Explore the wondrous city of Catania and all that it has to offer

Catania is the spirit of Sicily brought to life. Baroque squares, hearty restaurants and a genuine uniqueness mean this is no ordinary cookie-cutter destination. Discover the wonders of this great city situated in the shadow of Mount Etna, as the mythological crypt of the ancient Greek titan Typhon.

Here, you’ll find life unspoiled by major tourism with the bustle of a confident city going about its business. With a skyline punctuated by domes and a historic UNESCO-listed center, this is a slice of pure Italy.

Our list of the top 10 things to do in Catania will take you to all the right places, from grand piazzas to Roman remains and high-end shopping areas. Find out everything you need to know to make the most of your time in Catania below.

Piazza del Duomo

The Piazza del Duomo is packed full of fascinating monuments and buildings. Known as the heart of Catania’s historic old town, it carries the spirit of the city. This city square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to both the Duomo di Catania and majestic Cattedrale di Sant’Agata.

There’s also the much-photographed Fontana dell’Elefante – the Elephant Fountain – which combines a Roman-era elephant made of black lava with Egyptian elements for a truly stunning centerpiece. This isn’t the only fountain you’ll find here – you’ll also find another in the square’s corner, close to the fish market.

La Pescheria

Catania’s famous fish market – La Pescheria – is a must visit, even for non-seafood fans. It’s a riot of noise and fresh color, among the lively bustle of stallholders and buyers. There’s no room for the timid – this is where you’ll find Italian grandmothers haggling over the price of the day’s catch as fishmongers gut fish for their customers.

Piles and piles of glistening fish are everywhere you look, making this the perfect place to pick up some squid, swordfish or sea urchins for your evening meal.

Via Etnea

Very much the main drag in Catania, Via Etnea is a thoroughfare that links the base of Mount Etna with the city and Piazza del Duomo. There’s plenty to do, from brilliant local restaurants to numerous department stores, as well as independent boutiques and cafés. As you journey along, you’ll go past churches, bars, palaces and peaceful side alleys.

Stop for a coffee in Piazza dell’Universita with its grand buildings or soak up the calm landscapes in the park Giardino Bellini. The juxtaposition of the old and the new is what makes this location so invigorating.

With the car parked for the day, there are so many new places to sample local delicacies and people-watch, including traditional cake and biscuit shops like Piazza Placido’s I Dolci di Nonna.

San Giovanni Li Cuti

Join the locals in the summer by heading for the city’s beach – San Giovanni li Cuti – formed of black volcanic rocks and sand. It’s brimming with local fishermen who still use the small harbor here to moor their fishing boats. Arrive at the right time of day and you can see them set out or land their catch. It’s also lined with restaurants and cafés, ideal for fresh seafood or traditional Sicilian pasta dishes.

If you’re a fan of fishing, hire a boat for the day and head out around the coastal area for a chance to catch seabass, bluefish and cuttlefish. The black rock lava cliffs near the town of Riposto offer opportunity to fish for more deep-water species.

Teatro Massimo Bellini

Built at the end of the 19th century to honor local composer Vincenzo Bellini, Teatro Massimo Bellini is Catania’s grand and gilded opera house.

The exterior is elegant while the interior opulent and extravagant. Bellini’s legacy is captured in the Bellandi-painted ceilings that bring to life four different operas from the composer.

The man known as the “Swan of Catania” died in 1835, but the opera house still opened with a performance of his opera Norma. Outside, it’s a baroque building in keeping with the others on the piazza, while inside it boasts a marble foyer called the Ridotto. It’s one of the most stunning opera houses in Italy, if not Europe, and still runs an extensive program of Bellini and beyond.

Mount Etna

Mount Etna is the biggest active volcano in Europe, one that has wrought devastation on Sicily several times over the years. It towers some 11,000 feet high and is almost constantly active.

But that doesn’t mean life doesn’t flourish nearby. For example, there is a beautiful park – the UNESCO-protected Parco dell’Etna – that surrounds it. At the base, you’ll find orchards, farms,and vineyards, while there are also small villages for you to explore. The volcanic landscapes are nothing less than breathtaking and the views from near the summit are unbeatable.

Parco Archeologico Greco Romano

Catania was founded by the Greeks thousands of years ago, but Etna’s eruptions have destroyed or buried much of the history. Excavations over the last century have unearthed some remarkable ruins, such as the captivating second-century Roman theater at the Parco Archeologico Greco Romano. It’s not entirely uncovered, but that only adds to the allure as it’s surrounded on all sides by occupied buildings in a traditional neighborhood. You can browse the many artifacts uncovered on the site at Casa Liberti nearby.

Complesso Monumentale Monastero delle Benedettine

See three major sites in one go by heading to the Complesso Monumentale Monastero delle Benedettine. There’s a small, contemporary art gallery inside an old abbey, the Museo Arte Contemporanea Sicilia, and a huge Benedictine monastery.
Add in the Church of San Benedetto and you’ve got a corner of the city packed full of contrasting, but complementary, architecture.

Wander the cloisters of the monastery, then head to the 18th-century church for some phenomenal frescoes, paintings and ornate decoration.

Castello Ursino

While many major buildings in Catania have been destroyed by either volcanic eruptions or catastrophic earthquakes, Castello Ursino has been standing proud since the 13th century. Even when Etna’s lava filled its moat in 1669, the castle remained in place.

It’s a museum now but, over the centuries, it has been both a prison and a palace. Step inside for ancient artwork and magnificent relics.

Via Crociferi

While Via Etnea may be the most famous street in Catania, there’s little doubt that Via Crociferi is the most handsome. It’s lined with gorgeous churches and buildings built in baroque and Benedictine styles. It’s where you’ll find the Church of San Benedetto, but also Villa Cerami and the imposing arch of San Benedetto. Streets don’t come any prettier or more historical than this.

So, what’re you waiting for? Reserve your Catania rental car with Hertz and start exploring the serene coastlines of Sicily today.

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