Best Etna is the independent guide to the whole volcano: from the South side's Silvestri Craters to the North side's Piano Provenzana, from Etna DOC wineries to the summit craters. One starting point to decide how to experience Italy's most unpredictable mountain.
Etna doesn't have a single access point: each side has its own character, starting points, landscapes and difficulty level. Here's how to get your bearings before choosing the right excursion.
From a short trek to the Silvestri Craters to off-road driving on the North side, to sunset tours: choose the right experience for the time and energy you have.
There's no single "entrance" to Etna: the access point depends on which side you want to explore. Here are the main options from Catania.
If you're short on time or travelling with family, Etna South is the most practical choice: quick access, the Silvestri Craters and the cable car all in one spot. If you want a more nature-focused, less crowded experience, Etna North through the Piano Provenzana forests is the better pick. For those who want to combine volcano and wine, base yourself on the East side, between Zafferana and Milo.
Where you stay depends on which side you want to explore first: each base has its own character and distance from the access points.
Compare prices and availability on Booking.com across all sides of Etna: Nicolosi, Linguaglossa, Zafferana, Trecastagni and Catania.
Everything you need to know before you go, whichever side you choose.
The Etna DOC grows on every side of the volcano. Whether you come from the South, North or East, a winery stop perfectly rounds off a day on the volcano: wines of extraordinary minerality grown on volcanic soils.
Four sides, one volcano. Whether you want a short walk or a climb to the summit craters, the right choice starts here.
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