Фотогалерея ‒ Catania, Italy

Guide to Catania

Virtual tour of Catania

Catania is the second largest city in Sicily, located at the foot of the active volcano Mount Etna. Mount Etna can confidently be called the main and most popular attraction in Catania, and many tourists strive to climb its summit. It is easy to do so - there is a daily bus service from the city to the volcano, and you can also reach it by renting a car or booking a tour with a local travel agency.

By the way, Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, and its height changes after each eruption. Currently, it stands at approximately 3,329 meters above sea level.

The beaches in Catania are located on the outskirts of the city: to the south is the sandy La Playa, and to the north is the rocky lava beach of La Cuti. La Cuti is mainly popular among the locals, although it may not be very convenient for swimming, it is worth visiting at least once for its exotic beauty. La Playa beach is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay, including restaurants and the option to rent sun loungers and umbrellas.

History enthusiasts will find the Roman period monuments fascinating: the ruins of the amphitheater, aqueduct, and forum, as well as the thermal baths, basilicas, and catacombs. The city is also home to around 180 cult buildings, and it is worth visiting at least the Cathedral of Saint Agatha.

Tips for tourists

Buy the Catania Pass. With it, you can visit attractions for free or at a reduced price, as well as not pay for travel in public transport.
Almost all markets in Catania are open seven days a week. Going for fresh vegetables, fruits and fish, feel free to bargain with the seller, this is customary here.
At the airport, at the central railway station, at the port, as well as at the Minoriti Palace, there are tourist centers where you can get information about the city.
Population
315 576
Time zone
UTC+1, summer UTC+2
Language
Italian
Currency
EUR

Tours to Catania

To experience the true Italian atmosphere, admire elegant architecture, bask in the scorching sun, and enjoy the gentle sea, it is worth considering a great value tour to Catania in advance.

For those seeking affordable vacations on this Sicilian resort, it will require some effort as the cost of staying here cannot be considered very low. The only way to reach Catania is by plane. The cost of accommodation will depend on the class of lodging you prefer and the time of year you visit.

In your list of expenses, be sure to include a visit to the best attraction - Mount Etna. Such a trip will cost you at least 250 EUR.

Most travelers prefer summer or the peak of the Christmas holidays for their Catania getaways. If you are unable to go on vacation in the summer, you can visit this Sicilian resort as early as April when the high season begins.

Enthusiasts of guided tours prefer to visit Catania from March to the end of October when the beach season is over, but the mild climate still allows for sightseeing.

Along with other Italian resorts, youth trips to Catania are no less exciting. The city offers several establishments where you can not only have a great time in a lively company but also do so affordably and inconspicuously throughout the night.

Interesting places in Catania

See the sights Catania can be done on your own, having thought out in advance an interesting route and armed with a map of the city. Numerous local guides (including, Russian speakers) offer excursions around surroundings, for example, climbing Mount Etna. On a shopping tour in Catania include Via Etnea, around which shopping centers and boutiques. There are few nightclubs in the city, but if you want, you can easily find where to have fun.

Sights

Travel budget

Flight ticket prices

Flights from European cities to Catania with one or multiple layovers are offered by Iberia, Vueling Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, Wizz Air Hungary, and other airlines. The cheapest round-trip tickets cost around 215 EUR. The travel time varies from 5.5 to 14 hours, depending on the route and layovers.

The best hotels in Catania

Catania has both quite affordable and expensive housing. For example, a bed in one of the hostels can be found for 15 euros per day, a separate room will cost you at least 50 euros. A double room in a 2 * hotel costs from 100 EUR per day. Prices on the coast are much higher than in other natural cities. There are many hotels on the central street of Via Etnea, but it is worth considering that in the evenings it is quite noisy and crowded. If you are in the mood for a relaxing holiday, keep the hotel away from natural places.

The cost of vacation

High season prices in Catania high. If budget limited, start planning your trip as early as possible to choose affordable housing and buy cheap plane tickets. Save on transport and the map will help the cultural program Catania Pass. She entitles you to visit the main attractions free of charge or at a reduced price attractions, as well as not paying for travel in public transport. Bonus for the owner - discounts from program partners (shops, restaurants and other travel services).

The budget for a trip to Catania
Visa - Flight from 430 EUR
Accomodation from 50 EUR Average check in a restaurant from 50 EUR
Transport fare from 0.8 EUR Excursion from 50 EUR
Total: about 1900 EUR for a week for two

Catania: tips for tourists

We have compiled all the information about Catania that travelers may find useful. Get ready for your trip with tripmydream!

Visa to Catania

For European citizens a visa is not required to travel to Italy if they possess a valid biometric passport.

The maximum duration of stay for tourists is 90 days within a 180-day period.

Catania airport

Catania Fontanarossa International Airport, named after Vincenzo Bellini, is located 5 km south of the city. It is one of the ten largest airports in Italy in terms of total passenger traffic, serving more than 6 million people annually.

Transfer to Catania from the airport

Shuttle bus number 457 will take you from the airport to the central railway station of Catania. The service is available from 5:00 to midnight, the traffic interval is 20 minutes. The fare is 1 EUR, the ticket is valid for 90 minutes. A taxi ride will cost you about 20 EUR.

Catania public transport

The city transport network includes the subway (6 stations) and more than 50 bus routes. One bus ride costs 1 EUR, a single metro ticket is a little cheaper - 0.8 EUR. If you plan to actively use transport, buy a travel card.

Car rental in Catania

To rent a car, you need to be over 21 years old (in some cases - 25 years old), have an international driver's license and a bank card on which the deposit will be blocked. The average rental price is 50 EUR per day.

Safety in Catania

During the day, you can safely walk around Catania, being careful, perhaps, of thieves on scooters, hunting in crowded places. After sunset, the police are not recommended to move away from the tourist center and enter unfamiliar areas, especially without an escort.

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