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Located at the foot of Mount Etna (Europe’s largest volcano) on the island of Sicily, Catania is the second largest city on the island. This city is a great hub for transportation, a center of economic activity, and a university city filled with young students. The urban feel of the city plays off its baroque architecture, a mix of old and new, with buildings remaining from centuries ago. This is due to Catania’s proximity to Mt. Etna, with the destruction of some old buildings and the construction of new ones. The scenery and beaches of Catania are absolutely gorgeous and are great for watersports, relaxing, or taking in the seaviews. If you are a true romantic or even would just like to get away and experience the informal culture, art, and the history of the Sicilians, Catania is the place for you. Book your flight today and save loads with student discounts!

Catania Pictures

Things to do in Catania

Many baroque buildings and architecture can be viewed when walking around the city, and the sites will never cease to amaze you. Head to the Piazza del Duomo, which contains the Elephant Fountain, or the symbol of the city and many shopping areas. The Cathedral is gorgeous and can be toured on the inside. The true city center is the Piazza Stesicoro and contains the historical and interesting ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre. Check out the Teatro Massimo in Piazza Teatro, where you can view this amazing structure and experience the lively city. The Greek/Roman Theater and the Odeon are worth a visit and have been kept up quite nicely. The San Nicolo church is one of the biggest in all of Sicily and a great site to see. When in Catania, right by Mount Etna, make the most of your trip by taking a Volcano Trek! Many organized tours can arrange this trip for you, or you can hire a Volcanologist and explore areas that may never have been seen before! As you travel in Catania, relax, shop in the markets, dine, stroll, and explore a volcano!

Nightlife in Catania

With the University of Catania located in the city, this college town is packed with young local students looking to have a good time. One great place to check out for Catania nightlife is Barrique Club, which is known for its atmosphere, Italian drinks, and Sicilian music. Another popular place to go is Quattro Venti, or 420. This restaurant transforms into a nightclub at about midnight, where trendy locals come to dance and have a great time. If you are visiting Catania in the summertime, check out Filenz, which is the most popular nightclub next to the beach. Strike nightclub plays catchy hip hop and R&B and is packed with people wanting to party! If you are feeling classy, head to Manteca, which is a quite elegant restaurant and piano nightclub. The view of the ocean is spectacular and the night will be very romantic to say the least! The Brew Pub is good if you are a beer drinker, because they brew their own lager and also have a great variety of different types of beer.

Dining in Catania

There are a few specialties of Catania which you can only get in traditional Sicilian restaurants. One of these is Anrancino, which is a fried ball of rice, tomato, and cheese. Try the cannoli alla ricotta, which you may have tasted before, but not like that in Catania. Horse meat is a popular item on most menus, so do not be afraid to branch out a bit. The fish in Catania is also delicious and fresh, with the city being located right on a port. A very popular lunch dish is a cold panini, which you can be filled with something like prosciutto and cheese. If you would like it hot, they can be made with cheese and meat and will be fried or baked. A great restaurant to try out is Sicilia in bocca, where you can sample traditional Sicilian cuisine and different types of pizza. Other nice places to check out include Il Sale Art Cafe, Pesce Cotto, and Casablanca.

Shopping in Catania

With many main centers, there are tons of popular places to shop in Catania, and you can find almost anything, from fresh food markets to high-quality clothing. Shoes, ceramics, and designer goods are some of the more popular items to purchase in Catania. The fresh food and fish markets below the Piazza del Duomo are very lively and colorful, often busy throughout the entire day and night. The main market of the city is the Mercarto de la Fiera located in the Piazza Stesicoro, a great place to visit. A fairly large supermarket in Catania, the Auchan has pretty much everything you could need- from wine to electronics. Corso Italia is more of an upper-class shopping road where you can find many brand name shops and stores. If you are looking for a great souvenir or some Sicilian trinkets, check out Porta Uzeda Shops, where they have interesting items for great prices.

Catania Travel Tips

• Although the primary language of Catania is Sicilian, there is now a mix of both this and Italian, especially in the city center.
• When in Italy, be prepared to talk! Italians and Sicilians are known for being outgoing, social extroverts so you will see a lot of that in the streets.
• If you are going to be driving or renting a car in Catania, prepare yourself. There are very few laws of the road, rarely any street signs, and you must drive without any hesitation.