The gardens are extremely well organized and are extremely pleasant to walk around.
Catastrophic earthquakes destroyed Catania in 1169. Depending on your starting point, there are several travel options. Me, I was looking for that Sicilianbeer I tried back in Syracuse that I really enjoyed. Dont forget to validate it in the electronic ticket machine on the bus I forgot to do that once on route to Venice, and it ended up costing me 50 euros.
To book your Etna sunset trip, simply click on the button below: In addition to all the best places to visit I told you about, here is the list of the best activities you can do in Catania! Schedules vary depending on the day of the week. I think that is officially my favourite Italian dessert. It is believed to stand on the site where St. Agatha was martyred. The Piazza del Duomo is most recognizable by its Fontana Dell Elefante an elaborate fountain with an Egyptian obelisk mounted on a smiling elephant.
AUNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Etna can be explored with a tour or partially (certain areas) individually.
Catania is a gem of a city, offering a spectacle of sights and impressive architecture. Is it possible to walk to a beach from Piazza del Duomo area? While getting lost in a new city is always an adventure, Catania offers gems that cant be missed. Airbnb tends to book a minimum of two nights. Its simple, they have the best English speaking guides! From piazza del duomo, take Via Etnea, the main street of Catania. It is very well organized and enjoyable to walk around.
Furthermore there is an ornate bandstand and many varieties of tree. Youll be kept on your toes at each of these destinations, as they all have their own story to tell. The village was initially built around the castle that lies at its heart. Both palaces have beautiful facades and nice inner courtyards, dont hesitate to enter the university to admire them. Please remember that I never recommend a product just for the commission I only recommend something I genuinely believe in, trust and/or use personally. Easy to explore on foot, you can discover important buildings and museums with baroque architecture and beloved cathedrals. In addition to the castle, there are many other sights in this town. Speaking of the North.
Getting to Catania wont require much effort.
So have a translation app likeBravololdownloaded on your phone or pack an Italian phrasebook if you travel there independently. Located in-between the Roman Theatre and the Giardini Bellini, the Via dei Crociferi features four spectacular churches The Church of St. Francesco Borgia, The Church of San Benedetto, The Church of St. Francis Assisi and the Church of San Giuliana. This square is surrounded by two magnificent palaces facing each other: The Palazzo dellUniversita which houses the old university and the Palazzo San Giuliano. Beautiful golden soft sand stretches for miles and the warm Mediterranean Sea laps gently against the shoreline. 
Furthermore, this charming Sicilian city lies in close proximity to the legendary Mount Eta and offers a great amount of different day trips and outdoor sight-seeing excursions. If youre thinking of visiting Venice in high seasonhereis a great post on saving money.
Start by going to piazza del Duomo, which is (as everywhere in Sicily) the heart of the city. A childrens play area is complete with slide and climbing frames and several beach bars and shops. Its exterior facade is very beautiful, all in white marble and the interior is dedicated to Saint Agatha, a young virgin tortured after refusing the amorous advances of a Roman prefect. Born in Catania in 1801, he is the author of numerous operas, including the Norma, his masterpiece. Youll find everything you need and everything you didnt know you needed. I am glad my article is helping you to plan your trip to Catania!
However, keep in mind that you will only be able to reach the 1st level of Mount Etna on your own. I love elephants but found this interesting as elephants are not known in the area. It could be nicknamed the Church Street as you can admire not less than 4 churches along the street.
The word Etna comes from the Greek word (aith), which means I burn. Fitting, because its the highest in Europe and one of the worlds most active volcanoes.
A packed lunch made of Sicilian street food is also included.
This architectural feature illuminates the church. If youre looking to visit the capital of Sicily, Palmero here is the perfect itinerary forNorthern Sicily. You have to buy the ticket before you enter the bus and you can do that at the newspaper stand (Tabacchi) at the airport.
And if youre lucky enough, you may even see dolphins!
Youre traveling in Sicily? Not only that, but it also offers some delectable dining experiences and adventurous day trips. How to visit Agrigento Valley of the Temples. If youre more of a late sleeper, Wednesday to Friday allows for afternoon visits. While youre here, you can do some shopping in Via Etneas many shops, or drink a coffee and enjoy a pastry!
This awesome The Godfather tour needs to be booked in advance by clicking the button below (limited availability): And if you prefer to book a The Godfather filming locations private tour, you need to book it there: By plane, most airlines fly to Catania from the major cities, Easyjet company often being the cheapest.
I book my sailboat cruise from Catania now! However, its clearly not the nicest beach of Sicily! Ursino Castle is an ancient Norman fortress that now houses the Municipal Museum (free visit). Local lore has it that the obelisk possesses magical powers. I visited Militello on a day tour withWishing Sicily. You can hang out in Castello Maniace, take a swim by Forte Vigliena or spend all morning at Caffe Letterario Siracusa with the beautiful brunette barista as I did. Via Dei Crociferi runs between the Roman Theatre and the Giardini Bellini and features four stunning churches The Church of St. Francesco Borgia, The Church of San Benedetto, The Church of St. Francis Assisi and the Church of San Giuliana. Your best choice here is to spend a night in a hotel with a parking service.
With a population of 315,000 and a greater metropolitan population of 767,000, Catania lies on the eastern coast of Sicily directly in-between Pachino in the South and Messina in the North. Yes, Im a fan of sustainability, but sometimes, I need to sustain my sanity. Consider visiting this street in conjunction with a trip to the Roman Theatre. The small income I make here will help in maintaining this blog. make sure to double read your contract! The Giardini Bellini is an excellent place for relaxing and enjoying nature. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this famous archaeological Site is a must-see during a trip to Sicily! Its worth a visit, as its on the road between Catania and Taormina.
Aside from the various stone and marble statues that top the arch, the white and black striped walls and frame create a fantastic contrast and make the arch stand out. You can explore the castles grounds today and climb up to the battlements for fantastic views of the sea and the surrounding country. Connected to the Monastero dei Benedettini, the Chiesa di San Nicol lArena is built over the site of a Greek Acropolis and several of the original columns still stand on the front faade. The simplistic beauty of the Church can be seen from its interior modest and intricate Baroque patterns and designs, with glorious amber-coloured alters.
Translated into English as Elephant Fountain, the Fontana Dell Elefante depicts a smiling elephant carrying an Egyptian obelisk on its back. Designed and built by Francesco Battaglia and Stefano Ittar, the arch is now named after Giuseppe Garibaldi who was instrumental in the unification of Italy during the 1800s. Via Dei Crociferi is a historic main street of the city that features many historical buildings, each with its unique design. Theres not much left of it today, but if you have time, go have a look at the Roman Theatre, next to Piazza del Duomo. The Catania, Sicily weather was beautiful, and I couldnt wait to explore all the things to do in Catania Italy. Since Catania has its airport, I thought I could explore the city for a day and then catch a plane directly to Rome. After leaving Valletta, Malta, I took a ship over to Syracuse & Ortigia and spent two incredible days with the incredible Mediterranean Ocean. Your stay on the island is therefore the ideal opportunity to follow in Michael Corleones footsteps! Book your car early to get the best price! A magnificent natural site! Stay in a centrally located Booking.com hotel and venture out each day. In fact here is a list of the12 best day trips from Catania. Originally constructed in 1078 over the ruins of a Roman Baths, the cathedral has been restored many times due to earthquakes in the region. All my articles about Sicily (click here), Things to Do in Catania: All Highlights and Best Places to Visit. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Villa Bellini (if you are lucky enough to have it open). Sitting on the coast of Sicily, villages and coastal towns, like the charming seaside town of Taormina, can easily be explored. Consider climbing to the top of the basilica dome for panoramic views of the city; admire the front faade that features sculptured window decorations, and walking through the cloisters to see the fantastic arches and fountains.
Honestly, if you want to enjoy beautiful beaches, Catania is not the best place to stay. Today, Catania maintains a huge amount of its heritage and culture and offers a plethora of interesting structures and museums such as the Basilica SantAgata and the Museo Civici. Historical Facts About CataniaHow to Get to Catania13 Things to Do & See in Catania. Fishes are emptied in front of your eyes and you may have to wade around a little bit in water and blood. The cavea, the seating area of the audience, comprises 14 steps and was also used as an orchestral The cavea, the seating area for the audience, comprised 14 steps and was also used as an orchestral space.
As the second largest city on the Italian Island of Sicily, Catania is an important economic hub for the country and is actually the 7th largest metropolis by area. Most people then choose to go directly to Taormina or Syracuse, but if you have time, Catania is worth at least a day of your time! Bonus Visit the filming locations of The Godfather movie. Anything and everything is sold here. I book my day trip to Taormina and Etna now! The Church of Saint Francesco Borgia church was built approximately in the 18th century. If you have any other question, dont hesitate to ask me. Ok, ok, so Im not a billionaire, playboy or philanthropist, but I am a genius when it comes to short trip itineraries. Airport shuttle:There is an organized shuttle service with AMT Alibus from Catania International Airport to the city center and the train station. 
These articles will help you! Places likeTaormina,Mount Etna,Modica andRagusa are all a few hours away!
For day trips, book a daily rental and travel to the coast or countryside. If youre wondering what to do in Catania for one day, the city square is the best place for getting an authentic feel of the city. Militello is a picturesque village of 7,300 residents just 35km southwest of Catania. Made with fresh eggs and the finest produce, you can expect to find a traditional Italian cooking style. As the main square in Catania, the Piazza Del Duomo has a great deal to offer in terms of attractions. I book my guided visit of Catania by Segway now! In 1434, the first university in Sicily was founded in the city. Thanks for your support! Piazza del Duomo is the city square in Catania. People travel long distances to buy fresh seafood, and the many restaurants close to the market take full advantage. porta catania taormina di tripadvisor 
You can also find other beaches (not sand) around Aci Trezza and Acireale, North of Catania. Catania flightsallow you to land at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport. I book my The Godfather filming locations private tour now! There is also several sections of wooden decking complete with sunbeds consider relaxing for a while here, enjoying the sea air and exploring the volcanic beach. However, the Church of the Badia di SantAgata is most noted for its magnificent panoramicviews from Cataniacenter, where onlookers can see the towering Mount Etna to the north. Visit Catania: The 15 Must-See attractions! Eat Pizzeria is a casual, on-the-go cafe that gives you a proper experience of Italian pizza. If youre travelling around the city on foot,book a private walking tourwith a local guide and discover the citys secrets.
This busy square attracts thousands of tourists and locals every year, and it is also a junction for Catanias main streets. Who doesnt love a crowded flea market? Since I was only staying for one night, I had some difficulty securing Airbnb accommodations.
The most frequent scam, when your flight is outside of the rental agencys opening hours, is to tell you to drop the keys in the mailbox and the agency will take care of the returned car check. Good, good stuff! catania bellini giardino tripadvisor
The idyllic Sicilian city is an important cultural and heritage hub for the entire country. If you have rented a car at the airport and want to visit the city, you will first have to solve the parking problem. You can book this VIP cruise right here: A few kilometres from Catania, you can visit the small baroque town of Acireale. If you want to enjoy the scenery, the best viewpoints are located at the piazza IX Aprile belvedere and at la Chiesa Madonna della Rocca, above Taormina. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Hey, my friends!
The Church is duly noted for its prominent architectural features and the fact that it overlooks the Anfiteatro Romano di Catania (Roman Amphitheater in Catania). Like most of Italy, Syracuse has tons of history; the Temple Of Apollo, the Archaeological Park Neapolis. If you purchase a product, I may earn a commission. When you pick up the car, note the slightest scratch or impact and when you return, insist on going around with the rental company. While in the city, check out my recommendations for these Italian delights. I book my day tour to Agrigento Valley of the Temples now! The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicol lArena is the second-largest Benedictine monastery in Europe. Standing at the western end of Stesicoro Square is the Church of San Biagio a Roman Catholic Church. Originally, this castle located at the top of a hill was built on a cliff, overlooking the sea.