Heads up: this guide has affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this site free. How it works
Catania is Sicily’s second city, on the east coast, with Mount Etna right behind it. Most people only pass through its airport, but the city is worth a couple of days: baroque squares built from black lava stone, a loud morning fish market, and day trips to Syracuse and Taormina.
I spent two days in Catania with friends in November 2023 and used it as our base for exploring the east of Sicily by car. Here’s what to do, how to get in from the airport, and what I’d know before renting a car.
Quick answer:
- How long? Two days for the city, plus a day each for Syracuse and Taormina.
- Airport to centre: the Alibus takes about 15 minutes and costs €4.
- Good base? It works, but the traffic is a pain.
- Etna? You can see it from the city. Eruptions sometimes close the airport, so check before you fly.
Getting from Catania airport to the city centre
| Option | Time | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alibus | About 15 minutes | €4 | Every 18-25 minutes, about 4:40 am to 12:30 am; leaves from the old terminal forecourt |
| Taxi | About 15-20 minutes | €27 fixed fare to Piazza Duomo or the station | Experimental fixed fare from July to December 2026; ask for it before you get in |
Renting a car at Catania airport
We picked up our rental car at the airport, and it was a hassle, with a long queue at the desk. Book ahead, and leave yourself plenty of time before you plan to be anywhere.
You don’t need a car in Catania itself: the traffic is chaos and the centre has a ZTL (limited traffic zone). But for day trips to Syracuse, Taormina or Etna, a car makes things much easier. Read my guide to driving in Sicily before you pick it up, and you can compare rental prices on DiscoverCars.
Things to do in Catania
Piazza del Duomo and the Elephant Fountain
The main square is the heart of Catania, with the cathedral dedicated to Saint Agatha, the city’s patron saint, and baroque buildings all around. In the middle stands the Fontana dell’Elefante, the symbol of the city: an elephant carved from lava stone with an Egyptian obelisk on its back. Locals say touching the trunk brings good luck.
Climb the dome of the Badia di Sant’Agata
Right next to the cathedral, the Badia di Sant’Agata is a baroque church that’s free to visit. The best part is the climb to the dome terrace: I went up, and you get views over the square, the rooftops and Mount Etna. It cost €5 when I went; check the current price and opening times, as the dome closes on Mondays.
Catania Fish Market (La Pescheria)
Go in the morning, when it’s loud and busy: stalls of swordfish, tuna, sea urchins and everything else from the night’s catch, with vendors shouting their prices. The streets around it are full of restaurants serving the same fish a few hours later, and we had grilled fish at one of them.
Via Etnea
Catania’s main street runs north from Piazza del Duomo for about 3 km, lined with shops, cafés and baroque churches. On a clear day, you can see Mount Etna at the far end. We walked a good stretch of it, and it’s the easiest way to get your bearings.
Villa Bellini
Catania’s biggest park is a free, green break from the busy streets, with palm trees, fountains and shady paths.
Porta Garibaldi
This striped black-and-white city gate, built from lava stone and white limestone, dates from the 18th century. It’s a short walk from the centre and makes a great photo.
Ursino Castle
A 13th-century fortress built for Emperor Frederick II, now home to the city museum. I didn’t go inside, but it’s a good stop if you like history: check the current price and opening hours before you go.
If you have more time
I didn’t get to these, but they’re in every Catania guide:
- The Roman amphitheatre: part of a huge Roman arena, sunk below street level in Piazza Stesicoro, on Via Etnea. You can see it from the railings for free.
- The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena: one of the biggest monasteries in Europe, now part of the university, with guided tours.
- Aci Trezza and Aci Castello: fishing villages just north of Catania, with the Cyclops rocks in the sea and a Norman castle on lava rock.
What to eat in Catania
I had arancini in Catania, and you should too: in Catania they’re cone-shaped and called arancino (in Palermo they’re round arancina), usually filled with ragù and peas. Other local things to try:
- Pasta alla Norma: Catania’s own pasta, with aubergine, tomato and salted ricotta, named after an opera by Bellini, who was born here.
- Granita with brioche: the Sicilian summer breakfast. Pistachio and almond are the classics.
- Horse meat: grilled on the street in the evenings along Via Plebiscito. Very Catania, but not for everyone.
- Cipollina: puff pastry filled with onion, tomato, mozzarella and ham.
- Seltz, limone e sale: fizzy water with lemon juice and salt from a street kiosk. Odd but very refreshing.
- A cone of fried fish: from the stalls around the fish market.
What things cost in Catania
These are the costs that matter most for a short trip:
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Alibus from the airport | €4 |
| Taxi from the airport to the centre (fixed fare, Jul–Dec 2026) | €27 |
| Badia di Sant’Agata dome (when I went) | €5 |
| Villa Bellini, Elephant Fountain, fish market, Via Etnea | Free |
| AST bus to Etna, return | about €6.60 |
| Etna cable car to 2,500 m, return | €54 |
Mount Etna from Catania
Etna is Europe’s most active volcano, and from Catania you see it all the time. I only saw it from a distance, but if you want to go up:
- By bus: one daily AST bus runs from Catania to the south side of Etna (about €6.60 return).
- By car or tour: drive up to the south side, where you can walk around the Silvestri Craters (€5) or take the cable car to 2,500 m (€54 return).
- Higher up: the summit areas need a licensed guide, and they close when Etna is active.
What Etna eruptions mean for Catania airport
When Etna erupts, volcanic ash can close Catania airport. In August 2026, ash kept it closed for several days and hundreds of flights were diverted. If you’re flying in or out:
- Check with your airline before you go to the airport if Etna is active.
- Don’t count on compensation: eruptions usually count as “extraordinary circumstances”, so airlines don’t have to pay.
- Have a plan B, like Palermo airport or the train, and travel insurance that covers disruption.
Day trips from Catania
Catania worked as a base for us, though the city traffic was a pain every time we drove in and out.
- Syracuse and Ortigia: about an hour by car, with the Greek ruins and the island old town.
- Taormina: about an hour by car, with the hilltop town and Isola Bella beach.
Weather in Catania and the best time to visit
The most comfortable months are mid-April to mid-May and mid-September to mid-October. July and August are hot, with highs around 32°C. In November, highs are still around 21°C and the sea around 20°C, and October is the rainiest month.
Going in February? The Festival of Saint Agatha, Catania’s patron saint, takes over the city from 3 to 5 February, with huge processions through the night on the 5th. Book your stay early if you go then.
Where to stay in Catania
Catania FAQ
How many days do you need in Catania? Two days for the city. Add a day each if you’re doing Syracuse and Taormina from here.
How do I get from Catania airport to the city centre? The Alibus takes about 15 minutes and costs €4. A taxi costs a fixed €27 to Piazza Duomo or the station (July to December 2026).
Is Catania a good base for exploring Sicily? It worked for us for Syracuse and Taormina, but driving in and out of the city is slow and stressful.
Can you see Mount Etna from Catania? Yes, it’s right behind the city. You get great views from the dome of the Badia di Sant’Agata.
What should I eat in Catania? Arancini, pasta alla Norma, granita with brioche and, if you’re brave, grilled horse meat on Via Plebiscito.
When is the Saint Agatha festival? Every year from 3 to 5 February.
What happens if Etna closes Catania airport? Flights get cancelled or diverted. Check with your airline, and don’t count on compensation, as eruptions usually count as extraordinary circumstances.
Planning more of Sicily? Read my guides to Syracuse and Ortigia, Taormina and driving in Sicily.
