An Insider’s Travel Guide to Catania

When it comes to a place that encompasses the very best of Sicily, look no further than Catania. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a street that isn’t blessed with a Baroque building or an old-fashioned trattoria serving heavenly bowls of pasta. There’s also Mount Etna – the giant volcano that overlooks the city – and lava rock beaches on the coastline which enjoy sun for most of the year.

Grab our guides to see the best attractions, eat at the finest restaurants, explore the hippest neighborhoods and find inspiration for some sensational day trips.

Where to Eat and Stay in Catania

As you’d expect from a Sicilian city, the food in Catania is incredible. Take your pick from trattorias serving up delicious local specialties such as pasta alla Norma, or seafood fresh from the market or harbor. Couple this with the very best places to stay for the perfect vacation. Choose from old palazzos in the heart of the city, or five-star luxury hotels close to all the main tourist sites. Whatever you decide, our guides will point you in the right direction.

Three Perfect Days in Catania

Make sure you cover everything there is to do in the vibrant city of Catania with our three-day guide to this Sicilian wonder. We explore castles, palaces, churches, squares and shopping streets, all alongside exquisite cuisine. Follow our lead for mouthwatering pasta dishes, Roman remains, ornate fountains and buzzing fish markets. Read more.

Discover Catania’s Neighborhoods

Explore every corner of Catania with our essential guide to all of the city’s must-see neighborhoods. The countless baroque buildings of Via Crociferi will lure you in, while Via Etnea is a grand parade of boutique shops and chic cafes. Alternatively, simply relax at the pretty harbor at Aci Castello, with its remarkable lava rocks and wonderful seafood restaurants. You might just discover, and fall in love with, your own corner of Catania. Read more.

Day Trips from Catania

Catania isn’t just a fantastic city in its own right. It’s also the perfect base to begin exploring the eastern coast of Sicily. Use our guide as inspiration and you’ll find yourself ascending Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, before exploring the amazing Greek and Roman ruins of sizzling Syracuse. Perhaps take a detour to Taormina, with its stylish streets and 2,000-year-old Greek theater. Maybe even discover the temples at Agrigento, sure to delight any classicist, or head to Caltagirone for multi-colored ceramics and breathtaking views of Sicily. Read more.

Top 10 Things to Do in Catania

Catania boasts a gorgeous historic city center with elaborate architecture and bustling markets in every corner. The area provides a host of activities for locals and visitors alike. Get lost in the culture of the Piazza del Duomo or soak up the sun at San Giovanni li Cuti. Enjoy a drink by the Castello Ursino then get your blood pumping with a hike up the grand Mount Etna. There’s something for everyone in Sicily’s second city. Take a look at our curated list of the best things to do in Catania. Read more.