Day 1 in Catania

Welcome to Catania, the island`s second-largest city after Palermo! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Spend your afternoon exploring the historic center of Catania, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, easily explored on foot with many of the city`s main sights. The main shopping strip is Via Etnea, about 1.8 miles long. Along the street you will see many churches such as the Basilica of Collegiata, built in the early eighteenth century, after the 1693 earthquake. Stop in one of the many welcoming cafes along this street to relax over lunch and take in the ambience of the city center.

In Piazza Duomo, where you`ll find the city`s showpiece church, Catania Cathedral, as well as the Fontana dell`Elefante, a flamboyant fountain featuring a smiling elephant and Egyptian obelisk. Then head down to Via Pardo to enjoy the lively Le Pescheria, the city`s famous fish market, a real folk place. Walk among the colorful vendor stalls. You can have a snack with typical local foods, such as the delicious `Siciliana` which is a type of fried pizza, stuffed with cheese and anchovies.

From there, work your way up to Piazza Federico di Svevia and Castello Ursino, a beautiful 13th-century castle that houses the Museo Civico and its collection of archaeological artifacts. Walk around the castle for some photographic opportunities.

Behind the monument of Vincenzo Bellini (the famous composer from Catania), there is a huge market where you can truly find everything and also make good deals: clothes, accessories, perfumes, food. In Piazza Carlo Alberto there is a beautiful Santuario della Madonna del carmine, dated 1729, which dominates the market.

Corso Umberto ends at the 1400 city gate, Porta Catania, emblazoned with the Aragon coat-of-arms. Near it stands the three-storied Palazzo Duca di Santo Stéfano, built at the same time as Porta Catania. It is easy to recognize because of its Gothic windows, fish-tail crenellations, and detailed stonework along the top. Concerts are held in the Great Hall, and two rooms display works by the sculptor Giuseppe Mazzullo (1913-88).

Enjoy your evening at one of the many delicious restaurants taking in the ambiance of the city at night. Try one of Catania`s signature dishes such as the pasta alla Norma, a delicious marriage of fried aubergines, tomato and ricotta that`s named after Bellini`s opera.

Day 2 in Catania

Wake up early and head to Mount Etna, an active stratovolcano and one of the main tourist attractions of Sicily. Mount Etna is considered the tallest active volcano in Europe, the most recent eruption was in 2015 when the volcano actually discharged some lava. Stretching over 224 square miles and about 20 towns, it offers great hiking and even better views of the entire island. Various tour operators offer day trips to the Volcano - You can choose to hike, cycle, or even ride an ATV or a jeep. When at the top of Mount Etna, on a clear day the scenery is unbelievable and you are granted with fantastic views of Sicily.

There are some restaurants and tourist points that sell food on the mountain. We recommend bringing a picnic or planning your day to eat at one of the many beautiful towns that dot the landscape below the volcano.

Mount Etna is a wildly active volcano, so check weather and eruption conditions before you go. At times public access to the top of the volcano is prohibited for safety reasons. Most trips will begin from Rifugio Sapienza, the Sapienza Mountain Hut, on the south side of the mountain. From there, you can head up the volcano by foot or cable car. Weather permitting, the cable cars run all day and prices include a minibus from the cable car station to the main crater. The walk around the crater from Rifugio Sapienza takes about four hours.

A different way to see Mount Etna and take a step back in time, is by riding the narrow-gauge train (the only one still operating in Sicily). Ride along the rails of the historic train station on the railway line from the center of Catania up to Riposto (3 hours), stops include Paterno, Adrano and Bronte. The journey is slow and noisy but of great charm.

After a busy day exploring the great outdoors of Mount Etna, head back into the city to enjoy some of the great nightlife. Catania offers a great selection of bars, cafes and clubs for all tastes and is well known for its lively nightlife. The old town has a wide variety of bars where you can enjoy a traditional Aperitivo, some lovely wine bars which offer a selection of local wines and delicacies, and even a jazz club, where you can attend Italian and international Jazz concerts. In addition for the disco lovers, there is even a great spot to enjoy some techno and retro hits.

Day 3 in Catania

On your last day in Catania, continue to enjoy all the heritage and culture this charming Sicilian city has to offer.

Discover the Teatro Romano, located in-between the Benedictine Monastery and Catania Cathedral. Created in the 2nd century BC, the theatre features a main seating area and also a smaller Odeon theatre to the left hand side. The seats of the theatre and several other sections are actually created from lava taken from Mount Etna and the structure remains in fantastic condition.

Enjoy a picnic while relaxing in nature at the Giardini Bellini and the Parco Maestranze which are located to the west of the Piazza Carlo Alberto in the town center. The Bellini Garden is located at the east side of the park and contains a beautiful fountain and several flower beds. Aside from the Giardini Bellini, the Maestranze Park features a series of shaded walking trails covered by luscious forest.

After lunch, take a ride about 10 miles north of Catania along the coast, you will come to the charming village of Aci Castello. This village was originally constructed around the castle that lies on the coast and has stood there since the Norman conquests of Sicily. The castle here is the main attraction that sits apart from the village on a rock outcrop facing the sea. Built in 1076 the castle has stood for hundreds of years and is an iconic landmark on this section of Sicilian coast. Today you can explore the grounds of the castle and climb up to the top battlements for fantastic views out to the sea and the surrounding countryside.

End your day at San Giovanni Li Cuti, a beach featuring black volcanic sands, ash and a multitude of volcanic rocks. The beach is located on the east coast of Sicily, opposite the Via Zoccolanti, the San Giovani Li Cuti is a great place to escape from the busy city for a relaxing sunset.

Enjoy a bite to eat at the small harbor at the northern end of the beach that is full of old wooden fishing boats. There are several quaint bars and restaurants to choose from. There are also several sections of wooden decking complete with sunbeds, a great spot to relax while taking in the sea air.

Additional Days in Catania

Should you be able to spend additional days in Catania we recommend you spend a day at the beach at Lido Azzurro, a perfect place to soak up the sun and have some fun. Just 15 minutes to the south of Catania, this beautiful golden soft sand stretches for miles. At the beach there are many sun loungers so you can sit back with a cocktail and enjoy the beautiful weather. There is also a children`s play area, several beach bars and shops.

Your Last Day In Catania

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.