Last Updated on November 29, 2020
JC and I have definitely enjoyed some of our more adventure-packed trips as of late (e.g. hiking Machu Pichu, el Caminito del Rey in Málaga), so when traveling to Catania in March, we knew we had to make a trip to the still active volcano, Mount Etna. Read below to learn more about our tour of Mount Etna and everything you need to know when planning your own trip.
History of Mount Etna
Some background information on Mount Etna: it is the largest active volcano in Europe, and the volcano with the longest record of continuous eruption.
The last eruption was in 2001, so only 18 years ago. We learned on our tour that the lava stays hot for 70 years! The name is latin, and roughly means ‘fire mountain.’
Our tour started at 8 am
We used GetYourGuide to book our Mount Etna tour (we used them prior for Caminito del Rey in Málaga, as well). You can find details on the half-day Mt. Etna tour we took here.
Our day started at 8 am. Our guide picked us up in front of our Airbnb in a van, along with the rest of our group (we were 7 in total). I brought my own trekking boots, but the tour included boots and helmets (for the cave).
Inside a lava flow cave
Our first stop on the tour was a cave, which was a product of a lava flow. We learned that most lava does not flow to the same place twice, simply because of the differences in the ground created by the previous lava flow.
Trekking Mount Etna
After visiting the lava flow cave, we got back in the van and continued to our next destination: the volcano of Mount Etna. We parked the van and continued our trek at 2,000 meters above sea level amongst the craters and recent lava flows. The landscape resembled what I imagine the moon looks like.
Valle del Bove
After exploring the craters, we took a look out over the Valle del Bove, the largest valley on the east slope of the volcano.
See below a video from the Valle del Bove.
After the tour, we were dropped back off in the city around 3 pm for a very late lunch. One recommendation would be to bring some snacks with you on the tour! All in all, we highly recommend visiting Mount Etna when you are in Catania. It is not a difficult trek, really easy walking, so it is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Have you trekked Mount Etna? Let us know in the comments below! Looking to explore more of Sicily? Check out the Best Places to Eat in Sicily | Catania, Taormina and Siracusa.
