Catania is the second largest city on the Isle of Sicily. It’s on the eastern coast and you have the gorgeous sea, plus the mountainous shadow of Etna.
10 Things to Do in Catania, Sicily
1. Hop on a tourist bus or coach and go visit Mt Etna.
It’s not often that you have the opportunity to visit Europe’s highest and most active volcano, right? I visited Mt Etna and it was one of the most memorable parts of my travels.
2. Visit the beach at San Giovanni li Cuti.
It’s the most famous beach in Catania. Plus it’s an area of outstanding beauty because of the black rocks and ashes from the very active volcano.
3. Explore Castello Ursino
Built in the 13th century the castle has survived sieges, earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. The lava was once so close to the castle that it filled up the moat! It was once the seat of the Aragonese dynasty, and later became a famous prison. Today it houses the Civic Museum of Catania.
4. Stroll down the Via dei Crociferi
It’s a tiny street, but it houses 4 large churches, some amazing examples of Baroque art, as well as beautiful paintings and frescos.
5. Visit the Roman Ampitheatre
Not far from the port, in the centre of town, lies a Roman amphitheatre that was only fairly recently discovered! (In the first half of the 20th Century). It’s made of lava, stone and brick and it’s incredible to be walking around the town and stumble across a partially excavated Roman ruin!
6. Explore subterranean Catania
In 1693, an eruption struck the city and buried it. Two rivers, Amenano and Lognina, as well as a whole lake named Nicito were buried by lava. However, old Catania is still visible here and there in the new city. In fact, several old churches retain their access to this lower, older level of the city. It is still possible to visit sections that survived.
7. Walk around Parco dell’ Etna
Even if you don’t want to go to the top of Etna, you can have a good explore round the base of Etna and all its little surrounding villages. The park is a protected national park and offers stunning views of both the volcano and the Ionian Sea.
8. Explore around the Piazza Duomo
The square has several absolutely stunning Baroque buildings; the Palazzo dei Chierici, the Palazzo degli Elefanti, now the Town Hall, and the Duomo di Catania, the cathedral of the city. Plus in the center of the square is the Elephant Fountain, and next to Palazzo dei Chierici there is another fountain, the ‘Fontana dell’Amenano’. That fountain is dedicated to the Amenano River – one of the rivers that became subterranean due to volcanic eruption.
9. Visit the Monastero dei Benedettini
This Benedictine Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is one of the largest and most important monasteries in European history. Even if you don’t take a tour inside or climb the basilica dome, the outside of the complex is equally stunning.
10. Have a picnic in the Bellini Gardens
The gardens are just the west of the Piazza Carlo Alberto in the town centre. It’s the oldest urban park in Catania. It’s dedicated in honour of Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini. He was born and lived in Catania, so you’ll see lots of Bellini plaques and works around town.
Have you ever visited Catania?
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