Last Updated on February 28, 2026
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Catania, a city on the eastern coast of Sicily, often gets overlooked with people visiting the island. It has a reputation of being a bit gritty and many visitors skip it in favor of other more polished Sicilian destinations. While parts of Catania can definitely be rough around the edges, there’s a lot of beauty in the city and I strongly recommend spending at least one day in Catania.
Especially if you’re flying into Catania to start your Sicily trip, why wouldn’t you spend a day exploring the Historic Center and lively markets. The Baroque architecture is amazing, the city has a fun vibrant atmosphere, and the food is to die for. And you have the majestic Mount Etna as the backdrop.
If you have more time, Catania is also an excellent base for exploring eastern Sicily. You can easily visit Taormina, Mount Etna and Syracuse on a day trip, just to name a few. But even just one full day is enough to enjoy some of the best things to do in Catania.
If you follow this 1-day Catania itinerary, it will be a busy day, but I listed all the stops and attractions, so they are close to each other. With just one day in Catania, you don’t want to spend your time running back and forth. And don’t forget you’re in Italy, where siesta is very much a real thing. A lot of attractions and businesses close mid-day for a few hours.
Below are my suggestions on what to do in Catania in one day. Hopefully it will convince you to add Catania to your Sicily itinerary.
How to get to Catania, Sicily
Catania is located on the eastern coast of Sicily and how to get there will depend on where you’re coming from.
By air
Catania is home to an international airport: Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), also known as Aeroporto Internazionale Vincenzo Bellini di Catania-Fontanarossa. And this is how most visitors arrive in eastern Sicily. The airport is very close to the city center and there is a bus called ALIBUS right outside of the terminal that brings you right into the center of Catania.
The bus runs every 20-25 minutes and it’s about a 20-minute ride. One way ticket costs €4 and you can buy it either in the automated machine or from the driver. Don’t forget to validate it! The ticket is valid for 90 minutes.
By bus
If you are already in Sicily, you can get to Catania by bus from many places on the island. Sicily has a great bus network and it’s a very convenient and affordable way to travel between cities.
The main bus station in Catania is on Via Archimede and most of the main bus companies (Etna Transporti, Interbus, SAIS) operate from there. You can get to Catania by bus from Taormina (1hr 10 min), Syracuse (1 hour), Ragusa (2 hours) or Palermo (2.5 + hours), just to name a few.
The bus station is outside of the Historic Center (right in this spot) about a 15-20-minute walk depending on where you start. The area is not as nice as the center, but totally fine to walk in the daytime. But I wouldn’t walk there after dark, especially as a female traveling alone.
By train
There are also trains that connect Catania with other Sicilian towns, especially along the east coast. You can catch a direct train from Taormina, Siracusa or Messina. Getting to Catania from Palermo by train is also possible, although not always direct and takes longer than a bus. Most trains are operated by Trenitalia.
Catania Centrale is the main train station, and it’s located about a 15–20-minute walk to the city center. If you are not up for the walk, there are always taxis outside of the station. Also, the ALIBUS shuttle that runs from the airport makes a stop at Catania Centrale, so you can hop on it to get to the center.
Train travel in Sicily is usually slower, less frequent and not always, but quite often train stations are outside of the city center. That’s why generally it’s easier and faster to get between cities by bus. Trains however offer a more scenic ride.
Things to do in Catania in one day
This is a self-guided one-day Catania itinerary, but if you enjoy guided tours, you can also book the Catania: Heart of the City Walking Tour. During the 2 hours you’ll cover some of the attractions listed here.
Visit the Fish Market
The first stop of your day in Catania has to be the fish market, known as La Pescheria. Every day, except for Sunday, local fishermen come to this open-air market to sell their catch of the day. This is one of those places you go, if you want a get a glimpse into local everyday life.
It’s loud, chaotic, kind of smelly but it’s one of those things to do in Catania, that is a true local experience. Locals go there to buy fish, tourists to take in the atmosphere. If you enjoy photography, this is a fun place to take some fun photos.
Besides the fish, there are also vendors selling fruit, vegetables and cheeses. Some also have fresh oysters for a couple of Euros if you want a snack.
The fish market is right behind Piazza del Duomo and Fontana dell’Amenano. It’s open Monday – Saturday from 7.30 am until 1 pm. But the earlier you go, the better. You can see the most action in the morning, that’s why I recommend making it your first stop after breakfast.
Find the Mural
You’ll see a lot of street art in Catania, but this mural is something else. The green eyed mural, as I named it for obvious reasons was painted by a local artist Mr Pena and is truly impressive and mesmerizing.
I stumbled upon it just by walking around the city. It’s on a quiet street Via Vela, in a small courtyard, just a short walk from the fish market. If you love and appreciate street art, definitely add it to your 1-day Catania itinerary.
This is the exact spot if you want to save it to your map.
Visit Ursino Castle
Just down the street from the mural is Castello Ursino, a 13th century fortress built by Emperor Frederick II to defend the city. Today, there is a Civic Museum inside with displays of artwork, artifacts and sculptures.
I did not a get a chance to go in as it was temporarily closed due to some renovation work. It appears it’s still closed and it’s not clear when it will reopen.
When open, the entrance fee to the castle is €6, which also covers the museum. If you are not interested in that, or it’s still closed, you can still walk around the exterior of the caste and see the impressive walls and towers.
Piazza del Duomo
After checking out the castle, head back towards Piazza del Duomo, which is the main square in Catania. In most Italian cities, you’ll find a central piazza, that is the heart of the city and it’s no different here.
Piazza del Duomo is vibrant and full of people either passing through or just hanging out at one of the cafes. It’s a great place to stroll around, take in all the beautiful architecture, maybe sit down for a coffee or gelato and do some people watching.
This is where you will find the city’s Cathedral (more on that below), as well as a couple of fountains.
In the center of the Piazza stands the iconic Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell’Elefante). The smiling elephant, locally known as Liotru, is made from black lava stone and it topped with an Egyptian obelisk. It’s Catania’s symbol and represents strength and resilience.
On one side of Piazza del Duomo, near the entrance to La Pescheria, is another beautiful fountain, Fontana dell’Amenano. It’s named after the Amenano river, which flowed right through Catania until Mount Etna eruptions eventually covered it in lava. Today the river flows mostly underground, and the water in the fountain comes straight from it.
Visit the Cathedral
The main landmark in Piazza del Duomo is the Baroque style Cathedral, officially known as Cattedrale di Sant’Agata. It’s a must visit when strolling around the Historic Center.
The Cathedral was built between 1078-1093 on top of Roman Baths and is dedicated to Saint Agatha, patron saint of the city. Over the centuries, it was destroyed by earthquakes and Mount Etna eruptions and had to be rebuilt several times.
Inside of the Cathedral you will find Tomb of Bellini, the famous opera composer, who was born in Catania.
There’s no entrance fee, making it one of the best free things to do in Catania. Just keep in mind, that the Cathedral closes mid-day. While you can admire the beautiful exterior anytime, you can go inside either in the morning or later afternoon.
The Cathedral is open every day from 7:15 am-12.30 pm and 4-7 pm. Hours might vary slightly depending on time of the year you visit.
Views from the top of Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata
Right next to the Catedral is a small church Chiesa dell Badia di Sant’Agata, where you can find some of the best views of Catania. When you walk in, on your right, there is a staircase, that leads to a terrace that offers 360-degree views of the city. From there, you can get even higher, to the very top via another small staircase.
If you are lucky with a clear day with blue skies, like I was, you get a great view of Mount Etna. This was definitely one of my favorite things to do in Catania.
The church itself is free to visit, but the viewpoint has an entrance fee of €5. Absolutely worth it.
Chiesa dell Badia di Sant’Agata is open every day from 9.30 am -12.30 pm and 4.30 – 8 pm. Best time to visit is right when it opens in the morning or later in the afternoon (especially during golden hour).
Stroll down Via Etnea
Via Etnea is the main shopping street in Catania. It runs for a few miles from Piazza del Duomo to Villa Bellini. Along the way you have all kinds of stores, from high end clothing, local crafts and artisan products to souvenir stores. Also plenty of places to eat or grab a gelato.
But Via Etnea isn’t just about shopping. A walk down this beautiful street is a must during your one day in Catania for its beautiful architecture. And my favorite part – the view of Mont Etna in the distance.
Via Crociferi
Parallel to Via Etnea is Via Crociferi, a cobblestone street, lined with beautiful and well-preserved Baroque architecture. There are several very ornate churches, a monastery, buildings with beautiful balconies.
If Church of San Benedetto is open, it’s worth the entrance fee to go in, especially for the stunning frescoes. Chiesa di San Giuliano has a crypt and a bell tower with great views of the city.
The street is not very long and it’s easy to visit, as it’s mostly pedestrian only. It’s also very quiet, which is a complete opposite from the lively Via Etnea. I highly recommend getting off Via Etnea for a bit and taking a stroll down Via Crociferi.
Visit the Roman Amphitheatre
As you walk along Via Etnea, you’ll eventually reach Piazza Stesicoro, where you can see the Roman Amphiteatre. Or the remains of it I should say.
Built in the 2nd century AD, Amfiteatro Romano was one of the biggest theatres in the Roman Empire. Used for events and various performance it could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators.
You can see a section of it from the outside without walking in, and that’s actually what a lot of people do. A lot of the theatre is now underground under the buildings of Catania’s historic center. When you go in, you can explore the tunnels and passageways.
I think it’s worth checking it out, just don’t expect anything like the spectacular Teatro Antico in Taormina.
The theatre is open every day from 9 am – 7 pm (from April – October) and 9 am – 5 pm (November- March) and it costs €4 to enter.
There’s also another Roman theatre in Catania, Teatro Romano, located closer to Piazza del Duomo. It’s larger of the two. Unlike the amphitheater in Piazza Stesicoro, this one is a bit harder to find, as the entrance is a bit hidden off of a main street and the theatre is surrounded by buildings. You can find it right in this spot.
Teatro Romano di Catania is open every day from 9 am – 7 pm and it costs €8 to enter.
If you happen to be in Catania on the first Sunday of the month, you can visit the theater for free! – Entrance to many museums and archaeological sites all over Italy are free on that day.
Relax in Villa Bellini
If you keep walking along Via Etnea, you’ll eventually run into Villa Bellini, a beautiful public garden, the oldest in Catania.
The park is pretty big with many walking paths and benches to rest in the shade, which you will especially appreciate on a hot summer day. It’s very well maintained with many beautiful plants and flowers. One of the fun features is a clock, made with flowers and plants, that actually works and tells the correct time.
As you follow the main path to the higher level, there is a terrace from which, on a clear day, you get a great view of Mount Etna.
Try Aranchini at Savia
Pasticceria Savia is a must visit while in Catania. It’s one of the oldest pastry shops in the city and since it’s conveniently located right across the street from the public garden, I recommend making it your next stop.
This pastry shop has been in business since 1897, and it’s known for having the best aranchini. They are fried rice balls coated with breadcrumbs and come with various fillings. It’s a very popular snack in Sicily, something you’d eat when you are hungry but are not ready for a big meal quite yet. They are actually quite filling.
Just know, that if you have your first Aranchino at Savia, this will set the bar pretty high. They are that good. I’ve had my share while in Sicily, and his was one of two best places (the other one was Di Cristina in Taormina).
They have an outdoor sitting area, or you can grab an aranchino or two to go. I also tried their Almond granita and coffee. Both excellent.
If you’d like to sample several different foods, this Catania: Street Food Guided Walking Tour is perfect. You get to try the best of Sicilian cuisine in a short time.
Grab a drink at Caffè Bellini
After running around all day, it’s time for a well-deserved break. You can stop at Caffè Bellini in the afternoon for an aperitivo. Every drink is €3, which is the best deal around. And you have 38 drinks to choose from.
Fun spot, just down the street from Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral. Closed on Mondays.
Dinner
One of the highlights of visiting Italy is food and Sicilian cuisine stands out as one of the best in the country. And volcanic soil of Mount Etna makes for some great wines.
For dinner I recommend choosing one of the restaurants near the fish market you saw in the morning. There so many to choose from and a lot of places serve fish directly from the market, so you know you’re getting the freshest food possible.
Based on great reviews I had dinner at Vuciata, which is right in the heart of that area, on the lively street with the prettiest umbrella installation. I generally avoid restaurants on busy, touristy streets as they tend to be mediocre. But that was not the case with Vuciata. Great food and amazing service. Also, great spot for people watching, as all the seating is outside.
A few other great Catania restaurants in that area are:
- Scirocco
- mm!! Trattoria
- Osteria Antica Marina
Where to stay in Catania, Sicily
If you are planning a short visit to Catania, especially just for a night or two, the best area to stay is in the Historic Center. This way you’ll be within a walking distance to all the main sights, many restaurants and cafes. Staying close to everything allows you to make the most out of your one day in Catania.
Historic Center is also the nicest part of Catania. It has great architecture, vibrant streets, great atmosphere and feels very safe. Other areas, away from the city center, like in many big cities can be a bit rough and less polished.
Here are some great and highly rated hotels in Catania:
CHARME Catania Central Suites – beautiful boutique hotel with just 6 rooms in the prime location overlooking the University Square. Perfect for exploring the Historic Center, with many of Catania attractions just steps away. Breakfast is included in your stay.
Hotel Biscari – great 3-star hotel in the prime location, just a short walk from Piazza del Duomo. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and your stay comes with breakfast, that is served on the rooftop terrace. This hotel is in a historic building with no elevator, so keep that in mind if you’re traveling with big luggage or have mobility issues.
Palace Catania UNA Esperienze – one of the best hotels in Catania right on Via Etnea. One of the highlights is a rooftop terrace with amazing views of Mount Etna.
READ MORE:
- 21 Best Things to do in Taormina, Sicily
- Top Things to do in Bari, Italy – A Quick Guide to Puglia’s Capital
- 10 days in Puglia Itinerary Without a Car
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