Catania is Sicily at full volume: a city sculpted from black lava stone, crowned by Mount Etna, and fueled by an outdoor life that begins in the markets and spills into the piazzas. Twice reborn after eruptions and quakes, its 18th‑century Baroque center is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing, a theatrical backdrop for daily life.

History lives in layers here—Greek-Roman ruins sit beneath streets lined with noble palazzi and exuberant churches. The rhythm of the day follows tradition: a morning espresso and brioche, a long lunch, a late paseo along Via Etnea as Etna glows at dusk. Food is a revelation: arancini, pasta alla Norma, fresh-caught frutti di mare, and ricotta‑filled cannoli that defy restraint.

Practical notes: spring and fall bring mild weather ideal for Etna hikes; summers are hot and beach‑friendly. Dress modestly for churches; carry small cash for market tastings; and remember some shops pause mid‑afternoon. Always check Etna conditions locally before ascending.

Catania

Cradled between sea and volcano, Catania is a study in contrasts: black-lava facades and creamy limestone, bustling markets and serene cloisters, street-food cones and white tablecloths. It’s also a superb hub for day trips across eastern Sicily.

• Top sights: Piazza del Duomo and the Elephant Fountain, Cathedral of Sant’Agata, Via Etnea, Monastero dei Benedettini, Greek-Roman Theatre and Odeon, Castello Ursino, La Pescheria fish market, Giardino Bellini.
• Local flavors to try: Arancini (ragù or pistachio), pasta alla Norma (named after Bellini’s opera), sardines a beccafico, granita with brioche, cannoli.
• Fun fact: The city’s signature black stone comes from Etna’s lava; even street curbs and church steps tell the volcano’s story.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Romano Palace Luxury Hotel — resort feel by La Playa with a large pool and gardens (good for families and beach time).
• Hotel Villa Romeo — reliable midrange near the station; easy base for train day trips.
• NH Catania Parco Degli Aragonesi — modern beachfront option, quick cab to the airport.
• NH Catania Centro — central for shopping and nightlife near Via Etnea.
• Catania International Airport Hotel — convenient for late arrivals/early departures.

Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Catania or apartment-style options on VRBO – Catania.

How to get to Catania:

• Flights (within Europe): Compare fares to CTA on Omio (flights). Rome–Catania ~1h15; Milan–Catania ~1h50; many low-cost options.
• Flights (long-haul or outside Europe): Search global routes to Catania via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains (within Italy/Europe): Overnight and daytime trains reach Sicily via the Messina ferry; check times on Omio (trains). Rome–Catania ~9–10h; Naples–Catania ~7–8h.
• Buses & ferries: Mainland–Sicily buses and ferry combos (e.g., via Messina, Palermo, Pozzallo) on Omio (buses) and Omio (ferries).

Day 1 – Arrival, First Stroll, and Sicilian Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive in Catania and check in. Shake off travel with an easy walk along Via Etnea to Giardino Bellini for your first Etna views. Pop into Prestipino Duomo for a proper espresso and a mini cannolo; it’s a local ritual.

Evening: Circle Piazza del Duomo to meet the lava-stone Elephant Fountain, then slip into the lively La Pescheria quarter. For dinner, choose Me Cumpari Turiddu (Slow Food classics like macco di fave and Nebrodi pork), or the upbeat FUD Bottega Sicula for craft beers and Sicilian-sourced burgers and platters. Nightcap at Razmataz Wine Bar in San Berillo—excellent Etna Rosso by the glass.

Day 2 – Baroque Catania and the Market’s Street Food Secrets

Morning: Tour the UNESCO-listed heart: Cathedral of Sant’Agata, Basilica della Collegiata, and palazzi along Via dei Crociferi. Continue to the Monastero dei Benedettini—its cloisters and lava-layered cellars reveal the city’s rebirth after 1669 and 1693.

Afternoon: Eat your way through La Pescheria on a guided tasting. Book the Catania Street Food Walking Tour and Market Adventure for piping-hot arancini, fried anchovies, cipollina, and seasonal surprises while learning market lore.

Evening: Explore Castello Ursino precinct for aperitivo. Try cones of fried seafood at Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab or grab a sit‑down meal at Trattoria da Antonio (spaghetti with sea urchin in season). For cocktails, Boheme Mixology Bar shakes refined Sicilian twists.

Day 3 – Mount Etna: Craters, Caves, and Epic Vistas

Morning: Head up the volcano with the Etna Morning Trip. Expect pickup, a guided walk among ancient craters around 2,000 m, and a peek into a lava tube—helmets and lamps provided. Wear layers; temperatures drop at altitude.

Afternoon: Return to town and refuel with a classic pasta alla Norma at Mm! Trattoria. Stroll the Greek-Roman Theatre and Odeon—hidden amid modern streets—then treat yourself to almond granita at Pasticceria Savia near Villa Bellini.

Evening: Dinner at U Fucularu (try swordfish involtini or pistachio pesto specialties). For a post-dinner drink with character, Nievski is an old-school local favorite with good amari and late-night chatter.

Day 4 – Taormina Day Trip: Greek Theatre and Isola Bella

Morning: Take the train to Taormina–Giardini (about 50–60 minutes, ~$6–12; check Omio (trains)). Ride the local bus or taxi up to the hill town and start at the Greek Theatre, a 3rd‑century BCE masterpiece with a stage framed by Etna and the sea.

Afternoon: Wander Corso Umberto for viewpoints and boutiques, then descend by cable car to Isola Bella for a swim. Lunch ideas: Da Cristina (famous arancini and scacciate) or Trattoria Don Ciccio for seafood pastas.

Evening: Return to Catania for a performance at Teatro Massimo Bellini if schedules align. Otherwise, grab pizza and craft beer at Al Vicolo Pizza & Vino, then gelato at Comis Ice Cafe on Via Etnea.

Day 5 – Siracusa, Ortigia, and Noto: Magna Graecia to Baroque Gold

Morning: Join the full-day Syracuse, Ortigia and Noto walking tour from Catania. In Siracusa’s Neapolis Archaeological Park, see the Greek Theatre and the echoing Ear of Dionysius cave while tracing the city’s classical might.

Afternoon: Cross to Ortigia for the Duomo (built into a Greek temple) and the waterfront market—order a legendary sandwich at Caseificio Borderi or taste caponata and olives at Fratelli Burgio. Continue to Noto for honey-colored Baroque streets and a sweet stop at Caffè Sicilia (almond and citrus desserts are art).

Evening: Back in Catania, keep it light with seafood cones at Scirocco or a plate of grilled calamari at Osteria Contino. Digest with a seaside stroll if you’re near La Playa.

Day 6 – Beaches and the Riviera dei Ciclopi

Morning: Beach time. Choose the long sandy La Playa (lidos with umbrellas/showers) or the small black-lava cove of San Giovanni Li Cuti for a local vibe. Breakfast beforehand at Pasticceria Spinella (try pistachio cornetti and granita).

Afternoon: Bus or taxi up the coast to Aci Castello for the Norman sea castle, then onward to Aci Trezza to gaze at the Cyclops sea stacks. Lunch by the water at I Malavoglia (spaghetti alle vongole) or Trattoria Acquarius (mixed grill of the day). Snorkel or take a boat out to the stacks if seas are calm.

Evening: Return to Catania for dinner at the atmospheric A Putia dell’Ostello, where a lava-cave grotto hides the underground Amenano stream. For a final round, try Circus Cocktail Bar for creative signatures.

Optional alternative today: If you prefer history over beach time, day-trip to the Valley of the Temples (Agrigento). Buses take ~2–2.5 hours each way (check Omio (buses)). Go early for cooler temple walks and lunch in Agrigento’s old town before returning.

Day 7 – Market-to-Table Cooking and Farewell

Morning: One last coffee at Prestipino or Caffè Europa, then shop for spices, pistachios, and ceramics around Via Etnea. Cap your week by joining a hands-on Cooking lesson in Catania with lunch or dinner—from market picks to rolling pasta and mastering cannoli cream.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to the airport. If time allows, take a last stroll through Piazza Università and pick up edible souvenirs: Bronte pistachio paste, Avola almonds, and Sicilian olive oil.

Evening: In transit. Plan your return—you only scratched the surface of eastern Sicily.

Eating & coffee cheat sheet (save for later): Savia (granita, arancini), Prestipino (espresso, cannoli), Spinella (pastries), Scirocco Fish Lab (fried seafood cones), Me Cumpari Turiddu (Slow Food Sicilian), U Fucularu (pistachio-forward pastas), Trattoria da Antonio (market-fresh seafood), FUD (casual local sourcing), Razmataz/Boheme/Circus (drinks).

With Etna beneath your feet, Baroque Catania as your stage, and crystalline coves up the coast, this week balances culture, nature, and flavor. From market tastings to Greek theatres and golden Noto, you’ve experienced eastern Sicily’s greatest hits—at an unrushed, Sicilian pace.