Best Things To Do in Catania

If you're planning a trip to Catania, take a look at this list of the best things to do in the city. It's a place full of beautiful architecture, history and even an active volcano, the mighty Mount Etna. If you stroll around the city you can see parts of the city that at first glance seem hidden, such as the river Amenano.

Other highlights include visiting the interior of buildings such as the Cathedral of Catania and the Massimo Bellini Theatre. Although for some sites you have to buy a ticket, most of them are completely free. Make the most of your days in Catania to explore every corner of the city.

Among the things you can do in a day in Catania you should include a visit to Piazza Duomo, an iconic site of the city located in its historic centre. This square has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a jewel of Sicilian baroque where you will find several important architectural treasures.

To get to this square you can take the train and get off at Catania Centrale station. When you arrive you will be able to appreciate its careful construction. It is easy to navigate if you are travelling in a wheelchair or with children using pushchairs. You are likely to come across a cultural event such as an open-air concert or similar, as they are common here.

There are many architectural works in the square that you can take a closer look at. However, as soon as you arrive, the first one that will surely steal your attention is the Vaccarini Elephant Fountain. This fountain, located in the centre of the square, was built in 1736 and was crowned by the elephant with an obelisk, an emblem for the city.

It is said that the 8th century magician Heliodorus was the owner of the elephant. It is also said that the obelisk has the power to keep Mount Etna under control. In addition to this fountain you will also see the Palace of the Elephants, the Fountain of Amenano and the Cathedral of St. Agatha which you can visit from the inside.

Interesting details

• Price: free admission, it is a public site.
• Location: Piazza del Duomo, 95124 Catania CT, Italy.
• Opening Hours: No opening hours.

Catania Cathedral, also known as St. Agatha's Cathedral, is another iconic site in the Piazza del Duomo. After the earthquake of 1693, it was rebuilt and different elements have been added over the years. It is now open to the public so you can explore it fully.

This church is another Italian Baroque treasure in Catania that should be included in any tour of Catania. It is a church dedicated to Saint Agatha, a young virgin who sacrificed her life for her faith. When you arrive, look out for the main door. Right there is a statue of the patron saint. Further up you will see the dome of the church, which represents one of the most baroque elements of this building.

When you enter, you will see different paintings by Guillermo Borremans. You will also see the resting place of the remains of Saint Agatha and even those of Vincenzo Bellini, the renowned Catanese musician. If you continue your tour, you will also find the remains of some members of the Aragonese royal family.

Towards the right arm of the cathedral, you will find the chapel of the Madonna and the chapel of Mazzolo. On the altar you can see a virgin dating from the 16th century. To its right is the tomb of Constance of Aragon, wife of Frederick III. There are many other details that I have not described, but you can go in with a local guide to find out a little more about every corner of the church.

Interesting details

• Price: free admission, it is a public place.
• Location: Piazza del Duomo, 95124 Catania CT, Italy.
• Opening Hours: Usually open every day of the week from 7am until midnight. It then reopens from 4pm until 7pm.

The Piazza del Duomo has many sites you should not miss, such as the Amenano Fountain, located at one end of the square in front of the Elephant Palace. Its origin is very particular, as it is the only point where you can see the river Amenano. This is because after the eruption of the Etna volcano in 1669, the river was buried.

The Neapolitan sculptor Tito Angelini was commissioned to build it in 1867. The sculpture of the naked young man carrying a cornucopia from which water flows out and then falls at his feet to form a waterfall is a representation of the river Amenano. The shape of the water gives the impression of a sheet, which is why the locals often call the fountain "acqua a linzolu", meaning, in Sicilian, water in a sheet.

The water returns to the river and continues its underground path. The other point where the river can be seen is an underground room. This is located in the A putia dell'Ostello, a lively restaurant in a lava cave. I recommend you go in, have a drink and head for the natural steps inside, as the river runs right next to it.

If you like museums I recommend you to visit the Civic Museum of the Ursino Castle which dates back to the 13th century. Inside you will see interesting paintings, baroque murals and an impressive archaeological collection. You will also learn about the history of the castle, did you know that it has been a prison, a fort and even the residence of royalty?

To be exact, this castle was built in 1239, when Catania was still the capital of Sicily. It has an imposing and very large presence that allows you to see it from Piazza Federico II di Svevia if you look up. You can enter for free and visit all its nooks and crannies. I recommend you visit the Library of Ancient Books where you will see the first editions of Christian literature from different European countries.

Inside this great museum you will also see large religious murals that were meticulously painted. I also recommend entering the Pinacoteca gallery where you can see works of art dating back to the 14th century. Among them is the painting of The Virgin Seated on a Throne by Antonello di Saliba.

If you are travelling to Catania with children, visiting museums can be a great way to pass the time. In addition to this museum, you can visit others such as the Museum of the Disembarkation in Catania or the Museum of Zoology of Catania.

Interesting details

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: Piazza Federico di Svevia, 21, 95121 Catania CT, Italy.
• Opening Hours: Usually open daily from 10am to 5pm.

The Teatro Massimo Bellini is an opera house named after the composer Vincenzo Bellini, born in this city. It was inaugurated on 31 May 1890 with Bellini's master opera Norma. The idea for its construction came after the earthquake that devastated the city in 1693. However, it took a long time before it was built.

You can visit this theatre on guided tours. It is important to check the timetables to choose the one that suits you best. Tours are usually only one hour long between 9am and 12 noon for only €6. During these visits it is possible to see the Box, the Royal Box, the Platea and the Foyer.

The whole tour is accompanied by an official guide of the theatre. This person has extensive knowledge about this and other tourist sites in Catania. I assure you that you will learn a lot about its history and get to know in depth the importance of this architectural jewel of Catania that you cannot miss.

It is worth mentioning that tickets for the visits can be obtained at the theatre's box office. You can also take pictures inside and outside the theatre. If you are staying two days or more in Catania, you can plan your time to even attend a play or an opera for a dream experience.

Interesting details

• Price: around 6 €.
• Location: Via Giuseppe Perrotta, 12, 95131 Catania CT, Italy.
• Opening hours: The Teatro Massimo Bellini is open for guided tours from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 12 noon.

Visiting Catania is an excellent option when travelling to Sicily, not only because of all the things to do there, but also because of the surrounding towns. Its location makes it very attractive to many tourists. From there you can take tours to Mount Etna, the city of Agrigento or the city of Noto.

You can choose different excursions from Catania to see the impressive buildings that hide part of the Greek and Roman history. Most of the trips to any of the cities mentioned above take an hour or less. Therefore, you should bear in mind that to do such an excursion you should spend more than one day in Catania.

These trips can also include food and drink tastings. For example, in Castelmola you can eat the delicious Sicilian cannoli. Other cities, such as Taormina, are more noted for their architecture, so be prepared with your camera.

Via Etnea is the most iconic avenue in Catania. Over the years it has been modified and enlarged with blocks of lava stone to become a large boulevard. I recommend strolling freely along this avenue to visit shops, the Bellin Park and various restaurants. You can even start a gastronomic tour of Catania from this point of the city.

The beginning of this road is located in Piazza del Duomo and extends all the way to the north, always in the direction of Etna. Due to several earthquakes and fires that the city has experienced, the road has been remodelled and rebuilt numerous times. You will notice that there are variations in architectural style, although the baroque style is the most prominent.

Although at the beginning I only mentioned shops and restaurants, the truth is that the importance of this avenue lies more in the diplomatic headquarters and government offices it houses. These include the Palazzo San Demetrio and the quattro canti, the Palazzo Cilestri in front of the church of Minoriti, the Collegiata and the Ospedale San Marco located in Piazza Stesicoro.

Before travelling to Catania, I recommend you check if there is a public holiday during your stay, for example, if you are travelling to Catania at Christmas time. If so, this street will come even more alive with Christmas lighting and shops bursting at the seams. Don't forget to grab an ice cream while you're there! There are plenty of local ice cream parlours and it would be a waste not to pop into one of them.

The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena is one of the largest monasteries in Europe and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like other architectural works, this site had to be rebuilt after earthquakes and has endured over time. You should definitely visit it, as it is one of Catania's main attractions.

I advise you to book a guided tour which costs an average of €10. This way you can explore the interior of this vast complex. Inside you will see the church of St. Nicholas, a small place where you can enter and pray. You will also see the Department of Humanities of the University of Catania and the Museo della Fabbrica. The latter is located in the basement of the monastery. There you can learn about the construction and architectural design of the site.

Other things you will find inside the Monastero dei Benedettini are the remains of a Roman domus, the novices' hanging garden and a huge meridian clock. If you fancy a bite to eat, you can visit the small cafeteria before continuing your tour of the town.

Interesting details

• Price: around 10 €.
• Location: Piazza Dante Alighieri, 32, 95124 Catania CT, Italy.
• Opening hours: usually open Monday to Friday from 11am to 1pm and from 3pm to 5pm. Weekend opening hours are from 10 am to 5 pm.

A trip to Mount Etna is definitely one of the things you should do during your stay in Catania. You can even take the time to walk around the town of Taormina and not just Mount Etna, the famous active volcano on the east coast of Sicily. I recommend you to travel with a local guide who will direct you at all times.

There are several options you can choose to explore Etna. Some people prefer to hike, others prefer something more adventurous such as a 4WD jeep. The choice is entirely up to you and the experience you want to have. You can also choose to go there to watch the sunset or during the day.

The walking route on Mount Etna generally passes through the Rifugio Sapienza and continues along the line of the ancient Silvestri craters. At the end of the route you will find a lava cave dating back to 1972. At the end of the tour you can visit the town of Taormina, known for its beautiful buildings and architecture.

Please note that it can get a bit cold on Etna, so the clothes you take with you should be warm. At the same time it should be comfortable enough to walk long distances at ease. On the other hand, I recommend that you bring snacks and water bottles for the walk.

Details of interest

• Price: the excursions can cost between 90 € and 150 €.
• Duration: more than 9 hours.
• Means of transport: can vary depending on the type of excursion. Transfer from Catania to the mountain is almost always included and is usually by car, van or shuttle bus.

The church of Badia di Sant'Agata is a beautiful place to visit, especially if you want to take beautiful panoramic photographs. Although the entrance is free, if you want to go up to the dome you have to buy an entrance fee of around 2 €.

The restoration work that can be seen in this church is impressive. Inside the church there is a large terrace where theatrical or musical performances can be held. Further up is the dome I mentioned earlier. This is an ideal place to admire the city in all its splendour. From there you can see the Teatro Massimo Bellini, the Cathedral, the Ursino Castle, the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena and the churches of Via Crociferi.

I recommend this experience to be included at the end of your Catania tours. You can go up and admire the sunset or sunset. The scenery is really enchanting, as you will be able to see the beautiful colours of the sky and the different birds flying freely.

Finally, to make your trip to Catania perfect and make the most of all the things to do in the city, here is our post about the transfers between the airport and the city centre.