Book a Flight to Catania from €49

The Elephant fountain: trademark of Catania, in the middle of central Piazza del Duomo. It is a monumental 18th century fountain, designed by architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini, with an elephant -sculpture in the middle, made of a single piece of black lava from Etna. The animal carries a high granite, Egyptian style obelisk on its back. As legend has it, an elephant had hunted away all wild beasts from the area upon the establishment of ancient Catania, saving the colonists... 
Address: Piazza del Duomo.

Saint Agatha Cathedral: dedicated to the Patron saint of the city, the church dominates the central square of Catania. The first, 11th century church was damaged by earthquakes, with the one of 1693 being the most destructive. In its modern form the cattedrale was rebuilt in early 18th century, a true Sicilian Baroque masterpiece with three rows of Corinthian columns in the façade and a patio made of Carrara marble. The central wooden door is decorated with scenes from the life and martyrdom of Saint Agatha in relief. Inside the cathedral the relics of the saint are kept, as well as the tomb of the famous personality of the city, Vincenzo Bellini, composer of the opera “Norma”. 
Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele 163, 0039 095 320044, www.cattedralecatania.it

Teatro Massimo Bellini: visit, or rather, book your tickets to watch an opera performance in Catania's opera house, a work by architect Carlo Sada in the 19th century, with the marble foyer, the red galleries and the ceilings that are painted depicting scenes from Bellini’s most well-known operas. Here in 1951, Maria Callas was the triumphant protagonist of “Norma”, in a performance celebrating 150 years from the birth of the composer.  
Address: Via Giuseppe Perrotta 12, 0039 095 7306111, www.teatromassimobellini.it/ 

Ursino Castle: this imposing castello was built in the 13th century, at the commands of the ruler of Sicily, Frederick II, and was destined to be the royal residence and main defence structure. Its sturdy construction saved it from the strong earthquake of 1693 and it currently houses the Civico Museum of Catania. The museum has archaeological artefacts from the ancient Greek colonies of Sicily, craters from Attica, coins and works from the medieval period.  
Address: Piazza Federico II di Svevia, 3, 0039 095 345830

Roman Theatre: only a small part of the “Colosseum of Sicily” has survived to this day, at Piazza Stesicoro, in the historic centre of the city, carrying an intense sense of ancient grandeur. In its original form, the 2nd a.D. century Roman theatre was the largest in Sicily, constructed exclusively by Etna lava, with marble seats for 15,000 spectators.  
Address: Piazza Stesicoro
 
Taormina: the cosmopolitan resort of eastern Sicily (50 km from Catania), stretches on a semicircular plan with a view to the green-blue waters of the Ionian sea and the Etna, a medieval gem attracting international jet-setters. Starting from the small island of Isola Bella walk up in the central Corso Umberto street with its shiny shop windows. Visit the amazing Teatro Greco, built in the Hellenistic period and used by the Romans for gladiatorial combats.  

Syracuse: driving 69 km to the south, you will reach the once mightier Greek colony in Sicily, established in 733 b.C. by Corinthians and holding a key role in the Peloponnesian war. In this vast archaeological park, the 5th century Greek theatre dominates the scenery. Ortygia, the small island in the heart of the city with Arethuse fountain is a fascinating journey in the past. 
 
Climbing Etna: a true life experience is the close encounter with the highest active volcano in Europe. Specialised Catania agencies organise trips for fascinating adventure in the eerie scenery of Etna with absolute safety. You get on Jeep, take the cable car for a low flight above the volcanic desert, follow a geologist on foot to the rivers of the frozen lava to the crater rim at three thousand metres altitude.

Wander around central via Etnea with the beautiful Sicilian Baroque building by architects Vaccarini and Battaglia and the cute shops. Italian fashion boutiques are lined up in Corso Italia and in the commercial streets via Monfalcone and via Umberto. In large shopping centres of the city, such as Portali and Catania Mall, discount is often up to 70-80%, so keep an eye for the “saldi” sign on the windows. At Etnopolis, you will combine shopping with dinner and a movie.   

Next to Ursino Castle, at via Reitano, you will buy handmade marionettes, ornaments made of lava, pottery by Caltagirone and candelore miniatures, namely baroque wooden floats dedicated to the Patron saint of the city, all hand painted. Moreover, you can buy traditional colourful Sicilian miniature carts and scacciapensieri, the small musical instrument held by Sicilians between their lips to break free from their worries, as souvenirs.

Catania's cuisine is a tasty mix of Italian and Arabian influences, with exceptional raw materials from the fertile volcanic soil. The top city dish is pasta alla Norma, a pasta dish with fresh tomato and basil that took its name from the famous Bellini opera. Try aubergine caponata, arancini rice balls and handmade thin crust pastry pizza. Indulge in cannoli, sweet pastry tubes filled with ricotta cheese and the Sicilian cassata cake. Accompany your dishes with exceptional local wines from the volcanic vineyards.  

In Taormina, hang out in Belvedere square with a chilled limoncello -- a liqueur made with lemons from the orchards of Etna, enjoying the view to the smoking volcano. In Ortygia, have a cup of coffee in front of the Syracuse Cathedral at the square where some of Tornatore's “Malena” scenes were filmed. 

Legend has it that ice-cream was first made in Sicily during the Roman time, made of snow from Etna. Try it in endless combinations, such as nocciola and pistachio, the way locals have it: as a sandwich in a brioche bun.  

When in Catania, do not expect an early night. Go to Ciminiere, the former industrial zone of the area, now transformed to a trendy cultural and night-life events centre, to enjoy clubbing, concerts, film screenings, theatre and dance performances.

Tradition and Sicilian temperament in the great events of Catania.

• Saint Agatha Festival The locals in Catania honour the memory of the Patron saint of the city in February and August, with celebrations of such folklore and spontaneous expression of devotion that their fame goes beyond the borders of Sicily. On 3-5 February the entire city takes to the streets to remember the martyrdom of the virgin saint in the years of Roman persecution of Christians. The spectacular litany of the statue and the holy relics runs the impressively illuminated historic centre, followed by baroque floats representing pasta makers, green grocers, butchers, craft unions of the city. On 17 August the city celebrates the recurrence of when the saint's relics were brought back to Catania from Constantinople. 
• Taormina Film Fest Top names from the Italian and the international film industry arrive in the marvellous Teatro Greco for film screenings, with a view to the blue of the Ionian Sea and the volcano of Etna. In the same venue, throughout the summer, classic Italian operas, ballet theatre, classical music concerts and theatrical performances of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides in ancient Greek are staged. 
• Ricotta Festival Traditional festival to honour the queen of Sicilian cheese every April in Vizzini (60 km from Catania). Savoury tastings and cultural tours to museums and churches in the birthplace of writer Giovanni Verga.

Getting to and from the airport in Catania

Aegean Airlines lands on Fontanarossa International Airport of Catania, 4 km south-west of the city. Recently renovated, the largest airport of Sicily has many shops, restaurants, cafés, and a bank, foreign exchange office, post office, car rental agencies, free Wi-Fi.

To get to the city from the airport, you can take the AMT Alibus on the service to the central railway station of Catania. Another good option is taxi, as the distance between the airport and the city centre is short and the journey will not cost more than 25 Euros.