Where to stay in Catania
Vacation house with a pool or hot tub in Catania
Pet friendly vacation homes in Catania
Where Is Catania in Italy?
Situated in eastern Sicily in Italy, Catania is located on the Ionian seacoast, south of Mount Etna. Nearby locations include Misterbianco, Canalicchio, and Sant'Agata li Battiati. The city is 86 kilometers from Messina and 168 kilometers from Palermo.
What Is Catania, Italy Known For?
The second-largest city in Sicily, Catania is ideal for a quick Italian getaway. Despite the cacophony of noise, chaos, and unruly nature of the city, Catania still manages to maintain a certain kind of magnetic allure, seductive enough to entrap anyone within its grasp. Exuding a youthful and gritty zest, Catania is awash with super-cool bars, a bohemian free-spirit, and plenty of energy, in direct contrast to the polished and sophisticated Palermo. Within its UNESCO-listed historic core, visitors can go from atmospheric baroque piazzas at one end to domed 18th-century convents at the other. Ancient yet youthful, Catania is Sicily at its very best.
Where to Go in Catania, Italy
- Via Etnea: Connecting the Piazza Duomo to the foot of Etna, Via Etnea is the main artery of the beating heart of Catania. Lined with elegant palazzi, medieval churches, plus a wide range of eclectic boutiques and high-end shops, Via Etnea is where you can admire the life and soul of Catania. Spend the morning people-watching in the alfresco cafes and while away the evening hours strolling the streets as the sun sets against the backdrop of the magnificent Etna in all its natural grandeur.
- Fish Market: For anyone who has a penchant for pesce, Catania’s fish market cannot be missed. Located in the heart of the city, the Fish Market takes all those who stroll through here all the way to the sea — a dominant part of this coastal city’s atmosphere. An assault to the senses, the Fish Market is all bright colors, peculiar smells, and the unabashed shouts of fishmongers selling their freshly caught wares. If you’re looking to buy locally-sourced, quality seafood in an exciting, cacophonous atmosphere, look no further.
- Piazza Duomo: The main square in Catania, the Piazza del Duomo is the main orientation point for all activities. With a monumental elephant statue reigning supreme as the square’s centerpiece, the piazza is aplomb with elegant al fresco eateries, historic buildings, famous monuments, and magnificent palazzi. A triumph of Baroque-style architecture, this pretty piazza is drenched in unapologetically resplendent Italian charm. If you’re looking to explore Catania in just one day, Piazza del Duomo is the only place you need to frequent to see everything.
Popular Destinations Near Catania
- Taormina: Without a doubt, a must-visit day trip from Catania, Taormina is a historic and picturesque hilltop town located just under one hour away from the city. Explore the labyrinthine atmospheric streets and discover the lines of upscale shops, picturesque staircases, and even an ancient Greek theater that showcases the cinematic beauty of Mount Etna and the bay of Naxos below. A quintessentially Sicilian town, you can taste the gelato from a distance!
Best Neighborhoods in Catania
- Via Crociferi: Possibly one of the most decorated and lavishly baroque places in all of Catania is the Via Crociferi. Head down the cobbled stairway and discover a street that languorously stretches for miles and is flanked by incredibly historic buildings, restaurants, museums, and souvenir shops. Often bustling with locals and travelers, this part of town is a cultural and historical hub of the city.
Home-types in Catania
Catania has a variety of property types for you to consider when booking a trip. Here are the most popular property types in Catania:
- Condo: 998 vacation rentals
- House: 473 vacation rentals
- Bed and Breakfast: 320 vacation rentals
- Hotel: 171 vacation rentals
- Villa: 19 vacation rentals
Points of interests in Catania
Catania has several popular points of interest for you to check out when visiting the area. Here are the most popular points of interest in Catania:
- Archaeological Complex Terme della Rotonda: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Orto Botanico dell'Università di Catania: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Teatro Massimo Bellini: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Roman Theatre of Catania: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Church of the Abbey of Saint Agatha: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Church of Saint Benedict: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Roman Amphitheater of Catania: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Fontana dell'Elefante: 4,135 vacation rentals
- Piazza del Duomo, Catania: 4,135 vacation rentals
