Volcano Tours in Italy
Etna, Vesuvius and the Aeolian Islands: 138 experiences across three areas that have almost nothing in common except the rock.
Italy is the only country in Europe where lava reaches the surface often enough to plan a trip around it. Two of its volcanoes are erupting right now, in the plain sense that the ground is open and material is coming out of it. A third buried a Roman city and has done nothing since March 1944. Between them they carry the entire Italian market, and the three are so different that booking the wrong one is the most common mistake people make here.
The split matters more than the map suggests. Etna is a mountain you go up, with a cable car, jeeps and guides licensed by the region. Vesuvius is a forty minute walk to a crater rim, sold mostly as the second half of a Pompeii day. The Aeolian Islands are boats. If what you wanted was to look into a hole in the ground and you booked a catamaran, or you wanted a swim and you booked a summit trek at 3,000 metres, the disappointment is not the operator's fault.
Choose a destination in Italy
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Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius tours and crater tickets, with Pompeii, Herculaneum and the wineries on the volcano's slopes.
28 experiences in 4 destinations -
Mount Etna
Mount Etna tours from Catania and Taormina: summit craters, lava caves, jeep runs at sunset and the wineries on the volcano's slopes.
96 experiences in 8 destinations -
Aeolian Islands
Aeolian Islands tours: Stromboli, in continuous eruption since 1934, seen by night from the Sciara del Fuoco, and the fumaroles of Vulcano.
14 experiences in 2 destinations
Volcano Travel Experiences in Italy
Stromboli at Sunset to 400 m, the Highest a Guide May Take You
The walk stops at 400 metres because that is the highest a volcanology guide may go, and the way down is in the dark with torches. Two hours before sunset.
Stromboli by Night: Thirty Minutes Under the Sciara del Fuoco
The time ashore moves with the daylight so the boat is under the Sciara del Fuoco at dusk, and the stop there lasts about half an hour. Tropea by 22:30.
The 2002 Craters on Etna North: a 7.2 km Flow and One Hotel Roof Left Showing
The flow of 27 October 2002 buried the hotels at Piano Provenzana, and one roof still shows. About 5 km, 300 m of ascent, graded T, three hours from 9:45.
Three Etna Wineries in Six Hours, Entrance Fees Included
Six hours and three Etna estates with food, drinks and entrance fees all in the price. From two people, or semi-private for up to eight. Whites, rosés and reds.
Two Etna Wineries and a Sicilian Lunch: Zafferana Honey, Three DOC Wines
An 8-seater from Catania at 9:00, honey at Zafferana Etnea, then two cellars: tasting and aperitif at the first, lunch with three DOC wines at the second.
Two Hours in West Pompeii, Then the Gran Cono Path
Two hours in the western half of Pompeii with an archaeological guide, then the Gran Cono path to the crater from the square at 1,000 metres. Hotel pick-up.
Vesuvius First, Then Pizza, Then Pompeii
Vesuvius to the crater at 1,281 metres with an alpine guide, a Margherita or Marinara on the slopes, then two hours in Pompeii with an authorised guide.
Vesuvius First, then Pompeii, with a Margherita or Marinara in Between
Vesuvius comes first, then pizza on its slopes, Margherita or Marinara, and Pompeii with an authorised guide in the afternoon. Sorrento or Vico Equense.
Vesuvius from Naples Central: Bus, Crater Ticket and an Audio Guide on Your Phone
Everything is collected at one desk inside Napoli Centrale, and the crater admission is skip-the-line, so the walk up runs at whatever pace you want.
Vesuvius from the Gates of Pompeii, Bus and Crater Ticket Included
Departure from Porta Marina Superiore at the Pompeii gate, with the crater ticket, the return bus and a guide all in one booking. The Gulf of Naples below.
Vesuvius on Horseback at Walking Pace, with a Winery Lunch
Trails across the volcanic ground with the Bay of Sorrento below, then lunch at a family winery. The riding is slow and does not suit anyone wanting to gallop.
Vesuvius Only, Picked Up at the Pompeii Gate
The volcano on its own, with pick-up at the Pompeii gate and a hiking guide for the climb. The first 30 minutes from the entrance are the steep part. Minibus.
Vesuvius with a Volcanologist, and Time to Stay at the Top After
The guide is a volcanologist, so the climb from Quota 1000 is about how the mountain works. At the top you can stay on after the tour ends. Capri in view.
Vino, Cucina e Territorio: Lacryma Christi Under Vesuvius
Lacryma Christi is the wine, the walk goes through the vines with the Gulf of Naples, Sorrento and Capri below, and the tasting comes with local food and lunch.
Vulcano and South Lipari by the Seat, with a Beach Lunch Stop
A per-person seat with Aeolian skippers, swimming stops round Vulcano, the caves that are not on the map, and lunch ashore on a beach with local food.
Vulcano, Lipari and Stromboli from Tropea: the Sciara del Fuoco by Day
Savadori's fast boat leaves from Calabria rather than Sicily, and the speed buys longer stops: fumaroles on Vulcano, the Sciara del Fuoco in daylight.
Vulcano, Lipari and Stromboli in One Day by Fast Boat
Stops of 1h15 at Vulcano, 2h20 at Lipari and 1h15 at Stromboli. Commentary is in Italian, and Lipari charges a cash fee to disembark. The boat is a fast one.
Water Then Fire: the Alcantara Gorges, the 1991-93 Flow and Nerello Mascalese
This one runs water first, fire second: the gorge from the clifftop paths, then the 1991-93 flow to Rifugio Sapienza and three wines at a certified farm.
Ratings collected by Viator, Tripadvisor and Tiqets