Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe: it has stood at 3,403 metres (11,165 ft) since summer 2024, above Catania, in eastern Sicily. The south side can be visited all year from the Rifugio Sapienza: cable car up to 2,500 m (8,202 ft), then a 4×4 and a volcanologist guide towards 3,000 m (9,843 ft), or a free stroll around the Silvestri craters. This page brings together the official cable car prices and hours, the safety rules, the sunrise and sunset times calculated for each month, and a decision tree to choose your Etna visit. To stay at the foot of the volcano, see our guide to visiting Catania.
Etna fits into a wider stay in Sicily: see our guide to visiting Sicily, our page on the best time to visit Sicily for month-by-month climate, and our guide to Palermo at the other end of the island.
Our travel deals for Mount Etna
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Mount Etna.Compare flights- Tickets and toursTiqetsEntry tickets and guided tours to book online; compare with the official price.See tickets
Etna: key facts
- Cable car (Funivia dell’Etna): from 1,923 m (6,309 ft) to 2,500 m (8,202 ft), every day 8:30 am–4:45 pm, last descent 5:15 pm, “subject to weather conditions or technical requirements” — checked on 24 October 2026 on funiviaetna.com
- Prices shown online: €54 return by cable car (2,500 m); €82 for the Tour 3000 (cable car, 4×4 or snowcat, mountain or volcanologist guide); €5 entry to the Silvestri craters
- Departure: Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza, Nicolosi, Etna South side
- Not recommended by the operator for people with heart or respiratory conditions, people with high blood pressure and pregnant women
- Prohibited on board: large luggage and drones; dogs accepted on a lead and muzzled
How to visit Etna: the three south-side options
On the south side, everything starts at the Rifugio Sapienza, at about 1,900 m (6,234 ft) altitude, at the end of the road that climbs from Nicolosi. The cable car operator, the Funivia dell’Etna, describes itself as “the only gondola lift on Etna”. Three levels of visit are on offer, depending on your time, budget and fitness.
The Silvestri craters (1,886 to 1,986 m)
This is the simplest visit. The Silvestri craters, formed in the 1892 eruption, lie along the provincial road leading to the Rifugio Sapienza. The path follows the rim of the lower crater, with benches, and the operator indicates possible access for visitors with disabilities. Allow about half an hour. Entry: €5, every day from 8:30 am to 5 pm — checked on 24 October 2026 on funiviaetna.com. The craters stand at 1,886 to 1,986 m (6,188 to 6,516 ft).
The cable car to 2,500 m
The gondola lift climbs from 1,923 m (6,309 ft) to the upper station at 2,500 m (8,202 ft). Up there, a terrace and a refreshment point face the summit craters on one side and the sea on the other. The ticket bought online includes “Fast Track” access, which avoids the queue at the departure ticket desks. You can rent a windbreaker jacket, boots and poles on site.
The Tour 3000: 4×4 and guide up to 3,000 m
The full option links the cable car, a 4×4 bus (a snowcat in winter) to about 2,800 m (9,186 ft) on a track reserved for the operator’s vehicles, then a short walk with a mountain or volcanologist guide to about 3,000 m (9,843 ft). The programme: the Torre del Filosofo, the 2002 craters and the view of the summit craters. Announced duration: 2 hours 30 minutes; difficulty “easy”; guides in Italian, English and French. The ticket is open, valid all day from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm.
| Option | Altitude reached | Announced duration | Online price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silvestri craters | 1,886–1,986 m (6,188–6,516 ft) | About 30 min | €5 |
| Cable car 2500 | 2,500 m (8,202 ft) | Free (return) | €54 |
| Tour 3000 (cable car + 4×4 + guide) | About 3,000 m (9,843 ft) | 2 h 30 | €82 |
Decision tree: which Etna visit should you choose?
- You have an hour and want to walk on a real crater: the Silvestri craters are enough.
- You want a view of the summit craters without effort: the cable car to 2,500 m.
- You want to approach the summit zone with a professional: the Tour 3000, the operator’s only guided option towards 3,000 m.
- You have a heart or respiratory condition, or you are pregnant: stay at the Silvestri craters; the operator advises against the high-altitude options.
- You have no car: an organized excursion from Catania or Taormina includes transport; compare what is included (cable car ticket, guide, 4×4).
Safety: an active volcano, access that changes
Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with nearly 80 eruptions in the 20th century according to Wikipedia. The operator reminds visitors that activity is monitored continuously by the INGV (Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology). During an eruption, local authorities may restrict access to some areas: the day before your visit, check the announcements of the operator and the municipalities concerned, and give up if access is closed.
- Go up with a windbreaker and real walking shoes: the ground is made of sand and volcanic scoria.
- Dress warmly: it can be much colder at 2,500 m than on the coast.
- Altitude can tire you: ascend gradually and read our guide to altitude sickness if you are sensitive.
- Do not leave the authorized routes beyond the upper station: the walk to 3,000 m is done with a guide.
Sunrise and sunset on Etna, month by month
To plan an early-morning ascent or a return before nightfall, here are the sunrise and sunset times on the 15th of each month, calculated at the summit’s coordinates. A reminder: the cable car runs from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm according to the operator; in November and December, the sun sets around 4:45 pm, at closing time.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:14 | 17:04 | 9 h 50 |
| February | 06:50 | 17:38 | 10 h 49 |
| March | 06:11 | 18:06 | 11 h 55 |
| April | 06:25 | 19:35 | 13 h 10 |
| May | 05:50 | 20:02 | 14 h 12 |
| June | 05:37 | 20:23 | 14 h 46 |
| July | 05:49 | 20:21 | 14 h 32 |
| August | 06:15 | 19:53 | 13 h 38 |
| September | 06:41 | 19:08 | 12 h 27 |
| October | 07:07 | 18:23 | 11 h 15 |
| November | 06:39 | 16:48 | 10 h 09 |
| December | 07:07 | 16:42 | 9 h 34 |
Between December and January, the day lasts less than 10 hours: leave Catania early. From May to July, the sun sets after 8 pm, which leaves time to come down without rushing. For coastal weather, see the best time to visit Sicily.
Etna tickets: official or reseller?
Tickets for the cable car, the Tour 3000 and the Silvestri craters are sold on the Funivia dell’Etna website and at the departure ticket desks. Booking platforms also resell day excursions from Catania or Taormina, with transport. Before paying, check: is the cable car ticket included? Does the guide go up to 3,000 m or only to the Silvestri craters? What is the cancellation policy if the site closes because of an eruption or wind?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Going up in beachwear: the operator recommends walking shoes and a windbreaker.
- Arriving after 3:15 pm hoping to do the Tour 3000: the open ticket is valid only until that time.
- Bringing a drone or a big suitcase: prohibited.
- Confusing an “Etna” excursion with the climb to the summit craters: many options stop at around 2,000 m (6,562 ft).
What to see nearby
Etna overlooks the Ionian coast. To compare the Mediterranean’s big islands, read our comparisons Sicily or Sardinia and Crete or Sicily. For the rest of the trip, our guide to visiting Sicily presents the island’s main stops, and our travel eSIM guide helps you stay connected in the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
Can you climb to the summit of Etna?
With the cable car operator, the Tour 3000 goes up to about 3,000 m (9,843 ft), with a mountain or volcanologist guide. The summit stands at 3,403 m (11,165 ft); access to the summit zones depends on volcanic activity and the authorities’ decisions.
How much does the Etna cable car cost?
€54 return to 2,500 m, and €82 for the Tour 3000 with 4×4 and guide, according to the Funivia dell’Etna website consulted on 24 October 2026.
What are the cable car’s opening hours?
Every day from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm, last descent 5:15 pm, depending on the weather and technical needs. The Tour 3000 is booked for a departure between 8:30 am and 3:15 pm.
Can you visit Etna in winter?
Yes, the operator states that the visit runs in summer and winter; in winter, the trip to 2,800 m is made by snowcat. Bring warm clothes.
Can you visit Etna during an eruption?
It depends on the area concerned. The authorities may close sectors: check the announcements of the operator and the municipalities the day before and on the day.
Can children go up Etna?
The operator’s website presents its routes as suitable for families. The Silvestri craters are the easiest walk for young children.
Our sources
- Funivia dell’Etna (funiviaetna.com): 2500m, Tour 3000, Silvestri Craters and Tickets pages, consulted on 24 October 2026
- Wikipedia article “Etna” (altitude, 20th-century eruptions, coordinates), consulted on 24 October 2026
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of the summit of Etna (15th of each month, year 2027, clear horizon)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.