Sicily and Mount Etna Travel Guide

The story

A snowy volcano above the Mediterranean

Mount Etna is on the east coast of Sicily, near Catania. Its summit is about 3,403 meters high, though the exact figure changes with eruptions, and it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 2013.

The coast below is warm and sunny, with the resort town of Taormina about 45 minutes away by car. Taormina sits on a hillside about 200 meters above the sea and is known for its Ancient Theatre, one of the largest in Sicily, and for the small Isola Bella nature reserve just below the town.

Because Etna climbs so quickly from the sea, winter snow can lie on the upper slopes while the coastal towns stay mild. Two ski areas, Etna Sud near Nicolosi and Etna Nord at Piano Provenzana, run on the volcano when conditions allow, and both look out toward the sea.

≈3,400 mEtna's summit, which changes with eruptions

2013year UNESCO listed Mount Etna as a World Heritage Site

≈45 mindrive between Etna and Taormina

From our Letsa Atlas Short · Watch on YouTube

Practical guide

Plan your Sicily and Mount Etna trip

Check before you go: Etna is very active. Eruptions in 2024, 2025 and 2026 have closed access to the summit area and disrupted Catania airport, so check the official volcano updates and the cable car and guide operators before you go. Going above about 2,500 meters needs an authorized guide. Entry rules for Italy depend on your passport, so check the official rules for your nationality.

When to go

The best months for hiking are usually April, May, September and October. Snow and skiing are a winter and early spring story, and ski areas can close at short notice because of weather or volcanic activity.

Visiting Etna

The Sapienza refuge sits at about 1,910 meters, and a cable car runs from there to about 2,500 meters. Higher than that you need an authorized guide, and the summit craters have been off limits since August 2024. A public bus from Catania to Sapienza takes about two hours.

Taormina and the coast

Taormina has the Ancient Theatre, about 109 meters across, and the Mazzarò cable car links the town to the sea. Isola Bella and the beaches of Giardini Naxos are close, and the nearest train station is Taormina-Giardini, about 2 kilometers below the old town.

Getting there

Fly into Catania-Fontanarossa airport, the closest to both Etna and Taormina. Hire a car for the most flexibility on the volcano, or join a guided tour from Catania or Taormina.

The photo above shows snow on the dark craters of Mount Etna. Our Short shows Sicily as one of five places where beach and snow share a view. We checked on November 11, 2026. Entry rules, fees and prices change, so confirm them with official sources before you reserve.

Where to stay

Find a place to stay

Taormina is the easiest base for this trip. Compare prices and reviews, and check the cancellation terms before you reserve.

See stays in Taormina on Booking.com →

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, Letsa Atlas may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Things to do

Tours and activities

Compare guided tours, day trips and tickets around Taormina, with reviews and free-cancellation options.

Find tours in Taormina on Viator →

Travel insurance. Medical care abroad can be expensive, so many travellers buy cover before they leave. One option is SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. Read the policy wording to see what it covers before you buy.