The Best Travel Guide to Catania (UPDATED 2024) | ArrivalGuides.com

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Catania

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Overview

Catania The guide was updated: 2024-02-23

Charismatic seaside Catania is a young, dynamic soul, inhabiting a body of narrow alleys and ornate Baroque buildings set atop well-preserved remains of ancient Greek and Roman settlements. Mount Etna defines the cityscape both in terms of the striking panorama and the building material — Catania is even referred to as the "grey city" for the colour of lava rocks used to construct many of its buildings.

Facts

Population:	587,784 (2024)
Currency:	1 Euro = 100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police: 112 Fire Brigade: 115 Ambulance: 118 Coast Guard: 1530
Newspapers:	La Gazzetta di Catania: catania.gds.it La Sicilia: www.lasicilia.it Cataniaoggi: cataniaoggi.it
Website:	www.comune.catania.it
Opening hours:	Shops are open from Monday to Friday 8:30am–1pm and 3:30pm–7pm. Some stores open at 9 am and close at 8 pm. A few of them stay open also on Saturdays. Some supermarkets stay open 24/7.
Tourist information:	Tourist Information Catania Via Vittorio Emanuele II 172, Catania +39 095 742 5573 Open Mon–Sat 8am–7pm, Sun 8:30am–1:30pm International Airport "Vincenzo Bellini" Via Fontanarossa, Catania +39 095 723 96 82 Mon–Sat 8am–7:15pm, Sun 8:30am–1:30pm

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Sección en Catania

Catania boasts a plethora of incredible cultural sights. Pay a visit to Piazza del Duomo, marvel at the splendid Catania Cathedral, and walk down the historic Via dei Crociferi (named a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Catania's location by the warm sea makes it a perfect destination for holiday-makers, and hiking trips can be made to the (still active) Etna volcano. In the vicinity, small towns such as the beautiful Taormina or Caltagirone make for ideal day-trip destinations.

Duomo Square (Piazza del Duomo)

Duomo Square (Piazza del Duomo)

Duomo Square (Piazza del Duomo), encircled by impressive Baroque buildings in the heart of Catania, recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the middle of the square is the Fontana dell’ Elefante, Catania’s most famous monument — the lava stone Elephant Fountain.

Catania Cathedral

Catania Cathedral

Piazza del Duomo is also home to the elaborate Baroque Cattedrale di Sant’Agata (or simply the Catania Cathedral). Behind the marble walls is the final resting place of the city’s patron saint, Agata. Every February processions are held in her honour.

Vincenzo Bellini Museum

Vincenzo Bellini Museum

Sicily’s most famous composer is Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in Catania (1801-1835). His operas 'Norma', 'La Straniera' and 'Sonnambula' are famous all over the world. Museo Civico Belliniano is claimed to be one of the nicest in Catania, exhibiting pianos and memorabilia.

Teatro Romano & Odeon

Teatro Romano & Odeon

At Via Vittoria Emanuele you will find Catania’s best kept ruins from Roman times. The Roman Theatre, including gladiator tunnels and the circular auditorium Odeon lie next to each other, surrounded by residential buildings dating to later centuries.

Mount Etna

Mount Etna

Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, stands about 3,330 metres high between Catania and Taormina. It erupts regularly and since 2002 visitors are not allowed to climb to the top of any of its four craters (hiking up is allowed). Regular buses depart for Etna from Catania.

Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena

Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena

Come here for a stroll in the beautiful surroundings or a guided tour. Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena (16th century Monastero dei Benedettini) is one of the biggest Benedictine monasteries in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it hosts a part of the University of Catania.

Massimo Bellini Theatre

Massimo Bellini Theatre

Teatro Massimo Bellini is the musical heart of Catania. Different types of high-class performances are held here continuously — operas, ballets, concerts, Bellini's work and so on. If you don't find anything that attracts you, but you still want to see the insides of the Baroque-style building, join a guided tour.

Marionettistica Fratelli Napoli

Marionettistica Fratelli Napoli

This theatre, only a 5-minute walk from the historical centre, tells the story behind the typical Sicilian puppet theatre. Visitors can both see and hold a puppet. If you wish to watch a show, bear in mind that there is a summer break.

Etnaland

Etnaland

Etnaland consists of three kinds of amusement parks: an aqua park with water slides and lots of different pools, a prehistoric park with replicas of dinosaurs and one theme park with roller coasters and rides. Here you can easily spend a whole day.

Monti Rossi Adventure Park

Monti Rossi Adventure Park

Located in the Red Mount pine woods close to Etna, this park is made up of bridges, wires and cables hooked in the treetops to create paths up in the air. There are different levels of difficulty. Visitors can stay on the ground and join the workshops or explore nature trails and relaxation areas.

Giardino Bellini

Giardino Bellini

After a lot of walking in the bustling city, a break in a lush green park can be necessary. The Giardino Bellini park is located just off the Via Etnea in the city centre, and here you can enjoy a quiet moment among plants, trees, statues and fountains.

Butterfly House (Casa delle Farfalle)

Butterfly House (Casa delle Farfalle)

At Casa delle Farfalle, the Butterfly House, you can see some of the most beautiful butterflies and flowers in the world. If you want to learn more about these spectacular creatures, join a complimentary lecture. The greenhouse is situated in the Monte Serra Park, just outside the city of Catania. Note that the Butterfly House closes during the winter season.

San Benedetto

San Benedetto

Monastero San Benedetto, situated in Crociferi street, is a symbol of Catania. It is identifiable by the arch which unites the Monastery’s main abbey and the Church of Saint Benedict – one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Sicily – to the little abbey, wherein the MacS museum is housed.

Orto Botanico

Orto Botanico

The little-known botanical garden is a true godsend on hot summer days when the asphalt melts with heat and shaded areas are few and far between. There is a section of exotic plants and one for Sicilian species, as well as a large greenhouse.

Museo del Cinema

Museo del Cinema

Museo del Cinema – detailing the history of cinematography and featuring quite a few cinematic memorabilia and posters – is one of four in the small museum complex (others include the ones dedicated to radio, maps of Sicily and WWII).

Museum of the Landing in Sicily 1943

Museum of the Landing in Sicily 1943

Sicily played an important role in the liberation from the German occupation during World War II. This museum (Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943) displays memories and history from that time, and often leaves its visitors emotionally concerned.

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