Location: Catania
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What to do and see in Catania, Sicily: The Best Archaeology Tours
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. 7-Day Highlights PRIVATE Sicily Tour - Only for you
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Destinations included in this tour: Catania, Etna, Taormina, Siracusa, Noto, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Selinunte, Erice, Palermo, Monreale, Cefalù. Arrival Catania - Departure Palermo. The tour includes the following must-see spots : Palatina Chapel (Palermo) – Valley of Temples by night (Agrigento) – Sicilian cookies tasting (Erice), Granita or Cannolo (Noto) – Historical center and Seaview (Cefalù) – Greek ruins with seaview (Selinunte), 3 Dinners with Sicilian specialty
Inclusions: Dinner, Overnight in wine resort in the Etna area with a wine tasting and food, Overnights in Noto center or Relais 2 km from Noto with breakfast, Overnight in 4-star hotel with breakfast in Agrigento, Overnights in 4-star hotel or B&B superior apartment with breakfast in Palermo, Airport transfers, English speaking driver/guide or driver +English speaking tour guides every day, Transport by Luxury Mercedes vehicles with all the comforts
Exclusions: City Taxes or Tourist Tax, payable directly at hotel, during the check out (only in some cities), Lunches, dinners (Except 1 dinner on day 1), Tips
Reviewed By RossoVinoSusan
Came here with my husband for our wedding anniversary and we had a lovely experience is Cassa de montabalno. Maria the housekeeper was amazing. Very helpful friendly and when we arrived we had to organise a Covid test. She organised it with the help of Ivana and we were very happy that they helped us. Maria was a source of information and arranged us to go on a day tour on a Montabalno Day Tour with Nunzio the taxi driver. We had a wonderful day. I would highly recommend this b&b to anyone who loves the tv show. Only negative was we missed the season and not many restaurants were open but we didn’t starve. We bought our food in the local shop and ate on the balcony in the evening. Thank you for having us!
2. Piazza Armerina e Caltagirone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
The tour offers the opportunity to discover two splendid towns, which testify the vast artistic and architectural heritage of Sicily. Starting with the visit of the stunning “Villa del Casale”, constructed between the third and sixth century BC in Piazza Armerina. To end in the ancient town of Caltagirone, its name deriving from the Arabic ‘Cal’at Ghiran’ or ‘Castles of Jars’, which emphasises the importance of its ceramic and Majolica production.
Inclusions: Pick-up and drop-off from/to your accommodation in Catania city and surrounding area, Multilingual Guide, Transfer service
Exclusions: Lunch, Ticket Villa del Casale, Piazza Armerina, Pick-up/ Drop-off outside the pick-up area
Reviewed By TravellerSL1
We were picked up by Theresa who was our fabulous guide. She was phenomenal and very accommodating. Her knowledge was spectacular and she made sure that we got to see everything. Would definitely hope to Come back again and use lemon tours and Theresa! Tour was great, Savoca was beautiful and the scenes were the movie was filmed still nostalgic. Fantastic tour experience.
3. 3 Days TREASURES OF THE EAST - with Local Guide -Private Excursions from Catania
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
- Exclusive Tours for personalized itineraries and flexibility - Led by a licensed LOCAL GUIDE for undivided attention - Comfortable Transport from your hotel by Top Class Mercedes Minivan - Customizable tours according to your interests - Available also starting from Taormina - SYRACUSE - NOTO - AGRIGENTO - TAORMINA - CYCLOPS COAST - CATANIA - ETNA Visiting Sicily is exciting and enriches the soul. The central position of the island in the Mediterranean has for centuries made it the ideal place for the integration of Mediterranean culture. Just think of the Carthaginian, Greek and Roman colonizations, when usages and customs of the Siculi, Elimi, and of the Sicani blended with those of the peoples who came from beyond the sea.
Inclusions: Private Guided Tours in archeological areas and towns, Transportation by Mercedes V-Class Minivan, Bottled water, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Winery Visit & Tasting, Food and drinks, Accommodation in Catania (booked by traveler), Gratuities, Entrance fees
Reviewed By amongthecastelli
Mimmo is a superb driver and guide. Informed, considerate and kind, he drove us across Sicily and revealed the character and mystery of Sicily to us along the way with intelligence, good cheer and humor. His English is impeccable. When we return, we will certainly use his services again. We loved Sicily, and Mimmo was a big part of the experience.
4. Taormina, Castelmola, Giardini Naxos, Isolabella (max 20 pax)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Enjoy the beauties of the most beautiful coast of Sicily, visiting 4 amazing sites: Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Isolabella and Castelmola, with a special stop to take pictures of the coast and Isolabella with its breathtaking views.
Inclusions: Professional English - speaking driver (or other language you prefer), Transportation by Mercedes luxury AC vehicle, all taxes and parking fees., Port pickup and drop-off, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Bottled water
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities
Reviewed By Trench50
Tour knew our port was changed right when we did and adjusted the itenirary. Guide was very knowledgeable about the different areas. She also went out of her way to take us to the theatre in Taormina. Was one of the top days on entire trip.
5. Mount Etna and Taormina Tour fom Palermo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Multilanguage tour who will take you to Mount Etna up to 1900 meters. Short stop on the way climbing up the Volcano. Continuing our climb we will reach the ski resort Rifugio Sapienza (1900 meters a.s.l.). Here you will have free time to walk on the Silvester Craters, to explore the area and to relax. Lunch and ascent to the top (over 1900 meters) are not included, to purchase on your own. To ascent to the top (optional) you can buy cable car tickets directly on the spot, weather and volcanic conditions permitting. After your independent ascent to the top or hiking around Rifugio Sapienza, meet again your Driver and transfer to Taormina, the most glamorous town in Sicily. Here time at leisure to stroll around or visit on your own the Greek Theatre. At the end of the tour get back to Palermo. Please Note: this is a very long day tour (approx. 11vhours and half) which involves the team to drive for around 3 hours each way.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Multilingual tour escort or driver-escort, Pick-up & Drop-off at meeting point in Palermo, Visits as per itinerary
Exclusions: Meals and beverages, Gratuities, Etna ascent fees (if you wish to climb above 1900 meters), Entrance fees
Reviewed By person1987
Great sites and tour - enough time to explore sites at own pace. Driver / guide very nice and helpful. I was on a tour with just one other person, and our driver was flexible in light of small group size. Everyone wore masks.
6. Underground Catania
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
From the classical era to the eighteenth century, among religious buildings and burials, grandiose Roman monuments and underground rivers, popular legends and historical documents ... A fascinating itinerary to retrace all the eras of the Etna city. The traces of a Catania of the past that continues to live under our feet, hidden from our eyes
Inclusions: Entrance fees, Stop at a typical Catania kiosk to taste a drink
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 951francescar
Matilde and Oreste are excellent tourist guides. Their tours are full of places to visit and their explanations are clear and full of historical details. I reccomend their tours!
7. Siracusa - Ortigia & Noto Tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 7 reviews
Pick-up from accomodation and transfer to Syracuse where you will visit the wonderful Neapolis Archaeological Park for a walk immersed in the history of the great Greek civilization. Afterwords, visit of Ortigia (Syracuse's island) and its historical center, where you can wander around the local market, see and buy local products and souvenirs before sitting in a typical characteristic delicatessen shop (BURGIO) where you can taste typical homemade products like delicious selection of cold cuts and cheese, olives, dried tomatoes, aubergines, mushrooms etc...everything served with hot bread to emphasize the special taste of fresh products. Head out to Noto, one of the most important baroque centers in Sicily, where you will admire the most important baroque buildings in Sicily and taste one of our delicious desserts, like cannolo, cassata, granita etc...
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities
Reviewed By pibi1998
First off, I booked this tour December 30th at about 8:30pm via Viator fir Dec 31st tour. The operator emailed me right away to clarify things that made the tour go smoothly. When we arrived in Catania at 5:40 early in the morning, our driver Danilo was was waiting for us already. We had an early start, meaning our time was not wasted at all. When we reached in Taormina, I asked Danilo to check if we can add done of the Godfather places to check and he called his boss right away and was confirmed we can do it. I was happy and appreciated the flexibility. We were able to check the places that I wanted to go. Just a reminder, our driver is not a licensed tourist guide but he tells us where to go and drop us off and pick us up like “door to door”. I would suggest to google the best places to visit and tell the driver what you most like to visit and read all about it. You will appreciate more if you know the story behind that particular area. This tour works perfectly for us. Thank you Danilo for doing above and beyond of what you are doing. Cheers!
8. Villa Romana Del Casale in Piazza Armerina and Valley Of Temples in Agrigento
Overall Ratings
4.4 based on 8 reviews
This tour represents a wonderful dive into the past, discovering beautiful Roman mosaics, perfectly preserved over the centuries, testimony to the good taste and inclination to the art of the Roman people, and the beautiful temples, witnesses of Greek civilization, that rise majestically along the valley where the Neapolis Akragas was founded thousands of years ago. We will be happy to accompany you on this private tour. you can relax along the way thinking about the wonders seen, immersed in the comfort of our cars.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, WiFi on board, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities, Specialized Guide, Admission Tickets for attractions
Reviewed By pibi1998
First off, I booked this tour December 30th at about 8:30pm via Viator fir Dec 31st tour. The operator emailed me right away to clarify things that made the tour go smoothly. When we arrived in Catania at 5:40 early in the morning, our driver Danilo was was waiting for us already. We had an early start, meaning our time was not wasted at all. When we reached in Taormina, I asked Danilo to check if we can add done of the Godfather places to check and he called his boss right away and was confirmed we can do it. I was happy and appreciated the flexibility. We were able to check the places that I wanted to go. Just a reminder, our driver is not a licensed tourist guide but he tells us where to go and drop us off and pick us up like “door to door”. I would suggest to google the best places to visit and tell the driver what you most like to visit and read all about it. You will appreciate more if you know the story behind that particular area. This tour works perfectly for us. Thank you Danilo for doing above and beyond of what you are doing. Cheers!
9. Etna & Taormina one day tour small group from Syracuse
Overall Ratings
3.7 based on 3 reviews
Taormina is too far? Etna without a guide is boring? Don't miss out a special opportunity! Pick-up from your Hotel in Syracuse. In one day you will : -visit with a naturalistic - geologist guide Mt. Etna; -discover a lava cave; - Taste a delicious Sicilian snack -Stroll and visit the beauties of Taormina
Inclusions: Fuel surcharge, National Park fees, Food tasting, Snacks, Local guide, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Use of helmet
Exclusions: Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Reviewed By Michel M
I planned my day of holiday on the tour from Catania to the Aolian Island that was advertised for the following day. I sent several texts and around 8 emails for them to confirm where they could take me. The answer after 4 emails was just to clarify the question. I phoned at the end of the day and I was told that the tour on Viator for the following day is not theirs. Then I checked again, and I sent another link to show them it was theirs. The woman then told me that it is theirs, but if I book, she will cancel. She said several times "as I told you", with no apology for the false advertising. It seems they do that for a lot of tours. I wanted to rent a car from them in Mazolli, the agents that happened to be theirs were so rude! Don’t trust this company.
10. Guided Syracuse Tour with Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off
Syracuse is definitely the most fascinating city in Sicily. It is notable for its rich Greek and Roman history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. The islet of Ortygia, is the historic city centre of Syracuse ,which offers you the chance to admire the architectural beauties of different historical periods: from the first prehistoric settlements, through the numerous remains of ancient Greek Byzantine and Norman. Its history is perfectly represented by the spectacular cathedral of Maria Santissima located in Ortygia.
Inclusions: Pick-up and drop-off from/to your accommodation in Catania city and surrounding area, Multilingual guide, Transfer service
Exclusions: Ticket Archaeological Park of Neapolis, Lunch, Pick-up/ Drop-off outside the pick-up area
Reviewed By TravellerSL1
We were picked up by Theresa who was our fabulous guide. She was phenomenal and very accommodating. Her knowledge was spectacular and she made sure that we got to see everything. Would definitely hope to Come back again and use lemon tours and Theresa! Tour was great, Savoca was beautiful and the scenes were the movie was filmed still nostalgic. Fantastic tour experience.
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