.

TravelTips24 : Europe : Mediterranean Europe : Italy : Sicily : Catania

Catania

Catania grew along the sea in a great bay, at the foot of Mount Etna, the biggest volcano in Europe.

It is the second largest city in Sicily (the metropolitan area reach a million inhabitants), a major transport hub, great economic center and university city where you will enjoy a busy downtown and an amazing nightlife.

Catania is also well known for its baroque architecture and urban design (the downtown area is a World Heritage Site, along with all the Val di Noto), consequences of the great earthquake of 1693 when Catania did collapse, like most of eastern Sicily.

Travel to Catania & Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Catania

Catania has the main airport for Sicily and scheduled and charter planes arrive from destinations throughout Italy and Europe.

From the airport, there are 1/2 hourly buses to Catania's bus station. It takes about 20 minutes.

Buses to Catania

Frequent buses run to Taormina, Messina, Enna, Caltanissetta, Ragusa and Syracuse. Less frequent buses run to local destinations, Naples, Rome etc. The main bus station is opposite the railway station and 10 minutes walk from the city centre.

By train

Frequent trains run up the east coast to and from Taormina (but the station is a long walk below the town, at Giardini Naxos) and Messina, then on to Naples and Rome etc. Trains also run to Enna, Palermo (slower than the buses) and Syracuse. A scenic route runs inland to Caltagirone and Gela. The railway station is 10 minutes walk from the city centre.

Tours & Getting around Catania

Downtown

Catania has a compact centre and it is most convenient just to walk around. Also, if you want to get to a specific area within the center, you can use the short metro line (metropolitana) that runs from the Port (Porto station) to the Circumetnea train station (Borgo station), from where you can reach cities on the Mount Etna. The metro pass by the train Central Station.

The metropolitan area

If you want to get along the coast (Acicastello, Acitrezza, Acireale), you better drive or call for a taxi (they are several at Piazza Duomo). You could also use the train or one of the bus.

To get into the Mount Etna, you can take the private train line (Circumetnea) at Borgo metro station or a shuttle from the central station that reach the Rifugio Sapienza(usually leave in the morning and return the evening) from where you can get to the top of the mountain (spring/summer only).

Culture and History

During a 2700 years history made of different cultures (Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, etc.), Catania was a rich commercial center, mainly because of the port. Again, since the 70's, the city economy is growing as the urban area and the suburbs, making Catania a large metropolitan center, mainly between the volcano and the sea. Today, even if you can find there most of the biggest commercial centers in Europe (especially Etnapolis), the old 17e century downtown area is still the center of the day-to-day life.

Catania is situated under the most major currently active volcano in Europe and has been destroyed many times in the past. The result, a city where you can find a great variety of landscape and architecture, a lot of dirty buildings and also lot of abandoned houses, especially in the mountain. Whenever, since the city is a World Heritage Site, lot of renovations are made.

Today, you will feel in Catania a mixed of nostalgia and "joie de vivre", especially at night or during festivals.

Landmarks

Some of the best known feature of Catania's area

  • The Baroque architecture, mainly downtownvirtual tour
  • The Mount Etna, who destroyed Catania many times virtual tour
  • One of the many 19e century kiosk, from where you can have any drinks you want, from caffè to lemoncello
  • The Elephant Fountain, from the 17e century, Piazza Duomo virtual tour
  • La Plaja, sandy beaches along the south coast of the bay
  • The Riviera dei ciclopi, a rocky, volcano coast along the north of the bay, reaching Taormina

Talk

Never forget that Sicilian used to be the common language here for centuries, as the Sicilian culture is isolated on an island. Even in Catania, you will notice Italian and Sicilian (as Palermo, Catania has its own dialect) in some neighborhoods, especially in inner areas, while most people speak mainly Italian in the city center.

Catania attractions and sightseeing

Must see

  • The baroque Piazza del Duomo is attractive, lively and contains the Elephant Fountain - the symbol of the city and the entrance to the elegant via Etnea, the main shopping street.
  • The adjacent Norman Cathedral (Duomo) is imposing and worth a visit
  • The food and fish markets just below the Piazza del Duomo are a lively and colourful place to visit. This fish market is the busiest and most exotic of all over Sicily. Monday to Saturday morning only.
  • Via Etnea - the main shopping street, running North from the Piazza del Duomo has most of the city's imposing building and is busy throughout the day and evening. Lot of church.
  • Piazza Stesicoro, the real center, very lively with even a nice McDonald and ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre. Its also the entrance to the main market (Mercato de la Fiera) that worth a visit.
  • Teatro Massimo, at Piazza Teatro, where you can find this imposing building of the 19e century. Its a neighborhood very lively and busy by night.

Other sites

  • Castello Ursino, a great medieval construction near center that host the Civic Museum.virtual tour
  • The Greek/Roman Theatre and the Odeon, still in good condition.virtual tour
  • Palazzo Biscari, the most beautiful baroque palace of Catania (can't visit).
  • The Villa, a great urban park of the 19e century (actually closed for renovation)
  • The Benedictine monastery that host now the Faculty of Letter of the University of Catania, the oldest in Sicily. That building use to be one of the biggest monastery of Europe.virtual tour
  • The adjacent unachieved church of San Nicolo, which was supposed the be the biggest in Sicily.

Catania city tours

Volcano Trek, Via Minicucca 16, +39 333 2096604, [1]. The obvious thing to do is the volcano trek. Go to the top of Mount Etna. There are many organised tours, but you can hire the services of a Volcanologist as your tour guide and go off the usual tourist trail.

Catania souvenirs & shopping

The "Pizzo free" shops are a group of shopkeepers that refuse to pay the racket to the Mafia. The Catania's consumers sustain them by going shopping in their stores. The list of these stores will be soon available. [2]

You can find fresh fish at the main fish market, Piazza Duomo. You could have to bargain the price.

Catania Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Catania is proud of some specialities, like Anrancino (fried ball of rice, tomato and cheese), cannoli alla ricotta (known worldwide) and many typical tavola calda. The fish is also good, as Catania is a great port. The city is also known for horse meat, especially in some areas around the "Benedictine Monastery".

Fast food

Like in most of Sicily, you can get a freshly made cold panini in a “salumeria”, where you choose whenever you want to put in (prosciutto cotto/crudo and cheese is probably the most popular), for 1 to 3 euros. Don’t forget that most of them are closed between 1-4 PM and on Sunday afternoon. You can also have a tavola calda which mean “hot bite”, most of them made with cheese and meat, fried and baked. You will normally pay 1,50 euros for one piece. Finally, you will find, especially during the evening, big kiosks that sell hot, tasty and fat panini with even horse meat inside. Most people add fries into the sandwich. Usually, it’s about 2,50-3,00 euros and they are very popular among teenagers. Because its quite cheap, there is normally confusion at these kiosks. You are in Italy, one of the best place in the world for food, so don’t go to McDonald's.

Restaurants

  • Sicilia in bocca, Via Beato Cardinale G.B. Dusmet, 35. Tel “+39” 095 2500208, [www.siciliainbocca.it]. To try typical Sicilian food and pizza.
  • Beware that there are in fact two restaurants called Sicilia in bocca. The second one has very poor food quality, long waits, smoky outside section, and bad attitude towards foreigners (along with a different menu). When going to Sicilia in Bocca by taxi, be sure to specify the address.

Catania nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

First, you must try a fresh made ‘’’caffè’’’ (which is, like in all Italy, a short espresso). If you want some milk, you ask for a ‘’’caffè machiato’’’. Try it before asking for the usual american dirty water, which they call here ‘’’americano’’’. A good alternative is ‘’’capucino’’’, normaly made without chocolate. Unlike in the north of Italy, you can ask for a free glass of water with your coffee. For water, you better buy some bottles at the supermarket, it’s cheaper (0,50 euro/1 L).

  • Barrique Club, Via S. Guliano, 242, Tel +39 3924491005, [3]. Great atmosphere, good bar with Italian and international drinks, excellent snacks and cakes. At night live jazz and Sicilian music

Catania cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

  • Hotel Agathae, Via Etnea 229, Phone: 095 2500436 (Fax: 0957152668), [4]. 3 star accommodation on the main drag running through Catania.
  • Agora Hostel, 6 Piazza Curro, ☎ +39 095 7233010(info@agorahostel.com), [5]. In a backstreet under the Duomo, it's lively and can fill up even out of season.Beds in a dorm rooms from €18.00.  edit
  • Gresi Hotel, Via Pacini 28. Off Via Etnea close to the post office. Tel:+39 095 322709, email:hotelgresi@tin.com, [6]. Shiny clean, AC, bathroom, balcony, high arched ceilings with paintings. €75 without breakfast.
  • Hotel Etnea 316, Via Etnea 316, Phone: +39 095 2503076 (Fax: +39 095 2503076), [7]. Bright and airy 3 star guest house ideal for young travellers.
  • Excelsior Grand Hotel [8], Piazza Giovanni Verga 39. The Excelsior Grand Hotel is a modern and efficient hotel located in the centre of the lively city of Catania, a stone’s throw from the natural scenery of Etna.
  • Hotel il Picchio Golf Resort , Via Nazionale, S.S. 120, 135 - 95012 Rovittello, Castiglione di Sicilia. Italy - Ph. +39.0942.986426 - Fax +39.0942.986323 [9]. “Il Picchio Golf Resort” is immersed in the most fascinating scenery in Sicily, in the Alcantara Valley, a true oasis between Mount Etna and Catania. Double rooms from €140 to €220.
  • The Parco degli Aragonesi [10], Viale Kennedy. Località La Playa, 95121, Tel. +39 095 7234073 and the Jolly Hotel Bellini [11], Piazza Trento, 13, 95129, Tel. +39 095 316933, are the two NH hotels in Catania.
  • Hotel il Principe, Via Alessi, 20/26, Tel. +39-095-2500345 (Fax +39-095-325799), [12]. Hotel Il Principe, boutique hotel located in a recently restored aristocratic building in the baroque heart of the historical centre of Catania. Availability and rates provided on the official web site.
  • La Pietra Antica O'Munti, Via Andronico s.n. - Fraz. Puntalazzo - 95010 Mascali CT, ☎ +39 095.7824035(info@lapietraantica.it, fax: +39 095.968792), [13]. Farm house La Pietra Antica O'Munti, between Taormina and Acireale, near volcano Etna, is a good solution for your farm holiday in Sicily, Italy  edit
  • Hotel La Ville, Via Monteverdi, 15, ☎ +39 095 7465230(fax: +39 095 7465189), [14]. One of the oldest hotels in Catania, this large 3 star family run establishment is well designed in a calming and refreshing liberty style and offers a homely welcome as well as business facilities. Self catering apartments also available. edit
  • Hotel Nettuno, Viale Ruggero Di Lauria 121,, ☎ =+39 095 712 2006(fax: +39 095 498 066), [15]. Modern and spacious four star hotel on the beach of Catania with full facilities, including open air swimming pool, restaurants, health spa and full meeting facilities. Ideal for families as well as corporate. edit
  • Hotel Valentino, Piazza Santo Spirito 39. Phone: 39 095 2503072 Fax: 39 095 2503072, [17]. Charming little 3 star hotel in the heart of the city with excellent friendly staff and a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere.
  • Farmhouse Accommodation Arrigo, C.da Arrigo Soprano Linguaglossa, Tel. +39 095 643612 (Fax +39 095 7774518), [18]. The Agriturismo Arrigo is located at the slopes of Mount Etna surrounded by a striking and magnificent vegetation. In the silence of a land of strong and firm gastronomic traditions.

Get out

  • Visit Mount Etna - an eerie volcanic landscape, with solidifed "rivers" of lava. The top is 3,323 m high, so be prepared for the cold, even in summer. One bus a day runs at about 8:30AM from near the railway station via Nicolosi to the Rifugio Sapienza, 1,400 m below the summit.
  • You could also have a visit along the coast for Acicastello (a nice medieval castle builded on a giant rock, over the see) are Acitrezza, a little fisherman village well known for its giant rocks lineing in the sea, supposed to be the ones thrown by the cyclope at Ulysse. You will also find good restaurants and a great port. You could have a look for Acireale, a town known for the greatest carnaval of Sicilia (in frebruary).

This page was last edited at 01:43, on 16 September 2008 by Salvo. Based on work by Niels Elgaard Larsen, David, Dirk Beetstra and Daniel Corbeil, Wikitravel user(s) Rodericoco, Cheshire2000 and Morph, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license