Day Trips from Catania

Our hand-picked day trips from Catania will show you the must-see parts within an hour or two of your base. Pack the sunscreen and your camera – this is sun-kissed sightseeing with an Italian flavor.

Mount Etna

It’s hard to escape Mount Etna when you’re in Catania. It towers over the city and you can stroll right up Via Etnea to its lower slopes. However, you’re advised to drive to see the best of it, its scale and circumference are vast. As Europe’s largest active volcano, it stands 11,000 feet high and barely has a quiet moment with almost constant churning and eruptions. That doesn’t mean it’s not safe to visit – authorities monitor it extremely closely and will occasionally close Etna to visitors if they deem it dangerous.

Parco dell’Etna covers more than 20 towns, farms, and vineyards – it’s a landscape of infinite variety. In the shadow of the volcano, life goes on. Look out for the Valle del Bove depression, explore lava tubes, and prepare yourself for the sensational views of the smoking craters. Looking back on Catania and Sicily is breathtaking, too.

There are tracks to drive on, although some high-altitude areas can only be reached by cable car or minibus. Wine-lovers can take tours of some of the numerous vineyards on the slope with tastings of sought-after local offerings available.

Syracuse

One hour south of Catania is Syracuse, one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. Curving along the coast, it’s packed with fascinating churches, ancient Greek relics and remains, grand squares, and timeless serenity.

Start your day at the Piazza del Duomo, the city’s main attraction. The square is surrounded by palazzi, but most come here for the Duomo itself – its facade incorporates elements dating back to a Greek temple from the 5th century B.C. Other elements are more recent: the 1693 earthquake that devastated much of the area led to some baroque additions. The details inside are just as incredible.

The local council meets in the early 17th-century Palazzo Municipale, while there’s a library situated behind the doors of Palazzo Arcivescovile. Caravaggio lived in Syracuse for a time and painted one of his finest works, Burial of St Lucy, here. It’s on show in the Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia, also in the piazza. To explore the old Greek ruins of Syracuse, aim for the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis. There’s a gigantic amphitheater – the Teatro Greco – carved out of the rock, alongside catacombs, grottoes, and other wonders of the ancient world.

End your day in Syracuse with a leisurely meal at Taberna Sveva on Piazza Federico di Svevia. The view of the castle from the terrace is magnificent, and the perfect accompaniment to Sicilian pasta and seafood dishes.

Taormina

Less than an hour north on the way to Messina, a road trip to Taormina is one of the easiest to take from Catania. You won’t be alone here – it’s a popular place both with locals and tourists. And once you cast your eyes on its achingly beautiful location and ruins, you’ll also be a convert.

Once ruled by the Greeks and, subsequently, the Romans, it dates all the way back to the 4^th century B.C. The Greeks built a remarkable theater here more than 2,000 years ago, with much of it still standing today. From here you can gaze out to Mount Etna and ponder the ancient traditions that used to play out here.

In the center of the city itself, stroll the Corso Umberto, a pretty street full of cafes and boutiques. Even the tourist office here occupies a building that’s more than 1,000 years old. There’s a feast for the eyes every few meters with baroque fountains, clock towers, churches and palazzi.

For contrast, cool out at Villa Comunale where you’ll find English gardens with intricate flower displays and quirky buildings. Grab a bag of pastries from the renowned Minotauro (their cannolis are incredible) or claim a table at your choice of taverna. For a real treat, book ahead for La Capinera - the city’s Michelin-starred delight. Try caramelized wild duck with pistachio, spaghetti with grouper, or red mullet stuffed with mushrooms – the menu leans heavily on local fish.

Agrigento

What was once the ancient city of Agrikas is now Agrigento, a couple of hours from Catania. While it’s a longer day trip than the others here, it does allow you to see some of Sicily’s stunning landscape along the way. What awaits you is a treasure trove of Greek ruins, preserved throughout the centuries. The museum will guide you through its history, or you can explore the temples, including the Tempio della Concordia, built in 430 BC.

After you’ve satisfied your appetite for the temples of the past, you can head into the city itself or dine close by at Accademia del Buon Gusto. Aim for a table on the terrace for stellar views, while savoring the modern Sicilian cuisine.

Caltagirone

An ancient town razed to the ground by the 1693 earthquake, Caltagirone is a baroque wonder with a reputation for ceramics. The area not only produces them, but glories in them. The most famous example of this is the Scalinata di Santa Maria del Mote, a staircase inlaid with multicolored ceramics, surrounded by charming stores, with beautiful views from the top. Caltagirone is also the place to come to see gorgeous churches ranging from the 13^th to the 18^th centuries, each with intricate decorative elements.

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