Level of difficulty
0 of 5

Min. Age
8 years and up

Full day

Morning and Afternoon
Specific timetable

Etna – Taormina Excursion (full day)

Are you looking for useful information about participating in an Etna excursion and want to visit the beautiful and luxurious Taormina? Well, then if you happened to be in just the right guide.

Etna excursion: discovering the “good giant” of Europe

Etna (also called Mongibello) is the highest active volcano in Europe, extending over 3300 meters in height with a basal diameter of about 40 km rising in the eastern slope of Sicily.
It is classified as a “shield” volcano in that it is generated by fluid lava flows that as they cool visually give the impression of a shield.
Etna excursion: the landscape, fauna and flora
Visiting its territory it is possible to admire different morphological aspects depending on the altitude.
Up to 1,000 meters on the eastern and southern slopes it is cultivated and urbanized, while on the western slope it is more bare and is dominated by the scent from the gorse bushes. On the northern slope are dense forests of chestnut and oak trees.
As for wildlife: if wolves, deer and roe deer dwelled one century, today they are practically extinct.
For those who hike Mount Etna can admire and encounter small animals such as porcupine, marmot, dormouse and weasel that live together with raptors, peregrine falcon, kestrel, golden eagle, barn owl, barn owl, tawny owl and others.

Etna excursion: caves and gorges

Because of the volcano’s continuous lava-spewing activity, the landscape surrounding Etna is varied and picturesque.
Thanks to this orogenic activity on Etna, “lava flow caves” have formed over time, which cool faster on the outside, on the inside, remain almost “empty” as lava continues to move.
The most famous is Frost Cave, a unique and deep canyon with perennial ice.
Another breathtaking location to visit are the Alcantara Gorges, formed by the erosion of the icy waters of the river from which they take their name.
In 2013, the volcano was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Excursion to discover Taormina

Because of its almost strategic location, it is possible to continue the tour by making an excursion to Taormina.
In this “little gem” you can admire: the Greek Theater, the municipal villa, the Corvaja Palace, the Cathedral, the Palace of Santo Stefano and Isola Bella.