Day trip

From Catania: Day Trip to Mount Etna and Taormina

4.8 / 5

77 reviews

Activity provider: Etna Experience Excursion
Day trip

From Catania: Day Trip to Mount Etna and Taormina

Activity provider: Etna Experience Excursion
Likely to sell out

From US$ 101.85 per person

Likely to sell out

Enjoy a wonderful excursion on Etna, visiting extinguished craters and a lava cave before heading to Taormina for a relaxing afternoon.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 6 - 8 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, Italian
Pickup included
Be picked up at your accommodation in Catania. Guides will wait no longer than 10 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time. Look for the activity provider's jeep or minivan.
Private or small groups available

Experience

Highlights
  • See 2 of the main points of interest of Sicily in just 1 day
  • Visit the north slope of Etna and its craters and lava cave at 2000 meters
  • Enjoy a lunch made of typical Sicilian products, water, and a glass of wine
  • Discover the city of Taormina in the afternoon
Full description

Hike to the highest active volcano in Europe, Mt Etna, and continue to the characteristic town of Taormina on a guided day trip from Catania with return hotel transfers. Visit old craters and lava flow caves and sit down for a picnic lunch in nature with a glass of wine.

Start with a pickup from your accommodation in Catania and make your way to Etna. Get introduced to the fascinating world of volcanic phenomena by your guide. Gear up in hiking equipment and walk through ancient woods, extinct craters and past lava flows on Etna.

Explore a volcanic cave and the surrounding landscape of Etna. After working up an appetite, enjoy a packed lunch with some typical street food products in an open area. In case of bad weather, go to a refuge to munch on sandwiches. 

Next, head to the historical center of Taormina for a self-guided visit. Admire the Ionian coast on one side and Mount Etna on the other, immersed in a picturesque atmosphere. Visit the elegant avenue that separates the medieval city gates, Porta Catania and Porta Messina, walk down the alleys, and see the Greek theater. After your visit to Taormina, jump back on board for the return trip to Catania.

Includes
  • Naturalistic guide (i.e. Geologists, biologists, agronomists)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Catania (or in a agreed meeting point close to your accommodation)
  • Lunch
  • Water
  • Glass of wine
  • Hiking equipment (helmets, torches, hiking boots, wind jackets, and snowshoes)
  • Transfer to Taormina
  • Extra food and beverages
  • Entrance tickets
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with heart problems
  • Wheelchair users
  • People with low level of fitness

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

What to bring

  • Jacket
  • Water
  • Hiking shoes

Not allowed

  • Unaccompanied minors
  • Alcohol and drugs

Know before you go

  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
  • There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet minimum number requirements
  • In the event of this occurring, or in case of bad weather conditions you will be offered an alternative or full refund
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Trekking shoes and jackets are available for free at the moment of the booking if requested
  • Equipment for children (car seat, booster seats, baby carriers) are rentable for free, on request. Please inform the tour operator at time of booking
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking
  • Vegetarian, vegan and celiac options are available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions
  • Not wheelchair accessible
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 77 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.9/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5
  • Safety
    4.9/5

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It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience! Mount Etna was amazing to explore. The wine tasting and food were delicious and Taormina was truly scenic to discover. The tour was topped with an excellent tour guide, Paulo made us feel at ease with his comedy and peaked our interest with his impressive knowledge about Etna and Sicilian-Greek mythology.

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March 12, 2023

If you want to enjoy Mount Etna and avoid tourist groups then you must book the Private Tour! Giovanni was an amazing guide who was so passionate. We arrived at Mount Etna before the buses and he took us through less traditional paths to walk us through the various craters and talk about the history of the eruptions. Perfect if you want explanations and a bit of adventure. The drive to the winery was a lot of fun full of stories, the food and wine there was excellent and my partner and I didn't feel one second this was a tourist trap. We finished at Taormina which was a lovely city full of lovely spots for pictures, maybe a bit touristic but we were lucky to visit off season to appreciate it.

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February 25, 2023

It was a great trip with 5 other travelers and our guide Floriana who was friendly, helpful and full of joy. We had a short walk to the refugio and the Silvestri craters followed by simple lunch with schiacciata and wine. Then we had off to Taormina where we had 2 hours to wonder around.

February 19, 2023

Product ID: 189042