there's free time to explore the nature trails around the Silvestri Craters, along with souvenir shops, cafés and a small museum that tells the story of the mountain's past. Either way, you'll want your camera for this one.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Nature trails, caves, woods, and lava flows typify the landscape that leads to the top of Mt Etna. And after pick-up from your hotel you'll be driven to about 1900m above sea level at Rifugio Sapienza on the south side of Etna, where you'll hop off the bus to unearth some more.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Bring suitable footwear
- Bring warm clothes
- Bring a hat
- Up to the top the Apline Guide will only speak English but for most of the tour the guide will speak both languages
- The trip to 2,900m is optional so if you'd like to go higher, you'll need to select this when booking
- It can get chilly at higher altitudes, so we recommend that you wear layers of clothing
- Not suitable for expectant mothers or guests with back problems
Reviews(11)
The guide on the coach was very knowledgeable and engaging. The queues for the cable car and 4x4 buses were quite long, I wouldn’t want to do this trip on a weekend or in peak season. The guide at the top was supposed to give information in English but concentrated on a small group of Italian speakers, so we didn’t feel like we got as much information as we might have. Being at 2900 metres was amazing, a fantastic experience.
Amazing experience, our guides were very knowledgeable, and the views stunning. Definitely a must see. TUI Italy make the experience easy and wonderful.
The guide, Fabio, was very knowledgeable and entertaining, The bus driver did an amazing job on the twisty, curvy roads. Unfortunately the weather was not great so we couldn’t go all the way to the top or ride the cable cars and views were limited. It is cold and windy that high up so dress warm.
Not sure if our experience is representative of all, but it didn't fulfil the brief. Travelled all the way from Australia and as per blurb fully expected to hike and explore around crator edges etc. Dropped at 2500m level and expected the above as advertised, sadly not the case. Walked around the immediate area and bussed back to base area. Extremely disappointing. Very out of character from many previous experiences with Viator.
The most awesome experience! We travelled with Tui, Mario our driver and Fabio our guide. Fabio was just the most fantastic host and kept us informed all the way with great humour and info about the history of Etna. The weather was perfect for our day and the organisation of getting you from bus park, cable car, 4x4 to the walking areas near the summit first class. Please ensure you bring a fleece or wind proof jacket and good walking shoes, the wind is cold at 9000ft! The views from the top are stunning and Etna lets you know she’s alive and kicking with smoke and steam constantly venting from the craters at the summit. All in all a must if visiting Sicily and a highlight during a weeks stay in Taormina. Thank you Fabio for your awesome info and humour, it made the day 10/10
Our half-day tour to Mount Etna with Fabio was unforgettable. He is an incredibly informative and engaging host, sharing the history, geology, and culture of Europe’s most active volcano with passion and humor. The scenery was stunning — walking among lava fields and taking in sweeping views was truly surreal. A fun highlight was his playful hint at a “secret recipe” for Sicilian pesto sauce, adding a personal and authentic touch. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Sicily!
Absolutely a stunning experience, words truly fall short when you reach the summit. Standing on top, gazing over the vast landscapes of Sicily, you feel both humbled and exhilarated at the same time. We were incredibly lucky to witness an actual eruption during our visit, a once-in-a-lifetime moment that left us breathless. The raw power of nature combined with the serene, almost surreal, panoramic views created a contrast that is impossible to describe unless you’ve been there yourself. Our guide, Fabio, was world-class. Without exaggeration, he was one of the best guides we had on our entire trip. His passion for the volcano, the island, and its history was infectious. Fabio shared not just facts, but insights, stories, and local legends that made the journey even more immersive. He knew exactly what to recommend, from the best spots for photos to must-try local treats and even small tips on how to navigate the terrain comfortably. The entire experience felt safe, informative, and utterly magical. If you’re even remotely considering this adventure, do not hesitate. It’s a bucket-list activity that will stay with you forever.
Luca the tour guide was very organized and informative about Etna and the region. We had no wait getting on the Cable Car. Everything was timely. Plenty of time to do gift shops. He is clearly passionate, taking lava stones from Etna to give to his son.
We happened to tour the morning of June 2 when the first eruption had just started. Fabio was so enthusiastic and shared loads of interesting facts and pictures of past eruptions- everyone was excited to be there! We were unable to reach 2900m and had to travel via 4x4 vans instead of cable car but it did not take away from the experience at all. The bus overheated 2x on our climb out of the city up to the park but our driver Carmello was quick with the water to cool it down and get us back on our way. I would definitely recommend a TUI tour to anyone, they do an excellent job. Thanks Fabio for a fun-filled, memorable experience!
Great tour guide Very knowledgeable. Made sure everything went well Etna is very worthwhile to visit
Dear Customer, Thank you for your very positive feedback. Your comments are crucial for us to improve our services and I am glad you had a lovely experience with us. We hope to be your choice for your future holiday destinations. Kind regards, Customer Service team
