Zafferana Etnea

Zafferana Etnea is a town in the province of Catania, perched on the south-eastern slope of Mount Etna at around 600 metres above sea level. Surrounded by pine woods and chestnut groves, it offers open views over the volcano and, in the distance, the Ionian Sea. The village was partly spared by a lava flow during the 1992 eruption, an event still remembered locally. Its historic centre is built around the parish church dedicated to Santa Maria della Provvidenza, easily recognisable by its twin bell towers. Zafferana Etnea is well known for its honey production, celebrated each autumn with a dedicated local festival, as well as for its chestnuts, pistachios and DOC Etna wines grown on the surrounding slopes. The town is often used as a starting point for reaching the refuges and trails of Etna Park, including the Rifugio Sapienza. Its mid-mountain climate, cooler than along the coast, makes it a popular base for hiking and exploring the volcanic landscape throughout the year.