HOW TO VISIT THE ETNA FOR FREE AND ON TOUR

Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. Reason more than enough to visit it on a trip through Sicily. But it is also that the landscapes up there are incredible. Climbing Etna is definitely recommended, especially if you want to enjoy all the experiences Sicily offers. Next we tell you how to visit the volcano Etna, both for free and on a tour.

It is key that the weather is conducive to enjoy an unforgettable visit. Because up there, at 2,000 meters (0 3,000 if you decide to do the high part), it is very likely that there are clouds, wind, rain or even snowing. And keep in mind that there is a difference of about 8-10 degrees of temperature, between Catania and the Rifugio Sapienza station.

To see them weather predictions We use the website of the Ministry of Interior: www.meteoam.it, although it cannot be viewed for hours (as if you do it directly on Google), we find it more reliable than other websites.

Another idea is to look some webcam, where the temita looks like in real time. This is for example from the station where the funivía arrives, at 2,500 meters. You can get a perfect idea.

If you have rented a car to make a roadtrip through Sicily, it is best to spend the night before in Catania. From there there are several roads that go up to the highest station of Etna: the Rifugio Sapienza, at 2,000 meters high. We use the Google Maps GPS directions, but we always follow the directions of the road that indicated “Etna Sur”.

The tour is about 25 km and it takes approximately 1 hour. The road is very good, with several viewpoints on the sides, U-shaped curves but quite open and not too steep. We went with a Fiat Panda, the smallest engine of all, and without problems.

The descent was made in the north direction, the road is a tad worse, but it is also in good condition.

In the Rifugio Sapienza there are several areas of paid parking. Although there is a lot of space, if you come in high season it is best to arrive early, to find no problems. The price of parking is € 1.20 per hour, € 3.40 for half a day (It ends at 13, so if you arrive like us at 11, you should buy two 1-hour tickets), or the whole day for € 6. You have to buy the tickets at the information building counter.

A little further on, in front of the Crateri Silvestri restaurant, there are some spaces for park on both sides of the road and free. Also following this road later, already down, but there it is not worth it.

If you just visit the craters of Rifugio Sapienza, this would be the only payment you would have to make, there is no entry to make the visit in this part.

We recommend make the visit from the Rifugio Sapienza. Once the car is parked you can go through some interesting trails. It is best to start with the Crater Silvestri on the right hand, smaller and very easy and that runs in 10-15 minutes.

From there you can follow theSuperior Wild Crater, which is something bigger and harder. You can climb a steeper and short path, or another one on your left somewhat longer and easier. In any case, taking the entire route and surrounding the crater takes no more than 30-45 minutes, in a quiet plan. The last part of this tour is done through the lava remains which ejected the volcano in the explosion of 1992.

At that point you can continue walking along the hillside of Etna by small trails, one of them reaches a third crater. This area we did not do, it seems that it has no added interest.

For those who are left wanting more, there is the funicular option + off-road truck. From Rifugio Sapienza himself the cable car which goes up to 2,500 meters. There the tour follows about trucks ready to continue climbing towards the craters of the top of Etna, at 2950 meters, where a guided walking tour. If it is possible to do only the funicular, and follow the climb on foot, but it is not recommended for those who are patosetes like us. If you intend to climb to the highest visitable level, we believe it is better to hire the package. The price of funicular is € 30 and from the tour of 63€ per person. From the reviews we have read, it seems that it is best to stay at Rifugio Sapienza and make free visits. More than anything for the price!

Here we leave you an interactive map with all the key points to prepare the visit to Etna for free.

There are tours that include visiting Etna from different sites in the eastern part of Sicily. Here we leave you the links to the most interesting:

• Top of Etna from Catania (€ 45 + € 50 of the funicular and truck)
• Lower craters from Catania (€ 55)
• Upper craters from Taormina (€ 92)
• Lower craters from Taormina (€ 72)
• Tour to the east side of Etna from Taromina (€ 35)
• Lower craters from Palermo (€ 65)
• Etna + Taormina from Catania (€ 50)
• Etna + Taormina from Palermo (€ 105)

As you see, there are different ways to visit the volcano Etna, either with a tour from Catania, Taormina or even Palermo, to do it for free and spending little money. We hope we help you plan your visit to Etna, and on your return, tell us what your experience was 😉