Mount Etna tour restrictions 2026: new safety limits as guides protest lava-viewing rules

Mount Etna is erupting again, and local authorities have introduced stricter safety limits for lava-viewing excursions on Sicily. The measures affect how close visitors can get, how late tours can run, and how groups are managed. If Etna is on your itinerary, follow the updated rules, expect last-minute changes, and keep a buffer in your schedule.

Sist oppdatert: 2026

For more Europe updates like this, see the latest travel news.

Mount Etna tour restrictions: what changed

Authorities have tightened and more actively enforced excursion rules during the current eruptive phase. Key reported restrictions include:

• No excursions after dusk (night lava-viewing is the main impact)

• Minimum distance of 200 metres from active lava flows

• Maximum group size of 10 people, with stricter checks and monitoring (including drones)

Guides have protested the limits, arguing that some lava viewing can be managed safely under professional supervision. As a result, some tours have been cancelled or reduced, and access points can change quickly.

Why the Mount Etna tour restrictions matter for travelers

These restrictions primarily change the experience, not only the safety procedure. The most dramatic views are often after sunset, and the dusk cut-off limits night excursions that many visitors book specifically for the glow and contrast.

It also fits a wider pattern in high-demand Italian locations where authorities are experimenting with controlled access and crowd management. A recent example is the new Trevi Fountain close-up ticket in Rome.

What to do now if you planned an Etna lava tour

If you are traveling in the next few weeks, assume plans can change on short notice.

Mount Etna tour restrictions checklist for bookings

• Confirm the exact meeting time and end time the day before your tour. Dusk rules can affect departure windows.

• Ask how your operator handles the 10-person limit (private tours may be easier to keep compliant).

• Do not plan on “walking closer” on your own. Keep the 200-metre distance. Enforcement is reportedly stricter than usual.

• Dress for winter mountain conditions, even if the coast is mild. Wind and temperature shifts on Etna can be abrupt.

For general planning basics that help with disruptions, see the Travel Information hub. If your 2026 trip planning crosses borders, include the ETIAS Europe update in your timeline.

Entry rules note for Sicily trips

Etna restrictions are local safety rules, but international travelers should still keep entry planning current for their passport and itinerary. If you need a starting point, browse the site’s visa guidance posts.

Sources

• AP report on Etna restrictions and guide protest

• Euronews Travel summary of the new excursion rules