Catania Information

Sicily's second largest city, Catania is one that soon gets under your skin. With its lava streaked buildings, rather pungent markets and excellent nightlife it isn’t like any other Sicilian city. It’s vibrant and busy without the frantic street scenes of Palermo, there are an array of historical buildings, a rabbit warren of age-old streets and all the mod cons too such as banks and shopping centres.

Catania lives very much in the shadow of Mount Etna, just 30km away. However rather than giving the city a menacing appeal, it actually adds to its charms. Lava has been used as a local building material and also some of the city's grand architectural structures are covered in the streaky volcanic ash giving them a scruffy but elegant air. Besides, there aren’t many cities where you can climb a volcano, go for a swim, lie on the beach, visit a fish market and wander Baroque buildings all on the same day.

Catania is located about half way along the eastern coast of the Sicily. It is the capital of the province of the same name.

How to get to Catania

Catania is one of Sicily's main transport hubs and often the place most tourists arrive on the island. The Fontanarossa airport is served by domestic and European flights and just seven kilometres south of the city. Taxis and buses connect it to the centre.

The train line that runs right through Catania provides excellent connections north towards Messina (and on to Palermo), south to Siracusa, inland to Enna and even over to the western coast to places like Agrigento and Gela. The Circumetnea railway line also has a terminus in Catania and there is an urban metro system.

There are buses to/from almost every part of Sicily. Many use Piazza Giovanni XXIII near the train station as a terminus. Catania also has local buses although given the small size of the city you may prefer to walk or rent a bicycle/scooter. Given the traffic congestion and difficulty parking it is not advised to get a car unless you plan to use it further afield or you have nerves of steel for driving around and wedging yourself into tiny car parks.

Catamarans for Malta and other boats for Napoli and Ravenna depart from Catania.

Things to do and see in Catania

There are a number of intriguing sights in Catania and you could easily give over a few days to explore its markets, beaches, architectural gems and museums. One of the best places to start is at the elegant Piazza del Duomo. The piazza features a fountain made from lava, an abbey church, the city duomo and town hall. These buildings were largely built by the famed architect Vaccarini.

Via Etnea runs like an artery from the piazza towards Etna and along this road are numerous churches, squares, palaces, gardens, cafes and restaurants. You could easily spend a few hours meandering up or down this road.

In the other direction from the Piazza is Via Vittorio Emanuele II along which is the Museo Belliniano, dedicated to famed Catania composer Vincenzo Bellini. Other features along this road include the house and balcony at number 140 which always raises eyebrows for its erotic sculptures, and the Roman ruins of Teatro Romano.

Just below the Piazza del Duomo is one of the island's best markets, La Pescheria – although you'll probably hear the cry of the fishermen or smell their produce well before you see them. Wander the lanes around the market for fruit and vegetables on sale. It's at its best and most colourful early in the day. The other good local market is La Fiera in Piazza Carlo Alberto with fresh fruit, antiques, cafes, books and other paraphernalia.

The closest beach to the city is Jonio.

Accommodation and restaurants in Catania

Thanks to the large student population in Catania there are lots of affordable eating spots here. During your visit to the city you absolutely must try spaghetti alla norma, the signature dish featuring spaghetti with a tasty sauce of tomato and aubergine.

There are many eating places to choose from but while you’re here consider sipping a beer in Piazza Scammacca at some point, having an ice cream at Scardaci on Via Etnea or traditional sweets and snacks at Spinella or Savia. The area around La Pescheria is a fanatastic place to land some fresh seafood on your plate come dinner time.

Catania has a number of campsites by the beach, several hostels, numerous b&bs and hotels. There is something to suit every budget.

The Festa di Sant'Agata is one of Catania's key annual events. From February 3-5 the patron saint of the city is paraded through the streets while fireworks explode and people eat traditional sweets. Sant'Agata is said to have saved the city from the volcano in the 17th Century. We would also strongly recommend the Catania Tango Festival.

* Photos by Hen Magonza

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