Cradled between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, Catania wears its volcanic soul on its sleeve. Rebuilt in sumptuous late-Baroque after the 1693 earthquake, its lava-stone streets and palazzi earned a UNESCO nod as part of the “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.” It’s a city of energy—market shouts at La Pescheria, church bells on Via dei Crociferi, and the eternal gaze of the elephant fountain, “u Liotru.”

Food is a full-contact sport here: arancini bigger than your fist, swordfish sizzling by the fish market, and cannoli that crackle when you bite. Coffee culture is serious—expect silky espresso pulled with precision, even in tiny bars. With Etna as your backyard, winter brings crisp air, snow-dusted craters, and clear sea views on blue-sky days.

Practical notes for January: daylight is short (roughly 7:15 am–5:15 pm), and Etna’s upper lifts can close for wind or snow. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy shoes. Driving is ideal for day trips, but watch for ZTL (limited traffic zones) in historic centers and use marked car parks. This plan balances adventure, foodie stops, and local life on a mid-range budget.

Catania

Catania is Sicily’s gritty-glam second city, shaped by eruptions and rebirth. Via Etnea slices through the heart from Piazza del Duomo to Villa Bellini, perfect for people-watching with a brioche and espresso in hand. Underground, Roman baths and lava tunnels whisper older stories beneath the Baroque facades.

• Top sights: Piazza del Duomo and Fontana dell’Elefante, Cathedral of Sant’Agata, Via dei Crociferi (Baroque church row), Roman Amphitheatre at Piazza Stesicoro, Castello Ursino, Villa Bellini, and La Pescheria fish market.
• Local flavor: Snack on arancini and crisp panelle at Pasticceria Savia and neighboring Spinella on Via Etnea. For seafood, try Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab off the market—fried-to-order and perfect with a squeeze of lemon.
• Coffee & sweets: Prestipino by the Duomo for silky cappuccini and cassatelle; Caffè Europa on Corso Italia for locals’ mid-morning espresso; gelato at Chocogelateria on cooler evenings.
• Night bites and wine: Stroll Via Santa Filomena’s food street. Popular choices include Il Sale Art Café (Sicilian-Med plates), FUD Bottega Sicula (local-ingredient burgers), and Razmataz wine bar for Etna rosso by the glass.
• Fun fact: The black stone everywhere? That’s Etna—Catania’s paving, fountains, and even palazzi are built from lava.

Where to stay (mid-range friendly):

• NH Catania Centro — Walkable base by Via Etnea, reliable comfort.
• Hotel Villa Romeo — Solid value near the station; handy for early day trips.
• Romano Palace Luxury Hotel — For space and a quieter setting by the Playa (good winter deals).
• NH Catania Parco Degli Aragonesi — Beachside calm; easy parking.
• Catania International Airport Hotel — Ultra-convenient for late arrivals/early departures.
• VRBO apartments in Catania — Great if you want a kitchen for market finds.
• Hotels.com: Catania stays — Filter by parking and breakfast included.

Getting in and around:

• Flights: From European hubs to CTA (Catania Fontanarossa) are 1–3 hours; deals from ~$40–$150. Search Europe routes on Omio (flights). Coming from outside Europe? Compare on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.
• Trains and buses: For alternatives to driving (e.g., Catania–Taormina ~1h; Catania–Siracusa ~1h10), check Omio (trains in Europe) and Omio (buses in Europe).
• Parking & ZTL: Use signed lots such as Parcheggio Borsellino or Sturzo; avoid driving into old-town ZTL zones (fines are camera-enforced).

Day 1: Historic Catania, Underground Secrets, and Street Food

Morning: Arrive and settle in; drop your bags and start at Piazza del Duomo. Admire the lava-stone Cathedral of Sant’Agata and the city’s mascot, the elephant fountain. Grab an espresso and a cannolo at Prestipino, then stroll up Via Etnea to Villa Bellini for Etna views on clear days.

Afternoon: Explore the Roman Amphitheatre at Piazza Stesicoro, then duck into the Terme Achilliane (Roman baths) beneath the cathedral to see layers of Catania under your feet. Loop past stately churches along Via dei Crociferi—this Baroque avenue is a UNESCO showpiece. For a late lunch or snack, hit Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab off La Pescheria for crispy calamari cones and swordfish panini.

Evening: Take a guided foodie walk to learn the stories behind the bites (and where to return later):

Catania Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better — a local-led ramble through markets and backstreets with tastings (arancini, cipollina, cannoli). It hits your “foodie + live-like-a-local” vibe, and is perfect on a jet-lagged evening.

Prefer a sit-down dinner? On Via Santa Filomena, try Il Sale Art Café (eggplant caponata, pistachio pasta) or FUD Bottega Sicula (creative, Sicily-sourced burgers). Cap with a glass of Etna rosso at Razmataz.

Day 2: Mount Etna Adventure + Etna Wines

Morning: Fuel up with arancini at Pasticceria Savia, then head toward Etna’s south side (Rifugio Sapienza) for lunar landscapes, old craters, and lava fields. In January, conditions change fast; go with a trusted guide who supplies helmets/lamps for lava caves and monitors weather:

Etna Morning Trip — guided trekking among craters, a lava-flow cave, and sweeping views of the Valle del Bove. Expect 4–5 hours with easy-to-moderate walking; dress warmly and bring gloves and a beanie.

Afternoon: Celebrate with an Etna DOC tasting. Options along the slopes include family-run estates where ancient lava meets vines (think Nerello Mascalese and Carricante). Aim for a light lunch pairing—charcuterie, pecorino, and olives—before descending. If you prefer a sit-down meal, Nicolosi’s trattorie are cozy on chilly days; look for seasonal mushroom pastas and sausage with fennel.

Evening: Back in Catania, unwind at Me Cumpari Turiddu (Slow Food-minded Sicilian classics; book ahead on weekends). For a casual nightcap, try a craft amaro or grappa at a neighborhood bar near Teatro Massimo. Tip: if wind closes upper lifts, guides pivot to lower craters and lava tubes—still epic, just different.

Day 3: Day Trip—Syracuse & Ortigia with a Noto Finale (Primary Plan)

Morning: Drive ~1 hr to Syracuse’s Archaeological Park of Neapolis. Walk the Greek Theater (carved directly into the rock), the Ear of Dionysius cave (legend says it amplified prisoners’ whispers), and the Roman amphitheater. Continue to Ortigia—Syracuse’s honey-stone island core—and pause at the cathedral square, whose columns are the bones of an ancient temple to Athena.

Afternoon: Lunch on Ortigia at a deli-wine bar—try stuffed panelle, caponata, and a glass of Grillo. Stroll the lungomare to Fonte Aretusa’s papyrus-fringed pool. If energy runs high, add Noto (35 min SW), where the sun warms its theatrical Baroque facades; end with almond pastries and a short wander up Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

Evening: Return to Catania (~1 hr). If you didn’t eat in Noto, dine at U Fucularu back in town for swordfish involtini or a saffron-tinged seafood couscous. Sweet tooth? Pistachio gelato always works, even in winter.

Prefer not to drive? Consider Syracuse, Ortigia and Noto walking tour from Catania with transport and a guide, fitting January daylight efficiently.

Five+ Excellent Alternative Day-Trip Plans (Pick by Weather & Mood)

• Taormina & Castelmola (views + village vibe): Drive ~50–60 min north. Walk Taormina’s Corso Umberto, the Greek Theatre’s cliffside stands, then zip up to Castelmola for Etna-and-sea panoramas. If you love film lore and hill towns, the Godfather villages add character:

  

  The Godfather Movie Tour (Savoca & Forza d’Agrò). Note: Isola Bella paths may close in rough seas—check on the day.
• Ragusa Ibla & Modica (Baroque lanes + chocolate): About 1.5 hrs south. Get lost among Ragusa Ibla’s stairways and domes, then continue to Modica for stone-built streets and traditional “cold-worked” chocolate. Taste classic bars with cinnamon or orange; bring some home.
• Agrigento Temples + Piazza Armerina Mosaics (big-heritage day): Long but unforgettable: Valley of the Temples’ golden columns (2.5 hrs each way) paired with Villa Romana del Casale’s vivid Roman mosaics (detour inland). If you’d rather relax and let someone else drive, there’s a guided option:

  

  Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Day Tour.
• Etna North & Alcantara Gorges (scenery + short hikes): Loop the quieter north slope via Linguaglossa, then walk the basalt canyons of the Alcantara. In January the river is icy; stick to panoramic paths and the botanical garden walkways.
• Pantalica Gorge & Sortino (UNESCO necropolis + wild landscapes): A dream for hikers if the forecast is clear. Follow well-marked trails along honeycombed tombs carved into the cliffs; bring grippy shoes and check for any trail advisories after heavy rain.
• Caltagirone Ceramics & Enna Belvedere (craft + castle): Climb Caltagirone’s tiled Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, browse artisan workshops, then continue to Enna for sweeping interiors views from Lombardy Castle—especially atmospheric in winter light.

Optional upgrade for a one-and-done day: If you want Etna in the morning and a classic seaside town after, consider a combined guided day that handles logistics in winter conditions:

Mt. Etna and Taormina village full day tour from Catania — efficient routing and season-savvy pacing.

Local eating & coffee map for the three days: Mornings at Prestipino (Duomo) or Savia/Spinella (Via Etnea). Fast seafood at Scirocco by the market. Sit-down Sicilian at Me Cumpari Turiddu, U Fucularu, or Il Sale. Wine and small plates at Razmataz. In Ortigia, look for deli counters and simple trattorie with chalkboard menus—fresh, fair-priced, and seasonal.

Train/bus alternatives for day trips (if you don’t want to drive every day): Catania–Taormina-Giardini (50–65 min, from ~€7) and Catania–Siracusa (70–85 min, from ~€8) on Omio (trains) or Omio (buses).

Bonus “cook like a local” idea: If weather turns, trade a hike for a kitchen session to master pasta alla Norma (born in Catania) and seasonal antipasti:

Cooking lesson in Catania with lunch or dinner — a cozy winter-friendly alternative that still nails your foodie goals.

What to pack for January: Waterproof jacket, warm layers, scarf/hat/gloves for Etna, hiking shoes with tread, sunglasses (low sun is bright on lava), and a small daypack. Keep some euro coins for parking machines and espresso bars.

That’s three days in Catania built for adventure: a taste-forward city day, a memorable Etna trek with wine, and a heritage-rich excursion with five+ strong alternates. You’ll leave with volcanic vistas in your camera roll and pistachio crumbs on your sweater—the best souvenirs Sicily offers.