Catania packs more into its compact historic center than many Italian cities twice its size: a UNESCO-listed baroque core, a Norman castle, Roman ruins, one of Italy’s best fish markets, and Europe’s most active volcano 30km away. Here are the top things to do, with practical details on hours, prices, and how to get there.. Also check our complete Catania travel guide for more on what to expect from Sicily’s second city.
Things to Do in Catania: Historic Center and Landmarks
Piazza del Duomo and the Elephant Fountain
The heart of Catania is this UNESCO-listed square, framed by the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, the Palazzo degli Elefanti (City Hall), and the Amenano Fountain. The centerpiece is the Fontana dell’Elefante, a black lava stone elephant carrying an Egyptian obelisk, Catania’s symbol since 1736. The square is free to visit, open 24/7, and is most photogenic at sunset when the baroque facades glow in golden light. The tourist information office inside Palazzo degli Elefanti (Mon-Fri 8:30-13:30) provides free maps. For more detailed information, see our weather by month.
Catania Cathedral (Cattedrale di Sant’Agata)
Built in the 11th century on Roman baths, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, this is Sicily’s most important church after Monreale. Inside you’ll find the tomb of composer Vincenzo Bellini and the silver reliquary bust of Saint Agatha, Catania’s patron saint. The adjoining Museo Diocesano (EUR 7, Tue-Sat 9:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00, Sun 15:00-18:00) holds church treasures and a 13th-century Byzantine icon. The cathedral is free to enter; expect a 10-minute visit for the interior or 45 minutes with the museum. Mass times: weekdays 8:00 and 18:30, Sundays 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 18:30. For more detailed information, see our best time to visit.
Via Etnea
Catania’s 3km main street runs straight from Piazza del Duomo toward Mount Etna, which is framed perfectly at its northern end on clear days. Lined with baroque churches, palazzi, cafes, and shops, it’s the city’s promenade. Key stops along the way: the Church of San Nicolo l’Arena (Sicily’s largest church, never completed, EUR 5 to climb the dome for panoramic views), the Collegiata Basilica, and Villa Bellini park. Walking the length takes about 40 minutes without stops or half a day at a relaxed pace with coffee breaks. The pedestrianized section between Piazza Stesicoro and Piazza Duomo is the best stretch for an evening passeggiata. For more detailed information, see our events and festivals.
Ursino Castle (Castello Ursino)
This 13th-century fortress was built by Frederick II and once stood on a cliff overlooking the sea; the 1669 Etna eruption’s lava flow pushed the coastline 500m east, leaving the castle landlocked. It now houses the Museo Civico (EUR 6, Mon-Sat 9:00-19:00, Sun 9:00-13:30), with collections of Greek and Roman artifacts, medieval weapons, and the excellent Sicilian painting gallery. The lava that surrounds the castle’s base is still visible. Allow 60-90 minutes. The castle is at Piazza Federico di Svevia, a 10-minute walk from the Duomo. For more detailed information, see our neighborhoods.
Things to Do in Catania: Markets and Food Experiences
La Pescheria (Fish Market)
Catania’s fish market behind Piazza del Duomo is one of the loudest, most chaotic, and most authentic food markets in Italy. Swordfish, tuna, sardines, octopus, and clams are laid out on marble slabs while fishmongers shout prices in Sicilian dialect. Go between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM (closed Sundays) for the full experience. The surrounding streets host the fruit and vegetable market (Fera o Luni) and butcher stalls. It’s free to walk through; bring cash if you want to buy anything. The market has operated on this site since the city’s Greek founding. The Osteria Antica Marina restaurant at the market’s edge does excellent seafood lunch using that morning’s catch. For more detailed information, see our where to stay.
Street Food Tour
Catania’s street food is distinct from Palermo’s: look for arancini (fried rice balls, EUR 2-3 each) at Savia on Via Etnea, crispelle (fried dough with ricotta or anchovies, EUR 1.50), cartocciate (fried dough filled with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and granita with brioche for breakfast. The best granita spots are Bar Mazzini (Via Umberto) and Gelateria Savia. A self-guided food walk covering the market, Via Etnea, and the Castello Ursino area takes about 2 hours and costs EUR 15-20 for enough food to replace lunch. Organized street food tours run EUR 40-50 through operators like Streaty. For more detailed information, see our travel tips.
Things to Do in Catania: Mount Etna
Mount Etna Summit Crater Excursion
Reaching Etna’s active summit craters (3,300m+) requires a licensed guide and is only possible when volcanic activity permits. The standard route starts from Rifugio Sapienza (1,910m, 45-min drive from Catania). Take the Funivia dell’Etna cable car (EUR 50 return) to 2,500m, then transfer to 4×4 buses (EUR 78 including cable car) to Torre del Filosofo at 2,900m. From there, guided walking tours reach the crater rim (EUR 85-120 total for the full package, 5-6 hours, book at the cable car ticket office or through Guide Etna Nord and Gruppo Guide Alpine Etna Sud). Bring hiking boots (not sneakers), a warm jacket even in August (it’s 12-15degC at 2,900m), sunglasses, sunscreen, and at least 1.5L of water. The air is thin and sulfurous at the top. Tours depart at 9:00-9:30 AM and return by 3:00-4:00 PM.
Lower Crater Hiking and Wine Tasting
If you’d rather skip the summit, the Silvestri Craters (1,900m, right next to Rifugio Sapienza, free access) are extinct craters you can walk around in 30-45 minutes with no guide. For a guided but less extreme option, the north side at Piano Provenzana (1,800m) offers 2-3 hour hikes through recent lava fields (2022-2023 flows) with guides from EUR 40 per person. Many tour operators combine a morning crater walk with an Etna DOC wine tasting at a slope-side winery (EUR 75-95 including transport from Catania). Barone di Villagrande, Murgo, and Benanti are the best-known producers with tasting rooms open to visitors.
Things to Do in Catania: Ancient Ruins
Roman Amphitheater (Anfiteatro Romano)
Catania’s Roman amphitheater dates to the 2nd century AD and once held 15,000 spectators, second only to Rome’s Colosseum in size. Built from Etna lava stone, much of it remains buried under modern buildings. The exposed section on Piazza Stesicoro is the small visible portion; the main excavation is accessible via Via Manzoni (EUR 4, Tue-Sat 9:00-13:00, 14:00-16:30, closed Sun-Mon). Walk through the underground corridors where gladiators and animals were held. The site takes about 30 minutes. Combine it with the nearby Odeon (smaller theater, included in the same ticket).
Teatro Greco Romano
A Greek theater from the 5th century BC rebuilt by the Romans, this site is woven into the urban fabric on Via Vittorio Emanuele. The theater seats 7,000 and offers views of the Ionian Sea through the stage columns. The adjacent Odeon is a smaller semi-circular structure. The site (EUR 4, Mon-Sat 9:00-17:00, Sun 9:00-13:00) is still used for summer performances. The entrance is slightly hidden at Via Vittorio Emanuele 266; look for the brown signs. Allow 45 minutes. The theater is a 5-minute walk from the Duomo.
Things to Do in Catania: Beaches
La Playa (Spiaggia della Plaia)
Catania’s main beach stretches for 3km south of the city center along Viale Kennedy. It’s a long sandy beach with both free public sections and private lidos (stabilimenti). The sand is dark volcanic, which gets very hot in summer; bring sandals, not just a towel. The water is clean and shallow for 30-40m out, good for families. Lido Azzurro, Lido Europa, and Lido Verde charge EUR 15-25 for a sunbed and umbrella in high season. Reach it by AMT bus 534 from the train station (EUR 1, 20 minutes) or a 30-minute walk from Piazza Duomo to the eastern end near the port. The beach is most popular from June to early October. Facilities include showers, bars, and restaurants at the lidos.
San Giovanni Li Cuti
This tiny black-pebble beach in the northern suburb of San Giovanni Li Cuti is a local favorite. Only about 100m long, it’s framed by lava rock formations and the harbor, with views of Etna on clear days. Water is deeper than at La Playa and excellent for snorkeling around the lava rocks. There’s a free section and a small lido. Bus 932 from Piazza Borsellino stops nearby. The beach is 15 minutes by car from the center. Several casual seafood restaurants line the waterfront; Ristorante Neptunus and Trattoria da Federico are solid choices with EUR 20-30 per person for a seafood meal.
Things to Do in Catania: Day Trips
Taormina
The hilltop town of Taormina, 55km north of Catania (45 minutes by car, 1 hour by train from Catania Centrale to Taormina-Giardini station, EUR 4.50), is Sicily’s most famous destination. The Greek Theatre (EUR 10, daily 9:00 until one hour before sunset) offers views of Etna and the sea from 200m above the coast. The town itself is expensive (EUR 4 for a coffee in the main piazza) and tourist-dense but undeniably beautiful. Take the Interbus coach from Catania’s central bus station (EUR 5.50, 1h15, hourly departures) if you don’t have a car. Allow a full day.
Syracuse and Ortigia
Syracuse (Siracusa), 66km south of Catania (50 minutes by car, 1h15 by train EUR 5.80), was once the largest city in the ancient Greek world. The archaeological park (EUR 10, daily 8:30 until sunset) has a massive Greek theater carved into the hillside. The island of Ortigia, connected by bridge, is Syracuse’s old town with the Duomo (built into a Greek temple, EUR 2), the Fonte Aretusa freshwater spring, and excellent seafood restaurants. Trains run hourly from Catania Centrale. A day trip is feasible but Ortigia is worth an overnight.
