20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN CATANIA

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The Catania history It is long and quite busy. Take away enough ... it's very busy: she saw Greeks, Normans, Byzantines, Arabs and Spaniards passing through its streets. But if the invasions were not enough, he also had to deal with natural disasters like eruptions and earthquakes. We can conclude that fortunate precisely has not been. But everything that had to suffer is perfectly balanced with the beauty of the historic center with the strong personality of which it boasts. Although it may be the city of this trip that we least liked, we consider it an essential stage in a trip to Sicily and today we tell you the 20 best things to see and do in Catania.

1. Approach the Piazza Duomo. Here you will know one of the symbols of Catania: the Elephant Fountain (or Liotru), a monument with an elephant that holds an obelisk on its back. The Town Hall also stands out in the same square (Palazzo degli Elefanti) and the Palazzo dei Chierici.

2. Although the real protagonist is the St. Agatha's Cathedral, dedicated to her employer. After the earthquake of 1693 and its complete destruction, it was rebuilt and elements were added over the years. The access is free and inside is the tomb of the Catalan composer Vincenzo Bellini.

3. Do not leave this square without going to the end where the Fontana dell'Amenano. After the great eruption of Etna in 1669, the Amenano River was buried under the city, and this is one of the few points where it can be seen in daylight.

Find cheap accommodationin Cataniahere

4. Another of these points, although not open, is in an underground pub room To putia dell'Ostello. The ideal is to stay for a drink and sit on the natural steps, right next to where the river runs, although we have been told that if you ask permission to enter and see it, they will gladly leave. If you are interested in knowing more about the part that was buried under the lava after the eruption, there is a tour that takes you to know the crypts and passagesunderground. Guided tours last about 2-3 hours and cost € 15. More info.

5. Go to Garibaldi Street and look closely at the Garibaldi Gate. If you pay attention you can find the written “Melior de ciñere surgo", A Latin phrase that means"from the ash I am born again prettier than before”, A motto for the city and its inhabitants.

Piazza Duomo

6. Before we have named the famous composer Bellini, if you like the opera another special place in the city is theMassimo Bellini Theater,which takes the name of this favorite son. If you are lucky you can attend “the rule”, One of his most beautiful and well-known works. Here we leave the calendar.

7. Apart from the Cathedral of Santa Agata there are other baroque churches scattered throughout the center of Catania. In a single street, the Via dei CruciferiThere are 4 of them (Chiesa di San Benedetto, Chiesa di San Francesco, the Collegio dei Gesuiti and finally the Chiesa di San Giuliano).

8. Although the street that completely fascinates all visitors (especially if it is not cloudy), it is theVia Etnea, which begins in Piazza Duomo and extends for 3 km towards the north of the city. It is the most important commercial membrane of Catania, but what really attracts attention is the view of Etna that rises powerful to the bottom. In the upper part you reach Piazza Stesicoro, where you can visit the ruins of the Roman amphitheater.

9. The southern end of the Via Etnea ends at the Uzeda Gate, very characteristic for using volcanic black stone with white marble. The Duke of Uzeda is dedicated to the Spanish Viceroy, who promoted the reconstruction of the city after the earthquake of 1693. By the way, the Via Etnea was previously known as Via Uzeda.

10. The Monastery dei Benedettini It is one of the baroque jewels of Catania and the place that surprised us the most in our visit. It is the third largest monastery in Europe (after El Escorial in Madrid and the National Palace of Mafra in Portugal) and the best preserved and most beautiful on the continent. There are guided tours every hour, more info.

Monastero dei Benedettini

11. If you are one of those who don't miss local markets, you have to visit “A 'Piscaria”In Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto, a super lively and colorful fish market (and yes, smelly hehe). It is a spectacle thanks to the vendors who hit some championship shrieks. Another recommended stop is the “Fera 'or luni”, A fruit, vegetable and clothing market that takes place every day in Piazza Carlos Alberto.

12. Of another kind, the Palazzo Biscari It is a perfect example of Catanic luxury: frescoes and rooms worthy of a king (or at least a prince hehe). One of the most beautiful palaces in the city and quite little known. The guided tour costs € 10. More info.

13. Another interesting building is the Ursino Castle, built in the s. XIII and one of the few buildings in Catania that resisted the earthquake of 1693. Today it houses the city's Civic Museum and can be visited inside (€ 6 entrance). Although we recommend at least visiting from outside.

After kicking the historic center of Catania you will be hungry, so look at these restaurants where you can eat cheaply.

14. And since you are, take something in the peculiar terrace of the barGammazite, and attends one of the concerts they do in the Piazza di Federico Sveva. A very lively place. Or end the night drinking a beer (or two) in Mosaik Beer House & Tea Room, where they prepare a craft beer to lick their mustache.

15. It's not as pretty as Syracuse's or Taormina's, but the Greco-Roman Theater of Catania retains a certain charm, embedded between buildings in the historic center. Admission is € 6.

Remains of the Roman Theater

16. A good plan, which many locals repeat, is to buy some typical candy or a Sicilian granita in the Pasticceria Savia and take it easy on the Giardino Bellini.

17. If you like to take panoramic photos, do not hesitate to climb the dome of the Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agada. Entering the church and climbing to the dome costs € 3 (well spent). More info.

18. One of the most curious neighborhoods in Catania is San Berillo, which in the past was a neighborhood of lucecitas quite dodgy. Today is an area full of street art!

19. Something far from the center, but with great authenticity, is the area of port of San Giovanni Li Cuti. If you go at sunset and stay for dinner, you have succeeded!

20. If after all these visits, you still have time in Catania, we propose these two excursions:

The top of Etna, or at least part of the craters of Rifugio Sapienza. Here we tell you our visit.
Are you more from the coast? Go see "i faraglioni dei ciclopi”A series of small islets and large rocks that, according to legend, were thrown by Polyphemus, rabid after losing his sight because of Ulysses.