Catania is a multicoloured universe, from the glittering whiteness of its Baroque stuccoes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to the lava black of the Liotru, the elephant sculpted from basalt that greets us in Piazza Duomo in the heart of the city.
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It is steeped in history, with Greek and Roman ruins standing side-by-side in the heart of the city. All in all, Catania is an incredible city that should definitely be on your itinerary if you're visiting Sicily. It has something to offer for everyone! Is Catania Worth Visiting?
Catania, a baroque city with a gritty energy. At the foot of Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano and overlooking the eastern coast of Sicily, is the city of Catania, the undisputed capital of Sicilian Baroque.
Palermo or Catania. Both Palermo and Catania are great choices for a short 2-4 day visit. Palermo has more attractions in the historic center so we recommend at least 3 days to see everything in Palermo. On the other hand, Catania's historic center can be explored in 2 days.
The east coast Ionian Riviera has some of Sicily's most picturesque pebbly and sandy beaches including those of Isola Bella, Mazzarò, Giardini Naxos and Letojanni (below Taormina).
How Many Days Do You Need in Catania? We think either one or two nights is the perfect amount of time for exploring Catania itself, depending on how much time you have. If you want to use it as a day trip to either Taormina or Mount Etna, add a day for each one.
How much money will you need for your trip to Catania? You should plan to spend around €120 ($129) per day on your vacation in Catania, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €41 ($44) on meals for one day and €20 ($22) on local transportation.
Getting Around. Catania is a very walkable city, with many of the main sights close to each other in the city center. Most of the area is also prohibited from vehicles. This is great as you can peacefully explore all the historic streets and side alleys.
With its 18 km, La Playa is the locals' favourite beach: a long stretch of fine golden sand. Locals and tourists alike appreciate both the beach services offered by the lidos, and its lively and entertaining night life. Another strong point of La Playa is the breath-taking view of majestic Etna.
“Better” is very subjective…. Most find Siracusa more tourist-friendly, especially the charming ancient island of Ortigia. If you can get to Catania, can you visit Taormina. If not, Siracusa.
Palermo and Catania have very similar climates, with warm summers and mild winters. Both cities reach temperatures of 90°-100°F in the summer, and temperatures rarely dip below 45°F in the winter. Catania tends to be slightly warmer than Palermo due to it being closer to the equator.
Is Palermo or Catania safer? Both cities are generally safe for tourists, but like any city, it's important to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
The Amalfi Coast is a great place to relax on the beach, enjoy fine dining and high-end shopping, and take in beautiful scenery. Travelers looking for more culture and history should opt to visit Sicily for their vacation.
Antonio Carnazza, a license partner with Engel & Völkers for eastern Sicily, says properties in Sicily's prime markets can get up to $738 a square foot. He cites Taormina as the most expensive area, along with the Aeolian Island of Panarea off the northern coast.