Catania is Sicily’s volcanic city: rebuilt in luminous black lava stone after the 1693 earthquake, it pairs theatrical Baroque façades with a feisty spirit. You’ll stroll broad boulevards like Via Etnea under the gaze of Mount Etna, weave through Roman ruins, and snack your way through a fish market as animated as a street opera.

Beyond the city, Etna’s lava fields and craters are a quick ride away, offering hikes, cave visits, and wine tastings in mineral-rich vineyards. Back in town, evenings unfold in piazzas buzzing with chioschi (kiosks) where locals sip seltz limone e sale before tucking into pasta alla Norma or a paper cone of fritto misto.

Practical notes: churches require modest dress; summer heat favors early starts and shady breaks; markets are best in the morning (Pescheria is typically closed Sundays). Catania’s historic center has ZTL restricted driving—park on the perimeter and walk. For Etna, bring layers and sturdy shoes year-round.

Catania

Catania charms with contrasts: a UNESCO-listed historic core of dark-lava Baroque, Roman theaters tucked behind doorways, and a contemporary food scene that honors tradition. The city’s symbol—the Fontana dell’Elefante—stands watch in Piazza del Duomo, a perfect launchpad for your wanderings.

• Top sights: Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Sant’Agata; Via dei Crociferi’s Baroque churches; the Monastero dei Benedettini (one of Europe’s largest); Castello Ursino; the Roman Theatre and Odeon; Villa Bellini gardens.
• Local flavor: La Pescheria fish market for briny theatrics and fried seafood; chioschi for fizzy citrus drinks; horse-meat grills around Castello Ursino; gelato and pastries along Via Etnea.
• Easy outings: Aci Castello’s Norman sea castle and Aci Trezza’s Cyclops Isles; sandy La Playa beach for a quick swim in season.

Getting to Catania: If you’re flying within Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights); Rome–Catania is ~1h20 (from ~€25–€120). From mainland Italy, overnight or high-speed train connections into Sicily sync with regional trains to Catania; check Omio (trains in Europe) for schedules (Palermo–Catania ~3–3.5h, ~€15–€30). Coming from outside Europe, search intercontinental options via Trip.com (global flights) or Kiwi.com (global flights). From CTA airport, the Alibus to the center runs ~every 20–30 minutes (20–25 minutes; ~€4–€5). Taxis to Piazza Duomo are ~€25–€35, traffic dependent.

Where to stay (hand-picked):

• Romano Palace Luxury Hotel (La Playa beach; resort feel, pool, near dunes) — Check availability
• NH Catania Parco Degli Aragonesi (La Playa; beach clubs at your doorstep; easy airport access) — Check availability
• NH Catania Centro (near Via Etnea; great for shopping and cafés) — Check availability
• Hotel Villa Romeo (by the train station; convenient base with inner courtyards) — Check availability
• Catania International Airport Hotel (practical pre/post-flight stop) — Check availability

Browse more stays: Catania on VRBO | Catania on Hotels.com

Day 1: Baroque Catania, Fish Market Drama, and a Street-Food Safari

Morning: Travel to Catania. If you arrive early, fuel up Sicilian-style at Pasticceria Savia (since 1897) on Via Etnea—try an arancino al ragù or ricotta cannolo; Spinella is just across for citrus granita with brioche in warmer months. Stroll the green lanes of Villa Bellini for Etna views, then window-shop down Via Etnea toward Piazza Stesicoro.

Afternoon: Drop your bags and head to Piazza del Duomo to meet Catania’s lava-stone mascot at the Elephant Fountain. Dive into La Pescheria, the city’s open-air fish market, to watch mongers carve swordfish and shuck sea urchins. Snack on paper cones of fried anchovies at Scirocco by the market, or sit for spaghetti ai ricci when in season. For a guided tasting of the city’s essential bites (cipollina, crispelle, horse-meat meatballs, and more), join the Catania Street Food Walking Tour and Market Adventure (3 hours; small-group).

Afterward, amble along Via dei Crociferi, a textbook of Sicilian Baroque, and consider a quick guided peek at the Monastero dei Benedettini, whose courtyards and lava flows tell centuries of stories.

Evening: Settle into dinner near Castello Ursino. For time-honored Sicilian comfort, Trattoria del Cavaliere plates hearty primi (pasta alla Norma with fried eggplant and ricotta salata) at friendly prices. Craving grills and pizza alfresco? Il Borgo di Federico is lively late. For a stylish, Slow Food–leaning experience, Me Cumpari Turiddu celebrates heritage recipes and Etna wines. Nightcap at Razmataz Wine Bar with a glass of Nerello Mascalese, or try a chiosco drink—seltz limone e sale—on Via Etnea.

Optional upgrade: If you prefer a volcanic sunset today, book the Mt. Etna Sunset Experience (about 5 hours; typical pickup mid–late afternoon). Expect old craters, a lava cave with helmets, and golden-hour panoramas before returning to town for a late dinner.

Day 2: Mount Etna Morning Adventure, Sea Breeze, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Lace up for a volcano excursion. The Etna Morning Trip packs trekking on lunar fields, a safe lava-cave visit, and sweeping views—great if you’re short on time (often ~5 hours door-to-door). Ask for an early pickup to be back by early afternoon for your departure buffer.

Alternative (no hiking): Opt for a custom city primer with the Private Custom Walking Tour, focusing on Roman ruins, piazzas, and hidden cloisters.

Afternoon: Back in town, celebrate with a light lunch: A Putia dell’Ostello for an atmospheric bite above an underground lava river, or a quick plate of pasta con le sarde near Piazza Teatro Massimo. If time allows, hop an Interbus (~25–30 minutes; ~€2–€3) to Aci Castello for sea-air and castle photos, or stroll the palm-lined La Playa if you’re staying at a beach hotel.

Evening: Departure day—grab sweets-to-go at Prestipino near the Duomo (almond cookies and mini cannoli travel well). If you have a late flight, linger with aperitivo on Via Santa Filomena where tiny trattorias spill onto the street. Allow 45–60 minutes to reach CTA airport (Alibus ~€4–€5; taxis ~€25–€35). For trains or buses onward in Europe, check Omio (trains) or Omio (buses); for flights, compare on Omio (flights) or globally via Trip.com.

Eating & drinking—extra picks:

• Breakfast/coffee: Savia or Spinella (granita + brioche; pistachio pastries); Caffè del Duomo for an espresso with cathedral views.
• Lunch: Scirocco (market-fresh fish & chips); Trattoria del Cavaliere (daily pasta specials); Razmataz (salumi boards and salads with a serious wine list).
• Dinner: Me Cumpari Turiddu (heritage recipes, Slow Food products); Il Borgo di Federico (grill + pizza near the castle); seasonal horse-meat patties around Castello Ursino for an old-school Catania specialty.
• Sweet treats: Prestipino for cassatine; pistachio gelato anywhere it’s vivid green from Bronte nuts.

Insider tips: Carry small cash for markets and kiosks. For churches and the monastery, shoulders covered is safest. On Etna, weather shifts fast—pack a wind layer and closed-toe shoes even in summer. Book tours and coveted dinner spots in advance during May–October.

In two days, you’ve tasted Catania’s bold flavors, traced Baroque lines in black lava stone, and stood on Europe’s highest active volcano. Sicily’s east coast—Taormina, Siracusa, the Cyclops Riviera—awaits next time, but this whirlwind proves Catania alone is a feast.