Frequently asked questions about Etna excursions

South side of Etna – Rifugio Sapienza

The South side of Etna (Rifugio Sapienza) is the most touristy and accessible side of the volcano, with a cable car and 4x4 vehicles that facilitate the ascent to high altitudes.

It is the most popular side due to its proximity to Catania and the arrival port of cruise ships, especially in the summer months.

How the ascent works:

• Cable car from 1900 m up to 2500 m (Cable car return ticket cost - 54€)
• 4x4 vehicles up to about 2750–2800 m
• Guided trekking to the craters (where allowed)

Important information:

Above 2750–2900 meters the presence of authorized volcanological or alpine guides is mandatory.

Excursion data:

• Average duration: about 5 hours
• Difficulty: moderate
• Experience: summit craters (when accessible)

Important note: access to the summit craters may be temporarily closed due to the eruptive activity of the South-East Crater.

Available excursions from Etna South:

• Summit Craters 3357 m
• Etna 3000 – Volcanological Observatory
• Etna South Crossing
• Valley of the Ox

How to reach Etna South – Rifugio Sapienza

Etna South (Rifugio Sapienza) can be reached by car, AST bus from Catania or with combined transfer + guide solutions.

Below are the main options to comfortably reach the starting point of the excursions.

🚗 Solution 1 – Private car

Rifugio Sapienza can be easily reached by car following the SP92 from Nicolosi up to an altitude of 1900 meters.

• From Catania: approx. 1h
• From Taormina: approx. 1h15
• From Messina: approx. 2h

🚌 Solution 2 – AST Bus from Catania

The AST bus leaves every day from Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII (Catania) at 08:15 and arrives at Rifugio Sapienza around 10:00, with an intermediate stop in Nicolosi.

• Departure: 08:15 from Catania
• Arrival: ~10:00 Rifugio Sapienza
• Return: around 16:30
• Cost: about 6€ per trip

👉 Economical solution but with fixed schedules, recommended for non-high altitude excursions.

🚐 Solution 3 – Bus + transfer + guide

Departure from Catania at 07:15 with bus to Pedara and meeting with local guide who accompanies the participants to the starting point of the excursion.

• Departure: 07:15 Catania
• Arrival: Pedara at 08:20
• Guide transfer included
• Bus cost: 3–4€ + possible transfer

👉 Recommended solution for those who want to do organized excursions on Etna without a car.

👉 It is the most comfortable and flexible solution to visit Etna independently.

BY CAR

From Nicolosi: Once you arrive in Nicolosi, the tourist station of Nicolosi (Etna South) is reachable in about 20 minutes by car. Take Via Etnea and continue on the Provincial Road 92 until you reach Piazzale del Rifugio Sapienza, located at an altitude of 1,900 m.

From Catania: Follow the signs for Nicolosi and pass through first Gravina di Catania and then Mascalucia. Once in Nicolosi, take Via Etnea (the main street of the town) and continue on SP 92 bis you will reach Piazzale Cantoniera at an altitude of 1,910 m Thus you reach Etna

From Messina or Taormina: Take the ME-CT A18 motorway and exit at the toll booth of Acireale. Follow the road to Lavinaio, Monterosso, Trecastagni, Pedara until you reach Nicolosi. From here we continue along SP 92 up to an altitude of 1900 m. Alternatively, travel the entire ME-CT A18 motorway and, after the toll booths, continue on the Catania ring road. Exit at the Gravina di Catania crossing and continue towards Mascalucia and then Nicolosi. From here you travel along the entire Via Etnea (the main street of the city) and continue on SP 92 until you reach Piazzale Cantoniera at altitude 1,910 m.

From Palermo: Coming from the PA-CT A19 motorway, at the intersection with the Catania ring road, continue towards Messina and exit at the “Gravina di Catania” junction. From here follow the signs for Nicolosi (or Etna) pass first through Gravina di Catania and then Mascalucia.

💡 Tip: for excursions to the summit craters it is always recommended to depart with an organized guide.

Solo excursions on Etna

Etna excursion

Before deciding to undertake an excursion alone and without a guide, it is necessary to consider several factors.

1. First evaluate your level of training, your resistance to face altitude differences greater than 1000/1500 m. the willingness to venture into an environment that is not always easy.
2. Consider the length, the total altitude difference, the route, the necessary equipment and the recommended time of year. In any case , we do not recommend venturing alone on very remote paths, and even worse where there is no telephone coverage.
3. Don't forget to bring an area map, water (enough for the planned excursion), energy bars, headlamp, spare batteries, power bank, shoes and clothing appropriate to the season and the altitude you want to reach. The sudden climate changes are frequent on Etna.
4. Bring an updated trail map with you after recent eruptions.
5. We also remind you that: above 2900 m. altitude it is always mandatory to be accompanied by an ALPINE or Volcanological GUIDE.
6. For those who want to visit some lava caves, we advise you to always check the feasibility, and bring a helmet and a flashlight with you.

Guided excursion

Guided excursion on Etna

Why choose a Guided excursion on ETNA:

First of all it must be specified that "ONLY" and " EXCLUSIVELY" the ALPINE OR VOLCANOLOGICAL GUIDES, are the ONLY FIGURES AUTHORIZED points to accompany on active Volcanoes.
The Etna Guides, in addition to having faced a hard selection and an arduous training path, have had "the luck" of being born and raised on the slopes of Etna, developing in their subconscious a profound love with "Mamma Etna". A love that they daily try to convey with passion and dedication, recounting the recent eruptions lived and seen with their own eyes, making the excursion on Etna, a unique and indelible experience.

ADVANTAGES of a GUIDED TOUR:

• A professional who deeply knows every corner of the Volcano.
• Taking you to discover the most evocative places of the volcano.
• Enjoying the adventure without worrying about possible inconveniences.
• Possibility to organize a transfer service to and from your hotel.
• Usually the guide will be able to provide helmets and other necessary equipment for free.
• Enriching your experience with precious info to enjoy your trip on Etna even more.