Is Catania Worth Visiting? Absolutely!
We visited Catania a long time ago and fell in love instantly. That’s why we’ve been back several times. What can we say? We are obsessed with Sicily! Thus, if you are thinking: is Catania worth visiting, we have great news for you. Absolutely! Catania is one of the prettiest cities in Italy.
The city lies on the shores of the Ionian Sea. Catania is to the east of Sicily, halfway between the northern and southern tips. Though it’s the second largest city on the island after Palermo, it is the wealthiest. Catania is Sicily’s financial and industrial powerhouse.
Catania’s history dates back to Ancient Greece. The city flourished in the 14th Century during the Renaissance and became one of the richest in Italy. Due to its location, it suffered several natural catastrophes, including a devastating volcanic eruption in 1669 and a massive earthquake in 1693. Today, Catania is famous for its architecture, people, and food!
What is Catania Like
Though Catania is a big and cosmopolitan city, it feels relaxed and easygoing. There are no huge towers or massive buildings in the center. Thus, you never feel overwhelmed. Granted, as a visitor, you will most likely spend your time in or around the historic core and not in the suburbs.
The city has some of the grandest architecture in Italy. Nowhere else in the country, will you find such impressive baroque buildings. Catania is an open-air museum to be discovered slowly. Every street is interesting and worth your time. You can walk for hours and never get bored.
We have to be honest. Catania is not in perfect shape. Actually, it can be a bit rough around the edges. And that’s precisely why we like it. You do not feel in Disneyland. This is a real city, where the locals are still in control.
Reasons to Visit Catania
It is Home to a Beautiful Old Town
Mansions, palaces, churches, and museums line the center’s streets. Begin your tour at Porta Uzeda, close to the sea. The incredible Palazzo Biscari is to the left. From there, walk to the 19th Century Teatro Massimo Bellini. Turn east to the University Plaza and admire the 18th Century Palaces.
The Basilica de la Collegiata is behind the plaza. From there, go to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sicily. Via Etnea, the city’s fanciest street is to the north. The city’s main commercial street is Via Antonino di Sangiuliano. The Quattro Canti corner is where both meet.
Catania’s Old Town is so beautiful that UNESCO included it in its World Heritage Site List. Since an earthquake destroyed the city in 1693, most buildings are late baroque. That’s a big difference in any Catania vs Palermo analysis. Palermo’s architecture is more varied. However, you must visit both!
The Cathedral is Stunning
No matter how many cathedrals you’ve seen in Italy, the one in Catania is in a league of its own. Duomo means Cathedral in Italian. The Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata is next to Porta Uzeda. Once you cross the gate, you will see a square with a fountain in the center.
The Elephant Fountain is the symbol of the city. It’s a cute fountain with a lovely elephant carved out of volcanic stone. The entire Duomo Square is fascinating. The Cathedral presides over the plaza. Look at the façade. It’s from 1802, but the marble columns come from the Roman Theatre.
Before you enter, check the balustrade. Once in, you will see Vicenzo’s Bellini tomb. The interior has a medieval apse and a 16th Century choir. The Sicilian Aragonese kings are buried in the Cathedral. Visit the Diocesan Museum next to Carlos V’s door. The ticket includes access to the Achilles’ Baths beneath the Cathedral.
There’s a Greek – Roman Amphitheater
History buffs, architecture lovers, and avid travelers must visit the Teatro Romano di Catania. Walking about the 2nd Century structure will take you back in time. Not only that, but the views from the top will take your breath away. You can see Mount Etna and the city!
The theater is in the middle of the city, a couple of blocks east of the Cathedral. When walking about, you won’t believe what lies behind what looks like a simple building. The Theater blends seamlessly with the city. Traditional Italian buildings from the 19th Century surround the theater.
The whole area is fascinating. Though the Theater was discovered in the 18th Century, the houses built on top of it were cleared in 1959. You need to pay to enter the theater. It’s free on the first Sunday of each month. Don’t forget to check out the Casa Liberti museum next to the theater.
There’s a Cool Castle
The 1693 earthquake did not destroy everything in Catania. The Castello Ursino stands proud in the center of the city. The enormous stone structure was built in the early 13th Century! You may be thinking: what is such a big castle doing in the middle of the city?
Emperor Frederick II had it built on a cliff overlooking the sea. Several eruptions from Etna and earthquakes changed the landscape, and now the castle is half a mile (1 km) from the coast and surrounded by 19th Century buildings. This makes it a one-of-a-kind ancient castle!
The castle is also the Civic Museum of Catania. The collection inside will dazzle you. You will find ancient Greek and Roman objects. Not only that, but it houses an incredible collection of paintings and art found throughout the city. There’s also a photograph collection and painted carts.
There are Also Wonderful Parks
If you are tired of buildings, go take a break at the beautiful Villa Bellini. The lush green garden is in the center. Walk along Via Etnea checking out the shops and restaurants. Turn left on Regina Margherita Street and walk to Piazza Roma, one of the biggest and nicest squares in the city.
Villa Bellini begins here. Check the buildings on the square. The one on the left is the National Geophysics and Volcanic Institute. Tall trees, bushes, flowers, and plants populate the garden. There’s a gazebo and lots of benches. You can seat under a tree and enjoy a picnic.
Walk 10 minutes north, and you will reach the Botanical Gardens of Catania. A Benedictine monk founded the garden in 1858. Today, the University of Catania manages it. You have a general area with plants from all over the world and a section dedicated to Sicilian flora. The entrance is free.
Yan Can See Etna from a Church Rooftop
The Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena is the second-largest Benedictine monastery in Europe. Today it is part of the University of Catania. You can spend hours exploring the massive building. It’s in the center. Walk east along San Antonino di San Giuliano Street for a couple of blocks until you reach the monastery.
The entire place is stunning. You can spend hours exploring the building and its lush green gardens. You can visit two atriums and walk about the balustrades. You will see lots of students. The Department of Human Studies is inside the monastery. The combination of the young and the old is invigorating.
Don’t forget to check out San Nicolo Church, next to the monastery. If you think the building looks beautiful from the outside, wait till you get inside. You have to pay a small fee to access the tower. Do so, and prepare to enjoy epic views over the city and Mount Etna.
Food is Delicious
Even Italians consider Sicilian food the best in the country. We agree! You will eat and drink like a king in the city. A visit to Catania’s Fish Market is mandatory. Walk left from the Cathedral and descend some stairs made of volcanic stone. The street market is there.
Explore the different posts under colorful umbrellas. Our favorite fish restaurant in the city is there. Scirocco has the best oysters! Antica Rosticceria Catanese is next door. They’ve been serving the best arancini in Catania since 1907. Ice cream we always have at Comis Ice Café, in front of the Bellini Theatre.
For a fancy dinner with unforgettable views of Mount Etna, go to Etnea Roof Bar & Restaurant. The place is beautiful, the food delicious, and their cocktails the best in the city. Pasticceria Savia next to Villa Bellini has the best cannoli in Catania. Trattoria U Fucularu serves traditional pasta.
Nights are Magical
You must spend at least one night in Catania to understand why we love the city so much. Once the tourists leave, you will get to experience its relaxed vibe with the locals. Unlike Rome, Milan, and other big cities, Catania is not a sanitized playground for tourists. The city is alive and so much fun!
Walk about the center and then head to San Berillo. It used to be a massive open-air brothel. Following several interventions, it’s now an up-and-coming hip district where locals come to socialize and party the night away. Everyone has a blast: Migrants, Italians, and tourists!
All types of bars line the neighborhood. Our favorite is First Lounge. For wine, we always go to Razmataz. You can have top-quality local wine with antipasti on the plaza. The biggest and loudest nightclub in the city is SPAZIO 22 music lab, a couple of blocks north of the train station.
Catania has Great Hotels
The best places to stay in Catania are in the city center. Our favorite hotel is the Palazzo Marletta Luxury House Hotel. The stunning 18th Century baroque palace is right on the main square. The deluxe superior rooms have original wooden ceilings and balconies with memorable views. The service is superb.
We love The Habitat Hotel, next to Teatro Bellini. The old palace is now one of the best hotels in Catania. The hotel has a lovely garden where you can chill after exploring the city. The rooms are extra comfy and come with contemporary furniture and traditional Sicilian ceramic tiles. The junior suites are brilliant!
Our final recommendation goes to Palace Catania Una Esperienze. The 1900s property is on Villa Bellini. The hotel has a Turkish bath and a gym. The complimentary breakfast is delicious. You will wake up and enjoy breakfast on the rooftop terrace with views of the city and Mount Etna!
Moving Around is Easy
Catania is the perfect place to walk. The Old Town is so beautiful, that getting lost in its streets is mandatory. Most of the city’s highlights are in the center, so you can walk from one to another. Take a leisurely walk and enjoy the moment.
Biking can be hard in the center. The streets are narrow and packed. Thus, tie your bike and walk. We bike outside of the city center, where the streets are wider. Catania has a shared biking system called AmiGO. You can also rent your bike at any of the rental places in the center.
To go to Villa Bellini, Le Ciminiere, and the train station take the metro. New stations will open soon in the center! Several bus lines cross the entire city. Ask around, buy your ticket at a kiosk, grab a window seat, and enjoy your ride. Taxis are not expensive and perfect for the night.
Fantastic Day Trips
Due to its location in the center of the western coast, Catania is a great place to set base and discover other incredible places. Wonderful Taormina is just an hour away by bus or train. You can leave early in the morning and come back late at night.
Another option is to go to Syracuse. Since it’s only 40 miles (64 km) south of Catania, a bus or a train there takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Syracuse is one of the prettiest cities in Sicily. Together with Catania and 5 other towns, it is a UNESCO-listed site.
It’s easy to visit these towns on your own. However, we strongly recommend going on this tour to Taormina or this one to Syracuse. Mount Etna is close to Catania. We believe it’s better to go on this tour that takes you to the summit with a cable car.
How Many Days in Catania
We’ve been to Catania countless times. The longest we’ve spent in the city was 20 days and never had a dull moment. That said, we all have time constraints and a huge world to discover. Therefore, you may be wondering how many days to spend in Catania to cover the basics.
We believe you should spend at least three days in Catania. You will see the city’s top attractions and experience its vibe. Catania can get overcrowded in the summer. That said, get out of the hotspots, and you’ll have space. Especially at night, when the day crowds leave.
Besides, prices go up in the high season. Hotels can charge pretty much what they want. That’s why we recommend visiting in the fall and winter. The weather is splendid, and there are fewer tourists. We’ve been to Sicily, Santorini, Naples, and other places in the Mediterranean in winter and had a blast.
