Things to do in  Catania

Set on the eastern coast of Sicily, Mt. Etna (Monte Etna) is among Europe’s tallest (and the world’s most active) volcanoes. The volcano has shaped Sicilian history and continues to impact life on the island today. UNESCO declared it a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Today, visitors can explore the mountain’s smoldering volcanic craters and lava fields.

Catania is best known for its Sicilian baroque architecture, but one of the most important attractions in the city actually dates from centuries earlier: the formidable 13th-century Ursino Castle (Castello di Ursino). Built by Emperor Frederick II, it now houses an impressive collection of art and artifacts in the Museo Civico (Civic Museum).

Just outside the town of Piazza Armerina in southern Sicily, the ruins of Villa Romana del Casale are home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Roman mosaics. These incredible designs date from the fourth century and were stunningly preserved by a 12th-century landslide before being unearthed in the 19th century.

Set at the foot of Mt. Etna, the lush vineyards of the Gambino Winery are testament to the fertile volcanic soil this rumbling peak has created over millennia. The mountain’s unique terroir comes through in the area’s wines, and you can sample a variety at the winery while admiring the sweeping views across the Sicilian countryside.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Piazza Duomo is both a jewel of the Sicilian baroque and the vibrant heart of Catania. Home to some of the city’s most sumptuous architectural treasures, including Palazzo degli Elefanti, the Cathedral di Sant’Agata (Duomo), and the Fontana dell’Elefante, this square is a highlight of Catania city tours.

With its baroque palazzi, worn paving stones, and theatrical staircases, Via Crociferi is unabashedly photogenic, so much so that it is often used as a scenic backdrop in Italian films. Walking the length of this thoroughfare is like taking a stroll through Catania’s history, from ancient Rome to the Renaissance.

Taking its name from Mount Etna, the imposing volcano that looms over the city, Via Etnea is one of Catania’s most important thoroughfares, lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés. A lively destination both day and night, Via Etnea connects two of the city’s top attractions—Piazza Duomo and Villa Bellini.

Considered one of Italy’s most magnificent opera houses, the grand Teatro Massimo Bellini dazzles with its imposing Sicilian baroque-style façade and opulent interiors. Admire its fin de siècle beauty during an opera or concert in the evening, or join a tour during the day to see its ornate marble foyer and 19th-century boxes.

Despite being repeatedly ravaged by Mount Etna’s eruptions since its founding, Catania retains traces of its long Greek and Roman history, most notably the ancient theaters of the Catania Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico Greco-Romano di Catania). The most important ruins in the city, these remarkably preserved theaters are a must-visit for archaeology buffs.

Considered one of Italy’s most exquisite public gardens, Villa Bellini has a vast expanse of greenery laced with scenic walkways and dotted with pavilions, flower gardens, and hilltop viewpoints over Catania and Mount Etna. Located at the top of bustling Via Etnea, this public garden is a serene respite from the urban chaos and a city highlight.

One of Europe’s largest Benedictine monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Catania’s Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena (Monastero Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena), is among the city’s top attractions. The stunning monastery was founded in 1558 but almost completely rebuilt in the baroque style following an earthquake in the 18th century.

Set on the eastern coast of Sicily, Aci Castello (also known as Acicastello) is famous for its 11th-century Norman castle, which towers above the town and overlooks the dramatic lava-rock coastline. With beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, and a resort-town atmosphere, Aci Castello is a popular day trip from nearby Catania.

Known as the “Sicilian Sistine Chapel,” this baroque church on Catania’s photogenic Via Crociferi is home to dazzling frescoes by the 18th-century painter Giovanni Tuccari, sumptuous stuccoes, a lavish choir loft, and an ornate marble altar. Don’t miss theScalinata dell’Angelo, a stone staircase decorated with statues of angels.

In the heart of Catania’s Piazza Carlo Alberto di Savoia lies one of Sicily’s oldest outdoor public markets, which pulses with activity daily—rain or shine (or the punishing Sicilian heat)—into the early afternoon. A feast for the senses, Fera ‘O Luni is where Catanians hunt for fresh produce, fish, and cheap clothing and housewares—and where tourists seek out local color.