EXPLORE ETNA
For a day on Etna you have several options:
By car
South slope
If you have your own car, you could reach rifugio Sapienza on the south slope and ask for a guided tour at the chalet office of “gruppo guide alpine Etna Sud”, or take the cable car “funivia dell’Etna”.
North slope
If you’re looking for a less touristy area for a solo hike, Piano Provenzana is a great choice. The drive from Catania is longer, but if you prefer rugged, lunar landscapes, this is the best spot.
Additionally, guided tours at Piano Provenzana run regularly.
If you do not have your own car
You can book a private or a group tour with expert naturalistic guides that will pick you up.Here are some selected operators:
Etna wild (our partners)
Phone: +39 348 043 1829
(show your bookmark and let our Etna Wild friends surprise you with a special treat)
Etna est
Phone:+39 389 155 6178
Aitnemed
Phone: +39 347 080 0902
In case of overbooking we can try to help with a broadcast message. Tell us when you would like to perform the tour, how many people and your phone number, we forward your request and, if available, they will make you an offer.
By Public Bus
AST Public Bus (cheapest but not 100% reliable)from Catania Bus station (8.15 am), piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII, to Etna (10.15 am) rifugio Sapienza, Nicolosi (south slope).
We recommend going there very early (around 7am) to ensure you get a spot on the bus, as buying a ticket online does not guarantee a seat.
Return from Etna at 16:30.
AST Public Bus (no English version)
Choose:
Catania as “località di partenza”
Etna as “località di arrivo”
To check the updated departure times
By Private Bus
Also touristic busses will take you to Rifugio Sapienza, where you can explore the Silvestri Craters or get the cable car and the tracked vehicle with the vulcanologic guide.
The private bus will confirm the service only if a minimum number of participants is reached, offices and pickups are in Via Vittorio Emanuele, next to the Cathedral.
? The cable car is open only if the weather conditions are good and there is no dangerous vulcanic activity going on. It is quite expensive. But this is the easiest way to go from 1900mt to 2750mt from the south slope.
Enjoy and don’t stop the (lava) flow!!