Things to Do in Sicily: Etna, Island Hopping and Cooking

7 min read · Published: August 29, 2023 · Updated: October 29, 2026 · Prices and details checked: October 2026

The best activities in Sicily are a guided walk on Mount Etna, a hydrofoil trip to the Aeolian Islands, a cooking class, a morning at a fish market, a wine tasting on the volcano and snorkelling along the rocky coast. This guide explains how to choose and book each one. Sights, beaches and food have their own guides, linked below.

Table of contents

1. How do you choose an Etna trek?
2. How do you visit the Aeolian Islands from Sicily?
3. Is a Sicilian cooking class worth it?
4. When should you visit a Sicilian fish market?
5. Where can you taste wine on Etna?
6. Where is the best snorkelling in Sicily?
7. FAQ
8. Plan your activities

How do you choose an Etna trek?

Choose by how high you want to go, and book through the cable car operator or a licensed mountain guide. Etna is an active volcano, so the open zones change with its activity, and guides know which paths are accessible on the day.

The simplest option is the cable car (Funivia dell’Etna) to 2,500 m, at 54 EUR return including fast track entry. From the upper station you can walk around on your own and look at old lava fields and craters from a distance.

For higher ground, the Tour 3000 combines the cable car, a 4×4 bus and a guide up to 3,000 m. It costs 82 EUR for adults, with an open ticket valid from 8:30 to 15:15. The guide is the point: you get explanations of recent eruptions and access to areas you should not enter alone.

We advise against walking beyond the open tourist zone without a guide, even in clear weather. Summit conditions change quickly and paths can close at short notice. The park authority’s current altitude limits could not be confirmed from its website, so ask your provider which zone applies on your date.

Pack for the mountain, not the coast:

• Sturdy shoes with good grip on loose volcanic gravel
• Layers and a windproof jacket, because the top is far colder than the coast, even in summer
• Sunglasses, sun cream and a hat, as there is no shade
• Water and a snack

For sights worth visiting elsewhere on the island, see our guide to the must-see attractions in Sicily.

How do you visit the Aeolian Islands from Sicily?

Take a hydrofoil or ferry from Milazzo on the north coast, and plan an overnight stay if you want more than a quick look. Lipari is the largest island and the transport hub, Vulcano has sulphur springs and a crater walk, and Stromboli has an active volcano.

Liberty Lines runs fast hydrofoils on these routes. Fares appear only in its online booking system, and the operator has announced new docking rules for Lipari from 28 October 2026, so check its timetable page before you travel instead of relying on older articles.

A practical plan for island hopping:

1. Reach Milazzo the evening before, so you do not depend on a tight connection from Catania or Palermo.
2. Book the first crossing of the day. Mornings are usually calmer, and you gain a full day on the island.
3. Travel with one small bag. Harbour lanes and steps make heavy luggage tiring.
4. Keep a buffer day. Rough seas cancel hydrofoils, and a day trip right before a flight is a risk.

With one day, choose Lipari and Vulcano, which lie close together. Keep Stromboli for an overnight stay, since its glow is best seen after dark.

Is a Sicilian cooking class worth it?

Yes, if the group is small, everyone cooks and a market visit is included. You learn how to buy and combine Sicilian ingredients, not just follow a recipe. Most classes take a morning or an afternoon and end with a shared meal.

What to check before booking:

• Group size: large demonstration classes teach very little.
• The menu: fresh pasta, an aubergine dish and a dessert are dishes you can repeat at home.
• Substitutions: a good host explains what to use when you cannot find a local ingredient.
• Dietary needs: state them when you book, not on the day.

Classes run in the larger towns and on farms in the countryside. A farm suits a slow day with lunch among olive or citrus trees, a city class suits a tight schedule. Prices vary widely, so compare two or three offers with the same duration and group size.

For what to order once you are back at the table, read our guide to Sicilian cuisine.

When should you visit a Sicilian fish market?

Go in the morning, when the stalls are fully set up, and treat it as a place to watch and taste. The fish market in Catania, known as La Pescheria, is the best known in eastern Sicily and lies close to the cathedral square. Official opening days could not be confirmed, so choose a weekday morning, because the best produce is usually gone by early afternoon.

• Keep your bag closed and in front of you. The lanes are narrow and crowded.
• Wear closed shoes, as the floor is wet.
• If you want a meal, buy grilled or fried seafood from a nearby stall and eat it on the spot.
• Ask before photographing vendors up close. Most agree if you buy something.

Palermo has its own street markets, covered in the Palermo city guide.

Where can you taste wine on Etna?

Book a tasting at a family winery on the slopes, ideally with a short vineyard tour, and arrange a driver so nobody has to drive afterwards. Vines grow on volcanic soil at altitude, which gives Etna wines a distinct mineral character.

The main red grape is Nerello Mascalese, and the area has its own appellation, Etna DOC. White wines are often made from Carricante. A typical tasting covers three to five wines with local bread, cheese or cured meat. Many estates ask for a reservation, especially at harvest time.

Combine it with the volcano in one day: visit Etna in the morning, when visibility is best, and the winery in the afternoon.

Where is the best snorkelling in Sicily?

Choose a sheltered rocky cove or a protected marine area, and go between late spring and early autumn, when the sea is warm enough to stay in for an hour. The coves along the north and east coasts and around the smaller islands offer the best visibility.

What you need:

• A mask that fits: press it on your face without the strap and breathe in. If it holds, it fits.
• Snorkel and fins, with a rash vest or thin wetsuit outside summer
• Water shoes, because sea urchins sit on many rocks and entries are stony
• Sun protection for your back, since you float face down in direct sun

The safety rules are simple. Never snorkel alone, stay clear of boat lanes and tow a bright float so boats can see you. Check the wind, because a breeze that looks mild from shore can create waves and currents in open coves. In protected areas, touch and collect nothing.

If you prefer sand to rocks, see the best beaches in Sicily.

FAQ

Plan your activities

Pick two or three of these activities and build the days around transport and weather. If you want help combining flights, accommodation and a guided tour, you can request a trip through Travelissimo bookings.

Image credits: Travelissimo; Pixabay / 14578371; Pixabay / johannaviio

Sources (2)

Prices, times and rules in this article come from these sources. Last checked: October 29, 2026.

• funiviaetna.com / 2500m
• funiviaetna.com / es/3000m