Free walking tours in Catania and what to see

Must-sees

Catania was rebuilt in lava stone after the 1693 earthquake, and its baroque centre is one of the Val di Noto towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Piazza del Duomo brings together the cathedral of Sant'Agata, the city's patron saint, and the Elephant Fountain, carved in basalt and topped by an obelisk. Behind it, the fish market, the Pescheria, is a spectacle every morning.

From the square, Via Etnea, the main street, climbs with Etna in the background and the Villa Bellini gardens halfway along. Via Crociferi, with baroque churches almost one after another, and the old Benedictine monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena, now part of the university, are well worth a visit. There are also remains of the Roman theatre right in the old quarter and Castello Ursino, a Swabian fortress that houses the civic museum.

Free tours and guided visits

Catania does have free walking tours, covering the baroque centre on foot with a guide. But what is mostly on offer are trips to Etna: at sunset, by 4x4 or combined with Taormina. There are also day trips to Taormina, Castelmola and Savoca, and a longer outing to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the Scala dei Turchi.

How long to spend

A day is enough for Piazza del Duomo, the Pescheria, Via Etnea, Via Crociferi and Castello Ursino. With two or three days you can spend a whole one on Etna and another in Taormina or Syracuse, both well connected with the city. Catania works very well as a base for eastern Sicily.

Where to stay

The historic centre, between Piazza del Duomo and Via Etnea, has hotels in baroque buildings, guesthouses and apartments, with everything on foot. Further up, around the Villa Bellini, it is quieter. If you prefer the sea, the north coast towards Ognina, Aci Castello and Aci Trezza has places to stay with views of the lava coast.