A Guide to Visiting Italy’s Volcanoes

Italy is one of the most tectonically active areas in Europe and home to world famous volcanoes that have impacted its people, shaped the landscape, influenced economic activities and increased our understanding of volcanoes.

Italy’s volcanic activity has also created fertile soil that supports a thriving agricultural sector, including vineyards and orchards.

Volcano Italy Fact Files

Here are the key facts about Italian volcanoes.

#1 Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius, located in the Bay of Naples, is a strato-volcano that stands at 1,281 meters and is infamous for its catastrophic eruption in 79 AD, which buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Location: Bay of Naples

Height: 1,281 metres

Type of volcano: Strato-volcano

Last eruption: Vesuvius has erupted over 50 times, and last erupted in 1944 during WWII, destroying US bomber planes stationed a few kilometres away.

Most deadly eruption: The world-famous 79 AD eruption may have killed more than 16,000 people. Ash, mud and rocks from this eruption buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Volcanic explosivity index rating (VEI): It has the potential for violent VEI 5 Plinian style eruptions as witnessed in 79AD.

Nearest major city: The city of Naples lies in the shadow of this giant. Over three million people live within the Bay of Naples area.

Number of visitors: Over 2.6 million people visit the ruins of Pompeii each year, from which you can clearly see Mt Vesuvius towering above in the distance.

Interesting fact: The 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius is why volcanologists use the term ‘Plinian’ to describe large eruption clouds. Pliny the Younger, a Roman historian, witnessed the 79 AD event and described the tall, tree-shaped cloud that rose above the volcano. Modern volcanologists to this day use this term to describe the powerful and violent eruptions associated with pyroclastic flows and tall eruptive columns of ash and tephra.

#2 Mount Etna

Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, dominates the landscape of the eastern side of Sicily. It’s recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is living proof of Sicily’s wild beauty and resilience.

Towering 3,329 meters above sea level, this active volcano in Europe offers an ever-changing landscape shaped by centuries of eruptions, lava flows, and shifting craters.

Location: Sicily

Height: 3329 metres

Type of volcano: Strato-volcano

Last eruption: Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and erupts every 3-5 years. It last erupted in March 2019.

Most deadly eruption: In 1669 lava flows destroyed 10 villages on the volcanoes fertile flanks and reached as far as the capital Catania.

Volcanic explosivity index rating (VEI): Most eruptions are rated as VEI 1-2 and associated with lava flows.

Nearest major city: Catania, the capital of Sicily, has a population of over 300,000 people and lies just 30 km from the crater.

Number of visitors: Over 1.5 million people visit this UNESCO World Heritage site each year.

Interesting fact: According to Greek mythology Etna is the burial place for the monster Typhon, killed by the god Zeus, and it is his wrath which causes the fiery eruptions.

Read our guide to visiting Mt Etna

#3 Stromboli

Stromboli is one of Italy’s most active volcanoes, known for its almost continuous mild explosive eruptions, earning it its nickname of ‘lighthouse of the Mediterranean.’

Location: Aeolian Islands

Height: 924 metres

Type of volcano: Strato-volcano

Last eruption: Stromboli has erupted frequently over the last 2,000 years. It erupted explosively in August 2019, sending a small pyroclastic flow racing down its northern flank and across the Tyrrhenian Sea.  

Most deadly eruption: In 1930, Stromboli erupted without warning and more explosively than normal, killing 4 people.

Volcanic explosivity index rating: Strombolian eruptions range between VEI 1 and 3. Eruptions are regular but relatively small.

Nearest major city: The island of Stromboli has a population of just 500 people.

Number of visitors: Climbing the volcano is only permitted with an official guide, and there is a limit to the number of people allowed to visit the crater each day.

Interesting fact: Strombolian eruptions resemble a firework display, as volcanic bombs are hurled through the night air, producing characteristic glowing traces. The volcanic activity is funnelled down a slope (called the Sciara del Fuoco) directly into the sea.

#4 Vulcano Island

Vulcano Island is the namesake for the word “volcano” and is covered in several cones, calderas, craters, and dormant volcanoes. You can visit the Island of Vulcano and ascend the Gran Cratera for a guided trek across peaks, craters, and active fumaroles.

Location: Aeolian Islands

Volcanoes on the Island:

• La Fossa (Gran Cratere)
• Vulcanello

Last eruptions:

• La Fossa- dormant
• Vulcanello- dormant

Last eruption occurred: 1888 to 1890

Volcanic explosivity index rating: Historical eruptions range from VEI 2 to VEI 3

Nearest major city: Sicily

Number of visitors: Between 20,000 and 28,000 in peak months

Interesting fact: When arriving on the island, you’ll be greeted with the undeniable smell of sulphurous gases (but don’t worry, you’ll get used to it!)

#5 Phlegraean Fields

The Phlegraen Fields is a large volcanic caldera west of Naples. The caldera features 24 craters (half of which are submerged), including Campi Flegrei, which is considered one of Europe’s most dangerous volcanoes and generated the largest volcanic eruption in Europe over the last 200,000 years.

Despite its volcanic nature, thousands of people live in its “red zone” and regularly experience bradyseism (the rising of the ground caused by magma moving underground).

Location: Naples

Height: 458 metres (highest point)

Type of volcano: Supervolcano

Last eruption: 1538

Major eruptions:

• The Campanian Ignimbrite Eruption (estimated VEI 7) is one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the Mediterranean, creating a 12-15 kilometre wide caldera
• The Neapolitan Yellow Tuff Eruption occurred around 15,000 years ago and produced an estimated volcanic explosivity index of 6
• The Monte Nuovo eruption occurred in 1538 and reshaped the landscape, building a 133 metre tall cinder cone

Number of visitors: Around ten thousand a year

Interesting fact: The fields get their name from the Greek “flegraios” which means “fiery!”

The Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands (sometimes called the Lipari Islands) are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Aeolian Archipelago was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000 due to its valuable contribution to the study of volcanology worldwide.

Volcanic activity is monitored by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Catania.

The islands are made up of:

• Lipari- The largest island is considered the ‘capital’ of the Aeolian Archipelago and features charming streets, restaurants and shops.
• Salina- AKA the ‘Green Island’ is famed for its lush vineyards. The island is home to Pollara Beach, which was made famous by the 1994 film Il Postino starring Massimo Troisi.
• Vulcano- Vulcano Island is known for its rugged landscapes, thermal springs, and volcanic craters.
• Stromboli- Although Stromboli is a tiny island, it’s home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The volcanic activity here is constant, sending lava into the air around every 20 minutes!
• Fulicudi & Alicudi-These islands are characterised by craters caused by previous volcanic activity and unspoilt nature.
• Panarea-The smallest (and geologically oldest) island is characterised by whitewashed buildings and surrounding rock formations.

Want to experience Italy’s volcanoes?

Visiting active volcanoes like Etna, Stromboli, and Vesuvius is generally safe when done through guided tours that comply with current safety regulations.

Guided tours to volcanoes are conducted by experienced guides who are knowledgeable about volcanic activity and safety measures, ensuring visitor protection.

Discover our school trips to Italy and find out how you can explore one or more of these Volcanoes as part of an action-packed itinerary.

Classroom Resource for Italy’s Volcanoes

Every volcano is unique, and Italy’s volcanoes are no exception.

However, one thing they all have in common is that they require careful monitoring to keep an eye on their murmurings and warn people of possible new awakenings.

To learn more about Italy’s volcanoes, download our ‘Living in the shadow of volcanoes’ free classroom resources, including:

• Bay of Naples resources
• Sicily resources
• Video worksheets
• Free classroom poster
• A short film covering the threats from future eruptions as well as the benefits afforded to local people living in the shadow of some of Europe’s most iconic volcanoes