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Mount Etna Day Trip from Taormina

Name: Mount Etna Day Trip from Taormina
Brand: SAT Group
SKU: 6099ETNA
Price: 46.01 USD
Rating: 4.5 (228 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceTaormina, Italy

From $46.01

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

8 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Book it for Tomorrow and Explore Europe’s largest active volcano this day trip to Mt Etna from Taormina. Relax with transportation to the base station of Rifugio Sapienza and then take off through the foothills for some time to spend hiking at your leisure. Alternatively, upgrade your ticket for a trip up to the upper craters and a guided walking tour through the volcanic craters. Soak up scenic views from the UNESCO-listed spot before concluding with transportation back to Taormina.

Travel to Etna’s base station at Rifugio Sapienza
Enjoy time at leisure to trek around the foothills of Mount Etna
See the famous Monti Silvestri Craters near Rifugio Sapienza
Optional upgrade to visit Mount Etna up to 3000 meters height with an Alpine guide

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional multilingual guide

Food and drinks
Wind jackets and boots rental

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Terminal Interbus Taormina
Via Luigi Pirandello, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Departure for all tours is from the main Bus Terminal in Via Pirandello. Pick up is also available along the coast at Taormina by the sea, Letojanni and Giardini Naxos. Customers are invited to contact for information about pick up.The coach is silver with a SAT logo in red.

Start time

08:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Hop aboard your coach in central Taormina and travel one hour inland to Mount Etna. Set in the middle of a national park, the notoriously active volcano dominates the surrounding landscape.

Step out at Rifugio Sapienza, the volcano’s base station. Your host will point you in the direction of the impressive Monti Silvestri Craters before you take off exploring the foothills at your own speed. Discover the myriad hiking trails along the way and soak up incredible views from all over the national park. When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Rifugio Sapienza’s restaurant (own expense), located conveniently nearby.

Alternatively, upgrade your experience with a guided trip to the volcano’s upper crater. Travel up by cable car and then by jeep to the crater zones at roughly 9,800 feet (3,000 meters). Led by licensed guides from the Italian Alpine Club, admire the craters and take in panoramic views.

Your tour will conclude with transportation back to Taormina.

Taormina (Pass By)

Mount Etna

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Craters Silvestri of Mount Etna

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Warm clothes and comfortable shoes are recommended
The high-altitude ascents are not indicated for heart passengers, asthmatics and pregnant women.
Please note that for your safety, all excursions to Etna do not reach the edge of the main craters and customers are always kept on a safety zone.
The cost of the excursion to Etna, ascent inclusive, has a special price valid only with advance reservation. When buying the ascent on board, the cost will be higher.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 49 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

228 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 228 reviews

Etna was beautiful as...

Emma_S, Apr 2024

Etna was beautiful as expected but the guide was neither nice nor good. Very expensive tour as well.

An amazing experience of Mother Nature’s powers

Gary_K, Oct 2023

We had a fantastic trip to Mount Etna with a very useful and informative guide and a driver who managed to negotiate all of the tight turns in the roads between Taormina and Etna. Arriving at the base camp, we were led to the cable car, then to the jeeps to take us to the high craters, where we could walk around and hear from another guide with relevant information on the history of Etna. Overall, an amazing trip helped by each of the guided, and we would thoroughly recommend this trip to others!

Half day tour of Mt Aetna not recommended

George_L, Oct 2023

The bus broke down causing delayed arrival to Mt Etna, no tour guide on replacement bus, poor description of the half day tour as had to wait for all full day tour folks to return before leaving Mt Etna. Half day tour folks ended up arriving late standing around in gas station during the morning waiting for repairs or a new bus. Did not get back to Taormina hotel until after 6PM for what was advertised as a half day tour. The plans we had for that afternoon were lost. The half day tour of Mt Etna is not recommended and is poorly advertised.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

That day was an unlucky one and we deeply apologize for that. During the day some free drinks were offered in order to compensate the delay. The tour was completed as planned but just with a delay. You came back at 6.00pm instead of 4.00pm , it is quite normal that if we face an unexpected failure of the coach, the tour will be affected in terms of length. We always try our best. Regards. SAT Group staff

Would recommend whilst staying in Taormina

Holly_G, Oct 2023

The tour was really good, easy pick up at the main Taormina bus station. The tour guide was informative throughout the journey. It was good to be left to walk alone around the craters at 1900ft. I felt it was plenty of time to be left to walk, check the shops and grab something to eat/drink before getting back on the coach. Easy pick up later back to Taormina and again tour guide provided good information on the trip back to Taormina. Would definitely recommend.

Worth doing.

Karen_T, Oct 2023

The coastal route to Mount Etna was a beautiful drive. Once there the coach parked near a cafe/restaurant and we were told there was time for a snack and to use the toilet. The queue for the ladies toilet was ridiculous. It was a 20 minute wait. TIP There are toilets at the cable car station and down near the gift shop. There was a long queue for the cable car and another long queue for the jeeps. TIP The queues thin out about 2pm. It was very atmospheric near the summit. It felt like another planet. Although the weather on the ground had been clear skies, the clouds had gathered and there were no clear sightings. You have to be reasonably fit to walk right up to top.

Great trip

Mark_E, Aug 2023

Great trip.Very well organised. Coach was on time with good communication on were we got picked up. Fantastic.

Great trip. Would recommend

Val_O, Jul 2023

All of this trip was extremely enjoyable. Guides on bus and mountain were very knowledgable. Good efficient service throughout

Avoid this company

Maggie_S, Jun 2023

On arrival we were told that, due to poor visibility, we could ascend using the cable car but there wouldn't be a guide to take us beyond in the jeeps. I therefore elected to stay at 2000 feet, a miserable day visiting gift shops. On the return, the guide quickly covered her backside by stating that the guides were there but we had dispersed do only the chosen few experienced the tour. There must be plenty of poor visibility days on Etna where conditions change quickly. Why could a WhatsApp group not be set up on these days? Too much work for the guide perhaps? Awful woman, officious and curt.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Why posting a negative review only because of the bad weather? Weather changes very quickly on mount Etna and it is difficult to inform customers. How can we provide a WhatsApp chat for each tour considering that we transport 30.000 customer per season? We hope you can come back and visit Etna at the best. Regards. SAT Group Customer Care Manager

Never took the trip but customer service good

Lauren_P, Jun 2023

Sadly I was unwell so did not take this trip. I emailed the company & they did offer two alternate days for us to take the trip however we already had other activities planned. They did not have to offer us this exchange as we were cancelling the day of the trip so it was really appreciated. Next time we travel to Sicily we shall book with this company based on this experience.

Amazing volcano landscape, recommended

Jeffrey_D, Nov 2022

I booked the package of basic transport+cable car+jeep, which proves to be cheaper than buying the cable car and jeep ticket on site. The tour guide was kind and well-organized, who can speak three languages (German, English and Italian). The moon-like volcano landscape was breathtaking and I took a walking experience on the crater of the previous eruption. We got on the bus in Taormina at 08:30 am and reached the cable car station at 10:15 am. As determinde by the guide, we had to back onto the bus at 01:45 pm. As it took around 30 minutes by cable car and the jeep one way (incl. queuing time), the time left for real visit and exploration was a bit limited since there were a lot to see for Etna. In the end, we returned to Taormina at 03:10 pm, which was early. Overall, it was a good trip and I recommended it. However, it would be better to extend the visit time in Etna.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thank you for sharing the whole schedule of our Etna Basic Tour. For this tour, which is all focused on the altitude rather than the foot of Etna, the time spent on spot is about 3 hours and 30 minutes, we do believe it is enough time. Next time we will be happy to propose a tailor made tour so that you can spend the whole day over there. Warm regards, Customer Care Manager

The trip was excellent...

Elaine_K, Oct 2022

The trip was excellent and very well-organised. It more than fulfilled expectations. Despite there being a lot of people on the trip and at the site, we got through relatively quickly. The volcano guides were very knowledgeable and friendly.

Volcano hidden by fog

Lucy_D, Sep 2022

This was a very well organised trip but sadly the weather was so awful at the top of the mountain, windy, heavy rain, fog, that we could not see a thing and we’re not even allowed to get out of the bus. This, of course, is not the fault of the tour operator, but it should we worth noting that the trip will not always result in seeing the volcano!

Cirillo family vacation

Marietta_C, Aug 2022

Going to the upper crater and seeing all the other craters and going on the lift. Was cool up there so bring a sweater or sweatshirt

Response from Host, Aug 2022

That's a very good tip! Thank you. Regards, Customer Care SAT Group

A memorable and exciting trip to Mount Etna.

David_B, Jul 2022

Really good day out. Entertaining, friendly guide and a very skilled coach driver. Stunning views from the top of the cable car. Interesting and informative guide taking us to the craters edge. Plenty of free time to explore on our own and experience the awesome landscape. Definitely recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

This is exactly what we aim to offer to our dear customers: a pleasant day out full of information and beautiful sceneries that will remain in the their memory for ever. The best way to explore Sicily is taking our day tours to the best destinations in Sicily. Thank you for sharing! Guest Relations Manager SAT Group

Great day

Anthony_E, Jun 2022

It would have been good to hear more about Sicily and the inhabitants livelyhoods generally and how eruptions affect the population beneath the volcano. Some more geological information would have been appreciated. Otherwise it was very good, to time and courteous

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Hello, customers are always welcomed to ask the tour guide for more information. Tour guides and alpine guides are always at customers' disposal. Now it is too late to ask, unfortunately.... We hope you will come back and get more! Regards, SAT Group Customer Care Manager

A day well spent

Maureen_F, Jun 2022

This trip to Mt Etna is a day well spent. Our guide on the Mountain spoke English well and was very informative. I purchased this excursion mostly for my husband but found it to be just as pleasurable for me as it was for him. Not something I ever had on my bucket list but really glad we did it.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

That's so nice to read! Thank you so much! Warm regards, SAT Group

Great trip to edna

Philip_E, Jun 2022

We had a great trip from start to Finnish. Our guide was very informative and helpful. We would visit again

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Great news! Thanks for sharing...

Our trip to Mt Etna!

Barbara_M, May 2022

The fact that we could get so close was wonderful!! It was very well organized, and the restaurant had goo food too! An added plus!!

Nice view, but the german...

Jasper_L, Oct 2021

Nice view, but the german tourguide doesnt speak english very well. Busdriver was very gold. Everyone should go to the Etna

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Dear Customer, we are sorry if you were not totally satisfied with the English of one of our tour guides. We are always trying to have the best training for our internal guides. See you soon on board! Regards, Customer Care Manager SAT Group

Decent for the bus ride, but there are better options.

Michael_R, Sep 2021

Decent all-in-one Etna trip including bus from Taormina, Cablecar-Tickets and a short Bus ride farther up the mountain. If you're just looking to see mount Etna, this is a convenient solution. I was however disappointed by the soul-less lecture of our guide - sure, doing three languages at once isn't easy, but if you're just gonna sound like reading bits of a Wikipedia article then I can do that myself. The guide seemed more interested to sell extended packages including the cable-car ride to those who hadn't done so yet anyways, promising a ride up to 3000 meters, conveniently omitting that due to recent eruptions the things you can do on top of the mountain are severely limited. The hike on top of the mountain then again was great, the alpine guides there really know what they're talking about, they're very enthusiastic, and great at answering questions. However the "hike" was also really short, barely half an hour, if that. Long story short, whilst Etna surely is a must-see, book a more personalized tour with a smaller group if you want to get the most out of it.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

You were absolutely invited to ask for more information from the tour guide. It is trylly difficult for our guides to explain everything in three languages and, of course, they have to follow a certain schedule. Regarding the hike on Mount Etna, it is more like a walk than a trekking since our tour is suitable to all kinds of ages and athletic levels. Regards.

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