The Etna Family Experience is a guided excursion on Mount Etna designed for families with children. During this experience, both children and adults will be led along a safe path through Etna’s volcanic and natural environments, walking through wooded areas, crossing lava fields, and tackling gentle climbs suited to their abilities, in order to enjoy the beauty of landscapes that stretch across both land and sea.
Activity features
📅 Availability
Every day by reservation.
🤔 Who can do it?
Everybody welcome.
🔓 Refund policy
Cancellation within 4 days: full refund. Within 24 hours: refund via voucher. In the previous 24 hours: no refund.
⛔ Restrictions
This activity is not suitable for pregnant women and for people with respiratory or cardiac diseases. Strollers and any carriers with wheels cannot be used
🧭 Hike details
Length: 3 km; Elevation gain +100 meters; Max elevation reached: 2000 meters.
🕒 How long does it last?
This experience lasts 3-hours and start in the morning, afternoon and based on the season at the sunset too. You can choose departure time during booking selecting the favorite one.
🗣️ Languages
Italian, English.
🥾 Recommended clothing
We recommend sportswear with closed sports shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, windproof jacket. In winter, mountain clothing appropriate to the season. Cancellation by us due to bad weather: full refund.
🥖 🥛 Food & Water
For this activity you can bring a bottle of water and some snacks (not included).
📋 Required skills
Not required skills. Kids have to be able to walk by yourself on a mountain track.
🅿️ Parking
Parking for a fee available on site (€3 full day).
Activity description
We are on the north-east side of Mount Etna, between the Alcantara Valley and the Nebrodi mountains, with a great view over the Ionian coast, about 40 km from Taormina. If you are looking for activities to discover the beautiful Alcantara Gorges, you can also check out Body Rafting or a quad tour in the Alcantara area. Now, let’s move on to the description of the Etna Family Experience.
Schedule
This is an excursion designed for families with children, with an itinerary planned to suit even the youngest participants. The guide will lead you through volcanic and natural environments, explaining in a simple and easy way the geological processes that shaped the volcano, the natural elements that slowly turn the dry volcanic land into rich mountain forests, and interesting facts linked to the myths and history of the volcano.
All of this takes place while walking through forests, crossing lava fields, and along the edges of large volcanic cones, while enjoying beautiful and striking views. The experience also includes the exploration of a volcanic cave, walking into the tunnels through which the magma flowing during an eruption.
Tour Highlights
🌳 Walk through forests and pine woods
🌋 Reach the edge of impressive lateral craters
📷 Stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the sea
🗻 Cross a lava field
🔦 Explore a volcanic cave
🏁 Return
Why pick us?
Ethical business
We are an idea born and made in Sicily with two ingredients, passion for nature and love for this country.
Local guides
We are a team of guides and outdoor experts with the mission to enhance Sicily
Green mind
We are deeply aware of environmental challenges and fully dedicated to driving impactful sustainability initiatives.
Valuable experiences
We only select activities with high naturalistic and experiential value
Pricing & Included stuffs
Group tour
Family pack - € 135 (up to 4 partecipants)
Price per family. Online deposit of € 15 per family; Balance on site of € 120 per family.
Add a partecipant + € 30
Price per additional partecipant. Online deposit of € 5 per additional partecipant; Balance on site of € 25 per additional partecipant.
Private tour*
Family pack - € 190 (up to 6 partecipants)
Price per family/group. Online deposit of € 20 per family/group; Balance on site of € 170 per family/group.
All shown rates include: Mountain guide, helmet, torch, insurence.
All shown rates do not include: Pick-up, drop-off, and transport during the tour are not included; participants must use their own car to reach the meeting point and for any transfers during the tour.
* The private tour refers to an excursion with a private guide dedicated to your group/family, with no other participants.
Faq
What is the meeting point?
To take part you will have to reach the meeting point marked below on your own. We remind you this is an approximate point, after confirmation you will receive an email with detailed instructions to partecipate.
What happens in case of bad weather?
Outdoor activities are always affected by weather conditions. Last-minute cancellations are possible. Cancellations by our organization always entitle you to a full refund of the deposit. To know the policy about bad weather visit the "Assistance" page, "Reservations" section.
Why choose this excursion?
Walking in nature means going back to simple things. This is what we want to offer to families and children: a direct and real contact with the natural environment, where there are no conveniences, no vehicles to take us where we want to go, no shortcuts, no apps, only paths to walk by making a small effort for the privilege of discovering nature.
Which should you choose: group or private tour?
If you choose the group tour, you could be joined to other families, sharing both the experience and the guide with them. If instead you prefer a tailor made experience, without having to adapt to others’ needs, with a guide dedicated to your family and without having to worry about anything, then you should choose the private tour.
Environmental impact assessment
High
Sustainability
* All environmental assessments are the result of internal analyses of The Island of Wonders. These have no scientific value, but represent assessments of professionals people who collaborate on sustainability projects of The island of Wonders. Therefore, although carefully drafted, they may contain errors and/or estimation that do not correspond to reality.
Gallery
How it works
1
Make a reservation
Reservation doesn't involve any payment. The deposit will be pre-authorized and charged only after confirmation.
2
Receive response
Your reservation can be confirmed, rejected or you will receive a modification proposal you could accept or decline. In case of reject or decline the deposit will be released on your payment method. Check always your email including spam to get all updates.
3
Get ready for adventure
After confirmation you will receive an email with detailed instructions to get activity.
What people say
Reviews 651
Score 5
Best review 5
Worst review 5
Amazing!
Really recommend this tour. It was a lovely walk, not too long so suitable for children. The guide, Salvo, was really knowledgeable and so friendly, he really increased the enjoyment of the trip. Such wonderful views would love to do it again!! One thing, make sure you have transport
April 24, 2022
Rebecca Hudson
Excellent Experience
Giovanni was an amazing guide and made this experience incredible. Great value for money. He was good with our kids; patient and explained so much about life on the volcano. Highly recommend.
April 25, 2022
Lindsey Mitchell
Escursione intorno all’Etna
Bella passeggiata di circa 4 ore con Barbara , molto preparata il tempo é volato.
July 1, 2024
T.C