Catania Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

2 Days in Catania, Sicily ❤️

When traveling to Sicily, you'll surely want to visit the city of Catania. This port city on the island's east coast is a bit gritty, but it's also packed with history and personality. If you're keen to get to know Sicily, Catania is a great place to start. Some top recommendations to see if your travelling to Catania: - Piazza del Duomo - Cathedral of St. Agatha - Roman Theatre and the Odeon - Villa Bellini

Catania Cathedral 🇮🇹

#cherryblossom2024 The Catania Cathedral of Saint Agatha was a captivating highlight of my spring vacation! ⛪ Located in the heart of Catania, Sicily, this stunning cathedral is dedicated to the city's patron saint, Saint Agatha. The entrance fee was quite reasonable, around 2 euros, and well worth it for the chance to explore this magnificent masterpiece of Baroque architecture. As I stepped inside, I was awestruck by the grandeur of the cathedral's interior, with its ornate decorations, majestic columns, and intricate frescoes. #BaroqueBeauty and #SpiritualSplendor at every turn! Nearby, the bustling streets of Catania offered plenty of attractions to explore, from historic landmarks like the Castello Ursino to vibrant markets and charming cafes. Plus, don't miss the chance to sample some delicious Sicilian cuisine at a local trattoria or gelateria. The Catania Cathedral of Saint Agatha was a truly unforgettable experience, leaving me with a deeper appreciation for Sicily's rich history and culture. 🇮🇹🌟

The Cathedral of Acireale, bearing the name of Maria Santissima Annunziata, dedicated to the Annunciation of the blessed virgin Mary. This is the main Roman Catholic Church of the Sicilian town of Acireale and the chair of the Bishop from 1870, the year. The current building of the Cathedral, located on the main city square, Piazza Duomo, was built between 1597 and 1618 years. Then it was a small parish Church. However, a few years later, when in Acireale they brought the relics of Saint Venus, one of the two patronesses of the city, the Church was substantially rebuilt and enlarged. Today the Holy relics are buried inside the Cathedral. By a happy coincidence, the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Annunziata suffered the destructive earthquake in 1693, the year during which was destroyed most of the city. The modern building of the Cathedral is a building of the 17th century with several significant additions of subsequent centuries. Particularly noteworthy are the Baroque portal of the Church of the "Annunciation" painted by Placido Brandimonte from Messina, made in 1668, the year, as well as Western neo-Gothic facade of the work of Giovanni Battista Filippo Basile, completed after the author's death in 1891, the year. The two bell towers, standing on octagonal bases and in the style of mannerism, identical in its external appearance, although their construction was two and a half centuries. The southern bell tower with a dome was built in 1655, the year, and the North with a round window plug - in 1890. The interior of the Cathedral is decorated in the 17th century in the Baroque style. #mynovgetaway #thanksgiving #mynovgetaway#thanksgiving

Majestic Teatro Massimo

The Teatro Massimo (Massimo Vittorio Emanuele Theatre) is a neoclassical opera house built between 1875 and 1897 in Piazza Verdi. Elegant and rigorous with its imposing facade, Teatro Massimo has become a distinctive Landmark in Palermo. Renowned for its perfect acoustics, it can boast for being the biggest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe! 25 Minute guided tours are offered daily (except Mondays), but if you want to try the perfect sound system then I suggest you look into their cultural programme for an upcoming performance. Getting There - Located in the city's historic center, a pleasant walk from the port, train station, and main city attractions Attractions - The majestic theater Hotels - Many hotels nearby to suit all budget Food & Restaurants - Many F&B outlet and restaurant to suit all budget Shopping - Souvenirs, retail and luxury shopping available nearby. #teatromassimo #palermo #sicily #italy #tonywanderlust

Travel Guide | Sicily, Italy 7 Days 6 Nights Itinerary

Day 1️⃣ Catania Sicily's second largest city, located at the foot of 'Mount Etna' 📍Check-in spots in order Teatro Massimo Bellini ➙ Cathedral of Sant'Agata ➙ University Square ➙ Elephant Fountain ➙ Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena ● Teatro Massimo Bellini Pictures 2-5, a historic opera house and one of the most important in Italy. The exterior is very majestic, and the acoustics are excellent. Named after the composer Vincenzo Bellini 🎫 Ticket Price: Under 10 people €6.5; 10 to 35 people €4.5; over 35 people €1 ⏰ Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 09:30am to 12:30am; closed on Monday 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 30mins ● Cathedral of Sant'Agata Pictures 6-7, one of Catania's important sights, the cathedral is dedicated to Catania's patron saint, Saint Agatha 🎫 Ticket Price: Free, access to the church terrace costs €5 ⏰ Opening Hours: 07:30am to 12:30am, 16:00pm to 19:00pm 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 30mins ● University Square (Piazza Università) You can admire the unique mosaic patterns, and as night falls, the square is illuminated by surrounding candelabras, each telling a legendary story of Catania, creating a magical atmosphere 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h ● Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell'Elefante ('u Liotru)) Pictures 8-9, a landmark square, the Elephant Fountain offers free drinking water. It is said that the obelisk on top of the elephant has magical powers to control the eruptions of Mount Etna 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h ● Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena (Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena) Picture 10, the monastery was destroyed by a volcanic eruption, and the current university center is built on the ruins of the monastery, where you can visit the oldest parts (lava is still visible) 🎫 Ticket Price: Under 10 people €10, over 10 people €7.5 ⏰ Opening Hours: 10:00am to 12:00ampm, 14:00 to 17:00pm 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h30m

Travel Guide | Sicily, Italy 7 Days 6 Nights Itinerary

Day 1️⃣ Catania Sicily's second largest city, located at the foot of 'Mount Etna' 📍Check-in spots in order Teatro Massimo Bellini ➙ Cathedral of Sant'Agata ➙ University Square ➙ Elephant Fountain ➙ Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena ● Teatro Massimo Bellini Pictures 2-5, a historic opera house and one of the most important in Italy. The exterior is very majestic, and the acoustics are excellent. Named after the composer Vincenzo Bellini 🎫 Ticket Price: Under 10 people €6.5; 10 to 35 people €4.5; over 35 people €1 ⏰ Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 09:30am to 12:30am; closed on Monday 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 30mins ● Cathedral of Sant'Agata Pictures 6-7, one of Catania's important sights, the cathedral is dedicated to Catania's patron saint, Saint Agatha 🎫 Ticket Price: Free, access to the church terrace costs €5 ⏰ Opening Hours: 07:30am to 12:30am, 16:00pm to 19:00pm 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 30mins ● University Square (Piazza Università) You can admire the unique mosaic patterns, and as night falls, the square is illuminated by surrounding candelabras, each telling a legendary story of Catania, creating a magical atmosphere 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h ● Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell'Elefante ('u Liotru)) Pictures 8-9, a landmark square, the Elephant Fountain offers free drinking water. It is said that the obelisk on top of the elephant has magical powers to control the eruptions of Mount Etna 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h ● Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena (Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena) Picture 10, the monastery was destroyed by a volcanic eruption, and the current university center is built on the ruins of the monastery, where you can visit the oldest parts (lava is still visible) 🎫 Ticket Price: Under 10 people €10, over 10 people €7.5 ⏰ Opening Hours: 10:00am to 12:00ampm, 14:00 to 17:00pm 💁🏻‍♀️ Suggested Duration: 1h30m

Catania: Sicilian Splendors Await

#cherryblossom2024 Catania, nestled on Sicily's eastern coast, enchants visitors with its rich history and vibrant atmosphere. Explore the city's architectural wonders, including the imposing Catania Cathedral and the Baroque masterpiece, Palazzo Biscari. Wander through the bustling streets of the historic center, where the lively markets showcase Sicily's culinary delights. Don't miss the iconic Fontana dell'Elefante in Piazza Duomo, featuring an elephant statue crafted from lava stone. Indulge in local cuisine at the fish market or savor a granita at one of the charming cafes. With Mount Etna providing a majestic backdrop, Catania invites travelers to immerse themselves in its unique blend of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty.

I have been longing for an active volcano since I was a child, and I hope that one day I will stand in the crater to see the spectacular scene of magma eruption. Mount Etna in Sicily can be said to be a famous volcano in Italy. It is also very famous throughout Europe. If you have the opportunity to come to Sicily, you should be able to check it out. I still remember, not long ago, the Internet was full of news about the eruption of Mount Etna. What attracted me at that time was not so much the thrill of it as it continued to erupt, but rather the surprise and carnival that people were eager to see.

Ah, Taormina, that is a dreamy paradise town hidden in the beautiful Mediterranean, hehe

Wow😮! Taormina, that is indeed a dreamy paradise town hidden in the beautiful Mediterranean, hehe😉! Some say that if you haven't been to Sicily, it's like you haven't really been to Italy. Wow, this place is just like a fairy tale brought to life: the ancient Greek theatre🎭 perched atop the cliffs, the misty highest active volcano in Europe🌋, the crystal-clear azure Mediterranean Sea🌊, and the ancient towns nestled in the mountain ridges, all of these can be found right here in the small town of Taormina~ 🌋【Let's talk about Taormina】 🎈Taormina is located on the east coast of Sicily, on one side there is the vast and blue-toned Ionian Sea with its charming maritime scenery😃, and on the other side, there is the magnificent mountain view of Mount Etna😍. 🎨This place is a magical land that has given birth to many poets and painters, and the famous 'The Big Blue' had its main outdoor scenes shot in Taormina. ✨The French writer Guy de Maupassant once said: 'If someone could only stay in Sicily for one day, and then he asks: Where should I go to visit? I would tell him without hesitation, Taormina. This little village seems to be just a small landscape, but everything in it can deeply indulge your vision, spirit, and imagination, and you can enjoy it to the fullest.' 📍Greek Theatre (Teatro Greco): Wow, it has a long history of 2300 years, it's that typical U-shaped theatre, standing there, it feels like you're in a super big bird's nest suspended between the sky and the sea🕊. When you look from the top of the theatre, the near view is the ancient theatre ruins that have been washed by the years for 2300 years, the middle view is the medieval town on the mountainside and the castle on the mountain, and the far view is the vast sea and the distant volcano. 📍Taormina Public Garden (Parco Civico): This is a great place for the citizens of Taormina to enjoy their leisure time, here you can deeply feel the local lifestyle. 📍Cathedral of San Nicolò (Cattedrale di San Nicolò): This is an ancient and solemn church near Taormina, with exquisite carvings and super beautiful murals inside, definitely a must-visit place for art lovers🎨. 📍Piazza IX Aprile: This is a super beautiful square, also a great viewpoint, where people gather and hold celebrations🎉. On one side of the square is the Taormina Church, built on the ruins of an ancient church in the 15th century with Norman-Arab architectural style, and on the other side is the Centaur Fountain full of Baroque style. Here, you can also have a panoramic view of Mount Etna. 📍Mount Etna (Etna): The highest active volcano in Europe, with an altitude of 3300 meters, where you can enjoy the super spectacular sunrise and sunset🌅. 📍Isola Bella, also called 'Beautiful Island', is in Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, and during low tide, you can walk over from the shallows. 📍Main Street (Corso Umberto): Here are ancient and charming buildings, exquisite churches, and intoxicating alleys. The whole street is filled with a strong medieval atmosphere, here you can appreciate the unique architectural style of Taormina, like Baroque and Gothic buildings, etc. 🎈Best Travel Time: Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to November) are more suitable times😜, the weather is very mild, and there are relatively fewer tourists. Summer (June to August) is the peak tourist season, but the temperature will be higher, and there will be more people. Winter (December to March of the following year) the weather is colder, but you can enjoy the unique winter scenery. 🚗Transportation Guide: - Airplane: You can fly to Catania Airport first, and then take public transportation or rent a car to Taormina. - Train: There are trains from Catania to Taormina, but you need to transfer in Messina. - Bus: There are direct buses to Taormina from both Catania and Messina. 🏨Accommodation Recommendations: - City Center: Choose hotels or B&Bs close to the main attractions and shopping areas, so it's very convenient to get around. - Near the Beach: If you like the beach, you can choose to stay in hotels or resorts near the beach. - On the Mountain: Accommodations on the mountain offer beautiful sea views and panoramic views of the city, but you may need to walk or take transportation up and down the mountain. 🍝Food Recommendations: - Pasta: Taormina has a variety of pasta, like Bolognese, seafood pasta, etc. - Seafood: Because it's close to the Mediterranean, the seafood in Taormina is super fresh, you can try various seafood dishes. - Ice Cream: Italian ice cream is very famous, and Taormina also has many delicious ice cream shops. - Fruits: Sicily's fruits are super rich, like oranges, lemons, grapes, etc., you can taste fresh fruits and juices.

Morocco and Tunisia are truly deserving of their reputation as tourist and vacation destinations

After a flight of over two hours from Tunisia, you arrive in Turkey. From the air, the urban development of Tunisia is quite impressive (see photos 1, and 4-10). Flying over Sicily, you can see Mount Etna🌋, which I climbed in 2019. A year later, the volcano erupted . Passing by today, I see it's still smoking Back at Istanbul Airport☕️, it's brilliantly lit ... I'm not sure if the strait I photographed from the air is the Bosporus (photo 14) I'm feeling homesick, returning to Shanghai is always so familiar, warm, and wonderful. Shanghai Airport has undergone some small changes again, now you can see the real-time status of your luggage being transported from the plane you arrived on at the baggage claim area (photo 19) Every trip is a beautiful memory

On the peak of Etna

The Funivia Etna, or Etna Cable Car, offers visitors a thrilling journey to the summit of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano. Situated on the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy, this cable car system provides a convenient and awe-inspiring way to experience the majestic beauty and geological wonders of the volcano. Ascending from the southern slope of Etna, the cable car transports passengers to an altitude of approximately 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the volcanic terrain below. From there, visitors can board off-road vehicles or hike to reach higher elevations and explore the moon-like landscapes of lava fields, craters, and steaming vents. The Funivia Etna not only offers unparalleled access to the volcano's dramatic scenery but also provides insights into its geological significance and volcanic activity. Knowledgeable guides accompany visitors on guided tours, sharing information about Etna's history, eruptions, and unique ecosystem. #summerdream

Cinema Museum in Catania

The museum is located close by the city and it’s surprisingly quite full of great scenography and the history of cinema. Inside they have old cameras and a small cinema with an introduction to the evolution of movies . But it’s in Italian . They also made few scenography about “The godfather “ movie and few other with the Italian/Sicilian tradition houses #mytripvlog #urbanexplorer