Europe's most active volcano, on Sicily's east coast. Frequent eruptions coat slopes in black ash. Nearby villages grow grapes and olives in volcanic soil.
Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, rises on Sicily's eastern coast. This UNESCO World Heritage site invites you to walk on black volcanic sand, ski down snowy slopes while viewing the Mediterranean, and taste wines cultivated in rich volcanic soil. As you explore Mount Etna, you'll encounter lush forests, stark volcanic landscapes, and the vibrant culture that has developed around this remarkable natural wonder.
Mount Etna reaches 3,329 meters (10,922 feet) high, making it Europe's highest active volcano. Its eruptions have shaped Sicily's landscape for over 500,000 years. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Catania monitors the volcano's activity, ensuring visitor safety while enabling close observation of this significant geological site.
You can explore Mount Etna's diverse landscapes through numerous hiking trails. On the lower slopes, you'll walk through forests of chestnut, beech, and pine trees. As you climb higher, you'll encounter a stark environment of black sand and volcanic rock. For your safety, consider joining a guided tour, especially when venturing to higher altitudes.
Take the Funivia dell'Etna cable car from the Rifugio Sapienza at 1,923 meters to an altitude of 2,500 meters. From there, you can join guided 4x4 tours to explore the summit craters. In winter, you can ski at Mount Etna. Two ski resorts, Etna Nord and Etna Sud, let you glide down the slopes of an active volcano while looking out over the Mediterranean Sea.
Mount Etna supports a variety of plant and animal life despite its harsh environment. On the lower slopes, you'll see vineyards, olive groves, and citrus orchards. Higher up, look for hardy species like the Mount Etna broom and the Etna violet. Wildlife includes foxes, wild cats, and various bird species adapted to the volcanic environment.
Mount Etna's fertile volcanic soil produces excellent wines. In the Etna DOC wine region, you can taste red wines made from Nerello Mascalese grapes and white wines from Carricante. Many wineries welcome visitors for tours and tastings. Local dishes often include ingredients grown in the volcanic soil, such as pistachios from Bronte and cherry tomatoes from Pachino.
In Catania, at the foot of Mount Etna, you can admire 18th-century baroque churches and palaces, and visit the busy fish market. In the town of Taormina, you can sit in an ancient Greek theater with views of the sea. For a scenic journey, ride the Ferrovia Circumetnea, a narrow-gauge railway that circles the base of the volcano.
Plan your visit between May and September for dry, warm weather suitable for hiking and outdoor exploration. Winter visits allow you to ski on the volcano's slopes. Always check current volcanic activity and weather conditions before your trip. You can reach Mount Etna by car, bus, or organized tour from nearby cities like Catania and Taormina.
Tell us about it! Is it place worth visiting, are you coming back?
