Italy travel advice updated as Mount Etna alert level rises

Travellers heading to Italy or Vatican City should check official travel advice before they leave, after the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its guidance for Italy on 28 September 2026. The change concerns volcanic activity at Mount Etna on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Key facts

• The FCDO updated its Italy travel advice on 28 September 2026.
• Italian authorities have increased the alert level because of volcanic activity at Mount Etna.
• Flights at Catania Airport may be cancelled, delayed or rerouted to Palermo or Comiso.
• The FCDO does not advise against travel to Italy as a whole.
• Vatican City is covered by the same advice.

What has changed?

The latest FCDO advice states that Italian authorities have raised the alert level due to volcanic activity at Mount Etna. Travellers are advised to follow instructions from local authorities if an eruption occurs.

Mount Etna is an active volcano on Sicily's eastern coast and one of the world's most active volcanoes. UNESCO records an eruptive history stretching back around 500,000 years, with at least 2,700 years of activity documented by humans. The mountain was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013 because of its geological importance, and UNESCO describes it as the highest mountain on a Mediterranean island.

What could happen at Catania Airport?

The FCDO says arrivals and departures at Catania Airport may be cancelled, delayed or rerouted to Palermo or Comiso if volcanic activity affects the airport. Holidaymakers travelling to or from Catania are advised to check with their airline or travel provider and with the airport itself.

What else does the advice say?

The FCDO does not advise against travel to Italy as a whole, but its general guidance states that "no travel can be guaranteed safe" and tells travellers to read the full advice before travelling. It recommends appropriate travel insurance covering an itinerary, planned activities and emergency expenses.

The advice also warns that demonstrations can occur with little or no warning in Italian cities, and tells visitors to avoid protests, political gatherings and marches. Petty crime, including bag-snatching and pickpocketing, is described as more common in city centres and at major tourist attractions.

Wildfires remain a risk during Italy's extended summer months. The FCDO describes them as dangerous and unpredictable, and advises visitors to check local alerts and weather forecasts, follow instructions from local authorities and take care when travelling through woodland areas.

What this means for travellers

Anyone travelling to Italy or Vatican City this week should check the FCDO advice shortly before departure, because circumstances can change. Travellers using Catania Airport should confirm flight status with their airline or travel provider and the airport, and the FCDO recommends having appropriate insurance and following local authorities' instructions while abroad.

The FCDO guidance is kept under review, and travellers are advised to re-check it before departure.