Catania, Italy: travel guide
A black lava-stone baroque city beneath the slopes of Mount Etna
Sicily's second city crouches at the foot of active Mount Etna, rebuilt in black volcanic lava stone after a devastating 1693 earthquake into a Baroque masterpiece — with the island's most vibrant fish market and best street food.
About Catania
Catania stands on Sicily's east coast with Mount Etna looming over it, and much of the city is built in dark volcanic stone. After an earthquake in 1693, it was rebuilt in an elaborate baroque style, and the grey and white facades give the centre a distinctive look.
Things to do in Catania include the cathedral square with its elephant fountain, the long avenue of Via Etnea and the morning fish market, where stalls sell seafood and the day's street food. Etna excursions leave from the city, and Taormina and Syracuse can be reached on day trips. Granita and pasta alla Norma are local favourites.
Catania suits food lovers and those who want a working Sicilian city as a base. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
- Country
- Italy
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Rome
- Nearest airport
- CTA
Last updated
Top places to visit in Catania
Mount Etna
Active Volcano · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
Europe's most active volcano (3,357 m) — still erupting and growing — dominates eastern Sicily and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided hikes to the summit craters offer one of Europe's most otherworldly landscapes: lava fields, ski…
Piazza del Duomo & Elephant Fountain
Baroque Piazza · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The heart of Catania — a sweeping Baroque piazza of black lava stone and white limestone, centred on the 18th-century Fontana dell'Elefante (1736), the city's symbol. The elephant, carved from volcanic lava, is said to be the oldest lava…
La Pescheria Fish Market
Fish Market · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Catania's spectacular daily fish market — one of the most theatrical in Europe — operates in a sunken piazza below street level, with vendors shouting in operatic Sicilian dialect over mountains of swordfish, sea urchins, tuna, and octopus…
Mount Etna Day Excursion
active volcano · 4.8 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
Europe's tallest active volcano (3,350 m) is 30 km from Catania; cable car + 4WD jeep take you to 2,900 m for crater rim hikes with views over Sicily and the sea.
Catania Taormina Day Trip
clifftop-town · 4.9 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Catania to Taormina — the spectacular hilltop town with the famous Greek Theatre (with views of Mt Etna), the historic Corso Umberto, the picturesque streets, and the iconic Sicilian glamour.
Catania Syracuse Greek Day
greek-city · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Catania to Syracuse — the historic Greek city with the UNESCO World Heritage Ortigia Island, the famous Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the rich 3000-year-old archaeological heritage.
Catania Etna South Excursion
volcano-excursion · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
The Mt Etna South-side excursion — climbing the highest active volcano in Europe (3329m) from the Rifugio Sapienza, with the spectacular Silvestri craters, the volcanic landscape, and the cable car ride.
Catania Sant Agata Festival
religious-festival · 4.9 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The Festival of Sant'Agata — Sicily's most spectacular religious festival (Feb 3-5), with the candelore processions, the silver bust of the saint paraded through Catania, and Italy's third largest religious festival.
Via Etnea
main boulevard · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Catania's 3 km main boulevard running perfectly straight from Piazza del Duomo toward Mount Etna (visible at the end); lined with Baroque palaces, luxury shops and gelaterie.
Catania Pescheria Fish Market
fish-market · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A guided tour of La Pescheria Fish Market — Catania's legendary morning fish market beneath Piazza del Duomo, with the spectacular swordfish auctions, the abbanniate (vendors' calls), and the most authentic Sicilian street life.
Catania Noto Baroque Day
baroque-town · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Catania to Noto — the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sicilian Baroque town, with the famous golden limestone architecture, the elaborate churches, the Baroque palazzi, and the rich heritage.
Catania Sant'Agata Festival
patron-festival · 4.9 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
The Festa di Sant'Agata — Catania's spectacular 3-5 February patron saint festival, the third largest religious festival in the world, with the spectacular candelore (giant candles), the silver bust procession, and the moving devotion.
Things to do
- Mount Etna Crater Hike & Lava Tunnel Tour Adventure · 6 h · from EUR 49 per person
Day trips and tours
- Mount Etna Crater Hike & Wine Tour 7 h · from EUR 66
- Catania La Pescheria Fish Market & Baroque Tour 3 h · from EUR 16
Where to stay in Catania
- Duomo Centre / Pescheria about EUR 100 per night
Heart of Baroque Catania; fish market mornings, Piazza del Duomo, and Etna views
Hotels
- Asmundo di Gisira 4-star · EUR 90 to EUR 210 per night
- Una Hotel Palace, Catania 4-star · EUR 110 to EUR 280 per night
Where to eat
- Osteria Antica Marina Italian, Sicilian, Seafood · about EUR 30 per person
- Trattoria La Paglia Italian, Sicilian, Catanese · about EUR 15 per person
- Me Cumpari Turiddu Italian, Sicilian · about EUR 25 per person
Getting to Catania
Airport: Catania (CTA)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Fish Market Short-weighting
La Pescheria fish market
Some stalls adjust scales or substitute lower-quality fish for what you pointed to
How to avoid it: Watch the weighing clearly; buy from stalls with many locals around them
More in Italy
Frequently asked questions about Catania
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Catania?
- The highest-rated places in our Catania guide are Catania Taormina Day Trip, Catania Sant Agata Festival, Catania Sant'Agata Festival, Mount Etna, La Pescheria Fish Market.
- Where should I stay in Catania?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Catania: Duomo Centre / Pescheria.
- How do I get around Catania?
- Ways to get around Catania covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Catania?
- Scams reported to us for Catania include Fish Market Short-weighting. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Catania?
- The nearest airport to Catania has the code CTA.