Mount Etna & Taormina from Catania: Volcano Hike & Honey Tasting

Etna's Crater Rim and a Medieval Town in One Day

You start at Mount Etna's Silvestri Craters with an easy walk across volcanic terrain and views to the coast, then stop for authentic Etna honey tasting before heading to Taormina for the Greek Theatre, medieval streets, and Isola Bella. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the small-group format means no more than eight passengers in one van.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mount Etna2h
2. Greek Theatre of Taormina1h
3. Isola Bella30m

Mount Etna and Taormina tour

• Drive to Etna South
• Stop at past eruption site
• Walk Silvestri Craters
• Take cable car and 4x4 vehicles
• Taste honey at Oro dell'Etna
• Walk Corso Umberto in Taormina
• Visit Taormina Greek Theatre
• See Isola Bella island

The experience

"The volcano doesn't care what time you arrive," our guide said as we pulled into the parking area, the black lava soil stretching out like a frozen sea. Mount Etna dominates the morning. You drive through pine forest first, then the landscape shifts. The trees thin out. Everything turns dark. You're standing on ground that erupted, that buried houses, that's still one of Europe's most active volcanoes. The Silvestri Craters walk is easy, maybe 30 minutes on foot, but the views from up there reach all the way to the coast and back toward Catania. If you want higher, there's a cable car and 4x4 option to get closer to the summit area, though that takes longer and costs extra.

After Etna, the drive to Taormina winds through the island. There's a stop at Oro dell'Etna where you taste Sicilian honey made right in the volcanic zone: the kind of thing that sounds like a tourist trap but tastes like it matters. The honey is thick, dark, specific to the soil. Then Taormina itself opens up, all medieval streets and sea views. Corso Umberto is the main pedestrian drag, packed with shops and cafes, and if you want to see the Greek Theatre, that's there too: a real ancient amphitheater with the volcano visible in the distance. Isola Bella, a small island just offshore with crystal water and vegetation, is close by if you want to add a beach moment.

The whole day runs from your hotel pickup through the afternoon return, all in an air-conditioned minivan with a maximum of eight people. You get water, the driver, transport, and all fees included. If you're arriving by cruise ship, the timing works around your ship's departure. You just need to tell them the docking and re-boarding times when you book.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Catania, transport in an air-conditioned minivan, a driver/guide, bottled water, and all taxes and fees.
• You'll walk the Silvestri Craters on Mount Etna, stop for Sicilian honey tasting at Oro dell'Etna, and have time to explore Taormina's Corso Umberto pedestrian area.
• Entry to the Greek Theatre and cable car/4x4 access to higher elevations on Etna are optional and cost extra.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to6h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 94

Prices and times updated 27 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Going Sicily

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Mount Etna and Taormina in one full day without arranging separate transport, timing the stops yourself, or navigating between towns: the fixed itinerary and included pickup handle all of that, and the small-group van keeps the pace manageable.

Traveler reviews

4.66★★★★★★★★★★

62 verified traveler reviews

5 ★53

4 ★2

3 ★3

2 ★3

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the walk on Silvestri Craters?

About 30 minutes on easy terrain. It's accessible for most fitness levels.

Is the cable car to the summit included?

No. The Silvestri Craters walk is included, but the cable car and 4x4 vehicles to reach higher on the volcano cost extra.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup is included, so timing depends on where you're staying in Catania. Confirm the pickup window when you book.

Is lunch included?

No. The honey tasting is included, but meals are not. You'll have time to eat in Taormina during the free time there.

Can I visit the Greek Theatre?

Yes, it's a possibility listed in the itinerary. Entry is not included in the base tour price.

What if I'm a cruise passenger?

The tour can be arranged around your ship's schedule. Provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time at booking.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, but you must be able to transfer to the seat independently or with assistance. The van has no ramp and cannot transport wheelchairs on board.

What's the maximum group size?

Eight passengers per minivan.

Is water provided?

Yes, bottled water is included.

What language is the guide?

The guide may be multilingual. Confirm the language when you book.