Nestled on the eastern coast of Sicily, Catania stands as a testament to the island's rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. From its dramatic landscapes dominated by the majestic Mount Etna to its baroque architecture and bustling markets, Catania offers visitors a unique blend of old-world charm and modern vitality.
A beautiful local swimming spot
Catania or “Kitty Cat” as we liked to call her, turned out to be quite the surprise. Honestly, we weren't prepared. The city has a rough edge that gives it an “authentic” vibe, just as other travel blogs have suggested. It often felt like we were the only tourists around, definitely the only who spoke english. We felt a bit silly and out of place at first, but eventually, we embraced it and went with the flow. It took a little while to adjust since we were used to hitting all the popular tourist spots, but once we did, we had an incredible time. Catania might just be one of my top fave places we visited on this trip. We learned a lot, met some great people, and really dove into Italian life and culture.
Catania's wine and food >>>
Important Things to Know
1) You might stand out
As I mentioned earlier, we definitely stood out as two of the few English-speaking tourists in the city, and our vacation attire, featuring dresses and crop tops, contrasted with the locals who mainly wore jeans, sweaters, and even some winter coats (even though it was 35 degrees, haha!). Our beach bags and flip-flops made us quite conspicuous when we strolled through the fish market in our bathing suit cover-ups, and at the beach that day, there were probably fewer than twenty people, haha. We often received curious stares, which could be a bit intimidating, and there was some cat-calling, but as I mentioned earlier, we just embraced it and went with the flow, trying to be as courteous as possible and staying open to the people and cultures around us. One of the most rewarding aspects of traveling is stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in different cultures and experiences.
We stuck out like sore thumbs... But we were vibing lol
2) You need to be cautious and street-smart
As always, theft is a major issue in European cities. Catania is known for having bad thieves who will pit pocket, break into cars etc. At one point at the Fish Market it seemed like people were full-on looking in our beach bags… We just always kept an eye on our items and each other, we didn’t rent a car but if you do never leave anything valuable in there. Be smart, and safe and look out for each other.
3) The sun is HOT and the beaches are beautiful
The weather was GORGEOUS in Sicily. It was 35 degrees and sunny the whole time we were there. It was perfect beach weather, so you know we hit up Playa di Catania right away. The Sicilian sun is super hot and the UV is high. Make sure to put lots of sunscreen on and drink a ton of water.
18 km of BEAUTIFUL sandy beaches
4) The volcano erupts quite commonly, but that’s okay!
As we were about to leave Naples for Catania, the flight attendants hit us with a surprise: thanks to Mount Etna's eruption in Sicily, we were going to be stuck on the tarmac for a safety delay of about 3 hours, which naturally got us pretty frustrated. But then, in a wild twist that lasted probably just 5 minutes, they changed their minds and assured us that everything was safe, and we were good to go. So, relief flooded in, and we avoided a long tarmac ordeal. However, the abrupt switch from "volcanic hazard" to "all-clear" left us feeling both relieved and a bit bewildered – it was hard not to chuckle at how fast things changed. When we landed in Catania, the sky was pretty cloudy, and there were ash particles floating around, feeling like tiny grains of sand on our skin. Cassidy even got a little ash speck stuck in her eye, which turned into a keepsake from the whole experience. There was some lava on the Catania airport tarmac, but we didn't get to see any of that up close. Now, as dramatic as this might sound, it honestly wasn't that bad. The weather cleared up within a few hours, and life went back to normal. We ended up having an amazing time in Sicily, and all of this turned into a funny story we'll remember with a smile.
It was pretty cool to see honestly lol
5) Catania is not very touristy, especially in the off-season
As previously mentioned, there were not a lot of tourists in Catania. I think in the summer you will see a lot more travellers but for May, we were some of the only ones. The beaches were empty, which I’m not going to lie, was a bit eerie. Picture a deserted beach, with closed and boarded-up beach bars and vacant Airbnb homes. In the city, many restaurants and bars were closed or had early closing times which we weren’t used to as most cities we had been to were open all night. It was a more quiet experience but we enjoyed it.
The beach was a GHOST town but we found other people eventually lol
6) Not very many people speak English
We ran into very few people who could speak or understand English. Our Airbnb hosts were very surprised we couldn’t speak Italian, which made us feel a bit silly but we tried our best to be kind and communicate. All of the menus at restaurants were in Italian, which led to us ordering some very interesting food and beverages haha. At one point I ordered an iced coffee and got a coconut slushy with a shot of espresso on the side. Again, all fun learning experiences and funny stories to look back on.
7) Catania is very budget-friendly
Everything is so cheap in Catania. Our meals were some of the cheapest we had, our room was only $25 a night each (However we got what we paid for lol) and the public transit was probably the cheapest we came upon. The only thing we noticed that was a bit pricey was the alcohol in stores but that might be because we didn’t go to the right place for that haha.
8) The fish market is NOT what you would expect lol
We accidentally strolled upon the famous Catania Fish Market and were SHOCKED at what we found. The market is massive and absolutely packed. The scent was strong, to say the least lol. It was also very interesting to see that they leave a lot of the fish and food out after the market, for the week to follow. It bakes in the hot Sicilian sun and gets super smelly. To say the least, it was a truly unique and intriguing experience…
A unique smelling experience lol
9) The public bus system is unreliable but the airport shuttle and train are great
We encountered a lot of unreliability with the public bus system. We pretty much always faced extensive waiting times, only for the bus to eventually arrive, and then the bus driver would take breaks. If possible, I would strongly suggest walking or using an Uber as an alternative. However, it's worth noting that Catania's bus fares were the most budget-friendly among all the cities we visited. If you're on a tight budget like we were, the bus is a viable choice. The airport bus operates consistently and reliably. Additionally, the coastal train service to access other Sicilian cities is both excellent and cost-effective. Simply check the schedules for the airport bus or train, arrive a little early, and you'll be good to go.
10) Prepare for solicitors on the beach
Catania has some interesting beach solicitors. Don't be surprised if an unfamiliar individual approaches you carrying a cooler; they're simply attempting to sell you refreshingly cool (well, not exactly ice-cold) beers. It might be advisable to bring your own beverages since their selection is limited to beer, and as I mentioned earlier, it tends to lose its chill under the scorching Sicilian sun. The same principle applies if a woman approaches you with a foot chart; they are offering you a massage. I won't necessarily endorse getting one, but the decision is entirely up to your discretion, haha!
Lukewarm Rona szn
11) You need to embrace the city to get the most out of Kitty Cat
Catania is not like your typical Italian vacation spots such as the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and Lake Como. If you’re looking for those experiences, I would definitely visit Taormina. However, if you want a unique and authentic Italian experience, then Catania is the place for you. During your time in Kitty, you just have to embrace the craziness of the city, and you will grow to love it just like we did.
We quickly grew to love this wacky little city
Where to Stay
When staying in Catania, it’s recommended to stay in Centro. Here you are closer to great restaurants, nightlife and shopping. However you are a bit far from the beach, so if that’s what you are looking to do I would stay closer to Playa di Catania. However, we found Centro great for our trip and we loved being able to walk to the great restaurants and bars. Catania is super cheap to stay in. We stayed in a spot in Centro for 25 euros a night each. The place seemed a bit scary at first because the host spoke to us through a weird camera that followed our movement… But when we met the host family the following morning we realized everything was all good haha. I won’t link the place because it was kind of weird and I think you could do better. Maybe aim for $30 a night each LOL.
What to Do
1) Playa Di Catania
Playa di Catania is a beautiful and bustling beach along the Ionian Sea. It offers golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and a lively atmosphere, making it a popular destination for sunbathing and water sports in Catania, Sicily. This beach is over 18km long and you can’t really go wrong with any of its locations. I would stay a bit closer to the city just to make the commute shorter. We got off the public bus about halfway through the 18km beach to find an absolute DESERTED beach and had to walk about 8km back to find civilization. I don’t think this would be an issue in the summer as the beaches get very busy, but for the spring we were literally the only people that far down the beat lol.
One of the nicest beaches we have been to in Europe!
2) Greek-Roman Theatre
The Greek Theatre in Catania is an ancient and remarkably preserved outdoor amphitheater, showcasing both its historical significance and stunning acoustics for contemporary cultural events.
3) Catania Fish Market
Catania's busy and bustling market
4) Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata
The Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata is a historic cathedral, dedicated to Saint Agatha and renowned for its stunning Baroque architecture.
5) Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena
The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena is a majestic former monastery in Catania, notable for its grand Baroque and Rococo architecture and its significance as one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe.
6) Trip to Mount Etna
Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, offers captivating day trip opportunities from nearby cities like Catania and Taormina. Visitors can explore its lunar-like landscapes, hiking on well-marked trails to witness breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Sicilian coastline.
7) Via Santa Filomena
Via Santa Filomena is a charming and picturesque street in Catania, known for its historic architecture, lively atmosphere, and the local culture that unfolds along its cobblestone pathways. This street is full of great local restaurants and bars.
One of the best parts of Catania!
8) Day trip to Taormina
Taormina is a picturesque hilltop town in Sicily, known for its stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, ancient Greek theatre, and charming cobblestone streets lined with boutiques and cafes. We absolutely LOVED Taormina, so if you want to read up on this city, check out my blog here.
The biggest fans of Tao!
What to Eat
1) Cannolis
Sicilian cannolis are iconic Italian pastries featuring crispy, tube-shaped shells filled with a creamy and sweet ricotta cheese mixture, often adorned with candied fruit or chocolate chips.
2) Pizza
Enough said.
3) Etna Wine
Etna wine is a distinctive and highly prized Italian wine produced on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, known for its complex flavours and unique terroir influenced by the volcanic soil.
Smokey and delicious
4) Granita
Sicilian granita is a refreshing and finely textured frozen dessert made from fresh fruit, sugar, and ice, delivering a burst of fruity and sweet flavours in every spoonful.
Where to Eat
1) Curitigghiu
We had the most delicious pasta at this restaurant. Served with a MASSIVE glass of Etna Wine. They also had gluten-free noodles which was awesome. Overall a 10/10 for this meal.
The Carbonara was soooo good
2) Biosinhai Pizzeria Biologica
This pizza was AMAZING. This was my favourite meal in Sicily and possibly even in all of Italy. I got a spicy pepperoni pizza on gluten-free crust and Cass got a sort of Margarita pizza. The menu is completely in Italian and the servers don’t speak English so it was a bit challenging to order but we made it work and it turned out great.
My fave meal in Italy!
Overall Catania is a nutty little corner of the world which we quickly fell in love with. Catania is a captivating city on the east coast of Sicily, that offers an enchanting blend of history, culture, and coastal beauty. If you get the chance, I highly recommend diving into the heart of this lively destination, exploring its lively fish markets, delicious cuisine, and historic architecture. In this city, I guarantee you will learn a lot about Sicily, Italy and travelling as a whole.
Thank you Kitty Cat <3