Location: Catania
Top Things to do in Catania
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What to do and see in Catania, Sicily: The Best Things to do
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. Mount Etna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,933 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 frankandfeli - Switzerland, null
We had clear weather so it was not to cold the view was awsome we were not able to trekk up to the top crater due to the increased activity and safety standards but you could still hear and see the small eruptions and sulpher yellow about the top crater.The large lava fields are otherworldy the guide was great plenty of good info the bus ride was good to an open bus the guide was real helpfull around etna
2. Basilica Catedrale Sant'Agata V.M. Catania
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,857 reviews
Reviewed By ArmyRangeratMIT - Wayne, United States
The city of Catania is a wonderful afternoon visit, with parking quite easy right outside the piazza… Heading towards the cathedral you see the iconic statue in the middle of the piazza that quite often symbolizes all of Sicily… Plenty of pictures can be had here and you can walk in almost any direction to find shops and stores… And of course the cathedral looks beautiful in the afternoon sun whether or not you go inside or just enjoy the beauty! Pick a spot to have a bite to eat and enjoy your glass of wine and your good luck finding a lovely afternoon in Catania!
3. Palazzo Biscari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 459 reviews
The most important private palace in Catania and precious testimony of the Sicilian baroque. The frescoed halls, full of charm and elegance, represent a splendid setting for concerts, meetings, receptions, gala evenings, fashion shows.
Reviewed By Carolbike - White Salmon, United States
The owner is an excellent story teller about the original prince and his family, bringing the history of this well-maintained palazzo to life. It was very interesting.
4. Piazza Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,939 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
Catania's Piazza del Duomo is definitely the center of the city and probably also its most beautiful square. Besides the Duomo it is surrounded by various attractive buildings like the Palazzo dei Elefanti, which on its backside touches the Piazza Università. Opposite of it, to the south, is the Seminario dei Chierici with - attached to it - the Porta Uzeda. In the center of the square is the city's symbol, a fountain with an elephant surmounted by an obelisk. There are usually plenty of people in the piazza, many obviously using it as a meeting point.
5. A' Piscaria Mercato del Pesce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 769 reviews
Reviewed By NormanLewis - Great Torrington, United Kingdom
The daily fish-market in Catania is right behind the fountain on the edge of the Piazza Duomo and is a combination of food market and street theatre. At its centre are the many stalls selling an enormous range of fish, shell fish and cephalopods (squid, octopus, cuttlefish) many of which are not easily identified. The vendors try to out do each other with a vocal performance designed to attract customers and many people line the raised terrace above the outdoor part of the market just to watch this display. The quality of the fish is excellent - although prices can be high. but you get what you pay for. In the surrounding streets are many other stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables; and others where butchers wield huge hatchets dismembering all sorts of meats or extremely sharp knives to slice the meats incredibly thin which seems to be the preferred cut in Sicilian cuisine. Some of the sights can be a bit off-putting to English sensibilities – especially the vast amounts of offal – but that’s the joy of experiencing other cultures. Highly recommend a visit - in fact, we detoured through the fish market even on days when we didn’t need to buy anything, just for the sights and sounds of an excellent market.
6. Monastero dei Benedettini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,221 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 Baspall - Salamina, Greece
The tour of the monastery takes around 1.5 hours and gives you the opportunity to learn the very interesting history that comes with it. We took the tour in English language presented by Nicola... He was exceptional.
7. Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 799 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 Dannii_mvn - Istanbul, Turkey
It wasn’t on top of our list of things to do in Catania but thought we would stop by after a visit to the port (not worthwhile btw). It was the best decision ever. The entire scene was surreal. An old factory enhanced with steal and concrete with no one around (mind you this was the end of Nov). When we found the museum we were welcomed by five people who all helped us with the tickets. Looking at the visitors book we noticed we were the third ones there that day. The visit started of with a 10min film starting with the invasion of Poland in ‘39. Quite an ambitious start for a 10min clip. What followed was a trip to a bomb shelter of which I won’t reveal too much because it would be a shame to ruin the surprise. After this crazy experience we went through a rollercoaster of boring uniforms and amazingly surreal puppets (some of which made noise). Towards the end you get to see a Madame Tussaud-like exhibition with dictators and Churchill. I’ve never been a Tussaud fan but these were definitely impressive and thus quite unnerving (seeing Adolf that realistically up close). To be honest large parts are difficult to follow when you don’t speak Italian but the entire atmosphere and surroundings are definitely worth a visit. It was strange, surreal and interesting too! For sure a recommendation but do have a healthy sense of irony!!
8. Via Etnea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 681 reviews
Reviewed By elia452 - Sofia, Bulgaria
It is a street with lots of shops for clothes, several restaurants and coffee bars. At one end of the street is mountain Etna, at the other end is the fish market and the port. Strangely, I didn't see supermarkets anywhere during my walks..
9. Parco Archeologico Greco Romano di Catania
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 922 reviews
Reviewed By ludortravel - Iasi, Romania
Only a small part of the actual Roman amphitheater is visible, the rest is under the surrounding buildings. However, it's enough to understand the impressive scale of the antique people of Catania accomplishment. The entrance is free and the amphitheater is located in the city center. Definitely it worth a visit.
10. Giardino Bellini
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,228 reviews
Reviewed By micheleaQ8239JH - Caltanissetta, Italy
The beautiful city of Catania, nearest Mount Etna, has a lot of attractions. Here we are in the Catanese Parka, the Villa Bellini.
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