Mount Etna Summit Craters
At the summit of Sicily, four craters sit at the top of Europe's most active volcano — Northeast, Voragine, Bocca Nuova, and the Southeast Crater Complex — each one a different chapter in an eruption history that stretches back 570,000 years. The ground here is loose black tephra, the air smells faintly of sulfur, and on a clear day the curvature of the Sicilian coastline is visible far below.
Above 2,500 metres you need a licensed guide; below that, you can walk freely. The youngest of the major craters, the New Southeast Crater, formed in 2007 and within four years had grown taller than any of its older neighbours.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who've done this more than once tend to skip the cable car altogether on the descent and walk down the lava fields on foot — faster than it sounds, and the loose scoria means you half-slide. They also book the full 4×4 plus guided walk combo rather than stopping at 2,500 m, since the extra 400 metres of altitude is where the craters actually reveal themselves.
The story behind Mount Etna Summit Craters
Etna's summit was, for most of recorded human history, a single Central Crater — a cone 250 metres high with an opening more than 500 metres across. That changed in 1911, when the Northeast Crater broke open as a separate vent. Voragine followed in 1945, Bocca Nuova in 1968, and the Southeast Crater in 1971. The youngest significant vent to emerge, in 1978, is now over four decades old.
The New Southeast Crater arrived in 2007 and grew with unusual speed, overtaking the older craters in height within four years. UNESCO designated the volcano a World Heritage Site in 2013, recognising not just its geological significance but the 2,700-year record of human observation of its activity.
Good to know
The AST bus from Catania central station (8:00 a.m.) reaches Rifugio Sapienza by 10:15 a.m. — the simplest approach without a car. Book guided summit tours in advance; spaces are capped and the ascent can be restricted or cancelled without notice if emissions spike. The cable car, last updated with new cabins in spring 2023, runs from 1,920 m to 2,500 m; the €78 adult package adds a 4×4 and a guided 60-minute walk to 2,900 m.
The summit area typically runs about 20°C colder than the Sicilian coast, with persistent wind — pack layers even in August, when temperatures above 2,000 m hover around 6–7°C. The craters are generally closed mid-November through mid-April; late April to June and late August through September offer the most stable conditions and the best visibility.
Where is Mount Etna Summit Craters?
More tickets & tours for Mount Etna Summit Craters
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Mount Etna Summit Craters
Top day out with Paulo. The volcano was erupting as we arrived, and so our walk was adjusted due to the security level. It's a slow climb uphill in the amazing moonscape- and it just gets more amazing - particularly when you have an incredible soundtrack of rumbling explosions. We climbed to just under 9000ft, just short of the summit craters- no one was allowed further. We had a great day and made some great friends along the way. Recommended 🙂 Be advised you must wear walking boots (they rent them and we're comfortable) and trousers.
Great experience climbing from Piana Provenzana to the summit of Etna. It is certainly not a walk in the park, the altitude difference and the weather must be taken into account. This experience was made fantastic not only by the panorama that made our eyes shine for the entire duration of the trek (17 km total and 1500 m of positive altitude difference) but also by the skill and preparation of the guide who during the journey gave us a myriad of information about the world of Etna. I highly recommend this experience and for the less prepared there are softer experiences that will be proposed to you according to your tastes... Very happy with the choice
A wonderful excursion to Mount Etna! We relied on the expertise and professionalism of Paolo and Piera, two volcanological guides who put commitment and dedication into their work—a perfect combination to ensure you get the most out of your experience, exceeding your expectations! All this thanks to their love for their work, which I consider their winning feature! See you next time, guys!
These guys' passion for "A Muntagna" is indescribable. The ease with which they convey it is astonishing. An experience I absolutely must repeat and highly recommended! Many thanks to Paolo and Dario!
Competent, professional, and friendly guides, and there was so much to discover with them. Thank you for making our Etna adventure a precious and unforgettable memory. You can't miss exploring Etna with them!
More of Sicily
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Sicily →More attractions in Sicily
All of Sicily →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.