CityBuddy
Italiano
Catania, Italy
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Must-include attractions sorted by popularity
Attrazioni a Catania, Italy
1. Piazza del Duomo
Baroque heart of Catania where lava stone and history meet. Walk among the cathedral, the elephant fountain, and lively fish market with Mount Etna as a backdrop.
2. Cattedrale di Sant'Agata
A centerpiece of Catania's Baroque heart, with volcanic-lava architecture and Bellini's tomb. Admire ornate chapels, Saint Agatha relics, and the lively Piazza Duomo.
3. Fontana dell'Elefante
See the iconic lava-stone elephant that symbolizes Catania. Admire Baroque details, photograph the obelisk-topped statue and soak up Piazza Duomo life.
Clicca per prenotare un tour a piedi GRATUITO a Catania, Italy
Il modo migliore per vivere una città con una guida locale.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
4. Teatro Massimo Bellini
Neoclassical opera house famed for spectacular acoustics and lavish interiors. Hear opera and orchestra, admire gilded frescoes and ornate boxes on a guided tour or during a live performance.
5. Castello Ursino
Fortress from the 13th century set on lava rock, offering dramatic history and city views. Walk battlements, explore the civic museum, and watch local life in Piazza Federico.
6. Via Etnea
Baroque avenue lined with palaces, cafés and shops. Stroll from Piazza Duomo to Villa Bellini, taste street food and spot Mount Etna beyond the rooftops.
7. Giardino Bellini
Green oasis in central Catania, offering calm among century-old trees and ornate fountains. Stroll shaded paths, spot local birdlife, and watch bocce games with Mount Etna views.
8. Mount Etna
Sweeping lava fields and crater rims offer unforgettable views across Sicily and the sea. Hike trails, explore fumaroles, and photograph dramatic volcanic scenery.
Things to Do in Catania, Italy
Popular activities and local experiences recommended by travelers
Additional popular things to do in Catania, Italy
Curated tours, tickets, and activities recommended by travelers
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Minne di Sant'Agata
Pastry shaped like a breast, filled with sweetened ricotta and candied peel, made to honor Saint Agatha during Catania's biggest religious festival.
Cannoli
Crisp fried pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta, often with chocolate chips or candied fruit, they are a Sicilian signature found throughout Catania's bakeries.
Frutta Martorana
Almond marzipan sculpted and painted to resemble fruit, originally made by convents, and a colorful traditional Sicilian confection common in Catania.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Pasta alla Norma
An eggplant and tomato pasta finished with salty ricotta salata, it was named in honor of the local composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera Norma and is considered Catania's signature pasta.
Arancini
Fried rice balls usually stuffed with ragù, peas, and mozzarella, arancini are ubiquitous Sicilian street food with many local variations served in Catania.
Pesce spada alla ghiotta
Swordfish cooked in a sauce of tomatoes, capers, olives, and herbs, this hearty seafood dish reflects Catania's coastal fishing traditions and appears on many local menus.
Traditional Beverages
Granita with brioche
A semi-frozen flavored ice typically lemon, almond, or coffee, granita in Catania is classically eaten at breakfast with a soft brioche roll, making it a beloved local ritual.
Etna wine
Wines labeled Etna come from vineyards on Mount Etna's slopes near Catania, they are prized for mineral notes and expressive reds and whites that reflect the volcanic terroir.
Sicilian blood orange juice
Freshly squeezed juice from the red Arancia Rossa di Sicilia, especially the Tarocco and Moro varieties grown around Catania, is bright, sweet, and emblematic of the region's citrus bounty.
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Day trips
Mount Etna
Active volcano offering hikes, cable car, and lava landscapes.
Google MapsSyracuse (Siracusa)
Historic Archaic and Baroque sites on Ortigia island.
Google MapsCommenti (5)
Caldo d'estate, porta acqua e vestiti leggeri. Giorno in spiaggia nella vicina Aci Trezza è stato splendido, il centro si affolla a mezzogiorno.
Translated from English ·
Buy a 24-hour bus pass at a tobacconist (tabacchi), not on board. Saves cash and time, ticket machines near the station are confusing.
Skip restaurants facing Piazza Duomo, walk two blocks toward Via Etnea for fresher pasta and better prices, tourist traps charge twice as much.
Ho adorato il cibo e il fascino caotico, i mercati sono vivi ma le strade possono puzzare un po'. Tre giorni sono stati perfetti, il tramonto sull'Etna indimenticabile.
Translated from English ·
Expected more polished tourist services, lots of bureaucracy and cash-only spots. Still enjoyed authentic vibes but not luxury travel.
Getting there
Train stations
Regional and intercity lines to Syracuse, Messina, Taormina, Palermo and other Sicilian towns
From CTA airport use the Alibus or a taxi to reach the city center in 15-20 minutes.
Clicca per ottenere una eSim per Catania, Italy
Il modo più semplice ed economico per avere internet mobile ovunque tu viaggi.