How to Visit Mount Etna From Catania (Tour, Cable Car and Real Costs)

When we visited Catania, the main reason was simple — Mount Etna. The volcano is one of the main attractions in Sicily and a place many travelers want to see at least once.

There are several ways to reach the volcano. You can drive there yourself with a rental car, but we decided to do something different. We booked a guided tour through GetYourGuide, and honestly it turned out to be a great decision.

We made the reservation the evening before, and the next morning the guide came to pick us up directly from the hotel. The tour cost €60 per person, and we left around 10 AM in a small group of about 8 people.

Our guide was very charismatic and extremely knowledgeable. No matter what question we asked during the drive, he always had an interesting answer.

If you’re still deciding whether to stay in the city itself, read my honest guide on whether Catania is worth visiting and what to realistically expect.

The Drive Toward Mount Etna

The drive toward Mount Etna was exciting. The road becomes winding in some places and more challenging closer to the volcano.

Since we visited at the end of January, the weather changed dramatically as we climbed higher. In the city of Catania the temperature was around 17–20°C, but as we continued driving upward it slowly dropped toward 0°C.

Snow began to appear along the road, and we could see that some cars were struggling to continue because they were not properly equipped for winter conditions.

Fortunately, our vehicle had winter tires and the climb went smoothly.

If you decide to visit Etna on your own with a rental car during the winter months, make sure to check that your car has winter tires or at least snow chains. Otherwise you might have serious trouble reaching the higher parts of the volcano.

The Landscape Changes Completely

One of the most fascinating parts of the journey is watching how the landscape changes as you get closer to the volcano.

The green and reddish colors of the city slowly disappear and are replaced by shades of white and blue, created by snow and sky.

The terrain becomes entirely volcanic. Mount Etna is still an active volcano and has erupted many times in the past. Some eruptions have destroyed homes and forced people to abandon entire areas or rebuild their houses again and again.

Because the soil is volcanic, not many crops grow well there. However, grape vines thrive in this terrain, which is why the region produces several very good local wines.

But that is a story for another article.

During the drive we also made a few stops so we could admire the volcano from different angles and take photos from a distance.

Reaching the Cable Car – Funivia dell’Etna

Eventually we reached the base station of the Funivia dell’Etna cable car. This is where the real experience begins.

At the base there is a restaurant where you can buy food or drinks, but the prices are quite high. If you want to save money, it’s better to eat something in the city before starting the tour.

Even from the base station the views are already impressive. There was snow everywhere and the air was noticeably colder. But stopping here would be a mistake.

To continue higher, you need to take the cable car, which cost another €60 per person. For us it was absolutely worth it.

The ride takes some time. It’s not the type of cable car that reaches the top in just a few minutes. It moves slowly while climbing higher and higher, and during the ride the views become more spectacular.

You can see smaller volcanic craters along the way and take some amazing photos.

What It’s Like at the Top

Once we reached the top, we found ourselves standing in deep snow.

It was cold, windy, and completely different from the weather in the city. While Catania felt warm and sunny, up here the temperature was around 0°C or even slightly below.

This means the clothes that feel comfortable in the city may be completely unsuitable for the volcano.

If you plan to visit Etna, make sure you bring warm clothing with you. A windproof jacket is essential. A hat is also a very good idea because the wind can be quite strong.

Footwear is also important. If you wear light sneakers, snow will quickly get inside them. It’s better to bring boots or shoes that can handle snow and rough volcanic terrain.

During the warmer months, when the ground is not covered by snow, you should still wear shoes with good grip and thick soles, because volcanic rocks can be sharp.

The View Is Incredible

The view from the top is truly unforgettable.

While standing in the snow, freezing in the wind, we could see the green and reddish colors of Catania far below. To the side, the sea was visible in the distance.

The contrast between the snowy volcano and the warm city below is something that is hard to imagine until you see it yourself.

It’s also an extremely photogenic place.

Going Even Higher to the Crater

For those who want to go even further, it is possible to continue toward the main crater.

During winter this is done using special snow trucks, but it requires paying an additional fee.

Unfortunately, when we visited, Mount Etna had erupted just a few days earlier and the volcano was still considered active and potentially dangerous. Because of that, it was not possible to reach the crater.

So we stopped at around 2,500 meters altitude, which was already an incredible experience.

Heading Back Down

After some time exploring the area and taking photos, we took the cable car back down to the base station where our guide was waiting.

We talked about the experience, shared our impressions, and continued our journey.

Our Mount Etna adventure was technically finished, but the tour still had one more stop.

After visiting Etna, we stopped for a wine tasting at Enoteca dell’Etna — a relaxed option if you want to extend the day beyond just the volcano.