Catania

Travel Guide

Cathedral Square featuring religious elements, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Catania Cathedral which includes a church or cathedral, religious aspects and heritage architecture
Catania featuring food
Catania
Catania which includes food

Peer inside a volcanic crater, take part in year-round outdoor pursuits and view hundreds of years of architecture at one of Sicily’s largest cities.

Catania lies on Sicily’s eastern coast, under the shadow of Mount Etna, Europe’s biggest volcano. The island’s second-largest city offers wild landscapes, archeological treasures, beaches and the baroque architecture of its downtown centre. Climb up to the volcano’s crater rim, dive under the sea and investigate ancient ruins. 

During the 17th century, a volcanic eruption and earthquake levelled Catania. The city was rebuilt with grand structures using some of the lava that had brought about its destruction. Go to the Piazza Duomo and admire the bluish-grey baroque façade of the Cathedral of St. Agatha, fashioned from volcanic rock. Inside, look for the chapel containing the saint’s relics. Surrounding the square are other magnificent structures including the Church of St. Agatha’s Abbey and Palazzo degli Elefanti, housing the city’s Town Hall.

Visit the large open-air fish market just off the piazza. Sample cheeses, cured meats and fresh fruits and vegetables from numerous stalls. Find more shopping nearby on Via Etnea, the city’s main retail artery, with modern department stores and high-end clothing brands.

Despite its natural disasters, traces of ancient Catania can still be seen. Explore the ruins of Anfiteatro Roma, a 2,000-year-old amphitheatre and Teatro Romano-Odeon, a smaller arena. Visit the museum and art gallery inside the 13th-century Ursino Castle.

Many people come to Catania for its natural beauty and outdoor pursuits. Go horseback riding, trekking and bird-watching on the slopes of Etna. Look for buzzards and eagles soaring overhead. Hike up to the crater or book a jeep tour to the summit. During winter, ski down the snow-covered slopes of its two ski resorts. Head to La Playa beach for swimming, snorkeling, sailing, surfing and other watersports.

Fly into Aeroporto Vincenzo Bellini, 4 miles (7 kilometres) from the city. You can also arrive by ferry from the Italian mainland. Get around by bus, metro, taxi or rental car. Let Catania enthral you with its scenery, history and outdoor adventures.

Where to stay in Catania

Angera which includes a small town or village and a river or creek

Catania City Centre

4/5(107 area reviews)

Unique features of Catania City Centre include the historical sites and theatres. Make a stop by Manganelli Palace or Roman Amphitheater while you're exploring the area.

Catania City Centre
Ursino Castle which includes a castle and heritage architecture

Old Town Catania

4/5(15 area reviews)

Historical sites and theatres are highlights of Old Town Catania. Make a stop by Ursino Castle or Catania Fish Market while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Porto Station to get around town.

Old Town Catania
Mount Etna featuring mountains

Contrada Pantano d'Arci

If you're spending some time in Contrada Pantano d'Arci, Catania Beach and Spiaggia della Plaia are top sights worth seeing.

Contrada Pantano d'Arci
Default Image

Picanello-Ognina-Barriera-Canalicchio

3.5/5(25 area reviews)

Discover Picanello-Ognina-Barriera-Canalicchio, memorable for its seaside views. Popular attractions in Picanello-Ognina-Barriera-Canalicchio include Lungomare di Ognina and Ionian Sea, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Galatea Station.

Picanello-Ognina-Barriera-Canalicchio
Mount Etna featuring mountains

San Giorgio-Librino-San Giuseppe la Rena-Zia Lisa-Villaggio Sant'Agata

3/5(33 area reviews)

San Giorgio-Librino-San Giuseppe la Rena-Zia Lisa-Villaggio Sant'Agata is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Catania Beach or Vaccarizzo Beach.

San Giorgio-Librino-San Giuseppe la Rena-Zia Lisa-Villaggio Sant'Agata
Catania Cathedral showing a church or cathedral, a statue or sculpture and religious elements

Civita

If you're spending some time in Civita, Palazzo Biscari and Massimo Bellini Theater are top sights worth seeing.

Civita
Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze
Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze
4 out of 5
Via Etnea 218, Catania, CT
The price is S$263 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
S$263
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Catania. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Clean, comfortable hotel with excellent breakfast and wonderful, accommodating staff. The front desk could not have been more helpful."

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze
Romano Palace Luxury Hotel
Romano Palace Luxury Hotel
5 out of 5
Viale Kennedy 28, Catania, CT
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Catania. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Catania Beach and Catania Port ...
7.6/10 Good! (863 reviews)
"Lovely property and safe"

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

Romano Palace Luxury Hotel
Airone City Hotel
Airone City Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Nuovalucello, 81, Catania, CT
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$224 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$224
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Catania. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (515 reviews)
"Room is large can fit a whole family, 2 bedrooms and a sofa bed with two bathrooms. The room is clean and have mini bar and free bottle of wine. The service is quick and staff are friendly nice. Check in is flexible, 20 mins to airport. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Airone City Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ferrini Home - Via Monte Sant'Agata
Ferrini Home - Via Monte Sant'Agata
Via Monte Sant'Agata, 5, Catania, CT
Stay at this apartment in Catania. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and premium bedding. Popular attractions Piazza del Duomo and Catania Cathedral ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (218 reviews)
"The apartment was very clean! Well maintained. The service by the staff is perfect. Very responsive, have great recommendations, even help us set up transportation for a few day trips we had planned. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

Ferrini Home - Via Monte Sant'Agata
Ferrini Home Residence 150
Ferrini Home Residence 150
Via Grotte Bianche 150, Catania, CT
Stay at this apartment in Catania. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and concierge services. Popular attractions Via Etnea and Piazza del Duomo ...
9/10 Wonderful! (116 reviews)
"Everything was very good!"

Reviewed on 25 Jun, 2025

Ferrini Home Residence 150
Ferrini Home - Etnea Collection
Ferrini Home - Etnea Collection
Via Etnea 289, Catania, CT
Stay at this apartment in Catania. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and concierge services. Popular attractions Via Etnea and Piazza del Duomo are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (41 reviews)
"Amazing stay with a very approachable and receptive host."

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

Ferrini Home - Etnea Collection
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Catania

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
45
5 - Excellent 37%
4 - Good
53
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
22
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

What a fabulous place. We couldn’t believe how much there was to see. It’s great value for money.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Driving in Catania is not for the faint-hearted . The food is amazing , especially at restaurants near the harbour . I have to mention “Caffè Época “ : amazing pastries and delicious coffee You must visit Taormina and Etna !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Catania is simply one of the world's most lovely cities. Every time I visit I like it more, and want to go back!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It's nice and sunny.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We had a great time in Catania. Lots to see and do. Loads of good restaurants nearby and a lot of good local history to explore. Etna is a must. Taormina was beautiful, as was Ortigia. Would love to go back for longer next time.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

My first impressions of Catania weren't that great, as the area around the train station isn't particularly nice. But centre of town, around Via Etnea was lovely. The atmosphere was welcoming, even into the night.