Location: Catania
Top Things to do in Catania
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Catania, Italy
Catania has been a prize of many empires over the centuries, from Greeks to Romans to Arabs to Normans to Spaniards (to name a few). But its citizens have a more dangerous enemy right in their backyard—Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, which destroyed the city with earthquakes and lava flows in 1693. Look closely at the baroque buildings dating from after the eruption—you'll notice a creative use of lava.
Restaurants in Catania
1. Monastero dei Benedettini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Il Monastero di San Nicolo l'Arena di Catania (#monasterocatania), gioiello del tardo barocco siciliano e tra i complessi benedettini piu' grandi d'Europa. L'edificio monastico, che nasce nel '500 e si sviluppa fino ai giorni nostri, e' un esempio di integrazione architettonica tra le epoche: contraddistinto da molteplici trasformazioni oggi e' patrimonio mondiale dell'Unesco. Sede del DiSUM (dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche) dell'Universita' degli Studi di Catania, custodisce al suo interno due domus romane, i chiostri e un intero piano costruito da G. B. Vaccarini sopra il banco lavico del 1669. Dal 2010 Officine Culturali, in collaborazione con l'Universita degli Studi di Catania, si occupa della valorizzazione del Monastero dei Benedettini. Il Monastero e' considerato uno dei beni culturali piu' significativi del meridione d'Italia. La missione assunta da Officine Culturali consiste nel rendere accessibile e comprensibile il Monastero nel migliore dei modi e al maggior numero di persone possibile. A tal scopo Officine Culturali ha attivato un'offerta di fruizione variegata e dinamica. Attraverso il servizio di visite guidate giornaliero e' possibile conoscere gli aspetti piu' significativi dell'ex plesso monastico. I percorsi guidati per i piu' piccoli sono arricchiti dai laboratori, dove la narrazione delle "arti e mestieri" benedettini e' svolta in maniera creativa e divertente da professionisti della didattica dell'arte, dell'architettura, delle tradizioni e delle scienze. Oltre al quotidiano svolgimento delle attivita' di promozione, valorizzazione, informazione e accoglienza, Officine Culturali e' promotrice di iniziative ed eventi culturali e di intrattenimento, finalizzati a rendere il Monastero uno spazio di integrazione e aggregazione per la collettivita'.
Reviewed By scarletgleam - Cambridge
This former monastery encapsulates a lot of the history of the city of Catania, with a bank of lava forming part of the foundations, the conversion of the monastery into a university building and so on. We went on a Sunday when there were no students around and that may have been an advantage - it meant we could go into the admin offices (formerly the abbot's private suite, with amazing frescoes) which can't be visited during the week. The tour was in Italian but we were given English information sheets before hand so it wasn't difficult to follow and our guide at times gave added explanations in English and Spanish for the non-Italians in the group of 20.
The building is huge and fascinating - lovely restored cloister garden too. The church, the dining area with ceramic tiled floors and the old cellars were all interesting in different ways. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and learned a lot.
We were also lucky to catch an organic food market being held in the courtyard outside the monastery buildings - don't know how often these happen (it was the second Sunday in October) but it was fun to look round the stalls and they had some very good lunch options and fresh new season's pomegranate juice to drink.
2. Monte Etna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain: Mount Etna, at 10,990 feet, is the most active volcano in Europe and the oldest recorded active volcano in the world.
Reviewed By Sza_bee - Timisoara, Timis, Romania
Call me pessimistic, but given the shape changes of the geography, i can bet that whenever i will go back there, there will be a different place.
The picture overall is stellar, apart of gravity you may think you're on Mars.
We have climbed up to the highest place, using a combination of a lift and bus. Costs some money but worth the effort. Nature's power is amazing. Just to see how rocks are formed and then, again, moved away by human.
Just a word of advice for the brave. Take in consideration whatever info is given. Don't go on the top in sandals and t-shirts. We had the same experience like being thrown out of an airplane (high wind and cold). In the parking can be 25 degrees and on the top just 5.
If there will be possible, i will go back and do some guided tour, too.
3. Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 654 reviews
The "Allied Landings in Sicily Museum" (Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943) is housed in one of the buildings forming the "Ciminiere" cultural centre. The museum narrates the events that took place in Sicily from 10 July to 8 September 1943. This period is still recent history, only seventy years have passed and many senior citizens can still recount the experience. Everything that we have forgotten is now conserved in this museum which aims to protect our most precious asset: peace. The museum is arranged on three floors covering an area of 3,000 square metres, including a temporary exhibition area. By means of reconstructed settings the museum has tried to recreate the conditions of life before, during and after the war, using simulations, projections and original exhibits.
Reviewed By Lori D - Helena, Montana
Tour guides talk only about how Italy did nothing wrong and didn’t understand shooting parachutist in the air was wrong. They didn’t understand the allies were there to help. Killing 600 Canadians also not there fault. A picture of an officer briefing troops prior to an airborne assault states the individual was scared young man afraid of action Not what the picture really tells. Final area honors Nazis along with Allied dead.. no difference
On that note the museum is well laid out with interactive elements.
4. A' Piscaria Mercato del Pesce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 553 reviews
Reviewed By Marjorie I - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
I am a market fan and so its a must to see the local market in whatever country I am visiting. This mainly fish market did not disappoint and was full of noise and fantastically fresh food. As others have said the fish was probably caught overnight. What always makes it for me as seeing locals doing their everyday shopping and the market not just being yet another tourist attraction. Yes of course tourists were there(I was one of them) but the feeling was much more local. As well as fish and shellfish the market holds fruit and veg stalls as well as bread cheeses cooked meats.....And a grilled artichokes stall which has to be seen and smelt! We weren't there too early but I can imagine the market is a sight to behold first thing. I didn't buy anything but it was great to have a wander round and just take it all in
5. Piazza Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Bucefalo_Simi - rome
if you visit Catania this main square is where you'll be roaming the most ! Here youc an find Duomo, Fontana dell'amenano, , fish market " fontana dell'elefante... just everything ! From there you you can start your stroll in Via Etnea ! Square itself looks amazing and with all these attractions is really a must !
6. Palazzo Biscari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
Reviewed By Michael A - Toronto, Canada
This magical old palace is like a massive garden folly. Its highly detailed facade illustrates a confidence and exhuberance unseen in modern times. What a time it must have been to have seen this rise in it's infancy...denoting the power and the confidence of its era. Gorgeous.
7. Chiesa San Benedetto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
The house of the cloistered nuns of Saint Benedict was built from April 1334, then it was razed to the ground by the earthquake of 1693, which spared only five out of the sixty religious who used to inhabit it. The church and the monastery were rebuilt between 1708 and 1763, thanks to the work of, among others, the architect G.B. Vaccarini and the painter from Messina G. Tuccari. A large part of the gorgeous frescoes were covered at the end of XVIII century. Then they came back to light during the bombardaments of 1943, which severely damaged the building. The frescoes were restored thanks to the project of A. Dillon. In the church, in addition to the frescoes by Tuccari, it is possible to admire paintings by M. Desiderato and M. Rapisardi, and the wonderful altar in polychrome marble decorated with jasper and silver foils on which the Lamb of God dominates.
Reviewed By Schembri G - Mosta, Malta
We paid 5 euros see the museum and the church. Actually there is no museum. The painting in the church are beautiful but not much more then other churches.
8. Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Reviewed By Sue G - Denver, Colorado
This is a small elegant church. Inside is bright, beautiful, uncluttered, unusual for a baroque church. The marble colors and patterns can be appreciated clearly. Then pay to go to the Dome. The steps are very manageable, The first set of stairs brings you to a plaza on the church roof. There are another smaller set of stairs that bring you to the rim of the dome. The views are unobstructed over the city, of Mt. Etna, the port and sea , and of course, the main square. The church sits in a corner of piazza de duomo and offers better views than the Cathedral dome.
9. Palazzo degli Elefanti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 378 reviews
Reviewed By Sunseeker900 - Stratford upon Avon
This is where we caught the hop on/off bus from and therefore naturally leads you to wander around the piazza. An elephant isn't quite what you expect, but it's rather stunning and amusing to watch the amount of bride & grooms having their photo taken with it as a backdrop.
10. Duomo di Catania
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By alikarim - Frisco, texas
Impressive Duomo whic has been built and rebuilt several times due to devastation by earthquakes and Mt Etna eruptions of Lava. The last rebuild was done using lava rock. The architecture inside with the huge domes is very nice; and there are many such Duomo's that can be found in every city in Sicily, each having a different and unique architecture. Worth visiting as a stop on a walking tour of Catania
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