Your experience
Located 20km from Taormina, the Alcantara gorges are truly a naturalistic wonder. Set amidst abundant flora and thick vegetation, these canyons are known for their black lave-rich waterbeds and walls that feature beautiful prismatic shapes. While legend has it that the gorge was formed due to volcanic eruptions caused by the Gods, many believe that it was probably due to an eruption between the Peloritan Mountains and Mount Etna.
On this adventure, get to explore the beauty of the Alcantara gorge firsthand on a quad bike as you splash your way through the canyon. With every turn you make, realize just how culturally and historically significant this natural wonder is. If you wish, you can also upgrade your experience by choosing either the half-day Etna tour option or the 2-and-a-half-hour tour option.
Your experience
Discover Etna's lava caves
Start the day with a pick up from your meeting point in Catania. Head toward Etna and enjoy a visit to Grotta delle Nevi, learning about the lava cave’s fascinating history from your guide.
Hike to extinct craters
Take a short trek to the top of the extinct craters, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Etna, the coastline, and Taormina. Your guide will explain the geological significance of the craters.
Quick break and more exploration
Take a break at a mountain refuge, savoring the surrounding views. Then, continue to Monti Sartorius for more sightseeing, photo opportunities, and insights into Etna’s unique landscape.
Your experience
Enjoy a quick escape from Catania
Take a family-friendly day trip from Catania to Mount Etna, with easy hikes and convenient transfers. Board a 4x4 vehicle that will bring you to a height of 2000 meters, where you’ll explore ancient craters, volcanic lava fields, and the spectacular Valle del Bove. Learn about the volcano’s geology and endemic flora from your expert guide as you enjoy breathtaking panoramic views.
Pick your tour
Along the way, you’ll also visit a volcanic cave and savor local specialties like honey, wine, and liqueurs. With the option to choose between a morning or sunset excursion, this experience ensures a memorable adventure for all ages, making it an ideal option for families.
Your experience
Begin the journey
Your adventure begins with a comfortable transfer from Catania to Mount Etna, where you’ll meet your expert guide. After the one-hour drive, get ready to experience the marvels of one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Trek through the craters and lava tube
Once you arrive, go on an easy, scenic trek to explore the stunning craters. As you hike, take in the breathtaking views and gain insights into Etna’s geology from your guide. Next, you'll visit a fascinating lava tube, where you’ll learn about the unique formations shaped by past eruptions.
Off-road exploration and sunset views
After the trek, enjoy an exhilarating off-road ride through Etna’s rugged landscape. Enjoy the expansive views and the golden hues of sunset reflecting off the volcano’s slopes. The adventure continues with a relaxing coffee break at a mountain refuge, giving you a chance to unwind before heading back.
Your experience
Start your adventure
Your day begins with a convenient pick-up from Taormina, ensuring a smooth start to your exciting journey. Soon, you’ll reach a lava cave, where you’ll be equipped with helmets and flashlights to explore the mysterious underground world.
Trek and explore
After the cave exploration, take a well-deserved break at a charming mountain shelter, where you can enjoy a coffee while soaking in the spectacular views. The adventure continues with a gentle trek through lush vegetation, leading you to the edge of extinct craters. Reaching altitudes of 1,700–2,000 meters, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of Mount Etna and the surrounding landscape, all while learning from your expert guide.
Your experience
Traversing Mount Etna's rugged off-road areas
Embarking on a half-day guided tour of Mount Etna provides a unique opportunity to traverse the volcano's rugged off-road areas in 4x4 jeeps. As you embark on this exciting journey, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the volcano's landscape, which offers an unforgettable sight of the Sicilian countryside. You will be able to explore the unique geological features of Mount Etna, including its various craters, lava flows, and volcanic cones. Your guide will ensure that you have a thrilling adventure while keeping you safe.
Learn about Mount Etna's volcanic activities
As you ride in the jeep to some of the volcano's most suggestive places, your guide will provide you with in-depth knowledge of Mount Etna's volcanic activities. You will learn about the history of the volcano, including its past eruptions and the impact they had on the surrounding areas. Additionally, you will discover how the volcano's landscape has changed over time, including the formation of craters, lava tubes, and ash deposits. You will be captivated by the fascinating stories of Mount Etna's volcanic activity as you experience it firsthand.
Exploring a lava cave
One of the highlights of the Mount Etna tour is hiking for about 3 km to discover the beauty and intrigue of Mount Etna's lateral craters.After exploring the lateral craters, you will have the opportunity to discover the excitement of exploring a strange and spooky cave formed by cooling lava flows. Here, you can observe the captivating geological formations up close and experience the unique sensation of being inside a natural lava cave.
Your experience
Reach new heights
Begin your journey with a smooth cable car ride, gliding up to 2,500 meters above sea level. As you ascend, take in panoramic views of Sicily’s picturesque coastline, the rugged volcanic craters, and the dramatic expanse of Europe’s highest active volcano. With priority tickets, bypass the queues for quicker access, ensuring a hassle-free start to your adventure.
Unwind and explore
Upon reaching the arrival station, savor traditional Sicilian delicacies and step onto a terrace blanketed by volcanic sands. Explore the summit craters on one side and the glittering sea on the other. From this vantage point, spot the remarkable 2001 craters, formed by powerful lateral eruptions and soak in the sweeping vistas of the Gulf of Catania and Sicily’s scenic east coast.
Your experience
Peering into Vulcan's nest!
Set off bright and early in the morning from Catania for your day tour! Discover Sicilian highlights along with its active volcano, Mount Etna, what ancient Greeks believed was the home of fire-god Vulcan. Take a jeep ride through Etna craters, lava fields, and nature scapes, away from all the tourists, and admire the wild and natural beauty of your surrounding environment.
A taste of Sicily
Learn about the biology, geology, and volcanology of Etna from your multilingual guide as you journey through its evocative landscapes. After your Etna tour, you will have the opportunity to taste local wines, liqueurs, honey, and other Sicilian products. Relax with the memories and tastes of Sicily as you comfortably journey back to Catania.
Your experience
The ebbs & flows of Mount Etna
Start off with a very easy walk along the edge of the Silvestri Craters in the Sapienza Refuge area, from where you can see a splendid panorama overlooking the Catania Plain. An expert English or Italian-speaking guide will take you along the best path. When you reach the southern craters, there is even the possibility of entering one and enjoying an interior view. Toward the end of your walk, you will visit a lava flow cave.
A Sicilian surprise: Oil Mill & Wine Cellar
Then, head over to an Etnean oil mill. Be privy to the harvesting and pressing processes and taste the rich produce along with some other local products. Your next stop is an ancient Etna wine cellar, where you can appreciate the art of viticulture and taste different types of wine.
Your experience
A rugged adventure
On this half-day tour, explore the stunning landscapes surrounding Mount Etna, Italy’s tallest volcano. Ride in a 4x4 vehicle as you ascend to 2000 meters, passing through volcanic craters, lava flows, and untouched terrain. Your guide will share fascinating insights into Etna’s geology and local biodiversity. Enjoy tastings of local wines, honey, and liqueurs. You’ll also visit a lava flow cave, experiencing its deep mysteries firsthand, all while taking in breathtaking views over Valle del Bove.
Choose your experience
You can select between morning and sunset excursions. The morning option includes a visit to Hornitos, an ancient volcanic site, along with stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. The sunset experience allows you to see Mount Etna bathed in golden hour light, offering breathtaking views of its terrain at dusk.
Your experience
On this thrilling helicopter ride, enjoy an unparalleled view of Sicily's past and present, highlighting the influence of Mount Etna over its geography.
Soar above Sicily's splendor
As the helicopter rises, a Sicilian panorama unfolds – ancient vineyards, charming villages, and the glittering expanse of the Ionian Sea stretching beneath you. Watch as the landscape transforms into a mesmerizing spectacle, unveiling Sicily's history. Iconic landmarks like Taormina and Catania will reveal new dimensions as the gigantic volcano looms in the background.
Get up-close with Mount Etna
Fly above the ever-changing summit of Mount Etna, thanks to the fact that it doesn't stay dormant for long periods. As you admire the smoking crater of Mount Etna, survey what remains of the 1992 volcanic eruption. Marvel at Sicily's tenacious spirit as it continues to thrive after almost being destroyed by scorching hot lava. The vineyards, too, whisper stories of Sicily's braveheart, how villages surrounding the volcano learned to co-exist with it by cultivating grapes on its fertile volcanic soil to produce wines with unique flavors.
Your experience
4x4 adventure
Begin your adventure at North Etna with a 4x4 ride, ascending through rugged volcanic terrain to reach 2,800 meters. From here, hike up to the Bocca Nuova Crater at 3,300 meters, where you'll witness active volcanic fumaroles and breathtaking views. Continue the descent through Valle del Leone and visit the Pizzi Deneri Volcanological Observatory, located at 2,800 meters, offering fascinating insights into Etna's continuous volcanic activity.
Cable car journey
Start your journey from South Etna with a scenic cable car ride to 2,500 meters. Trek to the Barbabello Craters, passing through the Valley of the Bove, a massive caldera. Along the way, see remnants of the 2021 eruption and finish your experience at the observatory, where you can learn more about Etna’s eruptions and its geological significance.