Things to do in Catania
The complete travel guide to Italy’s most underrated city
Catania won’t probably impress you at first. It’s one of these introverted cities which doesn’t open up straight to the visitor. There are, however, great things to do in Catania, and that’s why I thought of composing this guide. Yes, it might not have the prestige of other Italian cities, but there is a good vibe here. Don’t forget that Catania has buildings marked as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it’s famous for its baroque style architecture and its street food. Plus, it’s the second-largest city in Sicily.
In the sections of this travel guide to Catania, you will read about the places you must see in the city, where to stay and where to eat, plus tips about the best things to do in Catania and beyond. There’s also a separate section with the best day trips from Catania operated by local guides. Finally, for my travel impressions from the city, you can also read my travelogue about Catania.
So, let’s start with the best things to do in Catania and the guide to one of the most underrated Italian cities.
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How to reach Catania in Sicily
Most visitors will reach Catania by plane. Fontanarossa Airport is approximately 5 kilometers away from the city. Many international carriers operate to Catania every day (including low-cost companies like Easyjet and Ryanair). In general, Catania is a good option if you want to explore Sicily’s eastern part. You can check here the best prices for flights to Catania.
From the airport to the city center
Regarding transportation, there is a bus connecting the airport with the city center. It supposedly runs twice per hour, but as it’s often the case in Italian cities, the service is not really reliable. As a result, it’s not uncommon to wait for a long time for the bus. The bus is called Alibus, and a one-way ticket to the center of Catania costs 4 euros. The ride takes approximately 25 minutes.
If you don’t want to lose time waiting at the airport, there is, of course, the taxi option. However, it costs significantly more: calculate something between 25 and 30 euros.
Transportation in Catania
Inside the city, several buses are running, but due to heavy traffic, their schedule is irregular. Catania is also served by one metro line, which has 11 stations. A one-way ticket costs 1 euro, but if you plan to use it more than twice per day, it’s better to buy a daily ticket, which costs 2 euros. Keep in mind that the metro runs every 10-15 minutes, depending on the time of the day. It runs Monday to Saturday (not on Sundays!) between 6:40 am and 9 pm.
Where to stay in Catania
It’s been a while since I’ve been so enthusiastic about a hotel. I stayed at Bellini Home B&B, and I had a wonderful time. First of all, this is a hotel very close to the Via Etnea, the most central street in Catania. It is also next to Bellini Park, the nicest park in the city. But, apart from all that, the Bellini Home B&B is actually situated on the second floor of a beautiful building. There are 5-6 rooms altogether, all of them inside one huge flat. There is enough privacy, each room has an ensuite bathroom, and some rooms have balconies.
One of the unique features of that little hotel is the veranda next to the breakfast room. On a warm summer day (or even in spring), you can enjoy your breakfast there. The lady running the hotel is extremely helpful, too. She answered all my questions, and she even helped me organize my visit to Mount Etna. As for the rooms: high ceilings, cozy atmosphere, nice beds. And a delicious breakfast, although it’s more of a continental one, i.e., don’t expect a huge variety.
Other places to stay in Catania
Even if you don’t stay at the Bellini Home B&B, I strongly suggest staying near Via Etnea. That’s where the life of Catania beats, and if you want to be close to the nicest things to do in Catania, then that’s the spot. Depending on your budget, I can highly recommend three more hotels close to Via Etnea. Please note that prices can vary depending on the season.
The best Budget hotel in Catania
Magione del Re. Located just 800 meters away from Piazza Duomo, the Magione del Re is a beautiful B&B with spacious rooms. The price includes, of course, breakfast, and it’s one of the top options for couples. Book your room at Magione del Re here.
The best Midrange hotel in Catania
B&B Palazzo Perrotta. Just a few meters away from Via Etnea and almost straight at the Bellini Theater, the B&B Palazzo Perrotta is a perfect midrange option. Its rooms have a unique design, and its proximity to every place of interest makes it an ideal choice. See prices and availability for Palazzo Perrotta here.
The best Luxury hotel in Catania
Palazzo Marletta Luxury House Hotel. Look no further if you’re ready to splurge and enjoy a great view from your veranda. The Palazzo Marletta is a luxurious option for your stay in Catania. Located just steps away from the Elephant fountain, that’s a place to remember for a long time. See the Palazzo Marletta here.
Please use the interactive map below for all other accommodation options in Catania.
Where to eat and drink in Catania
Life in Catania unfolds at a slow pace, and this is something to appreciate. Moreover, Catania is also cheerful and very lively on the side streets of Via Etnea. All my stops were actually in this area, and I must say that I enjoyed every place I visited. The places I can highly recommend in Catania are:
- Spinella. This place became at once my favorite in Catania. The Spinella is on a beautiful spot at the Via Etnea. There is an outdoor terrace, and from there, you can observe the local life. The place is usually packed, but the Italians don’t stay forever in the cafes. I had excellent Aperitivos there, accompanied by a large platter of food. Just to have an impression, the Aperitivo and a platter cost 10 euros. Spinella is in the middle of everything, is lively, and therefore wonderful. Spend some time there.
- La Deliziosa. An excellent small restaurant on the side street of Via Etnea. I sat outside on a warm spring night, and I had delicious pasta. Slightly more expensive but totally deserves a visit.
- New Caffè Europeo. Another cafe in the via Etnea. It is a small place but has its charm. Friendly staff and a decent selection of local sweets; the cannolo is pretty tasty.
- Prestipino. A cafe close to the Duomo of Catania offers outdoor seating too. Expect some attitude from the personnel, but the service is fine and has a good selection of drinks and sweets. Their website loads with some aggressive music, so make sure to adjust the volume.
- Curtigghiu. One of the most beautiful streets of Catania, the Via Santa Filomena, hosts this excellent restaurant. Traditional Italian food in a side street of Via Etnea full of lights and life.
- Cafè dell’ Università. Next to the Prestipino lies the Cafè dell’ Università. A much more easy-going attitude, and the owner seem to be a character from a movie of Italian Neorealism.
Things to do in Catania: What to see in the city
Sicilian cities have a long history, and the things you can see are numerous. That said, depending on your interests, there are several great things to do in Catania.
Catania is a compact city. If you stay around the Via Etnea, you’ll have the opportunity to reach everything on foot. Most people say that Catania doesn’t really deserve an extended stay, but this is not true for me. Although there are more beautiful Italian cities, Catania has a beautiful vibe that you can only discover if you spend some days there. I used Catania as a base to discover Eastern Sicily: there were days that I traveled around the area, but I spent every single evening in the city. It proved to be a good choice.
However, Catania has several places to visit, apart from its mysterious vibe. If you have a couple of days in the city, make sure to visit the following:
Piazza Duomo
The heart of the city with several things to see. First of all, that’s where the Saint Agatha Cathedral is located, an emblematic building dedicated to the city’s patron Saint. In Duomo, there is also the Fontana dell’ Elefante, a fountain featuring an Elephant which is Catania’s trademark. And of course, you will see the beautiful Palazzo dei Chierici.
Museo Diocesano
Just a few meters off the Piazza Duomo, you’ll find the Museo Diocesano. Here you can see the Fercolo, the silver reliquary bust of Saint Agata. Every 5th of February, it’s paraded through Catania’s streets with respect and enthusiasm. But, an excellent reason to visit the Museo Diocesano is its roof terrace. The ticket to the roof terrace costs 3 euros (the price doesn’t include museum admittance, though), and from there, you will have an outstanding view of Mount Etna. Try to visit it on a sunny day.
Via Etnea
This street is Catania’s heart. There is traffic all day long, and there are loads of people walking continuously. In the lower part of the street, you will see the Roman Amphitheater of Catania, the so-called Teatro Romano, and the Piazza Universita. But, the most astonishing thing is that the street offers a direct view of Mount Etna (hence its name). As for its busiest place? Well, this is probably the Piazza Stesicoro, where the Bellini statue is also located.
The fish market of Catania (La Pescheria)
Behind the Duomo, from Monday to Friday, you will find the Fish Market. This is a colorful and loud place where the locals buy fish, and the merchants scream as loud as possible. Even if you don’t plan to buy fish, spend some time there: the smell is strong, but the atmosphere is joyful — local life at its best.
Castello Ursino and Mosterio dei Benedettini
Even if you don’t want to see the interior of these buildings, make sure to check their exteriors. Both Castle Ursino and the Monastery are impressive.
Things to do around Catania
As I already said, Catania is also an excellent base for exploring the rest of Sicily. You can have magnificent daily excursions, but these should be on the eastern side of Sicily due to time limitations. Catania’s central train station is called Giovanni XXIII. There is a metro stop there, and it’s pretty easy to reach it. Attached to the train station, you’ll see a big parking lot which serves as the central bus station. Therefore, you have two transportation options for your day trips from Catania.
I highly recommend you to visit Taormina and definitely the outstanding city of Syracuse. Last but not least, if you plan to spend some days in Catania, it would be a pity not to visit Mount Etna. Both an impressive mountain and one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mount Etna, can be reached in about one hour and a half from the center of Catania.
Now, if you are a wine lover, Catania has some of the best winery tours you can find in Sicily. Etna’s unique soil produces world-famous wines known for their smoky taste. I wrote a separate article featuring the best wine tours starting from Catania. Make sure to check it out.
If you don’t want to rent a car, several tour operators offer daily excursions to these beautiful places. Check below the best day trips around Catania.
Day trips, street food tours, and other activities in Catania and beyond
In this section, you will find some of the best day tours you can find in Catania and beyond. These tours and day trips will give a better impression of the city and the landscape close to Catania.
- Mount Etna tour (early morning or sunset). If you only have time for one day trip from Catania, make sure to book this one. A professional guide will drive you to Mount Etna and walk you to some of its craters. On the way back, you will also taste local delicacies. It’s a pity to travel to Catania and miss Mount Etna. You can book this Etna tour here.
- Etna and Taormina: full-day tour from Catania. This tour to Mount Etna and Taormina is for those with limited time in Sicily. You can combine two of the best places around Catania on a full-day tour. See the prices and availability for this day trip to Sicily’s gems.
- The Godfather tour. Yes, on this day trip, you’ll come across several filming locations of the iconic movie. In addition, there’s an optional lunch and wine tasting if you’d like to enrich the experience. This tour is a must for film lovers. Check the Godfather tour here.
- Montalbano’s fiction places food tour. If you are a fan of Inspector Montalbano, the fictional detective, then this is a tour for you. This tour combines an excursion to the southeastern part of Sicily with locations where Montalbano’s stories took place. See the prices for the Montalbano tour here.
- Gastronomic street food tour of Catania. Last but not least, here is a tour for the food lovers among us. You will discover Sicily’s famous street food by visiting local vendors and street markets. Try local delicacies like arancini and zibibbio wine, and enjoy cannoli and cipollini. Check the prices for the Catania street food tour here.
How to budget for Catania
Life in Catania is not that expensive. You should not, of course, expect a ridiculously cheap city, but the truth is that you can have a great stay with little money. An espresso, for example, starts from 1 euro, a decent panini (Italian sandwich) starts from 3 euros, and a bottle of water usually costs 1 euro. The traditional Aperitivo costs 5-7 euros, and you often have the option to order it with a platter of food (which sometimes is a proper meal) usually costs around 10 euros. I didn’t pay more than 14-15 euros for pasta or pizza plus a glass of wine. As for the accommodation, I spent 50 euros per night at the wonderful Bellini Home B&B.
Altogether, it is possible not to exceed the daily budget of 75 euros, which is always my goal while traveling. This budget includes accommodation, a proper dinner, a snack during the day, plus a cup of coffee and a bottle of water.
And that’s it with my travel guide to Catania. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve already visited the city or if you’d like some more info about the city.
More about Sicily: The sweet decay of Catania, A tour to Mount Etna, A day in Syracuse
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Last Updated on April 16, 2022 by George Pavlopoulos