Volcanoes have long fascinated travellers with their dramatic landscapes, challenging hikes and the rare opportunity to witness the forces that contin…
1/5Mount Vesuvius (Italy) | Located near Naples, Mount Vesuvius is one of the world’s most famous volcanoes, best known for the eruption that buried the ancient city of Pompeii in AD 79. Its last eruption was in 1944, but it remains an active volcano under close monitoring. Visitors can drive to around 1,000 metres above sea level before following a well-maintained trail to the crater rim in about an hour. The hike rewards visitors with panoramic views across the Bay of Naples, Pompeii and the surrounding coastline. Plan your hike through the Vesuvio National Park as it offers multiple walking trails. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
2/5Kīlauea (Hawaii, USA) | Standing just over 4,000 feet (1,247 metres), Kīlauea is among the most active and magnificent volcanoes on Earth. Visitors can explore more than 150 miles of trails in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including crater rim walks such as the Devastation Trail. Scenic helicopter flights provide aerial views of recent lava fields. Pro tip: Visit after dark to witness the glow of molten lava from safe viewing areas. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
3/5Mount Bromo (Indonesia) | This continuously active and otherworldly volcano, located in East Java, rises from an expansive ash plain that creates one of Indonesia’s most striking volcanic landscapes. Visitors can reach the crater by hiking or riding horseback across the volcanic plain before climbing a staircase to the crater rim. The volcano also holds deep cultural significance for the Tenggerese people, who gather each year during the Kasada festival to offer flowers, crops and livestock into the crater as part of a centuries-old tradition. It’s worth getting up early to view the sunrise over this volcanic landscape from the rim of the crater. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
4/5Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy) | Europe’s tallest and most active volcano dominates eastern Sicily, regularly producing lava flows and volcanic fountains that have shaped the island for thousands of years. Depending on daily volcanic activity, visitors can join guided excursions ranging from walks across ancient lava fields to higher-altitude hikes toward the summit craters. On clear days, the upper slopes offer spectacular views across the Ionian, Adriatic and Mediterranean seas. A scenic railway circles the volcano’s lower slopes, passing through lava fields, vineyards and traditional villages that thrive on Etna’s mineral-rich volcanic soil. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
5/5Mount Stromboli (Italy) | Rising from a small island north of Sicily, Mount Stromboli has been erupting almost continuously for around 2,000 years, earning it the nickname “The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.” Unlike volcanoes that remain dormant for decades, Stromboli produces frequent bursts of lava, ash and volcanic gas throughout the day and night. Boat tours are among the most popular ways to experience the volcano, particularly at sunset when eruptions illuminate the Sciara del Fuoco, the steep volcanic slope descending into the sea. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
