At almost 11,000 feet tall, Mount Etna dominates the skyline from Sicily’s eastern towns like Taormina. It’s the tallest and most active volcano in Europe, and if you’re lucky enough to be there when it erupts, it’s a fantastic scene to watch from the safety of one of Taormina’s view points or hotel balconies.
Those who aren’t content with just enjoying the mountain scenery from afar can venture up the cable car, which takes you to around 6,000 feet, and from there it’s possible to take a jeep with a guide to the summit. Whilst it's possible to reach the cable car by public transport, it's fairly complicated, so we’d recommend booking the Mount Etna Premium excursion.
Throughout Sicily’s turbulent history, Mount Etna has remained an important icon. The fertile lands that surround it have enabled the island’s olive groves and vineyards to thrive and the volcano has been both admired and feared by the island’s inhabitants. It’s drawn artists, poets and writers to the island and inspired many more. Since May 2013, Mount Etna has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the most important aspects of most visits to Sicily.
