Catania was our first contact with Sicily. We landed there, took our first walk on the island, and passed by there almost every day, traveling somewhere. The city is located on the coast of the Ionian Sea and lives in constant connection (visual and functional) with the Etna volcano – powerful, unpredictable and beautiful in its own way. Black volcanic lava is everywhere – in the stones, in the streets, in the architecture. As the ancient Greek geographer and traveler Strabo noted, Catania’s proximity to Etna was both a test and a gift – the volcano destroyed the city several times in the past, but at the same time endowed the land with exceptional fertility.
This article is devoted to visiting Catania. Below I tell you about the most important things to see in Catania and share information that will be useful for organizing your trip there.
Contents
Catania in brief
Visit Catania: the main sights
What is the best season to visit Catania
Where is Catania and how to get there
How to get from Catania airport to the city center
Where to park
How to get around Catania
How many days do you need for Catania
Ideas for day trips from Catania
Where to stay in Catania
Our visit
Final thoughts
Catania in brief
Catania is the second largest city in Sicily, after Palermo, and the center of the most densely populated Sicilian agglomeration. Catania Airport is the fifth largest in Italy and the main airport on the island.
Founded in the 8th century BC by the Chalcidian Greeks, Catania has experienced a series of disasters over the centuries – devastating earthquakes and eruptions of Mount Etna, the most severe of which were in 1169, 1669 and 1693. However, the city has always been reborn. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Catania was an important cultural and educational center, home to the first university in Sicily (1434) and to artists such as the composer Vincenzo Bellini and the writer Giovanni Verga. Today, it is a dynamic industrial and commercial city, and its Baroque historic center is included in the UNESCO list.
Visit Catania: the main sights
The Cathedral and the Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo)
The Cathedral Square was the first place in Catania that we visited. A very pleasant square, surrounded by buildings on all sides. One of them is the cathedral of Santa Agatha (Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata), dedicated to the martyred virgin Agatha, the patron saint of the city. The church has preserved various styles, from Norman to Baroque and Neoclassical. Built on the ruins of ancient Roman baths, it has witnessed earthquakes, eruptions and revivals.
In the center of the square stands the emblem of Catania – the 18th century Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell’Elefante), a symbol of stability and good luck.
Other interesting buildings in the square:
- Porta Uzeda: an old city gate. If you are coming from the parking lot, which I tell you about in one of the sections below, you will enter the old city through this gate.
- Palazzo degli Elefanti – the city hall, located on the north side of the square – opposite the Porta Uzeda.
- Palazzo dei Chierici – the building in the south of the square.
- Fontana dell’Amenano: located right next to Palazzo dei Chierici. Amenano is one of the two underground rivers of Catania. The water from the fountain flows into the river below and this is the only place where the river can be seen.
During our visit, most of the buildings in the square were under renovation and unfortunately we were unable to see it in all its glory.
The Greek-Roman Theatre (Teatro Antico greco-romano di Catania) and the Odeon
Just a 4-minute walk west of the Cathedral Square, along Via Vittorio Emanuele, is another of Catania’s iconic landmarks, the Greek-Roman Theatre. Hidden among the buildings, it is entered through a building from the street. Standing in front of the building, you have no idea what awaits you behind it.
Its current appearance dates back to the 2nd century and was only discovered at the end of the 19th century. It once held thousands of spectators, and the small Odeon was used for musical and poetic performances.
I found it very interesting to walk along the rows of the theater, sit and watch the stage as if I were at a performance. This place is completely different in appearance from other interesting sites in Catania.
The visit to the Greco-Roman Theatre is paid, the ticket costs 8 euros.
Church of St. Nicholas (Chiesa di San Nicolò l’Arena)
Another remarkable place in the historic center of Catania. With an area of over 1500 m² and a dome height of about 66 meters, it is the largest church in Sicily. The square on which it is located is called Dante. In addition to its scale, the church also impresses with its unfinished facade – a contrast that gives it a special originality.
The interior is spacious and austere against the backdrop of white walls, and the dome offers a wonderful view of the city and the Etna volcano. For 3 euros per person, you can climb the narrow winding staircase in the bell tower and enjoy the incredible views from the dome in all directions. I recommend it if you are not afraid of narrow spaces.
Next to the church is the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ursino Castle (Castello Ursino)
Built in the 13th century by order of King Frederick II, Ursino Castle was once a royal residence and fortress against invaders. It is one of the few buildings in Catania to have survived the 1693 earthquake.
Today it is located in the city, but originally it was on a cliff by the sea. After the eruption of Etna in 1669, volcanic lava changed the landscape around it. Inside is the Municipal Museum with collections of paintings, sculptures and archaeological finds that tell the history of Catania through the centuries.
During our visit in Catania, Ursino Castle was closed and partially under renovation. Still, I was curious to go around and see it from the outside. With its high walls and round towers, it looked like a castle from a fairy tale.
The Roman Amphitheater (Anfiteatro Romano di Catania)
This is another ancient theater. It is located about a ten-minute walk from the Cathedral Square on the main street “Via Etna”. It is not as impressive as the Greek-Roman Theater and you can freely tour its ruins. The black stone used for construction is striking – apparently from lava. Once upon a time it was the largest amphitheater in Sicily and belongs to the group of large amphitheaters such as the Colosseum, the Arena Verona, the arena in Pula, Croatia. Gladiator fights and spectacular events were held here ages ago in front of tens of thousands of spectators.
And more: central streets and squares
In addition to the places described above, Catania has a lot more to show you. However, based on my experience, when you’re focused on finding specific sights on a map, you can easily miss the overall atmosphere and character of the city. Therefore, my advice is – just take your time to walk along the central streets and squares of Catania. This way you will not only immerse yourself in the spirit of the city, but you will also come across interesting buildings and churches and some (almost) hidden sights. In addition, stop at a restaurant for a drink or a bite to eat.
Here are a few more places in Catania that are of interest:
- University Square (Piazza Università) – adjacent to Cathedral Square, also very beautiful. During our visit, there was an exhibition of vintage cars taking place there.
- City Park “Villa Bellini” (Villa Bellini) – not far from the Roman Amphitheater, very pleasant for a walk.
- Porta Garibaldi – a triumphal arch built in 1768. A little away from Cathedral Square.
What is the best season to visit Catania
If you are planning a trip to Catania, it is best to visit in late spring or early autumn – then the temperatures are mild and the city is lively without being overcrowded. Summer is the season of the sea and long evenings, but also of heat and higher prices. And if you love peace and quiet and don’t mind the rain, winter reveals another, quieter side of Catania – ideal for cultural attractions and walks through baroque streets and cozy restaurants.
Where is Catania and how to get there
If we imagine the island of Sicily as an inverted triangle, Catania falls roughly in the center of its eastern side. It is located at the foot of the Etna volcano and on the coast of the Ionian Sea. There are regular flights to Catania from many airports in Europe.
How to get from Catania airport to the city center
You can travel from the airport to the city center in several ways:
- By bus – Alibus is a public transport designed specifically for transporting passengers between the airport and the city. It costs €4 per person and will take you about 20 minutes.
- By taxi (~€30) or a car (rental).
We rented a car and it took us about 15 minutes to get from the airport to the city center.
If you are looking for a rental car, check out the Discovercars portal for offers from different companies to choose the best one for you. It is also a good idea to pay for insurance – many companies offer this option when you pick up the car.
Where to park
We parked in a large parking lot near the historic center. Here is a link to the Google map with the location. The price was 1 € per hour, and we had to pay at a machine.
From the parking lot to the Cathedral of Santa Agatha it takes about 4 minutes to walk.
How to get around Catania
You can explore the historic center on foot. If you need to go to more remote neighborhoods, you can use the metro line or bus. Tickets cost 1 euro and can be purchased via a mobile app, at newsstands, or on the bus itself.
How many days do you need for Catania
The main attractions in Catania can be seen in a day, or even less, but it’s not worth the trip just for that. Combine it with trips to other interesting places like Taormina, Syracuse, Noto, the Imperial Villa at Piazza Armerina, and most importantly, Mount Etna.
Ideas for day trips from Catania
For example, you can combine Etna and Taormina in one day, Syracuse and Noto in another, and Piazza Armerina and Enna or Caltagirone in a third. Many people also recommend visiting the cities of Modica, Scicli and Ragusa, emblems of Sicilian Baroque.
The most convenient and flexible way to get around is by car. If you don’t have the opportunity to rent one, you can use public transport – trains and buses. You can also take advantage of organized tours. Here are some interesting ideas:
- Taormina, Savoca and Castelmola with lunch
- Etna and Taormina with lunch
- Syracuse and Noto with lunch
- Valley of the Temples and the Turkish Steps with lunch
Where to stay in Catania
In addition to exploring Catania, you can use the city as a base for visiting other places in Sicily, especially along the East Coast and the interior. From the outskirts of the city, a highway runs to the North Coast through the interior, as well as expressways along the coast to Messina in the north and to Syracuse and Noto in the south. If you want to explore the western part of the island, I advise you to plan overnight stays around Palermo as well, otherwise it is a long way.
Catania will offer you good hotels at low (for Europe) prices. Here are a few suggestions with a good location and great reviews for prices up to 120 euros.
Hotel Centrale Europa **
- Rating: 8.1/ 10 (over 1,700 reviews)
- Excellent location – on Cathedral Square with a view of the cathedral
- Check prices and availability here
Art & Jazz Hotel ***
- Rating: 8.8 / 10 (over 1,900 reviews) – a very good option.
- Suitable if you want something with good value for money and access to amenities.
- Check here for prices and availability
Hotel Romano House ****
- Rating: about 8.2 / 10 (over 1,360 reviews)
- Not far from the center and close to good restaurants
- Check here for prices and availability
Our visit to Catania
As I shared at the beginning, our exploration of Sicily began with Catania. We parked and walked to the cathedral. I must admit, at first I was a little surprised where we had ended up, because the parking lot was a bit dingy and smelled of sewage. Later, I felt this smell somewhere in the center as well. When we reached the cathedral square, however, my worries disappeared. I really liked the square and the buildings (and especially the cathedral). It was full of people. Then we continued up to the neighboring University Square, where it was even livelier – we witnessed an exhibition of vintage cars. Then we got some ice cream and ate it with a view of the Roman amphitheater.
Our walk continued through the Villa Bellini park and the nearby streets. We went to the church of St. Nicholas, looked at it from the outside, then went inside, paid 3 euros per person and climbed to the top of its dome, where we enjoyed beautiful views. Then we looked at it from the inside.
We continued exploring the streets in the center of Catania and at one point we reached the upper part of the Greco-Roman Theater. We walked around it from here to there, but we never saw where to enter. Finally, we asked Google Maps and it directed us to the lower street of Victor Emmanuel, where we found the entrance. It was extremely interesting to come across this theater – completely different from the other places we had already seen. Then we had a snack in a nice restaurant on the Piazza San Francesco d’Assisi next to the theater.
Finally, we headed to the Ursino Castle through very interesting streets with shops and restaurants. The end of the walk was the way back to the car.
Final thoughts
Catania is undoubtedly an interesting city, unique in its own way, especially because of its architecture and the Etna volcano, which has left its mark on development (and destruction) over the centuries. A city that does not strive to be perfect, but it has something to charm you with – beautiful baroque buildings in the historic center, massive remains from ancient times, an unforgettable view of the majestic volcano, a city full of life.
In this article, I told you about the most interesting sights in Catania and shared with you the most important things you need to know before visiting the city. If you are traveling to Sicily, be sure to set aside at least a few hours to explore Catania. I personally regret that we did not have time to walk around it once more to consolidate our impressions, but I hope to fix this in time.
See my other articles from the Sicily series:
