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Sightseeing in Catania

Start your exploration from central Piazza Duomo (Cathedral square), designed entirely by Giovanni Battista Vaccarini. Admire the historic Baroque buildings and the symbol of the city which is believed to bring good luck – the Elephant fountain. The animal, made of black lava, carries a white Egyptian obelisk on its back, which according to legend has magical powers. The square is dominated by Saint Agatha Cathedral, dedicated to the Patron Saint of the City, built in the 17th century from the characteristic grey-coloured lava. Inside the cathedral you will find the tomb of the composer Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in Catania and who gave us, among other delights, the opera ‘’Norma’’. It is a beautiful square with many shops, cafés and restaurants and the meeting point of Via Etnea, via Giuseppe Garibaldi and via Vittorio Emanuele II streets. From Piazza Duomo you can take the little train for a ride around the city, or one of the sightseeing buses.

Take a walk along via Etnea, the street that starts from Piazza Duomo and goes towards Mount Etna, which on a fine day you can see from the street. The shopping street is lined with ornate Sicilian Baroque buildings designed by Vaccarini and Battaglia, cafés, bars and shops.

On the right side of Piazza Duomo is the Fontana dell'Amenano, the fountain which is supplied by the underground River Amenano, on the banks of which the ancient city of Catania was built. The fountain is located at the entrance of the city’s famous bustling fish market (la Pescheria), which you should definitely visit during opening times.

Walk towards Federico di Svevia square and Ursino Castle, which was built in the 13th century. Its sturdy construction saved it from the eruption of 1693 which destroyed all the other buildings in Catania. Over the centuries it was used as a royal residence and also as a prison. It currently houses the Civic Museum displaying archaeological artefacts from the ancient colonies of Sicily, including craters, coins and works from the medieval period.
Address: Piazza Federico II di Svevia, 3, 0039 095 345830

It is also worth visiting the impressive Massimo Bellini Theatre, built to the design of architect Carlo Sada in the 19th century and where, in 1951, Maria Callas was the protagonist of “Norma”. Or, better still, book your tickets to watch an opera performance in this historic opera house.

The 2nd century AD Roman Theatre carries an intense sense of ancient grandeur, constructed exclusively of Etna lava. The Odeon next to it is still used today for musical events. Don’t miss the large theatre in Piazza Stesicoro, considered the largest in Sicily, with seats for 15,000 spectators. Address: Piazza Stesicoro.

Trip ideas around Catania

Sicily’s most popular holiday resort is perhaps glamorous Taormina, which is located just 50 km north of Catania. Medieval Taormina, built high on a hill with a view to the Ionian Sea and Etna, is a cosmopolitan destination attracting the international jet set. It has pleasant beaches and the amazing Teatro Greco, an ancient Greek theatre built in the Hellenistic period, where performances are held. Starting from the small island of Isola Bella, walk up along the central cobbled Corso Umberto with its shiny shop windows, which on summer afternoons, especially in August, is absolutely packed.

69 km south of Catania is the legendary Syracuse, once the mightiest Greek colony in Sicily, established in 733 BC by the Corinthians. While the city itself is nothing special, it is definitely worth visiting Ortygia, the small island in the heart of the city’s historic centre. Walk through the dreamy and exceptionally well-tended little alleys and, if you are there during the summer months, swim in the wonderful waters of the island. A visit to the vast archaeological park to admire the 5th century Greek theatre is a must.

There are many specialized tour operators in Catania that organise exciting trips to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. These include taking a cable car for a low flight above the volcanic desert and following a geologist on foot to the rivers of the frozen lava and the crater rim at a height of three thousand metres. A true-life experience in an almost unearthly place.

Shopping

Walk around central via Etnea with its variety of shops or discover the Italian fashion boutiques lining Corso Italia and via Monfalcone and via Umberto shopping streets.

You will find great discounts - keep an eye out for the ‘’saldi’’ (sales) signs - in large shopping centres of the city such as Portali and Catania Mall. At Etnopolis, you can combine shopping with dinner and a movie.

Go to via Reitano, next to Ursino Castle for handmade puppets, lava decorations, ceramics from Caltagirone and ‘’candelore’’ miniatures, namely baroque wooden floats dedicated to the Patron saint of the city, all hand painted. If it is souvenirs you are looking for, you can buy traditional replicas of colourful Sicilian carts and the “sciacciapensieri”, a small musical instrument that Sicilians strike between their lips to chase away their worries.

Food and Entertainment

Catania’s cuisine is a tasty mix of Italian and Arabian influences, elevated by the exceptional raw materials from the city’s fertile volcanic soil. Accompany your dishes with superb local wines from the volcanic vineyards.

Try the local speciality, simple but very tasty, “pasta alla Norma”, made with eggplant, fresh tomatoes, ricotta cheese and basil, which is named after Bellini’s opera.

You should also try the caponata of eggplant, the arancini (stuffed rice balls) and handmade pizza with thin crust.

Your visit to Sicily is not complete without the traditional cannoli, (sweet ricotta-stuffed flute-shaped pastries) and the Sicilian cassata cake.

Ice-cream lovers have come to the right place! Legend has it that ice cream was first made in Sicily during the Roman times, from snow from Etna. Try the famous ice-cream in its birthplace, the way the locals have it: as a sandwich in a brioche bun!

Catania’s lively nightlife revolves mainly around the Ciminiere area, the former industrial zone, now transformed into a trendy cultural and night-life events centre. Go there for great clubbing, concerts, film screening, theatre and dance performances.

Transport from the airport

The recently renovated Catania Fontanarossa International Airport, known also as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, is the largest airport of Sicily and one of the busiest in Italy. To get to the city from the airport you can take the AMT Alibus on the service to the central railway station of Catania. Another good option is taxi as the distance between the airport and the city centre is short and the journey will not cost more than 25 euros.