Volcanoes

Italy lies on the boundary of the African and Eurasian plates and is the most volcanically active country in Europe:

• Etna (3,357 m, Sicily) — Europe's highest and most active volcano. Regular eruptions (most recently 2023/2024). Climbable.
• Vesuvius (1,281 m, Campania) — Notorious for the destruction of Pompeii (79 AD). Dormant since 1944, but not extinct. 600,000 people in the danger zone.
• Stromboli (926 m, Aeolian Islands) — The "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean": regular eruptions every 10–20 minutes, visible from the sea at night. Ascent with a guide possible (approx. €28).
• Vulcano (Aeolian Islands) — Last eruption in 1890. Sulfurous fumaroles, hot mud springs, climbable crater rim.
• Phlegraean Fields (Campi Flegrei, near Naples) — Supervolcano! Increased seismic activity since 2023. The Solfatara (sulfur springs) are impressive, but the area has been closed to visitors since 2017.