Europe Volcano Spots Map

Canary Islands

Spain's volcanic paradise year-round

9.0

Sunny and varied, these islands rose from the Atlantic through volcanic eruptions. Timanfaya National Park on Lanzarote has fields of black lava from eruptions between 1730 and 1736. A restaurant there grills food over natural volcanic heat. La Palma had an eruption in 2021 that lasted 85 days.

Highlights:

🐬 Explore the marine life at Loro Parque, Tenerife
🌋 Visit Timanfaya National Park’s volcanic landscape in Lanzarote
⛰️ Hike to the summit of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak

Teide National Park

Mars-Like Landscapes and Epic Views

8.0

Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain, rises 3,715 metres on Tenerife. This park surrounds it and is a UNESCO site with lava fields, rock towers and very clear night skies. A cable car climbs to 3,555 metres. A free permit is needed for the summit.

Highlights:

🌋 Explore lunar-like landscapes and volcanic craters on hiking trails
🌅 Watch the sunrise above the clouds from Spain’s highest peak
🚠 Take the cable car to Mount Teide’s summit for breathtaking views

Vesuvius National Park

Walk the Rim of a Volcano

7.4

Spring and autumn are comfortable for hiking in this park, since summer sun on bare ash slopes is hot. It was created in 1995 to protect Vesuvius and the older rim of Monte Somma. Trails cross lava and pine forest. Rare plants and foxes live on the slopes.

Highlights:

🌄 Enjoy panoramic views of Naples and the Bay from trails
🏛️ Explore ancient Pompeii ruins near the park entrance
🌋 Hike to Vesuvius crater and peer into the volcanic vent

Azores

Volcanic Isles of Atlantic Wonders

8.5

Portuguese settlers reached these nine volcanic islands in the 1400s. The Capelinhos volcano erupted on Faial in 1957 and 1958 and added new land to the island. Hot springs steam near Furnas on São Miguel. Pico is a cone of 2,351 metres, the highest mountain in Portugal.

Highlights:

🍵 Visit Europe’s oldest tea plantation at Gorreana
♨️ Relax in the thermal waters of Caldeira Velha
🥾 Hike through the volcanic landscapes of Sete Cidades

Landmannalaugar

Colorful mountains and natural pools

8.6

Highland roads are open to this part of Iceland only from about June to September. Mountains of rhyolite glow in orange, pink and green. A warm stream flows beside the huts. The Laugavegur trail begins here and runs about 55 kilometres south. Weather can change quickly.

Highlights:

🌋 Photograph the striking lava fields and steaming vents
♨️ Soak in the natural geothermal hot springs after a trek
🥾 Hike the colorful rhyolite mountains on the Laugavegur Trail

Santorini

Breathtaking Views and Blue Domes

8.8

Located in the southern Aegean, this island is what remains of a huge volcano that erupted about 3,600 years ago. The eruption left a flooded caldera ringed by cliffs. At Akrotiri, a Bronze Age town lies under ash. Black and red sand beaches line the coast.

Highlights:

🏖️ Relax on the black sands of Perissa Beach
🥾 Hike the scenic Fira to Oia caldera-edge trail
🌅 Watch the sunset from the iconic village of Oia

Fira

Clifftop views and island energy

7.8

As the capital of Santorini, this town sits on the caldera rim about 260 metres above the sea. A cable car, a donkey path and steps lead to the old port. Boats cross to Nea Kameni, a small volcanic island where visitors can walk to a crater. White houses overlook the water.

Highlights:

🚠 Take the cable car down to the Old Port
🌅 Stroll along the Caldera walkway with stunning views
🔔 Visit the iconic Three Bells of Fira for photos

Taormina

Sicily’s Cliffside Charmer by the Sea

8.2

Elegant and photogenic, this hilltop town in Sicily looks out at Mount Etna. The Greek Theatre was built in the third century BC and still hosts concerts. Corso Umberto is lined with shops and cafes. Day trips run to Etna. Isola Bella has a small beach.

Highlights:

🍦 Walk the Corso Umberto for boutiques and Sicilian gelato
🏖️ Take the cable car down to Mazzarò Beach for a swim
🎭 Admire ancient ruins at the Greek Theatre of Taormina

Naples

Where history and passion converge

8.0

Louder and livelier than Rome, this city sits between two volcanoes, Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei. The Campi Flegrei area to the west has steaming vents. Volcanic soil grows the San Marzano tomatoes used in local pizza. The Archaeological Museum shows mosaics and treasures from Pompeii.

Highlights:

🌋 Climb Mount Vesuvius and look into the volcanic crater
🍕 Taste authentic Neapolitan pizza in its birthplace
🏺 Visit Pompeii and walk through the ancient Roman ruins

Mount Etna

Europe’s Fiery Giant in Sicily

Sicilians call this volcano a Muntagna, the Mountain. At about 3,300 metres it is the tallest active volcano in Europe. Cable cars and 4x4 buses climb the slopes. Guides are needed for the highest craters. Vineyards on the lower slopes make red wine from volcanic soil.

Highlights:

🌋 Visit volcanic caves and learn about Etna’s eruptions
🚙 Take a jeep tour across lava fields and old flows
🥾 Hike guided trails to Mount Etna’s active summit craters

Mount Vesuvius

Italy's Iconic Active Volcano

Rising beside the Bay of Naples, this volcano is 1,281 metres high. It buried Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD and last erupted in 1944. A path leads from the parking area to the crater rim. Visitors look into the crater and out over the bay.

Highlights:

📸 Capture panoramic shots of Naples Bay from the summit trail
🏛️ Learn about the AD 79 eruption at the visitor center
🌋 Hike to the crater rim for sweeping volcanic views

Stromboli

Fiery cliffs and crystal waters

Sailors nicknamed this island the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean. Small eruptions have glowed at night for about 2,000 years. Boat trips at sunset pass the Sciara del Fuoco, a slope where glowing rocks roll to the sea. Guides are required for hikes above 400 metres.

Highlights:

🍝 Savor fresh seafood pasta at a seaside trattoria
🏔️ Hike to Mount Etna's crater rim on neighboring island
🌋 Witness Stromboli's nightly volcanic eruptions from safe viewpoint

Best volcano destinations in Europe