The Silvestri craters in brief
The Silvestri craters are secondary craters on the southern slope of Etna. The upper one lies at 1,986 metres, the lower one at 1,886 metres. You reach them from the provincial road that climbs to the Rifugio Sapienza car park above Nicolosi, so you do not need the cable car to get there.
The craters are a good first stop if you have little time, if the weather is too poor for the high zone, or if you want a look at the volcanic landscape before booking something bigger. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the park, the municipality or the operator of the walk.
What the walk is like
Short, close to the car park, and not a summit trip.
The offer is a circuit of about 30 minutes along the rim of the lower crater. You walk on volcanic ground, the cinders are loose in places, and it can be windy on the south flank. Wear proper walking shoes and take a windproof jacket. From the rim you look over dark cinder slopes and the red cones above the Rifugio Sapienza.
Allow an hour in total with photo stops. If you want more time outdoors, combine the craters with a coffee at the refuge or a ride on the Etna cable car (funivia, in Italian), described in our cable car guide.
Some rules apply on the site: drones are not allowed, and neither are bicycles or vehicles on the paths. Rules for dogs differ between the operator's offers and the protected area around it, so ask at the entrance before you bring one. The price and times above are the operator's own for 2026. Prices and opening hours can change, so check the current offer on the day.
Etna tours from the south side
Cable car and guided trips from Rifugio Sapienza, jeep and trekking options, and wine and sunset trips, with live prices and availability.
Silvestri, cable car or guided trip?
Three ways to see the south side, side by side.
| Option | Price 2026 (adult) | Time | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silvestri craters | €5 | About 30 minutes | Circuit on the lower crater rim at 1,886 to 1,986 m |
| Cable car 2500 | €54 | Cable car 08:30 to 16:45, last ride down 17:15 | Return ride from 1,923 to 2,500 m with online fast track |
| Tour 3000 | €82 (ages 11 and up) | About 2.5 hours, ticket window 08:30 to 15:15 | Cable car, off-road bus or snow vehicle, and a guide, with the height set by the authorities |
Prices are the operators' published 2026 prices and can change. The craters cost the least and take the least time. The cable car adds height, the guided package adds a guide and a vehicle but no promise of a particular altitude, because the permitted height depends on official rules on the day. Our pages on hiking Etna and the tours explain these limits.
How to get to the Silvestri craters
The south side starts at Nicolosi and the Rifugio Sapienza.
By car
Drive to Nicolosi, then follow the provincial road up to the car park at the Rifugio Sapienza. The craters start from there. Check the parking charges on the signs when you arrive.
By bus from Catania
A bus from Catania to the Rifugio Sapienza runs daily, with exceptions on some public holidays. A September 2026 report gives a departure at 08:15 from the square in front of Catania Centrale, a return at 16:30, about two hours each way and €6.60 return. Confirm the timetable before you go. See getting to Etna. If you land at Catania airport, the bus stop in town is the usual starting point.
With a tour
Check the meeting point of any tour you book. The north and south sides of Etna are separate starting points, and the Silvestri craters belong to the south side.
Snow and ice can close roads. In January 2026 a municipal order banned traffic for a time on sections of the SP 92 to the Silvestri craters and on the Mareneve road. That was a winter event, not a current closure, but it shows why winter visits need a look at the road situation first.
Plan your Etna day
More guides on this site.
Staying on the coast? Taormina and Catania have their own guides, and things to do in Sicily covers the rest of the island.
Etna cable car
Prices, times and what is included in the 2500 and Tour 3000 tickets.
Hiking Etna
Summit zones, guide rules and the equipment you need.
Is Etna active?
Dated status from the volcano observatory and what the alert levels mean for visitors.
Best time to visit
Weather, snow and what to wear on the south side.
Silvestri craters: frequently asked questions
Is the Silvestri craters walk free?
No. In 2026 the operator lists the circuit at €5. Daily opening times are 08:30 to 17:00.
How long does it take?
The circuit along the lower rim takes about 30 minutes. Plan an hour with photo stops and the walk from the car park.
How high are the craters?
The upper Silvestri crater is at 1,986 metres and the lower one at 1,886 metres. The Rifugio Sapienza is at about 1,910 metres.
What should I bring?
Walking shoes and a windproof jacket. Drones and bicycles are not allowed on the site.
Can I reach the craters without a car?
Yes, by bus from Catania to the Rifugio Sapienza, or with a tour that starts on the south side. Check the current timetable before you go, as the last bus down may leave before the cable car closes.
Is it open in winter?
The operator offers the walk all year, but snow, ice and wind can limit access and roads. Check the road and weather situation on the day.