What to See in Catania, the City at the Foot of Etna

There are many places to visit in Sicily, a land rich in art and culture, but without a doubt Catania and its surroundings represent one of the most interesting areas of the entire region.

It is a true gem, located between Etna and the sea; every year, an increasing number of tourists visit this fascinating city to discover its secrets and unique features. In this guide, we will explore together what to see in Catania, to help you plan your trip to Sicilian land in the best way possible.

Visiting Catania: Places of Interest

Without a doubt, in Sicily the places of interest are truly numerous, but among many beautiful cities, Catania stands out for its landscape formation and hidden beauties in every corner. There are many things to see in Catania, but we have tried to gather the most important ones, those you absolutely cannot miss. Finally, you can always consider the 3-day itinerary in Catania.

1 Catania Historic Center

The historic center of Catania is the first place we recommend you visit. It is the heart of the city, and it is in this district that the main activities take place, including the famous Monday market. It houses many important monuments and serves as the meeting place for both local residents and visitors.

2 Piazza del Duomo in Catania

Piazza del Duomo is the main square of Catania and offers a lot in terms of attractions. Located in the heart of the city, near the port area, it is recognizable by the imposing Elephant Fountain, the Amenano Fountain, the Catania Cathedral, and the Palace of the Elephants. The symbol of Catania is famously the elephant, said to represent the city’s protection. In Piazza del Duomo, you’ll also find several cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying a drink, grabbing a bite, and soaking up the lovely Sicilian atmosphere. Definitely add this to your “What to Visit in Catania” list.

3 Basilica of Sant’Agata in Catania

The Basilica of Sant’Agata is the cathedral and a unique structure, a masterpiece of Norman and Baroque architecture. Located in the old city center, the cathedral stands in Piazza del Duomo. Inside, it conserves the tomb of the renowned composer Vincenzo Bellini.

4 Ursino Castle

The Ursino Castle is one of the city’s most important monuments, dating back to the 13th century, commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia, who built over a hundred castles in southern Italy. Today, its condition remains very good. Built on a basalt cliff overlooking the sea, the Norman Castle held an important strategic position in the past. The cliff was originally isolated; the eruption of 1169 filled the sea arm that separated it from the mainland.
The castle, witness over centuries of long struggles between the Aragonese of Sicily and the Angevins of Naples, was besieged and conquered multiple times, passing through the hands of Viceroys and private owners. During the 16th century, it became home to a garrison guarding the sea and later a harsh prison. Today, it houses the Civic Museum, which offers an intriguing journey into the past. We recommend strolling around the castle to take photos and visiting inside, home to the city’s Civic Museum.

5 Civic Museum

The Civic Museum of Catania, located in the heart of the historic city inside the Ursino Castle, is a major destination for archaeologists, historians, and restorers. It is the most important museum in Catania due to the size and variety of its collection. From 15th-century Byzantine-style tablets to 19th-century oil paintings, the museum boasts a very rich art gallery, along with numerous archaeological artifacts from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, Greek vases, Greek and Roman coins, portals from the 13th and 15th centuries, engravings, prints, sacred vestments, and ornamental art pieces from various eras. Currently, the courtyard, ground floor, first floor, and only part of the collection are accessible, which still includes highly valuable artifacts. The museum hosts mineralogical, paleontological, and archaeological sections; completing the exhibition is a small botanical garden, showcasing a noteworthy collection of plants in the open air.

6 Church of San Francesco Borgia

The Church of San Francesco Borgia is located on Via dei Crociferi, the most scenic street of Catania Baroque. Equipped with a double-flight staircase, it has a very linear façade in Roman Academic style. It unfolds on two orders of paired marble columns. The interior has three very wide and bright naves. The side altars are marble and feature altarpieces by 18th-century Catanian painters. The dome is frescoed with themes related to the Jesuit order by the painter Olivio Sozzi.

7 Museums in Catania

Catania is a city teeming with art. We recommend visiting several museums in Catania.

• Emilio Greco Museum

  Inaugurated in 1994 in the presence of sculptor Emilio Greco, the museum holds much of his graphic work donated by the artist himself to his hometown.

• Zoology Museum and Butterfly House

  The collections preserved in the Zoology Museum and Butterfly House mainly concern Mediterranean fauna: the largest collection is the entomological “Ragusa” collection, comprising about 25,000 specimens of lepidoptera. The exhibition of fauna specimens is also extraordinary, including an interesting ornithological collection of over 160 birds, acquired in 1991 through a donation by the Hunters’ Circle of the Province of Catania, and another dating back to 1923, donated by the noblewoman Anna Paternò Castello, which includes about a thousand specimens, mostly exotic, including around a hundred hummingbirds of notable interest, along with numerous parrots and birds of paradise. In 1989, the scientific collection was further enriched with the acquisition of the important ornithological collections Baglieri and Baglieri Benanti, comprising over 500 specimens from Sicily. In the same building, the “Butterfly House” is open to visitors, a small climate-controlled greenhouse hosting tropical lepidoptera and insects observable during their different life stages.

• Giovanni Verga House Museum

The birthplace of Giovanni Verga is an apartment on the second floor of a 19th-century building. It is the home where Verga spent his childhood and lived for long periods surrounded by family and close friends. After the death of Giovannino Verga Patriarca, heir of the writer, the house was purchased by the Sicilian Region and opened to the public after restoration. Inside, the furnishings and books that belonged to Giovanni Verga are preserved.

• Valenziano Santangelo Museum of Lava Stone Sculptures

The Museum of Lava Stone Sculptures of Catania was created by sculptor Nino Valenziano Santangelo, who has worked with lava stone since 1978. It exhibits 306 sculptures whose subjects include myths from the Greco-Roman world, cinema, literature, and figures from Sicilian tradition; the works are intuitively carved from lava blocks with light interventions. A series of other artifacts highlights the multifaceted character of lava: volcanic bombs, ash, rope lava, slab lava, lapilli.

• Bellini Civic Museum

The Bellini Civic Museum is located in the musician’s birthplace and collects documents, memories, and objects belonging to him. Also exhibited are stage models, autograph scores, paintings, miniatures, and in hall D, several autograph musical manuscripts created during his studies in Naples.

• Department of Botany and Botanical Garden of Catania

• Biscari Museum

8 Etna

Etna: when visiting Catania, you can’t miss the opportunity to climb Etna. Several tour operators offer daily trips to the volcano on foot, by bike, or by jeep. Upon reaching the top of Etna on a clear day, the view is incredible, and you will enjoy a fabulous, unforgettable landscape. Add it to your list of “Catania: What to See”.

Catania in a nutshell: how to get there and where to eat

9 How to Get to Catania

Many ferries to Catania allow you to reach the Sicilian city by sea, but certainly one of the fastest ways is by plane. The Catania Airport, Fontanarossa – Catania Airport, is located less than 10 km from the city center. You can choose to use shuttle services or take a taxi to reach your hotel.

10 What to Eat in Catania

Food is undoubtedly one of the city’s main prides. During your holiday, we recommend trying dishes from the Catanian cuisine by choosing from the various restaurants in Catania. Don’t forget to taste the arancini, Sicilian cannoli, pasta alla Norma, and horse meat sandwiches. A fun fact: in Catania, arancini are masculine (arancino), while in Palermo they are feminine (arancina).