Catania
- Majestic Mount Etna towers above the town of Catania.
- Opulent baroque – the Duomo of Catania is consecrated to Holy Agata.
Privileged location between Mount Etna and the Oasi del Simeto
Catania, second largest town on Sicily, lies amidst an impressive natural landscape. On the one side, majestic Mount Etna dominates the history-charged town; on the other side lies the nature reserve "Oasi del Simeto".
Baroque splendour and a wide range of cultural offerings
Catania itself is vibrant with life. Strolling through the Centro Storico with its artful baroque buildings, you should not miss visiting the grand Piazza Duomo with its Fontana dell'Elefante, the prestigious avenue Via Etnea with its elegant shops and neat café-bars, the parks and the impressive Castello Ursino.
- Ample sandy beaches at Oasi del Simeto - in the background Mount Etna.
- The famous fish market (guest picture Giesel).
The university town offers a wide range of cultural possibilities. Attending a performance at the beautiful Teatro Bellini or one of the events taking place in the course of the festival Etnafest from January to mid July, are only two possible highlights. At the weekends during summer, there are also free outdoor concerts and theatre performances.
An experience for your senses – the extremely colourful markets
Less appealing to the intellect, but nonetheless appealing to the senses, that is what you will experience at the two extremely colourful markets of Catania, which have become sights to see. La Pescheria, the largest fish market, takes place daily near Piazza Duomo. You will enjoy it most in the early morning. At Fera o Luni (Piazza Stesicoro/Corso Sicilia), locals find everything their hearts desire, ranging from vegetables and traditional "caffettiera" to leather goods.
- The impressive Castello Urbino out of stones of lava has been built in the 13th century of the Staufen king Friedrich II.
Pure nature at the Oasi del Simeto
At the nature reserve "Oasi del Simeto", located south of Catania, there is an extensive network of paths. You will encounter a rich avifauna, including herons, herring gulls, bee-eaters and purple swamp hens. This is a paradise not only for hikers, but also for riders on horseback and divers.
Impressive Mount Etna
With its almost 60 000 ha, the Parco Regionale dell'Etna is one of the largest regional parks in Italy. The various elevation climates with their diversity of animals and plants are a distinctive feature of the park. A guided tour of the volcano is surely one of the most thrilling experiences during a holiday on Sicily. Our tip: Climb Mount Etna early in the morning. Usually, the view is best then. On clear days, you will get a view of the whole island.
