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Accommodation - restaurants - sights & cheap flights Catania & Taormina

Catania is the biggest city at the eastern coast of Sicily and the island's second biggest city altogether (aprox. 450.000 inhabitants). The vibrating metropolis Catania is situated directly at the Ionic Sea and attracts visitors from all over the world throughout the whole year.

Come to Catania in Sicily and experience the hospitality and the liveliness of the Sicilians! On our web site you find all the necessary information as well as accommodation, car rental and flights to Catania.

Catania is equally recomendable for a city trip as well as for a seaside holiday with a touch of culture.

In the hot sicilian summer the unique black lava beaches and the warm currents invite you for a swim. These beaches have their origin in the 17th century when Catania was devastated by a terrible earthquake and the eruption of the volcano Etna.

For those interested in culture, history and art Catania has to offer very much throughout the whole year.

Thanks to the mild climate in Sicily you will see visitors strolling the streets in their summer clothes also in the time from November to March.

Catania probably is the city with the best infrastructural system in Sicily. Here you find a very modern international airport and one of the island's most important junctions for railway, bus and motorways.

Thanks to this excelent traffic connections each place on the island can be reached conviniently.

Accommodations in Catania Sicily

As much as Catania is a manifold city also the variety of offers for accommodation is very large. From the luxurious hotel at the beach to the friendly and familiar bed & breakfast as well as holiday appartements and houses everything can be found.

Fun & Leisure in Catania

Restaurants in Catania

Here in Catania also the gourmets will truly enjoy theirselfes. Besides of well known specialities like the "Cannoli Siciliani" (pastry filled with sweet Ricotta cheese) or the "Arancini" (fried rice balls filled with minced meat) horse meat is offered as a special delicacy.

For further information please see also our restaurant guide for Taormina!

Night life in Catania

Young people who like going out in the evenings to enjoy theirselfes in the urban night life will love Catania.

In this university town the characteristic bars and pubs in the historic city centre are frequented not only at weekends. The whole sight of this vibrant city changes enormously after sunset.

Where caotic sicilian city life dominates during the day one strolles on the romantically illuminated Via Etnea through Catania's downtown.

Shopping in Catania

The Via Etnea is one of Sicily's most famous shopping streets. When the weather is clear it offers a wonderful view of the peak of the Etna volcanoe that thrones over the city.

On the Corso Italia wich leads to the sea you will find many shops and stores of high quality producers. People from all over Sicily come here to buy an exclusive wedding dress or to go shopping in the various designers stores.

To buy essential goods like fruits, vegetables and meat we recommend to go the large market of Catania where everything can be bought fresh and usually cheaper as elsewhere. Besides of groceries you will find here also almost any other article from a shoe lace to a dingy. The market opens every morning except on Sundays around the Piazza Stesicoro near Via Etnea.

If it comes to fish or sea food Catania is the right city. Here the biggest and most famous fish market of Sicily (Mercato del Pesce) has its home. The turbulent market opens every morning except on Sundays right beside the cathedral square. This fish market is a paradise for every fish lover.

A few kilometres away from the city centre a gigantic shopping mall – Etnapolis – has been errected. It is one of Europe's biggest shopping malls. Here you will find everything your heart desires. There is a bus connection from the city centre to Etnapolis but anyone who wants to do a big shopping tour should take the car. This temple of commerce has international restaurants as well as a "Warner Bros" multiplex cinema with 12 big screening rooms.

Those who prefer to go shopping in boutiques surrounded by a picturesque atmosphere are strongly recommended to go to Taormina for their shopping trip.

Sights of Catania - Monuments in Catania

The cathedral of Catania also called Church of Sant'Agata - named after the city's patron saint – is only one example of the famous historic sights this baroque metropolis has to offer.

The city's emblem is the black elephant at the square near Sicily's biggest and most vibrant fish market.

Also the green park of the Villa Bellini invites you for a visit. Amid turbulent city life you can relax and find a shady place to rest on hot summer days.

Spend some days in Catania in order to discover and enjoy its variety.

Excursions from Catania

Strategically spoken, Catania is the best place in Sicily to start excursions of any kind.

No matter if you want to visit places surrounded by breathtaking nature or to experience and enjoy historically grown sicilian towns, from Catania you will travel conviniently by bus, train or car.

Here are some of the places reachable within one hour:

Sport activities in Catania

In Catania sport means football. Visit one of the emotional games of the premier league club Catania Calcio and see the football stars of the italian A series.

Catania is an european city and provides a corresponding offer of sport activities of any kind.

A special highlight is the ice skating hall near the beach of Catania. Here you may do some 'winter sports' after your sunbath.

Besides, in Sicily you can do winter sports as well outside as inside. The Etna is ideal for all those who are looking for an excellent skiing resort during the winter months!

A few kilometres outside of Catania in Belpasso near the 'Etnapolis' shopping mall you will find the spectacular water amusement park 'Etnalandia' where limitless fun in the water is guaranteed for the whole family. If you go there to swash at the foot of the Etna you should reserve a whole day for the visit to have enough time to experience all the offered attractions.

Journey by car or in organised groups recommended.

Beaches of Catania

On the one hand there is Catania's black lava beach 'San Giovanni Li Cuti' where also the locals go for a swim in their lunch break or to enjoy the sun on the weekends.

On the other hand there is the long and wonderful sand beach called 'La Playa' with a lot of hotels alongside its promenade. 'La Playa' beach has some excellent lidos and offers a huge variety of sport activities.

Fitness and body building at the beach are very en vogue. Even a modern ice skating hall can be found here as a contrast to the sicilian heat.

The area around Taormina with its wonderful beaches is equally suitable for an unforgettable holiday at the seaside. Check now all Taormina accommodations!

Arrival at Catania - How to arrive in Catania

Important contacts in Catania