Cidade Turismo
Italy

Before you go

Your trip to Catânia.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Catânia – Sicília Destination Sicília about 208 km from Palermo

How to get there

  • Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa Vincenzo Bellini (CTA) 5 km
  • Catania Centrale 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. The most common route is a domestic flight from Rome or Milan to Catânia airport (CTA), about 5 km from the centre, with buses and taxis to the city. There are also Intercity trains from Rome that cross the Strait of Messina by ferry, a long journey. From Palermo, buses and trains make the trip in about 3 hours; confirm schedules.

How many days

One day is enough for the Baroque centre, the Pescheria, the Via Etnea and the Monastero dei Benedettini. With two days, set aside the second for Etna. Catânia also works as a base for day trips to Taormina and Siracusa, each about 1 hour away by train or bus.

When to go

From April to June and from September to October the weather is usually good for walking. July and August are very hot. Winter is mild on the coast, but Etna can have snow in the cold months. From February 3 to 5 the city holds the festival of Sant'Agata, its patron saint, with processions and many people in the streets.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For the city, no: the centre is walked and there is a ZTL (limited traffic zone), closed to outside cars. For Etna, a car helps, but there is a daily bus from Catânia to Rifugio Sapienza and tours with transport. Taormina and Siracusa can be reached by train or bus.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Catânia
  1. Morning
    Pescheria and Piazza del Duomo

    Start early at the Pescheria, when the fish market is at its peak. Walk up to the Piazza del Duomo, see the Fontana dell'Elefante and enter the Cattedrale di Sant'Agata, where the tomb of the composer Vincenzo Bellini is located.

  2. Afternoon
    Monastero dei Benedettini

    Have lunch near the centre and walk along the Via dei Crociferi to the Monastero dei Benedettini. The guided visit shows cloisters, kitchens and the library. On the way, stop at the Roman theatre on Via Vittorio Emanuele.

  3. Late afternoon
    Via Etnea and Villa Bellini

    Walk up the Via Etnea, the main street, with Etna in the background when the sky is clear. Finish in the garden of Villa Bellini, which has views of the volcano from some spots.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the center

    Return to the Piazza Università and Duomo area for dinner. Order an arancino, Catânia's typical rice ball, and try the granita.

2 days in Catânia

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Market and Duomo

    Spend the morning at the Pescheria, the Piazza del Duomo and the Cattedrale di Sant'Agata, with a stop at the Piazza Università.

  2. Afternoon
    Benedettini and Roman theatre

    Take the guided tour of the Monastero dei Benedettini and see the Roman theatre, a short walk away, built with volcanic stone.

  3. Late afternoon
    Castello Ursino

    Walk down to the Castello Ursino, Frederick II’s castle that now houses the municipal museum. Note the lava of 1669 that reached its walls.

  4. Evening
    Via Etnea

    Stroll along the illuminated Via Etnea and dine in the centre.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Ascent to Etna

    Leave early for the southern side of Etna, to Rifugio Sapienza. Walk around the Crateri Silvestri and, if the weather and the volcano allow, go up by cable car.

  2. Afternoon
    Higher altitude with a guide

    Those who want to go higher should book an excursion with an authorised guide. Check on the day which areas are open, because accessible zones change according to the volcano's activity.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return through the villages

    On the way down, stop in Nicolosi, a village on the volcano’s slope. Bring a jacket: it is cold up there even in summer.

  4. Evening
    Last night in Catânia

    Dine in the historic centre, near the Duomo or the Piazza Università.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth staying in Catânia or going straight to Taormina?

Catânia is worth at least one day for its Baroque centre, the market and the street food. It is also the most practical base for Etna and has train and bus connections to Taormina and Siracusa.

Can you go up Etna from Catânia without a car?

Yes. A daily bus departs Catânia in the morning to Rifugio Sapienza on the southern side and returns in the afternoon. Agencies also sell tours with transport. Confirm schedules before going.

How long does it take from Catânia to Taormina and Siracusa?

By regional train, about 1 hour to Taormina (Taormina-Giardini station) and a little longer to Siracusa. There are also direct buses. Check schedules.

When does the festival of Sant'Agata take place?

From February 3 to 5. It is one of Italy's largest religious festivals, with processions through the centre. The city gets crowded and accommodation should be booked early.

What to eat in Catânia?

Arancino (stuffed rice ball), pasta alla Norma (with eggplant and salted ricotta), fresh fish from the Pescheria and granita, which people in Catânia even have at breakfast, with brioche.

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