Volcanoes have always fascinated me with their combination of beauty and lurking danger. I’ve only ever seen their destructive power in disaster films, so although I have a healthy respect for them, I tend to see them more as geothermal wonders that shape the landscape and the life around them. And let’s face it, volcanoes are beautiful!
- Etna: Europe’s highest active volcano, renowned for its lava fields and unique wines.
- Vesuvius: The famous destroyer of Pompeii, overlooking the Bay of Naples.
- Stromboli: ‘The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’, with regular eruptions, ideal for night-time viewing.
- Teide: Spain’s highest mountain, with incredible scenery in the national park.
- Santorini: The caldera formed by a massive explosion that changed the course of history, with its iconic white houses.
Why are volcanoes so fascinating?
Volcanoes have always fascinated me with their combination of beauty and danger. When you stand at the edge of a crater and feel the heat rising from the depths, you realise just how powerful and fragile this planet is at the same time.
When magma reaches the surface, it brings with it minerals and nutrients that enrich the soil. That is why the areas around volcanoes are often so fertile. And the sight of lava flows is something you won’t forget in a hurry.
Volcanoes also influence the landscape, culture and cuisine. In many volcanic regions, you’ll find thermal spas with natural hot springs, which form part of the local culture and traditions. And volcanic soil is ideal for growing grapes, so here you can sample wines that have a distinctive flavour thanks to the minerals from the lava.
Types of European volcanoes
European volcanoes are divided into three categories: active, dormant and extinct. Active volcanoes, such as Mount Etna in Sicily, regularly show signs of activity. Dormant volcanoes, such as Vesuvius, may remain quiet for centuries, but they can still erupt. Extinct volcanoes no longer show any activity and their craters are often overgrown with vegetation.
Another interesting point is the difference between volcanoes in mainland Europe and those in island regions. On the mainland, you will find volcanoes that were formed by the movement of tectonic plates, whilst island volcanoes, such as those in the Canary Islands or Iceland, are often formed as a result of hotspots beneath the Earth’s crust.
Volcanoes have a huge impact on the landscape, the climate and people’s lives. An eruption can completely transform the landscape, create new islands or destroy entire villages. Volcanic ash can affect the climate by blocking sunlight and cooling the atmosphere. People living near volcanoes have to adapt to these conditions, but at the same time they benefit from the advantages that volcanoes bring, such as fertile soil and geothermal energy.
Europe’s most famous volcanoes
There are more volcanoes in Europe, but these are the best known and most interesting to visit.
Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy)
Mount Etna, on the east coast of Sicily, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Its height changes with every eruption; it is currently around 3,329 metres. It is constantly active, which attracts both scientists and tourists.
Etna’s most recent eruption was in June 2025, so it is certainly not just a thing of the past.
If you’re in Sicily, I wouldn’t miss out on Mount Etna. There are plenty of hiking trails on its slopes at various altitudes. You can walk across the lava fields, take a peek into the craters and, weather permitting, hike all the way to the summit.
The volcanic soil around Mount Etna is fertile, and grapes, olives and citrus fruits are grown here. Wines from this region, such as Etna DOC, have a flavour influenced by minerals from the lava.
Vesuvius (Naples, Italy)
Vesuvius, near Naples, is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. It is best known for its eruption in 79 AD, which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash and pumice.
Vesuvius is a dormant volcano; it is currently dormant, but it could erupt. Because of its proximity to the densely populated city of Naples, it is ranked among the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.
You can walk up Mount Vesuvius right to the edge of the crater. On the way, there are beautiful views of the Bay of Naples and the surrounding area, and at the top you can look straight down into the crater.
The soil around the volcano is fertile, and vines and olives are grown here. The flavour of the local wine, Lacryma Christi, is influenced by the minerals in the volcanic soil.
Stromboli (Aeolian Islands, Italy)
Stromboli, in the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It erupts regularly, though not very frequently, which is why it is known as the ‘Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’ – the eruptions can be seen from a distance and are a spectacular sight at night.
On Stromboli, you can walk all the way to the summit. The climb is challenging, but at the top there’s a beautiful view of the sea and you can watch the eruptions from a safe distance. If you don’t fancy the climb, you can also watch the eruptions from the beach or from a boat.
A small community lives on the island, with the volcano practically on their doorstep. The people here make their living from farming and fishing.
Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy)
Vulcano, another of the islands in the Aeolian archipelago, is known for its volcanic activity and geothermal phenomena. And it is this very island that gave its name to all the volcanoes in the world.
You can walk up to the main crater, Gran Cratere, and from the top there’s a lovely view of the surrounding islands and the sea. Along the way, you’ll smell sulphur and see fumaroles emitting hot gases and steam. From here, you can really get a sense of just how active the Earth’s crust is beneath you.
Vulcano is also famous for its mud baths. The mud is rich in minerals and sulphur, so after a bath you’re said to have better skin and more relaxed muscles. You can then refresh yourself in the sea, where the warm springs pleasantly heat the water.
Vines and olives are grown here on volcanic soil, so you’ll also get to sample some fine local produce.
Teide (Tenerife, Spain)
Mount Teide on the island of Tenerife is Spain’s highest peak and the third-largest volcano in the world, if you measure its height from the seabed. It stands at 3,718 metres and is surrounded by one of the most visited national parks in the world.
You can hike up, or take the cable car almost all the way to the summit. From the top, you can see the whole island and the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. On a clear night, you’re in for a treat with a stunning starry sky, as the area is one of the best places in the world for stargazing.
The volcanic slopes are home to unique flora, including endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Teide National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are several hiking trails running through it.
For the locals, the volcano has always been sacred and remains an integral part of the island’s identity.
Santorini (Greece)
Santorini, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, owes its shape to one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history. This took place around 3,600 years ago and created a caldera which today gives the island its distinctive crescent shape. Almost everyone is familiar with the white houses with blue roofs perched above the steep cliffs.
You’ll stroll through the narrow streets of Fira and Oia, with their traditional Greek architecture and views of the caldera. It’s at its most beautiful at sunset, when the sky turns shades of pink and orange.
The island is also known for its volcanic beaches, such as Red Beach and Kamari Beach, with their black and red sand. The colour is a result of the island’s volcanic past.
Wine also thrives here on the fertile volcanic soil. The local Assyrtiko is renowned for its fresh, mineral flavour, and it pairs perfectly with traditional Greek cuisine.
Hekla & Katla (Iceland)
There are plenty of volcanoes in Iceland, and two of the best known are Hekla and Katla. Both have left a significant mark on Icelandic culture and history.
Hekla, nicknamed the ‘Gateway to Hell’, is one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. It is situated in the south of the country, and its eruptions were once so frequent that it became a symbol of Icelandic volcanic activity. Tourists and mountaineers alike climb it for the views of the surrounding area. Its slopes are covered in lava fields and volcanic ash.
Katla lies beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and is known for its unpredictability. Its eruptions can melt the glacier above it and cause widespread flooding. It is more difficult to access than Hekla, and scientists monitor it closely.
Volcanic eruptions enrich the soil with minerals, enabling vegetation to thrive in an otherwise harsh environment. Furthermore, volcanic activity feeds geothermal springs, which are used for heating and electricity generation.
Eyjafjallajökull (Iceland)
Eyjafjallajökull, a volcano hidden beneath a glacier in the south of Iceland, became famous for its 2010 eruption, which brought air travel across Europe to a standstill. The volcano is situated in the south, near the coast, and its name – which almost nobody can pronounce – translates as ‘glacier of the island mountains’.
The area around Eyjafjallajökull is really lovely anyway. Nearby, for example, is Skógafoss waterfall and lots of green valleys.
You can reach the glacier with local guides, who will take you to safe spots from which you can get a good view of the volcano and its glacial mantle.
However, the volcano also affects the lives of the people living nearby. They have had to get used to living next to an active volcano, whilst at the same time benefiting from the fertile soil and geothermal energy.
Lake Laach (Germany)
Laacher See, a lake in western Germany, has a volcanic past. It is situated in the Eifel region, which is known for its volcanic activity. The lake was formed around 13,000 years ago following a massive eruption that created a caldera, which gradually filled with water. Today, it is a popular place to relax, although beneath its calm surface lies a rather turbulent history.
The eruption that gave rise to Lake Laacher See was one of the largest in Europe, and its effects were felt across the entire continent. Volcanic ash covered vast areas and affected the climate throughout Europe. Today, you can find traces of this eruption around the lake in the form of volcanic rocks and minerals.
On the shores of the lake stands Maria Laach Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine monastery. You can explore its Romanesque architecture and the gardens surrounding it.
There are a few walking trails around the lake, and you can even walk all the way round it.
Puy de Dôme (France, Auvergne)
The Puy de Dôme in the Auvergne region of France is one of the best-known peaks in the French Massif Central. This extinct volcano, which rises to a height of 1,465 metres, forms part of the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of volcanic peaks listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Puy de Dôme is a popular destination for tourists and nature lovers. You can reach the summit on foot via well-signposted trails or take the rack railway, which will take you right to the top. From there, you can enjoy views of the surrounding countryside, other volcanic peaks and green plains. At the summit, you’ll also find a weather station and the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the god Mercury.
Thanks to its fertile volcanic soil, Auvergne is also a great place for food. Here you can sample traditional cheeses, such as Saint-Nectaire.
The Puy de Dôme is also a favourite spot for paragliders. If you like, you can join them and take a flight over the countryside.
What to try in volcanic regions
Volcanic regions not only boast stunning scenery, but also their own culinary scene. For me, the most interesting wines are those grown on lava soil. On Mount Etna, vines are cultivated on fertile volcanic soil, and the wine produced there has a distinctive mineral flavour. Similarly, on Santorini you’ll find wines such as Assyrtiko, which benefit from the local terroir. And in the Canary Islands, the wines have a rich flavour that clearly reflects the volcanic origin of the soil.
Local specialities are based on locally sourced ingredients. On Mount Etna, try some fresh ricotta – it’s delicate and creamy. On the Aeolian Islands, they make black risotto, which gets its colour and flavour from seafood and cuttlefish ink. And in Iceland, skyr is a favourite – a dairy product high in protein with a smooth, creamy texture.
You can also find volcanic ingredients right in the kitchen. Volcanic salt has an interesting mineral profile and is used to enhance flavour. Volcanic mud and mineral water are used not only in gastronomy but also in spa treatments for their healing properties. These ingredients bring not only flavour to the kitchen but also a touch of history and the natural riches of volcanic regions.
Safety and preparation tips
Active volcanoes can be unpredictable, so it’s best to keep an eye on their current status. You can find information on volcanic activity on the official websites of local geological institutes or tourist centres. For example, for Mount Etna or Vesuvius, you can follow updates from the Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy.
Don’t overcomplicate things when it comes to kit, but sturdy boots are a must – the terrain tends to be uneven and rocky. A face mask is useful where there’s more volcanic dust or gases in the air. And make sure you have a map or guidebook so you don’t get lost.
With some volcanoes, bear in mind that you won’t be allowed to go up without a booking. Check the availability of guides in advance as well.
To climb Mount Teide in Tenerife, you need a permit to reach the summit, which must be booked in advance.
