Wonderful city, located on the coast of the warm sea next to a huge volcano, attracts tourists all year round. This is Catania (Sicily). Italy has always been of interest to travelers, so this province is very popular. If you have not yet been to Catania, which amazes with the beauties of its nature, then you should definitely go there on your next vacation. In the meantime, I want to tell you what and how this amazing city lives.
General information
Catania (Italy) - the second largest Sicilian city, which lies right at the foot of Mount Etna. It is built at the volcano, from it and overlooking it. It is unlikely that you know that most of this city was built from lava that erupted many years ago. The dark color of the buildings goes well with the bright sunlight covering everything around. Thanks to Giovanni Battista, Catania (Italy) looks so unusual: black baroque houses combined with straight streets. By the way, the patroness of the city is Saint Agatha. Her holiday is celebrated at the very beginning of February.
Airport
Catania (Italy), whose airport called Vincenzo Bellini (new building) was opened in 2007, receives thousands of travelers every day. In its old building, a shopping center is being prepared for opening, and the new one is welcoming tourists from all over the world. Even though it is out of town, you can easily get to Catania by bus. The total travel time is about 20 minutes. The ticket can be purchased at the kiosk, which is located to the right of the airport building. You can also rent a car there.
Transportation
Catania (Italy) is a major transport hub throughout Sicily. Railways are well developed. The Central Station is located not far from the Cathedral Square. From there you can get to neighboring cities: Palermo, Syracuse and others. Public transport in the city is represented by buses and metro.
The subway is not so big there: only 6 stations with a length of about 4 kilometers. If you are going to travel on it, you should remember that it starts working at 7:00 in the morning and closes around 21:00. The ticket costs just under 1 euro and is valid for an hour and a half.
As for buses, there are about fifty routes in the city. The ticket costs 1 euro and the schedule can be found on the public transport website.
You can still travel by taxi. The cost of landing is 3 euros, and for each kilometer you will pay an additional 1 euro.
Hotels
Catania (Italy), whose hotel reviews can be found in this article, offers a lot of options. Experienced travelersrecommend several hotels of varying degrees of comfort.
So if you need to stay in Catania:
- Romano Palace 5 is a luxurious hotel located in the beach area near the city center. Most tourists who once lived there recommend it and note the beautiful views, excellent pool and beach, as well as a professional staff.
- Katane Palace 4 is a beautiful palace-like hotel with a great garden and patio. Guests also recommend it, as it is located near the historical center, and there are good local restaurants nearby.
- Il Principe 4- designer hotel boasts mostly positive reviews. The rooms are large and clean. Here you can feel the spirit of Italy.
- Stesicorea Palace 3 - the hotel is located in the heart of Catania. Despite the walking distance of the main attractions, visitors complain about the noise from the square. However, the service is good and the rooms are comfortable.
Catania (Italy): Attractions
There really is something to see in Catania, so you should go here for new experiences.
The Cathedral, built in honor of St. Agatha, is striking in its splendor. The facade is finished with marble, it is decorated with a huge number of statues that are designed to protect the city. In addition to the remains of the saint, some Sicilian kings, queens and cardinals are buried here.
The Church of St. Nicholas looks a little strange, and therefore attracts attentiontourists. When it began to be exploited, it was not yet completed, and a little later an earthquake destroyed most of the building, which remained unfinished. Despite its unsightly appearance, the baroque interior is striking to the eye.
The collegiate basilica shows all the charms of the Sicilian Baroque. The facade is crowned by a small bell tower, and between the first and second levels there is an openwork balustrade.
The fortress of Ursino was surrounded by a moat, but as a result of the eruption, earthquake and time, the landscapes have changed a lot, and the building itself was surrounded by city blocks. Now there is a rich museum with collections of sculptures, paintings and ceramics.
The Elephant Fountain on Cathedral Square is considered to be the main symbol of the city. A figure of black stone rises above all buildings. Mystical properties are attributed to such elephant statues in Catania. According to legend, they are able to pacify a restless volcano. The fountain is located near the city hall building, which is now called the Elephant Palace.
The Amenano Fountain is located next to the entrance to the market in Cathedral Square and is made of magnificent light marble. Its name is associated with the river of the same name, which is now buried underground, and the water from this fountain flows into it.
The Bellini Theater is named after the founder of the entire Catalan music scene. His museum contains items related to the name of the composer. Theater tours are held three times a week: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - and the costvisits 5 euros.
What to buy?
Catania (Italy) - almost a paradise for a shopaholic, it is called the second Milan. There are several large outlets, the most famous of which is Sicilia Outlet Village. It is located near the city, on the motorway leading to Palermo. This is a very original village with shops in the form of houses, where you can choose shoes, clothes and accessories from famous brands. You can also buy local ceramics here. If you get there during the sales, you can buy things with a discount of up to 80 percent.
You can go shopping in the city itself. Famous shopping streets are located on Via Etnea and Corso Italia. There are more democratic brands on the first street, and shops on the second street can hit your wallet significantly, but you can buy Valentino, Armani, Furla there.
Catania (Italy): beaches
In this town you can find two picturesque beaches: Li Kuti and La Playa.
The first of them is recognized as the largest in the vicinity of Catania. Locals come here to swim and sunbathe. There are mostly black lava stones on the shore, so it’s not very convenient to enter the water, but the views are amazing. The beach is especially beautiful in September, when the influx of tourists decreases.
La Playa, unlike Li Kuti, boasts a sandy beach. Visitors are more likely to rest here, but sometimes local residents also come. This beach is not wild, it has all the conditions of civilization: sun loungers, umbrellas andsmall eateries on the coast.
Conclusion
In general, you can talk about Catania endlessly, but you can’t tell everything until you see this magnificent city for yourself, which amazes with its nature and architecture. Under the hot Sicilian sun, you want to spend all your free time. Come here at any time of the year, Catania will always be waiting for you! Be sure that in addition to a great tan, you will also bring unforgettable impressions of this vacation home.
