Catania Anti-Tourist Guide

Here’s our Catania Anti-Tourist Guide to make sure you take the best of it while feeling like a local.

Known for being an ancient city with a busy port through the ages, Catania still has a lot to offer than that. Check out our Catania Anti-Tourist Guide and get ready to start your best journey!

Immerse yourself in the old and vibrant neighborhoods of the city, diverse culinary scene, and a wide range of cultural events and activities.

Let’s find answers to the most important questions about traveling to Catania to have the most amazing experience there!

How many days should I save to visit Catania?

Tricky question! You could really spend weeks discovering all the cafes, art galleries and museums in Catania like in many European countries. But if you are backpacking or Interrailing and your travel time is limited, a couple of days would be enough to visit all must-see spots in Catania.

Now that this is covered, our next question is…

What are the main highlights of Catania?

1. Catania’s Cultural Scene

a) Palaces and Ruins in Catania

Dive into the historical heritage of this city and explore the classical perriod and Renaissance palaces in Catania. If you are a fan of ancient history don’t pass by The Roman Theatre which is an old theatre which is still of use these days! or perhaps you are more into more modern times. Then you have to visit the Palazzo Biscari with its golden hallways and galeries. Or Ursino Castle, that holds an incredible array of artifacts. plus, it offers a great view of the city. there is a bit for all history lovers out there!

https://www.instagram.com/palazzobiscari/p/CdpZ_qkIAbs/?img_index=1

b) Festivals in Catania

Catania is also famous for playing an important role in the festivities of the region. The Festa di San’Agata brings a lush of colours to the city. Beautiful night lights and street parties transform the city. Many regular and occasional music festivals with different kinds of music genres happen in Catania and its surroundings. Such as the Jazz events organised by the Associazione Catania Jazz. There are also numerous film festivals such as the Catania Horror Music Festival or the Fashion Film Festival.

c) Nightlife in Catania

Catania has a very iconic nightlife. The city has something for every musical preference and every vibe. Our suggestion is to start your night by pre-drinks with fellow travelers at Ostello Degli Elefanti’s bar and discover the best bars in Catania by joining with some of the guests.  For a better understanding of going out in Catania we have a few recomendations to give! Our top choices would be: First, Red Light, and Cru Enoteca. 

https://www.instagram.com/first_food_and_more/p/C7o4a3poHdL/

2. Where to Eat in Catania

Catania holds special spot in any list for the best foodie destinations in Europe, we made a list with another 9 destinations here. Thanks to its traditional background, Catania’s gastronomic spread  stands out for its local scene. 

• Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try Catania traditional foods like Arancino (meatballs), Scacciata Catanese (stuffed focacciaIt), or Olivette di Sant’Agata (sweets). Our top pick of traditional restaurants is La Vuciata, Osteria Antica Marina, and Trattoria del Cavaliere. All of them have an authentic atmosphere and interesting history behind them.

https://www.instagram.com/vuciata_kitchen_market/p/Cd0JFiTNHfG/

• San Berillo – is a Catania district full of local shops and restaurants. 
• Fera O’Luni – this one is a street food place. Literally transalted to Monday Fair, its an open market where you will be able to find a pletora of products to taste. We recommend to alwasy have some cash with you if you decide to visit. You never know what delicious things you will find!

3. What to see in Catania

For us, the best way to discover a city is by walking and that’s why we highly recommend checking out our list. It covers all the must-see sites in the city, such as:

• The Elephant Fountain
• Villa Bellini
• Catania’s Cathedral
• Monastero dei Benedettini

 

If you have more than a couple of days in Catania, we suggest you take the opportunity to explore its surroundings too. Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, Capo Mulini, Valverde, Mainz – are just one of many other beautiful places to visit.

Did you know that Catania is a very popular summer destination? Check out our top ten destinations for a beach holiday to choose your next destination!

4. Alternative places in Catania

Now that we’ve covered the main points everyone should see in the 2 days in Catania, here’s our bonus section with some off-the-beaten-path attractions for you:

• Mount Etna – an active volcano that lays on the outskirts of the city. It is a popular destination for skiing. We recommend taking the cablecar to the crater for a stunning experience!
• Mercati Generali – a huge club area covered in palm trees. It has three floors that includes bar and restaurants . it is well known for their live music events.
• Orto Botanico di Catania – the botanic garden of Catania boast a great coelction of exotic plants but it is also worth visiting for its beautiful park, and peaceful atmosphere.
• Catania Fish Market – An authentic experience of Sicilian life. Travel through the busy streets covered in stands where the local fishermen sell their catch of the day! Beware the ground gets a bit wet from the activities so wear apropiated shoes.

Like this article? Check out our Instagram and TikTok page to see more of these!

…