Well it has happened – I have made it back to Europe! This has been in the making for a long time, 5 years, and I have to say I am excited to call Sicily home. I’ll spare you all the drama that made this move happen, but I have to say, it feels good to be back in Italy, which is where the travel bug first bit me.

I still haven’t fully settled in, but thanks to a friend who has already been living here for a while, and who offered me his second car to use until mine gets here from the US. Due to his kindness, I had my first taste of exploring the charming island of Sicily. In this case, the wonderful city of Catania.  I will share with you some of the best things to see and do in Catania in one day, as well as some tips on where to stay and eat.

About Catania

Catania is an ancient port city on the Island of Sicily’s east coast. It rests at the base of the active volcano Mt. Etna, which has shaped the city. Filled with shops housing the finest Italian fashion, restaurants, a fresh food market, that is open daily, and all those hidden alleyways, makes the city worth exploring.

Catania traces its history back to the year 729 B.C., when Greeks who had already settled further north founded Katane. Through the years the city rested in the shadows of Mount Etna where it prospered and also met devastation. An earthquake struck it in 1169, in 1669 an eruption destroyed part of the city, and in 1693 the city was struck, yet again, by seismic activity. With Mount Etna ruling the sky and an abundance of history, waiting to be discovered, you will fall in love with this city.

Where To Park In Catania

As everywhere in Italy, available parking spaces are indicated by white and blue lines for paid parking. The yellow lines are for reserved parking for residents. Parking in the wrong spot can take your vehicle on a ride to the impoundment lot. This will result in a heavy fine. On my day trip to Catania I ended up parking here.

Things To See In Catania

If you do utilize the same parking area mentioned above, it puts you near the Piazza Duomo, which is one the first thing you should do in Catania, the main square of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can admire the stunning baroque architecture of the cathedral, the town hall, and the other buildings that surround the square. You can also see the famous Fontana dell’Elefante, a fountain with a black lava elephant statue that is the symbol of Catania.

Porta Uzeda

The name Porta Uzeda comes from Juan Francisco Pacheco Téllez-Girón, duke of Uzeda, a vicerè of Sicily between 1687 and 1696. The Vicerè was the king regent during the spanish government which started in 1412 and ended in 1830.

The door, opened in the fifteenth-century walls of Charles V, was entitled to the duke of Uzeda as a token of appreciation for his commitment to the reconstruction of the city destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.

Saint Agatha’s Cathedral

No visit to Catania is complete without seeing the cathedral dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Sant’Agata. The virgin-martyr was killed in 351 for refusing the lecherous advances of a Roman lord. Her mortal remains are in reliquaries in the cathedral.

The monastery and church next door are part of the history of the saint and the church, and must be seen as well.

Elephant Fountain – The Symbol of the City

The Elephant Fountain is the symbol of Catania. It stands in the historical center of the city – Piazza Duomo or Cathedral Square. This Catanian monument is made in “non-Sicilian” style. It looks more like an Asian statue as Catania had some relations with the East in the past. It was sculpted from volcanic stone in the 17th century and represents a mix of ancient Roman and baroque styles. Today you will see, in Piazza Duomo, the elephant and the obelisk that the locals refer to as “Liotru”. The monument has some mystical history behind it.

Fontana Dell’Amenano

The Amenano Fountain is located in Piazza del Duomo, near the Seminary and the Palazzo degli Elefanti. It is made of white Carrara marble and was built in 1867. The name is given by the famous river, which is represented as a young man holding a cornucopia in his arms, from which water emerges.

The people of Catania call it the water fountain “a linzolu”. The jet, in fact, is conveyed towards the tub and the water overflows from the shell-shaped tub, creating a particular cascade effect: the appearance resembles that of a draped sheet. The water then descends into the tanks of the open duct of the underground river below.

Catania Fish Market La Pescheria

Next, you should head to the nearby La Pescheria, the fish market that is one of the most lively and colorful places in Catania. Here you can witness the hustle and bustle of the vendors and the customers, as well as the variety of fresh seafood that is displayed on the stalls.

You can also find other local products, such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, and spices. The market is open every morning from Monday to Saturday, and it is a great place to experience the authentic Sicilian culture and cuisine.

Roman Amphitheater of Catania

If you are interested in the ancient history of Catania, you should not miss the Parco Archeologico Greco Romano, where you can see the remains of a Roman theatre and a smaller Odeon, both dating back to the 2nd century AD. Only a small section of the structure is now visible, below ground level, to the north of Piazza Stesicoro. This area is now the historic center of the city, but was then on the outskirts of the ancient town.

You can also visit the Museo Civico, which is housed in the Castello Ursino, a 13th-century castle that was once on the seafront, but now is inland due to the lava flows from Mount Etna. The museum displays the archaeological collection of the Biscari family, as well as paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.

The Amphitheatre of Catania is considered the most complicated and largest of all the amphitheaters in Sicily. Its size is comparable to the Colosseum, the Amphitheater of Capua, and the Verona Arena.

Benedictine Monastery of “San Nicolò”

Just a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral, you will find the Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena, a late baroque monument and one of the biggest Benedictine monastery in Europe. The construction of this building started in 1500 and has continued until today. It is an example of architectonical integration of various styles through different epochs:  you can find a roman house, the cloisters and a roof garden. The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nowadays it hosts the Department of Humanities (DISUM) of the University of Catania. The Monastery is a unique place that tells about the human and historic events of the city on the slope at the foot of Etna, from the ancient times until today. The monument is open daily, for everybody.

Roman Theatre and Oden

Between via Teatro Greco and via Vittorio Emanuele there are the Roman Theatre and the Odeon. Some people assumed that the Roman Theatre’s building, which capacity was more than 7000 people, dates back to II sec. AD, and that it was carried out on a pre-existing Greek Age structure. Probably built on the ancient Acropolis.

The Odeon, located near to the theater, it was built during the second century AD in Roman times, and presumably it had the function of hosting concerts and dances. Its shape is semicircular and is placed higher than the theater. Its capacity is significantly less than theatre’s one and it’s characterized by eighteen walls that extend to form long and narrow wedges within which were obtained seventeen rooms covered with vaults, but now there’re seen just sixteen, also it’s visible the orchestra paved in marble. Even today the Odeon is used for performances of summer shows.

Castello Ursino

The Swabian Castle of Catania is a large winged building complex with a central courtyard. Each side measures about 50 meters, and at the four corners there are circular towers of just over 10 meters. Of the half-cylindrical median towers, only two are preserved, but the existence of the other two missing is also certain. The walls, made of lava stone, are 2.50 meters thick.

The Castle has been the seat of the Civic Museum since 20 October 1934. It houses the civic collections in which the Medieval, Renaissance and Modern archaeological sections are present. There are 8043 pieces among archaeological finds, epigraphs, coins, sculptures, paintings, Greek and Roman clay sarcophagi, mosaics. In fact, there are various archaeological finds from the cities and territories of Catania, Paternò, Centuripe, Lentini, Rome, Trapani, Caltagirone (ceramics), Ercolano, Camarina. Furthermore, the clay statue of Kore found in Inessa-Civita in the territory of Paternò is preserved.

Teatro Massimo Bellini

Another must-see attraction in Catania is the Teatro Massimo Bellini, the opera house that was built in honor of the composer Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in Catania. The theatre is a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture, with a lavish interior decorated with stucco, marble, and frescoes. You can take a guided tour of the theatre, or better yet, book a ticket to see a performance of one of Bellini’s operas, such as Norma or La Sonnambula.

Via Etna

It is hard to visit Catania without eventually walking some parts of Via Etna, either by day or night. Created during the years of Catania’s reconstruction after the devastating earthquake of 1693 it goes from the Porta Uzeda at the Piazza del Duomo in a northerly direction – towards the still far away Mount Etna – for about 3 kilometers.

The most interesting part to the tourists is the mostly pedestrianized stretch in the south, past the Piazza della Università and the Piazza Stesicoro towards the Giardino Bellini. You can find a variety of little shops , also cafés and snack bars, Be sure to also check side streets to the left and right for some unique and delicious eating places.

Gole Alcantara

For the most adventurous and if you are staying in Catania a little longer, I recommend heading out to this natural wonder. About a 50-minute drive from Catania, you can find this majestic gorge which has been carved by the icy waters from Mount Etna through thousands of years. This place is worth the visit while if you have the time.

Witness the raw power of nature! The river’s icy cold water relentlessly shaped what we can see today, Gole dell’Alcantara. Its water has cut through the rock, leaving behind an incredible natural work of art. The prism-like basalt columns and towering rocky walls seem almost otherworldly, shaped by millennia of erosion. Click here for more info.

Places to Eat in Catania

For lunch or dinner, you should try some of the typical dishes of Catania, such as pasta alla norma, a pasta dish with tomato sauce, fried eggplant, and ricotta cheese; arancini, fried rice balls stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables; and cannoli, crispy pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cream. You can find many restaurants and street food stalls in Catania that serve these delicacies, as well as fresh seafood, pizza, and gelato.

For accommodation, you can choose from a variety of options in Catania, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Some of the best places to stay in Catania are:

• Duomo Suites & Spa: a four-star hotel located in the heart of Catania, just a few steps from the Piazza del Duomo. The hotel offers elegant rooms and suites, a spa, a rooftop terrace, and a breakfast buffet.
• B&B Palazzo Zappalà: a charming bed and breakfast situated in a historic building in the center of Catania. The B&B features cozy and spacious rooms, a garden, and a friendly staff.
• Ostello degli Elefanti: a fun and colorful hostel located in a 17th-century palace in the center of Catania. The hostel offers dorms and private rooms, a bar, a lounge, and a rooftop terrace.

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it useful for planning your trip to Catania. Catania is a wonderful city that deserves more than one day, but if you only have a limited time, you can still see and do a lot. Have a great time in Catania!

---

What things do you recommend for others to see while visiting Catania? Leave comments and questions below and I’ll reply as soon as I can.

• Catania
• europe
• Mediterranean
• Sicily
• Sigonella
• Travel ideas