Catania trip planner

The main city of Sicily's east coast, in the shadows of Mt. Etna, doesn't invite lingering

Catania tourist office
Largo Paisiello 5 (take Via Pacini off Via Etnea)
tel. +39-095-730-6211
www.apt-catania.com

Provincial tourism:
turismo.provincia.ct.it

Train Station
Piazza Giovanni XXIII, Catania
tel. +39-095-093-7024

Palazzo Minoriti
Via Etnea 62–65
tel. +39-095-401-4070

Airport Fontanarossa
tel. +39-095-093-7023

Train station office
tel. +39-095-730-6255

Hotels in Catania
www.booking.com
www.venere.com
www.hostelworld.com

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Catania guide
• Intro
• Sights
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Planning FAQCatania has been around since the Sikel days, and did time as a Greek and a Roman provincial capital, but today it's a big industrial city of few charms but a lot of tourist traffic—often the easiest way to get from point A to point B in eastern Sicily is to go through Catania.

Its lackluster modernity is thanks mainly to its big, bad neighbor Mt. Etna, the worst of whose periodic eruptions have destroyed the city on several occasions.

There's no compelling reason to visit Catania itself, really—though there are some sights to keep you occupied when you're passing through. However, if you find yourself stuck in town or routing yourself through (several low-cost airlines fly in to the Catania airport, which is far more convenient than Palermo for getting to Siracusa or Taormina), here are the details of the many rail and bus connections, plus a few sights to pass the time.

Planning your trip

Planning your time: Honestly, just get out of Catania. The few sights are not worth it, especially considering how much the rest of the region has to offer. If you're in Sicily for a month, sure, spend a day or two. Otherwise, move on. Your vacation will thank you.
How to get to Catania:
- How to get to Catania by car—Catania is about halfway down Sicily's eastern shore on the A18 highway. Catania is 54km (33 miles) south of Taormina, 66km (41 miles) north of Siracusa, 97km (60 miles) south of Messina, and 85km (53 miles) east of Enna.
  
  Park in Catania at the Parcheggio Bellini on Via Cosentino (off Piazza C. Alberto).
- How to get to Catania by train—There are trains from Siracusa, Taormina, Messina, and Palermo. The train station is at the east edge of town on Piazza Giovanni XXIII (tel. +39-095-532-719).
- How to get to Catania by bus—SAIS, across the piazza from the train station at Via d'Amico 181 (tel. +39-095-536-168), runs most lines to Catania, though some are run by AST (tel. +39-095-347-330).
  
  There are 7 buses (1 on Sunday) from Siracusa (75 min.); at least hourly runs (7 on Sunday) from Taormina (1-1.5 hr.); 10-13 runs (6 on Sunday) from Palermo (2 hr. 40 min.); 10 runs (7 on Sunday) from Agrigento (2 hr. 50 min.); 3 runs (none Sunday) from Caltagirone (65 min.); 8 runs (3 Sunday) from Piazza Armerina (100 min.); hourly runs (5 on Sunday) from Ragusa (2-3 hr.); 8 runs (3 on Sunday) from Noto (95-125 min.); and 6 runs (1 on Sunday) from Messina (3 hr. 20 min.).
Visitor Information: For the main tourist office in Catania, take Via Pacini off Via Etnea to Largo Paisiello 5 (tel. +39-095-730-6211, fax 095-316-407), is open daily 9am to 7pm, as is the office in the train station (tel. +39-095-730-6255). Their website is www.apt-catania.com.

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This material was last updated October 2009. All information was accurate at the time.

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Catania trip planner

The main city of Sicily's east coast, in the shadows of Mt. Etna, doesn't invite lingering

Planning your trip

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