The Catania Travel Guide
I love Catania. I've been a couple of times now and I always like to pass through whenever I'm travelling around Sicily. It's one of those cities that just keeps pulling you back. This catania travel guide covers everything from the history and the food to getting around, parking, hotels, and the best things to do without any fluff, just what you actually need to know.
A bit of history
In terms of history, Catania was founded in the 8th century by the Greeks. It's been impacted quite a lot by geological events over the centuries. In 1169 it was destroyed by an earthquake measuring 7.3. Then in 1669, Mount Etna erupted and swamped the city. And then just a few years later in 1693, another earthquake. So it's been rebuilt quite a lot over the years, and that's actually part of what makes it so fascinating to walk around.
This catania travel guide is really for those looking for an adventure and to learn about history. The population sits at just over 311,000, making it the second largest city in Sicily though whenever I visit in summer, it feels much busier than that. It's a hugely popular destination for nightlife, and you'll see quite a lot of hens and bachelor nights going on.
What is Catania known for?
Architecture
A lot of the Baroque architecture still stands and it's incredible. Catania is now the industrial and commercial centre of Sicily. Some of the key landmarks you'll want to check out include the Cathedral of St Agatha, Ursino Castle (a 13th century fortress), and the Monastery of Saint Niccolò l'Arena, which is actually the second largest Benedictine monastery in all of Europe. There's also the Roman Amphitheatre and the Palazzo degli Elefanti so there's a lot to take in historically.
Food
Catania is also well known for its food. When I was speaking to friends and family before my first trip, everyone just kept saying Sicilian fresh seafood. As Catania is a port town, they have their own fish market La Pescheria and honestly, it's one of the best markets I've been to in Italy. It's very busy, with those distinct colourful umbrellas everywhere, and a great atmosphere. Because of that, Catania also has some of the best restaurants in sicily, with over four Michelin-awarded venues.
Shopping and nightlife
Catania has a lot of hotels and it's also large enough to have a serious luxury shopping scene think Armani, Gucci, Versace, Calvin Klein, and more. So if you're flying out of Catania internationally, it's a great place to stock up.
Via Etnea is the main street and during the day this is where you'll be able to visit all those stores, and in the evenings it fills with music, bars, clubs, and restaurants. As part of this catania travel guide, it's worth saying that nightlife here is genuinely impressive, locals travel from all over Sicily to go clubbing in Catania and then take the train back in the morning. If you want a big night out, this is one of the best places to do it on the island.
Beaches near Catania
The beaches are something the locals know well and visitors sometimes overlook. If you're after a relaxing Italian beach day, you've got Spiaggia di Plaia a sandy beach just south of the city with beach clubs, tiki huts, and DJ bars. Then there's San Giovanni Li Cuti, which is known for snorkelling and swimming thanks to its crystal clear water.
Languages Spoken in Catania
Obviously, Italian is the language, with a bit of a Sicilian dialect thrown in. But because it's the second largest city in Sicily, it gets a lot of tourists, and a lot of residents and storeholders were speaking English when I was there. That said, it's always good to spend some time learning some local phrases especially when bartering at the fish market.
How to get around Catania
As part of this catania travel guide, here's a rundown of how to actually get there and get around once you're in the city.
By plane
Catania has an international airport and it's the fastest way to reach the city. Getting into the centre from the airport takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You can fly to Catania from the UK in just 3 hours. If you're flying from Australia, you can fly via Dubai in about 25 hours. You can also fly from mainland Italy, such as Rome. Check the travel essentials page for any extras you might need before your trip.
By train
The train station is right in the city centre which is very convenient. You can get in from mainland Italy by train. If you're heading to the airport from the city, it takes about 10 minutes and costs just over two euros very cheap.
By bus
Buses are often delayed around Sicily, so I probably wouldn't recommend it that much. It is lower cost though. From the airport to the centre, the Alibus takes about 25 minutes and operates from 4am to midnight. You can also take the bus from mainland Italy it takes around 11 hours and 15 minutes and most people take the overnight bus.
By car
I rented a car from Catania Airport, but parking can be quite difficult, especially during the hot seasons more on that below. You can also bring a car from mainland Italy by crossing a ferry to Messina. Something to know: you drive on the right-hand side of the road, and cars in Italy are mostly manual, so automatics can be harder to find and a little more expensive.
By bike
Catania is actually a very cycle-friendly town. You can easily rent bikes from many places including hotels in Catania, and there are quite a few cycle lanes for your safety.
Walking
Walking is great in Catania. The city is pretty compact so it's a good place to just stroll around and take in the sights. Most of my pictures are from just walking all around the city.
Taxis
Taxis from the airport last time I was there cost around €30 one way. I usually recommend it when you've just got off a very long flight and just want to check in as quickly as possible. You can pick one up straight from the rank. Just be careful if they ask you to pay cash, the cost should be around €30, so see if you can pay by card. Sicily is quite a cash-heavy place though. A reputable taxi company in Catania is Sicily Transfer Taxi.
Parking in Catania
Parking can be quite intimidating, especially if it's your first time in a new country and you want to avoid getting fined. Most parking requires payment, so bring your card or carry cash. Street parking is available but was very limited when I was driving my rental car.
Free & paid parking in Catania
Avoid resident-only parking those are usually indicated by white lines on the road. Blue lines indicate paid parking zones, so I stuck to those to avoid getting a ticket. You can look for parking metres or buy a ticket from a local newsagent. What I usually do though is download the EasyPark app. You enter your number plate and pay through the app, load it up for a few hours, and if you come back earlier it refunds the money. Super convenient.
ZTL in Catania
Something to be very aware of: there is a ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) in Catania centre, where only residents and specific vehicles are permitted to enter. If you're renting a car, be very wary of this. Have a look at the ZTL area on the official website so you can see where to park and where not to park otherwise you will get a fine. Last checked they are enforced Monday to Friday 24 hours!
Parking garages in Catania
There are also parking garages (Parcheggio) in Catania, which are a safe place to leave your car overnight. You can search for parcheggio near where you're staying, or try to find a hotel in Catania that includes parking. When I've stayed there, some hotels offered it free and some charged it can get quite expensive per day, so a parcheggio is sometimes half the price.
Best things to do in Catania
There is quite a lot to get through here, as the city is rich in history and culture. Here are the highlights from my catania trav.el guide.
Visit La Pescheria fish market
The fish market is one of the best and largest in Italy. Sometimes you can sample seafood and everything is so fresh. Make sure to go early in the morning I arrived once between 12 and 1pm and the stallholders were already packing up. Try some new things, that's what I did, and I had some fantastic dishes there. You'll also see a lot of fruit markets nearby.
Picnic at Giardino Bellini
This is one of the oldest gardens in Catania, dating back to the 18th century. Last time I checked, entry was free and it has lots of trees, fountains, and ponds. A lovely way to spend a relaxed afternoon.
Do an aperitivo
An aperitivo is one of the signature things to do in Italy when all the locals go for snacks and drinks before dinner. There are plenty of places to do it in Catania.
Walk along Via Etnea
This is the main street in Catania and it's full of music, especially in the evening. There are lots of bars, clubs, and restaurants. During the day, this is where you'll be able to go shopping and visit all those stores.
Explore the historical sites
Don't miss the Cathedral of St Agatha, Ursino Castle, Palazzo degli Elefanti, and the Roman Amphitheatre. Make sure to soak in some history it's one of the real highlights of any visit here
Hit the beaches
Spiaggia di Plaia, San Giovanni Li Cuti, and Acitrezza Beach are all great options. See the beaches section above for more detail on each. There's also plenty more across the island check out the best beaches in Sicily for more ideas.
isit Mount Etna
If you haven't been to Mount Etna, it's about an hour away from Catania and it's something you should do at least once in your life if you like action and hiking. You can take the cable car up to 2,500 metres, or if you go with a tour you can go even higher. Make sure to book early though.
Wine tasting
With Mount Etna comes really rich, fertile soil, and there are some great wineries around Cantine Privitera, Etna Urban Winery, and Benanti are a few to look at. One thing to note: make sure to call ahead because sometimes they aren't open and their Google Maps listing might be incorrect.
The Top 5 Hotels in Catania
- Romano Palace Luxury Hotel is a 5-star beachfront hotel. The only thing is it's about 3 kilometres from the centre, but if you're looking for luxury it's a great option.
- The Duomo Suites & Spa is an 18th century 4-star hotel right in the centre, with a panoramic terrace.
- 20 Miglia Boutique Hotel is very popular if you want that boutique feel. It's a luxury renovated family home with not too many guests.
- Situated in town, the Liberty Hotel is a luxury Art Nouveau villa from the 20th century, 4-star, and every room is furnished with mosaic marble which looks incredible.
- And if you want to stay close to the train station, Katane Palace Hotel is a solid option, with arched ceilings, incredible paintings and tapestry, and free parking.
How much should you budget for a trip in Catania?
As part of this catania travel guide, I'd say you probably need about €260 per day per person. Breakfast is usually low cost at around €20. Lunch is about €30, and I usually save a little more for dinner around €50. Catania is relatively low cost when it comes to activities, so I'd budget about €30 a day for that, plus an extra €30 for drinks throughout the day or going out. For accommodation, there's a lot of variety, but I'd recommend budgeting around €100 per night.
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (sometimes included in accommodation) | €20 |
| Lunch | €30 |
| Dinner | €50 |
| Tourist Activities | €30 |
| Going out | €30 |
| Accommodation | €100 |
| Total cost per day | €260 |
Best travel card to use in Catania
Catania is quite cash-heavy, so do bring some cash. That said, I'd also recommend using the Wise card for those places that accept card. The currency conversions are really good, costs are very low, and you can get a physical card or add it to your Apple Pay or Google Pay. I've been using Wise for many years now and I've saved so much on exchange fees.
How long should you stay in Catania?
This really depends on your interests and travel plans. I usually stay for about 2 to 3 days, which allows you to visit some historical sites, enjoy some Sicilian food, and experience a lot of that culture. You can get to the beaches too, though there are plenty of beaches in Sicily if you're travelling around anyway. If you have a little bit of extra time say 5 to 7 days I'd look at going to Mount Etna, visiting some wineries, and just relaxing.
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this catania travel guide. It's a city I genuinely love and keep coming back to whenever I'm travelling around Sicily. If you've been to Catania and have any questions or recommendations, please do let me know in the comments below I'd love to add them to this guide. Enjoy your time there.
If you're planning a wider trip around the island, also check out the Taormina travel guide, Syracuse travel guide, things to do in Palermo, and the Agrigento travel guide for more inspiration across Sicily.
Catania travel guide FAQ's
Is Catania dangerous?
Catania is generally a safe city for tourists, but like any large city, it's worth being streetwise particularly in busier areas like markets or at night. Keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded spots like La Pescheria fish market.
What is the best time of year to visit Catania?
Spring and early autumn are generally considered the best times to visit the weather is warm but not as intense as the peak summer months, and it tends to be a little less crowded. Summer is very popular, especially for nightlife and beaches, but parking gets more difficult and the city gets very busy.
Is Catania worth visiting?
Absolutely. It's one of my favourite cities in Sicily. The history, the food, the fish market, Mount Etna on the doorstep it's a brilliant base for exploring the east of the island. I always make a point of passing through whenever I'm in Sicily.
How do I get from Catania Airport to the city centre?
You have a few options. A taxi will cost around €30 and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The Alibus takes about 25 minutes and operates from 4am to midnight. The train is the cheapest option at just over two euros and takes about 10 minutes. I usually take a taxi after a long flight, and the train or bus when I'm feeling more relaxed about it.