Self-Guided Walking
Italy: Sicily
Volcanoes of Sicily Walk
Trip code: W07AI
Average customer rating 4.5 / 5(14 verified reviews)
- Self-Guided Walking
- 7 nights hotel-to-hotel
- Moderate
- Flights available
- CO₂ rating 1/5
- Headwater Navigation app
Trip highlights
Trip details
This 7 night walking holiday leads you on a self-guided adventure along Sicily’s stunning eastern coast, taking in some of the island’s most precious jewels, from the spectacular Greek theatre of Taormina to the immense Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. You’ll also spend four days island hopping between the astonishingly beautiful Aeolian Islands, a string of seven volcanic islets that glimmer like black pearls off Sicily’s Mediterranean shoreline. You’ll stay two nights on the island of Stromboli, known also as the ‘Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’ for its constant volcanic eruptions and two nights on Lipari, the largest island of the Aeolian Archipelago.
What's included
Included
- 7 nights in 3-star equivalent and 3-star accommodation
- All breakfasts
- Briefing at the start of your holiday
- Headwater navigation app
- All walk and luggage transfers
- Hydrofoil tickets
- Guided walk on Stromboli
- Guided walk on Mount Etna
Not included
- Flights
- Local taxes/fees
- Travel insurance
Travel options
- Flights
Our air prices include standard flights and transfers.
Itinerary
Day 1 · —Arrive in Catania
Arrive and settle in at your comfortable city centre hotel.
You stay at Hotel Katane Palace
equivalent
Hotel Katane Palace
Catania
- Air conditioning
- ATM
- Bank
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
The Katane Palace Hotel is in the heart of Catania’s city centre, just a short walk to a choice of restaurants, cafes and shops. Bedrooms are simple but spacious and comfortable, whilst the public rooms are grand and classically decorated. There’s a restaurant as well as a charming terrace within a courtyard where breakfast can be taken.
Day 2 · —Catania to Stromboli
After your briefing, we take you to Milazzo (90 mins), the gateway to the Aeolian Islands. There’s time for lunch before taking the hydrofoil (130 mins) to the dramatic volcanic island of Stromboli. Explore the lovely village of San Vincenzo, with its pretty whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant bougainvillea, before dinner.
You stay at Hotel Villaggio Stromboli
Hotel Villaggio Stromboli
Stromboli
- Air conditioning
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
The Hotel Villaggio Stromboli is 900m from the port and 400m from the village centre, and sits overlooking the island’s black sand beach and Strombolicchio. The hotel dates back to 1949, shortly after the film ‘Stromboli’ was made; the hotel has many photographs of the film in production and of its famous main actress and director, Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman. The spacious rooms at the Villaggio Stromboli are simple but come with ceiling fan, air conditioning and patio. There’s also a bar and restaurant at the hotel.
Day 3 · 9km/5.6miAt Stromboli
Relax on the island’s black beaches or take a boat to the scenic village of Ginostra on Stromboli’s south western shores. In the late afternoon, we have included a group guided walk up to the observation point (400m) so you can enjoy Stromboli’s intermittent fiery explosions by night!
Elevation
You stay at Hotel Villaggio Stromboli
Hotel Villaggio Stromboli
Stromboli
- Air conditioning
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
The Hotel Villaggio Stromboli is 900m from the port and 400m from the village centre, and sits overlooking the island’s black sand beach and Strombolicchio. The hotel dates back to 1949, shortly after the film ‘Stromboli’ was made; the hotel has many photographs of the film in production and of its famous main actress and director, Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman. The spacious rooms at the Villaggio Stromboli are simple but come with ceiling fan, air conditioning and patio. There’s also a bar and restaurant at the hotel.
Day 4 · 9km/5.6miAt Lipari
Take the morning hydrofoil to Lipari (110 min), then set out through the winding cobbled alleyways of Lipari’s charming Old Town to Marina Corta, the island’s tiny old fishing harbour. Continue to the panoramic Punta della Crapazza for sweeping views over to the faraglioni and Vulcano.
Elevation
You stay at Hotel Gattopardo
equivalent
Hotel Gattopardo
Lipari
- Air conditioning
- ATM
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Other email access
- Safe
- Swimming pool
- Television
- Visa cards
The Hotel Gattopardo is a short walk from Lipari’s pretty marina. The hotel consists of a series of typical Aeolian style whitewashed buildings surrounding an 19th century villa, with gardens dotted around the complex. Rooms here are traditional but comfortable and ensuite, with most rooms having an outdoor patio area. The hotel has a lovely swimming pool as well as a bar, reading room and restaurant.
Day 5 · 7km/4.3mi or 11km/6.8miSalina or the Terme di San Calogero
A 25-minute hydrofoil takes you to the island of Salina for a demanding walk high up onto the slopes of Mount Fossa to what has been described as the prettiest viewpoint in the islands, the Serro Capo.
For an easier alternative, catch a bus to the sleepy village of Quattropani and then return to Lipari Town via the island’s beautiful west coast, passing untouched coastline with lovely views and the oldest thermal baths in the Mediterranean (elevation profile is for the Lipari walk).
Elevation
You stay at Hotel Gattopardo
equivalent
Hotel Gattopardo
Lipari
- Air conditioning
- ATM
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Other email access
- Safe
- Swimming pool
- Television
- Visa cards
The Hotel Gattopardo is a short walk from Lipari’s pretty marina. The hotel consists of a series of typical Aeolian style whitewashed buildings surrounding an 19th century villa, with gardens dotted around the complex. Rooms here are traditional but comfortable and ensuite, with most rooms having an outdoor patio area. The hotel has a lovely swimming pool as well as a bar, reading room and restaurant.
Day 6 · 6km/3.7miAt Taormina
Return to mainland Sicily this morning (70 mins) and transfer (75 mins) to Taormina, the jewel in Sicily’s crown. Your afternoon is free to visit the town’s historic Greek theatre, bathe in the azure waters of the Isola Bella Nature Reserve or admire the amazing view of mighty Mount Etna. Alternatively, climb the Sentiero del Saraceno up to medieval Castelmola, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and enjoy superb vistas over Taormina and beyond.
Elevation
You stay at Hotel Isabella
Hotel Isabella
Taormina
- ATM
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Tea & coffee
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Just a few steps from the Greek-Roman Theatre in the heart of Taormina, Hotel Isabella has 30 well-equipped rooms overlooking the rooftops of the old town, the ancient Greek Theatre or the beautiful sea below. A shuttle bus connects guests daily (May – Sept) with their sister Hotel Caparena where you can enjoy the private pebbled beach and wellness centre.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Day 7 · 8km/5.0miMount Etna
We take you (1 hr) up onto Mount Etna’s northern flank to join a group walk with a guide, following a scenic path beside a deep volcanic fracture, carved out of the ground during Etna’s last major explosion in 2002. Cross the lava strewn landscape, with sweeping views along the entire Ionian coastline, to the edge of the 2002 crater. Alternatively, ascend by cable car and jeep to 2900m and join a volcanologist guide to ascend to Etna’s summit (3350m; book and pay locally).
Please note that today’s walk is subject to change depending on weather and volcanic conditions.
You stay at Hotel Isabella
Hotel Isabella
Taormina
- ATM
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Tea & coffee
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Just a few steps from the Greek-Roman Theatre in the heart of Taormina, Hotel Isabella has 30 well-equipped rooms overlooking the rooftops of the old town, the ancient Greek Theatre or the beautiful sea below. A shuttle bus connects guests daily (May – Sept) with their sister Hotel Caparena where you can enjoy the private pebbled beach and wellness centre.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Day 8 · —Leave Taormina
Given the island hopping nature of this trip, you are responsible for your luggage when using the hydrofoil services. Transportation of luggage to and from the hotels and the ports of Stromboli and Lipari is provided.
What our travellers say
Item 1 of 1
Positive impact
Carbon score for this trip
19.0
Kg CO₂e
per person, per night
Relative to other Headwater trips
We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more
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