Full-Day Etna and Taormina Combination Tour

About This Experience

This small-group tour, limited to 8 people, drives from Catania to Etna in about 50 minutes. The listing names Monti Rossi, the cone behind the 1669 eruption, a lava stone quarry and a short, moderate hike at Crateri Silvestri at 2,000 meters. You also put on a helmet and carry a flashlight to explore a lava tube.

The route stops at the site of the 1992 eruption, tastes local products and has lunch in the village of Zafferana. Meals are listed as not included, so lunch is at your own cost.

Taormina follows a drive of about 75 minutes. The itinerary gives 2.5 hours, though one 2025 reviewer says they had only 2 hours. The listing says plainly that the visit is on your own and that Greek Theatre tickets are not included. The description names the Greek Theatre, the Cathedral and the botanical garden as things to see.

If you want the Ancient Theatre, buy an official ticket yourself (EUR 14 full price, checked 3 November 2026). Of a 2 to 2.5 hour stop, that leaves enough for the theatre plus Corso Umberto, but not for much more.

The driver is also your guide and speaks Spanish, English and Italian. The price is from about $112 per person (checked November 2026).

Highlights

• Monti Rossi, the cone behind the 1669 eruption, and a lava stone quarry
• A short, moderate hike at Crateri Silvestri at 2,000 meters
• A lava tube explored with a helmet and flashlight
• A stop at the site of the 1992 eruption, with local products to taste
• Lunch in the village of Zafferana
• 2.5 hours on your own in Taormina, with the Cathedral and botanical garden nearby

What's Included

• ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off
• ✓ Transfers by air-conditioned car or minivan
• ✓ English-speaking driver and guide
• ✓ Fuel
• ✓ Parking fees
• ✓ Tolls

Not Included

• Greek Theatre tickets
• Archaeological park and museum guide services
• Meals
• Hotel accommodation
• Anything not expressly listed as included

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes, with a casual dress code
• A jacket for the volcano
• Money for lunch and a theatre ticket
• Your full phone number with country code for the day-before message
• Hotel name and full address when booking

Good to Know & Caveats

• Greek Theatre tickets are not included, and the listing says the visit to Taormina is on your own.
• The itinerary says 2.5 hours in Taormina, but a 2025 reviewer reports only 2 hours and a 7-hour day instead of 8.
• Activities are subject to cancellation due to weather. Reviewers describe the driver adapting during thunderstorms.
• The operator contacts you the day before, so give a full phone number with country code.
• Pickup outside Catania is on request, subject to availability, at an extra cost equal to a taxi or Uber fare.
• A pickup point may be set instead of your hotel if it sits in a pedestrian or market area.

Meeting Point

Pickup is at your hotel in Catania, with a pickup point arranged if the hotel is on a pedestrian street or market area. Three pickup and drop-off options appear in the listing, for example Piazza S. Domenico in Aci Castello.