Catania has a stupendous collection of dark-hued Baroque architecture, watched over by
the looming presence of volcanic Mount Etna. Explore the Amphitheatre,
Theatre and other Roman ruins, and experience the rowdy vitality of the
city's busy fish market.
Background
Perched on the east coast of Sicily a few miles from Mount Etna, Catania is
constructed from the black lava that enveloped the medieval city when Etna erupted
in 1669 – an earthquake in 1693 finished the destruction. Admire the
uniform collection of Baroque buildings and Catania's icon, the Elephant
Fountain on Piazza del Duomo square, also made from black lava. You'll pass
a string of dusky buildings as you make your way along Via Etnea, Catania's
main shopping and dining street. Mount Etna continues to make its presence felt,
smoking and occasionally belching lava and ash.
First-time visit
Drop into the Cathedral on Piazza del Duomo to see the tomb of the
famous Catania-born composer, Massimo Bellini. Learn more about Bellini at the
Massimo Bellini Theatre, one of Europe's finest opera houses,
and the Bellini Museum, housed in the building where the composer was born in
1801. Pick up picnic supplies from Catania's boisterous fish market and
nearby produce market. Then take a walk along Via Etnea to join locals
relaxing by the tree-lined walkways and fountains of the Villa Bellini
Gardens.
Return visit
Delve deeper into Roman Catania at excavation sites around town and with a visit to
the Amphitheatre. Explore Catania's Civic Museum housed in
the austere Ursino Castle guarding the port - one of the few medieval
buildings to survive the 17th-century eruptions of Mount Etna. At night, head
to clubs on Via Crociferi and bars clustered round the city's
nocturnal hub, the Scalinata Alessi steps. See what's on at the
Massimo Bellini Theatre – Bellini's opera Norma
is frequently performed here, in the heart of the composer's home town.
Please note that you won't be able to make changes to your hotel or car booking. If you want to change your booking you will have to cancel your current booking and make a new booking. This can be done on ba.com.
We cannot guarantee that the same hotel room or car rental option will still be available if you have to cancel and make a new booking.
