Mount Etna

Volcano Linguaglossa, Sicily, Italy

What to expect

Mount Etna, also known as Muncibbeddu or Mongibello, is a symbol of Sicily and the largest active volcano in Europe. It is located on the east coast of Sicily, in the province of Catania, and is one of the highest volcanoes in the world. The volcano is about 3,403 meters tall and has a basal circumference of 140 km. It is a complex stratovolcano with a unique landscape, featuring desert areas with volcanic rocks, dense green forests, and a variety of flora and fauna. The surrounding area is a marvel, with a coastal strip overlooking the Ionian Sea, countryside with citrus groves and vineyards, and dense chestnut and oak forests. The Etna Park Nature Reserve is home to the eastern slope of the volcano, which features deep canyons, the Grotta del Gelo, and the Valle del Bove, a volcanic depression in the shape of an enormous basin. Visitors can explore the park and the volcano through numerous nature trails, and enjoy activities such as hiking, trekking, mountain biking, and skiing. The volcano is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its unique geological features and cultural significance

Plan your family visit to the Mount Etna with these blog insights 👇

Unique Things to Do in Sicily

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, and took a guided tour to explore higher craters and lava fields

Highlights: The kids loved walking on cooled lava and the adults enjoyed the panoramic views of the Sicilian countryside and Ionian Sea ✨

Relaxed hiking in Sicily: Around Mount Etna

This family's experience:

Activities: We went on several hikes around Ätna. We walked along the crater rim, explored lava fields, and hiked through a birch forest

Highlights: We enjoyed the views of the volcanic landscape. The kids loved climbing on the black lava rocks and exploring the craters ✨

Sicily with children - Elementary holiday adventures in the northeast

This family's experience:

Activities: We went on a hike on Mount Etna and climbed one of the many secondary craters

Highlights: Hiking on Mount Etna was a great experience. "Mornings we make a hike on Etna and climb one of the numerous secondary craters." ✨

In 13 travel photos through the first half of 2018 (Photo Parade 1-2018)

This family's experience:

Activities: We went to Sicily. We saw Etna covered in snow behind a lush green and blooming landscape

Highlights: The contrasts were amazing, beautiful and shabby, barren and blooming, fire and water – opposites come close together there ✨

Sicily with children: Messina, Catania and Mount Etna

This family's experience:

Activities: We drove close to the volcano and saw a thin plume of smoke rising. We also enjoyed the views of the citrus fruit plantations and olive groves, and the charming villages like Novara di Sicilia. Later, some of us played on the snowy crater slopes

Highlights: It was amazing to see Mount Etna up close. The kids loved the snowy slopes for sledding and the high rope course in the climbing park. It was a beautiful sight to see the thriving agriculture on the fertile volcanic soil ✨