You see it from the airplain, as you arrive. Big, huge, mighty, smoking … it seems impossible to reach. Though you really want to visit it, you might not have the time because you have to see many other places in Sicily. But how can you miss Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe? The most beautiful volcano in the world?
Well, you shouldn’t! Mt Etna is part of the landscape and it is part of any Sicilian route you choose. You may be staying in Catania, in one of the town around it, near the lovely golden beaches of Taormina … no problem at all. It is possible to get to the volcano in a short time. You can put it in any half-day tourist route and never miss other places worth the visit.
From Catania to the top of Etna A city that alternates black and white , the elegance of a small capital and the cheerful madness of popular markets, alternative pubs, street performers. Mt Etna dominates its main street, about 3 kilometers long, which bears the unequivocal name of Etnea Street.
If you stay in Catania you will admire the Cathedral Square, with the cathedral of St Agatha and the Elephant fountain. The Amenano fountain and the Fish Market . You will see the baroque charm of Crociferi Street, or the magnificence of the Benedictine monastery . The fascinating gate Porta Garibaldi is also known as Porta Ferdinandea. With its very high arch of lava stone and white stone it crowns the top of Garibaldi Street. And then the walks to Villa Bellini, those on the Lungomare promenade or to the village of San Giovanni Li Cuti …
Wherever you stay in Catania, you can reach Etna – up to its top – with an off-road excursion that will take only half of your day. The off-road and cableway combination will allow you to get to the foot of the main craters comfortably. You will admire the most beautiful views of the east coast from above. The characteristic of the eastern flank of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a large lava desert from which the rocky remains of a prehistoric volcano emerge. An unmissable scenario!
Mount Etna organized excursions from Catania Available Tours from Catania Taormina and the northern side of Etna Taormina retains the charm of an ancient medieval village combined with the beauty of an exotic place. Its stone-paved alleys run between lines of shops and restaurants, occasionally interrupted by panoramic squares overlooking the Bay of Naxos or Isola Bella . Etna dominates the scenery, and allows itself to be “framed” by the ruins of the Greek-Roman Theater. A postcard that everyone loves.many itineraries that can be followed. But the most suggestive is the one that takes you to the top of Etna from the northern flank. Coming down from Taormina, in fact, you can take the road that connects Giardini Naxos to the beautiful Alcantara Gorges .Castiglione di Sicilia and then towards Linguaglossa … the northern gate to Mt Etna. Passing through woods and clearings you will reach unique places such as the Ragabo Refuge, the Citelli Refuge, the Piano Provenzana ski resorts. From Piano Provenzana it will be possible, on the same day, to climb to the top of the volcano. Or you can go discover other suggestive places towards the east or the west flank, the kingdom of Maletto’s strawberries and Bronte and its precious pistachios.
Mount Etna organized excursions from Taormina Available Tours from Taormina 
